Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1291 - 839: Framing and Slander (Part 2)

It is widely whispered that the Beishi family has produced elders for the Xuanqing Sect across multiple generations, effectively making their clan a splinter of the sect’s outer reaches.

"They are attempting to frame us!" Xuanzhen declared.

Yang Zhenshan grasped the implication of his words almost instantly.

The Yin Ghost Department’s objective is to reignite the flames of war between the Lingxiu Sects and the Nether Prison Sect. Because they are ignorant of the current status of the Ancient Relic Array, they do not believe the two factions would return to conflict over it without further provocation.

Consequently, they intend to manufacture a pretext for war from a different direction.

While this framing scheme might appear riddled with flaws, targeting the Beishi family gives it a high probability of success.

Given the intimate ties between the Beishi family and the Xuanqing Sect, any significant losses suffered by the former would compel the latter to demand retribution, whether to save face or to protect their vested interests.

In a fit of righteous fury, the leadership of the Xuanqing Sect might very well turn their blades against the Nether Prison Sect.

Yang Zhenshan contemplated this for a moment before inquiring, "What is your take on this?"

"What could I possibly think? I have no agency at the moment; I merely execute whatever Mo Xuanyu commands me to do. The welfare of the Beishi family matters little to me!" Xuanzhen replied with palpable irritation.

"I bring this up only to determine if this situation poses any risk to you."

Yang Zhenshan shook his head slowly. "I, too, share no connection with the Beishi family, though a junior of mine is currently in the Xuanqing Sect. However, he is a mere outer sect disciple, so this affair is unlikely to involve him either."

"As for the impending war between the Nether Prison Sect and the Lingxiu Sects, alas, it seems unavoidable!"

"For what reason?" Xuanzhen asked.

Yang Zhenshan cast a glance at him, briefly weighed his options, and decided to speak plainly: "Because I have already raided the Ancient Relic Array clean. Should members of the Nether Prison Sect or the Lingxiu Sects enter, conflict is inevitable once they witness the emptiness inside."

The effort the Nether Prison Sect exerted to breach the Ancient Relic Array would be met only with barren desolation. Their rage would be boundless.

He and Xuanzhen were old acquaintances; Yang Zhenshan knew well that the priest was a man of petty grievances. If the Unpredictable Ghost Sect ever slighted him, he would spend his days plotting their ultimate destruction.

Admittedly, Xuanzhen was not entirely devoid of heart, and he held loyalty in high regard, though he preferred to maintain a facade of detached indifference.

"Raided it? What are you implying?" Xuanzhen asked in confusion. He struggled to fathom how one could possibly 'empty' the Ancient Relic Array.

"Precisely what I stated. Aside from the indestructible Transmission Hall and the deep mineral veins, I have stripped everything of value from that place!" Yang Zhenshan clarified.

Xuanzhen stared at him, jaw hanging open in sheer disbelief.

"By what means did you achieve such a feat?"

"Haha, that remains a secret. Once you have severed the chains of your servitude to the Unpredictable Ghost Sect, I shall tell you!" Yang Zhenshan laughed.

Although intensely curious, Xuanzhen realized the subtext: until he was free from the Unpredictable Ghost Sect, Yang Zhenshan could never fully grant him his trust. This only deepened his resentment toward his masters.

Abandoning his questions about the array, he asked, "What is the next step? Can we trap the Unpredictable Ghost Sect and perhaps see Mo Xuanyu killed?"

His thoughts remained obsessed with his desire for vengeance against Mo Xuanyu.

"How does Mo Xuanyu’s cultivation compare to yours?" Yang Zhenshan asked.

Xuanzhen considered the question for a moment. "He is at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, but he utilizes the depraved techniques of the Unpredictable Ghost Sect. His methods are erratic and treacherous, making him a difficult target to eliminate."

"Then we must avoid acting in haste, lest we alert our prey!" Yang Zhenshan shook his head slightly.

Despite his array of capabilities, his own cultivation was merely average compared to many early-stage Foundation Establishment figures. He could handle the standard opponent, but against the cunning Mo Xuanyu, he felt his current strength was insufficient.

"They operate from the shadows, just as we do. We must strike only when we are certain of a finishing blow!"

"Very well, I shall restrain myself," Xuanzhen exhaled deeply, forcing his volatility down. "Damn it, patience is a virtue I utterly despise!"

While others argue that patience brings peace, for Xuanzhen, it only served to disturb his Dao heart and boil his blood.

Recognizing the man's temperament, Yang Zhenshan chuckled. "Hehe, while we refrain from acting, there are others perfectly suited to trigger the chaos."

"Simply wait and observe the spectacle!"

"Good, I shall await this show of yours!" A sense of relief washed over Xuanzhen.

"Be patient!"

Yang Zhenshan vanished, withdrawing his consciousness from the communication.

Since Mo Xuanyu aimed to frame others, why shouldn't he reciprocate?

If Mo Xuanyu wanted to spark a bloodbath between the Lingxiu Sects and the Nether Prison Sect, Yang Zhenshan would make sure to draw the Unpredictable Ghost Sect into the fire alongside them.

The Unpredictable Ghost Sect’s influence here was restricted to the Yin Ghost Department. While dangerous, they lacked the raw power to intimidate both the Lingxiu Sects and the Nether Prison Sect simultaneously.

That was likely why Mo Xuanyu preferred lurking in the dark, weaving his schemes.

If the true nature of the Unpredictable Ghost Sect were unveiled to the others, they would surely unite to eradicate the threat.

Once his consciousness returned to his body, Yang Zhenshan pondered the plan. He moved with a flicker to his supply warehouse to rummage through his hidden caches.

"I know I tucked that item away somewhere!"

After tossing aside various crates and chests, he unearthed a dark token.

A Soul-breaking Blade token!

He had scavenged this upon slaying an Immortal Cultivator associated with Soul-breaking Blade in Snow Valley Town.

At the time, he had incinerated most of the man's belongings, sparing only harmless curios, this token being one of them.

The item carried a subtle restriction, likely serving as a mark of identity.

"Haha, let us sharpen our knives for the blame game!" Yang Zhenshan mused with a smirk.

He walked to the Clan Hall, sought out Yang Chengmao, and pressed the token into the man's palm. "Take this and secure it within the Transmission Hall inside the array."

Who had purged the Ancient Relic Array? If asked, Yue Qing would immediately suspect Yang Zhenshan.

After all, he had bragged to her with wild tales about White Jade City.

Among the powers surrounding the Sea of Spirit, only the elusive White Jade City possessed the means to leave the array a hollow shell.

Yang Zhenshan had considered this. He had initially intended to simply accept her suspicion, reinforcing the myth of White Jade City.

But his plans had shifted. Now, he intended to frame Soul-breaking Blade, and by association, the Unpredictable Ghost Sect.

A single token might not be enough to set the trap, but if evidence suggested members of Soul-breaking Blade had been encroaching within, it would surely suffice.