Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey! Chapter 1592 - 366: Liu Futong’s Crisis and Secret Dealings (Part 2)

Han Ling’er was livid and ready to execute her next assault when an authoritative voice roared, "Audacious fool! What gives you the nerve to strike at the Holy Sect’s Saintess?"

As these words hung in the air, the courtyard gate groaned open, and a figure emerged with a measured, deliberate gait.

The assembly stood transfixed upon catching sight of the newcomer.

"Aunt Han!"

Liu Caidie recognized the individual instantly. It was none other than Han Miaozhen, one of the legendary Four Great Dharma Kings.

None among them had anticipated that Han Miaozhen would be the one standing guard here.

Seeing Liu Caidie, a gentle smile graced Han Miaozhen’s lips. "Oh, my dear Caidie, you have returned."

Liu Caidie performed a quick, respectful bow. "Aunt Han."

Han Miaozhen then shifted her focus to the sentries who had formed a defensive phalanx. "This is utterly disgraceful. Who granted you the permit to attack the Saintess? Report to the Judicial Commander and accept twenty lashes for your misconduct."

"As you command."

The guards bowed deeply before retreating in haste. Han Miaozhen then addressed Han Ling’er, scolding, "Ling’er, your temperament remains far too reckless."

Han Ling’er retorted, "Aunt Han, Caidie came back to pay her respects to Grandpa Liu, yet these subordinates dared to block her path. Are they not deserving of punishment?"

Han Miaozhen sighed, "They may be at fault, but Ling’er, Caidie, the Venerable Lord is presently in deep seclusion to formulate a strategy against our enemies. You simply cannot see him at this time."

Han Ling’er pressed, "Aunt Han, is there truly no way you can assist us?"

Han Miaozhen answered, "Why would you think I am refusing to help? It is just beyond my power. The survival of our Holy Sect leaves no room for error. You are no longer children; pray do not cause unnecessary trouble, understood?"

Undeterred, Han Ling’er pleaded, "Aunt Han, please, just this once. Caidie truly misses Grandpa. Do not be so cold-hearted."

Han Miaozhen remained firm, shaking her head. "These are strict mandates. There is no room for leniency, so I must ask for your understanding."

"Aunt Han, I only want to see him from a distance. Just one glimpse is sufficient. I only need to know he is in good health."

Despite Liu Caidie’s desperate appeal, Han Miaozhen refused to yield. "It is not a matter of mercy; rules are binding for everyone. You should retire to your quarters; I have urgent duties to attend to and cannot entertain you further."

With those words, Han Miaozhen turned to depart. However, her gaze drifted over the crowd, landing briefly on the hunched form of Chen Jiusi, and a strange sense of familiarity tugged at her mind.

She narrowed her eyes, perplexed by this sudden sensation.

Han Miaozhen frowned and studied him with intensity, while Chen Jie felt her gaze linger. The aura of familiarity deepened in her mind, like a phantom of a memory she could not quite grasp.

Yet, after intense scrutiny, she could find no face in her recollection that matched the disheveled features of the bent old man.

Dismissing her doubts eventually, she strode away.

As Chen Jie watched her close the gates, a long breath of relief escaped him; Han Miaozhen’s instincts were indeed unnervingly sharp.

Standing outside the gate, Han Ling’er and Liu Caidie shared a tense silence. Liu Caidie peered toward the hidden courtyard, a feeling of deep dread washing over her.

"Grandpa... something terrible has happened!"

Han Ling’er looked at her in shocked disbelief. "That cannot be possible. With Grandpa Liu’s immense cultivation, who could possibly overpower him?"

Liu Caidie’s brow furrowed. "The threat does not come from without, but from within his own circle."

Hearing her realization, Han Ling’er whispered, "Those in his circle... you mean to say..."

"Ah!"

Han Ling’er gasped, her eyes widening as she darted an uneasy look toward the gates where Han Miaozhen had disappeared.

Liu Caidie stood vigil for a moment longer before stating, "Sister Ling’er, we must leave."

"What? Are you not going to save Grandpa Liu?"

Liu Caidie replied, "We cannot intervene right now. We must proceed with caution to avoid alerting the enemy."

She turned to Chen Jie and asked, "What is your take on my analysis?"

Chen Jie spoke in a low voice, "Considering the reactions from Mr. Guan and Han Miaozhen today, I fear the Venerable is indeed trapped in a grave predicament."

Liu Caidie continued, "Can you assist me in saving him?"

Chen Jie replied, "With Han Miaozhen stationed there and my own strength not yet recovered, a direct confrontation is not feasible."

"I understand. Let us first prioritize entering the Ruins to secure the Qiankun Great Method, then we shall plan our next move."

Chen Jie agreed, "A wise plan."

Liu Caidie nodded and departed with swift, decisive steps, Chen Jie right at her heels. Watching them scurry off, Han Ling’er cried out, "Wait for me! Caidie, where are the two of you heading?"

"To find Brother Lin’er."

Han Ling’er chirped, "Oh! Brother isn't at the main hall; check the ancestral hall instead!"

...

Deep within the courtyard, Han Miaozhen heard the footsteps of the group fading away. She sighed resignedly, approached the window, and whispered, "Venerable, Caidie was here."

Inside the chamber, thick iron chains were bolted into the heavy bedrock, and jagged hooks tore through the flesh of Liu Futong’s scapula.

His hair, streaked with white, fell into his eyes. Hearing her voice, he slowly lifted his head, his gaze heavy with exhaustion and deep-seated bitterness.

Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that his lifelong devotion to the Holy Sect would ultimately result in betrayal by his most trusted confidants, leaving him shackled here.

It was a cruel irony, bringing to mind the prophecy once told by Yuan Sanjia—a reading warned of the 'noble in struggle' and cautioned specifically against the treachery of those closest to him.

His downfall had come solely because he failed to be vigilant against those whom he trusted the most.

To understand the precarious position of Liu Futong, one must look at the three volatile factions of the Zoroastrian Sect: the Pro-Young Faction, the Strong Support Faction, and the Self-reliance Faction.