Dashing Student Chapter 1350: The Plot Reappears

"Collaborating with the Demon Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Nan immediately questioned if Jiang Wuyue was attempting to fish for information. After all, the Righteous Alliance and the Demon Sect have perpetually been at odds. To suggest a formal alliance now seemed absurd.

Was such a radical maneuver truly necessary, even to combat the Demon Clan?

Detecting the doubt in Chen Nan’s eyes, Jiang Wuyue chuckled. "I assure you, I am not misleading you. Ever since you brought word of the Demon Clan’s movements, I have kept a close watch and dispatched agents to investigate."

"The findings revealed that the Demon Clan’s strength far exceeds our initial fears. They have infiltrated human society, plotting night and day to overthrow us while quietly accumulating immense power. Neither the Righteous Alliance nor the Demon Sect can hope to withstand them in isolation."

"We require a trustworthy envoy, someone who won't trigger the Demon Sect’s suspicions, to initiate secret discussions regarding an alliance."

Chen Nan pointed to himself. "Me? The Alliance Hierarch surely overestimates my worth. I am but a nobody, likely unnoticed by the Demon Sect entirely."

"Actually, Elder Canglan was the one who proposed you go. He believes your ability to return safely from the Demon Sect’s previous encirclement proves your exceptional capabilities," Jiang Wuyue remarked with transparency.

Chen Nan shifted his gaze toward Master Canglan and Yi Mingzi standing in the background, the full picture suddenly appearing clear.

This mission was a death trap; entering the Demon Sect’s territory was almost certainly a suicide mission designed to incite their ire.

Should he succeed, he could conveniently be labeled a traitor for his long-standing collusion with the Demon Sect—which was undoubtedly why Master Canglan had pushed his name forward.

It was a transparent scheme that left Chen Nan with no path to victory, yet he maintained a mask of serenity.

How crafty; the old fossil’s mind must be decaying after so many years, Chen Nan mused, feeling nothing but disdain for the Elder’s petty machinations.

Had he possessed Master Canglan’s cultivation level, he would have simply crushed any Golden Core Realm Cultivator obstructing him, regardless of status or reputation.

Instead, he concluded that Master Canglan was losing his sharpness, resorting to such amateurish tricks.

Chen Nan studied Jiang Wuyue, who had laid the entire truth bare, perhaps as a small gesture of sincerity.

"I will accept this mission. Now that the Soul Locking Talisman is no longer a threat, I am free to depart whenever I choose. However..."

He paused briefly, a chilling smirk forming on his lips. "Alliance Hierarch, I shall go to the Demon Sect, but I insist on having a companion."

"I believe Yi Mingzi is the ideal candidate. As the disciple of Master Canglan, his stature is sufficient to warrant the Demon Sect’s immediate attention."

Jiang Wuyue gave a slight nod. While he did not necessarily agree that the disciple of Master Canglan was significant, he had no objection to doing Chen Nan this favor.

"Master Canglan, do you have any objections?"

Master Canglan shot a stern look at Chen Nan and began to respond, but Yi Mingzi jumped forward, cupping his hands toward the Hierarch. "Alliance Hierarch, I am ready to accompany him."

"Little Qi, you must be careful..." Master Canglan looked uneasy; even Gu Ci had failed to overcome Chen Nan, so how could Yi Mingzi possibly succeed?

Yi Mingzi leaned in and whispered a few words into his master's ear, which seemed to ease the Elder's concern.

"Since my disciple is determined to serve the cause of the Righteous Alliance, I offer my full support."

Master Canglan offered a thin smile, withdrawing a Jade Pendant from his robes. "I crafted this myself; it can be activated three times. It will deter even the most dangerous villains. The Demon Sect is a treacherous place, so please, protect yourself."

As he spoke, he cast a distinct glance at Chen Nan, implying clearly that he was the 'villain' referred to.

Yi Mingzi’s eyes glimmered as he took the Jade Pendant. "My sincere gratitude, Master."

Chen Nan couldn't discern exactly what the master and disciple were plotting, but he understood there was no goodwill involved, and the Jade Pendant was likely a defensive tool specifically meant to counter him.

Coincidentally, Chen Nan had his own designs.

"Jue Mingzi, take this Jade Scroll. Present it to the Demon Sect, and regardless of their immediate reaction, they will likely refrain from killing you. Tread carefully on this path."

A Jade Scroll floated from Jiang Wuyue’s robes and hovered steadily before Chen Nan.

"I am grateful, Alliance Hierarch."

Chen Nan secured the scroll and gave a respectful bow. Once their business was concluded, he and Yi Mingzi began their preparations, knowing their mission to establish an alliance required absolute secrecy.

Chen Nan met with Liu Hanyue and Ning Yu to relay the news, which immediately stirred their anxiety.

"That old fox Canglan is clearly setting you up to be discarded. Is this journey truly necessary?" Liu Hanyue asked with a frown.

"Have no fear. As long as that old dog Canglan doesn’t move against me himself, I am perfectly safe."

Chen Nan sounded entirely confident; even if the Elder tried to interfere, he had already devised contingency plans. "Ning Yu, connect with Yunhe and Brother Zheng and depart with them. Now that the Soul Locking Talisman is broken, you are free to leave the frontlines."

"Why should I go?" Ning Yu felt a sudden sense of dread.

"Just do as I say," Chen Nan urged with a smile. "Things are about to descend into chaos here."

After a moment of tense deliberation, Ning Yu finally bowed her head in agreement. "Very well, but you must find me when this is over."

Liu Hanyue added quickly, "Why not take refuge in my dwelling? After all, as my man, my home is yours by right."

Ning Yu nodded, acknowledging she had no better alternative. Following some final, intimate moments, Chen Nan waited for the arrival of the next dawn to depart with Yi Mingzi.

"Jue Mingzi, I am honestly surprised you had the guts to accept this, knowing full well it’s a trap?"

Under the silent gaze of the Righteous Alliance, the pair stood upon a Flying Boat as it drifted away from the base, with Yi Mingzi making no attempt to maintain his composure.

Since they were alone, there was no need for pretense.

"Heh, Yi Mingzi, you’ve tried to derail me repeatedly, always failing in the process. What gives you the arrogance to think you can provoke me now?" Chen Nan said, casting a glance of pure contempt in his direction.

Yi Mingzi became noticeably agitated. "Jue Mingzi, your tone is what I loathe the most. You are nothing but a common Loose Cultivator with no backing—what gives you the right to act so haughty?"

"Rest assured, I won't suffer a failure this time around!"

Chen Nan let out two sharp, cynical laughs. "If you’re so certain of that, you wouldn’t mind if I gave you a beating right now, would you?"

"You wouldn't dare! We are in public view for a while longer; do you really think you can strike me here?" Yi Mingzi crossed his arms, wearing a look of smug superiority.

Chen Nan pointed toward the distance behind them. "You and your master are truly becoming thick-headed."

Yi Mingzi spun around to see they had already traveled a vast distance; the elders who had been watching them depart were now mere specks in the distance.

Before he could react, Chen Nan’s fist collided squarely with his face!