Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8565 542-framing _1

Yu Qing understood this was the true intent behind Gu Ming's inquiry and responded promptly, "Master, I have indeed heard whispers of the Ghostly Shadow group. Word reached me that they were active within one of our Yin Ghost Sect markets. Initially, my old servant attempted to establish contact upon hearing the news, but the path remained closed to him. This organization is incredibly elusive, dealing exclusively with those they already trust. To even get a request before them, one requires an introduction from an existing connection. That is how I discovered where you might have encountered them; my servant failed because he possessed no such link."

Gu Ming’s suspicions faded upon hearing this explanation. He reasoned that if Yu Qing truly held ties to the Ghostly Shadow group, he would have feigned total ignorance. By openly admitting his interest and his previous failed attempts at contact, Yu Qing inadvertently cleared his own name.

"How much do you actually know about them?" Gu Ming questioned. Having lacked any prior knowledge of this group, he saw an opportunity to gather intelligence through Yu Qing.

Yu Qing shook his head, replying, "My knowledge is limited, Master. My old servant gathered these tidbits from a rogue cultivator. When the group first surfaced, they were viewed with skepticism, so they accepted various minor tasks to build a reputation with loose cultivators. Over time, however, they have grown increasingly selective. That same rogue cultivator, having once made contact, lost all reach to them entirely. To make matters worse, he mysteriously vanished during a mission not long ago. None can say if he met his end by accident or by someone else's blade."

Gu Ming paused, his expression hardening as he asked, "Are you suggesting the rogue cultivator was silenced by the Ghostly Shadow group? If so, does that imply they are aware of your servant’s interest? Could your servant be in their crosshairs?"

Yu Qing paled at the implication, his voice trembling as he said, "I had not considered that possibility. I am grateful for your warning, Master. I will arrange for my servant to be relocated to my island immediately. I suspect that with the added security, they will hesitate to move against him."

Gu Ming shook his head firmly. "Do not fret unnecessarily. If the Ghostly Shadow group intends to silence witnesses, they only target those with actual conduits to their organization. Your servant merely heard rumors; he lacks the means to reach them. He should remain safe."

Though Yu Qing uttered an acknowledgement, his face remained tight with anxiety. Observing this, Gu Ming grew even more certain of Yu Qing’s innocence. "Regardless, return now. Guard your identity with your life. The Yin Yang Sect is in a frenzy; if they discover you are from the Yu family, they will hunt you down. I fear I would be unable to shield you then, as the Sect will not go to war with the Yin Yang faction over you. Their losses at the hands of this shadow organization have been catastrophic."

Yu Qing bowed his head and asked, "Master, is it confirmed that the Yin Yang Sect believes the Ghostly Shadow group is responsible? Would an assassination organization truly dare to provoke the Yin Yang Sect so brazenly?" He was, in truth, subtly probing for how much the Yin Yang Sect had uncovered.

"No," Gu Ming answered with a shake of his head. "The Yin Yang Sect cannot definitively link them to the attacks. The Ghostly Shadow group appeared far too late and operates with such shroud that the Sect only harbors suspicions. With no other leads, the Ghostly Shadow group remains their only thread, which explains their relentless pursuit. Their origins remain a complete enigma. Take care, Yu Qing—avoid entangling yourself with them at all costs."

"Could they be an extension of the Rahu Sect?" Yu Qing inquired. The tactical similarities between their actions and those of the Rahu Sect were striking. He hoped to deflect attention toward the Rahu Sect, knowing well the ripple effects such a rumor could create. The more factions scrutinizing the Ghostly Shadow group, the more likely someone might trace the connection back to him—a risk he intended to mitigate.

Gu Ming paused, contemplative. "That is not an impossibility. The Rahu Sect is famously guarded; planting spies there is nearly impossible. While they have never openly claimed the Ghostly Shadow group, we cannot discount their deceit. I will relay this theory to the higher-ups. Return now and focus on your recovery. Perhaps recruit more disciples—pull some from Ghost Bone Island. Your personal space is currently lacking in strength."

Yu Qing accepted this, fully aware that Gu Ming’s suggestion to recruit was merely a pretext to keep him under closer surveillance. He understood the hierarchy; he could not afford to antagonize Gu Ming, who was clearly backed by a powerful figure within the Sect—likely the fifth elder, the skeleton Saint Lin Dong.

This Lin Dong was an imposing figure in the Dark Ghost Sect, known for his unique skeleton Dao body. The technique, a form of unconventional body cultivation, remained a mystery to all, as he took no disciples and rarely engaged in battle. Still, his presence loomed large, and his patronage had turned Gu Ming into a significant power player.

Their rival, third elder Jing Changtian, was equally formidable. Known as the 'Shadow Elder', he mastered the ghost shadow heaven-covering technique. It was a pure ghost Dao path that demanded the eventual abandonment of one's physical form. At its pinnacle, the user could become as elusive as a phantom, posing a lethal threat to any opponent.

Caught between these two forces, Yu Qing felt the weight of the Sect’s internal struggles. He was bound to Gu Ming’s faction, and Jing Changtian would view him as an enemy regardless of his own desires. He recruited the disciples as instructed and returned to his territory, which he had christened Clear Ghost Island. While he appeared to be merely tending to his own domain, his eyes remained fixed on the outside world, watching to see how the Ghostly Shadow group would weather the coming storm.

Meanwhile, Zhao Hai and his inner circle gathered in his study. After surveying his companions, Zhao Hai began, "I believe you are all aware of the situation. It seems our reputation preceded our announcement. We must be far more cautious; the reach of these major Sects is truly terrifying."

The room remained grave as everyone nodded; they had vastly underestimated the investigative reach of the Yin Yang Sect.

Zhao Hai continued firmly, "We must shift our strategy. From this day forward, stop accepting missions from the Corpse Demon Sect, or keep them to the absolute minimum. Under no circumstances should you accept tasks above the Island Lord rank."

Chang Jun looked confused, and asked, "Sect master, we have an irreconcilable grudge against the Corpse Demon Sect. Why abandon our missions against them?"

Zhao Hai offered a knowing smile. "By rejecting their missions, we cast suspicion upon them. If the great Sects continue to investigate us and find that we never target their elite Island Lord level experts, what will they think? Eventually, they will conclude that the Ghostly Shadow group and the Corpse Demon Sect are in league. They will find it impossible to clear their names even if they were to jump into the Yellow River itself."