Chapter 93: The Upcoming Meeting

What Ji Li couldn’t determine was what the outcome of a successful sacrifice would truly be.

If it failed, it seemed the staff would remain unaffected—they would still die as destined.

So which of the two possible successful outcomes would actually lead to survival?

By now, the main line of the mission had emerged, and even the sequence of events was becoming clear.

The critical issue revolved entirely around the painting sacrifice, leaving Ji Li in a dilemma.

After several moments of contemplation, he gradually realized that the answer might require understanding Chen Fu’s true intentions.

Looking at his current state, brute force was impossible; he had no choice but to rely on strategy.

“All right! I agree. Once this is done, we’ll meet here again—at the same spot as last time…

Although it avoids my aunt completely, it’s safer in case it comes, so let’s keep it cautious.”

With that, their conversation ended, leaving Ji Li facing an even more uncertain future.

He didn’t dwell on Chen Fu’s last words. His mind was entirely consumed with whether to stop the sacrifice or push it forward.

After several moments of hesitation, he heard footsteps in the courtyard, as if two people were leaving together.

Ji Li did not follow. He knew the final destination was South Mountain. In his current condition, obvious tailing would be discovered. Only by entering the dense forest of South Mountain could he hide effectively.

It seemed he would once again have to go in alone.

The middle-aged man had two plans, with the sacrificial candidates divided into two teams.

The staff were similarly divided. Ji Li was the only one aware of the mysterious third-party force and thus the only person capable of confronting the middle-aged man’s side.

There was no time to relay detailed intelligence to Fang Shenyan. Relying on the walls, he could only hope Fang Shenyan’s side remained vigilant.

Ideally, the staff would survive, and the disciples would complete the sacrifice.

But for Ji Li, alone in the field, the opposing forces were overwhelmingly stronger.

Tongguan and Fang Shenyan were both formidable, not to mention Yu Guo and Chang Nian, and even Tao Xiaoyi, who could serve as a substitute in a critical moment.

Thinking of this, Ji Li pressed a hand to his left shoulder, a faint sense of envy stirring despite the pain.

He exhaled and rose to his feet. The gloomy sky offered little sunlight.

His shadow was faint, almost invisible unless closely observed.

But upon careful inspection, Ji Li now carried five shadows…

The extra black shadow writhed and clawed, clearly not originating from Ji Li himself.

“The intelligence I’ve shared is all there is. I’ve held nothing back,” Tongguan said from a guest room in the North Courtyard, sitting boldly on a bench with hands spread over the old, polished table, asserting his transparency.

He had just held another meeting to share intelligence.

Had it not been for Xiao Lan’s vague tips, it was uncertain whether he would have spoken so candidly.

Tongguan, though more affable than Ji Li or Fang Shenyan, was by no means a gentleman.

His seeming openness relied on the contrast with the other two.

In his memory, the only truly honorable figure in this hellish place was the nineteen-year-old prodigy: Li Guanqi.

A true gentleman.

But Tongguan had to ensure Chang Nian’s safety, and he still had his own little schemes.

Fang Shenyan could not speak due to injury, but that meant he undoubtedly knew more.

Exchanging intelligence in this way was entirely to Tongguan’s advantage.

He had also correctly judged that Fang Shenyan could not withhold information in his current state.

Conflict and suspicion would never cease as long as people remained.

Fang Shenyan’s neck was wrapped in thick gauze, making it difficult to turn his head.

He cast a cold glance at Tongguan, unable to speak.

Tongguan’s words were addressed to everyone present, but all knew that only Fang Shenyan might be hiding information.

Fang Shenyan eyed the cigarettes on the table, pursing his lips in temptation but careful not to disturb his wounds.

He made no sound, merely pulling out his phone and lighting the screen.

On it was a long, prewritten memorandum. It was clear he had anticipated Tongguan’s move.

The intelligence was detailed, covering everything from the killing of the staff, to the encounter with the elderly woman on the beam, to the battle with Chen Fu in the garden’s secret passage…

Everything was laid out, almost nothing withheld.

Fang Shenyan was no fool. From the current situation, he was at a disadvantage; only Yu Guo could potentially assist him.

Given that, it made sense to share all the intelligence, leaving Tongguan to take the lead while he remained free of responsibility.

The intelligence circulated among everyone, each person studying it carefully.

Expressions varied—shock, fear, realization—before finally settling into calm.

Fang Shenyan’s actions last night had been crucial.

He had nearly revealed the connection between the ghost and the Li Mansion, highlighting the dangers of today’s meeting.

“Though we outnumber them, possibly even more than the people in the Li Mansion, the poison in our bodies could become our greatest obstacle.

We must eliminate this hidden threat, or we will have no chance of completing the mission.”

Tongguan spoke, sweeping his gaze across the group.

Fang Shenyan dipped a finger into the teacup on the table and wrote a single word:

Kill

Yu Guo hesitated, then shook his head.

“Chen Fu is the most important source of information. Until we understand his intentions, he must not die, not even by the ghost’s hand.”

Tao Xiaoyi pressed a hand to her chest, still uneasy about the toxin that could manipulate her own heartbeat.

“We can’t just stay passive forever,” she said.

Chang Nian nodded. After glancing between Yu Guo and Tao Xiaoyi, he turned to Tongguan:

“We need a method that serves both purposes: neutralize Chen Fu’s leverage against us while keeping him alive.”

Tongguan furrowed his brow, casually cracking his knuckles as he stared at the teacup.

In an instant, he conceived a bold plan.

This method could achieve both goals and test whether the intelligence was accurate.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Chang Nian rose to open it. Outside stood a young maid, roughly in her teens.

She was composed, far more confident than Xiao Lan had been.

Meeting the staff’s eyes without deference, she said coldly:

“Madam requests your presence in the East Hall for a moment.”