"Mm." Xu Jinghui nodded again. To tell the truth, the fact that he had been pierced by ten thousand swords while his attendant was unscathed ultimately left him feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Duge's arrangements ultimately restored some balance for him.

Duge and Xu Jinghui discussed some details further before the two returned to the Heavenly Master Hall.

Seeing the Ancestor return safe and sound, Xu Jinkui and the others, despite being prepared, had somewhat unnatural expressions.

"Don't be afraid, everyone. The Ancestor is now one of our own," Duge said with a smile, reassuring everyone, "Currently, your cultivation levels cannot keep up, so we must plant our own agents within the Heavenly Master Mansion."

Agents?

Considering Duge's identity, Xu Jinkui and the others hesitated for a moment before accepting this explanation. To put themselves in others' shoes, no one could refuse the recruitment from someone of equal renown to the Daoist Ancestor.

Only Lou Zhen, Xu Jinghui's attendant, showed a sudden change in complexion, his expression one of panic: "Ancestor, I am also willing to surrender."

"Jinkui, you and Jinghui take Immortal Lou and instruct the other disciples from Dragon Tiger Mountain to submit their allegiances," Duge said, ignoring him and turning to Xu Jinkui instead, "Those who dare to attack an Immortal, keep them; those who do not dare, kill them. We cannot afford any slip-ups in our undertakings. Otherwise, we face irredeemable disaster. Dragon Tiger Mountain must be united..."

Following the use of the Mountain Protection Array twice in a row, many had witnessed the scene of Xu Jinghui being assassinated. Ignoring the outer sect disciples was no longer an option; Duge was always cautious.

"Yes."

Xu Jinkui nodded. Even if Duge had not instructed him, he would have done the same. Who would want to leave their life and property in someone else's hands?

...

Quickly.

Lou Zhen underwent the same ordeal as Xu Jinghui.

Many Qi Refiners and novice disciples couldn't even break through his defenses, but that did not prevent them from demonstrating their loyalty to Dragon Tiger Mountain by slapping him in the face.

In the rolling tide of the times, under the coercion of the Sect Leader's Mountain Protection Array and the threat of Immortals, ordinary people had no chance to refuse and became Duge's accomplices, entangled onto his great ship.

...

"Do you hate me?" Duge once again swept up Lou Zhen, bringing him back to the same place where he had persuaded Xu Jinghui.

At this moment, Duge felt like a political officer doing thought work. He suddenly felt the need to establish a special place for persuading prisoners; the wilderness was far too informal.

"I don't hate you," Lou Zhen said resolutely, shaking his head. He had made up his mind: whatever Duge said, he would agree. Even Xu Jinghui had betrayed the Heavenly Master Mansion, so his own perseverance was meaningless.

Duge smiled, "Xu Jinghui sold me many secrets of the Heavenly Master Mansion to save his own life. If you want to live, you must give up something, right?"

"Ancestor, I'm just a Loose Immortal freshly ascended from a minor sect. I'm unaffiliated in the Heavenly Court and was assigned to the Heavenly Master Mansion by chance. How could I possibly know its secrets?" Lou Zhen said with a pained expression.

"Tell me whatever you know," Duge said with a smile, glancing at him, "For example, the staff structure and layout of the Heavenly Master Mansion or which faction Heavenly Master Xu belongs to. Tell me everything you know, I don't mind. I'll use the information you provide to verify whether the secrets Xu Jinghui sold me are genuine.

Immortal Lou, you lack backing as well as strength. Xu Jinghui has already betrayed the Heavenly Master Sect and one day, he will have to return to infiltrate it. I think the person who wants you dead the most would be him!"

Lou Zhen gritted his teeth, "Alright, I'll talk. Ancestor, my status in the Heavenly Master Mansion is low, and the information I get is hearsay. Even I don't know if it's true or not; please don't take offense if I get anything wrong."

"Immortal Lou, just talk casually, as if chatting with a friend," Duge said with a smile, "With my protection, you won't die. After all, you're the weakness I'm using to control Xu Jinghui, aren't you?"

"..." Lou Zhen gave a violent shudder, quickly thanking him, "Many thanks, Ancestor, for your protection."

"Good that you understand," Duge nodded, "Speak up!"

Leaving Xu Jinghui to suppress Xu Jinkui and the others ensured that this group, who had offended the Ancestor, didn't dare have any second thoughts; moreover, using Xu Jinghui to control Lou Zhen and using Lou Zhen to restrain Xu Jinghui.

Outside the story he had constructed, a perfect closed loop had formed.

With double protection, there should be no problems now.