Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level?-Chapter 82[Vol. 6] - So, Where’s Your Hideout?

[Vol. 6] Chapter 82: So, Where’s Your Hideout?

When the black-haired girl brought up the matter at hand, the group’s expressions turned serious. They instinctively lowered their voices, as if wary of their surroundings.

“First of all, it’s certain that Third Brother Tian is a yokai controlled by the [Yokai Controlling Sect]. The sect primarily uses two methods to control yokai. The first is coercion, threatening their lives or something else important to them. The second, more complex and labor-intensive method, involves refining the yokai into a mindless puppet, devoid of will.”

“Third Brother Tian is clearly under the first method. In fact, the [Yokai Controlling Sect] rarely uses the second option unless absolutely necessary, as it’s a lot of trouble for limited gain. Most of the members within the Mole Gang are likely controlled in the same way.”

“If that’s the case… this isn’t an impossible problem to solve.”

Ling Feng paused briefly, her expression darkening as if she had recalled something unpleasant. She quickly resumed speaking.

“After our discussion last night, while Bai’er and I were interrogating Third Brother Tian, I also asked Mr. Murong to gather information about the Mole Gang. What he found raises some concerns.”

She exchanged a glance with Murong Yun, who nodded and picked up the thread of the conversation.

“Miss Mole, you seem to be more of a peripheral member of the Mole Gang, is that correct?”

The little yokai, sitting upright next to the black-haired girl, nodded earnestly.

“Yes… I’m very weak. As a Mole Spirit, I’m not very skilled in combat compared to other Mole Spirits. My strengths are more in digging and escaping. So, although I’ve been part of the Mole Gang for nearly a hundred years, I haven’t managed to rise to a leadership position. I’m sorry…”

Murong Yun shook his head and offered a comforting smile.

“You misunderstand me. That’s not what I meant. I just wanted to clarify a few things.”

“Last night, through some local channels, I came across a piece of information. It might be connected to both the matters we’re investigating.”

Murong Yun paused again and lowered his voice slightly.

“—Among the twelve peaks of Cangyun Mountain, the Peach Blossom Peak and its master, the Peach Blossom Sage, might have some unusual ties with the Mole Gang’s leader, the Mole King. In the past few decades alone, the Mole King has visited Peach Blossom Peak nearly a hundred times.”

“Such frequent visits are far beyond what’s reasonable, and given that the Peach Blossom Sage is undeniably a central figure in this incident, the relationship between the two must be far from ordinary.”

“Peach Blossom Sage…”

The priestess tilted her head, glancing at Ling Feng, who seemed deep in thought.

“It seems our trail is leading us in the right direction. Do you know anything about this Peach Blossom Sage?”

The gray-haired girl shook her head slightly.

“I’ve never interacted with the Peach Blossom Sage. Cangyun Mountain is a secluded place, and the Twelve Peak Lords are all quite mysterious. They rarely interact with the outside world, especially the upper echelons of the Four Nations in the [Ancient Spirit Realm]. However, I have come across a few mentions of the Peach Blossom Sage in some… ancient texts.”

“Their name is Tao Mu, and their true form is most likely a peach blossom spirit. They have existed for an incredibly long time, predating even the arrival of the Four Saints. They have been the master of Peach Blossom Peak for so long that the peak itself is named after them.”

“Over the centuries, the leadership of Cangyun Mountain’s Twelve Peaks has occasionally changed hands, but the Peach Blossom Sage has always remained in their position, unchallenged. Their strength is unfathomable, and it’s possible they hold secrets about the deeper mysteries of Cangyun Mountain itself.”

“Hmm…”

Violet sipped her soup, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

“Got it. For now, let’s get back to the Mole Gang. Did you manage to extract any critical information from Third Brother Tian?”

Nodding, Ling Feng skipped the details of the interrogation and went straight to the findings.

“The reason the [Yokai Controlling Sect] targeted the Mole Gang is that they need them for a task. This plan has been in preparation for several months, but Third Brother Tian doesn’t know the specifics. However, he did have contact with some crucial parts of the plan.”

“For example…”

“Wait a moment.”

Seeing Ling Feng about to speak, Violet gave her a look to stop. She put down her empty bowl, stood up, and spoke up herself.

“The time’s almost up, they’ve come looking for us. Let’s talk while we walk.”

“?”

The gray-haired girl furrowed her brow, glanced around instinctively, then nodded understandingly.

“Alright, Bai’er, Mr. Murong, let’s go.”

She stood up, pulling the still-confused Little Mole along with her. Violet and the others left the payment for their meal and accommodation on the table before heading out the door.

It wasn’t until they stepped out onto the sunny street and left the noisy morning scene of the inn behind that Violet resumed the conversation.

“We should be fine here. Their movements are quick. It looks like their influence in this area is even stronger than I expected.”

The Mole Spirit, walking closely beside her, looked puzzled.

“What do you mean by ‘they’ve come looking for us’? Miss Violet, are you talking about…?”

Turning her head to glance back at the distant gates of the inn, the black-haired girl smiled.

“It could be your Mole Gang’s creatures, or it could be others under the control of the [Yokai Controlling Sect]. I can’t be sure, but it’s likely because Third Brother Tian didn’t return on time last night. That must have raised suspicion, so they sent out new spies.”

“They probably don’t know that I caught Third Brother Tian, but because of your presence, the eyes that were watching us have started gathering. It’s difficult to tell who’s who in the crowded lobby, so it’s better to move to a more open space.”

The Mole Spirit’s face showed alarm.

“They’ve already started moving?!”

“There’s no doubt about it. The [Yokai Controlling Sect], like those rats in the gutter, will never allow themselves to be exposed. Their senses are sharp, and if they detect something, they’ll either strike first or run. We need to move fast.”

“Miss Violet, do you mean…”

“Yes, just as you thought. Little Mole, where is the main base of your Mole Gang?”

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………………………………

The Mole Gang’s main base was actually in the outskirts of a place called Cangyun Town, though its actual area stretched far beyond the town.

Though it seemed a bit hard to understand, Little Mole still followed Violet’s instructions and led the group to the area nearby.

It was an abandoned spiritual temple.

There were many such abandoned temples and shrines scattered across the [Ancient Spirit Realm], and Violet had already seen several of them during her stay.

Most of these shrines were dedicated to gods, saints, or strange beasts that Violet had never heard of. Some had copper statues, and she could barely make out their forms through the weathered sculptures, but many of them only had a crumbling plaque or a spirit tablet lying forgotten on the ground.

The people here didn’t have a clear, unified belief system like the Holy Empire on another continent. Their objects of worship were diverse, ranging from the most orthodox Four Saints and Four Holy Beasts to mountain spirits and nameless creatures.

As long as they had made significant contributions to the local people, either intentionally or not, or even if they were unwilling, they might still be honored, with shrines built and offerings given.

However, if these so-called saints or immortals didn’t continue to “manifest” or show signs, their worship didn’t last long.

Humans, with their short lifespans compared to spirits and demons, would forget the past after two or three generations. The gratitude once given would fade over time, and the history would be forgotten.

Only vague legends remained, and the shrines fell into disrepair, until they were eventually abandoned, like the dilapidated shrine in front of Violet and the others.

The [Nine-Pattern Earth Spirit Great Saint Temple].