The vast foundation of the Taichu Sect, with countless disciples and followers, has its influence spread throughout and beyond the Great Xia Empire. Wherever there are people, there are rivalries, and the same holds true within the Taichu Sect.

At present, the structure of the Taichu Sect is roughly divided into the Sect Leader’s faction—namely, the line of Henry Grant and his master—another faction led by the current Vice Sect Leader under him, and finally, a neutral faction that hovers between the two.

Originally, the three factions were in a stalemate, each checking the others. Even when the old Sect Leader was alive, he could only barely suppress the Vice Sect Leader’s faction.

However, ever since his predecessor broke through to the Dao Realm, the Sect Leader’s faction has been greatly invigorated and now holds overwhelming dominance.

Things had been quiet for a while, but now, clearly having heard some rumors, trouble has started to stir again.

“Elder Carter, barging into my Taichu Hall without permission—quite bold of you!” Henry Grant stood with his hands behind his back, coldly watching Brian Carter before him.

Under Henry Grant’s gaze, Brian Carter immediately felt his hair stand on end, sweat pouring down like rain.

Though he was already a Transcendence Realm expert, before a Dao Realm Supreme, he was no better than an ant.

“Subordinate only heard rumors from the Demon Domain that the Sect Leader had taken the Seven-Day Death Pill and was worried for your safety, so I came to check on you—not to offend!” Brian Carter hurriedly cupped his hands in salute.

“Heh!”

Henry Grant sneered and said, “Don’t you know the Demon Domain is our human race’s great enemy? You believe the rumors they spread? If they say I’m dead today, does that mean I’m really dead?”

Hearing this, Brian Carter broke out in an even colder sweat.

The others also felt an immense pressure.

“Unable to distinguish right from wrong, friend from foe, and barging into the Taichu Hall over Demon Domain rumors—this is a grave offense. Go to the Punishment Hall and receive your penalty. As for the rest, everyone’s monthly stipend will be halved for six months!” Henry Grant glanced at the crowd and said.

“Thank you, Sect Leader, for your mercy!”

Everyone quickly thanked him and left, secretly cursing Brian Carter for inciting them to come. They’d all heard the Sect Leader was gravely injured or dead, but now it was clear those were baseless rumors—he was perfectly fine.

No one knew that Henry Grant’s back was also drenched in cold sweat at this moment. Brian Carter had gathered a group of experts to cause trouble; if he hadn’t handled it well, they might have become suspicious.

If that happened, his true weakness might have been completely exposed.

Right now, he looked calm on the surface, but inside he was a bundle of nerves!

Fortunately, his predecessor’s accumulated prestige was so great that just a few words sent them off to accept their punishments.

Henry Grant suspected that the traitor was within the Taichu Sect, but he had no evidence and didn’t know who it was.

“Your Highness, this servant deserves death for letting them disturb your seclusion!”

Little Grace hurried forward to plead guilty.

Among all of Henry Grant’s predecessor’s subordinates, only his close confidant Little Grace insisted on addressing him by his imperial title within the Great Xia Empire—a prince of the royal family.

“It’s not your fault; they came looking for trouble on purpose!” Henry Grant made a gesture of support and said, “You may rise.”

Henry Grant imitated his predecessor’s tone and mannerisms, afraid this confidant would notice anything amiss.

Little Grace stood up and waited respectfully at his side.

“These past few days I’ve been in seclusion—what’s been happening outside?” Henry Grant asked immediately.

“Reporting to Your Highness, rumors are spreading outside about Your Highness venturing deep into the Demon Domain and capturing the Nine-Lives Cat Demon King, which has awed the world. However, the Demon Domain has also spread rumors that Your Highness took the Seven-Day Death Pill, which is why Brian Carter and the others came to test you!” Little Grace replied cautiously. “But now that Your Highness has emerged, all those rumors can be dispelled!”

Henry Grant nodded. Only he knew best that the rumors outside were not just rumors—they were true.

His predecessor had indeed died from the Seven-Day Death Pill; now, he was just an ordinary person impersonating him.

But now that he had appeared, he could silence many doubters. After all, seven days had already passed. Even if they still had suspicions, without absolute certainty, they probably wouldn’t risk acting rashly.

As long as they didn’t act rashly, Henry Grant could find a way to deal with it.

“This time, when I entered the Demon Domain, I was ambushed by the Demon Lord and the Ten Great Demon Kings. I suspect someone in the sect is colluding with the Demon Lord. I now appoint you as the Head of the Intelligence Hall, in charge of all intelligence work. Start a secret investigation for me at once!” Henry Grant narrowed his eyes. Drawing on his predecessor’s memories, he had some vague suspicions.

But this matter involved the Sect Leader himself. Whoever could know his whereabouts and report them to the Demon Domain, colluding with the Demon Lord, could not be a minor figure.

If such a person couldn’t be taken down in one move, it would surely alert the enemy.

A single misstep could shake the entire Taichu Sect, especially since he was only bluffing with borrowed authority. He had to be even more cautious.

The Intelligence Hall had always been directly under the Sect Leader’s control, never entrusted to others. It was of utmost importance. Now that he was the Sect Leader, he naturally had to take such a crucial position for himself.

Wasn’t it because the previous old Sect Leader suffered a huge intelligence failure that he was ambushed and killed?

Even Henry Grant’s predecessor had died because of an intelligence leak—he couldn’t help but be wary.