Chapter 52: Where the Wind Blows (2)

Flash!

A beam of blue light seeped into the cliff.

Swoosh.

A sword mark a yard long appeared on the cliff struck by the blue light.

It was an astonishing sight. Despite the supreme sword energy, there was no sound of cutting or explosion, only the sword mark left behind.

This meant the cutting power of the sword energy was tremendous. By compressing the force with destructive properties to the extreme, no trace other than the cut remained.

It was a realm that even a highly skilled swordsman could hardly dream of. It was an incredible martial art that one might not achieve even after a lifetime of dedication to the sword.

"Hmm."

The old man tilted his head as he looked at the sword mark on the cliff.

"Is it still too much for me? I thought this time it would work."

Swoosh.

The sound of the sword returning to its scabbard was as smooth as flowing water.

The old man stretched widely.

He looked to be in his fifties, but his exposed upper body was covered with tremendous muscles. His upper body muscles, which did not appear sluggish, were compressed to the extreme, resembling chiseled stone.

"Huh, I need to focus on the sword for a while. Just a yard, I still have a long way to go."

At that moment, a beautiful voice was heard.

"If you say that, I feel too insignificant."

"You're here?"

Moying Yanhua smiled warmly as she looked at the cliff.

"Amazing. To leave such a sword mark from this distance. When will I be able to even mimic it?"

"Hehe, you're too ambitious. It's already a great achievement to have cultivated such martial arts at your age. If I think about my father, you are a genius, no less."

"Don't lie. I heard that Father had already perfected the Cold Wind Sword by the time he was my age."

"Hehe, achieving and manifesting martial arts are different. While my achievements may have been higher, I didn't have the natural ability to manifest them as you do. You can be proud of yourself."

Moying Yanhua shrugged.

"I always feel proud. But I believe that the more ambitious you are, the better."

"You're not wrong, but if you're not careful, your ambition can lead to regression."

"I'm not that bad, Father."

"Of course, whose daughter are you?"

The old man, Moying Jun, chuckled.

Moying Yanhua smiled and took out a letter from her bosom.

"Good news has arrived."

Moying Jun's lips curled up involuntarily.

It was a red letter. His heart was already racing.

As Moying Jun opened the letter, his eyes sparkled.

"They say the Ming family has succeeded?"

"Yes."

"Finding the mainline martial arts, will the lifespan issue be resolved?"

"That's unknown. The Ming family's martial arts are strong. Compared to our family's martial arts, there's no significant difference."

Moying Yanhua looked at the cliff.

"Can it compare to this supreme sword power?"

"That's also unknown. However, I once had a light sparring session with the head of the Ming family."

"Huh? I didn't know that."

"It wasn't a life-or-death battle, just a test of skills. It's not something to be widely talked about."

Moying Yanhua's eyes gleamed.

Her father, Moying Jun, gave her the most information in the family. He told her everything, even the smallest details.

But not everything. There were a few things he didn't tell even his own daughter.

That's why she admired Moying Jun. She wanted to emulate his thorough caution and sharpness, even while standing at the peak of the family.

"How was it? The head of the Ming family's martial arts."

"Remarkable."

"Father doesn't say that about many people."

Moying Jun shook his head.

"None of the seven major family heads are easy. Externally, it's said that the heads of the Ming and Lian families are the strongest, but that's only until they actually face each other."

"Like Father, the other family heads are also hiding their strength, right?"

"Of course. Unlike the two new families, the five traditional families never fully reveal their power."

Moying Jun's eyes deepened.

"However, even considering that, the head of the Ming family's martial arts were remarkable. If they find the mainline martial arts, I expect they won't be inferior to our family's secret techniques."

"Amazing."

"It's not for nothing that they've maintained the title of the First Family in the world."

Moying Yanhua smiled.

"Unfortunately, they can't use that title anymore. They won't be able to now."

Moying Jun read the last part of the letter.

The writing was bold, as if to emphasize, even though it was in fine script.

"Tsk, the head of the Ming family. Finding the ancestors' martial arts was good, but your ambition was too much. How can you call yourself the best in the world after killing hundreds of innocent workers?"

Surprisingly, Moying Jun knew everything the Ming family had done.

It was a meticulously planned covert operation that began the day he became the family head. He had planted 'eyes' in all seven major families, not just the Ming family.

In some families, he even infiltrated professional spies and created secret passages or safe houses within the family. The Lian family was a prime example.

Of course, it wasn't an easy task. It required astronomical amounts of money and trustworthy people. Even for Moying Jun, it took over a decade to prepare.

This major operation was carried out with his father, the previous family head.

"I proved my abilities to your grandfather, my father, even by ousting my brothers."

"I know, Father."

"You are also proving your abilities to me. When you are confident, bring your plan to me. If it's satisfactory, I will entrust the family to you."

Moying Yanhua smiled confidently.

"I'm preparing it step by step. Don't worry."

"Hehe."

Moying Jun was very pleased with his daughter's boldness. His sons were also talented, but they didn't dare to cross the line.

That was why he favored his daughter. Moying Yanhua, who inherited his blood, was a cold-blooded and iron-hearted person, capable of even cutting down her own flesh and blood if necessary.

A talent more important than a brilliant mind. It was ruthlessness.

"By the way, have you heard anything from the Lian family?"

"No, not yet."

Moying Jun clicked his tongue.

"What a frustrating person. A man famous for his resolute sword technique, capable of cutting through waves, is so timid in this aspect."

"His nature seems to dislike adventure."

"That's true. Even when he was young, the head of the Lian family wasn't interested in expanding his influence."

"Moreover, this time he will be even more cautious. Receiving business proposals three times is not an easy feat. He must be very conflicted."

Moying Jun smiled.

"To maintain the family's lineage, it would be best for him to agree willingly."

At that moment,

A black-clad warrior with a mask approached at high speed from a distance.

Swoosh.

The warrior knelt before Moying Jun and spoke in a stiff voice.

"Lord."

"What brings you here at this hour?"

"There's a problem."

"Problem? What kind of problem?"

"We haven't heard from the contact person we planted in the Lian family for five days."

Moying Jun's eyes turned cold.

The contact person was required to report the progress of the operation once a day. If something happened, it usually wouldn't take more than four days.

Not hearing from them for five days meant something had happened to the contact person.

"Could the Lian family have found out? But that's unlikely."

He didn't think Taijing would be caught. It wasn't easy to suspect a chief manager who had been in the family for nearly ten years.

The real issue was the true spies and contact persons. Even if Taijing was caught, Naiyi and Zhangxue must not be exposed. They were the real ones, and Taijing was just a cover to plant them.

"It's difficult to determine the exact situation. We are currently investigating the Heavenly Passage, their information trading place."

"Find out quickly."

"Yes."

Moying Yanhua frowned.

"What could have happened? Zhangxue is a top-notch contact person. He wouldn't make a mistake."

"Being human, mistakes can happen. We need to determine if it's due to external factors or other issues."

Moying Yanhua shook her head.

"We should consider the worst-case scenario, just in case."

"Of course. If the Lian family has indeed discovered the spies, we need to eliminate them before they make a fuss."

Moying Jun frowned.

"Damn! Do we have to draw our swords already?"

* * *

"......In total, seven places."

"I see."

"Perhaps......"

After hesitating, Li Baiyan decided to speak.

"Our family, like others, should also fortify our entire estate."

Although the Li family was one of the seven major families with a shorter history, the family itself had a history of over 150 years.

However, the current Li family's strong men, except for a few damaged areas, maintained the same appearance as their ancestors. They thought there was no need to rebuild since there was nothing to take or obstruct.

Lian Wei also thought the same.

Or rather, he had no particular attachment to buildings. He only kept them because his father, the previous family head, insisted.

But now, there was no choice.

"Call Old Pian."

"Old Pian the divine craftsman?"

"Yes."

Li Baiyan tilted his head.

"What's the point of mentioning Old Pian's skills...... Isn't he a blacksmith, not an expert in construction or mechanisms?"

Lian Wei looked at Li Baiyan.

Li Baiyan was startled and bowed his head.

"Sorry. I'll bring him right away."

"......Old Pian."

"Yes?"

"Old Pian is a close friend of the great experts in mechanisms."

"Oh!"

"Bring him."

"Yes, yes! I understand."

Li Baiyan left the family head's room.

Lian Zhiping sighed inwardly. He could tell his father was frustrated without needing to express it.

Of course, he was also shocked. Taijing, the chief manager, had been good to him as well.

But it wouldn't be as difficult for him as it was for his father. As a person and the head of the family, his father must have been greatly shocked.

"Father......"

"I'll finish up and get up."

Lian Zhiping was startled and looked at Lian Hezheng.

Lian Wei turned around.

"Are you leaving?"

"Yes."

Lian Zhiping tilted his head.

"Leaving? Where are you going, brother?"

Lian Hezheng smiled.

"A trip to the Central Plains."

"Wha?!"

What was this sudden talk?

Lian Wei asked.

"Have you not decided on a destination?"

"I want to discuss it with Father."

"Hmm?"

Lian Hezheng picked up the letter on the table.

"We caught the spy, so we can breathe a sigh of relief, but what do they think? They must be in a panic."

"Of course."

"Then we need to see what follow-up actions they will take."

Lian Wei's eyes sparkled.

"We have eliminated all the shadows of the Moying family. It will be difficult for them to understand our situation, so they will likely try to find out through the Heavenly Passage."

It was an accurate insight.

Lian Hezheng was a man who had experienced all kinds of chaos in a place where lies prevailed. However, Lian Wei could predict how the enemy would act without such experience.

Innate wisdom and ability don't just disappear. Lian Hezheng felt a great burden lifted from his heart.

"That's right. If we publicize this, they will only harm themselves, so they will have to approach cautiously."

"The problem is what happens after that. Once they know our situation, it's hard to predict what they will do."

It couldn't be helped.

Lian Wei had almost no close relationship with Moying Jun. Therefore, he didn't know what kind of person he was.

To infer an opponent's strategy, you need to know them. Lian Wei's weakness was not building relationships with others.

"In other words, we can consider that neither side knows the other's situation."

"Exactly."

"However, we can predict the enemy's first move."

"Indeed."

"Then we have only one choice."

Lian Wei and Lian Zhiping looked at Lian Hezheng.

Lian Hezheng had a meaningful expression.

"We need to cloud the enemy's eyes and attack from an unexpected point."

"......?!"

"If we think this way, the place I need to go is also decided."