Chapter 70

Ambush

In the cozy room, instead of a warm and friendly conversation, the atmosphere was suffocating. It was so tense that it wouldn't have been strange if someone had suddenly drawn their sword. The two people, though dressed differently, shared one significant commonality: they both subtly exuded a demonic aura. At this moment, the person seated at the head of the table looked intently at his old friend and said,

"This is a matter of utmost urgency."

As he spoke, he reached into his robe, pulled out a sealed letter with a faint purple hue, and handed it over, saying,

"Deliver this to him. And I must stress again, do not speak of this task to anyone. Not even to the subordinates who will accompany you. Do not reveal the destination until the last moment. Once you leave this room, trust no one. You cannot tell who is friend and who is foe."

"If we are betrayed, the subordinates alone might be a bit..."

"If we are betrayed, make sure the letter does not fall into enemy hands. Destroy it at all costs. If it reaches him safely, tell him that he will soon see the sincerity of my intentions..."

"Yes, sir!"

"I chose you because I believe you can accomplish this task no matter what happens."

"Regardless of what happens, I will deliver the letter."

Basking in the warm autumn sunlight, a man sat in front of a pile of firewood, dozing off. His face, marred by freckles, was not particularly handsome, and sweat had run down his cheeks, indicating he hadn't washed in a while. His mouth was slightly open, and drool was trickling down, suggesting he had entered the realm of dreams. The stack of unsplit logs beside him indicated that he had taken a break from chopping firewood.

While everyone might think it's no big deal for a servant to take such a sweet break from his arduous duties, the situation was different this time. Because right in front of him stood someone with a disapproving gaze.

"Hey..."

The man called out calmly, trying to suppress his rising anger, but the comfortable servant, with one foot in the dream world, couldn't hear him. Unfortunately for the servant, the gentleman who was calling him was known for his quick hands rather than his words...

Thud!

The man's hand struck with such force that the servant's face turned halfway around, but he quickly regained his senses and spoke in a pitiful, submissive tone.

"Ouch! You're here, sir... sir..."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you only managed to chop that much firewood and fell asleep? You good-for-nothing. Quickly finish chopping the firewood and fill the water barrels in the kitchen. Understand?"

The water barrels were not small, considering the amount of water needed for a large family to have a meal. Usually, it took three people to carry the heavy barrels for about an hour. Because of this, everyone disliked the task, and they took turns doing it. However, the freckled servant was not included in the water-carrying rotation because he had only been there for three months. Water was a precious resource, and it could be poisoned, so only trusted servants were assigned this task. Thus, the freckled servant had been given this punishment, but he couldn't protest because he had brought it upon himself. With a resigned, sorrowful expression, he replied,

"Yes..."

But surprisingly, as the man walked away, a glint of determination appeared in the servant's eyes, though it quickly vanished.

'Hmm, water... He must not have known I was pretending to sleep to create this opportunity...'

"Damn..."

This place was truly unbearable. Along the outer walls, numerous experts were hidden, standing guard to an almost maddening degree. Of course, the warehouses on the east side contained a lot of grain and valuable items, so such vigilance was necessary. In fact, with this level of surveillance, they wouldn't have to worry about thieves for a lifetime.

However, there was something even more unbearable for him. It was the intense formation between the inner and outer chambers. For a few hours during the day, part of the formation was deactivated. But that part was really bothersome. Only one path was open, and about ten fierce experts were stationed there, thoroughly monitoring everyone who entered and exited. It made him wonder how much gold was stored inside the inner chambers to warrant such security. Even the imperial palace might not have such strict defenses...

He had been using the excuse of a walk, or rather, 'moon viewing,' but everyone had long since caught on. The moon viewing was just an excuse; it was well-known that he and Zheng Lian had become close and went out at night. Zheng Lian was a maid who cleaned the courtyard and rooms. She was a bit plain but had a certain charm, though her face was far from beautiful.

Two days ago, after much effort, he finally managed to give Zheng Lian a light, very light kiss. Being of low birth, she had grown up with men and was not easily swayed by mere compliments. He had to feel a pang of guilt and tightly close his eyes to compliment her beauty—Buddha, forgive me. I lied that day. Her lips... that day, he felt so guilty under the glaring moon. Lies become habits, so he should have never started...

He slowly made his way to where Zheng Lian was waiting. He strolled as if on a walk, carefully scanning his surroundings while walking leisurely. The moon, though small tonight, would soon be full again, so it wasn't a big problem. Regardless of its size, the moon was there, and he had used it as an excuse to come out...

'Damn, everyone must know why I'm here...'

To his left was a wall about one and a half zhang high. Two walls separated the inner and outer chambers, and a formation was installed between them. The oppressive aura felt through the wall on his left was not a rumor among the servants. There was a path about two zhang wide around the wall, making it a suitable place for a night walk. The secluded spot where he had kissed Zheng Lian was between two buildings, about two to three zhang away from the wall...

Once a woman is lured to a secluded place and coaxed with obvious lies, she is indeed a fool.

The day was coming to an end as usual. But at that moment, a black shadow leaped out from inside the wall and swiftly disappeared into the dark. However, he didn't see it and continued walking slowly.

If he could see the black shadow moving on this moonlit night, he could quit being a servant and carry a sword anywhere. Why would he continue this arduous servant life? But he soon realized something was wrong.

Clang, clang, clang...

"Ambush!"

"Don't let the intruder escape!"

Torches began to light up everywhere, and soon over twenty black shadows darted past him, either in front of him or above him. But he didn't notice them. Instead, he started running to where Zheng Lian was waiting. With the commotion, he needed to send her back to her room. If she lingered and was caught, she could be accused of a crime she didn't commit and end up a corpse. But his sprint didn't last long. Five black-robed figures, exuding a killing aura, suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Ah..."

"Who are you?"

"I am Jizhi, sir. I'm a servant who carries loads."

"Where are you going?"

"I, I'm just moon viewing..."

"What?"

One of the black-robed figures approached him in an instant, and before he knew it, he was dangling in the air, caught by the other's rough hand.

"Are you mocking me, old man?"

At that moment, another black-robed figure appeared, and he was released from the other's grip.

"It's not him. He's been moon viewing with a maid recently. He always walks around with her at this time. I saw him coming from that direction. Two of us stayed here, and the rest chased the black-robed intruder who passed by."

Before the guard finished his report, the five black-robed figures dashed off in the direction the guard had pointed. They left behind one servant, who looked confused, wondering why five people had vanished so suddenly.

Still half-asleep, but with a hint of anxiety in his voice, he asked,

"Did you catch him?"

The black-robed figure standing before Xue Wuji immediately replied with an apologetic expression.

"Yes, but we couldn't capture him alive. He committed suicide with poison he had on him."

"Hmm, it will be difficult to trace his background. It's probably the work of the Devil Sect or the Martial Alliance... It doesn't matter. By the way, what about the other one?"

"When we found him, it was already too late. He was dead on the spot."

"What was the cause of death?"

"It was a dagger. They knew that poison alone wouldn't work, so they mixed a strong sedative and a highly potent aphrodisiac called Dala Huale Fen with something else, which hasn't been identified yet. They coated the dagger with this mixture. He probably died without knowing why."

"What about the guards?"

"They were all asleep, so no one died. In fact, he didn't need to be guarded closely. The intruder had mixed a sleeping potion into the water before the attack... It acted very slowly, so it didn't show immediate effects, and once people fell asleep, it was hard to wake them up. The guards were so drowsy that their response was delayed. Anyway, when we caught him, we found out he was a servant in the outer chamber. He had only been here for about three months and wasn't assigned to carry water. He was given the punishment of carrying water because he was caught dozing off during the day."

"Hmm, there might be someone helping the assassin. Start by thoroughly monitoring the punished servant and any suspicious individuals in the outer chamber. Also, thoroughly inspect the water brought in from the outer chamber until the well in the inner chamber is completed. This could happen again."

"Yes, the intruder fired a red signal flare while escaping. He had three signal flares. A blue and a yellow flare were found in his possession. He probably knew he wouldn't escape alive and had made some agreement based on the success of his mission. What should we do? Rumors are spreading among the lower-ranking warriors that Lord Tazhu has passed away."

"Hmm, I can't gather the subordinates and announce that Lord Tazhu is still alive... Let's say he is severely injured."

"Yes?"

"Spread the rumor that Lord Tazhu has been severely injured. Also, inform the secret branch of Mount Taibai. If possible, ask the heir of the Yanwang faction to come quickly. Send a few reliable experts here and leave about a hundred lower-ranking experts. Send the rest to Mount Taibai as soon as possible. We might face an enemy ambush soon."

"Yes."

Gu Hui's Tomb

"Can we talk for a moment?"

"Come in."

Bai Yunyu opened the door slightly and entered the room at Chao Liubin's invitation. Mo Xiang was sitting at the table, drinking, while Chao Liubin got up from the bed and walked over, saying,

"Sit here."

As Bai Yunyu sat down, Chao Liubin asked curiously,

"What is it?"

"Well, we should arrive in Jiangsu by tomorrow afternoon... If you have no other plans, could you help me a bit?"

"With what?"

Bai Yunyu glanced suspiciously at Mo Xiang, who was sipping wine, and then said,

"It's about Divine Sword Daxia."

Mo Xiang's eyebrows twitched as he listened quietly, but he continued drinking as if uninterested. Chao Liubin, however, was surprised and asked,

"Divine Sword Daxia?"

"Yes, a long time ago, the Ximen family obtained a map by chance. But they couldn't decipher it, so they asked the Nangong family, known for their extensive knowledge, for help. The Nangong family spent several months deciphering the map, and the conclusion was astonishing. The location of Divine Sword Daxia's tomb..."

"Divine Sword Daxia's tomb? Really?"

"Yes, the Nangong family tried to find the tomb secretly without the Ximen family's knowledge, and a conflict arose when the Ximen family noticed. As time passed, the news quietly spread in the martial world. Now, many sects know about it. If it's something left by Divine Sword Daxia, it should be a legacy for all martial artists, not just one sect. So, while trying to prevent any one sect from monopolizing it, the news spread even further. Even the Devil Sect seems to be reaching out... It might lead to the worst bloodshed in martial history."

"But what if someone made it up to cause trouble?"

"No, it's highly likely to be true. They've almost found it, but there are multiple intense formations. Some of them are ancient. The defenses are so strong that no single sect can quietly take it over. But it's also hard to give it up to another sect... So, some sects are forming alliances and engaging in secret battles."

"I've never heard of this..."

"Of course not. The Martial Alliance tried to suppress the rumors when they started spreading. Now, the area around the tomb is guarded by the Martial Alliance, and the outer perimeter is guarded by the Evil Alliance. The formations prevent entry, so a balance has been maintained. But if the formations are destroyed, the next step will be..."

"An enormous clash."

"Exactly. That's why they haven't destroyed the formations yet. I heard from Jin Lang that you, Mo Xiang, are part of the Heavenly Demon Sect?"

Only then did Mo Xiang stop drinking and looked at Bai Yunyu with a blank expression. The Heavenly Demon Sect is usually called the Devil Sect, but in front of true Devil Sect members, it's called the Heavenly Demon Sect. Some Devil Sect members dislike being called the Devil Sect.

"So?"

Despite the curt response, Bai Yunyu asked politely,

"I have a question. Why hasn't the Heavenly Demon Sect participated in this yet? I've heard that there's a power struggle within the sect, making it difficult to focus on external matters, but this is a legacy left by a grandmaster. Not participating in such a significant event seems suspicious. They must know about it..."

"Ha ha ha ha..."

Mo Xiang burst into a wild laugh and then started drinking again, as if indifferent to the question.

"..."

Surprised by the unexpected reaction, Bai Yunyu and Chao Liubin exchanged glances, trying to read each other's thoughts. Why isn't he answering and just laughing?

According to the rumors, he was a Devil Sect member, confirmed by Princess Zhen Ying. The speed at which he charged at the blood-clothed figures and the martial arts he used to kill the first blood-clothed figure seemed like Dark Sword Technique. And he survived the storm of energy in the daytime, proving his martial arts were indeed formidable.

So, he must hold a high position in the Devil Sect. In the Devil Sect, status is often determined by martial arts prowess. That's why Bai Yunyu has been showing respect despite his rude demeanor...

But if he bursts into laughter when asked a question, what's the reason? Is he trying to hide his expression and buy time to come up with a plausible answer? Or is he saying he doesn't know anything about it? Or something else?

"Stop laughing and answer me."

Feeling mocked, Bai Yunyu said coldly.

"Ha ha ha..."

Mo Xiang took a swig of wine and then spoke.

"It's nothing. Do you know who I am?"

"..."

"..."

Bai Yunyu and Chao Liubin looked at each other, silently asking the same question. They only knew his name, Mo Xiang...

"Alright, then... If your information is so good, what's the current situation in the Devil Sect?"

This time, Bai Yunyu answered confidently.

"The Heavenly Demon Sect is currently in a fierce internal conflict. Almost everyone knows about the struggle between the Sect Leader and the Deputy Sect Leader."

"Between the Sect Leader and the Deputy Sect Leader?"

"Han Zhongji, the Sect Leader, and Zhang Yingjie, the Deputy Sect Leader. According to recent information, the internal conflict has weakened their control over external matters, leading to a rebellion by the leader of the Shaanxi branch. But this revealed an interesting fact: the internal situation is so chaotic that they can't even suppress a rebellion by a mere branch leader."

"Ha ha ha ha, what a masterpiece. You're writing a complete novel..."

Mo Xiang burst into laughter again and poured more wine. Bai Yunyu, her face flushed, asked accusingly,

"Do you think you can fool anyone by brushing off something everyone knows?"

"Ha ha, fine. If that's what you believe, then it must be the truth. I have nothing more to say. But let me tell you one thing. The name of the branch leader who rebelled is Mo Xiang."

"Wh-what?"

They stared at Mo Xiang in shock. After a moment, Bai Yunyu asked,

"So, Mo Xiang, you..."

"Don't call me 'Daxia.' The word 'Daxia' gives me hives. Just call me Branch Leader."

"But Branch Leader, if you're in the middle of a rebellion, isn't it dangerous to be here? The main branch might send reinforcements."

"There's no need to worry. And I didn't know about the tomb until now. I have no interest in digging up someone else's grave. The main branch has its reasons for not moving, but I can't tell you. Go ask them. Ha ha ha..."

Still dazed by the shock, Bai Yunyu asked,

"Will you consider coming with us?"

"Well, I don't have much to do right now, so I might as well follow you after handing over the princess."

Clang! Clang!

Suddenly, the sound of swords clashing? Of course, it was because Mo Xiang had led the princess to the command post of the Erlin Army in Jiangsu, and the matter