Chapter 44

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Yujing Peak spans a hundred miles and rises a thousand feet, resembling a massive stone pillar jutting out among the mountains when viewed from afar. The surrounding area is a mix of canyons and forests, with the autumn scenery painted in vibrant hues.

At the foot of the mountain, three figures hurriedly approached.

The young man leading the group was Mu Shen. He held the long sword he had recovered, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.

The two elders following him were Xiang Rong and Gou Jun, both wielding flying swords and maintaining a vigilant demeanor.

After leaving Yujing, the three of them had used a teleportation array to arrive at the foot of the mountain, determined to bring the disciple who betrayed the Immortal Sect to justice. The other two managers of Yujing Peak, Zhong Kai and Ge Qi, did not come along. Zhong Kai claimed he was busy with trivial matters, while Ge Qi said he was unwell and needed rest.

Mu Shen did not mind this and secretly signaled to Xiang Rong and Gou Jun, promising that if they helped capture Wu Jiu and find the two women, he would inform his master and ensure they received a generous reward.

Who wouldn't be willing to do something beneficial?

Xiang Rong and Gou Jun, who always dreamed of obtaining large amounts of spirit stones and elixirs to advance their cultivation, immediately agreed upon hearing Mu Shen's promise. However, they had already circled around the base of the mountain for a considerable distance and had yet to notice any abnormalities.

Mu Shen landed on a flat slope, took a few quick steps, and then slowly stopped. He looked up at the nearby cliff, spat in anger. Was that boy buried in the underground cave, or had he already escaped from Yujing Peak? If he was dead, it would be easier, at least he wouldn't be alone with the two women. If he had escaped, he should have left some traces...

Xiang Rong and Gou Jun followed closely behind, and as they passed by, they pretended to be concerned, saying, "Manager Mu, if your magic power is insufficient, please take a moment to rest!"

"I may not be at my best, but I'm not that weak!"

Both of the managers had cultivation levels of the seventh or eighth layer, and they didn't take Mu Shen's fifth-layer cultivation seriously. In the Immortal Sect, the strong were respected. Although Mu Shen understood this, he could only endure it. After responding, he was about to move on, but then he paused and said, "Wait a moment..."

Xiang Rong and Gou Jun had already moved several dozen feet away. Hearing Mu Shen's voice, they slowed down.

Mu Shen took a few steps back and slowly turned around. On the right side of the slope was a grove of low trees about ten feet in diameter. Next to the grove and the wild grass was the steep cliff of Yujing Peak. He focused his mind and listened carefully, then said in confusion, "I just heard a tapping sound, but it's gone now."

Xiang Rong and Gou Jun looked at each other and nodded.

Mu Shen continued to mutter to himself, "With my divine sense, I can't penetrate such a thick cliff, Fellow Daoists..."

At the same time, the two figures turned back.

Without a word, Xiang Rong raised his hand and summoned his flying sword. Gou Jun, in perfect sync, stepped back a few paces and prepared for battle.

Mu Shen suddenly understood and his expression brightened.

The flying sword cut through the air, creating a strong wind. Grass and trees were scattered, and the grove of low trees was uprooted, revealing a section of the cliff. The sword light flashed, and with a "bang," it plunged into the stone, then "sizzled" as it rotated, sparks flying. In no time, a hole large enough for a person to pass through appeared in the stone wall.

Xiang Rong raised his hand again, and the sword light disappeared. He stepped back to Gou Jun's side and exchanged a meaningful look with his companion.

Mu Shen looked at the cave entrance about twenty feet away, surprised. With his divine sense, he could clearly see the inside of the cave. He chuckled and called out, "The three of you, come out. Don't hurt the harmony among fellow disciples..."

At the same time, a series of coughs echoed from inside the cave.

Just as Ye Zi realized someone was outside the cave and tried to stop, it was too late. Before she could react, the stone wall opened. The sword's aura, shattered stone fragments, and flying dust filled the entire cave. She was protected by her magic power and was unharmed, but she turned to return the way she came to avoid being surrounded outside. However, Wu Jiu, unable to bear the stuffiness, was bent over, coughing uncontrollably, and his coughing happened to block the only exit.

Ye Zi's expression was anxious, and she whispered, "Move aside!"

Someone sighed beside her, "Where else can we go..."

Ye Zi was about to lose her temper but was stunned by the voice and said weakly, "Sister..."

Although she was somewhat anxious, she understood the situation. Even if they returned the way they came, there was nowhere to go. The only way out behind them had become a deadly trap. Now, they were trapped with no way to advance or retreat.

Ziyan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then comforted her, "Although I am injured, I can still hold them off for a moment. Ye Zi, you should take Wu Jiu and go first..." As she flicked her sleeve, the dust in the cave dissipated. She then faced the cave entrance, her expression calm and composed.

Ye Zi panicked, "Sister, no! Mu Shen may not be much, but he is cunning and hard to deal with. Plus, the two managers of Yujing Peak are both powerful. You can only use about sixty percent of your magic power, you are no match for the three of them..."

Ziyan grabbed Ye Zi's hand, patted it gently, and comforted her, "As fellow disciples, they won't try to kill us. Don't worry, just look for an opportunity to escape..." Her tone was light, as if they were having a normal conversation. As the light in her sleeve flashed, she held her flying sword and slowly walked towards the cave entrance.

"Cough, cough—"

Wu Jiu coughed hard, finally catching his breath. He saw Ziyan leaving alone and said, "Don't trust that guy..."

Ziyan paused but did not turn around. At that moment, a sword light suddenly shot into the cave.

Ye Zi's expression changed, "Sister, be careful—"

Ziyan stood at the cave entrance, not dodging. A protective light flashed around her, and her flying sword flew out of her sleeve. Another sword light followed, even more powerful. She was taken aback but had no way to retreat.

Ye Zi knew it was bad and rushed forward with her sword.

"Bang—"

A loud noise echoed in the cave, and a fierce wind rushed out of the cave entrance. Ziyan was the first to be hit, her clothes and hair blown back. She let out a painful groan and was thrown back. Ye Zi couldn't avoid it either and fell directly. At that moment, the two short swords, stripped of their magic power, clattered against the stone wall.

Wu Jiu was still stuck in the gap, stunned, as a white figure flew towards him. Without thinking, he reached out and caught her. Before he could react, he was hit by an invisible force. He felt dizzy and his chest tightened, and he couldn't help but groan, but his face was covered by a curtain of hair, and a faint moan sounded in his ear, followed by a mouthful of blood.

"Sister—"

Ye Zi had already gotten up and saw Ziyan being tightly held by a naked man. She was both angry and worried, "You... How dare you take advantage of her, let her go..."

Wu Jiu gritted his teeth, suppressing the groan that was about to escape his lips, and glared at Ye Zi, "I won't let her go..." He thought, "I'm just being a good Samaritan, how can you say I'm taking advantage of her? It's rare to have a beautiful woman in my arms, as a man, I have to be strong, and if I say I won't let her go, I won't!"

"Let me go—"

Wu Jiu's words were interrupted by a push from the person in his arms. He looked down and his heart skipped a beat. In the dim light, he saw a beautiful woman with blood on her cheek and a sad expression. He quickly responded, took a few careful steps forward, and gently placed Ziyan on the ground, supporting her so she could lean against the stone wall more comfortably.

Ziyan had never been so close to a man before and wanted to scold him, but she saw that the man in front of her was no longer playful. His eyes were clear, his face serious, and his actions were full of genuine concern and care...

"Get out of the way!"

Ye Zi stumbled and rushed over, falling beside Ziyan and asking anxiously, "Sister! How are you injured?"

"I'm still alive..."

Ziyan forced a smile at Ye Zi, shook her head weakly, and her eyes showed a hint of regret.

Wu Jiu stumbled and was about to shout, but he met those beautiful eyes again and quickly shrugged, then turned away, wincing in pain. The girl's collision had brought back the soreness in his body!

At that moment, a voice came from outside the cave, "The two fellow disciples inside have no strength to fight back. We dare not claim credit, please let Manager Mu decide what to do!"

It was Xiang Rong's voice, with a flattering tone.

Then a familiar laugh sounded, "Ha ha! Thank you, Fellow Daoists..." He paused and continued, "I have no grudge against Senior Sisters Ziyan and Ye Zi, but I had to do this to follow my master's orders. If you hand over Wu Jiu, you can atone for your sins!"

Ziyan and Ye Zi looked at each other.

Wu Jiu had forgotten his soreness and was silently watching the cave entrance. He could only see a distant light, but he knew Mu Shen was outside. That guy clearly only wanted to deal with him and wasn't going to let it go.

Mu Shen continued, "Wu Jiu, you can't escape your fate. Why drag others into this? Why not show yourself and surrender now?"

Wu Jiu didn't respond, slowly turning around.

The two women, weak and leaning on each other, looked at him with indescribable expressions.

Wu Jiu's gaze fell on the gap in the rock where they had come from, and he shook his head helplessly. Even if they returned to the previous cave, it would still be a dead end. It seemed he couldn't escape this time.

"Wu Jiu, I give you one last chance. If you don't show yourself within half an incense stick's time, this will be your grave! And the two fellow disciples, don't collude with him, or you will regret it!"

Mu Shen continued to nag, making everyone feel stifled and helpless...

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