To avoid alerting the enemy, Brother Hu Yan didn't return directly to their base but instead landed with Chao Zhilin in a valley nearby. He then summoned the four Junior Brothers using a paired talisman.

After the group met, Brother Hu Yan asked the Junior Brothers once they finished courtesies with Chao Zhilin, "Did Junior Brother Jin tell you about Wang Sheng's arrival tonight?"

Jin Zaogong said, "I've told them everything."

The other three Junior Brothers, Mao Zhong, Zhu Ze, and Xun Lingyin, all nodded to show they knew.

From time to time, they glanced at Chao Zhilin. Honestly, although Jin Zaogong conveyed Brother Hu Yan's intentions, they felt somewhat dissatisfied.

After all, they were still young, and it was hard to stomach that they couldn't directly claim their first victory, so they silently vowed to prove themselves soon.

Brother Hu Yan said, "Brother Chao, we must handle this matter secretly and not alarm outsiders. For manpower, I can only rely on my brothers. Though we are few, if we spread out to handle it, it should be sufficient. Let's solve the three from Youxia Mountain first. What do you think?"

Chao Zhilin replied, "That would work, but keep a close watch on those five from Bilan Sect, we can't let them escape."

Brother Hu Yan said, "Don't worry about that. After we handle Wang Sheng and the two with him, we'll get the talisman that Wang Sheng uses to contact Bilan Sect. You can then use it to lure the five of them in, and I'll coordinate from here. If the talisman proves inconvenient, I'll figure out another way."

He pointed toward Moon Sea and continued, "Go straight towards Moon Sea. The cliffs by the shore there have a canyon that's perfect for an ambush. Lure them there, and you guys can take action. Afterwards, you can clean up all traces into the Moon Sea. How does that sound?"

It was inappropriate to confront them near here for fear of accidentally alerting their own men.

Chao Zhilin thought for a moment, shook his head, and said, "Let's be more cautious. It's not suitable near the Moon Sea; if someone escapes into it, tracking them down would be problematic." He glanced in the opposite direction, "Isn't there a suitable place over there?"

Mentioning Moon Sea made him sensitive, as both Yan Ji and Guan Wen had perished there. The dangers of Moon Sea were well known, and he was not eager to take risks.

"Brother Chao is indeed prudent," Brother Hu Yan praised, then looked in that direction, "There must be somewhere suitable to take action. We should be careful, though. If we haven't scouted the place, we could accidentally involve bystanders. It's best if Brother Chao takes my Junior Brothers there to personally select a suitable spot. After thoroughly checking the area and confirming the location, send a message to me, and I'll lure them there."

"Alright, let's follow Brother Hu Yan's plan," Chao Zhilin agreed, looking towards the four young men, "Which two brothers would like to accompany me?"

All four remained silent, not taking the initiative and looking instead to their senior brother.

Brother Hu Yan was surprised, "Just two? Brother Chao, you're taking only two people?"

Chao Zhilin laughed and spread his hands, "What else? Have you ever heard of Youxia Mountain? It's just three people. We three going there personally, taking them on one-on-one, is already giving them too much credit. Do you think they could still escape? Brother Hu Yan, do you doubt my confidence or that of your two Junior Brothers? Two is enough, let the other two brothers keep an eye on those five from Bilan Sect. After all, that matter shouldn't be entrusted to anyone else."

All four Junior Brothers were summoned, and you only want two? Brother Hu Yan frowned slightly, having just praised this man for his prudence, yet suddenly he seemed overly confident.

Although it wasn't Mulan Qingqing who had come, her stature and position were well established, so he couldn't openly question her decisions. Instead, he nodded in agreement, "Alright then, Junior Brother Mao, you know Wang Sheng and his group, so you and Junior Brother Zhu go with Brother Chao."

"Alright," the two nodded in acknowledgment.

Actually, Chao Zhilin had also met Wang Sheng and his companions before but didn't say much, leaving the arrangements to them. He was quite polite, briefly bowing to the accompanying duo, thanking them, and then straightforwardly said to Brother Hu Yan, "Brother Hu Yan, running around to find the right place is troublesome. Please lend us your Wind Scale for now. After it's over, have your Junior Brother bring it back."

Normally, the Su Yuan Sect would have used their own Wind Scales for such tasks, but since they were all lost in the Moon Sea, he had no choice but to ask.

Brother Hu Yan, unbothered, knew that while Wind Scales were costly, they were not a big deal for sects at their level. Su Yuan Sect disciples wouldn't fail to return them, so he promptly took out the Wind Scale he had and threw it to Chao Zhilin.

Having thanked him and received the Wind Scale, Chao Zhilin then flew off with Mao Zhong and Zhu Ze.

Watching them go under the moonlight, Brother Hu Yan frowned, and Jin Zaogong said, "Brother, you don't really think they can't handle Wang Sheng and his two, do you? If that were the case, Youxia Mountain wouldn't be so obscure."

Brother Hu Yan replied, "I'm not worried about their strength, but I fear they might let someone slip away. Mulan Qingqing specifically entrusted me with this. If something goes wrong, explaining it to Mulan Qingqing later won't be pleasant. Before they left, Mulan Qingqing stressed very seriously to treat Wang Sheng and his group as formidable enemies.

Honestly, Mulan Qingqing's Junior Brothers, relying on their identity as Su Yuan Sect disciples, are polite superficially but quite arrogant privately. I guess they haven't faced much adversity outside. This group of men isn't as responsible as a woman. I'd rather be cautious.

He can be overconfident if he likes, but we should prepare for the worst, just in case. Let's have another go with them. After I've settled things with Wang Sheng's group, Junior Brother Xun, I'll make an excuse to escort them, and you accompany Wang Sheng and his group. If they make a move, you can provide additional support to prevent anyone from escaping."

Having said that, Xun Lingyin could only agree, "Okay."

The three returned to the heart of the base and didn't rush to meet Shi Chun and the others, waiting instead for Chao Zhilin to pick the spot. Brother Hu Yan first dispatched two Junior Brothers to check in with Shi Chun and Chu Jingtang.

Soon, they returned one after another to report that everyone was still there, none missing.

As they continued to wait, it wasn't even half an hour before Junior Brother Mao, having gone with Chao Zhilin, sent a message using the paired talisman detailing the chosen location.

After confirming several times, Brother Hu Yan nodded to Jin Zaogong, "Junior Brother, please invite Wang Sheng and his group now."

Jin Zaogong naturally understood the meaning and quickly turned around to leave.

In the encampment area, various sects had drilled many holes in the mountain, and Shi Chun and two others were placed in a relatively hidden cave.

Given the limited conditions, the stone tables and stools were made from materials found on site.

There was no door at the entrance of the cave, and Jin Zaogong directly entered, also startling the three people inside.

Two men stood up, and one woman remained seated, all a bit surprised. Hadn't he visited just a while ago? Why had he come again?

"Mr. Jin, what are your orders?" Shi Chun asked politely.

Jin Zaogong leaned in and whispered, "The truth of your words will be verified tonight. My senior brother asks you to come over for a visit."

Upon hearing this, the situation was uncertain. Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, already harboring caution, almost simultaneously felt a chill down their spines, and they exchanged a glance instinctively.

Shi Chun, with an expressionless face, paused briefly, then turned back to Xiang Laner and said, "Junior Sister, please obey and rest well. We'll be back soon."

Xiang Laner was unwilling to remain alone. She had come to probe, and was about to stand up and sulkily show her temper, but she caught Shi Chun making quick eye signals at her. Slightly stunned, she immediately suppressed her desire to stand, stayed seated, nodded somberly without saying a word.

Shi Chun then turned to Jin Zaogong with a bright smile and extended his hand, saying, "Let's go."

Seeing that one was not going, Jin Zaogong seemed like he wanted to say something but stopped, ultimately refraining from saying anything due to the awkwardness, and first led Shi Chun and the other away.

With no one else around, Xiang Laner's eyes filled with suspicion, pondering the meaning behind Shi Chun's earlier signals. Everything was fine, why the sudden secrecy?

Inside the central cave, upon seeing Shi Chun and another being brought in, Brother Hu Yan immediately stood up to greet them, his face smiling.

In fact, just as he had treated the disciples of the lesser status sects, he also harbored a considerable amount of pride deep down, which was subtly arrogant. Such a personal greeting was rare.

Shi Chun and his companion quickly glanced around the environment inside the cave.

Upon noticing one person missing during the courteous exchange, Hu Yan inquired, "Where is your junior sister?"

Shi Chun sighed, "Brother Hu Yan might not know, my junior sister has been quite reclusive since being traumatized."

"Oh, I understand, I understand," Hu Yan said with great understanding, then without beating around the bush, gestured towards the atlas on the stone table. "Brother Wang, Mr. Gao, come take a look."

Shi Chun immediately complied and approached.

Wu Jinliang first glanced at Jin Zaogong and Xun Lingyin nearby, then followed Shi Chun more slowly.

Holding his broadsword casually over his shoulder, his demeanor was relaxed, but his hand gripping the hilt was tense, not slackening at all. His eyes, always aware of his surroundings, he remained as alert as a lurking beast, ready to strike at any moment.

"Here," Hu Yan pointed at a location in the atlas, which seemed to be near Moon Sea, but actually wasn't. "We just received a report from a scout. About sixty or seventy miles from here, there's a direct watchpost under Mulan Qingqing's control. Would you dare to show your face there? I do want to see Mulan Qingqing's reaction, whether it's true as you've said. Junior Brother Xun knows the exact location; I'll have him accompany you."

It was, in essence, in correspondence with Shi Chun's previous willingness to serve as bait.

Shi Chun looked up at him and blinked, "Tonight?"

Hu Yan, surprised, said, "Does Brother Wang think we need to pick a day for this?"

"No, no," Shi Chun smiled and waved his hand, "When Wang says he'll do something, he does it. Let's go by Brother Hu Yan's suggestion."

"Good, I'll be watching then," Hu Yan clapped in agreement, then hesitated and added, "Aren't you going to bring your junior sister along?"

Shi Chun's brow twitched, but he remained serious, "Brother Hu Yan, if you think it necessary, then we'll bring her along."

Hu Yan spoke earnestly, "If we're going to act, we should do it thoroughly. Besides, I'm worried we might not be able to take good care of your junior sister given her state; better to bring her along."

Shi Chun replied, "Alright, as Brother Hu Yan wishes, I'll go call her now."

Hu Yan immediately turned to Xun Lingyin, "Junior Brother Xun, I'll need you to accompany them tonight."

Xun Lingyin nodded and followed.

Having walked a few steps, Shi Chun turned back to Xun Lingyin, signaling with his hand, "My junior sister is currently emotional. There are some things that are not suitable to be persuaded in front of others. Otherwise, if she becomes stubborn, it won't be easy to call upon her. Brother Xun, please wait outside while I bring her out."

Hu Yan directed, "Junior Brother Xun, listen to Brother Wang's arrangements."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.