Chapter 135: Huyan Dao

"Oh, great!" Chu Jingting wished he could slap himself. He had been listening intently, but he should have known this guy was a monster, that he'd cause trouble the moment he opened his mouth. Why did he even ask?

He truly didn't know what to do. Was this information they were even supposed to have? He even considered silencing Shi Chun and his two companions, but the problem was, these two brothers seemed quite capable fighters. If it came to a real fight, he wasn't sure who would silence whom.

Outsiders hearing this for the first time might not grasp its seriousness, as only those who had personally experienced the events could understand the true extent of the consequences from such a brief conversation.

Xiang Lan'er, however, was equally astonished. The Su Yuan Sect of Xuanzhou... these two guys, after leaving their group, had actually gotten involved with the Xuanzhou Su Yuan Sect?

From what was implied, it seemed a lot had transpired between them, the Xuanzhou forces, and the Su Yuan Sect.

She instinctively glanced at her wrist. The two of them had claimed they were using this token to leverage Xuanzhou's prestige for their own courage.

"Huan Ji also followed us into the Moon Sea at that time. I saw with my own eyes how he was eliminated by a monster. It's very easy to verify if what I'm saying is true. Among the hundreds of people who later entered the Moon Sea, some must have managed to escape back to shore. I don't know them personally, but someone must know who was dispatched there. If you find those who luckily escaped and question them, you'll naturally know whether what I'm saying is true or false..."

"Brother Wang," Chu Jingting finally couldn't help but interrupt. He felt his breathing becoming labored just listening to more.

He wanted to ask, "Why didn't you say this before, and why are you telling us now?" But the words wouldn't come out. Didn't he realize why they were telling him? He had asked for it.

So he rephrased his question: "Since you fear being silenced, and given you've been hiding for so long, why are you now coming out to take risks?"

Shi Chun sighed, "We originally planned to hide until the conference ended, but then we realized how serious this matter is. If we leave with this secret, the other party likely won't let us go. The Su Yuan Sect, for the sake of its reputation, who knows what they'll do? How can our Youxia Mountain stand against the might of the Su Yuan Sect? We're afraid it would implicate our entire sect. Also, we simply couldn't swallow this injustice. Brother Chu, you know our temperaments somewhat: we'd rather break than bend. It's better to resolve this matter here in the Western Extremities."

"Hmph!" Wu Jin struck his large saber heavily against the ground, his voice mournful yet resolute: "So what if it's the Su Yuan Sect? A true man never lives an ignoble life!"

Playing the part of a despondent and quiet woman who had been violated, Xiang Lan'er almost couldn't maintain the act. She kept wanting to look up and watch her two companions' performance.

"Alright, alright, you two brothers are indeed heroes; I am truly impressed." Chu Jingting repeatedly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, his movements becoming increasingly perfunctory until he could no longer feign composure, sighing incessantly. "Brother, we have no grievances with you, so please don't harm us! Why did you tell us this? Now you've made us informed parties. How could the Su Yuan Sect let us off after they find out? We don't want to implicate our sect either!"

His four fellow disciples also wore expressions of bitter dismay.

Shi Chun waved his hand, "Brother Chu, don't panic. I've already devised a countermeasure that will ensure your safety."

Chu Jingting immediately grabbed his arm. "Don't hold back! What's your countermeasure?"

Shi Chun patted the back of his hand. "Tell me, if many people know, and countless mouths are speaking, how can the Su Yuan Sect silence them all?"

At these words, the five members of the Bilan Sect were instantly invigorated. They understood.

"Good, let's do it! I'll go spread the word right now!" Chu Jingting, his face beaming with excitement, was about to high-five. But just as his enthusiasm surged, a look of dread quickly flashed across his face, and he hastily waved his hands. "No, no, that's not right! This is a critical time for the Celestial Meteor Shower Conference. If we cause internal chaos and make Xuanzhou lose its chance at victory, it won't be the Su Yuan Sect coming to settle accounts with our Bilan Sect, but the Domain Lord Chi Rang! Brother Wang, don't involve us in this; find someone else."

It wasn't just talk; the more he thought about it, the more he was overcome by dread.

Shi Chun said, "Brother Chu, don't panic. I already have a plan, and I'll handle this myself; no need to trouble you. The reason I came to see you is that I've been hiding for too long and am unaware of the current situation of the Xuanzhou forces. I wanted to ask you, among the Xuanzhou sects allied with the Su Yuan Sect, who has the best chance of winning the championship?"

Chu Jingting's eyes flickered, as if he understood Shi Chun's intention. After a brief thought, he didn't conceal anything and slowly said, "Who else but the Yuanjian Palace? Isn't it just decided by which sect holds the most power? They happen to be nearby, currently responsible for leading over two hundred sects on our side. What do you want?"

Shi Chun replied, "I want to meet him in person, for a discussion."

Chu Jingting said meaningfully, "I'm afraid even the Yuanjian Palace wouldn't dare to get carelessly involved in this."

Shi Chun responded, "I have my own considerations. Please trouble Brother Chu for an introduction."

Did Chu Jingting have a choice? From the moment he learned this explosive secret, he had no alternative. If he didn't cooperate, the secret of silencing them could fall directly into his hands. Naturally, he had to comply. As the saying goes, "When the sky falls, the tall ones bear the brunt."

The temporary encampment of the Yuanjian Palace, commanding over a thousand people, was just fifty *li* away. A group of cultivators traveled swiftly, and by the time they arrived, it was already late.

However, Chu Jingting and his group did not directly lead Shi Chun and the others into the encampment. They had no choice; secrecy was paramount. If the matter was truly as "Wang Sheng" and the other claimed, how could they easily let anyone know they were still alive? Once the Su Yuan Sect caught wind of it, disaster would surely strike.

For this reason, Chu Jingting first went to the central hub of the encampment.

Due to Mulan Qingqing's long-term "Dragon Subduing Plan," the temporary central hub couldn't be set up openly. Instead, they chose to dig a cave in the side of a mountain. The leader of the Yuanjian Palace was named Huyan Dao. Although not as handsome as the people from the Su Yuan Sect, his sharp facial features showed considerable fortitude. He wore a simple fine linen robe.

Upon seeing the visiting leader of the Bilan Sect, Huyan Dao didn't know why the other party had come rushing in so late, but he maintained a welcoming smile and gestured for him to sit.

There were no elaborate seats, only stone stools and stone tables. In such rudimentary conditions, they simply had to make do.

Had he not received a prior announcement, Huyan Dao might not even have remembered the other party's name. There were simply too many people from various sects, and the Bilan Sect wasn't a major one, so it wasn't easily memorable.

Chu Jingting, however, furtively walked to the cave entrance and peered out, then quickly returned to Huyan Dao's side. Instead of sitting, he leaned in and whispered something.

The reason he was so bold and direct was purely out of necessity; this matter absolutely required someone of higher standing to deal with.

As expected, after understanding the situation, Huyan Dao's face seemed to turn green under the purple flame. His two junior brothers standing beside him were equally stunned, occasionally glancing at each other.

*Crack!* A stone inkstone on the stone table was directly crushed by Huyan Dao. He stared coldly at Chu Jingting, demanding, "What is your intention in telling me this?"

Chu Jingting stepped back two paces, cupped his hands in apology, and said helplessly, "Brother Huyan, they found me. I was helpless! What could I do? I couldn't just let him spread it everywhere, could I? Since he says he has a solution, Brother Huyan, perhaps you should meet with him."

Huyan Dao felt as though he had been shanghaied. However, the Yuanjian Palace's status and power were not comparable to those of the Bilan Sect.

The Yuanjian Palace was not something the Su Yuan Sect could simply destroy at will. Therefore, Huyan Dao had some options. At worst, he could simply inform the Su Yuan Sect directly and let them handle the situation themselves.

However, he was also somewhat concerned. With such a scandal, touching upon the Su Yuan Sect's reputation, who could guarantee that Mulan Qingqing and her group wouldn't go all out and silence some members of the Yuanjian Palace?

When such a matter arrived at their doorstep, it was difficult to avoid. The only course of action was to meet and then decide.

He personally arranged for his junior brothers to accompany Chu Jingting, primarily to help Shi Chun and the others remain discreet.

With arrangements made, the meeting naturally proceeded smoothly.

Shi Chun and his companions, covered in cloaks sewn from canvas, unveiled themselves upon entering the central cave. The gazes of several men immediately fell upon Xiang Lan'er's face; the beauty of Liyun Pavilion's top courtesan was undeniable.

Setting aside the matter of beauty, Huyan Dao, fearing that Chu Jingting might have misrepresented the facts, asked Shi Chun to recount the events again. When the principal spoke, the account was indeed much more detailed, and several specific questions were also answered.

After listening, Huyan Dao said indifferently, "This is merely your account; it cannot be taken as fact."

Shi Chun said, "Brother Huyan, if you truly wish to verify, finding a survivor from the incident will naturally tell you if what I say is true."

Huyan Dao countered, "If what you say is true, do you think there would still be any survivors?"

Shi Chun stated, "If they truly silenced everyone, then the malevolence of the Su Yuan Sect is obvious, and they are unfit to be Xuanzhou's leader. The remaining informed parties would be in increasingly dangerous situations. Of course, this would also more easily prove that what I say is true. To prove it, I am willing to be bait. All that's needed is to find a way to leak the news that I am still alive to the Su Yuan Sect."

Hearing this, everyone was surprised, realizing he was willing to risk his life.

Huyan Dao remained calm and said, "Even if what you say is true, what then? The primary concern is for all of Xuanzhou to win the championship. Anyone who obstructs this will certainly not be lightly pardoned by the Domain Lord afterward. If Xuanzhou's morale collapses and its strength to win the championship becomes fragmented, can my Yuanjian Palace bear this responsibility, or can your Youxia Mountain?"

Shi Chun replied, "Why should we disrupt the championship now? Keep it hidden for now. Once Xuanzhou gathers enough 'Insect Extremity Crystals' with the combined efforts of everyone, it won't be too late to expose the truth when rewards are distributed based on merit. This matter doesn't require the Yuanjian Palace to take the lead. For us, whether we can leave the Western Extremities or not, the Su Yuan Sect will never let us go. Since that's the case, how can we let the Su Yuan Sect off lightly? It's better to resolve this matter here in the Western Extremities. When the 'Insect Extremity Crystals' are being distributed based on merit, my brothers and I are willing to step forward and make the revelation. At that time, the Yuanjian Palace won't have to do anything but still lead Xuanzhou to victory. Isn't that a good outcome?"

Huyan Dao countered, "If doing nothing is an option, then why did you come to me?"

Shi Chun explained, "Someone needs to cover our actions here in Xuanzhou and provide the necessary cooperation. Relying on Brother Chu and his companions might prove a bit difficult."