Chapter 138: Tonight

Apex!

To avoid alerting anyone, the returning Huyan Dao did not go straight back to their stronghold. Instead, he brought Chao Zhilin to a valley nearby and then used a mother-son talisman to summon his four junior brothers.

After they met and the junior brothers and Chao Zhilin finished their pleasantries, Huyan Dao asked his junior brothers, "Junior Brother Jin, have you told them all about Wang Sheng's arrival tonight?"

Jin Zaogong replied, "Yes, I've told them everything."

The other three junior brothers, Mao Zhong, Zhu Ze, and Xun Lingyin, all nodded in understanding.

The group occasionally cast furtive glances at Chao Zhilin. To be honest, even though Jin Zaogong had relayed Senior Brother Huyan's message, the others felt genuinely uneasy about it. After all, they were still young; to be handed an opportunity and not dare to seize it left a bitter taste in their mouths. They secretly vowed to do better in the future.

Huyan Dao said, "Brother Chao, this matter must be handled discreetly to avoid alerting outsiders. The only people we can readily employ are my junior brothers and myself. While the number might be a bit small, if we split up, it should still be sufficient. How about we deal with the three from Youxia Mountain first?"

Chao Zhilin replied, "Alright, but we must keep a very close watch on those five from the Bilan Sect; we can't let them get away."

Huyan Dao said, "You don't need to worry about that. First, we'll eliminate Wang Sheng and his two companions. Wang Sheng carries a mother-son talisman that connects to the Bilan Sect. Once you retrieve it, you can use it to lure the five Bilan Sect members over. I will coordinate with you. If the talisman proves inconvenient, I'll come up with another plan." As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed towards Moon Sea, saying, "From here, go straight to Moon Sea. There's a cliff rift on the shore in that direction. You can set up an ambush there. After I lure the people over, you can make your move. Afterward, all traces can be disposed of in the Moon Sea. What do you all think?"

Huyan Dao (the talisman-bearer) then smiled faintly at Xun Lingyin and extended his hand, saying, "Let's go." Wang Sheng Dao said earnestly, "You have to play the whole act. Moreover, considering your junior sister's condition, I'm afraid you won't be able to look after her properly, so you should bring her along."

Chao Zhilin had indeed met Brother Wang Sheng's group, but he said little, allowing them to make arrangements. He was quite polite, cupping his hands to the two who were to accompany them in advance to thank them. Then, rather impolitely, he said to Wang Sheng Dao, "Brother Wang Sheng, it's a hassle for us to keep running around looking for a suitable place. Why don't you lend us your Wind Scales for a while? Have your junior brother bring them back after the matter is concluded."

Although Huyan Qingqing herself didn't come, their status was considerable, so he couldn't very well question them. He nodded and said, "Alright then, Junior Brother Mao, you know Lu Zhi's group, so you and Junior Brother Zhu will accompany them on this trip."

This was, in fact, also in response to Huyan Dao (the talisman-bearer's) earlier willingness to act as bait.

Chao Zhilin chuckled, spreading his hands, "Otherwise, what? Who is this 'Jin Zaogong'? Have we ever heard of him before? There are only three of them. For five of us to go personally and handle them one-on-one, that's already giving them far too much credit. Do you think they can still escape? Brother Wang Sheng, do you lack confidence in me, or in your two junior brothers? Two of us should be enough. Let's have two more brothers stay behind to watch those five from the Bilan Sect, after all, this matter shouldn't be entrusted to others."

Huyan Dao (the talisman-bearer) immediately moved closer.

"Alright, we'll proceed according to Brother Wang Sheng's arrangements." Chao Zhilin nodded in agreement, his gaze sweeping over the others present. "Which two brothers are willing to accompany me on this trip?"

Noticing someone was missing, Lu Zhi Dao inquired during their exchange of pleasantries, "Where is your junior sister?"

Wang Sheng Dao said, "I'm not worried about our strength, but I fear that if anything goes wrong and someone escapes, Huyan Qingqing has repeatedly entrusted this task to me, and it would be difficult to explain to her if we made a mistake. Before we set off, Huyan Qingqing gave very serious instructions, admonishing us to treat Brother Chao's group as lifelong formidable enemies."

"No, no," Lu Zhi said with a smile, waving his hand. "I always keep my word; we'll proceed as Brother Wang Sheng suggests."

The seven individuals (led by Huyan Dao, the talisman-bearer) first quickly scanned the interior of the cave.

"Ah, I understand, I understand." Wang Sheng Dao looked completely understanding. Without beating around the bush, he gestured towards the atlas on the stone table, saying, "Brother Wang, Brother Gao, come and take a look."

Xiao Dao (Little Knife) still rested casually on his shoulder, his posture relaxed yet tense. The hand gripping the hilt of the knife, however, was taut, without the slightest slack. His peripheral vision constantly monitored his surroundings, left and right. His mindset was akin to a lurking beast, highly alert to everything, ready to spring into action at any moment.

As soon as these words were spoken, with the situation still uncertain, Lu Zhi and Wu Gang, already secretly wary, almost simultaneously felt the hairs on their backs stand on end. Both instinctively glanced at each other.

Not long after, the two returned, one after another, to report that people on both sides were still present; no one was missing.

Wang Sheng Dao said, "Youxia Mountain, follow Brother Wang's arrangements." Wang Sheng Dao himself didn't think much of this. Although Wind Scales were expensive, for a sect of their caliber, they weren't considered a major asset. As Lu Zhiyi's disciple, he wouldn't lend something and not have it returned. He immediately took out the Wind Scales he had on him and handed them over.

Wang Sheng Dao asked in surprise, "Brother Wang, do you perhaps think this matter still requires choosing an auspicious day?"

Su Yuanzong nodded and followed.

"Here," Wang Sheng Dao pointed to a spot on the atlas. From the atlas, it appeared to be right by the Moon Sea, but in reality, it wasn't. "I just received a report from a scout. About eighty to one hundred li from here, there's a hidden outpost directly managed by Huyan Qingqing's side. Do the seven of you dare to show your faces there? I'd like to see Huyan Qingqing's reaction, and if it's truly as they say. Youxia Mountain knows the exact location; I'll have him accompany you." They waited and waited. Within half an hour, Junior Brother Mao Zhong, who had gone with Chao Zhilin, sent a message via a mother-son talisman, reporting the final selected location.

Chao Zhilin thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Let's be cautious. The Moon Sea shore isn't suitable. If someone escapes into the Moon Sea, it would be extremely difficult to pursue them." He looked in the opposite direction. "Is there a suitable place over there?"

Huyan Dao (the talisman-bearer) raised an eyebrow slightly, but said seriously, "Brother Wang Sheng, I think there's no need to bring her along. So you just bring them."

Given the limited resources, the stone table and stone chairs were improvised from local materials.

In the vicinity of the stronghold, various sects had dug many caves into the mountain. The eight individuals (led by Huyan Dao, the talisman-bearer) were settled in a relatively secluded one.

"Alright," the two nodded and accepted the order.

"I am young and inexperienced, but you should still take precautions. Let one more person go. Later, after I've dealt with Brother Chao's side, Youxia Mountain, you can use the excuse of accompanying them, and he can accompany Brother Chao's group on this trip. Once the action starts, there will be an extra pair of hands to prevent anyone from escaping."

In fact, just as I mentioned about Junior Brother Xun and the others, he was quite arrogant at heart when facing disciples from higher-status sects, secretly harboring a certain degree of pride. Such scenes of him personally greeting someone were rare.

Seeing Wang Sheng Dao frowning as he watched them leave under the moonlight, Xun Lingyin said, "Senior Brother, you don't really think that we can't even handle Brother Chao's three people, do you? If that were the case, Jin Zaogong wouldn't be so renowned."

After repeated confirmation through communication, Wang Sheng Dao turned his head and gestured to Xun Lingyin, saying, "Junior Brother, please invite Brother Chao and his group over."

Chao Zhilin received it and thanked him, then immediately controlled the Wind Scales and took Mao Zhong and Zhu Ze, flying into the sky.

Wu Jinliang first glanced at Xun Lingyin and Su Yuanzong nearby, then quickly followed behind Lu Zhi.

The cave entrance had no door. Xun Lingyin flashed inside directly, startling the eight people within.

None of the seven made a sound, nor did anyone act on their own initiative; they all looked towards their Senior Brother.

Wang Sheng Dao immediately said to Lu Zhiyi beside him, "You Shuangshan, you'll be accompanying us on this trip tonight."

Seeing that no one was leaving, Xun Lingyin hesitated, but ultimately said nothing, as it wasn't appropriate to say too much. He then led Lu Zhi and the others away.

Originally, Junior Brother Xun also had two Wind Scales; they would be used whenever someone went out on a task. Now, they were all lost in Moon Sea, and there was nothing to be done about it. Otherwise, there would have been no need to bring this up.

Speaking of Moon Sea, I'm a bit sensitive about it; Yun Ji and Guan Wen both perished there. The dangers of Moon Sea are truly legendary, and I dare not easily venture into danger there again.

Taking action too close by is not suitable, for fear that the sounds of fighting would alert their own people.

After the eight individuals returned to the stronghold's central hub, they didn't rush to meet Huyan Dao (the talisman-bearer) and his group. They still had to wait for Chao Zhilin's chosen location. Wang Sheng Dao first sent two junior brothers to check on Huyan Dao's side and Chu Jingting's side respectively.

Xun Lingyin naturally understood what was meant and quickly turned and left.

Since he had already spoken that way, Su Yuanzong had no choice but to agree, "Alright."

Huyan Dao (the talisman-bearer) sighed, "Brother Wang Sheng probably doesn't know this, but my junior sister hasn't been very willing to see people since she was traumatized."

"Shi Chun is indeed a reliable person." Wang Sheng Dao praised, looking in that direction. "The world is vast; if there's a place to act, we just need to be careful. In places that haven't been scouted, we don't know if there are outsiders. It's best not to alert others if possible."

To be honest, Huyan Qingqing's junior brothers, usually relying on their status as Lu Zhiyi's disciples, were outwardly polite but secretly quite arrogant. They probably hadn't suffered many losses outside. That group, even women, understood the gravity of the situation as well as any man.

Lu Zhiyi leaned closer and said in a low voice, "Whether what they said is true can be verified tonight. My Senior Brother invites them to come over."

"Alright, then I'll wait and see." Wang Sheng Dao clapped his hands in approval, then hesitated, "Should your junior sister be brought along as well?"

Wang Sheng Dao was surprised. "Are two senior disciples only taking two people?"

"Brother Jin, what are your instructions?" Lu Zhi asked politely.

Xiang Lan'er certainly wouldn't stay alone; she had originally come to gather information. Just as she was about to stand up and throw a fit, she saw Huyan Dao (the talisman-bearer) giving her a slow wink. She paused slightly, then immediately suppressed the urge to stand, remaining seated and unmoving, and nodded with a melancholic, taciturn expression.

Inside the central cave, upon seeing the seven individuals (led by Huyan Dao, the talisman-bearer) being brought in, Wang Sheng Dao immediately stood up to greet them, a smile on his face.

Huyan Dao (the talisman-bearer), after walking a few steps, turned back and waved to Su Yuanzong, saying, "My junior sister is quite emotional right now due to some trauma she's suffered. It's not appropriate to try to persuade her in front of outsiders; otherwise, she becomes stubborn and difficult to move. Brother Xun, just wait outside, and I'll bring her out."

The woman who had just risen to stand and the man who remained seated were both a bit surprised. Hadn't that person just come to visit a while ago? Why were they here again?

Lu Zhi said, "Alright, as Brother Wang Sheng suggests, I'll call you over then."

With no one else around, Xiang Lan'er's eyes showed suspicion. She pondered what Huyan Dao (the talisman-bearer's) wink had meant just now. Why was he suddenly being so mysterious?

Huyan Dao (the talisman-bearer) remained expressionless, pausing briefly. He turned to Xiang Lan'er and said, "Junior Sister, be obedient and rest well. We'll be back soon."

Therefore, it's best if Shi Chun takes your junior brother, personally selects a suitable location, surveys it thoroughly, confirms the spot, then sends a message to you, and you then lure the people over.

Huyan Dao (the talisman-bearer) looked at him, blinked, "Tonight?"