Chapter 145: Local You Choose

**The Peak!**

The person who said this lacked confidence, and the person who heard it thought they misheard.

Hu Yan Dao was flustered, "Gone? Didn't you say you were watching them all along?"

Jin Zhaogong didn't know how to explain; any explanation would sound weak. Still, he had to bite the bullet and say, "I was watching them the whole time. I don't know when they slipped away. The only possibility, I suspect, has something to do with Lao Changtai from the Ziyun Sect..."

He then recounted how Lao Changtai had approached him earlier, expressing suspicion of an inside traitor.

Hu Yan Dao's scalp tingled upon hearing this. If that were truly the case, he dared not ponder why Lao Changtai would cooperate. He said in a deep voice, "Where is Lao Changtai? Is he still here?"

Jin Zhaogong: "I don't know, I didn't have time to go check." Hu Yan Dao stomped his foot, "Then why aren't you going to check now?!"

"Alright," Jin Zhaogong replied, turning and running off at high speed.

Hu Yan Dao paced anxiously. If the situation really did develop in the worst possible direction, he wouldn't know how to explain it to Mu Lanqing, nor how to face the ensuing consequences.

Jin Zhaogong left quickly but was slow to return, leaving Hu Yan Dao increasingly anxious as he waited.

He put himself in their shoes, but still didn't quite understand, wondering where he had truly lost.

After a long period of contemplation, Hu Yan could only sigh. He had to abandon his original best plan, as Bi Yongdao's concerns could equally apply to other sects. If even Jin Zhaogong dared not proceed, then the other sects were even more out of the question.

Wang Shengqing suddenly stared into Chao Xiongdao's eyes, truly despising his foolishness.

Shi Chun, as a disciple of a minor sect, didn't have that kind of fortitude.

With a cold snort, Chao Xiongdao pounded his fist on the stone tabletop, expressing his displeasure.

He then turned to the others and said, "Go investigate. See if they spread this matter among the various sects before they went missing."

Hu Yan then knocked someone unconscious, and then woke up Shi Chun. There was no need for politeness with this one; they immediately subjected him to torture, then threatened him, saying that the Suyuan Sect greatly resented them for their inaction in the face of death, and forced him to confess everything with the same questions.

In the Land of Exile, as long as the stakes were high enough, people would fight desperately to seize them.

The answers confessed were largely similar to what the Suyuan Sect had revealed, with minor differences.

Bi Yongdao sighed, "That's not urgent. The people have already run, and whatever was going to spread can no longer be hidden. What's most important now are the people in Mao Zhong's hands. My junior brother has become his hostage. How is Bi Yongqing?"

Xun Lingyin was shocked upon hearing this. That was simply impossible, no matter how he looked at it.

"Alas," Suyuan Sect sighed deeply, "He probably won't refuse. Even if Lao Changtai's reputation is ruined, his strength remains. Brother Chao Xiong doesn't dare offend him, and the Yuanjian Sect cannot afford to offend him either. That's the reason why they betrayed you."

As for that answer, Xiang Lan'er found it quite surprising. This was simply a difference in perspective...

Wang Shengqing, however, fell silent. He didn't think Chao Yilin was overly arrogant. Adding or subtracting a couple of people might be crucial, but this wasn't about merely a few people. Logically, even eight against eight wouldn't be considered an underestimation and would be entirely sufficient to handle the situation, let alone seven against eight.

Therefore, he was anxious to confirm that point. If their identity as disguised Youxia Mountain disciples was truly exposed, then they couldn't continue this charade and would have to find another method.

On the surface, he didn't pursue the matter further. He took a deep breath and said, "What a Mao Zhong! He's indeed not simple. He holds all the cards in his hand."

He now deeply understood why Lao Changtai could rally so many people with seemingly no effort, while Baizhu Chuan, the largest sect in Shengzhou, despite running around threatening and enticing, could only gather about a hundred people. That was the real difference.

Instead, he took the responsibility upon himself.

Suyuan Sect said slowly, "The relationship between Lao Changtai and Jin Zhaogong isn't as simple as the difference between Xuanzhou's first and second. Brother Chao Xiong said that before coming here, the sect had instructed them not to contend for first place with Lao Changtai. That might be one reason. On the other hand, it might be Wang Shengqing's beauty and background; Brother Bi Yong might have had some ideas."

"No," Xun Lingyin wasn't in a hurry. He asked, "Brother, you just said Shi Chun and the others fell into Mao Zhong's hands and became hostages. What happened?"

Suyuan Sect countered, "What terms did you discuss with your brother?"

He replied, "Got it." He glanced at the message from Wang Shengqing, pondered for a moment, and then swiftly replied, "You choose the location." Just then, a figure appeared at the cave entrance, drifting in clad in white — it was Bi Yongqing, who had personally arrived.

Chao Xiongdao wanted to tell him to go handle things first, but unexpectedly, Bi Yongqing also said, "I came here precisely to ask about this matter. What exactly happened? How did a whole group of people end up in the opponent's hands instead?"

To seize that first place, he had to find another way, and he fell into deep thought again.

The last sentence proved that between men and women, some subtle thoughts cannot be hidden from their companions.

Bi Yongdao quickly consoled him, "You're overstating it. In terms of strength, Mulan and the others couldn't possibly be a match for those few. Who knows what dirty tricks those scoundrels used."

The largest sect in Shengshenzhou, along with Xuanzhou's largest and second largest sects, teamed up against an undistinguished minor sect in Xuanzhou. Furthermore, it was a case of many bullying the few. By all accounts, they shouldn't have lost. Could such a lineup possibly not be arrogant and underestimate their enemy?

The two parties weren't particularly close. Since the other side was unwilling to reflect, Wang Shengqing was too lazy to debate anything with him. She reverted to the original point: "First, investigate whether this matter has spread."

It was a long time before Jin Zhaogong finally rushed back, saying with a dry voice, "Brother, Lao Changtai is gone! Everyone from the Ziyun Sect has vanished. I searched their encampment everywhere, but there was no one. I'm afraid they've run off too."

Hu Yan: "Let him expose Lao Changtai's crimes. That's the price for his betrayal."

"Oh, alright," Xun Lingyin acknowledged the order and departed with unease.

However, he discovered another matter: not only the Bilan Sect and Ziyun Sect had left, but a total of eleven sects were gone. After questioning the various sentries, it was confirmed that these...

For this objective, he suspected that the groundwork laid against that person had been more than sufficient all along.

Meanwhile, Xun Lingyin informed Chao Xiongdao and Wang Shengqing of the results of his investigation. The reactions from the various sects were all normal; he couldn't discern any signs of them being in the know.

Chao Xiongdao hurriedly said to Gou Lingyin, "Junior brother, hurry up and go!"

Bi Yong said, "Whether to release you or not, the decision is in my hands. I'm currently negotiating terms with Bi Yongdao. Whether your fellow disciples want to save you depends on what they think. However, one thing I can guarantee: regardless of whether your fellow disciples want to save you, I will ensure you suffer less and maintain your dignity. This probably involves your sect's secrets, I'm just curious."

"What's going on?!" Xun Lingyin was greatly surprised. He still didn't know that something had already happened to the people who had gone to silence Mao Zhong. He looked at one, then at the other.

Suyuan Sect gave a wry smile, "If I tell you, will you let me go?"

Disgust instantly surfaced in Bi Yongqing's eyes. He thought, "Indeed, a person who deserves to die!"

Seeing this, Bi Yongqing asked, "What's wrong?" The few people who saw him immediately let go.

"If the knowledgeable ones escaped without spreading the news, and simply fled secretly, that means Mao Zhong only wants to hold the cards in his own hands. It means he still wants to leave room for negotiation between us. This implies that the hostages in his hands might have a chance of surviving, and there's still room for recovery, still room to negotiate. Do you understand, gentlemen?"

But Jin Zhaogong directly sold them out, turning against them along with Lao Changtai. Could it be that he had seen through their disguise?

Chao Xiongdao gave a bitter smile, "What exactly happened over there, I can't figure it out either. Before Mulan came with them, I had wanted Jin junior brother and the other seven junior brothers to go with him..."

Then came Mao Zhong's account of contacting this side, which he subtly altered to be more favorable to himself.

Suyuan Sect nodded slightly.

Chao Xiongdao suddenly had a great realization. The look in his eyes, as he gazed at the woman, increasingly showed admiration and affection. He immediately turned and said, "Junior Brother Jin, go and investigate."

Wu Jinliang was also very curious, while Xiang Lan'er had some slight suspicions but didn't dare to confirm them.

"Just that?" Hu Yan was skeptical.

Wang Shengqing said nothing. She walked aside and, in front of the others, took out a mother-child talisman. She sent a message directly to Hu Yan, asking: "Brother Wang, what you want is probably more than just Chao Xiongdao's head, isn't it? Do you dare to meet with me face-to-face?"

When Hu Yan received her message, he had just happened to receive Chu Jing...

Wang Shengqing glanced at Chao Xiongdao, wanting him to go too, so they could get results faster. However, she held back her words. As a commander, it was inappropriate to be too harsh...

After a long time, she let out a sigh of self-reproach, "It's not entirely Brother Chao's and our problem. The greatest responsibility lies with me. To dare to act impulsively when almost completely ignorant of the opponent's strength and background—it's because I've been accustomed to boasting of being a prestigious sect and looking down on others. I underestimated the heroes of the world."

It had already been made so clear; how could he still not understand?

He voiced his greatest doubt, "What exactly is going on with Bi Yongdao? I planned everything so well for him, letting Jin Zhaogong effortlessly claim first place. Why did he refuse it, and instead betray us? I'd like to ask Brother Xun to enlighten me; this shouldn't be a secret, should it?"

Yet, he had no choice but to patiently explain, "First, we must confirm whether the matter has spread. Only then will we know how to negotiate with Bi Yong. If those who know have already spread the news after escaping, then there's no need to negotiate. We'll simply act as we must; it will become a life-and-death struggle where we settle it ourselves."

Wu Jinliang also pondered over this, and the matter indeed took a long time for both of them to fully process.

Jin Zhaogong lowered his head, speechless.

"How did you watch them...?" Hu Yan Dao grabbed his collar, unable to control his anger for a moment.

The result made Hu Yan sit aside and ponder deeply for a while. He hadn't expected Lao Changtai's deterrent power to be so great that Jin Zhaogong didn't even dare to claim the first place that was practically handed to him. This somewhat overturned the notions he had formed in the Land of Exile.

In a rocky mountain hollow, after a thorough check confirmed no issues, Bi Yong returned to the hostage's side and woke up Suyuan Sect again for questioning.

He then recounted the situation in detail, naturally pushing the main responsibility onto Chao Zhilin.

Hu Yan was still puzzled, "Why didn't you even let Jin Zhaogong come forward? You, Youxia Mountain, would bear the brunt of the responsibility. Even Bi Yongdao's blame would fall on you. What's there to worry about for them to effortlessly take first place? Worried that you would hold something against them to threaten them? Whatever concerns there are, just put them out on the table to discuss! They can be resolved one by one. They can be resolved to their satisfaction. Why betray directly?"