"I'll go scout it out." Feng Fei leaped out and landed in the courtyard. Instantly, several mechanisms activated, and traps appeared one after another—Feng Fei, like a falcon, dodged the traps with a few leaps and bounds in the courtyard and flew back, landing beside Mu Yuan. Mu Yuan smiled gently and asked, "How does it feel?"
Feng suddenly murmured, "Where you fall, you get up again..."
"What?" Mu Yuan didn't hear clearly and was quite confused, but Feng was already certain—this trap was clearly a replica of the one they encountered at the Giant Axe Sect, even modified to target the weaknesses he and Ning Xian had exploited. The Giant Axe Sect and the Xuanlang Sect had joined forces? This was an open and blatant challenge.
—It is obvious that this incident was not orchestrated by the Xuanlang Sect, nor by the Chongyouming Sect, but rather by the Giant Axe Sect, which was specifically targeting him.
"So, are you going to charge in, or make other plans?" No matter what choice he makes, Lord Mu Zuoshi is naturally not worth his attention. Feng looked at the scene replaying before her eyes and said coldly, "It seems we can only play along with 'him,' otherwise, I'm afraid he won't give up."
"...It seems there are many things I don't know?"
"It's average, not much."
Just as Feng was about to rush in, he heard Ning Xian's voice behind him, a voice that shouldn't be there: "Mu Yuan! Feng!" Turning around, he saw Ning Xian rushing over and paused slightly—Ning Xian, Du Cisheng. Everyone was there.
"Why did you come? Didn't I tell you to stay at the Bai residence and keep watch?" Given the current situation, since the other party dared to lure them here and set up the same traps and mechanisms as before, they must have made thorough preparations. Who knows what else awaits them? Feng did not want Ning Xian to come along. Ning Xian arrived and said, "Bai Mo has been captured! This is definitely not the style of the Xuanlang Sect. Moreover, if they were just trying to lure us here and defeat us one by one, Bai Yan's poisoning would have been enough. Why bother capturing Bai Mo specifically... It's as if they deliberately captured him in front of me, forcing me to come."
Feng Wei sneered, "It seems he really is unwilling to admit defeat... and is determined to turn the tables on this."
"Him? Who are you talking about?"
"The 'advisor' of the Giant Axe Sect, who is also the eldest son of the Sky Tower, is the legendary cunning and treacherous man. It seems that he has held a grudge since we defeated the Giant Axe Sect last time, and he is determined to set up the same trap to make us fall into it."
—The advisor? As expected… I doubt that big radish would have the guts or the ability to do such a thing.
Chapter Forty-Nine
"Ning Xian, do you want to come in with me?" Feng looked at her, confirming, and seeing Ning Xian nod, she didn't stop her. Normally, Ning Xian was someone who could distinguish between what was urgent and what was urgent, and she knew her own limitations; she would make her own plans and naturally didn't need anyone else to interfere. Since the traps here were improved versions of those from the Giant Axe Sect, they were indeed designed to exploit the loopholes they had previously encountered, making the defenses even more robust. Especially regarding the "people."
Within the Giant Axe Sect, still reeling from Feng's past "massacre," only traps remained, no one in sight. This time, however, it was clear that since that "advisor" had exploited the conflict between the Xuanlang Sect and the Netherworld Heaven, he no longer cared about the lives of those within the Xuanlang Sect.
As soon as they entered the inner courtyard, members of the Xuanlang Sect filed out, surrounding them from three sides, threatening to block their retreat. One man stood at the head of the group, his face cold and sinister.
Feng's expression suddenly turned somber and cold, while Mu Yuan, though her face also darkened slightly, still managed to smile—"The Great Protector of the Xuanlang Sect? It's quite rare to see you in such a small place."
The other party gave a sinister smile, giving the impression of a difficult person to deal with. "Although Left Envoy Mu seems to never take anything seriously, he is actually a cautious person who does not easily take risks. I did not expect him to be so reckless this time, barging into my territory without understanding the situation? Also—Protector Feng, it's been a long time."
Feng remained as cold and arrogant as ever in front of outsiders, saying, "I didn't know when the Great Protector got involved with the Giant Axe Sect. Joining forces with such cunning people, he might not even know he's being used as a swordsman."
The Great Protector sneered, not surprised that Feng had seen through the connection. "I know very well what that weasel is up to, but as long as it helps me achieve my goal, what's wrong with letting him cause trouble? Besides—that weasel doesn't really want much, just your life, Protector Feng."
Feng's expression remained unchanged, seemingly unsurprised by the Great Protector's words. Ning Xian didn't know the depth of that "advisor's" resentment towards Feng, which had instigated both the Giant Axe Sect and the Xuanlang Sect. This seemed to go beyond just Feng breaking the Giant Axe Sect's traps. She felt uneasy, unable to explain it, yet unable to shake off the feeling.
Taking advantage of the standoff between Feng and the Great Protector, Mu Yuan whispered to Ning Xian, "This person is not easy to deal with. Now that we are on his territory, it is impossible for the four of us to get the antidote or save people."
"Shall we leave?" Ning Xian didn't even know why she blurted it out. Sure enough, Mu Yuan glanced at her with feigned surprise—we're already here, how can we just run away without doing anything? On this point, Ning Xian had never disagreed, had she? Even at the Giant Axe Sect, knowing the situation was bad, she would still risk going in to explore to the maximum extent she could. But now, the person they were facing made her inexplicably want to retreat.
Ning Xian calmed himself down and said, "Going to the Netherworld to get reinforcements is simply too late..."
"No, Ni Chang, one of the Gandharva's subordinates, is in Jiangcheng..."
Ni Chang! She had actually forgotten her! Since she was staying here, she must have the fastest way to contact her—after a slight hesitation, she grabbed Ci Sheng and said, "Please, go find Ni Chang!"
"you--"
“I’ll go in with them. We have to try our best to rescue Bai Mo, no matter what. It seems we’re not sure we can get out safely, but we’ll do our best. Tell Ni Chang to bring people to meet us.” She gripped Ci Sheng’s wrist tightly, as if entrusting their safety to him, or as if telling him not to worry. Then she let go, turned around, and stood beside Feng and Mu Yuan.
Feng glanced at Ci Sheng subtly, seemingly not trusting him much and not placing her hopes on him, yet she didn't stop Ning Xian's choice. She only whispered to her, "Stay close, don't stray too far from me."
Ci Sheng looked at them. The gate was just a few feet behind him; retreating now would allow him to leave easily. The Xuanlang Sect wouldn't care about an unknown figure like him. Standing silently for a moment, a faint glimmer of uncertainty filled his eyes… Ci Sheng was always very “quiet,” so quiet that it seemed everything around him would fall silent with him. Yet, amidst the impending carnage, he alone seemed to exist in another world. The faint bewilderment and hesitation that enveloped him had never faded, but it had never been so profound—why had he entrusted this matter so completely to him? Ning Xian…you really never doubted…did you just take it for granted that he would go?
Yes or no?
Even he himself didn't understand his true thoughts; before finding the answer, this choice had already been presented to him. Ci Sheng stood quietly, without moving.
If he were to watch Ning Xian encounter danger, would he understand?
...
If they could eliminate Zuo Shi Mu Yuan and Feng, it would undoubtedly be a heavy blow to Youmingtian. Especially Feng, who had killed countless people and was like a sharp weapon for Youmingtian.
As for the Great Protector of the Xuanlang Sect, they had delivered themselves to his doorstep, and he had no reason not to seize the opportunity. Although he was furious that his subordinates had been so eager for quick success that they had secretly gone to the Netherworld Heaven, the dead were, after all, his own men, and he had to seek justice for them. And just then, the infamous weasel came to him.
Although he didn't have a good impression of this person, there was no doubt that cooperating with him would greatly increase his chances of winning. His calculation was simple: even if he was being used, as long as the final result was beneficial to him, whether he was being used or not didn't matter much.
Just as he was about to intercept Feng, a white shadow flashed before his eyes, and Mu Yuan gently waved her paper fan, blocking his way.
"Great Protector, you wouldn't mind if I were to become your opponent, would you?"
To outsiders, their actions seemed suicidal. This side had only three people, while the Xuanlang Sect had dozens. Under these circumstances, they still had to send Mu Yuan to deal with the Grand Protector alone, leaving only Feng and Ning Xian to contend with the remaining dozens. But only they knew that this was the most effective method—Feng excelled in group battles. Even if he had to fight several people alone, it wouldn't be difficult. Without a master like the Grand Protector, the others wouldn't be able to handle him for the time being.
The Grand Protector was not unaware of this. However, he narrowed his eyes and looked at the wooden kite standing leisurely in front of him, as if it were just strolling in the courtyard. Although he had heard of this Left Envoy under the Eastern Master for a long time, he had never seen his true skills.
A slight stirring in his heart, the indomitable spirit of a martial artist, stirred within him. Even though he knew that what he should be doing now was concentrating his forces to deal with that troublesome Feng, he knew that if he missed the opportunity, the ever-cunning Mu Yuan would force him to take action again, and he didn't know when that would be, making it difficult for him to win without a fight.
"I've learned a lot from you, Left Envoy."
Mu Yuan smiled slightly, not surprised at all by his choice—after all, this was the style of the Xuanlang Sect.
How impressive... I'm really great, I actually became such a big bait. The other two should really live up to my sacrifice.
Feng knew very well that he was the Xuanlang Sect's true target. Rather than taking Ning Xian with him, it would be better to have Mu Yuan take her to Bai Mo while he stopped the Grand Protector. However, understanding this was one thing, but strangely enough, he didn't handle the matter entirely rationally. It was as if only by having her by his side could he feel a little more at ease, even though he knew Ning Xian had never been a delicate flower.
Fortunately, the gang was not large, and although they were unfamiliar with the terrain, it was not difficult for them to find a place to imprison people.
"Find the person and leave as soon as possible. We don't have time to find the antidote. We'll figure something out later."