Chapter 33: Deep Behind Enemy Lines to Capture an Informant

In the middle cave, two Qi Refinement stage cultivators were present—one lying down, the other sitting cross-legged—engaged in conversation.

"Captain, could that shrill female voice be a diversion?"

"No. That spot is over ten miles away; it serves no purpose. If they wanted to strike, they wouldn't need to alert us. They are only a group of Qi Nourishment realm cultivators."

"But they still possess a degree of vigilance. I believe our men heard correctly."

"Then tell me, why make a sound there instead of—no, we’ve been tricked."

"Captain, what do you mean?"

"Leave quickly! Someone must have followed them in."

Both men stood up simultaneously and headed toward the cave entrance. They hadn't reached the halfway point when a dark figure appeared at the opening, landing on the ground with a heavy thud. The two men immediately halted, drew their weapons, and barked, "Who goes there?"

"Under whose command are you?" a cold, indifferent voice emanated from the dark figure.

"Who are you, my lord?" They dared not reveal the name of their superior lightly.

"I asked: under whose command are you!"

Clearly angered, the dark figure unleashed a wave of killing intent, causing the temperature in the cave to plummet instantly.

The mid-stage cultivator tightened his grip, his heart racing, and hurriedly replied, "My subordinates and I answer to Lord Zhou Wuqi."

"Is he here, or has he returned to the Dali Kingdom?"

"Reporting to you, my lord, Lord Zhou has escorted Qin Zhuan and his wife back."

"Oh? Why would my Putian Sect decide to capture a Prefecture Master? Does he harbor some secret?"

"Begging your pardon, my lord, but you are unaware?"

"I have just arrived from the capital of the Song Kingdom... You are to answer what I ask, not ask questions yourself."

"I deserve death, my lord. The man is not the target; his wife, Dai Linglong, is."

"Continue."

"I don't know much, only that the main sect demanded they be taken alive, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of several of our Qi Refinement stage brothers."

"The main sect’s orders are not to be compromised, no matter the cost."

"Yes, yes, we strictly execute the orders of the main sect."

"Who else is participating here? I wish to ask them about the situation."

"Reporting, my lord, only three of us are at this post, but unfortunately, they left with Lord Zhou to escort the couple..."

"Ah..."

A sudden, sharp scream from the lower cave interrupted him. The dark figure spoke coldly, "To think someone has snuck in; your vigilance is truly pathetic. Deal with those intruders first, and we shall resume this later."

As he spoke, the temperature in the cave rose, returning to normal. The two Qi Refinement cultivators bowed deeply. "It is our failure, my lord. We will handle it at once."

Bowing low, they walked toward the exit. As they passed the dark figure, they suddenly felt a surge of killing intent—far more intense than before. The early-stage cultivator, eager to deal with the intruders, was walking fast and was caught off guard. "Is there a late-stage Qi Refinement intruder?"

The mid-stage cultivator behind him reacted faster. Sensing the killing intent emanated from the dark figure, he straightened up to question him, only to see the figure swing a sword at him. Caught unprepared, he was struck heavily on the side of the head and collapsed limply to the ground.

Hearing the dull thud behind him, the early-stage cultivator turned, only to see a fist the size of a bowl heading straight for his face.

"Bang..."

He fell.

The dark figure sighed softly, "I didn't intend to knock them out, but I couldn't control the strength. I hope they are still alive."

He stuffed rags into their mouths, bound them tightly with rope like parcels, tied them together, and hauled them out to climb down the cliff. Having scaled the Desolation Cliff many times before, this was an effortless task for him.

Ever since Qin Anyu left, Qin Lingxue had been on high alert, her senses spread out, silently praying, "Everything will go smoothly for my brother. Everything will be fine."

When she heard the scream, her hair stood on end, and she nearly rushed toward the cliff. But after rising, she immediately crouched back down, muttering to herself, "There was no sound of clashing weapons; it must be under my brother's control. Brother’s storage ring must have been taken from those Qi Refinement cultivators; he wouldn't fail against them..."

Amidst her rambling, she saw a dark figure approaching, carrying a heavy burden. She stared intently, gripping her sword tightly, ready to strike if the figure came closer.

"Little sister, let’s go!"

The sound of his voice made her limbs go weak. Though she was at the ninth level of the Qi Nourishment realm, she had never faced such a situation. The prolonged tension had pushed her to her limits, and hearing Qin Anyu’s voice caused her spirit to snap, leading to a sudden collapse of strength.

Yet, not wanting to appear weak before her brother, she immediately responded, "Okay!"

She sheathed her sword, took a bite of red ginseng, and followed Qin Anyu’s swift pace. After a while, feeling her energy return, she asked, "Brother, if we go this way, won't we run into the patrols?"

"If they don't provoke us, fine. If they dare to provoke us, we kill them."

"Oh... Brother, have you killed many people?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You don't look scared at all."

"In time, you won't be scared either."

They walked quickly, chatting sporadically. Whether it was their luck or the patrols', they did not encounter a single soul before exiting Hu Mountain.

Reaching a small river six or seven miles outside Mojuan City, Qin Anyu threw the two captives to the ground and pulled out a jar of wine. "Little sister, is there anything you want to ask them?"

Qin Lingxue ran over, finished her ginseng, and said, "Are these people? I thought they were just bundles of supplies."

In the dim moonlight, she walked closer and giggled, "You’ve tied them up like logs; how could I not be mistaken?" She waved her hand. "Brother, you ask."

Qin Anyu took a few sips of wine, then separated the two men and slapped the mid-stage cultivator’s face vigorously.

Dazed, the man woke up and, seeing the dark figure standing over him, gathered his strength to ask, "Who are you?"

Qin Anyu held his plain sword, stepped on the man's chest, and said coldly, "I am Qin Anyu, the eldest son of Qin Zhuan and Dai Linglong. Now, let us resume our unfinished conversation."

"Qin Anyu? How is that possible? Why is your killing intent so strong?"

"You kidnapped my parents—do you expect my killing intent to be weak? From now on, you will answer exactly what I ask. First question: what is your name?"

"You dream if you think you can make me betray them!"

"Wrong answer. This sword strike is your first punishment."

"Go ahead, see if I will betray them!"

"Wrong again. I’ll take your palm as punishment... Oh, I should tell you, Hu Li and Fu Li both told me everything they knew, which is why I gave them a quick death."

"Devil, you are a devil!"

"You kidnapping my parents—that is what makes one a true devil. Delaying, are we? Take an ear."

"I'll speak, I'll speak! I only ask for a quick death!"

"Do not attempt to deceive me; I likely know as much as you do. I brought you here merely to verify the accuracy of certain accounts."