Jun Mo Xie took a deep breath, and then increased his speed further. He stayed a bit over a hundred meters behind the three black clothed people, and matched their pace. He suddenly detected a fluctuating aura, and realized that someone else was also shadowing these three. And he could tell from that personās movements that his cultivation was much higher than the three he was chasingā¦
[Donāt tell me; is he from the Imperial palace?] Jun Mo Xie contemplated for a while and came up with a planā¦
Mr. Wen also felt someone elseās presence. However, he couldnāt locate this person when he looked around. However, Mr. Wen had a very powerful awareness, and he could tell that this other person was an inconceivably-formidable expert.
[But why canāt I locate him?]
The area opened-up ahead. The three indistinguishable shadows jumped over the city walls, and fled far away in a matter of moments. Mr. Wen chose that moment to investigate, and halted there on purpose for a while. He didnāt believe that those āyoungstersā could break away from him. So, he decided to see how that man could hide himself in that wide-open expanse.
[I donāt think that the greatest of the senior-most generation could hide themselves from my eyes in this large and open area!]
However, Mr. Wen would be disappointed.
He waited for a moment, but couldnāt catch that person. All he could do ā was feel a strong and formidable aura arrive, and then go away into the distance. In fact, the aura traversed into the distance through that bare space. Yet, he couldnāt even see the man.
[Thisā¦ how is this possible?]
[A man such as this exists in the mortal world!] Mr. Wen took a deep breath. However, his insides were now brimming with burning aspirations. [What a great life it would beā¦ if I were to fight such an expert hand-to-hand?]
Mr. Wen quickly adjusted his personal state after-almost spitting out air, and then lightly jumped off as well. He floated down the city walls as light as a strand of hair. And then, he too faded away in the distance. The sleep-deprived soldiers guarding the gate didnāt notice any of it, and remained ignorant of what happened.
āBig Brother, the condition of Fifth doesnāt look very good. Iāve been pouring Xuan Qi into him, but itās not making any difference. We need to cure his injuries quickly. Otherwise, Iām afraidā¦ ā Zhou Jian Mingās voice had a sense of urgency to it.
āYe Gu Han was truly fierce! The fourthās condition is also bad,ā Lei Jian Hong gnashed his teeth with hatred. He then rapidly said, āThe fifthās condition is quite serious. But he will be back to normal if we heal his injuries successfully. However, fourth has been permanently disabled. His shoulder has been cut off and his face has been disfiguredā¦ damn that Ye Gu Han!ā
āI didnāt expect this Ye Gu Han to be that much of a problem! Weāre each at Sky Xuan level; we arenāt inferior to anyone in this Empire! That man had to face us all at once, and yet things still turned out this way!ā The Third-female disciple, Fang Piao Hong sighed. āFortunately, he was left for dead! Though it is a pity what he did to the Fourth Brotherā¦ā
āThis is all because of this b*tch Ling Meng!ā Lei Jian Hong roared angrily. āIāll make this b*tch regret her life after I find out about that mysterious man with the throwing knifes! Iāll take care of herā¦ what a bullsh*t princess she is!ā
āWe must wait till Master arrives even if we get our desired outcome,ā Fang Piao Hong sighed again. āThe Fourth and the Fifth brothers are dying; the Sixth has no hope for recovery. The Seventh-to-Tenthsā bones have already been buried in the Tian Xiang City. Who wouldāve thought that such a thing would happenā¦ that things could turn out like this?!ā she continued with another sigh, āMaster will fly into a rage when he hears about this! Big Brother, Master will arrive in two days. You must make preparations for his arrival!ā
āWhat preparations can I make?ā Lei Jian Hong said somewhat despairingly. āIf our father doesnāt beat me to death ā I fear he will put me in condition where Iāll be bedridden for half-a-year! I had led nine disciples hereā¦ and now, only the three of us remain. Wonāt this be a huge blow to our old man? Itāll be a miracle if he forgives me easily!ā
Zhou Jian Ming also sighed, āI suppose we three canāt take it easy now. Master will arrive after two days. At the appointed timeā¦ oh dear! I donāt have the guts to imagine how the old man will react.ā
āMaster had poured all his heart into us eleven disciplesā¦ nowā¦ oh dear! I donāt know how heāll grieve!ā Fang Piao Hong said sadly. She couldnāt prevent her eyes from becoming redā¦
A small grove appeared in front of them as they talked. They first looked behind to see that they werenāt being followed. Then, they entered it without hesitation. Hit-man Jun followed them from behind like a āformless beingā without any physical properties. He floated in the air as he followed them in.
Jun Mo Xie had listened to the kidnappers very carefully. Lei Wu Beiās disciples had also taken part in the raid for the Xuan Core on that night with the thunderstorm.
Jun Mo Xie was startled by what he heard; [Lei Bu Wei, the Cold-Blooded Master is arriving in Tian Xiang City in two days?!]
[This is big news!]
The three people were cautious even though they were inside dense woods. They changed directions and turned twice; first left, and then right. Then, they stopped in front of a dry try stump. Then, their senior-most disciple Lei Jian Hong extended his hand, and pressed something at an unknown place. The tree stump suddenly moved away, and revealed a huge stone slab. And that slab then moved away to reveal the round entrance of a cave.
Jun Mo Xie took a single step and disappeared inside the moment it was revealed. The cave was genuinely safe at that moment since there was no one inside. The three people including Lei Jian Hong adjusted their positions, and entered deeper; slowly and cautiously. This cave was very narrow, and two people couldnāt go inside at the same time without bumping into each other. Had they known that the Young Master Jun was already thereā¦ quietly waiting for them to enterā¦
The tree stump slowly returned to its original position after they entered. The ground once again looked undisturbed; not a single sound of any activity could be heardā¦
Mr. Wen had followed those three people till the grove. They hadnāt been able to evade him, or go out of the range of his sense of detection. In fact, he had seen them enter the woods. However, he had wasted some time in an attempt to search for that formidable person. Therefore, he had arrived a little too late at the caveās entrance. The stump had returned to its original place by the time he had arrived. There wasnāt even a single abrasion left to indicate the entrance. He searched everywhere, but couldnāt locate where the people he had followed had gone-off to. Mr. Wen could only feel their auras. He could clearly feel that they were nearby, but he couldnāt locate them. He couldnāt help but worry. This was truly a case of āan old cat burning its whiskersā.[1]
Mr. Wen was certain that these people mustāve gone underground using a mysterious mechanism in order to hide their trail. However, where did they go after digging into the ground? He was sure that he could draw them out if he launched his skill to sweep across the area. But that would arouse their suspicion. It was a pity that he had to beat the grass to scare the snake[2]. He couldnāt think of another plan.
[However, Princess Ling Meng would remain in their hands if they didnāt show themselves. And what will I do if something bad happens to herā¦? How will I face the Emperor?] Mr. Wen felt somewhat embarrassed as he frowned. He thought hard and incessantly about countermeasures for that eventualityā¦
The cave led to a huge space. The soil was patted down firmly. However, the place had a somewhat damp smell to it since it was underground.
āYou two, hurry up and heal the Fourth and Fifth. I will question this b*tch!ā Lei Jian Hong had a somewhat murderous look about him.
āBig Brother, I know theyāre your junior-disciple-brothers, and youāre angry with Princess Ling Meng. But I must urge that you consider your methods for bit.ā Fang Piao Hong hesitated, but she continued nevertheless, āI can see that this matter has brought pain to Brother You Ran. I can seeā¦ that our identities havenāt been exposed. If we ask Bother You Ran to arrive while feigning to be a good personā¦ and he comes as a āhero saving the Princess from dangerāā¦ If You Ran is successful in this wayā¦ it would be consideredā¦ā
āā¦Thatās good. Contact Brother You Ran! I wonāt harm her,ā Lei Jian Hong gnashed his teeth.
Fang Piao Hong cleared her throat, but remained silent. She then diverted her full attention and energy to heal her fellow disciple.
Jun Mo Xieās heart started to beat wildly in the darkness, āBrother You Ran?!ā
These two characters, āYou Ranāā¦ Li You Ranā¦ this meant that the youngster couldnāt be taken lightly anymore.
[Donāt tell meā¦ Li You Ran is involved with these people in this huge incident?]
Lei Jian Hong picked Princess Ling Meng in his arms, and then set her down against the wall. He then reached above and placed his hand on her head. Pure Xuan Qi entered her body. This made the Princess wake-up.
āYou rascal! Let me go!ā Princess Ling Meng had barely opened her eyes and was already very angry. She shouted, āI want to go to Uncle Ye! Let me go!ā
āYour Majesty, you wish to be free, and you will beā¦ easily. All I need from you is an answer to one question. And then, youāll be allowed to leave.ā Lei Jian Hong snorted. He said this to her as he sneered, āYour Highness, you embrace several throwing knives and hold those damaged knife very dearly. Isnāt that strange, Princess Ling Meng? Honorable Princess, Iāll set you free if you tell me who the owner of these knives isā¦ I wonāt break my promise.ā
āThe owner of the throwing knives?ā Princess Ling Meng opened her eyes in astonishment. These people had kidnapped her just to ask about this matter? āI have never seen that highly-skilled person; so, how would I know?ā
āHa Ha! ā¦Princess, when you speak like thatā¦ do you take the three of us for children!ā Lei Jian Hong smiled ruthlessly. āMany of my junior-brother-disciples were killed by him. In fact, we had never heard of anyone that skilled in the āsecularā[3] world. But the first task he had undertaken was meant to save your life! Donāt tell me that the Princess has forgotten?! That man had arrived the last time you had encountered assassins; his first and only action was to save your life! But he truly is a ghost if the Princess insists on not knowing his identity!ā
Jun Mo Xie shook on the inside! He had saved the Princess in secrecy the last time she was attacked. [Have I implicated her by saving her?] This resentment was hard to figureā¦
[How did these people know the connection between these two independent matters?] Jun Mo Xieās train-thought immediately went to Li You Ran.
[So thatās how it is! Everything gets resolved if we take the Li Family into consideration!]
āYou killed Uncle Ye for this question?ā Princess Ling Meng couldnāt move. However, her eyes bulged as she looked at her captor with utter hatred. It seemed like she would start to shoot flames at him soon.
āWell! The Princess she can forget about leaving this place since she insists on not telling us about the origin of these knivesā¦!ā Lei Jian Hong gave an evil smile as he said this in a low voice. āWe have several other methods with which we can make you speak.ā
Jun Mo Xie was urgently thinking of the actions he could take. He had thought that he would approach Princess Ling Meng, and then disappear with her by using the Hong Jun Pagoda. However, he was unsuccessful despite several tries. [Apparently the Hong Jun Pagoda canāt accommodate anyone besides meā¦? Or perhaps my cultivation isnāt enough?]
Jun Mo Xieās wishful thinking was shattered into pieces since that plan didnāt work. It wouldāve been very easy for him if the Princess couldāve been transported into the Hong Jun Pagoda. Jun Mo Xie was confident that he wouldāve been able to take advantage of the chaos that wouldāve unfolded. He wouldāve then whisked her away. In fact, he couldāve even injured or killed one of the assailants.
Saving the Princess still wasnāt that difficult. However, these people were Sky Xuan experts. So heād end-up in a dire position if they found out about his whereabouts.
Lei Jian Hong pinched the Princessās jaw and forced her to look up. He then asked her maliciously, āIāll ask you for the last time; will you still not speak? Iāll have no choice but to punish the Princess if she remains firm on this!ā
Suddenly, a lofty, cold, severe and mocking laugh rang out of nowhere; it echoed cruelly inside the cave. āLei Wu Bei teaches such trash? What a cold blooded senior is he? This is truly laughable!ā
The voice hadnāt yet faded when a blue light covered the area. Then, a delicate throwing-knife came flying out of nothingness. It then transformed into a dream-like azure color as it reflected everyoneās face.
Whoosh!
The throwing knife embedded itself into the earthen wall. It unexpectedly issued the same sound as a rotten piece of logsā.
The three people jumped in shock. Lei Jian Hong covered his chest with his hands to protect it. He then shouted loudly, āSince your honored self has arrivedā¦ what do you want? Why are you in hiding? Iāve been waiting for you for a long time!ā
Zhou Jian Ming and Fang Piao Hong grabbed the handle of their swords and drew them out. They kept their swords horizontally in front of their chests; they then looked around as if facing a very dangerous enemy.
A faintly discernable voice was heard laughing, āYou youngsters of the younger generation truly overestimate your capabilities in challenging me!ā
Princes Ling Mengās eyes welled-up with tears since she was emotionally moved. She struggled as she asked, āSeniorā¦ is that you? I beg you! I beg you; take me to Uncle Ye! I beg you to kill these people and avenge my uncle!ā
This underground movement ā especially Lei Jian Hongās loud bellowing was clearly heard by Mr. Wen outside. This helped him in locating their position.
He had been paying attention for the slightest of clues. However, Lei Jian Hongās loud bellowing had provided him with the best possible orientation for locating them. He quickly arrived in front of the entrance of the cave, and held his breath as he attentively listened. He could enter their hide-out as long as he could find its exact location.
However, Lei Jian Hong and his two companions had just discovered a shocking incident. In fact, it was a terrifying, strange and an astonishing occurrenceā¦ Princess Ling Mengās delicate body had been propped up against the wall; but it was suddenly raised into the air with a āwhooshingā sound. It then started to float in the air. It was like an arrow had suddenly been released from a bow.
Lei Jian Hong jumped in alarm, and pounced at the Princess. However, he was little late. Jun Mo Xie had already broken through the stone slab at the entrance with a loud āBang!ā; with the Princess in his arms. The bright sunlight seeped into the cave.
Lei Jian Hong and the others shouted as they followed after them.
Mr. Wen was pacing in front of the tree stump. He had been hesitantly thinking about destroying the surface in order to rescue Princess Ling Mengā¦ or something even quicker. Then, he heard the loud rumbling-like landslide. This was then followed by a sudden explosive sound as the entrance to the cave crumbled. Mr. Wen was caught off-guard and fell to the ground. He was about to open his mouth to curse when he saw a body coming towards him; it was almost as if it had been thrown towards him ā this delicate body was Princess Ling Mengāsā¦
The three block-clothed and masked people hurried outside and surrounded him. Then, one of them shouted, āYou bastard! You stayed hidden the last time. And you hid yourself again now! But you didnāt escape, did you?! Iāll see how you manage to flee now!ā
Mr. Wen had just extended his hands to catch Princess Ling Meng. He then suddenly found himself surrounded, and confronted. He couldnāt help but whine about his hardshipsā¦
Read Latest Chapters at wuxiaworld.eu
This person had framed him!
Notes:
Chinese Idiom: Even experts can sometimes make mistakes.
Chinese Idiom: To make a din to draw the enemy.
Secular world means the usual/mundane/ordinary world. Itās different from the world of martial arts. This term basically refers to the materialistic world, and is usually looked down upon by the top most figures of the martial world.