"That's right, Cult Master. There is one more thing. It seems like the enemy has detected that Elder Fu is in the vicinity and are constantly searching."
Vajra continued, "Without a choice, he had to back off and is a little far away."
Chen Luoyang's face didn't change as he said, "It doesn't matter."
It was also something he had predicted. Since the Demon Cult was able to respond so quickly after confining Ying Qingqing, it was natural for them to figure out something was wrong. Chen Luoyang believed that apart from searching for the Demon Cult observer, the Great Xia Empire and the Sword Pavilion must be doing another round of internal checks.
Chen Luoyang simply allowed them to create chaos, and it was best for them to constantly feel the danger.
After Chen Luoyang gave the orders, the Six Dragons Sovereign Carriage then flew towards the Tripod Terrace Mountain. In regards to the travel route, as the place was also within the Xiang Prefecture, it was, therefore, barely considered as along the way.
However, the Tripod Terrace Mountain was in the northern part of the Xiang Prefecture, and it was already close to the Hunan Prefecture. The Demon Cult Shrine was located in the southeast part of the Xiang Prefecture and closer to the Yue Prefecture. Therefore, it was more or less deviating from the regular route.
The other members complied with the Cult Master's orders and didn't raise any objections, but Xiao Yuntian sought an audience.
"Cult Master, why not let this subordinate, Tianheng, and some others bring Xie Xingmang to the Tripod Terrace Mountain to exchange for Young Lady Qingqing?" He then said respectfully, "It is to avoid delaying your journey."
Chen Luoyang said nonchalantly, "If you people went instead, it would not be an exchange. It would become a delivery."
Xiao Yuntian said softly, "Intelligent Sword Shi Jing, Demon Monk Mingfa, Flying Sword Nie Hua, Great Xia Empire's Sixth Prince Li Tai, and the Li Tai residence's Chief Guest Official, 'Snow Tiger' Han Dao. They might all be formidable individuals, but we should still be able to handle them."
"If you are thinking like that, then you are already destined to fail," Chen Luoyang said indifferently.
Xiao Yuntian was slightly startled as he went into a deep contemplation. Chen Luoyang didn't explain much and continued to flip the scrolls while speaking, "You just need to comply with my orders. You are dismissed."
"Yes, Cult Master." Xiao Yuntian then withdrew from the main hall.
After exiting the main hall, Xiao Yuntian saw Zhang Tianheng and Shangguan Song.
"What did Cult Master say?" Shangguan Song asked.
Xiao Yuntian shook his head and said, "Cult Master is firm with his decision."
Shangguan Song sighed and said, "Romance takes precedence."
"I should beat up your mouth and make it swell because of your words." Zhang Tianheng sneered.
Shangguan Song wasn't angry and just took an indifferent glance at Zhang Tianheng. The latter looked at Shangguan Song with cold eyes as he said, "Don't say that you aren't convinced if I beat you up. If your pair of old eyes are still functioning, then go and take a good look at the map. We aren't even supposed to take the south route in order to return to the shrine. We should be heading north before turning to the east. Cult Master is planning to eliminate the enemy's western group that invaded the Xiang Prefecture on the Tripod Terrace Mountain first. We will then cross the Xiang Prefecture through the north and enter the Sky Rainbow Mountain that is northwest of the Yue Prefecture."
"You didn't forget, right? That place is where our cult is battling with the enemy's central main forces! What? You wish for the enemy to break through the defense line at the Sky Rainbow Mountain and march all the way to our entrance before we have the decisive battle with them at the shrine?"
"If that is really the Cult Master's plans, that will naturally be the best," Shangguan Song said. "This old one is only worried that his mind is filled with anger due to a beauty. If another mishap happens, then it will be hard to predict the outcome."
Xiao Yuntian said to Zhang Tianheng, "I agree with your thoughts, but if the Cult Master isn't delayed and heads straight for the Sky Rainbow Mountain, that will be better. For the Tripod Terrace Mountain, it will be enough to send us there."
"I believe that the Cult Master has his own plans." Zhang Tianheng then sneered and looked at Shangguan Song. "There is a certain old muddled man who should stop acting clever. It is rather horrid to smell all the dung that is contained in his brain."
Shangguan Song looked at Zhang Tianheng quietly and said, "Let's wait and see."
"Seventh Elder please forgive him." Xiao Yuntian sighed and pushed Zhang Tianheng while leaving.
Three days passed by quickly, and the Six Dragons Sovereign Carriage had arrived in the vicinity of the Tripod Terrace Mountain. This area had plenty of mountains, and within thousands of kilometers, most of the mountains looked rather similar.
The mountains here were massive and grand; it was as if they formed a giant tripod cauldron. Most of the mountain peaks were rather flat, and they formed a giant terrace. Therefore, this place was also called the Tripod Terrace Mountain Range.
Legends foretold that this place was where the most powerful experts had a martial contest, and they had shaved off the peaks of the mountains, resulting in their current state. After the ancient ancestors passed away, there was only this mountain range that was left behind after countless years of wind and rain.
The Six Dragons Sovereign Carriage landed on the tallest and biggest peak in the mountain range. The size of the peak was spacious and enough to fit the massive Six Dragons Sovereign Carriage. The carriage was just like a palace that sat on the peak of the mountain.
Soon enough, the guests had arrived.
Chen Luoyang was seated high up in his throne while he looked down at two individuals.
"Sword Pavilion's Nie Hua greets Cult Master Chen."
"Ji Prefecture's Han Dao greets Cult Master Chen."
One was a handsome youth who was slovenly dressed and gave off a carefree aura. The other was a stout middle-aged man who was like a fierce tiger.
Chen Luoyang had already seen the former who was the Sword Pavilion Lord's third disciple, Flying Sword Nie Hua.
As for the latter, after hearing him reporting his territory, Chen Luoyang was able to match his face with his details. He understood that he was the Great Xia Empire's Chief Guest Official who was under Sixth Prince Li Tai, "Snow Tiger" Han Dao. He was a formidable individual that was famous in the Ji Prefecture. He was a martial king expert at the 10th Intent Congealing Stage.
However, because he wasn't a match for the northern underworld's Tai Sui Society, he was forced to leave the Ji Prefecture. Afterwards, he joined the Great Xia Empire's Sixth Prince Li Tai and became his residence's number one expert. This time, he accompanied Sixth Prince Li Tai on the trip down south.
Chen Luoyang didn't take many glances at Han Dao as he was looking at Nie Hua and asked indifferently, "Where is Young Lady Qingqing?"
Nie Hua replied, "Young Lady Qingqing is currently together with the Sixth Highness and my Fifth Junior. I am here because I wish to see my Fourth Junior first."
"Do you doubt This Seat?" Chen Luoyang didn't have any emotion as he said, "It seems like you wish to stay behind and be a companion for your junior."
"I am not that bold. After many days without seeing my Fourth Junior, my heart longs to see him," Nie Hua spoke calmly. "Since I am here today, Cult Master Chen may deal with me as he wishes."
He cupped his fist and said, "Due to the circumstances, I didn't have a choice but to make use of my master's sword whetstone to pull off a bluff. It ultimately didn't escape Cult Master Chen's brilliant eyes. Back then, I left in a hurry and wasn't able to apologize to Cult Master. Today, I am here to give my apologies, and I hope that Cult Master Chen can forgive me."
"You are rather bold." Chen Luoyang tapped his finger on the armrest and said, "When two factions are in conflict, the messengers are never killed. This Seat admires people with courage and insight. I shall not make things difficult for you today."
Nie Hua responded, "Cult Master Chen is indeed magnanimous. This humble Nie is in admiration."
Chen Luoyang made a gesture. With his approval, Zhang Tianheng left his side and quickly returned with a person. It was a youth who had a listless expression, but it couldn't conceal his dauntless spirit.
He was none other than the Sword Sovereign's fourth disciple, Xie Xingmang. After seeing him, Nie Hua's worried heart finally relaxed significantly. However, he still couldn't let his guard down yet.
He looked straight at Xie Xingmang's eyes; the latter seemingly understood Nie Hua's intention while looking at him with calm eyes. Subsequently, when the two Sword Pavilion disciples were looking at each other, there was a vague presence that produced dense sword qi.
The Demon Cult members by the side seemingly thought nothing of this matter, but Chen Luoyang felt it was rather interesting. The Sword Pavilion disciples didn't seem to be afraid of impersonators as they had their own unique method of verification.
Is it due to the rumored Heaven Sword Book? While pondering in his heart, Chen Luoyang didn't have a change in expression as the tapping sound on the armrest got louder.
Nie Hua and Xie Xingmang temporarily stopped communicating. However, Nie Hua was now completely at ease.
"Fourth Junior, it has been hard on you."
Xie Xingmang shook his head and spoke with a rather hoarse voice, "Third Senior, why are you here?"
"Be patient." Nie Hua didn't have time to explain the details as he turned to look at Chen Luoyang and cupped his fist before speaking, "I thank Cult Master Chen for being merciful."
Chen Luoyang said indifferently, "There is no need to waste your words."
Nie Hua nodded and said, "In regards to the exchange, our side has a proposal and can ensure that both parties will be satisfied—"
Before he finished speaking, Chen Luoyang interrupted him, "It's enough if This Seat is satisfied."
Chen Luoyang then said indifferently, "Tomorrow at the same time and place, bring Young Lady Qingqing to This Seat then take your junior. It is that simple."