"If I knew that there were two traitors, I would not have given you just one Moment Of Life treasure. I gave it to you thinking that when the traitor attacks you, this treasure will defend you, and you will also be able to know who was here to kill you from the two." Yang Zhai explained to Jun Haru. However, Yang Zhai was lying.
Yang Zhai knew that both Xin and Keal were traitors. It was just that if he had revealed everything, then Jun Haru might not have taken the risk and would not have acted according to his father's plan. Jun Haru would have also been cautious against both Keal and Xin. And if that happened, how would Jun Haru get injured that easily? He might even have been able to fight against the two. Yang Zhai did not know about Jun Haru's strength, after all, so he did not take the chance by telling him that both Keal and Xin were traitors.
And this Moment of Life treasure was a one-time use treasure. And the one that Yang Zhai gave to Jun Haru was rank 2. This treasure had the ability to defend against one attack by itself.
This treasure was very common and could be found in the market. However, it had a flaw, and that was that a rank 2 Moment of Life treasure was only able to defend against a rank 1 attack, and a rank 1 Moment of Life treasure was only capable of defending against a mortal's weapon. And then, it was expensive and was a one-time use treasure and would disappear after it was used once, that's why hardly any people bought it. Yang Zhai was already poor and did not have many essence stones, so he asked the manager to buy the Moment of Life; he had gotten the Ginger Ointment for the same reason.
"And what were the bugs that you used earlier?"
"Oh, those bugs are called the Blood-Sucking beetles. They absorb all the blood they see, it does not matter whether the blood has dried or not, they can absorb all the blood. This was the reason I waited for your wounds to get completely healed before releasing them back into the residence to clean us and the scene"
Yang Zhai explained about the bugs. They could also be obtained in the market. These bugs were produced in a place filled with blood. And after they were created, they would leave their birthplace and would go to other places to drink blood. These bugs would not absorb the blood from the place that created them.
"Now, I understand, but what should I do about my father? If I return, my father will kill me." Jun Haru said worriedly. He was sweating from just the thought of his father trying to kill him.
"Nothing, you will do nothing. Live like you usually do. Don't even mention today's incident. Not just that, don't even let him realize that you know everything. Try to act normally. If he suspects even a little bit that you know about him, he will kill you right away. And regardless of what happens, don't mention my name in front of anyone; otherwise, Jun Nie will try to prove you a traitor by saying that you collided with me. And besides staying in the Ma clan, you have no choice. And if you somehow manage to stay in the Bai clan, Jun Nie would realize that you know he tried to kill you and would attempt to kill you because of the fear that you would reveal his truth. And with your cultivation, if you go on a journey, there is a chance that you will die. Therefore, you have to stay in the Ma clan."
Yang Zhai spoke with a serious expression to put force behind his speech. For Yang Zhai's plans, Jun Haru had to stay in the Ma clan; Yang Zhai was not worried about Jun's life because he cared for him, but for his plans, Jun had to stay alive.
"Ok, I will do as you say." Jun Haru thought for a while and realized that Yang Zhai was right. He had to stay in the Ma clan to be safe.
"But I need you to help me with three things." Yang Zhai suddenly changed the topic.
"What are they?" Jun Haru answered without thinking. He felt debted to Yang Zhai for saving his life; therefore, he answered without even thinking.
"First, I need two rank-three materials, which only your clan has. Second, do you remember that an earthquake had appeared around a month ago?"
"Yeah, I remember it. Both of the mountains shook when the earthquake came. Why are you asking about that? Is there something special about that earthquake?"
Jun Haru could remember that when the earthquake had appeared, he thought that someone had attacked the clan. However, later on, it turned out to be an earthquake.
"Yes, I am talking about the same earthquake. In actuality, that earthquake happened because something had appeared between these two mountains. I need your help in obtaining that thing."
"When do we need to act then?"
"Not now, we have to wait for a little while"
"What if someone else obtains the item before us?"
"Don't worry, nobody can obtain it. Even I, who knows about it, cannot obtain that for now. We need to wait for now."
"Ok,"
"And the third thing is that I want you to…" Yang Zhai explained his third condition.
However, when Jun Nie heard this, his eyes widened. A shock could be seen on his face.
"Are you serious, brother?" Jun Nie couldn't believe what Yang Zhai said and asked again.
"Absolutely, and your clan has already betrayed you, so why do you care? Just do what I said." Yang Zhai said with a smile.
"You are right about that. Ok, I will do as you say. But what should I tell my father about Keal and Xin?"
"If I am not wrong, your father asked you to kill the clan leader's daughter, right?" Even though Yang Zhai already knew about it, he still asked.
"Yes, you are right. He wanted me to kill the Bai clan leader's daughter. He wanted me to do it to start a war." Jun Haru hesitated a little before telling Yang Zhai.
"Simple, then you need to say that when you three were about to reach the clan leader's daughter's room, someone came and said that Elder Jun Nie was calling for both Keal and Xin, so both of them left. And then you entered the clan leader's daughter's room by yourself; however, you found this paper inside. Give it to your father." Yang Zhai made up a reason for Jun Haru to tell his father and also handed him a folded paper.
On the folded paper was written: Hand it to your father, if you open it, you will die.
"And don't open it; just hand it to your father as it is. Otherwise, he will realize that you also opened this paper." Yang Zhai instructed Jun Haru.
The four corners of this paper were fastened together with a slimy material. Once the paper is opened, the corners cannot be reattached with the same substance.
"What have you written inside?" Jun asked curiously.
"No need to fret over this. Just go back to your room before your father realizes something suspicious." Yang Zhai did not want to answer and left the inn after instructing Jun Haru.
He also had to return to the clan leader's residence, but could not go together with Jun. If Jun Nie saw both Jun Haru and Yang Zhai together, then he would realize that Yang Zhai had to do something with this. Thus, he left the inn alone.
When Yang Zhai came with Jun Haru to the inn together, elder Jun Nie was busy keeping the other elders and disciples engaged to give Keal and Xin some time to kill his son. Therefore, Yang Zhai and Jun Haru left the clan leader's residence easily without letting anyone know.
*****/*****
1-Coapt: To join or adjust (separate parts) to one another