Terribly Shameless! . . .
As Wu Huitian raised his voice, Cha Eun Xiao noticed a deep furrow on Yue Changtian's brow. [This is Cold Moon Palace, my sanctuary. Do you truly believe an assassination attempt would occur here? Even though the specter of Jun Yinglian haunts you, there's no need to be on such high alert. Moreover, I detect no signs of hostility.]
[Wait. What? You unleashed an attack just now?]
[Wait... No! This can't be right!]
In an abrupt outburst, Zhan Yunfei cried, "No!" And then, Cha Eun Xiao witnessed a deluge of blood surging at the trajectory where the sword lights had been directed.
The scene was awash in crimson.
"Who goes there?" Yue Changtian's complexion paled.
- Rush! Rush! Rush... -
Everyone hurried to the location, only to be met with a gruesome tableau. Forty-six men lay lifeless, their bodies bathed in their own blood.
Yue Changtian's pallor deepened. "Why are these people here? Who... are they?"
At that moment, Zhan Yunfei appeared ghostly pale, as though his veins coursed with ice. He turned toward Wu Huitian, his gaze smoldering with fury. His eyes took on a reddish hue as his longsword materialized in his hand. - Strike! - Accompanied by a resounding clap of thunder, he surged toward Wu Huitian.
A fusion of man and sword!
He aimed to deliver a swift, lethal blow!
In that sword strike, he channeled every ounce of life energy and soul force, pouring his entire essence into the attack. His fury and sorrow radiated palpably, affecting all who bore witness.
Within the precincts of Cold Moon Palace, aside from the three grandmasters, Zhan Yunfei shared the closest bond with Cha Chongxiao. Though he often wore a facade of indifference and cold detachment, deep within his heart, he cherished Cha Chongxiao.
To him, Cha Chongxiao represented the sect's sole glimmer of hope.
In this moment, he acted without hesitation, his determination verging on a breaking point.
Wu Huitian, though initially caught off guard by Zhan Yunfei's sudden assault, had prepared for such a contingency. As Zhan Yunfei launched his strike, Wu Huitian ascended rapidly, resembling a crimson cloud. The movement appeared deceptively sluggish but, in truth, was lightning fast. He not only eluded Zhan Yunfei's onslaught but also distanced himself by over a hundred meters.
Zhan Yunfei was consumed by anger, unwilling to relent. He continued his relentless pursuit of Wu Huitian, launching fierce attacks.
- Puff! -
Suddenly, a jade flute materialized, wielded to intercept Zhan Yunfei's sword. The wielder shouted in exasperation, "Have you lost your damn mind?"
Not just Wu Huitian, but Yue Changtian, considered Zhan Yunfei's actions irrational.
[What is happening?]
[Why would Zhan Yunfei, in the absence of a thorough investigation and clarification, act so recklessly?]
[He has just attacked the Prime Master of the Saint Sunlight Sect, the most formidable figure among the three factions. He's gambling with his life!]
"Yunfei, cease this at once!" Yue Changtian bellowed, his countenance darkened. "Why are you so hot-headed? This situation calls for an investigation. Prime Master Wu will surely provide us with an explanation. Halt your assault now!"
Zhan Yunfei leveled a stern gaze and uttered, "There was... There was..."
He paused for a moment before raising his voice, "Cha Chongxiao was among them!"
The revelation sent shockwaves through the ranks of Cold Moon Palace.
Yue Changtian trembled, his visage contorted with shock. In an instant, his countenance drained of color.
Slowly, he pivoted to face Wu Huitian, who stood at a distance of about a dozen meters.
Up until this point, it had been only Zhan Yunfei who harbored a deep-seated desire to vanquish Wu Huitian. Now, even the Prime Master, Yue Changtian, thirsted for retribution.
Wu Huitian appeared bewildered. He inquired, "Prime Master Yue, could you please shed light on the current situation? Why were those individuals concealed, spying on us upon my arrival at your domain? As for you, Zhan Yunfei, what compelled you to launch an assault against me? Are you endeavoring to spark a conflict between our respective sects?"
His tone carried a growing edge of anger. "Yue Changtian, what is your intent? How could you treat your fellow sect in such a manner? Do you seek to slay me within your own sanctum? You, Cold Moon Palace... You must furnish a reasonable explanation today!"
He conveyed this with an air of righteous indignation, attempting to present himself as the aggrieved party.
On the opposite side, Yun Xiran, too, grappled with shock and bewilderment. He voiced his sentiments, a blend of confusion and anger, "Yue Changtian, what is the meaning of this? Do you intend to annihilate us all? To secure Cold Moon Palace as the preeminent and sole faction? Is that your design?"
Yue Changtian cast his gaze upon both men, his anger causing him to tremble. After a protracted moment, he clenched his teeth and declared, "Very well... Both of you... Remarkable... Exceptional!"
"And what about us?" Yun Xiran questioned, his eyes half-closed. "Yue Changtian, you need to clarify your position. Upon our recent arrival, we discovered scores of individuals hidden behind that tree. Are you absolutely certain of their intentions? Perhaps they bore enmity toward us, harbored designs to harm us, or plotted an ambush..."
He paused before driving home his point, "Consider the present circumstances: Jun Yinglian, that unhinged woman, could descend upon us at any moment. Prime Master Wu acted with vigilance, eliminating the concealed threat. It was a logical course of action. What misdeed has he committed? Moreover, Wu Huitian was the first to detect the threat and respond. Were I in his position, I'd have done no differently. What exactly is the issue?"
The Prime Master of a prominent sect maintained his tone, delivering barbed remarks, yet each word held a modicum of validity. Indeed, it remained a matter of debate whether the hidden group had harbored malicious intent. Regrettably, they were now all deceased, and no living soul could step forward to elucidate the truth.
Wu Huitian appeared vexed as he interjected, "Prime Master Yun has aptly voiced my thoughts. Why the outrage? Ah, I see it now. Those concealed individuals, poised to assassinate me, were they your affiliates? I'm befuddled. We find ourselves within your sect. Why would you orchestrate an ambush in this setting? Were you preparing to assail us?"
Yue Changtian met his words with a somber expression and retorted in an icy tone, "We share a history of many years, knowing one another well. I implore you to refrain from childlike behavior."