Possible Target . . .
Han Bingxue simmered with anger, and Xuan Bing's fury surpassed even his. As a woman, she abhorred the manipulation of others' emotions more than anything else.
However, that was the nefarious organization's primary modus operandi—to exploit people's emotions as a vulnerability.
Thus far, they knew of two successful cases: Xiao Mufei and Guo Meng.
How many more victims remained undiscovered?
Their success with Guo Meng, a level eight Dao Origin Stage cultivator, posed the unsettling question of whether they would target even more formidable individuals. The future remained shrouded in uncertainty, but it was certain that the situation would not improve.
"I sense the scent of blood," Han Bingxue remarked before briskly moving away.
"This location is only fifty miles from where we encountered Guo Meng," Xuan Bing explained. "Considering Guo Meng's condition, the severity of his fatal wound, and the life energy he expended to flee, he could have traveled a maximum of fifty miles. This location is highly likely to be the site of his attack."
Ye Xiao appeared forlorn as he gazed in the direction of Han Bingxue's departure. "If I'm correct, this blood likely doesn't belong to Guo Meng. It probably came from... the woman who attacked him."
Xuan Bing turned sharply to him. "What? You mean the woman who attacked him?"
There was a surprised exclamation from Han Bingxue. "Ah... A woman... Hiss! Isn't she... Isn't she..."
Ye Xiao and Xuan Bing caught up to him, only to discover the lifeless body of a woman nestled in a thicket. Her eyes were fixated on the sky, bearing an expression of profound astonishment.
Upon inspecting the body, Cha Eun Xiao discerned that she had been deceased for some time, possibly even before Guo Meng. Her passing was marked by a lingering sense of resentment and unfulfilled regret.
As he beheld her face, he realized it was an exact match for the lady depicted in the picture found in Guo Meng's ring.
Xuan Bing's eyes widened in realization. It was no wonder Guo Meng had been caught off guard and overwhelmed by emotions. He had suddenly encountered a woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to his beloved wife, whom he had mourned for so many years. This woman appeared to be well-acquainted with his personal history, a shocking revelation that would render anyone dumbfounded.
Why, though, had she met her demise in this remote location? She had already succeeded in killing Guo Meng. Yet, she had perished before him.
Cha Eun Xiao released a heavy sigh and voiced his thoughts. "In my estimation, the organization raised her with the sole purpose of eliminating Guo Meng at the opportune moment. Her mission was complete once Guo Meng was marked for death, and she would have served merely as incriminating evidence for their actions. Consequently..."
"So, they disposed of her when she reported back to them. Her life was extinguished before she could comprehend her own fate. It provided a neat conclusion to this loose end. They are ruthless and decisive."
"If Guo Meng had not expended his life energy to escape this place and encountered us, if I had not bestowed that dan bead to elicit the truth from him before his death, and if I had not experienced a similar situation myself, this case would have remained unsolved!"
Cha Eun Xiao's brow furrowed as he spoke. The organization was both meticulous and ruthless, striking fear on multiple fronts.
"They didn't need to kill her," Han Bingxue offered a different perspective. "She possessed the capability to eliminate Guo Meng. Even though it was a surprise attack, she couldn't have been weak, as she managed to thrust the sword deep into Guo Meng's heart without causing an explosion. It seems like a waste to eliminate such a skilled cultivator. Moreover, they could have employed her to deceive Guo Meng's friends. She still held value to them."
"Whatever thoughts you have on the matter, the organization is likely to have considered them too. Don't underestimate them," Cha Eun Xiao responded. "Guo Meng was a level eight Dao Origin Stage cultivator, and his friends wouldn't be ordinary. The organization may have targeted them as well. There may be different traps prepared for various individuals, with each individual's case planned accordingly. They likely had contingency plans for multiple scenarios."
"This is the only possible reason they had to eliminate this woman. If she remained alive, she could pose a threat to their other plans, becoming a potential security breach... They had no choice but to eliminate her to safeguard their secrets and ensure that no one could reach them," Cha Eun Xiao declared.
Xuan Bing's countenance grew somber, reflecting an unprecedented gravity. She spoke in hushed tones, "This organization... is truly monstrous. Up until now, no one, no sect, and no faction were aware of its existence. No one had any inkling that such a clandestine organization even existed."
"I suspect their days will grow increasingly challenging from this point forward, now that Miss Xuan is aware of them," Cha Eun Xiao remarked. "However, I must gently remind you... Given that this organization has established such deep roots, Miss Xuan, you may well be one of their prime targets..."
He left unsaid what was implicit in his words, which held significant weight. Xuan Bing was deeply moved, realizing that with her elevated status in the martial world and formidable cultivation prowess, she was unquestionably on their radar—a high-priority target, no less.
In fact, she was a pivotal target for them.
Cha Eun Xiao shifted his gaze to Han Bingxue and continued, "And as for you... the same applies. In reality, any cultivator who values their family, friends, or sect will inevitably be in their crosshairs. That's why, in the martial world from now on, we must exercise utmost caution. Reckless actions are to be avoided."
Han Bingxue adopted a solemn expression and offered a slow nod. "Miss Xuan and I both must be vigilant. And you, what about yourself?"
Cha Eun Xiao smiled. "I believe that, for now, I'm the least of their concerns in the Qing-Yun Realm. At least they won't turn their attention to me anytime soon."
His comment elicited a light-hearted smile from Xuan Bing.
"After all, you're just a newcomer in this world. Why would such a formidable organization take an interest in you?" she pondered.
"And besides, even if they were interested in setting you up, they wouldn't have had enough time to prepare," she added. "It takes a considerable amount of time to groom someone who can successfully deceive you. Likely around twenty years or so! Otherwise, their plans wouldn't be so meticulously executed!"
"Now that she and all her secrets have departed to the netherworld, let's give her a proper burial," Cha Eun Xiao suggested.
With that, they resumed their journey. Xuan Bing appeared contemplative. After a prolonged silence, in the quiet of the night beneath the starry sky, she heaved a deep sigh and remarked, "A level eight Dao Origin Stage cultivator... brought down by a sinister conspiracy... The world is truly filled with unpredictability."
Her words conveyed a sense of complexity and depth.
"This organization presents a formidable menace to the world. It must be eradicated!" Han Bingxue interjected after his moment of reflection.
The three of them couldn't shake off the disturbing thought of the secret organization. The more they contemplated it, the heavier their hearts grew.
"It must be dismantled," Xuan Bing eventually declared.