A defiant assassin was swiftly slain by Huo Guang, and only then did the other assassins truly realize their peril.
These people cared nothing for their origins. If there was discontent, they would simply kill without hesitation!
"Speak. What is your Sun and Moon Alliance searching for in the Wind Demon Mountain Range?" Yan Chuan asked calmly.
The assassins gritted their teeth, unwilling to respond.
"Heh, still refusing to talk at this point?" Yan Chuan sneered coldly.
"Hmph, whether we talk or not, we're dead either way. Victory belongs to the strong. If you're going to kill us, just get it over with!" one assassin retorted defiantly.
A chorus of cold grunts came from the group.
"Did I say I was going to kill you?" Yan Chuan said with indifference.
"Hm?" The assassins looked toward Yan Chuan in confusion.
"Liu Jin, take them away and interrogate them one by one. Spare those who answer truthfully. Kill anyone who dares to lie," Yan Chuan commanded flatly.
"Yes!" Liu Jin responded.
"Are you serious? If we speak honestly, you won't kill us?" One of the assassins asked, suddenly filled with hope.
It was clear that, by now, the assassins' resolve had begun to waver.
"Take them away!" Liu Jin waved his hand.
The assassins were escorted out of the tent.
Jiu Jian Sheng and the Seven Sword Heroes looked on, bewildered.
"Shishu, you're incredible!" one of the Three Sword Heroes exclaimed in admiration.
"Don't ruin the mood during a meal. Let's continue eating," Yan Chuan said with a smile.
"Alright."
Yan Chuan resumed his meal. After finishing, he drank a cup of tea, an hour having passed by. Liu Jin entered the tent once again.
"My lord, they've confessed. These men truly fear death—they all gave the same testimony, so it seems to be the truth," Liu Jin said with a grin.
"Oh? Let's hear it."
"It was the leader of the Sun and Moon Alliance, Wei Jie, who sent them. He felt threatened by your growing power and wanted to strike first," Liu Jin explained seriously.
"Felt threatened?" Yan Chuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yes. Wei Jie clearly wants you dead," Liu Jin said gravely.
"I see. Continue."
"Gu Yue Shengzi has brought eight thousand men to the Wind Demon Mountain Range, and they're searching for two individuals," Liu Jin reported.
"Oh?"
"We found these portraits on one of the assassins." Liu Jin handed over two sketches.
The portraits depicted two ordinary-looking men, both with full beards—remarkably unremarkable in appearance.
"Did you find out why they're looking for these two?" Yan Chuan asked with curiosity.
"They don't know either," Liu Jin shook his head.
At this moment, Jiu Jian Sheng and the others also glanced at the portraits.
"Sixth Shishu?" Jiu Jian Sheng's face changed dramatically.
"Hm? You recognize him?" Yan Chuan asked, puzzled.
"Shixiong, are you saying this is Sixth Shishu? Impossible! Sixth Shishu is so handsome and doesn't even have a beard!" one of the Three Sword Heroes exclaimed in disbelief.
Jiu Jian Sheng's expression flickered uncertainly. After a moment of hesitation, he turned to Yan Chuan and said, "I'm certain. One of these men is indeed Sixth Shishu. I saw him not long ago. As for the other... if my guess is right, it should be Third Shishu."
"What?" The Seven Sword Heroes were left dumbfounded.
"Explain," Yan Chuan ordered sternly.
"A while back, three thousand people underwent tribulation at Tianfeng. Not long after, a warning bell rang throughout the sect. Do you all remember that?" Jiu Jian Sheng asked, his tone serious.
"Yes, I do. At the time, the sect leader was handing me my father's relics. Just as I was about to open them, the bell rang, and he left abruptly. He didn't return until the following day and told me that two first-generation disciples had returned from the Wind Demon Mountain Range, one dead, the other injured," Yan Chuan recalled.
"The one who died was Sixth Shishu. When the bell rang, I went to see for myself. I personally witnessed Sixth Shishu in that exact disguise. They had slightly altered their appearance to avoid being recognized, but I've seen Sixth Shishu like that before. It's him," Jiu Jian Sheng confirmed solemnly.
"It's really Sixth Shishu?" one of the Three Sword Heroes gasped in shock.
"Yes. Not long after returning, Sixth Shishu died. Before his death, he spoke with the sect leader for some time. The sect leader dismissed everyone before allowing us to see him one last time. He died a horrific death—his entire body was covered in blood blisters, which continued to spread, as if his body was burning from within. The sect leader said it was a curse," Jiu Jian Sheng said, his face pale.
"What? Sixth Shishu really died?" the Three Sword Heroes were horrified.
"But the sect leader said they both returned, one dead and one injured," Yan Chuan said gravely.
"No. Only Sixth Shishu came back. Third Shishu is still in the Wind Demon Mountain Range. But the sect leader ordered us to keep our story consistent—both returned, with one dead and one injured," Jiu Jian Sheng explained in a low voice.
"What? So Gu Yue Shengzi's men are still searching for Third Shishu?" the group's faces darkened.
"My lord, there's more. The person in the portrait has already been spotted within their encirclement. He's been hiding well, but it's only a matter of time before they find him," Liu Jin reported grimly.
"Is Third Shishu in danger?" the group's expressions changed drastically.
"Shishu, what should we do now?" Jiu Jian Sheng asked anxiously, turning to Yan Chuan.
Yan Chuan furrowed his brows, deep in thought.
Jiu Jian Sheng and the Seven Sword Heroes gazed at Yan Chuan with anticipation.
After a while, Yan Chuan's eyes lit up with resolve. "Huo Guang, have the soldiers eat quickly and rest for two hours. We move out in two hours."
"Yes!" Huo Guang responded.
"Thank you, Shishu!" The eight men bowed in gratitude.
"Since he joined our sect, I will not stand idly by while his life is at risk. You must also be prepared. We depart in two hours—rest well and get ready," Yan Chuan ordered sternly.
"Yes!" The eight men responded in unison.
Two hours later, Yan Chuan's army, with fourteen captured assassins in tow, moved swiftly through the mountains.
The eight hundred experts in Qi Realm watched as the army suddenly quickened its pace. Though surprised, they were mostly pleased—Yan Chuan had finally 'come to his senses.'
With the assassins guiding the way, the journey was smooth.
Meanwhile, the news of the captured assassins had already reached Gu Yue Shengzi two hours prior.
Atop a mountain peak, several subordinates stood respectfully before Gu Yue Shengzi, who was seated on a grand throne, listening to their report.
"Twenty men in the Qi Realm, most likely from the Sun and Moon Alliance," one of the subordinates reported respectfully.
"The Sun and Moon Alliance? So it was Wei Jie who ordered the assassination of Yan Chuan? Twenty Qi Realm experts sent to kill one in the Jing Realm, and they all perished? Heh, the Sun and Moon Alliance truly is full of useless trash!" one of Gu Yue Shengzi's subordinates scoffed.
"Shengzi was merely using Wei Jie. Why take it so seriously?" Mr. Wenruo said with a chuckle.
"Dismissed," Gu Yue Shengzi said indifferently.
"Yes!" The messenger quickly retreated.
No sooner had that man left than another rushed in.
"Shengzi, they've been found! They've been found!" the man said, trembling with excitement.
"Whoosh!" Shengzi immediately stood up.
"Shengzi, they've found the men from the portraits! Wei Jie has already taken people there!" the man reported eagerly.
"Lead the way!" Gu Yue Shengzi commanded at once.
"Yes!"