A figure, clad in a robe of black and yellow, emerged from the shadows of the trees, stepping into the clearing illuminated by the oil lamps. The firelight revealed a dragon mask on the person's face—it was none other than Chenlong, Yan Bei. He called out in a loud voice, "Since you're all here, why hide in the shadows?"
"Hahaha, well said!" A sinister laugh echoed through the forest.
"We've been here for a while, just waiting for you, Chenlong, and that Qingyi."
Soon after, a short, plump figure leaped down from a red maple tree. Wearing a rat mask from the Zodiac illustrations, the newcomer was Wuya, the Rat, one of the Twelve Zodiacs.
His appearance seemed to trigger a signal. From behind several red maple trees on the right, three figures emerged—one tall, one thin, and one fat. They lined up in a row, stepping into the light of the oil lamps. One by one, their masks were revealed: the horse, the rooster, and the dog. Their auras were concealed, but their steps were steady.
Yan Bei glanced at them briefly and then shifted his gaze to the left. From the darkness, three more figures slowly emerged. As they crossed the line between light and shadow, the dim glow revealed their masks—the tiger, the pig, and... the monkey?
A flicker of confusion flashed through Yan Bei's eyes.
Wuya, as if anticipating this, sneered, "Chenlong, you were able to send a message for 'closed in seclusion for a year' Qingyi, but we naturally have our own ways. Since the Monkey position was vacant, Lord Weiyang appointed this new one."
"Lord? Since when did we start having ranks within the Twelve Zodiacs?" A cold light flashed in Yan Bei's eyes.
"There's much you don't know. Tonight, you'll get to witness it all."
Suddenly, the night wind picked up, scattering the dark clouds, and moonlight once again spilled down. A powerful aura suddenly enveloped the area, silencing the previous chatter. Everyone felt an invisible pressure descend on them, and they all turned towards the source.
There, a figure wearing a sheep mask, with a crimson-gold belt wrapped around his waist, slowly approached. His steps were steady, each one seemingly tapping on the heartstrings of those present. His presence was strong yet restrained, giving an air of unfathomable depth.
The newcomer was Weiyang.
Aside from Yan Bei, the seven others bowed in unison, as if they were no longer bothering with pretense.
Weiyang nodded slightly and glanced at Wuya, who immediately took the hint and turned to Yan Bei, accusingly, "Why hasn't Qingyi arrived yet? Didn't he leave a message saying he would come?"
"What about the Snake? Why aren't you asking about him?" Yan Bei, seeing the situation, dropped all courtesy and retorted sharply.
"The Snake has other matters to attend to, just like the Rabbit, who already said they wouldn't be participating in this gathering. How could they be as fickle as that Qingyi!" Wuya responded disdainfully.
For a moment, the scene fell into a tense silence.
Just as Wuya was about to press Chenlong further, a clear voice rang out from a short distance away.
"I was merely delayed for a while. Why are you in such a hurry, Wuya? Or are you eager to dig another hole?"
As the words fell, a young man in a green robe gracefully descended, wearing a bamboo mask. It was Bai Yichen, emerging from his hiding place.
"You are Qingyi? Were you really the Ox before? Your figure doesn't seem to match. And why aren't you wearing a Zodiac mask?" Wuya, infuriated, immediately snapped at Bai Yichen.
Bai Yichen first replied seriously, "The Ox is dead, and Qingyi now stands."
Then, with a mocking laugh, he added, "But are you playing the fool tonight, Wuya? Why are you jumping around like the comic relief in a play?"
Hidden nearby, Yun Shou Zhenren couldn't help but worry for Bai Yichen's safety.
As Wuya's gaze grew colder and the tension in the air thickened, Weiyang's somber voice rang out.
"Enough. Chenlong, or perhaps I should call you Yan Bei. Since you and this Qingyi are both here, you should already know my intention. Hand over the Ming Zong treasure map fragment, surrender to me, and all past grievances will be forgotten. Otherwise, don't say I didn't warn you."
As his final words fell, the fourteen eyes of the other seven Zodiacs all turned sharply towards Yan Bei and Bai Yichen, now standing together.
A wave of pressure surged toward them.
Bai Yichen was slightly shocked in his heart. The Wheel King's ability to uncover Yan Bei's identity through the Heishi organization and the Twelve Zodiac network wasn't surprising. What stunned him was how the Wheel King was so certain that the treasure map was in Yan Bei's possession.
"Haha, as expected of the Wheel King, who controls two of the most secretive organizations in the jianghu. You've uncovered my true identity."
Yan Bei, realizing there was no point in hiding, removed his mask, revealing his weathered yet resolute face.
"But Wheel King, everything you've done goes against the original principles of the Twelve Zodiacs."
Yan Bei paused slightly, casting a glance at the seven remaining Zodiacs.
"Do you all truly wish to be led by someone like him?"
For a moment, silence enveloped the scene. But soon, a cold snort broke the stillness.
It was the new Monkey from the zodiac who spoke up: "A dying struggle!"
"Indeed, the greatness of Lord Wheel King is beyond the comprehension of a mere farmer like you. Today, we graciously offer you both a chance to join us; you should consider yourselves fortunate in this lifetime. Hurry and hand over the treasure map, and thank us with a bow!"
Wuya immediately added in a servile manner.
Bai Yichen blinked and teased, "Brother Yan, did I just hear a dog barking?"
"Hahaha, I heard it too. That dog seems to be barking quite cheerfully; I wonder how many bones it was rewarded with," Yan Bei said disdainfully.
"Very well! Since you don't know how to appreciate kindness, it seems tonight is your death sentence!" Wuya circled around the two men with a venomous gaze, looking for a convenient place to strike.
But Bai Yichen ignored him and instead began to scrutinize the new Monkey.
From the moment he spoke, Bai Yichen noticed the way he held his sword and his stance had the distinctive aura of a Heishi assassin. Coupled with Wuya's earlier statement that this person was recommended by the Wheel King, he suspected this individual was a hidden Innate master from Heishi.
The new Monkey seemed to sense something. A cold gaze roamed over Bai Yichen, as if searching for his weak point.
Indeed, he was a Heishi assassin.
Realizing the time was right, Bai Yichen asked Weiyang, "Wheel King, have you collected all the remaining fragments?"
"Is that a question you need to ask?" Weiyang sneered dismissively.
"Then—just in time."
Suddenly, before he finished speaking, Bai Yichen removed his mask and launched a Flying Star Strike toward Wuya.
Following that, Yan Bei, his veins bulging like a dragon, unleashed a powerful palm strike as if carrying the weight of a thousand pounds.
At the same time, Bai Yichen moved with unparalleled swiftness, turning like a dragon and pointing his sword at the new Monkey.
But just as he approached the new Monkey, Bai Yichen suddenly noticed that the nearby Tiger and Pig seemed to be a bit weak?