In truth, Liang Jinyu's words held only half the truth.
Xu Que's delay stemmed from his calculated judgment—he believed Zhou Qingyun wouldn't be foolish enough to launch a midnight raid against an alert Zhantian Hunter Corporation. As a result, he chose to monitor Lu Pin and Bell while simultaneously refining his techniques.
What Xu hadn't anticipated was Zhou Qingyun's audacity. Not only did he proceed with the attack, but he also enlisted the aid of powerful mercenaries from four leading companies.
The Shura mask Xu wore served its own purpose—it was a performance for the Chaisfeld family. Xu wanted Lacy to believe her loyal hound had turned traitor. This façade would allow Xu to infiltrate the Chaisfeld family, earning their trust and acquiring their internal member list. His goal wasn't merely to eliminate a few high-ranking members but to root out the Chaisfeld lineage entirely. Xu Que knew well the insidious nature of those who dwelled in the shadows.
Zhou Qingyun, locked in combat with Zhao Xian, faltered for a moment, his expression betraying surprise. The unexpected arrival of the masked Shura unsettled him.
Seizing the moment, Zhou Qingyun swung his blade, forcing Zhao Xian back before addressing the intruder.
"Why are you here?"
"Raksasa informed me," Xu Que replied, his voice deliberately low.
Hearing Xu's altered tone, Zhou Qingyun hesitated. Although Shura always spoke in a subdued voice, this time, something seemed off. But at the mention of Raksasa, Zhou dismissed his doubts—after all, Raksasa was his woman.
"Are you here to assist?" Zhou inquired.
"Yes," Xu answered while approaching. "Luang and Bell are on their way here."
"They're here to supervise me?" Zhou's tone soured.
"No," Xu said, drawing closer. "They sent me to kill you."
As those words fell, Xu Que's hand moved, and a massive sword materialized. Zhou Qingyun's confusion turned into alarm as an overwhelming sense of danger enveloped him.
Before he could fully react, a sweeping strike from Xu's blade shattered his guard and severed his right arm in one brutal motion.
"Argh!" Zhou Qingyun let out a pained cry, retreating hastily. Blood poured from his wound as he scrambled to drink a healing potion, glaring at Xu in disbelief.
"What are you doing?!" Zhou bellowed.
"What am I doing? What did you do with Raksasa?!" Xu feigned an outraged roar.
Zhou Qingyun froze, realization dawning upon him.
"You're not Shura! Who are you?"
Xu faltered for a moment. Had he miscalculated?
He'd assumed Shura harbored feelings for Raksasa, and that Zhou's clandestine relationship with her had sparked his fury. But it seemed the situation was more convoluted than anticipated. Xu's misunderstanding stemmed from his earlier encounters—Fang Xiu's constant protection of Raksasa and his adamant opposition to any harm coming her way had painted a misleading picture.
Xu's suspicions deepened when he discovered Raksasa's diary, which detailed her love for Zhou Qingyun, including the lengths she went to hide her devotion—even terminating a pregnancy for his sake.
"Fang Xiu, you're dead meat tomorrow," Xu cursed inwardly.
"Why can't I be Shura?" Xu retorted with a sly smile.
Zhou's expression darkened. "I don't know where you got your information, but you're definitely not him. If you want answers, ask Fang Xiu!"
Xu had no interest in banter. Time was running out—he needed to finish Zhou Qingyun before Luang and Bell arrived to pin the blame squarely on Fang Xiu.
"Perish!"
Xu hoisted his colossal sword, unleashing a cataclysmic slash. Zhou's eyes widened in disbelief. Even at full strength, he doubted he could withstand such an attack. Now, weakened, he stood no chance.
The devastating blow descended like a tidal wave. The sheer force obliterated Zhou Qingyun's defenses, shattering his blade and reducing his chest to ruin.
Zhao Xian, watching from a distance, couldn't help but wince. Xu's attack was an eye-opener—he resolved to redouble his own training after witnessing such devastation.
"I'll leave the rest to you," Xu murmured, his tone low as he prepared to exit the battlefield. "I have a performance to finish."
"Understood. Go," Zhao Xian replied, charging toward Kun Shao to assist him.
From a distance, Luang and Bell arrived, stunned by the sight of Zhou Qingyun's demise.
"What now?" Luang asked, his voice shaking.
"We retreat. This must be reported to Lacy immediately," Bell responded.
"And Xu?"
"If Zhou didn't expose us, we'll test Shen Mengchu tomorrow. If they're unaware, we'll bring Xu back the day after."
"Agreed."
Perched above, Xu Que smirked as he listened to their exchange. Retrieving his black sword, he vanished toward the command center.
The remnants of Zhou's forces, now leaderless, were no match for the combined strength of Zhao Xian and his team. Victory was inevitable.
...
On another battlefield, Yue Yun faced off against Yu Xiaodao.
"You've held me off for fifty strikes. Impressive," Yu sneered.
"Fifty? That's it?" Yue retorted mockingly. "Let's see how you fare against me."
Yu's smirk faltered as Yue disappeared in a blur. He spun around just in time to glimpse Yue's blade before it plunged into his side.
"Argh!" Yu cried out, his body convulsing. Before he could counter, Yue's dagger flashed across his vision, robbing him of sight.
"Two strikes, and you're finished," Yue remarked coldly, his voice dripping with disdain.
"You fight dirty!" Yu protested, swinging wildly.
"Excuses from the weak," Yue replied with a scornful laugh, stepping aside as Yu collapsed lifelessly.
Nearby, Yue Shan traded blows with the formidable Xiong Wanli, whose frustration grew as the young fighter's resilience only seemed to increase with each passing moment.
"Need help?" Yue Yun asked casually, watching the duel.
"Not at all. Qi Kai said I need this to grow stronger," Yue Shan replied with a confident grin.
Hearing this, Xiong Wanli nearly exploded with rage. "Am I just a stepping stone to you brats?!"
Fuming, Xiong redoubled his attacks, but Yue Shan met him blow for blow, his strength undiminished.
As the chaos unfolded, Xu Que's plan moved ever closer to fruition.