Chapter 86: Chapter 87: Luring the Snake Out of its Hole

"Don’t be fooled just because everything seems to be going our way. The smoother things go, the more abnormal it usually is. Song Luyao’s subordinates are far from incompetent."

"Do you mean this could be another one of Song Luyao’s plots?" The middle-aged man was horrified, his back instantly drenched in sweat.

"Hmph. That’s certainly a possibility. For now, we’ll just wait and see. Let those insignificant clowns have their moment," the old man said calmly, his hands clasped behind his back. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"You are right, Father. I’ll go keep an eye on our men, lest they give us away." The middle-aged man accepted the order respectfully and left the secret chamber.

It had been three days since Song Lutong and the others left. Under the firm hand of the Law Enforcement Team, an air of harmony settled over the clan. Even if a few troublemakers popped up, they didn’t dare to do anything too obvious, resorting only to petty, insignificant schemes behind the scenes.

Unexpectedly, the major powers of Ling Province were also quiet during this time—eerily so.

Logically, with the Song Clan having deployed its full strength, its home base was more vulnerable than ever. Their old rival, the Earth Fire Sect, should not have wasted such a rare opportunity. Yet, they acted as if they were completely unaware, remaining suspiciously quiet.

Song Changsheng couldn’t make heads or tails of it. ’Is the Earth Fire Sect cooking up some evil scheme?’ he wondered. Suddenly, he realized something. ’Why haven’t I seen the Third Elder?’

Song Luyao hadn’t been among those who left the mountain that day, but she wasn’t in the clan grounds either.

Song Changsheng felt he was on the verge of grasping the key to the whole situation.

’Could this have something to do with Ninth Auntie? Where did she go?’ Song Changsheng pondered as he walked. Since he had been in seclusion during the clan council, he had no idea that Song Luyao had actually gone to Luoxia City to bid on a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Just as he paused in his thoughts, a stooped old man approached him. Song Changsheng’s eyes lit up, and he hurried forward to bow. "This junior pays his respects, Clan Elder."

Song Xiandu stopped and looked at him with a warm smile. "What is it, little Changsheng?"

His smile was incredibly kind, the wrinkles on his face fanning out like a blooming chrysanthemum. For some reason, however, Song Changsheng felt a little uncomfortable with the way the man was looking at him.

The feeling was fleeting. Eager for an answer, he pushed it aside and said respectfully, "This junior just returned from Little Cyan Mountain. I wanted to pay a visit to Ninth Auntie, but I couldn’t find her. I was wondering if you might know anything about it?"

Song Xiandu sounded a little surprised. "You don’t know?"

Song Changsheng was baffled. ’If I knew, why would I be asking you?’

"Luyao went to Luoxia City to bid on a Foundation Establishment Pill for you. She’s been gone for quite some time now. I thought you knew."

A buzz went through Song Changsheng’s mind. All his previous questions were answered in that instant. ’The Grand Elder and the others must have gone to meet her. They left in such a hurry... could something have happened?’

In that moment, a thousand possibilities raced through Song Changsheng’s mind.

Song Xiandu smiled. "By my count, she should be back soon. Then you can enter seclusion and break through to the Foundation Establishment realm. Such a young Foundation Establishment Cultivator... it truly puts an old man like me to shame."

Song Changsheng forced a smile and cupped his hands in a salute. "Thank you for clearing that up for me, Clan Elder. This junior has other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."

"Yes, of course, of course. My Lusheng still mentions you often, you know. He says that now that you’re grown up, you don’t come to him to learn Techniques anymore."

"I have been rather busy lately. Please tell Uncle Lusheng for me that I will be sure to pay him a visit in a few days."

The image of a middle-aged man surfaced in Song Changsheng’s mind. When he was young, this man had been the one to teach him Techniques. He was more than just an elder; he was a mentor. ’I really should pay him a visit when I have the time.’

"Mm, this old man will be sure to pass the message along." Song Xiandu smiled and then slowly continued on his way.

After registering his current rank in Artifact Refining Technique at the Hundred Arts Hall, Song Changsheng returned to his courtyard. For some reason, however, he felt restless and his mind was in turmoil. He had a persistent feeling that something was about to happen.

’Ninth Auntie, please be safe,’ Song Changsheng prayed silently.

Learning that Song Luyao had gone to bid on the Foundation Establishment Pill for his sake left Song Changsheng both shocked and deeply moved, but this was quickly followed by waves of anxiety.

Her journey was bound to be perilous. There was no telling how many overt and covert attacks awaited her. A single misstep could prove fatal.

He tried to sit down and cultivate, but found it impossible to quiet his mind. Feeling agitated, he decided to go for a walk. Just as he stepped out of his courtyard, he saw several streaks of light flash across the sky and land on Vast Mist Peak.

Song Changsheng’s heart dropped, and he immediately rushed in that direction.

The streaks of light had landed right at the Hundred Arts Hall. By the time Song Changsheng arrived, a crowd had already gathered, but for some reason, everyone was stuck outside the entrance.

Song Changsheng pushed his way to the front and saw Song Lutong leaning against the doorframe, his eyes wide and glaring. He harshly drove away anyone who tried to get near.

Though it had only been a few days, Song Lutong looked utterly haggard. His hair was a mess, and he radiated a dangerous aura that made the ominous feeling in Song Changsheng’s heart grow even stronger. For a moment, he felt his hands, hidden in his sleeves, begin to tremble slightly.

"Uncle."

Song Lutong’s eyes widened, but his expression softened when he saw it was Song Changsheng. In a gruff, muffled voice, he said, "Eleventh Uncle is waiting for you inside. Go on in."

With that, he stepped aside, clearing a path.

Song Changsheng strode inside. In the spacious hall, Song Xianyun, Song Luzhou, and Song Luhuai stood with their backs to him, forming an arc. The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

His arrival went unnoticed. Song Changsheng felt his throat go dry as he moved to stand beside Song Luhuai. He took one look, and the world seemed to spin around him, his vision blurring.

On a soft couch lay Song Luyao, covered in blood. Her face was ashen, and her body was covered in hastily wrapped wounds, the bandages soaked through with fresh blood. Her legs were gone from the knees down.

If not for the slight rise and fall of her chest, Song Changsheng would have thought she was already dead.

"Who... Who did this?" Song Changsheng could feel his own lips trembling.

Song Luhuai’s face was a mask of hatred as he said furiously, "It was those bastards from the Lieyang Sect! Someone must have leaked the information. Ninth Sister was ambushed on her way back. If we hadn’t gone to intercept her ahead of time, those animals would have gotten what they wanted!"

"There’s a traitor in the clan!" Song Luzhou growled, his eyes red and brimming with killing intent.

Normally, he and Luyao were the ones who clashed the most, but in reality, they were half-siblings, born of the same father. Seeing her in this state, he was more heartbroken and furious than anyone.

Song Xianyun’s face was filled with grief as he said, full of self-blame, "This is all my fault. I should have stopped her."

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