Chapter 322: Chapter 161: Bloodthirsty (Part 3)

Just as the rumors suggested, the storm had swept up nearly thirty percent of the Noble Families in Yunlin Prefecture.

Among them, the Liu and Zhu Families—two powerful clans only a step below the Liu Family—seemed to have received a warning in advance. Guarded by expert Tributors who fought to the death, their core disciples managed to break out, carrying with them immense wealth and their families’ inherited Heart Methods. They had now split into several groups, frantically fleeing toward Lin’an Prefecture, Fengle Prefecture, and other destinations.

This prize was too tempting to resist, and it immediately drew the attention of powers from the prefectures surrounding Yunlin.

Countless Wandering Martial Artists, Small Sects, and even official forces from neighboring prefectures secretly dispatched their experts. Like sharks smelling blood, they swarmed into Yunlin’s domain, all hoping to get a piece of the pie amidst the chaos.

For a time, a state of panic swept through Yunlin Prefecture. The entire region descended into chaos and bloodshed.

「...」

Wutai Sect, Cyan Wood Institute.

Chen Qing stood quietly by the window, listening to the chaotic news Yu Bao’er was hurriedly reporting.

"Senior Brother, it’s complete chaos out there! The Four Great Sects joined forces, and even the Wutai Army was deployed, but they still let the main targets from the Liu and Zhu Families escape! Now everyone’s desperately chasing after them. I heard they’re carrying enough wealth to last several lifetimes, plus powerful Martial Arts Secret Manuals!"

Yu Bao’er’s face was a mixture of nervousness and excitement. "There’s fighting everywhere! It’s more lively than the New Year’s festival... uh, I mean, more chaotic!"

Chen Qing’s expression was serene, his gaze profound.

’Just as I thought.’

’The Four Great Sects have been plotting this for a long time. This operation was no whim; it was clearly meant to be a decisive blow against the Demon Sect and its allies.’

’It seems purging these collaborators is only the first step. The higher-ups must have a deeper plan in motion, one aimed directly at the Demon Sect’s hidden strongholds and that mysterious Sub-Pavilion.’

’And as for the Liu and Zhu Families... These two great Noble Families have been entrenched in Yunlin for years, possessing immense wealth. The unusual experts they’ve recruited are far from ordinary.’

’The fact that they caught wind of the plan and fled in advance proves the Demon Sect’s infiltration of Yunlin Prefecture is all-pervasive. Its roots run far deeper than anyone estimated if they could even leak information about a surprise attack so meticulously planned by the Four Great Sects.’

Just then, a disciple from the Cyan Wood Institute came running. "Chief Disciple! The Sect Leader has issued an urgent order! You are to report to the Council Hall immediately!"

Chen Qing’s gaze hardened. "Understood."

Wasting no more time, he set off and arrived swiftly at the Council Hall.

Inside the Council Hall, the atmosphere was tense.

Aside from the reclusive Li Baichuan, everyone was present: Sect Leader He Yuzhou and the Deans—Chu Jinyun, Hong Yuandong, Peng Zhen, and Tan Yang.

Nie Shanshan, Yan Yaoyang, Li Wang, Li Lei, and the other Chief Disciples of the various institutes had also arrived. Every face was grim; they were all clearly aware of the earth-shattering events that had transpired. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

He Yuzhou sat at the head of the hall, his expression grave. "Everyone is here," he began. "This raid was meticulously planned over a long period. The evidence was irrefutable. We intended to eradicate this cancer and rip out the Demon Sect’s claws in one swift, thunderous blow. Unexpectedly, the plan was leaked."

"Now, the Liu and Zhu families, among others, are attempting to escape with the vast fortunes they amassed from the blood and sweat of Yunlin’s people, as well as their Martial Arts Heart Methods. We absolutely cannot allow these assets to fall into the hands of other prefectures, enriching our enemies! The plan must be accelerated. We must hunt down the fugitives. There is no time to lose!"

His gaze was like lightning as it swept over the assembled disciples.

"Nie Shanshan!"

"Here!" Nie Shanshan stepped forward, her posture sharp and martial.

"Lead the disciples of the Gui Water Institute and pursue the main Liu Family force to the northwest! The family’s ancestral technique, Convergence Force, is a unique Superior Auxiliary Heart Method that accelerates True Qi recovery. You must retrieve it!" He Yuzhou commanded.

A glint flashed in Nie Shanshan’s eyes; she had long heard of the renowned Convergence Force.

She immediately cupped her fist. "Yes! I will do everything in my power to retrieve the Heart Method!"

He Yuzhou nodded and turned to Chen Qing. "Chen Qing!"

"Present," Chen Qing responded calmly.

"You will head due west and pursue the branch of the Zhu Family! The Zhu Family made its fortune in mining and their wealth is staggering. The old Patriarch, Zhu Yi, is a cunning fox and an expert at concealment. The key to their family’s core secret vault is surely on his person. Rumor has it that vault contains not only the wealth they’ve accumulated over generations, but also a fragment of the Thick Earth Treasure Technique, the very art they used to build their fortune! Though only a fragment, the technique is miraculously effective for prospecting ore veins and nurturing Earth Attribute True Qi. It is priceless! You must intercept them. Do not let them cross into the territory of Lin’an Prefecture!" He Yuzhou’s tone was solemn.

’The Zhu Family?’

’The Thick Earth Treasure Technique?’

A flicker of interest crossed Chen Qing’s mind. He cupped his fist. "I accept the mission."

"Li Wang, Li Lei, Yan Yaoyang!"

"Here!" the three answered in unison.

"The three of you will each lead a team and pursue the other splinter groups. Intercept whomever you can. Your primary objectives are to eliminate their combatants and seize their assets! Remember, these are desperate people; they will fight like cornered animals and will surely be protected by fanatical guards. Be careful. If you encounter a powerful foe, do not engage them directly. Fire a signal flare immediately. Nearby experts from the Three Sects will reinforce you at once!" He Yuzhou instructed carefully.

"Yes, Sect Leader!" Li Wang and Li Lei replied, their expressions grim.

After assigning the disciples’ tasks, He Yuzhou turned to the Deans, his tone growing even more serious. "Junior Sister Chu, Junior Brother Hong!"

"Sect Leader!"

Chu Jinyun and Hong Yuandong stepped forward.

"As planned, the two of you will depart at once. Rendezvous with the experts from Cold Jade Valley and Qixia Manor and combine your forces to annihilate the Demon Sect stronghold on West Sun Mountain! That is the real prize. You must destroy it utterly. Do not allow them any chance to rise from the ashes!" He Yuzhou ordered, a murderous glint in his eyes.

In this operation, the Demon Sect was the primary target.

To slay the Demon, Heart Devourer, they first had to clip his wings.

The Eight Great Guardians he relied upon had to be eliminated, one by one, leaving none alive.

"Yes!" the two replied, cupping their fists as a palpable Evil Qi surged around them.

"Junior Brother Tan!"

"Sect Leader!" Tan Yang answered.

"Take your men and coordinate with Elder Du Lingchuan of the Xuanjia Sect. Besiege the stronghold at the Yongsheng grainery in Tanglin Town! You must uproot it completely and kill or capture its leader!" He Yuzhou continued to command.

"Understood!" Tan Yang nodded firmly.

The remaining experts, including Peng Zhen, and the bulk of the Wutai Army were to remain behind to defend the Sect, guarding against a potential counterattack from the Demon Sect or a ploy to lure the tiger from the mountain.

"Speed is paramount in this operation!"

He Yuzhou declared with a sweep of his hand, his voice booming like thunder.

In an instant, the entire Wutai Sect mobilized.

One after another, figures shot from the mountain gates like arrows loosed from a bow, carrying a chilling killing intent as they sped off in all directions across Yunlin Prefecture.

Chen Qing returned to the Cyan Wood Institute. His gaze swept across the courtyard and finally settled on Xu Qi. He then selected a few other disciples, and the group departed quietly from the Sect.

As for Luo Xinyi, her tall and sturdy build made her too conspicuous, so she was not included in the mission.

「...」