My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 883 - 527: Nationwide Manhunt (Double-Length) (2)

Yet in Hu-Guang, who knows when it began, everything was blamed on the White Lotus Sect.

The relief granaries were empty, the White Lotus Sect did it, the levies and labor taxes sparked a rebellion, the White Lotus Sect instigated it, corrupt officials caught red-handed, it was the White Lotus Sect that enticed them, even the neighbor's wife getting unexpectedly pregnant was said to be due to the abductions by the White Lotus Sect!

Chu Yiyuan, an ordinary commoner, never imagined these people could be so shameless, pushing all unrelated matters onto the White Lotus Sect.

Early this morning, Young Master Qin paid an unexpected visit, surprising Chu Yiyuan, who hurried to welcome him personally.

A guest is a guest, especially a brother from the Divine Sect. Last night, seeing the situation going awry, Chu Yiyuan fled quickly, essentially leaving Young Master Qin behind, which would inevitably lead to some resentment.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Chu Yiyuan thought, "I have wronged them indeed, and must express my apologies properly, lest a small issue turns into a brotherly feud..."

Guilt written all over his face, he approached, seeing Young Master Qin silent, his own emotions complex, he immediately knelt down.

"Mr. Chu, the task is completed," the visitor said, suddenly bowing.

Chu Yiyuan had just knelt when he was stunned, and heard him continue:

"Han Xiu is missing, so we conveniently killed the governor."

"What?!"

Chu Yiyuan was shocked, quickly rising up,

"He was just a puppet, why kill him?!"

"Taking advantage of the chaos, we heard Han Xiu was to meet the governor, so we killed him at leisure."

"You, you did this! This is giving me..." Chu Yiyuan, boiling with anger, was about to erupt but glanced at the number of people opposite him, choosing instead to sigh: "He shouldn't have been killed… He had long been within Su Hongtao's grasp."

Young Master Qin paused, his voice slightly trembling: "…I heard from Mr. Chu that Su Hongtao was indecisive, thought this would end his hopes… I mishandled the affair."

This proud individual's rare guilt surfaced unexpectedly, and after pacing several times while sighing, Chu Yiyuan thought they were more trouble than they were worth, truly a bunch of incompetent allies!

He also blamed himself for wanting to take the opportunity to kill Han Xiu to force Su Hongtao into desperation, unintentionally creating such a predicament.

Nonetheless, the hearts of the Divine Sect brothers were in the right place.

Young Master Qin then asked, "What should we do next?"

After pacing, Chu Yiyuan glanced at them and pondered for a moment, "The situation has reached this stage, and the greatest fear is mutual suspicion. We must find Su Hongtao as soon as possible, explain everything clearly, and resolve the misunderstanding with honesty."

"Mr. Chu is right," Young Master Qin asked again, "When should we head out?"

"Right now, let's go quickly."

Chu Yiyuan, capable of overseeing the sect's affairs in Wuchang City, was known for his communication skills and talent for winning over others, did not dare delay any longer and instructed everyone to pack up…

......

Due to the fire at Bright Moon Hall, there were more guards patrolling the streets of Wuchang Prefecture than before, and fewer pedestrians on the main roads, for fear of being mistakenly captured as White Lotus Sect members.

Chu Yiyuan dared not openly seek Su Hongtao but due to circumstances, realized he couldn't go alone. After deliberating, he decided to take two White Lotus Sect members with him, while the Divine Sect also brought three, making a total of eight.

From afar, Chu Yiyuan spotted the charred eaves of Bright Moon Hall, and suddenly became perplexed. Despite last night's chaos, should the governor not have had any protection? Even if the assassination succeeded, should Su Hongtao not have reacted and sent someone after them?

The roads gradually became less crowded, and the closer they got to the Capital Commandery Office, the more desolate it seemed.

Chu Yiyuan's hackles rose, a feeling of unease crept into him, and he unconsciously slowed his pace.

"Mr. Chu, why are you walking so slowly?" A Divine Sect member suddenly asked.

Chu Yiyuan's heart raced, but he maintained a calm appearance, nodding in agreement, "I'll quicken my steps."

Outnumbered by the Divine Sect, with Young Master Qin clearly superior, Chu Yiyuan couldn't afford to turn hostile, realizing that would mean certain death, he could only take it one step at a time with a bitter smile, yet his pace nonetheless slowed further.

At that moment, the Divine Sect member asked again, "Mr. Chu, why are you slowing down again…"

Before any more words were exchanged, suddenly, several arrow shafts swiftly shot out from a side alley, thudding into the man's body, sending him collapsing to the ground.

A warm splatter covered Chu Yiyuan's bitterly smiling face.

"Ambush! Soldiers!"

The alarm was raised, and Young Master Qin drew his sword, while from the dark alleyway on their left, a squad of soldiers carrying crossbows charged, pressing in with blades and shields.

Before Chu Yiyuan could regain his senses, Young Master Qin yanked him aside, pulling him into an adjacent shop, as crossbow arrows embedded themselves where they stood.

At the same time, soldiers erupted from several alleys.

"Run! Quick, scatter!"

Young Master Qin shouted loudly.

Caught off guard, the group scattered hastily, another barrage of arrows flying, pinning a White Lotus Sect member who failed to react, his blood flowing through the cracks in the ground.

Chu Yiyuan screamed, frantically fleeing into an alley,

Whoosh!

An arrow shaft pierced through his left shoulder, the intense pain rendering him speechless, collapsing to the ground in shivers.

His limbs weak, he mustered strength to stand, but catching a glimpse, the soldiers were already re-nocking their arrows…

To die here…

Despair engulfed Chu Yiyuan.

"Go!"

Suddenly pushed, Chu Yiyuan turned back,

Only to see Young Master Qin standing resolutely in front of him, using his sword to block the showering arrows….

...…..

At the Ming'an Divine Sect's stronghold.

With the sound of arrows fading, Chu Yiyuan slowly calmed his racing heart.

They were finally safe…

Looking up, everyone who had endured the assassination looked pale, yet to recover from the shock, and… One was missing, reflecting on the scene, emotions welled up in Chu Yiyuan.

The memory of the back blocking the arrows emerged, bringing tears to Chu Yiyuan's eyes.

"Vacuum Home, Mother of Non-Birth… Mother of Non-Birth bless us…."

As if hearing his plea, there was a soft knock, and someone pushed the door open, causing tears to flood Chu Yiyuan's eyes.

"Young Master Qin!"

Just as he was about to step forward, Young Master Qin gestured to stop, under the candlelight Chu Yiyuan saw his face was pale, indicating he narrowly escaped grave injury.

"Mr. Chu… I'm fine…" Young Master Qin said weakly, "I discovered something."

As he spoke, he tossed something, prompting Chu Yiyuan to look quickly, revealing a delicately carved waist token.

"This, what is it?"

"A waist token from Xique Pavilion, I killed one and found this on him, they… are agents of the Heavenly Family, more secretive than the West Factory or Eastern Factory, the government bows to their orders."

Chu Yiyuan's eyes widened, suddenly thinking of just one person.

Young Master Qin said, "I'm afraid this was aimed at our Divine Sect…"

"What's aimed at your Divine Sect, it's us White Lotus Holy Sect rebelling!"

Chu Yiyuan angrily exclaimed:

"With the governor dead, Su Hongtao guessed we would find him, I too believed this before, he wants to pin the crime on us! Appeasing Xique Pavilion!"

Chen Yi paused momentarily, nodding, "Indeed."

Seeing Young Master Qin's feeble state, Chu Yiyuan felt deep distress, an indescribable guilt gripped him, causing a lump in his throat.

After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Young Master Qin, rest well and recuperate. I was complacent before and failed to see Su Hongtao's fickleness, don't worry… From now on, we'll remain vigilant, never disperse our focus until absolutely sure, never again to face such a situation."

Young Master Qin gave a fist salute, which Chu Yiyuan quickly returned, bowing even lower in gratitude for the lifesaving gesture.

"There is one more thing…" After a while, Young Master Qin spoke again.

Chu Yiyuan asked quickly, "My lord, please, what is it?"

"The name Qin Ke was merely an alias, I have been deceiving Mr. Chu for so long, I apologize," he said slowly, "In truth, my surname is Chen, given name Yi, and I'm wanted nationwide."