Chapter 237: Chapter 232: The Outbreak of Chaos

The dark clouds gathered more densely, and the wind grew stronger,

it was clear that a storm was about to arrive.

The crowds on the long street began to disperse, making it seem a bit deserted.

The carriage slowly traversed the long street,

soon, the sound of the wind grew louder, with occasional thunderclaps bursting through the air, and the chilling wind rustled the signs of shops along the street like pine waves. From Qingyun Street to the City Lord’s Mansion, several blocks were quickly deserted by pedestrians.

As they got closer to the City Lord’s Mansion, it became more and more quiet.

The City’s Lord Mansion was vast, with south, east, west and north gates, red walls, and majestic yellow eaves reminiscent of sword qi. The carriage crossed the moat and slowly entered the city.

Inside the city, one could feel more of the grandeur of this inner city, with two rows of willows swaying, shielding the entire carriage and the stone path it traveled on.

From afar, a long suspended corridor over a dozen zhang long could be seen,

this was the Xuanhu Sect,

only after entering Xuanhu Sect could one be considered as having truly entered the City Lord’s Mansion.

The carriage neared the Xuanhu Sect, and raindrops began to fall, drumming against the carriage roof like a chaotic symphony.

"Young Master, it’s raining, let’s speed up,"

a guard said outside the carriage.

Mo Yan’an acknowledged but felt inexplicably restless without knowing why. He put down the dossier in his hand and slowly lifted the curtain.

The heavy rain, thick like a curtain, blurred the vision, giving an indistinct view.

Mo Yan’an looked at the city wall, frowning softly, and said lightly, "It’s only at Chen time, not the time for the guard rotation, right?"

The guard accompanying on horseback next to the carriage froze for a moment, then quickly scanned the surroundings, finally noticing something was wrong. According to protocol, this Xuanhu Sect should have a stationed team of three hundred government soldiers. Even during a guard shift, there would be a squad of fifty awaiting the incoming team.

"Quick, speed up!"

At this moment, the guard at the front suddenly shouted loudly and then swiftly dismounted, leaping into Mo Yan’an’s carriage.

This person was Mo Yan’an’s Guard Commander, named Yan Shan, a renowned Fifth Realm Great Cultivator in the Martial World. Twenty years ago, he was on the Celestial Pride List but later had no hope of becoming a Grandmaster due to exhausted talent. Seeking the opportunity to become a Grandmaster, he had devoted himself to the Eldest Young Master Mo Yan’an’s Mansion, earning Mo Yan’an’s trust, and was one of the two Fifth Realm experts in Mo Yan’an’s Mansion.

While Mo Yan’an could command more than just two Fifth Realm Great Cultivators, he couldn’t possibly keep all those experts around him at all times as their greatest use wasn’t as guards.

Ordinarily, he only kept two such cultivators in Canglan City—one was Yan Shan acting as his personal guard, and the other was a veteran Fifth Realm Cultivator from the Liu Family, Liu Xifan.

Yan Shan mainly served as a bodyguard closely protecting Mo Yan’an, while Liu Xifan held down the fort at the mansion since he was also the Grand Elder of the Liu Family. He could liaise with guests or handle internal affairs when Mo Yan’an was not present.

...

Upon entering the carriage, Yan Shan immediately performed a magic formula, causing a one-foot-long short sword to float before him, the blade emitting ripples of primordial qi.

"Is there a problem?" Mo Yan’an asked softly.

Yan Shan replied in a low voice, "Not sure, but something’s wrong..."

At that instant,

a sudden horse scream came from outside the carriage, followed by a "puff" sound as blood splattered on the carriage curtain.

Through the gap in the curtain, Mo Yan’an saw the Great Cultivator outside with a flying saber embedded in his throat.

"An assassin, protect the Young Master!"

Came the startled shouts from outside the carriage.

At that moment, the sound of rain abruptly vanished, replaced by a dense buzzing like countless bees flying all at once.

The rain blew the curtain aside,

outside, a dense rain of arrows fell from the sky.

Wails arose as The Feathered Arrows punctured the carriage.

"Young Master Mo Yan’an, colluding with the Demon Dao intending to betray the Righteous Dao Martial Arts, by Dragon King’s command, execute the traitor!"

...

On Qingyun Street, after the downpour started,

the entire street became empty, with only a couple of people occasionally hurrying by, and some of the street-side shops began closing early.

At an alley entrance, under the pouring rain,

a dense crowd lay hidden, each holding gleaming steel sabers, axes, and rare weapons in the Martial World like crossbows, Earth-Fire-Thunder. Raindrops fell on the weapons, leaving trails of water droplets.

In a small alley,

a carriage stood as heavy rain splattered upon the roof, creating splashes.

The curtain slightly lifted, revealing a peerless visage; it was Bai Jiu’Er, the renowned first beauty of Canglan Dao.

Sitting across from her was Gu Zhan.

Raindrops splashed into the carriage, wetting Bai Jiu’Er’s dress, but she paid no mind and softly said, "A quarter of an hour, truly challenging, as there are many experts in Mo Yan’an’s Mansion."

Gu Zhan sat quietly, resting two Horizontal Sabers on his knees.

Bai Jiu’Er continued, "I’ve gathered followers for over ten years, and they’re all here, yet even with the experts sent by Mo Zhening, it still feels somewhat insufficient."

Gu Zhan slightly opened his eyes and said, "I know what you’re worried about, it’s none other than that Fifth Realm Great Cultivator."

Bai Jiu’Er nodded and said, "He’s the Grand Elder of the Liu Family, masterful in the Floating Feather Sword Technique and has immersed himself in the Tao Entry Realm for over twenty years. He’s very powerful. Be careful. If the situation is untenable, just abandon the effort. The world is vast, there’s no need to make a stand in a moment of folly."

Gu Zhan smiled slightly and said, "Actually, I’ve been pondering a question. Is it truly possible that the Dragon King does not know of Canglan City’s matters?"

Bai Jiu’Er asked puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Just then,

a signal flare suddenly appeared in the sky,

from the direction of the City Lord’s Mansion.

Bai Jiu’Er’s body slightly trembled, and she whispered, "It’s starting!"

As she turned her head,

Gu Zhan had already stepped out of the carriage.

She hurriedly leaned against the carriage window; through the rain’s hazy veil, she saw Gu Zhan holding a Horizontal Saber in hand and another on his back, walking away.

Watching his swiftly vanishing silhouette,

Bai Jiu’Er felt a wave of disorientation and solemnly said, "Set out!"

...

Above the City Lord’s Mansion, one signal flare after another appeared, continuously exploding.

Inside the Eldest Young Master’s Mansion,

a brief commotion erupted, and amidst the pouring rain, a large troop began assembling, as experts darted through the downpour.

A white-haired elder holding a Long Sword appeared, none other than Liu Xifan, the Grand Elder of the Liu Family.

A guard quickly ran over, bowed, and said, "Mr. Liu, the mansion is surrounded!"

Liu Xifan’s expression was calm, gently shaking the Long Sword, freeing its scabbard stuck in the stone slab. With steady strides, he walked in the rain, and coldly said, "It seems Mo Zhening is backed into a corner. Gather everyone, attack!"

Guests and guards in the mansion appeared in droves, surging towards the main gate. At that moment, a loud shout rang out:

"By Dragon King’s command, thoroughly investigate the Demon Dao traitors!"

At that instant,

a dense rain of arrows mingled with the pouring rain, fell heavily.