Chapter 019
Chapter 19: Reversal
“When I first arrived in Chong Province, I reviewed the Shadow Spy Division’s records on the Bloodbath Alliance,” explained Cang Yin Yue. “This man murdered husbands, stole wives, daughters, and fortunes, committing countless wicked deeds. He’s already marked for death by the Imperial Court.”
Her eyes flicked coldly toward Yu Chang Lu, as if gazing upon a corpse.
At this moment, Yu Chang Lu was tormented by poison, his mind nearing collapse. He struggled desperately, barely able to hold on to a thread of consciousness as he silently pleaded to Li Mu Sheng for help, entirely unable to defend himself.
Li Mu Sheng nodded slightly and turned, mounting his spirited pack mule.
Though humble, the mule seemed somewhat intelligent. Perhaps knowing Li Mu Sheng had rescued it, the animal affectionately rubbed its head against him.
Li Mu Sheng looked down at Yu Chang Lu, whose eyes dulled as the poison reached his heart. Shaking his head lightly, he turned back toward Cang Yin Yue.
“Miss Cang, you mentioned something about a kill list. Does the Shadow Spy Division handle not only foreign spies but also eliminating villains from the Martial World?”
Cang Yin Yue nodded while circulating her Qi, carefully forcing the poison out from her palm, bit by bit.
“Currently, we only gather information. And it’s not just the Shadow Spy Division. The Six Gates and Heavenly Brocade Guard are also involved.”
Her gaze sharpened as she continued, “The Martial World’s forces have grown too strong, and the court struggles to control them. Even notorious criminals with official warrants escape justice, shielded by powerful Martial World sects.”
“Even worse,” she added coldly, “some Martial World powers themselves torment innocent citizens, a true scourge upon Great Li. The entire Martial World should’ve been purged long ago. The Imperial Court is merely awaiting an opportunity.”
Hearing this, Li Mu Sheng raised an eyebrow and asked softly, “Shouldn’t this information be a court secret? Aren’t you afraid I’ll spread it and cause chaos?”
Cang Yin Yue regarded him calmly, eyes unwavering. “Have you forgotten your identity as a prince of Great Li?”
Li Mu Sheng shrugged lightly. “That’s not even official yet. Besides, what if I suddenly decide to be a Martial World Alliance Leader?”
Cang Yin Yue’s eyelids twitched slightly as she expelled the last trace of poison from her body.
With a graceful leap, she mounted her own pack mule.
“Actually, it doesn’t matter if rumors spread,” she replied coolly. “The Martial World is full of truths and falsehoods; some will believe, others will scoff. Until the court actually takes action, rumors remain just rumors. And few in the Martial World would believe that a court surrounded by enemy nations would dare meddle with Martial World affairs.”
She stroked her mule thoughtfully, surprised at its newfound spirit, seemingly even livelier than herself.
“You have a point,” Li Mu Sheng conceded, patting his mule as they continued their journey.
The masked woman had gone after the Bloodbath Alliance group, leaving them momentarily ignored—a perfect chance to proceed unnoticed. Still, curiosity tugged at him.
“Could the Great Li Court truly swallow the entire Martial World?”
Just then, Cang Yin Yue straightened abruptly, her blade flashing swiftly. Yu Chang Lu, still groaning weakly on the ground, was instantly silenced, his head cleanly severed.
“I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head gently. “Nor is it my concern.”
With that, she urged Li Mu Sheng onward, leaving Yu Chang Lu behind.
Ahead lay one more mountain to cross, and afterward, the path would grow easier. They’d reach Shang Yang City within about three days.
However, they’d barely gone far when a loud, thunderous crash echoed from distant woods.
Under the veil of night, tall, leafy trees cracked and splintered, crashing into dense undergrowth and kicking up clouds of dust and leaves.
A shadow stumbled from the forest, darting hurriedly across the mountain road in front of them, fleeing toward a valley.
“You’ve suffered my ‘Thousand Leaf Wind Crushing Palm,'” cried a fierce voice from behind. “Your meridians must be nearly destroyed. Where could you possibly flee in this wilderness? Better surrender now, and I’ll grant you a swift death!”
Three figures chased closely behind, one the same black-robed middle-aged man who had fled earlier.
At this moment, Cang Yin Yue recognized the fleeing shadow clearly—the masked woman who’d previously pursued the Bloodbath Alliance trio.
Alarmed, she quickly pulled Li Mu Sheng back, distancing themselves from the poisonous woman.
The masked woman spared them only a hurried glance before clutching her chest and rushing into the valley ahead.
Moments later, the three Bloodbath Alliance experts also arrived. They gave Li Mu Sheng and Cang Yin Yue a brief, cold glance but didn’t stop, intent on killing the masked woman first, clearly viewing her as their greatest threat.
Cang Yin Yue paused beside the road, glancing toward the valley with a strange expression.
Something felt amiss. Why was the masked woman, previously pursuing three poisoned foes, suddenly the one being chased?
Still, she didn’t dwell on it, quickly pulling Li Mu Sheng to leave at once.
If the Bloodbath Alliance succeeded in killing the masked woman, they’d likely turn their attention to them next.
Li Mu Sheng, however, waved lightly, gazing toward the valley.
“No hurry,” he whispered. “Let’s wait and watch first.”
In the valley, the masked woman had already been cornered, surrounded by the black-robed man and two elders.
“Look at what you’ve done!” the black-robed man snarled coldly, glancing furiously at the corpses of his disciples littering the valley floor. “I’ll skin you alive and tear out your bones!”
The two elderly men also stared at the masked woman with hateful eyes, wishing to kill her instantly.
Yet the masked woman laughed coldly in reply.
“You hypocrites,” she sneered. “You knew I’d poisoned the valley yet secretly took the antidote yourselves, deliberately letting your disciples die to lower my guard. Their deaths aren’t on me—they’re on your own hands!”
The black-robed man’s rage slowly faded, replaced by icy disdain.
“If we hadn’t done this,” he retorted, “how could you have fallen into our trap?”
One elder glared, adding harshly, “Your poison is too dangerous. We had no choice but this strategy. If we let a poisonous witch like you escape, countless more would suffer.”
“No more talk,” interrupted the other elder abruptly. “End her quickly before more trouble arises!”
Immediately, he attacked, lightning swift, aiming at the masked woman.
Panicked, she desperately called out, her voice echoing through the valley:
“Junior brother! What are you waiting for? Hurry and help me!”