Chapter 207
Chapter 207: Signal Flare
“Who are you? And where are you headed?” A Fallen God Peak master, guarding the barricade, stopped Scarface and his men, beginning to question them.
“Lord of the Sacred Peak, we’re from the Xi Mountain Blade Sect. We’ve come to congratulate the Seven Saints Peak Lord on his birthday.” Scarface nodded and bowed humbly, appearing very subservient. At the same time, he discreetly drew out a gold ingot from his sleeve and respectfully handed it to the questioning young man.
The youth, clad in the dark robe of Cloud Peak, wore a cold expression as he casually accepted the gold and tossed it into a clay jar on the nearby table. Immediately after, he and three others beside him began inspecting the carriage.
“These five carriages of refined tin ore were listed as birthday gifts submitted over a month ago,” Scarface explained, following closely behind. The young man shot him a glance, seeming to discern his anxiousness, and sneered, “Don’t worry. We have no interest in the Peak Lord’s birthday gifts.”
Hearing this, Scarface’s eyes flickered, quickly insisting he wouldn’t dare otherwise.
“Are these people with you too?” After finishing the inspection, the youth abruptly turned his gaze, squinting suspiciously at Hemp Robed Elder, Hu Rui An, and the others.
Scarface’s expression shifted uneasily, and just as he was about to speak, the youth was already walking toward Hu Rui An’s group.
“Within Lan Province, anyone who ignores Fallen God Peak’s rules and doesn’t step down from their carriage in our presence shall be whipped fifty times for the first offense and executed for the second,” the youth declared darkly, pulling out a whip from his waist. A fierce Qi force surged forth, crackling ominously. “Must I personally invite you out?”
Before he could approach the carriage, Wu Shang, silently astride his horse, raised his hand and swiftly slashed his sword directly toward the youth’s neck. Facing this sudden, deadly strike, the young man’s eyes widened as he shouted, “I knew you were suspicious!” Instantly, he whipped forward to parry the sword, retreating rapidly as if he had been prepared.
In the blink of an eye, the other dozen Fallen God Peak masters also reacted, quickly drawing their weapons to surround Hu Rui An and his companions.
Scarface turned deathly pale, utterly terrified by this unexpected violence. He had never imagined Hu Rui An’s group would strike directly at the people of Fallen God Peak without a single word. This was Lan Province, the territory of Fallen God Peak! [How could they dare?]
“It’s over…” Scarface stumbled, nearly collapsing onto the ground. Hu Rui An’s group had traveled with them, and Fallen God Peak would surely believe they were accomplices. Now, no explanation would help—everything had spiraled completely out of control.
“Who are you? How dare you!” A gloomy-faced middle-aged man stepped forward from behind the Fallen God Peak disciples, slowly scrutinizing Hu Rui An and his group.
“Martial Uncle, these people are suspicious. They tried sneaking in with the Xi Mountain Blade Sect—clearly up to no good,” explained the youth, who had retreated from Wu Shang’s sword, respectfully cupping his hands and glaring back at Wu Shang and the others coldly.
The middle-aged man waved his hand. “In that case, capture them first and question them afterward.”
As he spoke, he signaled, and without another word, the Fallen God Peak experts immediately moved to attack Hu Rui An’s group. Within Lan Province, they didn’t need reasons to kill. The suspicious actions of these people were reason enough, making inquiries or evidence unnecessary.
“It seems we have no choice. I thought we could travel quietly,” Hu Rui An shook his head slightly, then flicked a finger. Instantly, a strand of martial Qi shot out, splitting into multiple beams of light aimed straight at the Fallen God Peak masters.
In an instant, these beams pierced through the foreheads of the attackers. Those who had jumped into the air with swords drawn fell lifelessly onto the dusty road, their bodies still.
This sudden attack unfolded too swiftly. In mere moments, only the middle-aged man and the young disciple from Fallen God Peak remained. Shocked and terrified, both instantly fired signal flares without hesitation. A purple glow soared upward, exploding brightly in the sky.
Hu Rui An didn’t interfere, instead exchanging a quick glance with Cheng Zhong. Understanding immediately, Cheng Zhong nodded gently and released a distinctive green-gold flame that slowly rose into the sky.
Only then did Hu Rui An address the two remaining Fallen God Peak members mockingly: “You’re still sending up signal flares? Unless your Peak Lord personally comes, it won’t matter how many reinforcements arrive—they’ll all die.”
Their expressions darkened further, and the middle-aged man suddenly shouted, “Split up and run!” Without looking back, he turned and fled desperately. The young man, face pale and frightened, moved to run in another direction, but before he could take even one step, a swift blade flashed, sending his head flying, blood spraying high. Similarly, just yards ahead, the middle-aged man was instantly beheaded by another blade strike, his body collapsing lifelessly onto the road.
A profound silence fell over the dust-covered road.
Scarface and the Xi Mountain Blade Sect disciples collapsed in horror, trembling silently. Hemp Robed Elder, who had remained passive and silent throughout, continued quietly standing by.
Hu Rui An glanced briefly at Hemp Robed Elder, then dismounted and approached the carriage, sending a quiet voice transmission: “Your Highness, a signal flare has been sent. If Commander sees it, he’ll know we’ve safely reached Lan Province.”
The green-gold flame was not an ordinary Heavenly Brocade Guard secret flare. Commander Fu Qi Wen had specifically provided it, clearly intending it for the Eighth Prince, Li Mu Sheng. Fu Qi Wen instructed him to release it upon entering Lan Province at an appropriate time, evidently planning something special.
Hu Rui An had refrained from signaling earlier because he lacked opportunity and was unclear about Li Mu Sheng’s intentions. But now, with Fallen God Peak’s territory close at hand, their paths inevitably clashed, forcing Hu Rui An’s hand.
Inside the carriage, Li Mu Sheng’s expression grew thoughtful. He understood clearly Hu Rui An’s meaning. Previously, he had dismissed Fallen God Peak entirely, never bothering to plan how to subdue them. Instead, his journey had been consumed by revising the Azure Dragon Cang Ming Scripture, seldom even discussing Fallen God Peak with Hu Rui An. After all, to him, such discussions seemed entirely unnecessary.