"Master and Servant"
Within the Hall of the Immortal Sage, the figure in black robes knelt with one knee down and respectfully gazed at Zhi Tianlin, motionless within the beam of light. Zhi Tianlin slightly opened his eyes and parted his lips.
"What is it?"
"The Heavenly Silence Sect has discovered our people. The Imperial City and even the Imperial Capital have been sealed off, and our people's contacts have been disrupted. It is estimated that they have been captured."
"This Chen Mo, with such cunning tactics!"
Zhang Tianlin's face showed no sign of surprise, instead, it held a hint of displeasure.
The black-clad figure considered the words carefully before saying, "Master, it seems that Chen Mo is making a big fuss about sealing the Imperial City and even the Imperial Capital. It is likely that Li WuXin is in trouble. Why not take advantage of this situation and pursue them?"
"Foolish"
Zhang Tianlin reprimanded without hesitation.
The black-robed man immediately clamped his lips shut, but his face was filled with a look of injustice.
"If there were truly something serious, an ordinary person would definitely seal off the Imperial City and the Imperial Capital, making sure no information leaks out. That's because they would be afraid of their enemies seeking revenge. However, an ordinary person is not what this is about."
"Chen Mo, is he an ordinary person?"
"This deceitful person, just as he returned to the Imperial Capital, he acted in such a big and flagrant manner. Do you really think he is afraid? On the contrary, it may be that Li WuXin has nothing serious going on at all, or even that he has already been saved by him. His actions are nothing more than to lure out the snake."
"I've already lost many people to him with my Sky Punishment faction and the Shadow Hall. If I fall for his trap again this time, wouldn't it be like cutting off my own feet?"
"……"
Zhang Tianlin was analyzing the situation rationally. Previously, in the Dragon Emperor's Realm, he had fought against Chen Mo and fallen victim to the latter's trap time and time again. The treacherousness of Chen Mo remained vividly in his memory to this day.
Zhang Tianlin's mouth curled up slightly. "He wants to trap me, huh? Ah, do you think I'm still as naive as I was back then?"
As Zhang Tianlin explained, the black-clad figure's heart was filled with a mixture of emotions. Although Chen Mo may be extremely cunning, if Li WuXin really had been poisoned, they would regret not pursuing him immediately.
"Master, I understand the logic behind it, but if we remain indifferent, won't you feel...?"
The black-robed person hesitated for a moment, then stammered.
Zhang Tianlin sneered coldly, "That's right. Chen Mo is so full of tricks, it's time to test him again. Let's create some trouble for him in the north."
"……"
Chen Mo was still thinking about why Zhang Tianlin would make such an unnecessary gesture.
The Cloud Autumn next to him had been quietly waiting for a long time. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, ultimately realizing that he couldn't interrupt his thoughts.
Chen Mo couldn't figure out the reason for Zhang Tianlin's actions at the moment, so he turned to Cloud Autumn beside him and asked, "What is the second matter?"
Cloud Autumn didn't hesitate and said, "Uncle is here."
Hearing that Zhang Long had returned, Chen Mo's face lit up with joy. He immediately asked Cloud Autumn to lead the way. Without any hesitation, Cloud Autumn directly took him to a palace.
"Master"
As soon as he entered, Zhang Long greeted him with a smile and casually took out two bloodstained bundles from his waist, throwing them onto the ground. To his horror, they were two severed heads.
They belong to Zhao Wanli and Xue Xing.
"This..."
Chen Mo's mouth twitched. "Killed, so what? Just take off their heads and it's done. What's the big deal?"
Chen Mo looked up at Zhang Long, who was smugly saying 'no shame in taking on the mission', and eventually swallowed the words he wanted to say.
"How is the matter I entrusted you with?"
Chen Mo's tone shifted.
Zhang Long's smile faded, "My lord, I'm sorry."
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, "What's going on? Elaborate."
Both Chen Mo himself and Li WuXin were deceived by evil people. In a time-critical situation, he didn't have the time to deal with the evil person behind it, so he instructed Zhang Long to find out who the traitor was before leaving.
Zhang Long did exactly that after killing Zhao Wanli and Xue Xing with a single slash.
But during the search by the Holy Sword Sect, not a single trace of the person could be found.
Zhang Long reported everything to Chen Mo word for word.
"After my search, I only found footprints left by that person but couldn't locate him. Based on my analysis, perhaps he had already left before I appeared..."
Zhang Long said seriously.
Yes, he had already left.
Chen Mo was somewhat surprised. The other party's actions clearly indicated an attack on Li WuXin, but after succeeding, he immediately fled. Why? Does he already believe that he has killed Li WuXin?
If that's the case, then why would Zhang Tianlin send his men to investigate?
Feeling that Zhang Tianlin's move was unnecessary, Chen Mo stood up, put his hands behind his back, and walked around the inner hall.
Zhang Long was puzzled and frowned slightly before staring at Chen Mo curiously. "Master, is it because the killer has something odd?"
Chen Mo stopped walking. "There's an eleven out of ten something fishy."
As he spoke, Chen Mo shared his guess with Zhang Long and Cloud Spring. After hearing what he said, the two of them were also in a state of confusion.
After a moment's reflection, Zhang Long gently stroked the hilt of his sword on his waist. "As Master said, why does Zhang Long feel that the person who attacked from behind differed greatly from Zhao Wanli and Xue Xing in terms of behavior? It seems that he was only trying to complete a task rather than killing Miss Li..."
"Acting contrary?"
Chen Mo nodded in understanding, his eyes sparkled, and he muttered to himself, "They're not of the same group."
"What does Master mean by this?"
Zhang Long was puzzled, and Cloud Spring was also curious, staring at Chen Mo intently.
Chen Mo sighed softly and smiled bitterly, "They're just like two people playing a game of chess."
In the Northland of Yan State, there is a country called An State, bordering Yong State, and frequently engaged in warfare. During peaceful times, it is all right. However, if the Axe of Moon Alliance advances southward to invade, this place will undoubtedly be the first to be affected by the war fires.
Outside the northern frontier city of An State, a grand and imposing procession was approaching, led by a golden chariot at the forefront. Standing on it was a young man dressed in a dark gold python robe, with a long sword at his waist.
The young man's name is An MoSheng, the king of An State.
The young sovereign, An MoSheng, was outraged upon hearing that the Axe of Moon Alliance had advanced southward to invade Yong State. He slapped the table angrily and announced his personal leadership in the war the next day.
So, in just two days, he led a massive army to arrive, determined to assert the power and prestige of An State.
"Your Majesty, the Axe of Moon Alliance is advancing southward. Such a significant event cannot be rash. I believe that this matter should be reported to the Holy Saintess."
The General of An State, who was beside An MoSheng, looked worried and opened his mouth to say something, but his words were cut off mercilessly by the latter.
"Shut up."
An MoSheng's face turned pale. "The Axe of Moon Alliance is just a trifle for me. I can deal with them without the help of the Holy Saintess. Don't worry, I'll still be able to rout them and make them abandon their weapons."
An MoSheng spoke with absolute certainty.
An MoSheng had heard earlier that there was serious internal strife within the Axe of Moon Alliance, with all the skilled warriors preparing for the internal battles. At this moment, those who were advancing southward could not be any skilled warriors; they could be pacified with just his An State's skilled warriors.
At that time, he could publicize this act widely, and perhaps not only gain the recognition of the Holy Saintess but also win the favor of that female Emperor.
With that in mind, An Mo's mouth couldn't help but curl into an excited smile. Whether he could rise from a ruler of a small state to a man favored by the female Emperor, depended on this single chance.
Under the applause of his subordinates, An MoSheng climbed up onto the city wall, looking far into the distance at the advancing army of the Axe of Moon Alliance. Excitedly, he drew his sword from his waist, ready to order an attack, only to see suddenly that distant army blocking out the sky and sun.
The General of An State, who had defended the border city with Jiang DongLi, knew the top-notch warriors of the Axe of Moon Alliance. As he looked far into the distance, his face turned pale and he exclaimed, "Oh no, Your Majesty! All the ones who have arrived are elite warriors from the Axe of Moon Alliance - Wu State General, Tian Yuanzong Master from Heavenly Realm Sect, as well as skilled warriors from the Zhao family!"
The General of An State, speaking, looked worriedly at An MoSheng beside him. However, he saw that the latter's expression remained unchanged, his demeanor resolute, as if he was ready to fight to the death against the enemy.
"Hurry, go and fetch the Holy Saintess!"
