Chapter 584 - 248: Using Oneself as Bait—Who Is the Hunter?

"Kill."

Ji Mingyue did not take action, only gave the order, her voice clear and emotionless.

Behind her, in the moonlight, dozens of shadows roared and charged out.

Celestial Heart Pavilion had developed into a colossal force by now. Just within half a month in the Jiangnan Territory, they had mobilized seven Unity Realm Jianghu elders and thirty-one Innate Martial Artists.

All the way, passing through seventeen cities, slaying nine waves of Wind and Cloud Pavilion assassins, straight past the Celestial Gate Pass, chasing to Soul-Breaking Valley, they finally caught up with Zhang Daniu, the wielder of the Deer Slaying Saber.

At this point, there was no interest in exchanging harsh words. These days, both sides had been fighting to the death, back and forth, losing many skilled experts; now was the time to see the outcome.

"Daring to recklessly tarnish Seventh Brother’s reputation and disturb the peace of the Southern Region, your death is well-deserved."

With the roar of Qi Force, figures leaped like stars being tossed. The first to fall were several Blood Eye Assassins, followed by casualties among the Faceless Assassins, even the Golden-Faced Assassins began to struggle.

At the same time, Celestial Heart Pavilion’s many experts also suffered losses.

Yet at this moment, the burly and honest-looking man wielding an odd-shaped broadsword still did not take action, only grinned.

As if those who died were not his subordinates, and it had nothing to do with him.

His eyes were fixed on Ji Mingyue, unwilling to leave her for a moment.

"Such a beauty, I wonder what luck Chen Ping had to have such a devoted follower..."

Though he spoke with a smile, the regret and covetousness in his tone were unmistakable.

There was even a trace of a grim and fierce feeling.

Sending a chill down one’s spine.

"Such a beautiful thing, it’s a pity it must be destroyed by my hand. It’s undeniable that life is full of unavoidable circumstances."

As Zhang Daniu said this, his smile suddenly disappeared, and his voice rose sharply, "If you don’t act now, when will you?"

"Puff, puff, puff..."

As soon as his voice fell, the sound of blades piercing flesh could be heard.

Some cried out in pain, some roared in anger.

"Xiayue, what are you doing?"

"Ancient Peak, so you were a traitor all along. I misjudged you."

"Duanwei City, you, you..."

In the blink of an eye, seven Unity Realm Grandmasters in Celestial Heart Pavilion turned traitor, ambushing and slaughtering their companions, the situation taking a rapid downward turn.

The aggressive stance initially held by Celestial Heart Pavilion was suddenly dealt a severe blow, and the rest all retreated, cautiously watching all around, with no one daring to believe this.

In such circumstances, how could the battle continue?

A figure flashed by like moonlight; amidst the sound of sword keening, it blocked seven moves, halting the pursuit of the Wind and Cloud Pavilion assassins, the voice now even colder: "How did you do it?"

"Very simple; the world hustles for profit, and bustles for advantage. Who doesn’t know now that Pavilion Master Mingyue, you have mastered the Bright Moon Swordsmanship, with eyes that penetrate the obscure, best at understanding others...

But you may not know that some people’s loyalty is only loyal during a particular period. Just because there hasn’t been a betrayal yet, doesn’t mean there never will be."

Zhang Daniu chuckled.

Still not taking action.

He seemed confident of victory in this battle.

And sure that none of the enemies before him would escape, including the beautiful and elegant girl like a fairy.

"Pavilion Master, I had no choice either. My child’s severe illness urgently needs the Jade Snow Lotus for survival... Though the Pavilion Master saved me from dire straits and even imparted the essence of powerful sword techniques to me, giving me a rebirth of kindness... yet... sorry."

Xiayue was a lone swordsman, born of a loose cultivator background, severely wounded in a skirmish. Ji Mingyue saved him, promised him prospects, and settled his family. She had believed at the time that this Old Sword Sect would be ever so grateful and willing to serve faithfully.

But it seems what you see is not always true.

Sometimes, a person’s change comes in an instant.

Therefore, the Celestial Heart Bright Moon Sword Heart Technique is not flawless; at least, it cannot foresee changes in the world.

A Jade Snow Lotus, worth thousands in gold.

Even as an offering of the Celestial Heart Pavilion, without sufficient merit, it couldn’t possibly be rewarded with such an expensive treasured herb.

More crucially, even if one was willing to give, it couldn’t be found. Such a herb is a rare treasure encountered but not sought.

Those who find it would generally ingest it immediately.

Who doesn’t like treasured herbs that enhance cultivation?

As for seeking some Lord of the Southern to use Cyan Wood Longevity Skill to treat Xiayue’s child, that’s even less realistic.

Chen Ping, as the Monarch, cannot possibly spend his days doing trivialities for subordinates.

The Monarch handles affairs, and the subjects work hard; it’s not reasonable for the subjects to have issues and the Monarch to labor over them.

It’s only logical that Xiayue was swayed.

"Ancient Peak, now tell me, why did you betray?"

Ji Mingyue turned her head, looking at another middle-aged man in his thirties.

For him, she hadn’t saved his life but had guided him to break through the bottleneck to the Unity Realm Grandmaster, initially recruited when Ancient Peak was still at the peak of Innate.

The grace of teaching is substantial.

"Pavilion Master, this..."

Ancient Peak’s face turned red, clearly embarrassed, indicating that betrayal was merely a choice, a trade-off of pros and cons.

"Understood."

Ji Mingyue glanced at the red-robed woman standing not far from Ancient Peak, asking no more.

Their unabashed intimacy hinted at no more than a beauty trap or a psychological tactic.