Chapter 436 - 263: Waiting (2)

Chapter 436: Chapter 263: Waiting (2)

’Was letting them leave just like that really the better option?’

’Was it truly the right choice?’

’They said they’d trade me for Su Xing, but I haven’t done anything! Could Sect Leader Gu Che really do something like that?’ This whole affair left Elder Lu burning with rage and utterly baffled. Even so, he didn’t dare pursue two Tier Eights on his own; that would be suicide.

"In the next two days, Brother Ye and I will be waiting deep within the Purple Bamboo Forest. We await you all—a life for a life."

Tong Yinyin said coolly. Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, she departed from the Cyan Cloud Sect with Li Ye, who carried Su Xing on his shoulder.

On what had been a chaotic battlefield, only Elder Lu and Sect Leader Gu remained. Other sect members occasionally stole nervous glances their way, for the two men stood in silence.

"Sect Leader Gu... is it over?"

Suddenly, a voice drifted up from the ground nearby. One by one, the Elders who had been knocked unconscious began to stir, their faces filled with confusion as they took in the scene.

"It’s not over yet."

Sect Leader Gu Che shook his head. "We need a more detailed battle plan. If possible, we’ll need to call for reinforcements. We’ll discuss the specifics now."

"We’re going to hold a meeting."

"Yes."

The newly awakened Elders voiced their agreement when they heard Sect Leader Gu call for a meeting. A war council was perfectly normal, and knowing the enemy’s strength, they were all the more eager to find a solution to the problem. And so, all the Elders headed for the Sect Master’s Hall.

Elder Lu was the last to leave. He looked at Sect Leader Gu and asked earnestly, "Why did you let them leave the Cyan Cloud Sect? The location they named is territory of their choosing. It’s bound to be a trap. Don’t tell me you really intend to trade my life?"

"How could that be?"

Gu Che shook his head. "I would never trade your life, of course. But Su Xing’s life is just as important. It’s a gamble I can’t afford to take."

"..."

Elder Lu fell silent. ’Looking at him,’ Sect Leader Gu thought, ’I can faintly sense that Elder Lu has already broken through to Tier Eight. This means the Cyan Cloud Sect now has two Tier Eight Transcendents. And...’

’Elder Lu is also from the Sword Sect.’

At this thought, Sect Leader Gu’s spirits, which had hit rock bottom, finally lifted somewhat. He then spoke to comfort him, "Besides, you and I are both from the Sword Sect. Why would I ever let you be put in danger?"

"Heh. Now that the Sword Sect boasts both of the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Tier Eight Transcendents, it’s about time those bastards from the Qi Sect yielded their positions. But we can settle that after we return from the Purple Bamboo Forest."

Hearing Gu Che’s words, the worry in Elder Lu’s heart finally subsided. However, he still understood that two Tier Eights were no match for Li Ye and Tong Yinyin. To rescue Su Xing, they would need a much more meticulous plan.

「Elsewhere,」

Several kilometers outside the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Su Xing, Li Ye, Tong Yinyin, and Ling Zhongxing stood together. Su Xing frowned and asked:

"The plan seems to be going smoothly, but... will this really work?"

"Heh, what exactly are you asking about?"

Tong Yinyin asked with a smile.

"Are you asking whether that Chi Yu fellow will show up, or whether the people from the Cyan Cloud Sect will come to rescue you?"

"Mm... a bit of both, I guess."

’To be honest,’ Su Xing thought, ’this whole plan felt like a massive gamble. Given the Cyan Cloud Sect’s current strength, if this were a genuine hostage situation, I can’t see any way they could possibly rescue me. If that’s the case, will they really come?’

"Don’t worry. They’ll come, even if they have to secretly call for reinforcements. After all, Fellow Daoist Su, your value is far greater than you imagine. They won’t stand by and let a genius like you be destroyed."

Li Ye said with a nod.

"That’s right. A single genius might not be worth risking the entire sect for, but a genius with as many connections as you have? That’s more than enough to make Gu Che take this gamble. If you were to die on the Cyan Cloud Sect’s watch, it would cause them no small amount of trouble. Because of that, they can’t possibly abandon you."

Ling Zhongxing affirmed.

"I see..."

It was a classic case of being too close to the situation to see it clearly. Su Xing had a general idea of his current standing, but he never realized he had become so important.

But it made sense. After all, the number of influential figures backing Su Xing was growing. Combined with his monstrous rate of growth, anyone would have to think twice before crossing him, let alone allowing him to die on their own territory.

"As for whether Chi Yu will appear..."

Ling Zhongxing shook his head and said simply, "Man proposes, God disposes. All we can do is wait and see."

"Although no one died, the Cyan Cloud Sect will still need a day to recover from this battle. Besides, they need time to think through their strategy."

"Chi Yu is unlikely to make a move before they do. So, where should we wait in the meantime?"

Li Ye asked.

"That’s not a problem. As long as we don’t leave the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Secret Realm, we just need to observe and wait for the right moment."

Ling Zhongxing said with a smile, but then shook his head a moment later. "On second thought, why don’t you go rest in Tianming Village?"

"Why is that?"

Su Xing asked at once.

’We just told the Cyan Cloud Sect we’d be in the Purple Bamboo Forest for the next two days. If we go to Tianming Village to rest now, aren’t we walking right into a trap?’

"Tianming Village is under my jurisdiction, so no one should be able to detect our presence there. Besides, the Cyan Cloud Sect would never guess we’d be audacious enough to stay openly in Tianming Village."

Ling Zhongxing said with a smile.

"If Zhongxing has a plan, then let’s go to Tianming Village. But are you coming with us, Zhongxing?"

Li Ye said with a nod.

"I’d better not. I still have arrangements to make, and I need to keep an eye on the Cyan Cloud Sect’s movements. If I’m gone too long, someone might notice something is off. The three of you can go on ahead. I’ll take my leave now."

Ling Zhongxing said, cupping his fist in a salute.

"Elder Ling, you must be extra careful."

Su Xing said earnestly. Although Ling Zhongxing was exceptionally clever, his power was, in the end, only at the seventh tier. If he were discovered, he would surely face a gruesome death.

"Don’t worry. That guy is as cunning as a fox. Nothing will happen to him."

Li Ye joked.

"Heh, I’ll take that as a compliment."

With that, Ling Zhongxing turned and headed back toward the Cyan Cloud Sect. For him, this was only the beginning. He had been planning this for a long time, and this game of chess was finally entering its endgame. There was no way Ling Zhongxing would let his opponent get away.

"Let’s go."

Watching Ling Zhongxing depart, Li Ye spoke. The other two nodded, and together they headed for Tianming Village.

Life in Tianming Village felt like a step back into ancient times for Su Xing. Although the villagers treated him with the reverence due an Immortal Master, he still lived a life much like their own.

「That night,」

Su Xing came across Li Ye by a river.

"Fellow Daoist Su, are you ready?"

Li Ye asked casually, his gaze on Su Xing.

"Of course."

Su Xing nodded. ’Chi Yu wouldn’t be easy to deal with, but now that I’ve decided to kill him, I’m fully prepared to see it through.’

"Excellent. By my estimate, Ling Zhongxing should have everything prepared within the Cyan Cloud Sect by now. When the time comes, it would be too conspicuous for the three of us to go together. We should split up and rendezvous at the Cyan Cloud Sect."

"I understand."

Su Xing nodded.

"Then how will I know if Chi Yu is about to make his move?"

"Don’t worry. Ling Zhongxing will find a way to contact us. When he does..."

"...all we’ll have to do is kill Chi Yu with everything we’ve got."