Chapter 62: Slay—Your—Sect

The mountain breeze was light, as light as the footsteps of a traveler.

The mountain path was winding, as winding as Chu Tianfeng’s sorrow.

Chu Tianfeng knew he had picked up a tail again, and more than one at that.

Both sides firmly believed themselves to be the hunter, and the other, the prey.

Clearly, Chu Tianfeng’s confidence seemed greater; he strolled along at an unhurried pace, veering further and further off the main trail, deeper into the forest, until he reached the edge of a precipice.

“All of you, come out!” Chu Tianfeng called to the sky.

There were four of them. Killing one or two would be no challenge, but to kill them all would not be easy.

What’s more, this was the territory of the Huangshan Sect—he couldn’t afford too much commotion, or escape would become difficult.

“You’ve chosen a decent spot,” a middle-aged man was the first to step from the woods, appearing behind Chu Tianfeng. “But I have no intention of killing you. I simply want to ask you all to come back with us.”

“This place was chosen especially for you,” Chu Tianfeng replied with a faint smile, turning around. “No need to hide—come out.”

Mid-stage Internal Power, Chu Tianfeng noted with a hint of mockery at the corner of his lips.

The middle-aged man laughed heartily. “Come on out, brothers! Even a woman isn’t afraid—what are you all scared of?”

At his words, three more figures slipped from behind trees and rocks.

One was a man in his forties with a long face and two narrow mustaches, his expression blank as he stared at Chu Tianfeng.

The other two were young men, one stout and one thin—the very two spies who had trailed him to Huangshan Valley.

All three stood more than ten meters away, their true cultivation difficult to discern.

“Qian Ling,” the middle-aged man, presumably their leader, said, “That’s a nice name you’ve got. What a pity, really.”

Chu Tianfeng moved closer. “You’re all with the Salt Society?”

“That’s right!” The man said proudly. “I am Dai Xing, from the Salt Society’s main hall Enforcement Division. That’s my partner, Chang Gengsheng. The other two young men—you’ve met them already, so I won’t bother with introductions.”

“I heard your Salt Society’s main hall caught fire last time. Any idea how many perished?” Chu Tianfeng circled behind him as he spoke.

“You know quite a lot,” Dai Xing’s face darkened. “But, as someone who’s been around, let me give you some advice—the more you know, the sooner you die.”

“I do know quite a bit about your Salt Society,” Chu Tianfeng looked at Dai Xing with contempt. “First there was some Xu Chen from the Hangzhou branch, mysteriously killed. Then the Hangzhou and Wushi branches were dealt with—Fu Kaishan, Chai Buqi, all dead by unnatural causes. After that, your main hall had its turn. I wonder how many casualties there were?”

While he spoke, Chu Tianfeng’s spiritual sense swept over Chang Gengsheng, discovering he was only at the initial stage of Internal Power.

As for the two young men, Chu Tianfeng chose to ignore them—he simply didn’t care to check.

“Who are you?” Dai Xing’s anger only grew.

“Who I am doesn’t matter,” Chu Tianfeng shook his head with an air of gravity, pacing toward Chang Gengsheng. “What matters is, you’re all about to die. You said it yourself—the more you know, the sooner you die. So, I’d better keep silent.”

Dai Xing threw back his head and laughed. “Little girl, I’ll give you one last chance. Tell me, which sect are you from?”

“It doesn’t really matter if you know.” As Chu Tianfeng spoke, both his hands weaved incantations. “Listen closely now—my sect is: Kill—You—Sect!”

Swish!

In a flash, Chu Tianfeng’s form flickered, and a barrage of ice spikes shot forth from his hands!

Chang Gengsheng’s face turned ashen. He darted aside, trying to hide in the thicket.

Aah! Aah!

Two agonized screams rang out—the two young men were struck first, collapsing limply.

A muffled groan followed from Chang Gengsheng—he too had been hit!

It all happened in an instant. Dai Xing had not even had time to react.

Seeing his men fall before him, Dai Xing’s rage exploded.

“You little wretch, who are you!” Dai Xing roared, charging at Chu Tianfeng.

Chu Tianfeng had repeatedly wreaked havoc on the Salt Society’s branches and main hall, always using ice spikes or fire arrows. Dai Xing was no fool—he could guess Chu Tianfeng’s identity.

A trace of triumph curled Chu Tianfeng’s lips. His plan had been to use a volley of ice spikes to kill the two young men and wound Chang Gengsheng, making escape difficult for him.

With Chang Gengsheng wounded, Dai Xing was sure to rush to his aid—at that point, Chu Tianfeng would employ a strategy of luring in the enemy by attacking a point, his true target Dai Xing, not Chang Gengsheng.

He knew that if Dai Xing and Chang Gengsheng fled separately, he’d be in trouble. After all, this was Huangshan Sect territory—he dared not pursue them too brazenly.

Thus, he kept provoking Dai Xing with words, afraid he might abandon his fellows and escape.

Dai Xing, perhaps too confident in his own cultivation or too incensed by Chu Tianfeng’s actions, did not flee but instead charged at him.

Good!

Chu Tianfeng sensed the figure lunging behind him, sneered coldly, and with a flurry of movements, another barrage of ice spikes shot toward the onrushing Dai Xing.

Dai Xing caught a flash of blue light before him and recoiled in alarm, dodging as quickly as he could.

Even with his late-stage Internal Power, it was no easy feat to evade a rain of ice spikes at such speed.

He rolled almost flat along the ground, narrowly avoiding the deadly hail.

Chu Tianfeng knew Dai Xing’s cultivation was high—ice spikes alone might not be enough to bring him down. So, the instant the spikes left his hand, he changed his incantation and cast Windrider.

His figure shot forward like lightning, right fist clenched, striking at Dai Xing.

Dai Xing had barely gotten to his feet when he felt a fierce gust of wind rush at him.

His opponent was too fast—dodging was impossible!

Yet, Dai Xing was indeed a master—he quickly crossed his arms over his chest, trying to shield his heart and other vital organs.

But Chu Tianfeng changed tactics at the last moment, pausing his fist and instead lashing out with his right foot at Dai Xing’s lower body.

Too late to evade, Dai Xing took the kick full on!

Crack!

He could even hear the sound of his testicles shattering!

Agony!

Pain that bored into his very bones!

Dai Xing let out a muffled groan and rolled aside.

Chang Gengsheng, cowering behind the trees, saw how easily Chu Tianfeng had dealt with Dai Xing. He knew then that things looked grim.

If even a late-stage Internal Power master like Dai Xing was no match, what chance did he have at the initial stage? None at all!

Besides, the hidden weapons used here were just like those in the previous night raids on the Salt Society’s main and branch halls—surely another of Chu Tianfeng’s allies. This news had to be brought back to headquarters for confirmation.

Discretion is the better part of valor!

Having made up his mind, Chang Gengsheng tried to slip away quietly.

But Chu Tianfeng had already locked onto him with his spiritual sense—there was no hiding from him.

Chang Gengsheng had barely made it a few meters when he felt a wave of force rush at his back!

Damn! he cursed inwardly.

He knew Chu Tianfeng must be launching those cursed hidden weapons again.

No time to think, Chang Gengsheng leapt behind a tree, using its trunk for cover from the ice spikes.

Most of the projectiles thudded into the tree.

Chu Tianfeng knew the distance was great and that Chang Gengsheng was prepared—his ice spike barrage would be less effective.

In truth, he only meant to block his opponent’s escape, buying himself a little time.

Swish!

Chang Gengsheng had barely stopped when Chu Tianfeng caught up.

Whoosh!

Chu Tianfeng’s right fist shot out!

Chang Gengsheng twisted aside and countered with his own right fist.

If their strength was equal, this would have been the correct move.

But the gap between them was too great, and Chu Tianfeng was much faster.

Chang Gengsheng had only just dodged when Chu Tianfeng’s fist landed squarely on his chest.

Bang!

Chang Gengsheng’s punch had barely begun when he was sent flying like a severed kite, crashing down more than ten meters away!

Halfway through the air, blood spewed from Chang Gengsheng’s mouth!

He hit the ground hard, tumbling over and over.

Chu Tianfeng darted forward, his right foot flashing out.

Bang!

Chang Gengsheng, unable to resist, was sent flying again like a football, right toward Dai Xing!

Dai Xing was just struggling to his feet, clutching his shattered groin.

Another powerful force rushed at him!

A thousand curses flashed through Dai Xing’s mind.

He tried to dodge, but his battered body could not keep up.

Bang!

Chang Gengsheng, like a bowling ball, slammed into Dai Xing, knocking him flying!

Blood gushed from Chang Gengsheng as he fell, seeping from every orifice—his life was all but gone.

Dai Xing was no better off—he was hurled several meters, only coming to a stop when he smashed into a boulder.

His entire body throbbed with pain—he was sure several ribs had broken, and his lower half had gone numb. His spine, perhaps, was shattered.

Chu Tianfeng walked grimly over to Chang Gengsheng. With a surge of true energy, a palm strike finished him instantly.

Then, he turned slowly toward Dai Xing.

His figure, drenched in the crimson rays of sunset, looked cruel and blood-soaked.

“What is your relationship with Chu Tianfeng?” Dai Xing forced himself to sit up.

From the ghostly movement and strange hidden weapons, Dai Xing already knew the answer in his heart.

“I believe I should be the one asking you,” Chu Tianfeng replied, his voice now deep and masculine, a trace of mockery at his lips. “You don’t have to answer, but I’m not known for my patience.”

Dai Xing took a ragged breath.

“Who sent you?” Chu Tianfeng’s voice was icy.

Looking at Chu Tianfeng’s blood-red face, Dai Xing knew he had no choice. With his opponent’s methods, a fate worse than death awaited if he refused.

“Elder Zhu of the Enforcement Division.” After a moment’s silence, his gaze growing dim, Dai Xing answered. “He sent me to assist… his younger son, Zhu Shangwu, in his mission.”

“What level is Elder Zhu? And how many sons does he have?” Chu Tianfeng pressed, his tone still cold.

This was now the second time he’d heard of Elder Zhu—he might as well gather some intelligence. If the chance arose, Chu Tianfeng would not mind eliminating them all.

“Elder Zhu… is at the peak of Internal Power,” Dai Xing said, blood slowly seeping from his lips. “He has two sons—the elder, Zhu Shangwen; the younger, Zhu Shangwu.”

“Oh?” Chu Tianfeng nodded to himself. “How many of you came?”

Peak Internal Power—Chu Tianfeng was not afraid. With the right spells, he believed he could win.

“Just the four of us!”

He regretted bitterly—not knowing his opponent’s true strength, he ought to have brought more men.

“I seem to recall you mentioning you wanted to capture us, which means your target wasn’t just me, was it?” Chu Tianfeng asked again.

“Zhu Shangwu’s plan was… to take all of you… back.” Dai Xing’s voice grew weaker, blood pouring from his mouth and soaking his shirt front.

He gazed sidelong at the setting sun behind Chu Tianfeng. He knew this was likely his last sunset. Never again would he see its light.