Volume Two: The Emergence of the Nine Provinces Map, Joining the Spirit Void Sect Chapter 117: Danger Approaches

Only then did Hong Dong realize what had happened. According to his earlier instructions, he had indeed ordered his men to capture a few individuals for interrogation, but he had failed to account for the involvement of Feng Qing and the others.

Sure enough, when they arrived at the scene, Feng Qing and his companions were brimming with arrogance.

"They couldn't even reach the First Origin Realm, yet they dared to ambush us. How utterly reckless," Feng Qing mocked with disdain.

"Well? Has everything been taken care of?" Zhu Gui asked, looking quite satisfied.

"Rest assured, Senior Brother. I handled it myself; not a single one was left alive."

"Good! They were just a few petty thieves; there is no need for us to become like birds startled by the mere twang of a bow," Zhu Gui laughed contemptuously. He cast a provocative glance at Chen Yu, and seeing him remain unmoved, a nameless fire ignited within his chest. However, he immediately turned to Princess Muyang with a smile and said, "Very well, Muyang, we may continue our journey."

Princess Muyang gave a lukewarm, indifferent acknowledgment.

In contrast to the disdain shown by Zhu Gui and Feng Qing, Hong Dong had been observing Chen Yu closely for quite some time. Seeing that Chen Yu remained as calm as a breeze and completely unfazed by the mockery directed at him, Hong Dong couldn't help but nod to himself in silent praise.

Hailing from the imperial court, Hong Dong had dealt with many people, but rarely had he seen someone of Chen Yu's age possess such composure.

*This Chen Yu is definitely not simple,* Hong Dong thought to himself.

"Senior Brother Chen, they were just petty thieves, no need to worry so much," Wu Yi and the others whispered, trying to comfort him.

Chen Yu appreciated their kindness and offered a gentle reminder: "This is only the beginning. I fear the road ahead will not be so peaceful."

Seeing that they still didn't quite grasp the gravity of his words, Chen Yu added, "In any case, everyone should be careful."

"Hmph... alarmist," Guo Ming, who was standing not far away, said coldly. "In my eyes, you’re just a coward."

Wu Yi and the others felt indignant on Chen Yu’s behalf. After all, Chen Yu had once risked his life to save the three of them; how could he be a coward? If he spoke this way, it was only natural that he had perceived something they hadn't, and his caution was well-founded. Thinking of this, Wu Yi shared a few words with Princess Muyang and Wu Yue.

Although no one knew what the Princess and her party were planning, after they emerged from the carriage, Wu Yi’s anger had noticeably subsided.

***

They traveled for several more days without incident. They did encounter a few groups of refugees, and the previous event had gradually faded from everyone’s minds.

Chen Yu spent most of his time cultivating and did not pay any particular attention to their surroundings. Today, having gained new insights while meditating on the Five Elements Great Evasion, he allowed himself to relax his vigilance. It was at this moment that he happened to encounter a few more refugees.

Though they appeared unremarkable, they quickly aroused Chen Yu's suspicion.

"Something is wrong..." Watching as they fearfully steered clear of their party, Chen Yu’s brow furrowed deeper. "They are not refugees. A refugee's hands would not be so clean. Besides, how could there be refugees in this desolate wilderness?"

"Senior Brother Chen, what is it?" Wu Yi asked, puzzled.

"Quick... have Hong Dong and his men capture those people," Chen Yu commanded immediately. He did not order Hong Dong directly because he knew that Wu Yi and the others had a closer relationship with Princess Muyang, and their words would carry more weight.

"Are you playing these cryptic games again? Why does everyone look like a suspect in your eyes?" Feng Qing and the others sneered dismissively.

But unlike them, the refugees were the first to react. They turned and attempted to flee into the forest. However, others were faster; Hong Dong had already signaled his men, and they intercepted the group just as they were about to bolt.

"What is the meaning of this, my lords? We have done nothing to offend you!" one of them asked, emboldened by desperation.

"Spare the nonsense. Surrender, and if you have no ill intent, we will let you go." Hong Dong’s subordinates had no patience for words and moved in directly.

Seeing that their deception had failed, the refugees’ expressions turned ferocious. "Split up and run!" they shouted.

At this point, it was obvious to everyone that these men were not what they seemed.

"Scoundrels! Who sent you?" Zhu Gui and the others were enraged and charged at the refugees.

"Keep one alive!" Hong Dong’s expression shifted, and he shouted an order.

As they struck, several attacks descended like wild beasts. The bodies of the refugees exploded, leaving only one alive.

"Hmph, a First Origin Realm cultivator," Zhu Gui’s eyes turned cold as he thrust his long sword toward the man's shoulder.

"Hmph... you want to kill me?" The man was ruthless; instead of retreating, he met the attack head-on.

***

*Squelch!* As Zhu Gui’s sword pierced the man's shoulder, he felt smug, thinking, *A mere First Origin Realm cultivator daring to contend with me—you have a death wish.*

But before Zhu Gui could celebrate, the cultivator let out a wicked, cold laugh. With a wave of his hand, he triggered several Flame-Spitting Talismans simultaneously. A raging inferno threatened to swallow Zhu Gui in an instant.

Zhu Gui’s expression was one of terror. He tried to retreat, but his sword was gripped tightly by the man’s hand, and he could not pull it free.

"Damn you, let go!" Zhu Gui roared in fury, simultaneously activating a Yellow Talisman in his other hand. It was a Fire-Resistant Talisman, capable of repelling the power of the flames.

However, the distance between them was still too close. Even with Zhu Gui’s quick reaction, he was severely scorched by the flames.

The cultivator realized this and, knowing he could not take his opponent's life, acted with great decisiveness. He pulled the sword from his shoulder and turned to flee.

The sequence of events unfolded so rapidly that many could not react in time. He Chong was blocking the path, but the cultivator struck him on the crown of his head, killing him instantly.

"Junior Brother He! Damn you..." Lu Jie was furious and was about to give chase, but a figure was faster than him. A flash of golden light cut through the air.

"Mountain-Shaking, Earth-Shattering, Golden Light Slash!" Chen Yu let out a cold hum as his sword energy transformed into a streak of gold, arriving in an instant.

"It's you..." The cultivator was incensed upon seeing that it was Chen Yu. If it weren't for him exposing their ruse, he wouldn't be in such a wretched state. At that moment, he turned back to strike at Chen Yu. "Brat, I’ll kill you!"

As their sword blades collided, the cultivator’s face changed drastically. He felt a colossal force surging from Chen Yu’s blade, numbing his hand to the point where he nearly lost his grip on his weapon. *No... I am no match for him... flee!*

However, Chen Yu’s swordsmanship was faster. Just as the thought crossed the man’s mind, Chen Yu shifted his stance, and his sword technique transformed into a torrential downpour of sword energy.

*Puff, puff... slash, slash...*

In an instant, blood sprayed from the cultivator’s body, and he crashed heavily to the ground, though a breath of life still remained.

Hong Dong and his men immediately stepped forward to restrain him for interrogation.

But to everyone’s shock, only a moment later, the prisoner suddenly died on the spot.