Chapter 106: The Oriole Lurks Behind

Wu Wanren and Xiao Qingtian were waiting outside the city. Seeing Liu Junhuai arrive, they hurried forward to greet him, knowing that his frequent transmissions over this short period must have led to a major discovery.

Liu Junhuai did not mince words and went straight to the point: "Senior Xiao, there is urgent news. You have been discovered. You must find a way to remedy the situation. They are not yet entirely certain that you are here for them, so I suggest dispersing your men to create the illusion of departure. They will soon send someone to investigate, so it would be best if they believe you are merely passing through."

Xiao Qingtian replied, "I will make the arrangements immediately. Are there any other discoveries?"

Liu Junhuai nodded. "It is certain that the Blood-Slaying Alliance is involved. Their arrival in Pingdu City is not just to assist the Shen family; they have other motives, likely a mineral deposit currently held by the Shen family. Does Sect Leader Xiao know of Gonghu Changkong and Li Wanqiu?"

Xiao Qingtian pondered for a moment. "I know of Li Wanqiu; he is the Young Master of the Glazed Villa, a major sect in the Western Regions. He should be in the Golden Core stage now; he was quite famous in his youth. As for Gonghu Changkong, the name sounds vaguely familiar. I will inquire about it when I return. What about these two?"

Liu Junhuai said, "They are both members of the Blood-Slaying Alliance. A large force of theirs will arrive after dawn. They are determined to take that mineral deposit. It is said that this force represents the majority of the Blood-Slaying Alliance's hidden strength in the Western Regions. If there is still time, Senior Xiao, you must gather as many men as possible. There will be a great battle at noon! They already have two Golden Core cultivators; I will contact you again after dawn."

Xiao Qingtian stated, "Time is of the essence. I will arrange the appearance of a retreat immediately. This location can no longer be used; I will disperse part of my force toward Pingdu City."

Liu Junhuai added, "One last thing: Li Wanqiu possesses a secret spiritual sense technique capable of peering through restrictions. It would be best if your men who have ways to mask their cultivation levels do so to the best of their ability."

After the three parted ways, Liu Junhuai returned quickly to the City Lord's Mansion. By then, Gonghu Changkong was no longer in the council hall.

Liu Junhuai had not heard much before a thought occurred to him. He turned away from the City Lord's Mansion and headed straight for the Shen family estate.

Shen Ao was currently in the sixth courtyard with only his two sons by his side. Liu Junhuai stood silently before the door for a moment before stepping into the room.

The three men inside stood up in terror, panicked and at a loss for what to do.

Liu Junhuai looked elsewhere and said, "I have come this late to tell you one thing: leave Pingdu City immediately. Pamoji and his group are not here to help you; they have other motives. There will be a great battle in Pingdu City at noon today. If you cannot leave in time, find a place to hide. Do not let Shen Bingwen know of this; he is in league with Pamoji. I have said what I needed to say; I hope you take care of yourselves."

Without looking back, Liu Junhuai stepped onto his flying sword and sped away.

As the sky began to turn pale, in the council hall of the City Lord's Mansion, Gonghu Changkong was arguing furiously with Li Wanqiu: "Why is your information so accurate? I had someone pose as a City Lord's Mansion commander to capture a cultivator, who confessed they were transporting valuables to the Chuyun Valley for an auction, matching my own assessment of their destination. Furthermore, I have arranged for men to hide outside the city gates; I will be informed as soon as there is news!"

Liu Junhuai, listening from afar, thought that there must be a deep rift between these two, as they fought the moment they met.

Pamoji spoke up, "Young Master, say a little less. Elder Gonghu is not a boorish man; he is just a bit short-tempered. We are all working for the Alliance; there is no need to make this personal."

Li Wanqiu laughed. "Elder Pamoji, it is fine. We have known each other for over a decade and always bicker when we meet. We do not falter on important matters; we know the priorities. I am merely stating my opinion; I hope Elder Gonghu can bear with me. I maintain my view: the cultivators outside Pingdu City must be related to the city, but they have nothing to do with Liu Junhuai. That Liu Junhuai is arrogant, conceited, and hot-headed. He would not gather so many people to help him seek revenge, nor does he have such extensive connections. Therefore, these people must be here for us. If that is the case, our situation is quite grim!"

Pamoji smiled. "It is good to be cautious; one must always think things through."

Gonghu Changkong remarked, "To 'think things through' is a polite way of saying being over-cautious. How can such a person accomplish great things?"

Seeing Li Wanqiu's breathing become heavy, Pamoji quickly said, "Young Master, stay calm and let me finish. Even if the cultivators outside Pingdu City are here for us, there is no need to fear. I have just received news that dozens of allies will arrive after dawn. More importantly, Master Zisang will also be coming. Once he arrives, what does a late-stage Golden Core matter? Rest assured, when the soldiers come, the generals block; the Alliance will always be more thorough than we are!"

Li Wanqiu said excitedly, "If Master Zisang can come, then this battle is as good as won. He is a Nascent Soul stage expert."

Liu Junhuai did not care about the presence of a Nascent Soul cultivator. Fang Keyin was a Divine Spirit stage expert; the gap was vast.

What he worried about was the number of Golden Core cultivators. He still intended to sit back and watch the tigers fight. If the Tianji Sect and its allies were too weak, he would have to intervene, which would exceed his planned allocation and reveal his true strength prematurely.

Gonghu Changkong said, "With the name Zisang Yanqi mentioned, I wonder if that Liu Junhuai will flee? He is a few years older than me, but he was a cultivation prodigy in his youth. Sixty years ago, I had the honor of participating in the Western Regions' Great Cultivation Competition with him; he was already quite notorious back then."

Listening from the side, Liu Junhuai wanted to laugh. He had never heard of Zisang Yanqi, but he felt no fear at all. Even if it were a Spirit Transformation stage expert, he could summon A-Jiu to slap them to death. *This Gonghu Changkong dares to look down on me. You will be the first to die today,* Liu Junhuai thought bitterly.

Just then, the City Lord of Pingdu, Xi Nanyu, walked in and said respectfully to Pamoji, "Senior Pamoji, Shen Bingwen of the Shen family just reported that Liu Junhuai appeared at the Shen estate last night and seemed to be looking for the Clan Head, but now he cannot find the Clan Head's whereabouts."

Pamoji was stunned and said, "Oh, that is new information. Bring him in."

Xi Nanyu bowed and exited. Soon, Shen Bingwen walked in, saluted Pamoji, and said, "Senior Pamoji, Shen Bingwen is here for orders!"

Pamoji waved his hand. "Tell us about the situation with the Shen family."

Shen Bingwen said, "A few hours ago, a servant reported that Liu Junhuai had entered the Shen house to look for my grandfather. My second uncle, Shen Changyi, said that he had the servant prepare some supplies for a long journey, as if he feared Liu Junhuai would come knocking again. Now, they have vanished."

Pamoji was furious and immediately ordered a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator to lead men to hunt down the fleeing members of the Shen family. Li Wanqiu laughed from the side, "No need to chase them. I know where they went. They are quite good at hiding, knowing that the most dangerous place is the safest! Hahaha! Fine, I will go and catch them." He left the council hall, unaware that Liu Junhuai had quietly followed him out.

Shen Ao and his two sons had indeed found a hiding spot: the cellar of a woodshed deep within the City Lord's Mansion. Little did they know that Li Wanqiu, possessing a spiritual sense technique, would find them so quickly.

When Li Wanqiu kicked open the cellar cover, Shen Ao knew they had nowhere left to run, and his heart turned to ash.

Li Wanqiu sneered, "What is this? The Shen Clan Head having such a pathetic day? So many people killed by your own grandson, and now you have nowhere to hide. However, this place you found is quite good. If it weren't for Shen Bingwen informing us in time, I would never have noticed this. It seems your Shen family has been defeated by its own people. Tell me, what did Liu Junhuai say to you?"

"Are you so eager to know what I said? And who do you think you are?" Liu Junhuai's voice suddenly echoed from behind him.

Li Wanqiu's face changed drastically. His spiritual sense had been active the entire time, yet he had not detected Liu Junhuai standing behind him.

Li Wanqiu reacted instantly, one hand quickly drawing his weapon to block his front, while the other secretly reached for a spherical magic treasure.

However, all his movements were exposed under Liu Junhuai's Heavenly Sense. Before he could activate his treasure, Liu Junhuai's figure appeared eerily behind him.

Li Wanqiu only felt a sharp pain in the arm holding the treasure, and the arm, along with the treasure, fell to the ground.

Liu Junhuai retreated two steps with a smile. "Come, I will give you a chance to face me head-on, and I will kill you just as quickly."

Li Wanqiu, ignoring his fear, secretly channeled all his true essence and swung his weapon, only to feel a chill and then heat on the back of his neck. A hand had tightly clamped onto his throat.

Li Wanqiu's eyes widened in terror. "How did you do that? You were clearly in front of me."

Liu Junhuai leaned in close, his expression half-smiling. "Do you want to know?"

Li Wanqiu nodded subconsciously. Liu Junhuai continued, "Why should I tell you? What are you? Didn't you just say I was arrogant, conceited, and hot-headed? If I told you, wouldn't I lose face?"

"Ah?" Li Wanqiu couldn't help but scream. "You were eavesdropping the whole time?"

Liu Junhuai laughed, "Yes, I was less than ten feet away from you. What? Don't you have a secret spiritual sense technique? You didn't find me? Then why boast about your secret technique? It's rubbish!" He slowly turned to face Li Wanqiu, adding, "As a fellow early-stage Golden Core cultivator, killing you is like killing a mosquito. You are an ant before me; that is where my arrogance comes from. Do you understand now? I will give you a chance: tell me about the Blood-Slaying Alliance, and I will leave your corpse intact. I will give you three breaths. Once the time is up, I will slice a piece of flesh from you, then give you another three breaths. Don't worry, I will give you plenty of time. Oh, I forgot to tell you—the poison in your teeth won't kill you, because you won't have the chance."

Before he finished speaking, a ray of golden light shot into Li Wanqiu's mouth.