Chapter Six: Lethal Intent at Sunset

The four Leng brothers sat atop the steeds of the Wild Dragon Mercenary Corps, leisurely following alongside the caravan. In stark contrast to earlier, the once arrogant and overbearing members of the Wild Dragon Mercenary Corps—from the commander down to every last one of the twenty-odd members—were now sprawled in the carriages, utterly drained and snoring thunderously, lost in deep sleep.

After they were retrieved, Leng Tian had arranged for the Wild Dragon group to rest inside the carriages. During this time, Leng Tian and the Wild Dragon commander had a long conversation in private before emerging. No one knew exactly what was said between them, but Leng Tian’s attitude toward the brothers had clearly shifted—his tone was far more respectful.

“Big Brother, how did the Wild Dragon Mercenary Corps become so feeble in just one morning?” Yan Long asked, puzzled, as he glanced at the carriages holding the mercenaries.

“I examined one of them,” Leng Tian replied, describing what he’d discovered, “and there were no signs of injury. It was as if all their vital energy had been drained at once. Fortunately, their cultivation is strong; with a few days’ rest, they should recover fully.” Then he warned, “This is all very strange. We must be doubly cautious to avoid the same fate.”

“Don’t worry, Big Brother. We’ll be extremely vigilant,” Xiao Han assured him after a moment’s thought. “Do you think what happened to the Wild Dragon Mercenaries means someone is plotting against the Ye family or these goods?”

“It’s a possibility,” Leng Tian admitted. “I’ve already sent word to Max to keep watch over the area within a hundred miles of the convoy. If anything is amiss, we’ll be prepared.”

Leng Tian had a strong sense that this escort mission would not go smoothly. Still, he welcomed a bit of excitement over a dull journey.

In the days that followed, nothing out of the ordinary occurred. The Wild Dragon commander and his subordinates soon regained their strength and returned to their mounts, once again taking up their escort duties. The four brothers found themselves back inside the carriage, their days peaceful as before. The two women, Fire Dance and her companion, got along splendidly with Ye Die’er and her brother. Laughter and cheerful voices often drifted from their carriage, brightening the mood of the group.

The Wild Dragon Mercenary Corps had grown uncharacteristically quiet, their previous arrogance gone. They no longer exchanged sour words with Leng Tian and his brothers.

The four brothers welcomed this peace. After training, they’d admire the passing scenery. Ye Xiang remained silent for the most part, only urging the convoy onward with increased speed, eager to reach their destination.

During these days, Leng Tian focused on studying the powers of Purgatory. Its inner space was vast, with many places to temper one’s spiritual sense. Leng Tian added a new trial to the realm: his Quick Slash saber technique. He recreated the scenes of his battles with the Flame Giant Wolf within the Purgatory realm, entering the simulation multiple times, refining his technique until it met his standards of perfection.

What Leng Tian did not yet realize was that Purgatory was a treasure forged countless ages ago by a mighty deity, who shaped a small primordial plane with their own power. Leng Tian’s current use—tempering spiritual sense—was only a fraction of its potential. Such a treasure, formed from an entire plane, contained all the laws of that world. To truly wield it, Leng Tian would need to ascend much higher in cultivation—at least to the level of a Saint—before he could command its full might.

Time passed swiftly and uneventfully. One day, as the sun began to sink toward the west, the convoy finally reached the border of the Sunset Mountains, at the edge of the Canglan Empire. Seeing the hour, Ye Xiang ordered the group to make camp at the foot of the mountains for the night. The travelers were weary from the long day’s journey.

Leng Tian greeted Ye Xiang, then led Yan Long and the other two into the mountains to hunt some plump wild beasts. They were all tired of the dry rations and preserved meats they’d been eating, their palates longing for something fresh.

Fire Dance and her companion eagerly joined in, as did Ye Die’er and her brother. The eight of them gathered around the fire, their eyes fixed on Leng Tian as he roasted the meat. Soon, the mouthwatering aroma drifted through the air. Leng Tian sliced the roasted meat into pieces and distributed it among them. For Ye Die’er and her brother, it was their first time tasting such delicacies, and they ate with delight.

As they ate and drank, Leng Tian’s expression suddenly shifted. In an instant, he vanished and reappeared behind Ye Die’er, his golden fist shooting forward like lightning.

A streak of silver flashed in response, colliding with a metallic clang. Leng Tian stood unmoved, his gaze cold as he fixed his eyes on the masked man in black who had appeared nearby.

A startled cry escaped Ye Die’er’s lips. She dropped her meat to the ground, her face draining of color as she stared in terror at the sudden intruder.

“Who are you?” Ye Xiang demanded, rushing over with his green-clad guards at the sound of his daughter’s cry. “Second Brother, protect the Ye siblings,” Leng Tian instructed Yan Long and the others.

The Wild Dragon commander arrived with his mercenaries. “Second Master, what’s going on?” As his gaze swept the scene, he caught sight of the emblem on the attackers’ chests and his expression darkened. “Bloodsworn Alliance! How can it be them?” A chill ran through him as he turned to Ye Xiang, seeing his face had also turned grim.

“Kill!” The masked attacker whose blow Leng Tian had blocked barked the order coldly.

Blades flashed in the attackers’ hands as several silver throwing knives splayed between their fingers. Moving like specters, they lunged at Leng Tian.

The rest of the masked assailants brandished their weapons and charged at Ye Xiang’s group. Yan Long and his companions didn’t move; instead, they closed ranks around the Ye siblings, determined to protect them as instructed.

The Wild Dragon commander steeled himself and roared, “Brothers, with me!” He led the charge against the masked men.

Ye Xiang’s gaze locked on the blood-red flower stitched upon the intruders’ chests. His heart sank. The Bloodsworn Alliance was an infamous assassin organization within the Canglan Empire, notorious for their ruthlessness.

“Whoever hired these assassins to target my family will pay dearly,” Ye Xiang spat. With a flick of his fingers, he sent a surge of energy to knock a killer’s sword aside, then formed a fist and struck a masked attacker’s temple. There was a sickening crack, brains spattered, and the body was kicked aside without a second glance.