Once she ascended the stairs, the beautiful woman in middle age beckoned from the second floor. She drifted over to join the table, where Elder Chu and Yin Zhaojiang were also seated—a complete tableau of old, middle-aged, and young.

Elder Chu gazed quietly out at the distant street scenery, his crystalline, jade-like palm resting on the table, lightly tapping his fingers, his expression one of comfortable contentment.

Yin Zhaojiang gently fanned himself with a white jade folding fan, looking at Yi Xiaoru with a leisurely, dashing air, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Junior Sister, what is the matter?" The beautiful woman in middle age pulled her chair closer and leaned in to ask in a low voice.

Yi Xiaoru murmured back, "I have found traces of the Divine Sword Sect."

"Really?!" Yin Zhaojiang snapped his folding fan shut, asking urgently, "When did you discover them?"

"About half an hour ago," Yi Xiaoru replied coolly, glancing up at him.

Elder Chu frowned, his fingers pausing on the tabletop. "Half an hour?"

Yi Xiaoru explained, "I couldn't confirm it was them immediately, but as soon as I did, I notified Elder Chu."

Elder Chu pondered. "Are they still there?"

"They have already left, but I can track them... Elder Chu, you were far too careless; it was far too obvious."

Elder Chu nodded. "Indeed, we were careless. However, we dare not scatter too widely, lest we fail to subdue the tiger and end up wounded by it instead."

Yi Xiaoru paused in thought. "Elder Chu, shall we leave now?"

"Let's go," Elder Chu smiled. "I knew little Ru was sensible and understanding; you wouldn't ignore this!"

Yi Xiaoru responded coldly, "I was out enjoying myself with friends and discovered them purely by chance!"

Elder Chu turned to survey the surroundings. "Why don't I see that Mr. He?"

"He doesn't wish to get involved in this matter. He left first," Yi Xiaoru stated.

Yin Zhaojiang's sword-like eyebrows knitted slightly. "Do you think he might leak information?"

Seeing Yi Xiaoru glare at him, he quickly smoothed things over with a smile. "I only worry in case—this operation is too crucial. If word leaks, all our efforts will be in vain!"

Yi Xiaoru let out a cold laugh. "Rest assured, he killed men from the Divine Sword Sect!"

"Enough, Zhaojiang, the main business is what matters!" Elder Chu said gravely.

Yin Zhaojiang rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking somewhat awkward. "Yes, Elder Chu, everything is subject to your command!"

Elder Chu stated firmly, "Little Ru and I will scout ahead. You all follow at a distance, not too close."

The rest nodded in solemn agreement. Elder Chu held the highest seniority and martial arts standing among them, making him responsible for the pursuit of the Divine Sword Sect.

"Let's go, Little Ru!" Elder Chu rose. Yi Xiaoru didn't spare Yin Zhaojiang a single look as she gracefully followed after him.

Elder Chu descended the Denghe Tower with her, wandering casually through the main street, appearing relaxed and unconcerned. Elder Chu spoke softly, "Little Ru, don't take Zhaojiang's behavior to heart. He is simply too fond of you, which has muddled his mind, leading him to make many impolite gestures. For any other woman, he wouldn't be so rash and clumsy, because he wouldn't be emotionally involved."

Yi Xiaoru replied, "Elder Chu, let's hurry. It looks like we're leaving the city!"

"Mm, let's go!" Elder Chu nodded helplessly, taking a moment to observe Yi Xiaoru. This disciple from the Hidden Sect was like a snow lotus bloom—beautiful yet cold, possessing a fatal attraction to men, a sexuality emanating from the very core of her being. It was no wonder that boy Zhaojiang was utterly besotted. However, women like this were typically the most steadfast and difficult to move emotionally; Zhaojiang was in for a difficult time.

—

Yi Xiaoru furrowed her slender eyebrows. The two had reached the West City Gate, and she felt an underlying sense of unease, causing her to stop dead in her tracks before the gate.

"What is it?" Elder Chu inquired.

He glanced back. Yin Zhaojiang and the others were hidden within the crowd, having changed their clothing. They now looked more like ordinary people, unlikely to draw attention.

Yi Xiaoru shook her head. "Elder Chu, something is wrong."

"What seems wrong?" Elder Chu pressed.

Yi Xiaoru pondered for a moment, then shook her head again. "Logically, they should be hiding within the city; they shouldn't be outside it."

Elder Chu suggested, "Perhaps they have become jumpy like a startled bird, finding it easier to flee outside the city walls."

Yi Xiaoru countered, "Fleeing is easier inside the city. With too many people and the presence of government troops, we would have restraints if we acted inside. Once outside the city, it’s different—we can fight without holding back."

Elder Chu's expression shifted slightly, and he mused, "Little Ru, do you suspect a trap?"

Yi Xiaoru nodded slowly. "Ten to one! The more I think about it, the stranger it feels. Why would they let their disciples wander around the tavern at this time?"

"Hmm, that makes sense!" Elder Chu nodded slowly.

Yin Zhaojiang materialized nearby. "Elder Chu, Junior Sister Yi, what's the matter?"

Elder Chu relayed his suspicions. Although Yin Zhaojiang was junior in rank and not among the top martial artists, he was the Sect Master's direct disciple with high hopes of eventually leading the Myriad Saint Sect, so he had to be shown respect.

Yin Zhaojiang chuckled. "It seems they intend to launch a desperate counterattack. They must have recovered some strength over the years! Elder Chu, what do you propose we do?"

"Are we afraid of them!?" Elder Chu snorted. "I'd like to see exactly how capable they are!"

"Excellent!" Yin Zhaojiang clapped his fan against his palm in admiration. "Elder Chu's spirit is high! These fellows are utterly arrogant, looking down on us so much. We must teach them a lesson!"

Yi Xiaoru frowned. "Elder Chu, I think this matter warrants further deliberation!"

Elder Chu dismissed her concern. "Little Ru, under our constant pursuit over the years, the Divine Sword Sect has long since run out of supplies and strength; there is no need to worry."

Yi Xiaoru insisted, "Elder Chu, since they dare to set an ambush for us, they must have confidence. Otherwise, they would have fled long ago!"

Yin Zhaojiang laughed. "Junior Sister Yi, I think they are desperate, having nowhere left to run, aiming for one final strike!"

Yi Xiaoru knitted her brows and glanced askance at him. "What if that's not the case! What if they truly have hidden top-tier masters?!"

Yin Zhaojiang laughed heartily. "With Elder Chu here, who should we fear!"

Yi Xiaoru faltered, glared fiercely at him, and turned to look at Elder Chu.

Elder Chu stroked his beard and smiled. "Zhaojiang has a point. The most troublesome among the Divine Sword Sect is Zhao Yuanming, and I will handle him!"

Yi Xiaoru sighed, shaking her head helplessly, and said no more; further talk would be pointless.

—

Elder Chu said, "Perhaps we are overthinking things, Little Ru. Let's proceed ahead as planned!"

Yi Xiaoru nodded and said nothing more, walking straight toward the city gate.

Beyond the gate was a dense forest, filled with various trees—pines, poplars, and mulberries, each growing in its own cluster, not entirely haphazardly, suggesting some prior planning. The area looked vibrant with life. Behind the dense woods rose range after range of mountains, sprawling like coiled dragons, quite magnificent. Once outside the city, the two quickened their pace.

Yi Xiaoru took the lead, and they soon reached the depths of the woods. Elder Chu was tense, his ears sharply raised, his senses heightened to their utmost sensitivity. They moved cautiously deeper into the forest until they noticed a patch of green. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a few wooden huts concealed by the foliage.

Yi Xiaoru whispered, "Elder Chu, this is the place!"

"Hmm, let me see." Elder Chu nodded lightly. He was slightly uncertain now; if it were truly an ambush, it should have been sprung already. He dissolved into a wisp of light smoke, quickly vanishing from Yi Xiaoru's sight. Soon after, Elder Chu reappeared before Yi Xiaoru, holding a middle-aged man in each hand.

"Eh?" Yi Xiaoru looked at Elder Chu in surprise.

Elder Chu smiled. "We were overly suspicious. These two have no accomplices and no ambush set up."

Yi Xiaoru sighed in relief. "Can we question them?"

Elder Chu smiled with a hint of pride. "They confessed. Their main lair is in Pine Wave Valley!"

"They confessed?!" Yi Xiaoru was astonished.

Elder Chu chuckled. "Previously, they couldn't capture anyone alive. Under my methods, they weren't even allowed the relief of death; they begged for a swift end, so they confessed!"

Yi Xiaoru frowned. "That easily?"

Elder Chu broke into a wide smile. "Under my Soul Searching Hand technique, resistance is impossible. Rest assured, I interrogated them separately, and their answers matched exactly; they shouldn't be lying!"

"That's good then," Yi Xiaoru nodded, though she still felt something was off—too easy. Even with her tracking skills, the Divine Sword Sect had managed to evade them for years. How could they be captured so easily? However, seeing Elder Chu's demeanor, she knew anything she said would be useless, so it was better to keep quiet and remain vigilant.

"Let's go to Pine Wave Valley!" Elder Chu stated grimly. "They don't have many left, maybe only about ten. We are more than enough to take them down!"

"...Yes," Yi Xiaoru slowly nodded.

—

Pine Wave Valley was also a well-known place because of its exquisite scenery and the pleasant sound of the wind through the pines. People in Jingzhou City were all familiar with this scenic spot. Pine Wave Valley was about ten li from where they were, requiring them to cross one mountain.

After gathering the thirteen members, Elder Chu thoughtfully looked at Yi Xiaoru and the beautiful woman in middle age, then shook his head. "Little Ru, the two of you should stay behind."

Yi Xiaoru objected immediately. "Elder Chu!"

Elder Chu waved his hand. "It's too dangerous there, and you are women! We are sufficient!"

Yin Zhaojiang quickly chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! Elder Chu is right. Every member of the Divine Sword Sect is a desperate fugitive. Junior Sister Yi, you are delicate; you don't need to clash head-on with them!"

Yi Xiaoru frowned, displeased. "Are you looking down on us, our Hidden Sect?"

Elder Chu sighed. "Little Ru, don't be stubborn. I know you want to exact revenge personally, but I fear you might fail to get revenge and end up sacrificing yourself—that’s not worth it!"

"Senior Sister..." Yi Xiaoru turned to the beautiful woman in middle age for help.

The woman sighed. "Junior Sister, what Elder Chu and the others say is reasonable! We are skilled in tracking, but our martial arts are certainly not as strong. Going would only be a burden and distract Elder Chu and the others!"

"I want to personally slay them!" Yi Xiaoru said fiercely.

The beautiful woman shook her head. "Oh, you... I want that too, but think carefully: could you defeat them last time? If Mr. He hadn't intervened, you would have been killed, correct?"

Yi Xiaoru fell silent.

The beautiful woman continued gently, "Alright, listen to Elder Chu and don't hold them back! Elder Chu, you all set off now. We'll wait here for your victorious return!"

"Good!" Elder Chu nodded, smiling. "Little Ru, don't worry, I will kill them for you!"

Yi Xiaoru snorted and turned her head away.

Elder Chu smiled wryly, showing no anger, and with a grand gesture, he and the others floated away, disappearing into the woods.

"That's infuriating!" Yi Xiaoru stomped her foot in frustration, turning to look at the two middle-aged men. They appeared dazed, as if lost in a trance, completely unresponsive to anything around them.

The beautiful woman glanced at the two men and shook her head. "Elder Chu's interrogation methods are as domineering as ever! If you are truly resentful, Junior Sister, let's kill these two."

Yi Xiaoru huffed. "They are already like this, no different from being dead. I can't be bothered to strike."

The beautiful woman smiled. "You've performed a great service this time!"

"Sister Zhu, it’s too soon to say such things!" Yi Xiaoru shook her head, frowning as she gazed in the direction Elder Chu and the others had vanished, letting out a sigh.

The beautiful woman laughed. "Why such a sigh? You’ll age quickly! Come on, let's go back!"

"Let's go," Yi Xiaoru replied listlessly, and the two women left the forest.

—

As the two women walked back, just as they entered the city, the beautiful woman pointed and smiled. "Isn't that Mr. He?"

"It is him," Yi Xiaoru confirmed.

She beckoned. Li Muzhan was examining something at a small stall. As if sensing something, he suddenly turned his head, and his gaze met Yi Xiaoru's. He smiled and walked toward them. "Miss Zhu, Miss Yi."

The beautiful woman smiled faintly. "Mr. He, what a coincidence!"

Li Muzhan shook his head with a smile. "Not coincidence; I was waiting for Miss Yi and the others! Well, has the great task been accomplished?"

Yi Xiaoru shook her head silently. The beautiful woman smiled. "Almost. Come, let's go sit somewhere on our side. Mr. He saved my Junior Sister, so we must offer our thanks!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "It's better to obey than to refuse your kind offer. Miss Yi, I won't be intruding, will I?"

"If I said you were intruding, would you still not come?!" Yi Xiaoru retorted impatiently.

The beautiful woman patted her shoulder. "Junior Sister!"

Yi Xiaoru warned, "Senior Sister, he is not a good person; you must be careful!"

The beautiful woman smiled sweetly. "Oh? Junior Sister, you seem quite familiar with Mr. He?!"

"Who's familiar with him!" Yi Xiaoru said with a slight pout.

The beautiful woman laughed. "Let's go, Mr. He. My Junior Sister is in a foul mood, ignore her, let's go!"

Li Muzhan nodded with a smile, and the three returned to the large residence they had previously occupied, heading directly to the back garden where they sat by the lake to chat.

The beautiful woman began inquiring about Li Muzhan's background—if he was married, if his parents were alive, where he was from, and what his occupation was. Yi Xiaoru listened, frowning repeatedly; this line of questioning seemed unusual and slightly bizarre.

Li Muzhan answered patiently, smiling faintly, showing no sign of impatience, displaying excellent temper and cultivation, which seemed to greatly satisfy the beautiful woman.

Yi Xiaoru occasionally glanced toward the main gate, showing an anxious expression.

The beautiful woman smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Junior Sister, Elder Chu is there; it will be fine. Even if there is an ambush, they can escape if they can't win!"

"I hope so," Yi Xiaoru sighed.

Li Muzhan asked, "What is going on?"

Yi Xiaoru recounted the entire sequence of events. Li Muzhan also frowned, shaking his head. "This is clearly a snare designed to lure you in!"

"What do you mean?!" the beautiful woman asked eagerly, and Yi Xiaoru stared at him intently.

Li Muzhan explained, "Everything was too convenient... This Divine Sword Sect is truly terrifying!"

"Terrifying with what?" Yi Xiaoru asked coldly.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Those two men clearly sacrificed themselves voluntarily to lure you into the trap. Isn't a sect that allows such voluntary sacrifice terrifying?"

Yi Xiaoru frowned. "But Elder Chu caught them."

Li Muzhan countered, "Didn't you say they possessed secret methods for suicide?"

"Perhaps they didn't have time to use them!" Yi Xiaoru suggested.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, shaking his head. "I imagine such secret arts are very difficult to suppress completely; Elder Chu, while powerful, might not have truly managed to stop it!"

"You think too little of Elder Chu!" Yi Xiaoru huffed.

Seeing the two bickering familiarly, the beautiful woman smiled oddly.