"Big Brother," Liu Biyun murmured, almost inaudibly, "they know too?" "Mmm," Li Muzhan nodded softly.

Mo Jiye turned, glancing at Li Muzhan, then back to Liu Biyun: "Junior Sister Liu, what do we do?" "Drive them off!" Liu Biyun frowned and snorted.

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. "Brother Mo, a clean cut is best.

If they truly find the hidden treasure, things will be entirely different!" For now, there was restraint, but if the secret cache were truly discovered, it would be a fight to the death.

The stakes were too high; birds die for food and men die for wealth.

Neither faction would yield; it would be irreconcilable. "Right, let's do it!" Mo Jiye, decisive by nature, suddenly burst from the woods, letting out a long, echoing roar toward the sky.

Two answering roars came swiftly from the distance, rapidly closing in.

The three searching figures started in surprise, whipping their heads around.

They spotted Li Muzhan and the other two, instantly converging into a tight group.

After a quick exchange of glances, they focused their gaze back on Li Muzhan’s trio. "What should we do, Senior Brother Li?" Song Ling bit her red lip, glaring at Liu Biyun.

Liu Biyun shot Song Ling an equally hateful glare; the two looked like fighting cocks, oblivious to anyone else. "It's the Dragon Mountain Sect!" Li Kaiyu frowned, sneering coldly. "Looks like they smelled the scent too.

Worthy of the Dragon Mountain Sect!" "Senior Brother Li, let's just take care of them first!" Song Ling huffed.

The strikingly handsome Song Zhigang quickly shook his head. "No, no, Sister.

You might not get along with Miss Liu, but the Dragon Mountain Sect isn't a soft persimmon." "Brother!" Song Ling said angrily, "Look at the time! The treasure is here, and they won't share it with us.

If we retreat, we just have to leave empty-handed!" Li Kaiyu watched the approaching trio led by Li Muzhan and said gravely, "Junior Sister Song makes a good point." Song Zhigang shook his head dismissively. "Starting a conflict over a treasure that might not even exist is hardly worth it." "Good thing there aren't many of them," Li Kaiyu glanced at Song Zhigang, shaking his head inwardly.

Born of the same mother, yet their personalities were polar opposites.

One rigid, the other gentle.

It was strange—the female rigid and the male gentle—he half-suspected they had gotten the genders mixed up.

Song Zhigang said, "They have reinforcements too.

At least two more! ...Senior Brother Li, you can handle Mo Jiye, and my sister can handle Miss Liu.

But the other two, judging by their shouts, have considerable power; I can't hold them!" "Brother, if we can't win, we run! They can't keep us here!" Song Ling chastised him sweetly.

Song Zhigang shook his head. "We don't fight battles we aren't sure of.

Look over there.

There’s another one, looking quite close to Miss Liu.

Is that her sweetheart, Li Guanhai?" "Li Guanhai?!" Song Ling’s face shifted slightly, and Li Kaiyu’s expression changed too.

Song Ling sounded uncertain. "No way..." "When has Miss Liu ever been this close to a man?" Song Zhigang shook his head. "It's almost certain.

One Li Guanhai is trouble enough for us.

I say we have no chance of winning, so it's better not to engage!" "He is Li Guanhai..." Song Ling frowned, shaking her head. "He doesn't look that formidable; his looks are quite average.

How could Miss Liu, who holds her head so high, possibly fancy him?" "Sister, that's just how you are—judging by looks!" Song Zhigang sighed helplessly. "You don't know that people can't always be judged by appearances!" "Enough, Brother.

They're coming!" Song Ling quickly interrupted his monologue...

Li Muzhan’s trio drifted smoothly forward, stopping about ten feet away. "Heh heh, Brother Li, long time no see, eh?" Mo Jiye clasped his hands in greeting with a sincere smile, showing no hint of hostility. "Mmm, holding up," Li Kaiyu nodded slightly, his expression proud and reserved. "You're still alive, I see?" Mo Jiye laughed carelessly. "Me? I was assigned to this barren, miserable place.

Naturally, my mood isn't great.

I didn't expect to run into Brother Li here, or Brother Song and Miss Song.

A pleasure to meet." Song Zhigang smiled, handsome as a sunbeam.

Song Ling, however, only snorted, glancing sideways at him before fixing her gaze back on Liu Biyun.

The two women's eyes met in the air, seemingly capable of sparking fire.

Li Muzhan smiled secretly.

He had never seen Liu Biyun look this way; she was always so soft and delicate.

Even if she had a temper, it wasn't usually this sharp.

Song Zhigang smiled pleasantly. "Heh heh, what a coincidence.

May I ask what brings Brother Mo here?" Mo Jiye replied, "Well, that...

what about the three of you?" "We were ordered here to hunt someone down," Li Kaiyu stated.

Mo Jiye laughed. "Who could require the three of you to act together?" "That's better left unsaid," Li Kaiyu coldly snorted. "I think you three are looking for something, aren't you?" "Oh—?" Mo Jiye chuckled. "How did Brother Li know?" Li Kaiyu snorted. "I saw you skulking about.

Are you perhaps searching for some good thing?" Mo Jiye smiled. "That is a sect secret, forgive me if I cannot divulge it!" "Your Dragon Mountain Sect is always overbearing.

Sending four of your elites out together suggests this isn't a minor affair.

Could it be some kind of treasure?" Li Kaiyu frowned.

Mo Jiye smiled broadly. "Do the three of you need our help? More hands make lighter work, right?" "Not necessary," Li Kaiyu huffed. "The person we seek is on the mountain.

We'll just search slowly; he can't escape!" Mo Jiye smiled sweetly. "Indeed, when has anyone sought by your Shadow Secret Sect ever escaped? ...Who is it, exactly?" "Inconvenient to say," Li Kaiyu snorted. "Brother Mo, perhaps we should each mind our own business!" "Fine by me," Mo Jiye nodded and smiled. "The place we're looking for is right here.

What about you three?" "What a coincidence," Li Kaiyu frowned, looking at him coldly. "We are here too!" "Oh—?" Mo Jiye asked with a sarcastic grin. "Weren't you chasing someone?" "He is hiding right here," Li Kaiyu snorted, realizing dimly that Mo Jiye’s group must also have heard the news.

How could the information have leaked...

Mo Jiye laughed. "That's strange.

This place certainly doesn't seem fit for hiding someone.

How could he be here?" "Mo, you knew about it, didn't you?" Li Kaiyu sneered.

Mo Jiye smiled sweetly. "Knew what?" "About the treasure!" Li Kaiyu decided to stop beating around the bush, coldly stating, "Your Dragon Mountain Sect’s ears are long enough!" Mo Jiye smiled proudly. "Heh heh.

What affair in the world is hidden from our Dragon Mountain Sect?" "Good.

Mo, since that's the case, let's stop circling.

What do you intend to do?" Li Kaiyu asked coldly.

Mo Jiye chuckled. "What does Brother Li think?" "Your Dragon Mountain Sect always likes to take everything for yourselves, but this time, it's impossible!" Li Kaiyu sneered.

Mo Jiye laughed. "What, Brother Li wants to fight us?" Just then, the other two from the distance returned.

Xie Jianfeng’s face immediately darkened when he saw Li Kaiyu’s group of three, and he glared coldly at Song Zhigang.

Li Muzhan observed from the side.

Seeing that expression, it was clear he held some grudge against Song Zhigang.

This Song Zhigang appeared refined and harmless, as if incapable of offending anyone.

However, people can't always be judged by their looks—it’s always been that way.

His gentle appearance might not reflect gentle actions.

Furthermore, the gentler a person appears, the more terrifying they can be when pushed.

Seeing Cui Shaoqing and Xie Jianfeng arrive, Li Kaiyu remained entirely unfazed, sneering, "If you really want to hoard it all, then let's test our strength!" "Fine by me," Mo Jiye felt confident.

With Li Muzhan present, the three of them couldn't stir up much trouble.

He smiled and shook his head. "You aren't our match.

I advise you not to bring humiliation upon yourselves; it's better if you back off obediently!" "Mo, such arrogance!" Song Ling pouted her red lips and sneered coldly. "Just the few of you, plus this Li Guanhai—I hear he's quite skilled, having killed Jiang Cheng of the Linhai Pavilion?" "Heh heh, mere luck," Li Muzhan waved his hand and smiled faintly. "It was just catching him off guard and a sneak attack.

It shouldn't be taken seriously." Song Ling said irritably, "I hate people who are so coy.

If you could ambush Jiang Cheng, that's skill, not luck!" Liu Biyun snorted. "Song, shut up!" Song Ling sized up Li Muzhan, shook her head, and curled her lip. "Liu Biyun, I'm truly impressed by your poor taste.

I never thought you could have such an eye!" Liu Biyun exploded in anger and coldly sneered, "You aren't fit to carry your Big Brother's shoes..." Song Ling had touched her nerve; she instantly felt the urge to kill. "Heh heh, interesting, interesting!" Song Ling giggled, shaking her head. "Not fit to carry his shoes? Heh heh, how amusing!" "You find that funny?" Liu Biyun squinted at her. "My Brother is a rare marvel in this world, while you are nothing but common cheap paint.

You have eyes but fail to see jade inlaid with gold!" "Heh heh, only you consider him a treasure.

He's nothing but a stinking man!" Song Ling scoffed with a delicate laugh, shaking her head. "Liu Biyun, you are just an ordinary woman!" Liu Biyun coldly replied, "Even ordinary, I’m better than you!" Li Muzhan watched Song Ling with a mild smile, unoffended.

As his cultivation deepened, the opportunities to anger him grew fewer.

If an ordinary person insulted him, he would likely just smile and let it pass, like an ant cursing him, because he could extinguish them in an instant, so he wouldn't bother arguing.

Mo Jiye asked, "How about it, Brother Li? Want to test our skills?" Li Kaiyu sneered. "Your Dragon Mountain Sect disciples are nothing special; you want to win by numbers?" "So what if we win by numbers, Li? You'd better scram obediently!" Xie Jianfeng coldly sneered, curling his lip in disdain. "What good is your entire Shadow Secret Sect combined? Don't overestimate yourselves!" "Fine, then we shall have the honor of learning!" Li Kaiyu narrowed his eyes slightly. "Come on then!" Xie Jianfeng jumped out, beckoning them. "What's so great about your Shadow Secret Sect!" "Bang!" Song Zhigang suddenly flashed behind Xie Jianfeng.

Xie Jianfeng reacted instantly, striking out with a palm.

The two palms collided, and both retreated a step.

Xie Jianfeng sneered, "That's all there is to it!" Song Zhigang's face was tight, and he remained silent.

He flashed again, disappearing, then reappearing to Xie Jianfeng's left.

Xie Jianfeng's footwork was also superb, and the two immediately became locked in combat.

Song Ling stepped forward with her long legs, beckoning. "Liu Biyun, come on then!" Liu Biyun huffed, "I can't be bothered to bully you!" Song Ling pursed her lips and chuckled lightly. "Are you scared? A defeated opponent!" Liu Biyun coldly laughed. "Song, dealing with you now is as easy as snapping my fingers.

I simply can't be bothered to waste effort on you!" "Then let's do it," Song Ling chuckled lightly. "I don't believe empty words!" Liu Biyun took two steps forward and huffed, "If you want to humiliate yourself, I will oblige!" She didn't draw her sword.

The two women’s jade palms floated out gracefully, and they began to fight once more.

Li Muzhan watched them, smiling faintly.

(To be continued)RQ