Suddenly, the sound of dozens of footsteps echoed through the air, their intensity and speed mirroring each other, growing increasingly closer. Huangfu Yuchen released his spiritual awareness, his expression turning stern.
He stood In front of Yan Ge and Yan Jin, peering through the trees with a cold gaze towards the direction of the approaching group.
The others looked at each other in bewilderment.
In a short while, a group of black-clad individuals swiftly approached, forming a curved formation, subtly encircling Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Ge.
The strong killing intent emanating from them was impossible for Yan Ge to overlook. As soon as his eyes opened, his arms swiftly pulled Yan Jin into his embrace. With a leap, he stood side by side with Huangfu Yuchen.
“Wife, take care of yourself and our son. I will handle this.” Huangfu Yuchen’s tone was sharp and imposing.
“Understood.” Yan Ge moved aside, holding Yan Jin, making room for Huangfu Yuchen.
“What’s going on?” Huang Shuya asked Pei Jinde in confusion.
Pei Jinde shook his head. “It’s probably that young couple’s enemies.”
At this moment, more people from the martial world arrived at Thunder Valley from different directions. Seeing the scene unfolding here, they approached curiously.
People of the martial world feared nothing but the absence of excitement. Among them were Zhang Feilong, Zhang Feihu, as well as Elder Yingzun and his twin disciples, whom they had encountered at the inn.
Zhang Feilong and Zhang Feihu hurriedly walked to Yan Ge’s side upon seeing Huangfu Yuchen being surrounded.
“Madam Luo.”
Yan Ge apologized, “Brother Zhang, the two of us left without saying goodbye back then. We didn’t want to involve you.”
Zhang Feilong said, “What are you talking about? Our encounter was destined. We will help—”
Yan Ge interrupted, “No need, Zirui can handle it.”
“Master, who are those people? They have dark faces, they look scary,” the little girl Fang Ling pouted.
Although everyone had the same question, no one paid her attention. None of them could discern the origin of these black-clad individuals. How could the old man, whom the martial world had never seen before, know?
But Elder Yingzun said, “They are members of the Centipede Organization. This organization specializes in targeting wealthy merchants and nobles, plundering their wealth. They are not good people. Ling’er, Xiao Jie, in the future, when you see them, stay far away.”
Fang Jie responded nonchalantly, “Master, didn’t you say they target nobles and wealthy merchants? But we are not.”
“Not now doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the future.” Fang Ling glared at him.
“The Centipede Organization…” Pei Jinde racked his brain, trying to recall, and finally remembered. “So it’s them! They are not really part of the martial world.”
“In other words, those two are either wealthy merchants or nobles?” Huang Shuya remarked.
“It seems so,” Pei Jinde confirmed.
Huangfu Yuchen drew his sword without uttering a word and declared coldly, “Come at me together.”
Seeing Huangfu Yuchen’s imposing stance, they realized that in order to deal with Yan Ge, they had to first take care of him. The leader of the Centipede Organization glanced at Yan Ge and hesitated for a moment before raising his hand, signaling his subordinates to surround Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen sneered, leapt into the air, and his figure spun rapidly. His sword aura danced like mist, swift as lightning, as several dazzling sword lights flashed by. Before anyone could closely observe, Huangfu Yuchen had already landed, with the tip of his sword aimed at a black-clad figure beneath his foot, crimson blood dripping from the sword’s edge. Meanwhile, the remaining black-clad individuals lay lifeless, their vital organs pierced by his sword.
The onlookers were all shocked.
“Who ordered you?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
The black-clad man’s pupils contracted. He wanted to bite his tongue and end his life, but he found that his jaws no longer obeyed his command, barely having any sensation left.
“You…”
Without hesitation, Huangfu Yuchen raised his sword and severed the man’s left arm.
The man’s face turned deathly pale, lacking even the strength to let out a pained scream.
Fang Ling, frightened by the scene, took refuge behind Elder Yingzun, casting a curious glance at her master whom she remembered as always being cheerful. To her surprise, he was still smiling and did not stop the cold man before her.
Huangfu Yuchen raised his sword once again. “This time, it’ll be your right hand.” To a martial artist, the right hand was like another heart. Losing the right hand meant being unable to wield a weapon ever again.
The black-clad man widened his eyes in terror, his throat struggling to produce a muffled sound. “It’s…”
Huangfu Yuchen brushed his fingers against the man’s body.
The restraints on the black-clad man were lifted, and he gasped for breath heavily. “As subordinates, we only follow orders from above. I don’t know much. I only know that the Vice Leader of the Centipede Organization is a woman, while the Leader is from a foreign kingdom. I have only seen the Leader from a distance and never spoken to him. Truly, I only know these things.”
From a foreign kingdom? Huangfu Yuchen inquired, “Do you know the identities of my wife and I?”
The black-clad man weakly shook his head. His left arm was losing too much blood, causing his mental state to deteriorate.
Yan Ge approached him. “We have already changed our appearances. How did you accurately track us?”
The black-clad man replied, “The orders from above stated that we should follow a deeply affectionate couple, one of whom is always smiling, and there is a six-year-old child.”
Yan Ge was speechless. Had smiling become a death sentence?
Huangfu Yuchen raised his sword and cut the man’s throat.
“He already spoke, yet you still killed him. You lack integrity,” Fang Jie commented. It seemed he felt emboldened in the presence of Elder Yingzun, believing that Huangfu Yuchen wouldn’t dare do anything to him.
Fang Ling shot him a disdainful look. “These people are heartless killers. What integrity can you expect from them? Do you think he would survive after failing his mission and returning? Isn’t that right, Master?”
Elder Yingzun smiled but remained silent.
Huangfu Yuy paid no attention to the others and led Yan Ge to the side.
“I am certain that their leader must know our true identities. It’s very strange. They were able to track us because you love to smile seems somewhat far-fetched. Baby, I feel like we have overlooked something. The person behind all this fills me with dread, but I can’t put my finger on why.”
Yan Ge was startled, and a sense of vigilance arose within him. He transmitted his thoughts, “Zirui, a cultivator’s premonition should not be underestimated. Could there truly be a massive conspiracy unfolding in the shadows? But I don’t have a similar feeling as you do. Could it be that the Centipede Organization targeted me in order to get you?”
“Me?” Huangfu Yuchen found it highly unlikely. “Would killing me destroy the Great Han Kingdom?”
Yan Ge held Huangfu Yuchen’s hand tightly. “With so few clues at the moment, we shouldn’t speculate too much and risk being led astray. Regardless of their intentions, since they haven’t launched a larger-scale siege, it means they aren’t fully prepared yet. Moreover, all of their people are now dead, unable to transmit the information in time. This will somewhat hinder their future plans.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded. “The most important thing right now is to obtain the Zhantian Vine. And what about you? Are you feeling any discomfort? If you’re not well, you must tell me.”
Yan Ge shook his head. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
“And Little Jin? How is he?”
“Other than not waking up, everything is the same as before.” Yan Ge handed Yan Jin over. “My hand is sore.”
Huangfu Yuchen instinctively reached out, his hands grasping Yan Jin by the armpits, his arms straight and his body tense.
The comical sight lightened Yan Ge’s mood considerably. “Do you have to hold Little Jin as if you’re holding dynamite every time?”
“You just wanted to laugh at me.” Huangfu Yuchen sighed helplessly, awkwardly pulling Yan Ge closer, one arm embracing his waist, allowing his head to rest on his shoulder. He guided Yan Ge towards a tree. “Let’s sit down over there.”
The rest of the people watched them sit down as if nothing had happened, and they were unsure whether to admire their calmness or be wary of their ruthlessness.
At night, everyone fell asleep amidst the sound of thunder.
As soon as day broke, the thunder ceased. In the absence of flashing lightning strikes, the valley became clearer. The uneven valley floor was dotted with small hills and depressions, making it impossible to see the entire extent of the valley. Only a few plants added a touch of green to the black soil.
By now, a hundred people had gathered at the edge of the Thunder Valley. Impatient to obtain further information, they rushed towards the valley floor. However, before taking a few steps, they were struck down by lightning erupting from the ground, screaming in agony as they fell motionless to the ground.
Pei Jinde quietly said to Huang Shuya, “Keep an eye on them.” He was referring to Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen
Yan Ge looked at Huangfu Yuchen with confusion. Why weren’t they going down? What were they waiting for?
But he believed that Huangfu Yuchen had his reasons for doing so, so he remained still, calmly observing the people in the valley.
Some, despite hearing the screams, continued forward without fearing death, while others hesitated, deeming it unworthy to risk their lives for a legendary plant like the Zhantian Vine whose existence remained uncertain.
Elder Yingzun didn’t go down either. Pointing at a pale red plant on top of a hill, he said to his two disciples, “That’s the precious medicinal plant called ‘Proud Mountain Red,’ which thrives in places with frequent thunderstorms.”
“It’s valuable?” Fang Jie’s eyes gleamed.
Fang Ling patted him on the back, her smile brimming with amusement, yet her tone was quite fierce. “If you’re not afraid of death, then go down.”
Zhang Feilong and Zhang Feihu exchanged glances, nodded, and made up their minds.
Zhang Feilong said to Yan Jin and Huangfu Yuchen, “We’ll go ahead.”
Yan Ge had a favorable impression of them and advised them tactfully, “It’s extremely dangerous down there. You two don’t have to take the risk.”
Zhang Feihu chuckled, “Madam Luo, we understand your intentions. However, we’re willing to give it a try. If we can obtain the Zhantian Vine, there’s a chance to revive our Feiliu Mountain Sect.”
Yan Ge had no choice but to abandon his persuasion. “Zirui and I came for the Zhantian Vine as well. If we have to fight you two later, please forgive us.”
Yan Jin had been asleep since yesterday, without even waking up once, and Zhang Feilong and Zhang Feihu had already noticed that something was wrong.
They guessed he was the reason Yan Ge wanted the Zhantian Vine, which they could understand. Smiling bravely, Zhang Feilong said, “Don’t worry too much, we’ll rely on our own abilities.”
“Please,” Yan Ge also replied.
After Zhang Feilong and Zhang Feihu descended, Huangfu Yuchen glanced at Pei Jinde and Huang Shuya casually, secretly reminding Yan Ge, “Baby, it seems that the Pei couple has deduced something. Be cautious of them plotting against us.”
Yan Ge was curious. “What exactly did you discover?”
Huangfu Yuchen imitated his mysterious demeanor. “You’ll know soon.”
Unwilling to accept this, Yan Ge took a few steps toward the edge of the cliff, gazing intently below, scanning back and forth, but he didn’t notice anything unusual.
Huangfu Yuchen’s lips curved slightly, but he remained silent.
“Brother, shouldn’t we also go down?” the gray-robed old man said to the black-robed old man.
The black-robed old man replied, “Wait a little longer.”
The purple-robed old man grew impatient. “Still waiting? I saw two boys almost reach the center earlier, but they weren’t struck by lightning even once. If we don’t go down now, they might seize the Zhantian Vine.”
The black-robed old man’s voice grew stern. “Wait!”
The other two dared not say anything more.
A faint scream echoed from the valley floor — another person was struck by lightning.
The martial artists at the cliff’s edge became even more restless, gathering in small groups and discussing among themselves.
At that moment, a long green shadow leaped from the ground and disappeared before anyone could see clearly.
Someone excitedly shouted, “It must be the Zhantian Vine!”
More than one person saw the green shadow, and the martial artists could no longer restrain themselves, rushing down in a frenzy. However, as they reached the valley floor, several were struck by lightning, and the screams echoed one after another. Some young heroes, lacking composure, immediately turned back in fear.
“Aren’t you tired?” Huangfu Yuchen pulled Yan Ge back and made him sit down again.
Yan Ge looked at his posture and sensed there was still something to wait for. For the first time, his curiosity was piqued to an extraordinary level as he stared intently into Huangfu Yuchen’s eyes, as if he could find the answer by fixating on them.
Huangfu Yuchen chuckled lightly but chose not to speak.
“Brother, shouldn’t we go down as well?” the gray-robed old man asked the black-robed old man again.
The black-robed old man replied, “Just a little longer.”
