110 Kidnap (1/2)

Qingye City.

The fortress was distinctly different. The wall was fully manned by several elite troops. An enormous crossbow was locked and loaded, pointing towards the main gate. The large arrowhead which had an iron hook attached to it looked like it could fall any moment.

During this period of war, not only was the head of this city replaced, even the guards were all replaced with troops from the Spirit Returning Sect.

Here, the army officers were all from the Spirit Returning Sect. Even though they were not as ostentatious and well-manned as the Secluded Mountain Prefecture to have level 4 martial artists as their lowest ranking soldiers, their lowest rankings soldiers were still around level 3, strong enough to easily power commoners without a martial arts background.

Ta ta!

Against the red evening sun, a group of riders emerged from the horizon. They were shouting and riding aggressively at great speed.

”Halt...Any unknown armed personnel who steps within the 30 metres radius of the wall will be killed without hesitation!”

Soldiers from the Spirit Returning Sect instantly grew alert and nervous as they readily aimed the crossbow in the direction of the riders.

”This is an Elder from the Spirit Returning Sect! We have a pass!”

From the centre of the riders, a flag was raised. This was characteristic of the Spirit Returning Sect. One of the riders raised an iron pass plate and sprinted to the bottom of the wall, just outside the 30m radius and shouted.

”Sou!”

A disciple from the Spirit Returning Sect executed Lightness Skill and leapt off the wall. He took a look at the pass and returned.

In no time, the gates opened, and Elder Han personally came out to invite the guests saying, ”Hello Elder Bian! Sect Head informed me about this earlier, but I did not think that you would have arrived this soon!”

”The leaders of Maple City are spineless cowards! All we did was to exterminate a few families to scare them into submission...Hehe, I can be quite unpredictable sometimes!”

Elder Bian then chuckled flippantly, looking all the more intimidating to those around him.

At 30 years of age, with his hair at both sides greying, Elder Bian looked like an extremely experienced and seasoned martial artist. His martial arts skills were also highly advanced. They were comparable to those of Elder Han's.

”Come, please come inside Brother Bian!”

As a mark of respect, Elder Han pushed his right clenched fist into his left palm and smiled as he said, ”Qingye City is different from the other places, the situation here....is slightly unique!”

Bian Xie was a renowned solo martial artist in Qinghe County. The legends said that he was a tomb raider from young. When he was still young he chanced upon a large tomb and found several extremely rare martial arts manuals buried with the body. From then, he already had the cultivation of the earthly element realm and the ambitious desire to break through Wu Zong and establish his own sect.

Up till now nobody knew what Shi Yutong promised him in exchange for his allegiance to the Spirit Returning Sect.

Elder Han guessed that Shi Yutong intended to make Bian Xie the successor and replacement for Lady Yan who had been kidnapped for such a long time. As there was no news up till now, the chances of her returning were very low.

”Hehe...Of course I know, as for this well-known healer of the secluded valley...”

Bian Xie broke out in a care-free laughter and walked to the main residence of the city by the side of Elder Han.

Although the newly appointed head of the of the city had some credible qualities in management, he was not proficient in martial arts. Upon seeing the arrival of the influential and powerful elders from the sect, he threw a welcome banquet for them which he had prepared way in advance.

After the food was served, Elder Han started to discuss official business. He waved his hand, gesturing for the servants to leave Elder Bian and him alone.

”Elder Bian your arrival cannot be timelier!”

Elder Han took a mouthful of wine. As his face flushed slightly with redness, he reported, ”Fang Yuan is a very powerful martial artist. He has probably reached the 4 Heavenly Realms. He also has a spiritual beast. In Qingye City, I am the only one confident of doing reconnaissance beyond the secluded valley without being detected....”

”It's so challenging?”

Bian Xie frowned and was filled with an unspeakable sense of jealousy.

He was not sure whether he was jealous of Fang Yuan being so gifted in being able to reach the 4 Heavenly Realms at such a young age, or was he jealous of Fang Yuan's great fortune at being able to have a spiritual beast as a companion, or maybe he was jealous of both aspects.

Elder Han raised his wine bowl and had an awkward smile on his face and remarked, ”I am not that afraid of what he might do, but I am indebted to him...”

”Elder Han do not worry, let me handle this!”

Bian Xie had heard about the news of Fang Yuan treating Elder Han. He was also aware of the unclear relationship between Fang Yuan and the pet disciple of the sect head.

Silently blaming Elder Han for being unwilling to take action and making him the aggressor, and also his bad luck for only joining the sect recently, he had no choice but to accomplish this mission regardless how nasty and unpleasant it was.

'Both sect heads are almost done with signing the alliance pact and will return very shortly. When she does, it's best for her to make the decision!'

Bian Xie was very troubled but he looked relaxed on the outside, enthusiastically drinking with his parter.

”Keke...”

Out of nowhere, a high pitch noise pierced through the air, causing Bian Xie and Elder Han to jump to alertness.

”Who is that who dares to make such a ruckus, are you looking for trouble?”

Elder Han turned towards the source of the noise and froze in shock.

A young man pushed opened the door and strode in carefreely. This was Fang Yuan.

”Oh? Looks like you are having a banquet? I hope you do not mind that I turned up without invitation?”

Fang Yuan entered without paying much attention to Bian Xie and spoke directly to Elder Han.

”Haha...Why would we?”

Elder Han laughed dryly. For some reason, his palms started perspiring.

Qingye City was under the maximum security of the Spirit Returning Sect. Furthermore, this place was the core of the city and it was supposed to be the most highly guarded and secure place! How could Fang Yuan have evaded all those patrols and sentries and entered?

Of course, Fang Yuan's intention of visiting was more important now. He looked like he was not here on peaceful terms.

”This is...”

Bian Xie had never met Fang Yuan before. Judging from the way Fang Yuan behaved, he thought Fang Yuan was an important official in the city and Bian Xie looked towards Elder Han.

”Elder Han, let me introduce to you, the divine healer of the secluded valley, Fang Yuan...”

Elder Han laughed dryly as the muscles on his face twitched uncontrollably.

”So, it's you!?”

Bian Xie widened his eyes. After all, he was just discussing about how to take down Fang Yuan with Elder Han. Now that the person they were discussing about had appeared in front of him, the situation was extremely tense and awkward.