34 Infiltration (1/2)

Yu Fengtian paused before answering,”The Darksun Marauders are quite infamous for committing many treacherous actions such as robbery and kidnapping especially with merchants and nobles. Many of their crimes go unnoticed as they prefer to act undercover using the fake identities and other various means. Furthermore, they do almost all of their work in the night. As far as I know, their base should be in this forest but no one knows the exact location. ”

”Is that why you and your sister were attacked by them?” Ming Yue asked.

”Yes,” he replied.

Yu Fengtian paused before telling his story. As it turns out, he and his sister came from a small branch of a noble family. His sister was a genius cultivator while he was unable to cultivate at all leading many to shun him as a cripple. However, his sister never thought of him that way and loved her older brother dearly. Several weeks ago, the family had prepared to send her to Five Element City to the main family branch where they would hold a competition among the younger generation and send the winner to the Youth Dragon Tournament. If she was to win this competition and enter, then it would give the branch family a higher status.

During the preparations she wanted to bring him with her to cheer her on. Their family didn't really care and told her that she could bring him along. The main family had arranged some guards for them and sent them off. Who would have known that these protectors were actually criminals.

”Her name is Yao Xian, Yu Yao Xian.”

Yu Fengtian's face was filled with grief after recalling her name.

Ming Yue thought to herself, slowly digesting the information. She then took out the belongings of the men from yesterday and rummaged through them. There was a fair bit of money, some trinkets and weapons, and finally a rolled up paper.

She unfurled it, recognizing it as a map and started looking over it. There were several red marks on it, scattered throughout the map, some seemed to designate outposts or meeting points. Within the Purple Vine Forest, she noticed a red and a black mark near each other. If she was not wrong, the black mark is most likely the main base. It was located in one of the more dangerous areas of the forest where rank 2 and rank 3 beats were frequently found. Furthermore, the vegetation is much more thicker making concealment much easier.

”We go here,” she pointed at the black mark, telling Yu Fengtian.

He had already stopped grieving over his sister and looked over at Ming Yue curiously, watching her actions. When she showed him the map, he realized that it was from the maraudersyesterday.

”Let's set off immediately, the faster we get there, the higher chance that Yao Xian is still alive,” he spoke urgently ready to move out.

And so, the pair went deeper into the forest and traveled towards the base of the Darksun Marauders. It took a day and a night to reach their destination and once it was within their sight, Yu Fengtian had lost hope. It wasn't because they were too late but because he felt it was impossible to save her. The base was more like a stronghold with watchtowers everywhere and the walls were fortified with stone.

Dejected, he faced Ming Yue and apologized, ”I'm sorry for implicating you like this, it seems that saving my sister is not possible anymore.”

He looked at her, surprised that there was no difference in expression, she just continued to watch the stronghold. Suddenly, she spoke to Xiao Yin and sent her off into the sky.

”What are you doing?” he asked.

”We should attack when the sun is at its highest, I sent Xiao Yin to see where the security is the most lax. Once we determine its location, I will distract them while you go off and find your sister.”

Fengtian almost called her crazy out loud, to attack in broad daylight was insane and a stupid move to make. Seeing his disbelief, she didn't bother explaining her actions.