The Enemies May Be Killed

Xie Chuan also sensed that something was amiss, and his expression grew tense.

"Young Master Lingrui, those three have sent a distress message. Once Lone Moon Mountain receives word, they will surely dispatch more people," Xie Chuan said in a low voice.

At present, the three disciples were merely at the early stage of Qi Gathering, posing no real threat to him or Yang Lingrui.

But once their reinforcements arrived, things would be different.

Given Lone Moon Mountain's arrogant nature, they would send at least one late-stage Qi Gathering cultivator.

By then, let alone himself, even Yang Lingrui would be in grave danger.

Hearing Xie Chuan's words, Yang Lingrui remained perfectly calm and replied, "Patriarch Xie, I suggest you evacuate your clansmen immediately."

Xie Chuan came to his senses at once and sprang into action, rescuing the surviving Xie family members from the rubble and organizing everyone to flee the area.

Half an hour later, Xie Chuan returned.

"Young Master Lingrui, everyone has been evacuated."

"Mm. Patriarch Xie, you should leave this place as well."

Xie Chuan was taken aback and was about to speak when Yang Lingrui said slowly, "It is enough for me to stay here. If you remain, you will likely be unable to help and may even lose your life."

Yang Lingrui paused, then turned his head with a gentle smile and added, "If something happens to you, the Xie family will truly be finished. It is better to leave early and avoid becoming too deeply entangled in this trouble."

Hearing this, Xie Chuan stood frozen on the spot, his mind stunned.

He had invited Yang Lingrui precisely to have him shield the Xie family from disaster.

In his view, the Yang family's willingness to restrain the three Lone Moon Mountain disciples was already an act of utmost benevolence. Now that a distress message had been sent and strong reinforcements were coming, Yang Lingrui could have simply released the three and let the Xie family fend for themselves.

Yet, not only did he not do that, he was even genuinely concerned for the Xie family's survival, urging him to leave this dangerous place while staying behind to face Lone Moon Mountain alone!

Xie Chuan was deeply moved, and a profound sense of guilt rose within him.

Before this, whether it was agreeing to the joint alliance of the local families or participating in the encirclement of the evil cultivators, he had only been chasing benefits.

He had always believed that when the Yang family visited the local clans and spoke of "mutual aid in times of crisis," it was merely polite diplomacy. If any family faced a true calamity, the Yang family would surely stand aloof and indifferent.

But now, it seemed that he was the one with a narrow mind and a shallow perspective.

The Yang family's words were not false; they were truly honoring their promise through direct action!

"The main family's righteousness is noble! The Xie family is endlessly grateful! I, Xie, shall never forget this!"

Xie Chuan solemnly bowed to Yang Lingrui, then turned and left.

Just as Yang Lingrui had said, with his mere fourth-layer cultivation, he would be utterly insignificant once Lone Moon Mountain's reinforcements arrived.

Rather than staying and holding Yang Lingrui back, it was better to leave early to give his benefactor peace of mind.

Yang Lingrui had urged him to leave partly out of concern for the Xie family's safety, but more so because he did not want an outsider to witness his clan's hidden methods.

The Vajra Talisman and the Mountain-Splitting Talisman were both hidden trump cards that the Yang family had never disclosed to the outside world.

With Xie Chuan gone, he no longer had any misgivings. Even if the Lone Moon Mountain cultivators arrived and a fierce battle broke out, he could fully unleash his capabilities.

After watching Xie Chuan disappear into the distance, Yang Lingrui's gaze locked onto the three Lone Moon Mountain disciples once more.

Under his cold, murderous glare, the three felt a chill run down their spines. Cold sweat trickled down their backs, and as the localized breeze swept past, a biting shiver ran through them.

"We... we won't be in trouble, right?"

"Don't panic. He's just trying to intimidate us. If he wanted to kill us, he would have done it already. Why would he wait until now?"

"That's right. Now that the message has been sent, nearby senior brothers and sisters will surely rush over. He wouldn't dare to act now."

The three discussed among themselves, and their nerves relaxed slightly.

Unfortunately, they did not understand Yang Lingrui.

Since he began his cultivation path, he had never been one to drag his feet when it came to killing.

The only reason he was holding back now was because he, too, was waiting.

The three Lone Moon Mountain disciples were waiting for reinforcements, while he was simply waiting for a definitive word from his clan.

The four of them remained in a tense stalemate until dusk.

As the setting sun sank beneath the distant mountains and the sky darkened, the wrist of the Lone Moon Mountain disciple who had sent the message suddenly glowed.

"The communication bracelet is reacting!"

"Excellent! That means the sect's reinforcements are nearby and will arrive shortly."

"Hey! You, named Yang! Our Lone Moon Mountain reinforcements will be here any moment! If you know what's good for you, dispel your techniques right now! Otherwise, your life will be forfeit in moments!"

"That's right! If you stop now, the three of us can even plead with our senior brothers and sisters to spare you from the death penalty!"

Hearing this, Yang Lingrui found it somewhat amusing.

Their lives were already firmly grasped in someone else's hands, yet these three naively believed that the name of Lone Moon Mountain was an infallible protective talisman.

If they used their brains at all, they would realize that the Yang family alone would never dare to lay a hand on Lone Moon Mountain disciples.

The reason Yang Lingrui dared to act so decisively was naturally because he had authorization from a greater power.

He ignored their shouting, simply waiting quietly in place.

Before long, two flickering figures appeared in the southern distance.

The two figures darted back and forth across the sky, one radiating a bright, burning moonlight, the other a blazing white light.

Amidst the flashing of spiritual lights, the muffled sounds of exploding techniques faintly echoed through the air.

Seeing this, the three Lone Moon Mountain disciples initially rejoiced, thinking their savior had arrived.

But they quickly realized that the two figures were locked in a fierce duel, and confusion filled their faces.

"What is going on? Someone is fighting with Senior Brother?"

"Who dares to oppose Lone Moon Mountain? Have they grown tired of living?"

"Why do we keep running into such bizarre anomalies during this descent from the mountain?"

Back in the sect, they had always heard tales of Lone Moon Mountain's undisputed prestige across the mortal world.

Wherever their disciples went, they were treated as honored guests by every local faction.

Even the active officials of the Zhuhu Wangchao had to show them the utmost respect.

Wangyue City's lord, Song Kaiyang, was even on close terms with their Mountain Lord, to the point that the regular tribute owed to the Wangchao had been completely waived.

Yet during this trip down the mountain, things seemed entirely different.

Not only were they turned away at the gates of the Wangchao's cities, but even a minor, self-established Qi Gathering clan dared to use evasive excuses against them.

The last time Lone Moon Mountain had descended the mountain on such a large scale to claim disciples was seven years ago, when Wang Xiong's youngest son was selected.

Back then, the Wangchao's focus was heavily split between the northern and eastern border wars. Consequently, most of the sects within the interior took advantage of the situation to play their political games, gradually becoming reckless and arbitrary.

During that era, Lone Moon Mountain indeed possessed the absolute authority the disciples had heard about, and the Wangchao Cultivators had to defer to them by three points.

But now, the era had changed.

The border situation had fully stabilized, and the Wangchao could finally turn its full attention to curbing the chaotic overreach of these internal sects.

And the Yang family was one of the sharp knives the Wangchao had strategically deployed around Lone Moon Mountain.

These three young disciples naturally could not comprehend the complex undercurrents at play.

And indeed, they would never have the chance to understand them.

For just as the two figures in the distance were locked in combat, another figure enveloped in spiritual light burst forth from the forest.

Zhao Qi, clutching a Divine Movement Talisman in his hand, spotted Yang Lingrui from afar. Mustering every ounce of his spiritual power, he roared toward the heavens.

"Senior Brother! By the Family Head's order! The enemies may be killed!"

Puchi-

The moment the word "killed" left his lips, the heads of the three Lone Moon Mountain disciples flew into the air, separated cleanly from their shoulders.

Their eyes still held a look of utter bewilderment; they did not even experience a sliver of pain before their consciousness dissolved into chaos.

"Ah! You reckless fool! Die for me!"

From the distance, a furious roar shattered the night.

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