Chapter 231: Observing

Hearing that the big black cat was lost, Hu Rui’an wasn’t particularly worried, saying:

“Miss Murong, don’t take it too hard. That cat is no ordinary creature—it probably left on its own and won’t come to any harm.”

Murong Xiaoya frowned in thought; the big black cat did indeed seem exceptionally shrewd and intelligent.

It might even have slipped away in advance, sensing the impending battle between the Tianjinwei and Luoshen Peak.

“I’ll look a little longer. If I still can’t find it, I’ll have to give up for now.”

Murong Xiaoya bowed lightly to Hu Rui’an and the other two, then walked back toward the forest.

At that moment, the distant horizon suddenly flared to life, a silver flame rising into the sky.

Though the two locations were far apart, the brilliant silver glow was still clearly visible.

Hu Rui’an and the other two naturally saw it too; Fu Qiwén furrowed his brow and said:

“If I’m not mistaken, that’s in the direction of Bailian Peak. This fire signal is unusual—not from the Tianjinwei. It must be from Luoshen Peak. Could something have happened at Bailian Peak?”

Hearing this, Hu Rui’an’s expression turned thoughtful, then suddenly shifted as he said:

“Sir, have you forgotten? The Eighth Prince went to Bailian Peak. This situation clearly means His Highness has already moved.”

Fu Qiwén turned to look at Hu Rui’an and saw the man’s face calm and unruffled.

Even knowing Li Muxian had acted at Bailian Peak, he showed no concern at all.

“Rui’an, we’ve been colleagues for how many years? Now I can’t help but feel your confidence in the Eighth Prince surpasses even your confidence in me.”

Fu Qiwén spoke suddenly, his gaze distinctly unusual.

Earlier, the man had claimed Li Muxian’s martial prowess surpassed his own.

But Fu Qiwén hadn’t taken it seriously—he’d never seen Hu Rui’an witness his true strength, nor did he know the full might of this commander of the Dali Imperial Tianjinwei.

In his view, ignorance was no crime.

Yet now, seeing his trusted right-hand man revere a prince under twenty, even placing him above his own standing in this subordinate’s eyes, Fu Qiwén couldn’t help but feel a ripple of unease.

Hearing Fu Qiwén’s question, Hu Rui’an, well-versed in court politics, immediately smiled broadly and gave a vague, evasive reply.

Even if he believed Li Muxian more reliable, he could never voice that truth directly to his long-time superior—that would be abysmally low in emotional intelligence.

But Hu Rui’an’s demeanor couldn’t fool the perceptive Fu Qiwén; yet the latter said nothing more, only thought to himself:

Once he personally seized Yuxing Peak, his old subordinate would naturally come to his own judgment—and recognize his true strength.

“This signal doesn’t seem ordinary. If other peaks of Luoshen Peak see it, they’ll likely send reinforcements to Bailian Peak. I only hope His Highness can withdraw safely.”

At this, Fu Qiwén raised his head, gazing softly toward Bailian Peak.

He had no troops to spare to aid Li Muxian—only hoping Hu Rui’an’s earlier words were true, that the prince could handle it himself.

Hearing this, Hu Rui’an also looked up at the sky, frowning in thought:

“I’ve heard Zheng Yunfeng has mastered the true essence of martial fist arts. I wonder, if he faces the Prince, who would prevail in the path of fist cultivation?”

None of the nine peak lords of Luoshen Peak were anything less than top-tier martial experts; each had reached the Heavenly Person First Rank.

Names carry weight, shadows cast long. These nine lords were famed throughout the martial world. Even though Hu Rui’an sided with Li Muxian inwardly, he couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

At this moment, Fu Qiwén, hands behind his back, spoke calmly:

“Zheng Yunfeng, in his youth, dominated the martial world with the ‘Hundred Peaks Divine Fist.’ His talent in fist cultivation was unparalleled. Since entering the Heavenly Person realm, he has studied every fist manual under heaven, discarded the dross, absorbed the essence, and forged his own true essence of fist Dao.”

“In the entire Five Dynasties martial world, fewer than two handfuls of people can match him in fist cultivation. The only one I can think of who surpasses him is the ‘Fist Saint’ of Daixuan.”

Saying this, Fu Qiwén turned to look at Hu Rui’an and said:

“But if I faced him, I’m confident I could defeat him beyond one hundred and fifty moves.”

…

Inside a mountain cave in the Luoshen Peak territory.

Two men and two women sat cross-legged before a burning fire. The plump woman and the woman in a thorned skirt both sat with eyes closed.

The gray-haired elder and the gaunt, destitute scholar stood guard nearby.

After a while, the plump woman, Lin Tang, opened her eyes slightly. Seeing this, the scholar Sui Zhen immediately asked:

“Have you found Mo Mo?”

Hearing this, Lin Tang frowned and shook her head gently.

Then Lin Yueru opened her eyes as well, but brought no better news—she hadn’t found their younger sister.

The old man Wu Yong, clad in coarse brown cloth, his brow deeply lined like carved knife cuts, tapped his wooden staff and said:

“The sect has replied: all their divine beings in Lanzhou will act during the Dali Tianjinwei’s assault on Luoshen Peak. But without key battle intel from the clash, how can we guide them to infiltrate Luoshen Peak?”

Hearing this, Lin Yueru raised an eyebrow and said:

“Don’t worry. With me and my elder sister here, gathering intel won’t be a problem—even without Mo Mo.”

The destitute scholar Sui Zhen nodded and said:

“Mo Mo is too mischievous. We never planned to rely on her for anything.”

“But since she’s with that prince, having her help would naturally make things safer.”

At this, the old man Wu Yong shook his head and sighed:

“You’re thinking too simply. We’re facing Luoshen Peak. Without sufficient certainty, rushing in is no different from walking into death.”

“Everything depends on how much damage the Dali Tianjinwei inflicts on Luoshen Peak. If they don’t strike deep enough, the elders on the main peak won’t leave—and the sect’s others aren’t fools. Why risk their lives to enter Luoshen Peak?”

At these words, Lin Yueru and the other two fell silent. The news of the Dali Tianjinwei’s attack had come too abruptly.

The sect could spare only a handful of people. This operation against Luoshen Peak was like walking a tightrope—success hinged entirely on the Dali Tianjinwei.

That made intelligence critical. They could not misjudge the situation; one wrong step, and all of them might be wiped out.

“We take it one step at a time. Once we advance further and reach a certain distance, I’ll use my ability to possess a Luoshen Peak disciple and gather intelligence at will.”

The plump woman Lin Tang spoke firmly. Lin Yueru nodded and said:

“The forest is full of birds and beasts—my domain. I can control them to observe the battle between the Dali Tianjinwei and Luoshen Peak.”

Hearing this, Wu Yong and Sui Zhen exchanged glances and nodded slightly:

“For now, that’s all we can do. But if things turn hopeless, we must retreat immediately.”

Clearly, they held little real hope for the Dali Tianjinwei.

Their intervention was merely opportunistic—no intention to fight Luoshen Peak to the death.

Of course, they lacked the strength to do so anyway.

At that moment, a faint rustling of grass and leaves came from outside the cave, followed by a meow.

“Little sister’s back.”

The plump woman Lin Tang reacted first, immediately turning toward the cave entrance.

There entered a large black cat, its fur pitch-black, eyes glowing green, stepping gracefully forward.

The cat glanced at the group, blinked once, then settled down between Lin Tang and Lin Yueru.

Seeing this, all four faces lit up with relief. Lin Tang stared at the big black cat and asked urgently:

“Little sister, any news from the prince’s side? When and from which directions will the Dali Tianjinwei strike?”

The other three fixed their gazes on the cat—but the big black cat remained silent.

It sat by the fire, warming itself for a moment, then scanned the group, rose, and walked out of the cave.

“It’s…”

The scholar Sui Zhen narrowed his eyes. Lin Yueru’s expression shifted, and she immediately stood up, saying:

“Little sister wants us to follow her. She’s going to lead us.”

At once, Lin Tang rose too. Without a word, she and Lin Yueru walked out of the cave, clearly intending to follow the cat.

Wu Yong and Sui Zhen exchanged glances, hesitated briefly, then followed after them.

“Where is it taking us?”

The four moved in single file through the dark forest. The big black cat took a winding, remote path, thick with thorns and shrubs. Though not a true obstacle to them, it caused some inconvenience.

Yet the cat pressed forward without a backward glance, offering no explanation.

At that moment, the old man Wu Yong suddenly looked up, gazing toward the distant horizon—where a brilliant silver flame blazed into the night sky.

“Is that Luoshen Peak’s signal?”

Wu Yong frowned. He realized now—the direction they were heading matched the direction of the silver flame.

The other three immediately noticed this too, their faces instinctively filled with shock and suspicion.

“Meow!”

Simultaneously, the big black cat ahead looked up at the night sky, then turned its head, called to the group, and suddenly sprinted forward.

The plump woman Lin Tang reacted instantly, saying sternly:

“Little sister says we must hurry—or we’ll be too late!”

…

Outside Bailian City, the night was deep and silent.

The old man in hemp robes hidden in the forest suddenly lifted his head, gazing toward the far end of the road outside the city.

Instantly, his spirit tightened:

“They’ve come!”

(End of Chapter)