Chapter 120: Leaving Traces, Escape Begins!

After Yun Wan drifted down from the passage, she saw several fresh bloodstains before Fang Xu and immediately asked, concerned: "Have other martial artists come again?"

Fang Xu gave a slight nod: "Already settled."

Settled?

Gazing at Fang Xu before her, Yun Wan wondered just how strong he now was.

"Has the Divine Expansion Sect outpost outside been dealt with?" Fang Xu spoke directly, not giving Yun Wan a chance to ask further.

He had just killed an Ascendant Immortal Society disciple; this matter is of great importance—if the Law Enforcement Hall finds out, he will surely die.

It's not that he distrusts Yun Wan; he simply doesn't want to involve her.

Not yet.

Yun Wan is smart; knowing Fang Xu didn't want to say more, she assumed he had his reasons and didn't press further.

"Fang Xu, things have gotten a bit troublesome." Meeting his gaze, Yun Wan related what she and Sha Tianrui had just said by the waterfall.

After she finished speaking, Fang Xu's face grew solemn.

A sixth-stage Martial Sovereign, the capable chief general under Human Butcher Zhao Wuji, plus ten thousand elite troops whose strength has reached the Martial Master realm!

If Sha Tianrui is deceiving Yun Wan, then should I go out tomorrow, the consequences would be unthinkable!

"Fang Xu, do you not trust Sha Tianrui?" Seeing his solemn expression, Yun Wan asked softly.

"First-grade martial techniques pose a deadly temptation for martial artists; the stronger the artist, the more they grasp the importance of a powerful technique." Fang Xu did not answer directly.

Upon hearing that, Yun Wan also fell into thought.

Indeed, after learning that Fang Xu was the one who had comprehended a first-grade martial technique, a hint of greed flashed in her mind, though it was quickly suppressed by the debt of gratitude she owed him and her affection for him.

But Yun Wan had to admit she could not resist the temptation of a first-grade martial technique.

Sha Tianrui and Fang Xu had no prior connection; merely a few words from her caused him to relinquish an almost effortless opportunity, and Yun Wan's heart also wavered.

"So what should we do now?"

"Sha Tianrui said he would bring his army tomorrow to uproot the Divine Expansion Sect's outpost..."

Such an opportunity is hard to come by right now.

The martial artists guarding the outskirts of Tilan Mountain Ruins could rush in at any moment; the terrain of the ruins' second stage shifts unpredictably, and if other martial artists learned that the second stage has a passage leading outside the ruins, they would surely converge on the waterfall exit to lie in wait.

At that point, Fang Xu would be completely unable to leave.

Moreover, it is already August, with only a little over three months left until the Ascendant Immortal Society's entrance examination; if these martial artists block Fang Xu in the ruins for over three months, they would make him miss the exam.

By then, the last protective talisman on Fang Xu's body would also lose its effect.

Furthermore, once he loses the Immortal Sect pass, the Ascendant Immortal Society's disciples might also take action against him.

"Yun Wan, go tell Sha Tianrui I want to see him." After weighing the pros and cons, Fang Xu spoke slowly.

He has had no dealings with Sha Tianrui and does not know his character.

For now, his suspicion is merely based on the most basic human nature of martial artists; specifics will have to wait until after they meet.

"Meet Sha Tianrui?"

"Have him come here?"

Yun Wan frowned slightly, saying: "You don't intend to rely on the man-evil spirits here, do you?"

Fang Xu shook his head: "I would naturally not do that unless absolutely necessary."

Sha Tianrui is the most capable general under Zhao Wuji; if killing him forced Zhao Wuji to act, Fang Xu feels that even with the ruins' restrictions, he might not be a match for Zhao Wuji.

Moreover, if Sha Tianrui dies, the Divine Expansion Sect's secret base would surely not be uprooted, leaving him still unable to leave.

Yun Wan heard this and let out a slight sigh of relief.

She truly feared that Fang Xu had gone berserk, and in a fit of rage might even kill Sha Tianrui.

"Alright, I'll head back now."

She nodded, gave him a deep look, and said: "You take care."

After leaving the ruins via the passage, she returned to the camp outside Maple Forest Town.

"Fang Xu wants to see me?"

Upon hearing Yun Wan's words, Sha Tianrui's face showed a faint smile.

"Little lass, this kid is far more cautious than you."

"Never mind, let's go see this genius who can comprehend a first-grade martial technique."

Sha Tianrui slowly rose and headed straight out of the camp.

A short-soldier behind him, seeing this, hurriedly took Sha Tianrui's weapon from the nearby rack and ran over, saying: "General, your sword."

Sha Tianrui glanced at his long sword, then at the short-soldier, and said lightly: "I'm going to see someone, not to fight—why bring a sword?"

After saying that, he glanced at Yun Wan behind him and said: "Little lass, let's go."

Yun Wan gave him a somewhat complex look, said nothing more, and led him toward Tilan Mountain.

On the small plaza of the ruins' second stage.

Fang Xu sat quietly; behind him, Broken Horn and hundreds of variant man-evil spirits sat in neat rows, making no sound.

After Yun Wan brought Sha Tianrui here, she walked straight to Fang Xu and said: "General Sha has arrived."

Fang Xu slowly rose, looked at the middle-aged man in crimson general's armor a short distance away, unarmed, and bowed slightly: "I am Fang Xu; I pay my respects, General Sha."

Sha Tianrui, his face slightly surprised, surveyed the neat ranks behind Fang Xu, resembling ferocious man-evil spirits awaiting inspection.

That these man-evil spirits could form such a formation made Sha Tianrui instantly understand the reason.

"Can you control these man-evil spirits?" Sha Tianrui asked curiously.

Fang Xu did not answer, merely turned to look at Broken Horn behind him and said: "Broken Horn, go greet General Sha."

"Roar!"

Broken Horn let out a low roar, its massive body slowly rising, stepping to Fang Xu's rear and winking at Sha Tianrui.

Seeing this, Sha Tianrui's expression slightly tightened.

"Those martial masters and martial artists in the ruins... they're all dead, right?"

Having been paying attention to news of the ruins, Sha Tianrui knew that recently many martial artists from various families and forces had flooded into the ruins, preparing to capture Fang Xu.

But after following Yun Wan all the way here, he hadn't seen any other martial artists.

Combining Fang Xu's ability to control these renghouls, Sha Tianrui faintly sensed a horrifying matter!

Those martial artists who rushed in, the martial masters are very likely already dead!

"General Sha, to be frank, what this junior has comprehended in the ruins simply cannot be spoken aloud."

"Otherwise, General's great kindness, this junior would certainly be willing to share with the General."

Without answering Sha Tianrui's question, Fang Xu smiled and spoke.

Sha Tianrui is no fool; he naturally understood that Fang Xu's saying this merely meant to tell him that the martial technique cannot be spoken, and even if he captured him it would be useless.

Being willing to share with him is to show his attitude, willing to owe him a great favor, comparable to a favor of a first-rank martial technique.

"I never expected that this small place, Maple Forest Town, would give birth to someone as remarkable as you, little friend." Looking at Fang Xu, Sha Tianrui said with feeling.

"Tomorrow at the chen hour, I, Sha, will lead the army in a surprise attack on the secret base of the Yanshen Sect; if all goes well, we should be able to settle the battle by the wu hour."

"Little friend, if you wish to leave, you may do so during the interval between the chen and wu hours, exiting the ruins."

"Because during this time I will, by military order, have people seal off the area at the exit, so other forces and families' martial artists will not approach."

Having said that, Sha Tianrui left without looking back.

"Uncle Sha..."

Yun Wan called out, but seeing Sha Tianrui's figure vanish with a few leaps into the passageway, she turned and looked at Fang Xu: "What are you going to do?"

Watching Sha Tianrui's disappearing figure, Fang Xu pondered a moment and said: "Naturally, I will leave here before noon tomorrow."

"Do you believe him?" Yun Wan asked doubtfully.

Fang Xu said nothing.

Sha Tianrui came without bringing weapons, undoubtedly to show his sincerity.

Letting Sha Tianrui see that I could have detained him but did not act is also my sincerity.

After Sha Tianrui entered the ruins and saw me, he didn't mention the first-rank martial technique at all, which also indicated to him that I have no interest in that technique.

"Yun Wan, after you return, go straight back to Huangzhou."

Possessing a first-rank martial technique and having slain so many martial artists, he is now practically an enemy of the world; if it became known that Yun Wan secretly helped him escape, even though she is a princess of the Yun clan, it would likely cause great trouble.

"Alright, when you reach Zhongzhou, I will definitely contact you." Yun Wan also understood the gravity of the matter, gave Fang Xu a deep look, and spoke.

Meeting her slightly worried gaze, Fang Xu gave a faint smile: "Today's great kindness, I will surely repay it in the future."

Hearing this, Yun Wan pouted and muttered: "Who wants you to repay the favor..."

"It's now three quarters into the zi hour; keep track of the time... I'm leaving."

As her words fell, she tapped the tip of her foot and flew toward a nearby passageway entrance.

Landing at the passageway entrance, she turned back once more to glance at Fang Xu, then Yun Wan also left the ruins.

Inside the ruins, Fang Xu sat cross-legged on the ground, silently keeping track of time.

At the start of the mao hour, he slowly rose, looked at the broken horn behind him, and said: "I'm leaving; you lead your people to block all passageways leading here, hold out for a few days, and afterward, if you encounter martial artists, avoid them if you can—don't make pointless sacrifices."

The broken horn drooped its massive head, its eyes full of reluctance as it gave a small nod.

Seeing it like that, Fang Xu smiled and patted its head, saying: "If there's a chance later, I'll come back to see you."

"Alright, go back."

"Ying ying..."

The ferocious and terrifying renghoul actually emitted a coquettish "ying ying" sound at this moment; watching Fang Xu walk step by step toward the deep pool, the broken horn followed closely step by step.

Arriving before the deep pool, Fang Xu turned and glanced at it: "Go back, and protect your people well."

Having said that, without waiting for any indication from the broken horn, he took a deep breath and dove headfirst into the pool water.

The pool water was icy and profound; after Fang Xu plunged in, he immediately began to descend downward.

Not knowing how long he had descended, feeling a current from the left, Fang Xu immediately changed direction and swam toward the left.

Swimming against the current for nearly a hundred meters, he finally heard rumbling sounds in his ears!

The morning sun's light shone through the water surface; Fang Xu knew he had arrived at the bottom of the waterfall.

Continuing forward for another hundred meters, until the water surface above his head calmed somewhat, he then slowly rose, exposing his head above the water.

Fortunately, a martial artist's body differs from that of ordinary people; otherwise, staying underwater that long would certainly have caused him to suffocate to death.

He lifted his head out of the water, inhaled a breath of fresh air, and Fang Xu glanced at the sky.

There was about half an hour left until the chen hour; he needed to hurry away.

Climbing out of the turbulent river water, Fang Xu looked around and quickly darted into the nearby thick forest.

Sha Tianrui told him that the army would attack the Yanshen Sect's stronghold at the chen hour, and Fang Xu's reason for choosing this time to leave was also because he did not fully trust Sha Tianrui.

After all, one cannot wager one's life and fortune on the character of a person one has never met.

Now it is half past mao; there remains half an hour before the army will launch its attack on the Yanshen Sect, at which point the sect's hidden posts planted in the forest will surely be drawn over.

Once those hidden posts have all withdrawn, I can then leave safely.

Hidden in the thick forest, Fang Xu exerted himself to control his breathing, trying not to let his aura leak out.

Time passed bit by bit, and soon it reached the end of the mao hour.

On the other side of the forest, as Sha Tianrui led the army in continually encircling the Yanshen Sect's secret base, the sect's outposts hidden in the surrounding forest also sensed something amiss.

Sharp cries rang out one after another in the thicket.

The next moment, Fang Xu, hidden in a lush large tree, saw several figures in blood-red robes suddenly dart out not far ahead of him.

From these blood-robed people, Fang Xu clearly felt that these hidden sentries' strength was at least Martial Master Seventh Stage or higher!

If they were Martial Master Seventh Stage inside the ruins, he could easily blast them to death!

But here outside the ruins, without the suppression of restrictions, unless ambushed, once a Martial Master Seventh Stage martial artist gets a chance to catch his breath, he will surely be worn to death by the opponent!

Watching these figures rush off one by one to the distance, Fang Xu held his breath.

After a dozen breaths, when those figures had gone far, he hurriedly jumped down from the big tree, carefully surveyed the surroundings, and then fled straight away.

Not long after Fang Xu had left that dense forest, a fierce battle broke out inside the Yanshen Sect's secret base behind him!

According to Yun Wan, there is a Martial Venerable present in this secret base of the Yanshen Sect, and that day in the ruins, the one who stepped forward to block Great Master Kulun was also a Martial Venerable.

Thinking of that Martial Venerable, Fang Xu couldn't help but worry about Sha Tianrui.

After glancing back at the occasional erupting sword light from the rear forest, Fang Xu fled without looking back.

Inside the Tilan Mountain ruins, all the martial artists had no idea that Fang Xu had already left the ruins; they still stubbornly waited at the entrance.

As the number of martial artists grew, eventually some could not resist choosing to re-enter the ruins, intending to see where Fang Xu was hiding.

But when they prepared to enter the small plaza of the second stage of the ruins, without exception, they all suffered a fierce attack from the Manxiao Tribe.

When Fang Xu left, he informed Duanjiao to have them block those martial artists for three or four days.

But Duanjiao led his people, using their familiarity with the ruins' terrain, stubbornly held off everyone for seven days; finally, Li Xingchao and others united with numerous Martial Venerable powerhouses entered the ruins, Duanjiao was wounded, the Manxiao Tribe suffered heavy casualties, reluctantly retreated, and only then did everyone count as having entered the small plaza.

After searching around the small plaza, they found no trace of Fang Xu.

Through the underground passage to the entrance of the third stage of the ruins, almost everyone guessed that Fang Xu might have entered the third stage of the ruins.

Until two days later, a martial artist inadvertently appeared outside the ruins via the changing passage of the second stage; only then did all martial artists realize that Fang Xu had very likely left the ruins.

Thus, all forces, unable to spare the effort to explore the perilous third stage, mustered their strength and plunged into the vast mountains, preparing to search for Fang Xu's traces.

Moreover, nearly all clans and forces had already distributed Fang Xu's portrait to every village and settlement around Tilan Mountain, set up various heavenly nets and earthly traps, and waited for Fang Xu to appear.

……

Central Province.

In the grand main hall of the Yu State Imperial Palace, a tall, slender man in plain white robes, with loose hair and a short beard, a refined gentleman, casually leaned on the imperial throne atop the high platform.

This person is indeed the master of the entire Yu State, the reigning Yu Emperor Li Cangwu.

Beneath the high platform in the main hall, a man in a black long robe, with his hair tied up, full of solemn dignity, stood silently in the hall.

"Wují, how is the injury of the slain general?"

The man in the black long robe is obviously the infamous slaughterer Zhao Wují.

Hearing Li Cangwu's words, Zhao Wují slightly bowed his hands: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty; Tianrui's injury is no longer serious."

In the Battle of Tilan Mountain, just as Fang Xu had guessed, Sha Tianrui suffered at the hands of a powerful Martial Venerable; although he ultimately relied on the military formation and teamed up with several of his deputy commanders to fortuitously defeat that Martial Venerable, he himself also sustained a serious injury.

"The Imperial Observatory has observed that our Yu State's national fortune continues to decline, while the Yanshen Sect happens to be rekindling its ashes at this time—this is not a good omen."

Stroking the dragon throne armrest carved like black jade, Li Cangwu gazed at the dome above the main hall and said lightly.

Zhao Wují said nothing.

He is naturally a man of few words; for some matters, when Li Cangwu speaks, he carries them out, and otherwise says nothing more.

"I have heard that recently many old timers have rushed to the Tilan Mountain ruins to seize a brat named Fang Xu?" Li Cangwu suddenly spoke.

Zhao Wují bowed his hands: "I heard that Fang Xu grasped a first-rank martial technique in the ruins."

Li Cangwu smiled upon hearing that: "A first-rank martial technique— I am somewhat tempted."

Zhao Wují hastily bowed his hands: "I will go to Tilan Mountain right away to capture that Fang Xu."

"No need." Li Cangwu waved his hand: "I have received news that that brat has already escaped the ruins; go have someone inquire whether those old timers who went to the ruins have all returned."

Zhao Wují was stunned, then slightly bowed his hands: "Yes!"

After agreeing to this, he strode out of the palace.

On the high platform, Li Cangwu gazed blankly at the outside of the hall—for a long while—

"Go summon that old fogey Qin Mudong."

The little eunuch attending outside the hall hurriedly bowed and ran out.

After a moment, an old man with white hair and beard, wearing a plain white hemp robe, bearing an air of immortal grace, came to the main hall, holding a jade tablet in his hand, and slightly bowed to Li Cangwu: "Director Qin Mudong of the Imperial Observatory pays his respects……"

"Alright alright!"

"I say, old timer, you're always so solemn— aren't you tired?"

Having interrupted Qin Mudong's homage, Li Cangwu slowly rose, barefoot, walked down from the high platform to his side, grabbed Qin Mudong's arm, and whispered: "How is our Yu State's national fortune now?"

Qin Mudong glanced at the surrounding maids and eunuchs, his face somewhat solemn, and said: "Your Majesty, it has already shown the sevenfold radiant hue."

Li Cangwu frowned slightly: "Speak plainly!"

Qin Mudong pondered and explained: "The Way of Heaven operates, its trend clear; when our Yu State was founded, its national fortune first appeared; after several generations of Yu Emperors managed it, until Your Majesty ascended the throne, destroyed Moyun, and expanded the territory, our Yu State's national fortune reached its peak, manifesting as ninefold radiance transforming into a dragon."

"In that case, has our Yu State's national fortune dropped by thirty percent?" Li Cangwu said with a solemn expression.

From ninefold radiance falling to sevenfold, nearly thirty percent of the fortune is gone.

Not only that, Your Majesty, the Imperial Observatory has also observed that, not long ago, the stars of our Great Yu dimmed, as if a large number of powerful individuals had perished…… All of this must be related to the decline of the national fortune, Qin Mu Shen said, deeply worried.

As the Director of the Imperial Observatory, practicing geomantic arts, he knows clearly that if this continues, Great Yu will surely fall into chaos.

A decline in the national fortune will bring a chain of reactions: rebellion, natural disaster, the perishing of powerful individuals……

And the appearance of these problems will inevitably lead to a large number of commoners dying, Great Yu's national strength will decline, and the national fortune will likewise sharply decrease, thus entering a vicious cycle……

Upon hearing Qin Mu Shen's words, Li Cangwu let out a deep sigh, his face showing contemplation as he said: 'I wonder whether my past order to let Wuji slaughter a million commoners of the Dusk Cloud Kingdom was mistaken……'

Qin Mu Shen dared not answer.

Speaking of geomantic arts, killing is indeed a major taboo.

But the person before him is the emperor of Great Yu, the most arrogant Yu emperor in its history; how could he dare say that the other side was wrong?

'I also wanted to spare them, but they would rather believe in that illusory, ethereal witch-god than believe in me……'

"The facts prove that their witch god cannot save their lives at all..."

Seemingly talking to himself, Li Cangwu muttered, then turned to look at Qin Mu Shen and said: "Give me a remedy."

Qin Mu Shen's body stiffened, his face somewhat unsightly as he clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, forgive me; I deserve death. If I cannot find the most fundamental source, I also lack the ability to defy heaven..."

"Then go find it!"

Effective immediately, the Surveillance Bureau is under your command; deploy all personnel from the Astronomy Bureau, Your Majesty orders, and resolve this matter at once!

The originally refined Li Cangwu, dressed in plain white, suddenly released a terrifying aura that stirred without wind, instantly paling Qin Mu Shen's face.

Yes!

Qin Mu Shen hastily clasped his hands.

Li Cangwu restrained his aura, returned to his previous appearance, and wearily waved his hand.

Ti Lan Shan.

The great mountain stretches ten thousand li, runs north-south, and spans the entire Huangzhou Prefecture.

The northern tip of Ti Lan Shan connects with Moonview Mountain, which lies within Azure Prefecture and forms the Heavenly Moat between Azure Prefecture and Duskcloud Kingdom.

In the dense jungle, a figure wearing a straw hat suddenly leapt from a large tree, bringing down a long staff that instantly crushed the head of a nearby martial artist!

Immediately after, the straw-hatted figure rolled in place, turned the staff into a spear, and pierced the chest of another person!

After dealing with the two, the straw-hatted figure slowly removed his hat, revealing himself to be Fang Xu, who had escaped from the ruins of Ti Lan Shan!

Glancing at the two corpses, Fang Xu quickly found two portraits of himself in their pockets.

"Seventy-three people..."

Since leaving the ruins, half a month has passed; during this half month, he has continually followed the direction of Ti Lan Shan, not daring to leave the mountain.

Nevertheless, many martial artists carrying his portrait still searched the mountain along the way, and the further he went, the more people he encountered.

Fang Xu realized that those targeting him must have guessed his destination.

Gazing at the dense jungle ahead, his expression grew solemn, unsure how many people awaited him forward; continuing according to the original plan seemed impossible.

A flash of light revealed a map obtained from some unknown martial artist in his hand; Fang Xu examined it closely, and his gaze immediately fixed on the vast tract of land west of Moonview Mountain.

(End of chapter)