Chapter 266: Striking First to Gain the Advantage

According to intelligence, the Su Family Caravan was wiped out and the Su Family was destroyed, but only Su Min is missing, and it is uncertain whether she is dead.

The Lin Mansion's reaction is to search for Su Min, which indicates that Su Min is very important to them; perhaps she possesses what the Su Family Caravan was transporting.

Regarding the collusion between the Lin Mansion and the Red Lotus Sect, because there is no conclusive evidence, no one cares at all. The Lin Mansion remains standing firm.

At the same time, the letters produced by the Golden Breath Pavilion and the information Xu Le purchased are consistent, all using terms like "suspected" or "unknown," making it impossible to cast blame.

However, what surprises Wei Zhuang the most is the distribution of the Organ Refining Realm martial artists of the Lin Mansion.

One of them remains in the Lin Mansion to hold the fort, another is out conducting business, and the last one is unexpectedly missing.

This elusive layout makes it difficult for Wei Zhuang to judge the true strength of the Lin Mansion, while also giving him a profound realization of the cunning and caution of great clans when protecting their own interests.

Facing this complex and subtle information, countless thoughts surge in Wei Zhuang's heart.

First, Su Min's disappearance has aroused his great interest. As the only person in the Su Family Caravan whose death has not been confirmed, Su Min's safety directly affects the whereabouts of the items transported by the Su Family Caravan.

This item clearly holds immense value for the Lin Mansion and other forces; otherwise, the Lin Mansion would not be searching for it so unscrupulously.

Wei Zhuang cannot help but wonder, what exactly is this item?

If the Hong Sect were to obtain it, what would happen then?

Secondly, since the Lin Mansion has already laid its cards on the table, Wei Zhuang naturally will not let it go, though how to strike remains to be discussed.

Strength is one aspect, and establishing a foothold is another.

The Hong Sect needs to expand and develop, so it naturally cannot shoot without a target.

"Come here!" Wei Zhuang gave an order, and two men outside the door immediately appeared before him, bowing respectfully: "Sect Master."

"Go to the Golden Breath Pavilion and ask if there is any method to accelerate Bone Refining, and also, confirm the specific route of the Lin Family's Organ Refining martial artist who is out." Wei Zhuang's voice was cold and serious.

"Understood!" One man nodded without hesitation, then turned his gaze toward the effeminate man on the side, giving him a look that said 'you go.' The latter revealed a look of reluctance on his face.

He muttered under his breath: "Being at the Blood Refining Mid-Stage is so great... having to run errands for me again..." but he still prepared to set off helplessly.

The sword-wielding man's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a smug smile. This action completely enraged the effeminate man.

He glared angrily at the sword-wielding man, gritting his teeth and saying: "Situ Jian, you just wait!"

"Wei Yin, you are still far from it!"

"Come, come, let's go out and spar."

Wei Zhuang looked at the two with a face as dark as water and said coldly: "If you two don't want to die, you can keep arguing. You two go together."

Hearing this, the two instantly fell silent like cicadas in winter, not daring to make another sound.

Wei Zhuang did not pay much attention to the dispute between Situ Jian and Wei Yin.

These people were subordinates he had forcibly subdued; although they each had certain abilities, they also had their own character flaws.

Their arguing was merely a small interlude on the path of cultivation and would not affect the overall situation.

After all, the rankings of the Sword Hall were not just empty talk; everyone knew exactly how much weight they carried in their hearts.

With the power of gold, the information was quickly bought back from the Golden Breath Pavilion.

"The 'Silk-Pulling Art,' an auxiliary technique to accelerate Bone Refining?" Wei Zhuang's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked: "When did the auction for this start?"

"In one month, at the Golden Breath Pavilion!"

"Then we still have time to prepare..." Wei Zhuang muttered to himself. He suddenly thought of something and asked again: "What are the qualifications to enter the auction?"

"Very simple, as long as you carry a certificate for ten thousand taels."

"Oh?" A smile appeared on the corner of Wei Zhuang's mouth. "It seems this is not difficult; one only needs to take the banknotes to get in."

"What about the news on the Lin Family's Organ Refining martial artist?"

"Lin Dong, a Organ Refining martial artist at the mid-stage from the Lin Family, has gone to Heimu Prefecture, next to Lianshan Prefecture City, to purchase medicinal herbs specifically for Organ Refining.

It is rumored that Lin Dong's trip this time is to break through his cultivation bottleneck, and this procurement of main ingredients might be the key opportunity for him to achieve that breakthrough," Situ Jian replied.

Wei Yin was busy showing that he was no worse than Situ Jian: "From Heimu Prefecture to Lianshan, there is only one path that must be taken—Luoshui Canyon. He must pass through this canyon to return, and this is our chance.

According to the news, it should be within these few days that he returns."

Watching Wei Yin meticulously planning how to use Luoshui Canyon to ambush the Lin Family's Organ Refining martial artist, he nodded inwardly.

Wei Yin's proactive performance and keen insight into the situation made Wei Zhuang feel satisfied.

Although Wei Yin and Situ Jian came from different gangs, the tacit understanding and cooperation they showed after joining the Sword Hall were impressive.

This was also the reason Wei Zhuang kept the two by his side; as for the others, one could only look at their combat power, as they had no other value.

"Organ Refining martial artist, are you not afraid?" Wei Zhuang asked curiously.

Situ Jian was the first to answer: "It's finally possible to see an expert; only after coming to the Prefecture City did I realize how big the world outside is." His words revealed a yearning for the outside world and a thirst for experts.

Wei Yin affirmed: "Sect Master, since you are not afraid, we naturally are not either; at worst, it's just death."

He directly expressed his trust in Wei Zhuang's strength and his indifference toward his own safety.

Yet, deep down, Wei Yin was dismissive of this; what kind of probing was this, coaxing a child?

Although Wei Zhuang was only a Bone Refining martial artist, it was rumored that his strength was enough to suppress Organ Refining martial artists. This made them full of trust in Wei Zhuang. After all, he was the man who had defeated them.

Furthermore, as the second Sect Master of the Hong Sect, that mysterious first Hong Sect Leader was the true backing of the entire Hong Sect.

Even though Wei Yin had never met Cheng Feng after being incorporated, the surrounding disciples were always praising Cheng Feng, always saying that it was under the leadership of the first Sect Master that the Red Star and Black Snake gangs were directly wiped out.

Whenever this happened, Wei Yin, in addition to his anger, would always sigh at the extraordinary methods of the first Sect Master, who still had such powerful influence among the Hong Sect disciples even after passing on the position.

Additionally, Wei Yin did not believe Wei Zhuang would be so foolish as to engage a Organ Refining martial artist in a head-on confrontation.

After all, martial artists are also human, and they likewise have their own weaknesses.

As a high-level martial artist of the Black Snake Gang, Wei Yin had a deep understanding and unique insights into poison arts. When facing powerful enemies, besides direct armed confrontation, one could also use means like poison to achieve victory.

Seeing that both Situ Jian and Wei Yin's answers appeared exceptionally firm, Wei Zhuang pondered whether he should add more burdens to the two.

People with such firm convictions are not often seen!