Chapter 289: Arrival at the Hidden Stronghold

"Brother Si Yi." Fen Tian smiled as he stepped forward; after these few days together he was completely impressed by the medical skill of the person before him and voluntarily addressed her as brother: "Brother, this is a hidden stronghold of our Seek Dragon Gate. You can settle here; once I meet the Sect Master, if the Sect Master is willing to see you, I, as your brother, will send someone to fetch you."

"Alright, then many thanks to Fen City Lord."

"We are brothers, why be so formal? If in the future you become a favorite before the Sect Master, never forget that I am your brother."

"Fen City Lord thinks too highly of me; whether I can catch the Sect Master's eye is still unknown, let alone becoming a favorite before the Sect Master."

"The Sect Master values talent; he will be satisfied with your medical skill. Just stay here and await good news."

The manor was enormous; Chi Nan Yi walked around inside, and the more she turned, the more uneasy she became.

Such a small manor, yet it contained a formation.

"Bagua Formation." Chi Nan Yi smiled, "Interesting."

At that moment, a burst of fierce sword qi erupted behind her.

Chi Nan Yi's heart sank; she dodged to the side, just as she steadied herself the next sword swept across, her body tipped backward, the long sword grazing her; a shift of an inch would have drawn blood.

One hand planted on the ground, the other drew the soft sword coiled at her waist; she thrust down, her body leapt into the air, engaging the man in close combat.

"A hidden arrow wounds; who is this scoundrel that comes?"

The man said nothing, brandishing his long sword and continued to thrust at Chi Nan Yi.

"Seeking death." Chi Nan Yi's arm moved, internal energy surged, she swung her long sword, its momentum like a rainbow.

After dozens of rounds, the man was clearly at a disadvantage.

The soft sword slashed across his chest, crimson blood soaking his collar; Chi Nan Yi kicked his sternum, and the man collapsed heavily to the ground.

Before he could rise, Chi Nan Yi's foot was already pressing on him.

"I'll ask you again: who are you? Who sent you?"

The man gave no answer, only panting heavily.

Her gaze swept over his collar, Chi Nan Yi's eyes narrowed slightly.

When she first entered the manor, she noticed that every guard's collar was embroidered with a black plum blossom; the person before her wore an outer coat, but during the fight the hidden inner collar was exposed.

Heh, since she's from Fen Tian's side, she won't be polite.

With a shift of her foot, several of the man's ribs snapped.

A muffled groan sounded, blood spilling from the man's mouth.

"You…"

"Now you speak? Sorry, I don't want to hear it." She said, then Chi Nan Yi lifted her long sword and thrust sharply at his leg.

"Ah!"

The strike was highly skillful.

It severed his major tendon.

Even if the external wound heals, he'll remain crippled forever.

"My temper has always been bad; when I asked you the first time, you should have cherished the chance. Now you want to speak, I don't want to hear it. Since this matters so much to you, take it to the coffin!" Hearing footsteps nearby, Chi Nan Yi's lips curled slightly.

"Stop!"

Chi Nan Yi pretended not to hear, raised her sword, and the man had his throat slit.

After all that, Fen Tian's figure appeared in the corridor.

Seeing the dead soldier, his expression darkened slightly.

"Didn't I just tell you to stop?"

Chi Nan Yi used a cloth to wipe the blood from her sword, then coldly looked at him: "What did you just say?"

"I said stop you!"

"Why?"

"What?"

"He was an assassin; killing him was justified. Why did Fen City Lord tell me to stop?"

"I…"

"Could it be that this assassin was sent by Fen City Lord?"

Fen Tian saw the deep anger in her eyes and was startled.

"Heh, truly laughable. Is Fen City Lord testing me or has another intention?" Chi Nan Yi tightened her grip on her long sword, looking irritated: "Does Fen City Lord think I'm idle? After several tests, if the City Lord doesn't trust me, just say so. Why resort to such underhanded methods?"

"Your Seek Dragon Gate means nothing to me; the only reason I agreed to come is to retrieve my ten thousand taels of gold. If Fen City Lord can't produce silver, he'll use other means, hire people to ambush and assassinate. Such petty behavior is truly despicable."

Fen Tian's face turned a pallid blue.

"Brother Si Yi, I misjudged you as a brother."

"Stop, you and I should no longer address each other as brothers; it's nauseating."

"You don't know, our Seek Dragon Gate isn't open to just anyone; seeing the Sect Master is even harder. Testing you, I had no choice; if I make a mistake before the Sect Master, my life would be at risk."

Chi Nan Yi heard this and let out a cold snort.

"Brother Si Yi, don't be angry," Fen Tian said with a smile on his face. "Now you have passed the final test; we only await the Sect Master's summons."

Chi Nan Yi gave him a cold glance, then turned and left.

Only after her silhouette vanished did Fen Tian's smile slowly fade.

"Second Guardian," the attendant whispered, "This person, do you really intend to bring them before the Sect Master?"

Fen Tian narrowed his eyes: "The Sect Master is not in Liao City now; we'll speak when he returns. As for her, we'll observe for a while; if there's no issue, we can let the Sect Master see her. If she can catch the Sect Master's eye, I will have earned merit."

"Understood."

He produced a Silver Needle, and Fen Tian said through clenched teeth, "Has there been any news about the person who escaped that night?"

"Returning Guardian, we have already sent people to look, but so far nothing. The items taken from the City Lord's mansion are also of unknown whereabouts."

"Useless! You let someone brazenly take the City Lord's belongings and you didn't notice a thing. Keep searching; I don't believe those things can sprout wings and fly. As for her, keep a watch on her."

"Yes."

Chi Nan Yi returned to the room, and after a short while she sensed several auras around the courtyard.

"This dog thing's vigilance is still quite high."

As night fell, a sound came from the doorway.

A figure slipped into her room.

Chi Nan Yi furrowed her brows, and a flash of uncontrollable anger crossed her mind.

"Never ending?"

A flash of light flickered from her hand, and she grasped the scalpel.

No matter who it is today, don't expect to leave alive.

Just as she was about to strike, a familiar voice sounded.

"It's me."

"Bai Lao?"

She sheathed the scalpel, and Chi Nan Yi looked at him in shock: "How did you end up here?"

"I'm here today to ask you for medicine."

"What medicine are you asking for?"

"My son is gravely wounded and near death; could you give me another bottle of the potion you previously gave me?" He produced a crumpled silver note: "I know this silver isn't enough, but it's all the savings I can muster; could you sell me a bottle."

Chi Nan Yi took out several medicine bottles: "The blue ones are for external injuries, the white ones for internal injuries; there are about dozens of pills inside, you can take them now."

"Thanks, little friend."

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Right here!"