112: Chapter 112 The Black Wind Stronghold's Conspiracy

After clearing the scene, the group set off again on the road toward the depths of Black Wind Ridge.

The fog was thicker than before, and the damp air was laced with the faint, intermittent roars of Yao Beasts, yet no one in the group was as nervous as they had been before.

Zhang Wen walked at the very front of the group, the sky-splitting startling thunder spear slung diagonally across his back, its shaft occasionally flickering with faint arcs of thunder.

The churning fog all around seemed to part for him as he passed.

That aura of the Peak of the Subtle Realm acted like an invisible barrier, preventing the dangers lurking in the shadows from daring to approach easily.

Zhao Meng voluntarily fell half a step behind, following at Zhang Wen's side, occasionally pointing out the terrain ahead and whispering reminders.

"There is miasma on that stretch of road ahead. I've led a team through here once before; we need to go around the stone slope to the east."

"Fifty paces to the front left, there's a trail worn by Yao Beasts. Taking that path will save us half an hour."

Lin Muer and Xiao Ya followed in the middle. Xiao Ya gripped her short sword tightly, but her eyes remained fixed on Zhang Wen's back; her previous lingering fear had long since turned into peace of mind.

Lin Muer would occasionally take out the map, confirm the route, and then present it to Zhang Wen.

"Zhang Wen, do you see if the direction we're heading in is correct? Should we adjust it?"

Even Old Wang, who was usually quiet, took the initiative to carry the heaviest supplies, not forgetting to prepare extra medicine, and would ask from time to time.

"Brother Zhang Wen, would you like some water? It's cold in this fog, don't catch a chill."

Zhang Wen did not refuse. When faced with matters requiring a decision, he would first listen to everyone's opinions before combining them with his own perception to make a judgment.

While passing through a canyon covered in vines, he suddenly raised his hand to signal a stop, a faint glimmer of Tribulation Thunder flashing in his palm.

"There is something inside, at least three Shaping Realm Mid-stage Yao Beasts hiding behind the vines."

Zhao Meng immediately gripped his long saber, just about to suggest taking a detour, but Zhang Wen had already stepped forward: "Wait here for me. I'll handle it, it will be quick."

Before his voice had even faded, he had already swept into the canyon, and only a few short, sharp cries of Yao Beasts could be heard from within.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhang Wen walked out, the tip of his spear stained with a little Yao Beast blood, yet he did not look disheveled in the slightest.

"Alright, it's cleared. Let's go."

The group followed him into the canyon and saw three Yao Beasts covered in thunder marks lying on the ground. Their trust in Zhang Wen increased even more—with such strength, following him was more reliable than anything else.

The scene suddenly shifted. In the Great Hall of the Black Wind Stockade, candles flickered, bathing the room in a red glow.

On the ground lay a blood-stained piece of coarse cloth, which was the very same cloth bag from the burly man earlier, and next to it were six blood-stained tokens—these were the identity tokens of the Black Wind Stockade Disciples.

A burly man with a full beard stood up, slamming the table. The broadsword at his waist clattered against the table leg; he was none other than the leader of the Black Wind Stockade, Hei Sha.

"Trash! All of you are trash!"

Hei Sha roared, waving his large hand, causing the wine jar on the table to crash to the ground, splashing wine and shards everywhere.

"Six Shaping Realm Late-stage brothers, just gone like that? We can't even find their bodies, only finding these broken tokens and the cloth bag! Who has such a death wish that they dare to touch my Black Wind Stockade's people?!"

A dozen or so Black Wind Stockade leaders stood in the hall, all hanging their heads, not daring to make a sound.

One tall, thin man said with a trembling voice.

"Leader, the brothers searched the perimeter of Black Wind Ridge, but only found residual thunder energy and bloodstains in a dense forest. Judging by the intensity of the thunder energy, the opponent is at least a Subtle Realm expert..."

"So what if they are in the Subtle Realm?!"

Hei Sha's eyes turned bloodshot, his hand pressing onto the hilt of his saber.

"My Black Wind Stockade has stood in Black Wind Ridge for so many years; no one has ever dared to challenge me like this! I'll take the brothers out right now, skin that brat alive, and avenge our fallen brothers!"

Just then, a low voice came from the shadows on the side of the hall: "Leader Hei Sha, calm down."

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a person wearing a black cloak stepping out from the shadows. The cloak's hood was pulled very low, and their face was covered by a black cloth, revealing only a pair of eyes that glimmered with cold light.

He walked slowly, yet carried an invisible sense of oppression with him, causing even Hei Sha to subconsciously restrain some of his anger.

"Sir, what do you mean by that?" Hei Sha said through gritted teeth.

"Six brothers have died; I cannot just let this go!"

The mysterious person stopped, tapped their fingertips lightly on the table, and said in a calm voice that carried an unquestionable power: "Leader, don't forget our 'big plan'."

"Those six people dying is certainly a pity, but compared to what we are looking for, what is this small loss?"

Hei Sha's expression darkened; apparently remembering something, he clenched his fists until they cracked, but he did not retort again.

"Now is not the time to make a scene."

The mysterious person continued, their gaze sweeping over the people in the hall.

"The opponent has a Subtle Realm expert, and their background is unknown. If we make a big fuss to find them now, in case we startle the snake, and others find out our purpose, it will only cause trouble."

"It is better to stay put for now and watch the movements in the depths of Black Wind Ridge—to be able to kill six Shaping Realm Late-stage experts, the opponent must also be aiming for the Secret Realm core. When the time comes... there will be plenty of opportunities to settle the score."

Hei Sha panted heavily, finally letting go of his saber hilt, and glared fiercely at the tokens on the ground: "Fine! I'll listen to you, Sir!"

"But I have noted this debt! Once the big plan is accomplished, I will definitely make that brat pay a bloody price!"

The mysterious person nodded slightly, said nothing more, and turned back into the shadows, leaving only Hei Sha and a group of leaders in the hall, the atmosphere as oppressive as the silence before a storm.

And no one noticed that the moment the mysterious person disappeared, his hood moved slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

(Apologies~ I've been really pressed for time the last two days, so I took a temporary leave yesterday without explaining it to everyone in time. Thank you all for your understanding and patience.)