127: Chapter 127 Lure the snake out of its hole

Liu Qingchen's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and he looked up at him.

"What kind of trap?"

"To lure Zhao Guangyuan out."

Li Changsheng explained his plan in detail.

He would pretend to go out alone to tempt Zhao Guangyuan into acting.

Liu Qingchen would follow secretly with people from the Hall of Law Enforcement, and once Zhao Guangyuan appeared, they would capture him on the spot.

"The risk is high."

Liu Qingchen said slowly after listening.

"If the people I bring don't arrive in time, you might die."

Li Changsheng nodded.

"I know."

Liu Qingchen looked at him with a profound gaze.

"Have you thought it through?"

Li Changsheng said.

"I have."

"Rather than being on edge all day, not knowing when he'll strike, it's better to take the initiative."

"If it succeeds, it's settled once and for all; if it fails, it's just dying a few days earlier."

Li Changsheng suddenly spoke with a tragic air, but it was all an act.

Liu Qingchen was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked.

"What do you need?"

Li Changsheng said.

"Defensive Talismans."

"The kind that can block an attack from the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage."

"Ideally a few more, just in case."

Liu Qingchen nodded and took a Storage Pouch from his robe, placing it on the table.

"Inside are five second-grade Vajra Talismans."

"Each one can withstand a full-strength blow from a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator for three breaths of time."

"There are also two Gale Talismans; once activated, your speed will skyrocket, helping you escape."

Li Changsheng was stunned.

"Senior Brother Liu, this..."

"Take them."

Liu Qingchen pressed the jade Talismans into his hand.

"If you die, what would be the point of everything I've done?"

Li Changsheng looked at these Talismans, a surge of complex emotions rising in his heart.

From Qinghe Town to the Qinglan Sword Sect, from the General Affairs Hall to the Hundred Herb Garden, Liu Qingchen had helped him too many times.

He didn't know how to repay this kindness.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Liu."

He cupped his fists solemnly.

"How much do these Talismans cost? Consider them purchased by me."

"I will always remember Senior Brother Liu's kindness in my heart."

"There's no rush for that."

Liu Qingchen shook his head, took a sip of tea, and said calmly.

"When does the plan begin?"

Li Changsheng thought for a moment.

"In three days. I need time to prepare and also to let the news spread."

"What news?"

"Isn't Zhao Guangyuan an Artifact Refiner? He should be interested in Materials."

A glint of light flashed in Li Changsheng's eyes.

"I'll have someone spread news in the market that I discovered a Black Iron Mine near Luanshi Ridge and plan to check it out alone."

Liu Qingchen's brow quirked slightly.

"Will he believe it?"

Li Changsheng said.

"He will. Because I really did discover an altar at Luanshi Ridge and have been there."

"And me going alone is exactly what he wants."

Liu Qingchen was silent for a moment and then nodded.

"Good. I'll go contact the people from the Hall of Law Enforcement."

"Elder Chen of the Hall of Law Enforcement is an old acquaintance of my Master's; he can be trusted."

Three days later, the news spread through the market.

"Have you heard? That Li Changsheng from the Hundred Herb Garden found a Black Iron Mine at Luanshi Ridge!"

"A Black Iron Mine? That's good stuff! He's going alone?"

"Exactly, they say he doesn't want to make a scene and is quietly going to check it out himself."

"Heh, he's got guts. Luanshi Ridge isn't safe."

Li Changsheng made a round in the market, and after confirming the news had spread, he leisurely returned to the Hundred Herb Garden.

He packed some things, changed into ordinary clothes, and left the Sect on his sword.

Direction: Luanshi Ridge.

Along the way, he didn't fly fast, even intentionally lingering in some open areas to give the other party enough time to discover and track him.

At the same time, his hand remained on his Storage Pouch, ready to activate those Talismans at any moment.

After flying for about an hour, he entered the vicinity of Luanshi Ridge.

It still looked the same as before.

Jagged rocks everywhere, desolate and silent.

The traces from when he came with Lu Yu last time were still there; the ruins of the destroyed altars still lay quietly in that clearing.

He landed and pretended to conduct a careful investigation, wandering around the ruins.

In secret, he kept a constant watch on his surroundings.

No movement.

He waited for another stick of incense's time, but there was still no movement.

Did Zhao Guangyuan not come?

Or did he see through the trap?

Li Changsheng frowned and continued wandering around the ruins.

He intentionally showed some openings, such as turning his back to a certain direction or looking down to examine the rubble on the ground, making it easier for the other party to strike.

Still no movement.

The sun gradually dipped toward the west, and the sky began to darken.

The doubt in Li Changsheng's heart grew heavier.

If Zhao Guangyuan really wanted to act, this was the best opportunity. Why wasn't he moving?

He thought about it and decided to wait a bit longer.

Night fell, and Luanshi Ridge was pitch black.

Li Changsheng found a spot sheltered from the wind, lit a campfire, and sat cross-legged by the fire, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing.

On the surface, he seemed completely defenseless, but in reality, his perception was operating at full power, covering the surrounding area for dozens of yards.

One hour, two hours, three hours.

Until the eastern sky began to pale, the figure he was waiting for never appeared.

Li Changsheng opened his eyes, looked at the gradually brightening sky, and let out a long breath.

He didn't come.

Zhao Guangyuan didn't come.

Did he see through the trap, or... did he simply not intend to act at Luanshi Ridge?

Or was the tracker that day not him at all?

He didn't know.

But he knew that this trap had failed.

By the time Li Changsheng returned to the Sect, it was already noon the next day.

Liu Qingchen was waiting for him at the Hundred Herb Garden; seeing him return safely, he sighed slightly in relief.

"He didn't come?"

Li Changsheng shook his head.

"He didn't come."

Liu Qingchen was silent for a moment, then said.

"Elder Chen also brought people from the Hall of Law Enforcement and kept watch in the shadows all night. They didn't find anything."

Li Changsheng nodded without speaking.

The two were silent for a long time.

Liu Qingchen suddenly spoke.

"What now?"

Li Changsheng looked up toward the distant Wanqi Peak.

There, the clanging sound of blacksmithing continued.

Zhao Guangyuan was still refining his artifacts, as if nothing had happened.

"Senior Brother Liu,"

he spoke slowly.

"I need something."

"What?"

"Something that can kill a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator."

Liu Qingchen looked at him with a profound gaze.

Li Changsheng continued.

"This plan failed."

"He either saw through it or has other plans."

"Regardless of which, it shows he is more cautious than I imagined."

"Next time, he might not give me another chance."

Liu Qingchen nodded.

Li Changsheng paused, his voice low.

"I must be prepared."

"If he really acts, I must at least have the strength to fight back."

Seeing that Liu Qingchen didn't seem to understand his meaning, Li Changsheng added.

"When I went out on a mission last time, Mo Han said his Master gave him a Talisman that could kill a Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

"I think if I had that kind of Talisman, it would definitely be more secure."

Liu Qingchen was silent for a long time, finally nodding.

"That kind of Talisman is called a 'Talisman Treasure'."

"It's something a Golden Core Stage Cultivator creates by sealing one of their Divine Abilities into Talisman paper to give to their juniors for life-saving."

"It's immensely powerful but can only be used once."

"My protective Sword Qi is actually a type of Talisman Treasure."

Li Changsheng's eyes lit up.

"Where can I get one?"

Liu Qingchen said.

"Within the Sect, you can exchange contribution points for them."

"But the price is extremely high; even the most ordinary Talisman Treasure costs a hundred thousand contribution points."

A hundred thousand.

Li Changsheng fell silent.

He had worked so hard to save for so long, yet he only had thirty-eight thousand.

A hundred thousand was too far off.

Liu Qingchen continued.

"Besides Sect exchanges, you can also buy them on the black market."

"But black market prices are even higher, and it's hard to tell real from fake; you could easily be cheated."

Li Changsheng frowned.

Liu Qingchen looked at him and suddenly said.

"I can help you."