258: Chapter 258 The War Begins

The smile on Laughing Arhat's Face froze instantly, and a hint of malice flashed through his eyes.

But it was only for a split second before he returned to his normal expression. "Lady Mingluo, why get angry? My words just now were a bit abrupt; I naturally trust your character. How about we each take a step back? Once Liu Three-Blade appears, I will immediately hand over the Blood-Veined Fruit in my possession to you."

Yan Qingying did not answer immediately, but instead stared fixedly at Laughing Arhat.

Not until the smile on Laughing Arhat's Face stiffened did she slowly spit out two words: "Acceptable."

The other Blood Demon Sect Martial Artists present witnessed all of this, their hearts filled with shock.

As Laughing Arhat's subordinates and Blood Slaves, they knew his temperament well. "Brutal" was not even enough to describe it.

Yet today, Laughing Arhat not only backed down but also maintained a smiling Face throughout. This caused all the Blood Demon Sect Martial Artists to look at Yan Qingying with a hint of awe and fear. Even Poison Three, who was closest to Yan Qingying, saw his expression change several times.

After concluding negotiations with Yan Qingying, Laughing Arhat turned his gaze back to Poison Three at his side, his tone full of confidence. "Third, continue wandering outside and make some more noise. Wang Hengshan and Liu Three-Blade should be on their way here. At most, they will arrive in an hour."

"Understood, Big Brother." Poison Three's voice was resolute. At this moment, the matter was settled. Even though he knew he was the bait, there was no possibility of refusing.

Meanwhile, at the east gate of Longnan Prefecture city, dozens of people rode out on horseback. The horses were pitch-black like ink, with sharp horns standing on their foreheads that glinted with cold light. Their raised hooves stirred up clouds of dust.

The leader was none other than Wang Hengshan. To ensure the success of this trip, Wang Hengshan had requisitioned a batch of exotic horses. Although these exotic horses were not as enduring as the Pei Clan's Dragon Scale Horses, they were faster over short distances. Dozens of miles could be covered in just half an hour. The distance from the east gate of Longnan Prefecture to the Yunshan Mountains was only fifty miles, making it perfect for these exotic horses.

"Giddyap, giddyap..." Soon, the sound of galloping hooves vanished at the end of the road.

However, shortly after Wang Hengshan left, two people riding the same type of exotic horses pursued them along the main road. The two were Pei Qingyun and Liu Three-Blade.

Half an hour earlier, Liu Three-Blade had rushed to the Pei Family Villa to notify Pei Qingyun, but he was still a step late. However, Wang Hengshan had not left long ago, so the two were not worried about failing to catch up before reaching the Yunshan Mountains.

As they rode, the two discussed the plan.

"After we arrive at the Yunshan Mountains, I will make a move on Poison Three. If Laughing Arhat does not appear, you just need to remain hidden in the shadows," Liu Three-Blade said.

Pei Qingyun had no objections to this. He intended to hide his identity, so it was naturally best if he did not have to take action. As for dealing with the small-fry, the Evil Suppression Bureau did not lack Evil-Suppressing Guards. What the Evil Suppression Bureau lacked had always been top-tier combat power.

"That is naturally no problem. However, I must make some things clear. If Laughing Arhat does not appear this time, I can give Liu the Guard some Face and not hold it against you. But I cannot keep following the Evil Suppression Bureau on missions time and again for just three Pure Essence Fruits," Pei Qingyun said.

"Grandmaster Qingyun, rest assured. I am confident that Laughing Arhat will appear this time. My previous words were just a precaution. If things go as I say, I will not let you come for nothing," Liu Three-Blade smiled, not angered by this.

Even brothers must settle accounts clearly. Furthermore, Pei Qingyun and he only had a transactional relationship with no friendship whatsoever. Transactions naturally revolve around interests. For any large faction, the most fundamental lesson is the exchange of interests. No matter how amazing your talent or extraordinary your background, you cannot escape this point. Because whether it is talent or background, they are essentially exchanges of interests. It's just that for those with good backgrounds, the Family gives up interests. As for those with good talent, they can bring future interests.

There might be brutes within the Evil Suppression Bureau. But to be able to sit in his current position, how could he be just a brute who only knew how to kill and fight?

"Since Guard Liu has said so, I have no more concerns," Pei Qingyun said. Next, the two rode at full speed. Soon, they caught up with Wang Hengshan's group. However, they did not rendezvous with them but instead followed at a relative distance.

In this way, the group entered the Yunshan Mountains. The Yunshan Mountains were vast, and the outer perimeter was not very dangerous; the Vicious Beasts were only ordinary first or second-rank, and the highest would not exceed third-rank. Wang Hengshan's group gathered together, their immense Qi and blood coalescing without dispersing. Although Vicious Beasts had low intelligence, they were not mindless. With dozens of Martial Artists traveling together like this, ordinary Vicious Beasts dared not attack.

Before long, the group arrived near a dilapidated village. A scout responsible for gathering intelligence emerged from the dense forest. Seeing this, Wang Hengshan raised his hand and issued an order to the Evil-Suppressing Guards behind him. The next moment, the dozens of Evil-Suppressing Guards pulled on their reins, and the exotic horses stopped simultaneously.

Fortunately, after everyone entered the Yunshan Mountains, they had slowed down their riding speed; otherwise, it would have been another chaotic scramble. It was also at this time that the scout approached, pointed toward the direction of the dilapidated village, and said, "A quarter of an hour ago, subordinate, this is where I discovered Poison Three. He ultimately disappeared in this direction. Subordinate was afraid of being discovered, so I did not pursue him further."

"Alright, there is nothing for you here anymore; your mission is complete." Wang Hengshan waved his hand, signaling that the scout could leave. Although the Evil Suppression Bureau had secret techniques for concealing Qi, not just anyone could track a Grandmaster at close range. Since the scout did not continue to pursue, he could not really blame him.

"Everyone, search along this direction. The Blood Demon Sect Martial Artists are nearby; do not lower your guard." Hearing this, everyone slowed their pace. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, someone noticed the village ahead.

"Reporting to my Lord, subordinate has a new discovery. One hundred zhang ahead, there is an abandoned village." "An abandoned village." Wang Hengshan looked in the direction pointed out. A dilapidated village appeared in his line of sight. Judging by its appearance, this village had been abandoned for at least ten years.

But just as he approached, a faint trace of Qi drifted into his nostrils with the breeze. "Not good, it's an ambush." Wang Hengshan exclaimed. He was too familiar with this scent; it was unique to Blood Demon Sect Martial Artists. Immediately, he released the perception belonging to a Grandmaster. Within his perception, dozens of figures were hiding nearby. Using the dense forest and large trees as cover, they would be hard to spot without careful examination. But under a Grandmaster's perception, they had nowhere to hide. At this moment, he was ultimately a step too slow. Before he could continue speaking, the Blood Demon Sect Martial Artists who had been hiding in the shadows surrounded them.