12: Lilac's whereabouts, rescue people

The fat man spoke with growing excitement, finally managing to explain the whole story clearly. The leader of the Vajra Sect, Shi Potian, had broken through to the Great Perfection of the Acquired Realm many years ago, only a single step away from stepping into the Innate Realm.

But each time, he was just a sliver of Opportunity short. If he could find the Mountain Spirit and use it to trade with the Martial Alliance, Shi Potian believed his Innate Realm prospects were within reach.

He notified all the major leaders within the sect that while managing their business affairs, they must also spare no effort to search for the Mountain Spirit around Xining County, to grasp this heaven-sent chance firmly in their hands.

The old master is advanced in years, his Qi and blood are in decline, and due to an old injury, despite having the cultivation of the Lian Zang Realm, he is still weary of long journeys.

Therefore, the old master's intention was to have Chen Cuo and Lei Wen go to Xining County on his behalf to participate in the Vajra Sect's hunt.

Sending someone earlier was precisely to invite Chen Cuo to discuss this matter.

"A piece of news, true or false, has actually set the entire Martial Forest in motion. Isn't that just too absurd!" After sorting out his thoughts, Chen Cuo couldn't help but voice a rare complaint.

"Boss, what are you talking about? That's an Immortal Treasure! A treasure that can prolong life just by smelling it! And it's said to be extremely helpful for breaking through Realms beyond the Innate."

Chen Cuo: "..."

Prolong life? What kind of bullshit is that? He, who was immortal, needed to worry about such a problem? Fine! The current Chen Cuo could no longer understand the desperation ordinary Martial Artists felt, risking their lives for treasures that could extend their lifespan.

"But if I could take the Opportunity to earn some Destiny Points, that might not be bad either."

After pondering this in his heart, Chen Cuo quickly asked, "When do we set off?"

"It's not certain yet. The old master said the sect leader still has some business deals that aren't finalized, so we have to wait a bit longer."

"Hmm." Chen Cuo nodded, then asked again, "What did you come to Ding Xiang's place for?"

"We just got back from the old master's place! We figured you were still in seclusion, so we wanted Ding Xiang to deliver the message to you quickly, but she wasn't here either!"

"Again?"

A sense of foreboding immediately arose in Chen Cuo's heart. At that moment, a panicked voice came from outside, "Boss, boss, it's terrible! Xiao Wen has been beaten half to death; he's barely alive now!"

Gu Pang welcomed the person in and immediately said, "It's Ah Qi. What happened? Speak slowly."

Ah Qi was very flustered, but seeing the crowd in the courtyard, he calmed down somewhat. He said, "Leader Hong and Leader Gu are here too. Boss, it's terrible! Just now, while my brothers and I were patrolling the streets, we found Xiao Wen lying at the entrance of Qingshui Street, and one of his arms was severed."

"And... and Xiao Wen said that Leader Ding has been kidnapped by the Hong Family."

"What! Ding Xiang was taken by the Hong Family? Have they grown a bear's heart and a leopard's gall, daring to oppose the Vajra Sect!" Gu Pang was so angry he nearly jumped. The Hong Family's Young Master, Hong Yu, was the rich Young Master who had harassed Ding Xiang last time.

He had been thoroughly dealt with by Chen Cuo, and the Hong Family hadn't dared to utter a single complaint, because Chen Cuo was a Martial Artist of the Vajra Sect, while the Hong Family was just an ordinary merchant family. He didn't know why the Hong Family dared to provoke him again this time, even kidnapping Ding Xiang.

"What exactly happened? Bring Xiao Wen here." Xiao Wen and Ah Qi were both his original subordinates. After Qingshui Street came under his control, some of Fan Ming's former subordinates had defected to other leaders, while those who were honest and obedient chose to follow Chen Cuo. Chen Cuo had them handle miscellaneous tasks. The original patrol duties were still being carried out by Chen Cuo's old subordinates.

Xiao Wen was carried in by two men. Chen Cuo examined the wound. His entire right arm had been severed cleanly at the root, done with a single slash, without any superfluous movement, revealing the skill of the attacker.

"Boss, please go save Leader Ding quickly. He was abducted by the Second Master of the Hong Family. And he said... he said you have to bring three hundred thousand taels of silver to exchange for Leader Ding, otherwise they will... I'm useless, I failed to protect Leader Ding."

"The Second Master of the Hong Family, Hong Tu? Isn't that the illegitimate son who was driven out of the Hong Family many years ago? The illegitimate younger brother of the current Hong Family head?" Hong Feng asked with some surprise.

"Exactly. And that Second Master Hong Tu has been away for many years. He must have encountered some kind of Opportunity, as he is now a Martial Artist at the Perfection of the Bone Refining Stage. Moreover, it was precisely after hearing that Hong Yu was injured by you, boss, that he came looking for Leader Ding. He said... he said he wants you, boss, to kneel down and admit your mistake." Xiao Wen stammered out the words, his voice growing smaller and smaller by the end.

"Impossible! Even if he is a Martial Artist of the Lian Zang Realm, so what? Does the Hong Family dare to offend our Vajra Sect?" A trace of worry appeared on Gu Pang's face, but he then firmly believed the Hong Family would not choose to offend the Vajra Sect.

"The Second Master of the Hong Family joined the North Dipper Gang, didn't he?" Chen Cuo considered a possibility. A Martial Artist at the Bone Refining Stage was considered a high-level combatant in this small Wei City. If the Second Master Hong Tu proposed joining the North Dipper Gang, of course, they wouldn't refuse.

"Yes, there were several North Dipper Gang members with him," Xiao Wen replied.

"So it was the North Dipper Gang who crossed the line first. Hmph! Why force me? I just want to Cultivate in peace and earn money steadily. Isn't that good enough? Huh?" Chen Cuo seemed to be asking himself, an extremely fierce expression appearing on his face. A terrifying Aura emanated from his entire body, instantly chilling the atmosphere in the entire courtyard.

"Fatty, go inform the old master that the North Dipper Gang has come to our territory to cause trouble. Hong Feng, come with me to rescue her."

"Where did they take Ding Xiang?"

"To the Hong Family Fort in the outskirts. After getting Xiao Wen's message, I already sent two brothers to keep watch nearby," Ah Qi answered at this point.

Chen Cuo turned and led Hong Feng, along with Ah Qi and the others, out of the courtyard, swiftly heading towards Hong Family Fort.

Hong Family Fort was a fortress built by the Hong Family to defend against external invaders. From the outside, the entire fortress looked like a mushroom growing from flat ground.

Ah Qi found the two brothers keeping watch and inquired about the situation.

"Boss, Leader Ding is inside. Hong Tu is there too. They didn't even try to hide. Another big leader from the North Dipper Gang, He Fan, is also there."

"Good. Go down and collect your reward!" After hearing the news, Hong Feng turned to Chen Cuo and asked, "Boss, what should we do?"

"What should we do? Hahaha! Whatever they want, they need to be alive to take it. Rather than being passively blackmailed, it's better to take the initiative. I'll let them know what it means when a Martial Artist is enraged—rivers of blood will flow."

"Hong Feng, lead the brothers to guard all directions. Except for the old master, don't let anyone up the mountain."

Chen Cuo sensed that this involved far more than just the North Dipper Gang. Probably even within the Vajra Sect...

At this moment, inside Hong Family Fort.

A middle-aged man with a hooked nose and a fierce expression sat in the main seat. This person was precisely the Second Master of the Hong Family, Hong Tu.

Beside him was a ruddy-faced, short and stout man who looked quite amiable and kind. Yet he was one of the big leaders of the North Dipper Gang, He Fan.

A few others remained standing in the hall. Their gazes fell upon a bound woman in the hall, their expressions revealing sinister, cold smiles. The woman's eyes were full of anger and filled with despair.

Seeing the woman's angry and helpless appearance, many of the men laughed with ill intent. A young man with a slight limp and a sickly appearance stepped forward and slapped the woman across the face, leaving a clear palm print on the beautiful woman's cheek.

"You bitch! Weren't you so feisty? Huh? Why aren't you feisty now? When your so-called boss gets here, I'll make him kneel and kowtow to admit his mistake, and let him properly admire your beauty."

This young man was precisely the Hong Family's Young Master, Hong Yu. Back then, he had harassed Ding Xiang, wanting to forcibly take her as a concubine. At that time, Ding Xiang had just begun learning martial arts, and he didn't have Martial Artist guards. Ding Xiang struggled and escaped. Chen Cuo stood up for her and broke Hong Yu's leg. Hong Yu had held a grudge ever since.

When Hong Tu returned to the Hong Family and joined the North Dipper Gang, Hong Yu immediately went to Hong Tu to cry and complain.

After Hong Tu received information about Chen Cuo within the North Dipper Gang, he immediately set his sights on him. A mere Martial Artist at the Skin Refining Stage had actually managed to develop all sorts of rare and valuable goods, earning fifty thousand taels in dry shares every month. Coupled with Hong Yu's instigation, this piqued his interest. So, Hong Tu seized the Opportunity to kidnap Ding Xiang and use her for extortion.

"Alright, Yu'er, don't damage her. Otherwise, if our 'Good Man Chen' isn't willing to pay, what then?" Hong Tu gave a cold smile, his gaze burning as he looked at Ding Xiang, as if looking at a valuable piece of merchandise.

"Second Uncle, will Chen Cuo really come? It's just a woman after all." Hong Yu reached out and stroked Ding Xiang's face, revealing a lecherous smile. If Chen Cuo didn't come... he would thoroughly torment the woman before him.

"Young Master Hong, no need to worry. 'Good Man Chen's' reputation has spread throughout Wei City. He's a truly good man. How could he abandon his subordinate? Especially such a beautiful woman. I don't even know how he manages to restrain himself."

It was He Fan who spoke, looking at Ding Xiang's face mockingly as he joked.

"Could it be that he's... incapable in that area?" Hong Yu said.

"Hahaha! Hahaha!"

Someone started it, and everyone in the room burst into laughter.

At that moment, the gatekeeper entered, knelt on the ground, and said, "Reporting, Master. Someone is at the gate requesting an audience. He says he is Chen Cuo of the Vajra Sect."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Cuo had already pushed past the obstructing guards and entered the fort, heading straight for the main hall where everyone was gathered.

Hong Tu took a look. The Chen Cuo before him seemed ordinary, yet each step he took was steady, without the slightest trace of fear. Most importantly, there was a special, reserved divine charm about him, to the point that one couldn't even sense his cultivation Realm.

His heart stirred slightly, then he felt a bit strange. "He actually dared to come? He dares to come alone to rescue someone? Is he an idiot?"