60: Chapter 60 Retreat Behind Zhang Shan

"Crack!"

The sound of the bluestone tiles cracking beneath his feet was exceptionally clear in the deathly silent Dye Works.

A trap!

Alarm bells rang in Chen Fan's mind. Almost by instinct, he kicked off the ground and retreated like an arrow released from a bow!

Almost at the same time, the floor where they had been standing collapsed with a roar, revealing a pitch-black hole.

Below the hole, dense rows of sharp wooden spikes shimmered with a faint green poisonous light.

"An ambush!"

The Junior Martial Uncle leading the team roared, his voice echoing through the courtyard.

However, his warning came a step too late.

In the rooms surrounding the courtyard, windows and doors were burst open simultaneously!

Dozens of dark figures, like bats in the night, pounced silently!

They held poisoned short blades in their hands, their movements ruthless and every strike lethal, aiming directly at the Longxing Sect Disciples in the courtyard!

"Squelch!"

With a dull thud, a young Longxing Sect Disciple failed to dodge in time. A short blade pierced through his back; he didn't even have time to scream before he slumped down.

Blood instantly stained the ground red.

"Form a formation!" The Junior Martial Uncle's eyes nearly split from rage. He flicked his longsword, creating several sword blossoms that forced back two attacking men in black.

The remaining Longxing Sect Disciples reacted quickly, forming a circular formation back-to-back to resist the enemies swarming from all directions.

Flashes of blades and shadows of swords instantly wove a web of death in the small courtyard.

These men in black were all fearless killers with significant cultivation; even the weakest was a Ninth-grade Martial Artist.

Although the Longxing Sect Disciples were well-trained, they immediately fell into a disadvantage under this calculated surprise attack.

"Senior Brother Chen, watch out!"

Zhang Shan barked a low warning. His longsword unsheathed, and with a flash of light as swift as a startled swan, he precisely parried a short blade aimed at Chen Fan's face.

Chen Fan took the opportunity to sidestep, kicking the man in black in the abdomen and sending him flying back into a massive dye vat.

Colorful dyes splashed all over the ground, making the air smell even more pungent.

"Thanks," Chen Fan said, his back already cold with sweat.

He and Zhang Shan stood back-to-back, warily watching the five men in black surrounding them.

These people's target seemed to be the two of them.

"Kill!"

The leader of the men in black let out a hoarse low growl, and the five of them attacked simultaneously.

Their coordination was seamless. Their blades sealed off all paths of retreat for Chen Fan and Zhang Shan from five different angles.

Zhang Shan's expression was solemn, but he showed no hint of panic.

He lowered his wrist and swung his longsword horizontally; a sharp Sword Qi instantly rippled outward!

"Clang, clang, clang!"

A series of crisp metallic clangs rang out!

Those five men in black were actually forced back half a step by his single strike.

What powerful swordsmanship!

Chen Fan praised inwardly. As expected of the child of destiny, his strength had already firmly stepped into the Seventh Grade.

Having succeeded with one strike, Zhang Shan's momentum didn't falter. His longsword moved like a Dragon as he took the initiative to engage them. Facing five opponents alone, he didn't fall into a disadvantage at all.

Chen Fan moved along the edge of the battle, occasionally stepping in to assist.

He didn't have Zhang Shan's overwhelming strength, but his combat experience far exceeded Zhang Shan's.

Every kick and every punch landed exactly where it would make the enemy most uncomfortable, interfering with their attacks and creating opportunities for Zhang Shan.

The two of them, one primary and one secondary, coordinated flawlessly.

The battle fell into a stalemate.

While dealing with the attacks, Chen Fan quickly observed the overall situation in the courtyard.

Something's not right.

Something's very wrong.

Although the men in black attacked fiercely, it seemed like they were stalling for time.

They clearly had opportunities to land lethal blows, yet they always chose to stay engaged in combat at critical moments.

Thinking back to the emergency evacuation signal that only Su Xin would use...

Chen Fan's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

A feint!

This ambush wasn't meant for killing from the start; it was for cover!

To cover that enchantress Su Xin while she escaped with the Secret Manual!

"Junior Brother Zhang, end this quickly!" Chen Fan barked. "They're stalling for time!"

Hearing this, Zhang Shan's sword style suddenly changed.

He stopped defending and chose to meet attack with attack. His sword moves became bold and expansive, each strike carrying an indomitable Aura.

The pressure on the five men in black instantly intensified, forcing them to retreat repeatedly.

"Junior Martial Uncle!" Chen Fan seized the chance to rush to the leader's side. "The enchantress Su Xin must be nearby! This ambush is to buy her time to escape!"

The Junior Martial Uncle forced back an opponent with his sword and panted, "How do you know?"

"Don't ask! It'll be too late if we don't chase her now!" Chen Fan said. "You guys hold them off here; Junior Brother Zhang and I will go after her!"

The Junior Martial Uncle glanced at the men in black being suppressed by Zhang Shan, then at Chen Fan's anxious expression, and gritted his teeth.

"Fine! Go!"

"Zhang Shan! Protect your Senior Brother Chen!"

"Yes!" Zhang Shan flicked away a man's weapon with his sword and pulled back.

"Let's go!"

Without any hesitation, Chen Fan grabbed Zhang Shan and rushed toward the back door of the Dye Works.

...

On the other side.

Atop a tall building in the center of Xiushan City.

Two figures were colliding and crossing at speeds difficult for the naked eye to track.

Every collision erupted in a deafening airwave, blowing the roof tiles away.

Alliance Leader Song Yuanxing held an ancient sword. Several tears had appeared in his green robe, and his breathing was slightly ragged.

Opposite him was a white-haired old woman holding a cane.

The old woman's face was covered in wrinkles and her body was hunched, but her eyes shimmered with a cold, viper-like light.

Every time she swung her cane, it carried a whistle that seemed to tear through the air.

A Fifth-grade powerhouse of the White Lotus Sect, Granny Duxin.

"Song Yuanxing, you are no match for me," Granny Duxin laughed hoarsely. "Step aside obediently, and I might leave your corpse intact."

Song Yuanxing snorted coldly and didn't answer, but his grip on his sword tightened.

Just then, a powerful voice came from below.

"Vile woman, do not be so arrogant! This old man has come to lend Sect Head Song a hand!"

A figure wearing a head steward's uniform stepped through the Void Realm, reaching the roof in a few bounds.

The Fifth-grade expert of the Prince's Mansion, the Old Head Steward.

Seeing the newcomer, Granny Duxin's old face finally darkened.

...

Chen Fan led Zhang Shan, darting through the complex alleys.

He closed his eyes, recalling all the traces and habits Su Xin had left behind.

That enchantress loved to hide in the noisiest and most chaotic places.

A brothel.

Chen Fan snapped his eyes open and locked onto a direction.

Soon, a brightly lit three-story building filled with music and dancing appeared before them.

Yihong Brothel.

Without a moment's pause, Chen Fan charged straight inside.

When the madam and the attendants saw two men with swords barge in, they were about to scold them, but they were silenced by the sharp Aura radiating from Zhang Shan.

Chen Fan's gaze swept across the main hall as quickly as a hawk's.

Not here.

He headed straight for the third floor.

He pushed open doors one by one, drawing bouts of screams and curses.

Finally, he stopped at the door of a premium room at the end of the hallway.

There was no sound inside.

But Chen Fan smelled a familiar, faint scent of lotus.

This is it!

He kicked open the door.

Inside the room, a woman in a white dress was sitting quietly by the window.

She wasn't wearing a disguise, revealing an exquisite face capable of eclipsing heaven and earth.

It was indeed Su Xin.

She slowly turned her head, her cold eyes landing on Chen Fan without the slightest hint of surprise.

"Chen Jinzhong."

Her voice was like cracking ice.

"Why did you betray the Holy Sect?"

Chen Fan sneered. He stood at the door and didn't enter.

"Enchantress, enough talk."

"I was previously bewitched by you and strayed from the path, but now I have come to my senses and returned."

"Today, I shall naturally slay demons and eliminate evil to purge our Righteous Path!"

His words were spoken with righteous indignation and great fervor.

The moment his words fell.

He suddenly took a step back, revealing Zhang Shan behind him.

"Junior Brother Zhang, this enchantress is full of schemes. I'll leave her to you!"

Su Xin watched Chen Fan's matter-of-fact movements and was momentarily stunned.

Then, an indescribable rage surged from her heart straight to the top of her head.

In those cold eyes, a surging murderous intent instantly ignited!

She didn't even look at Zhang Shan, who had already unsheathed his sword and charged; her eyes were fixed dead on Chen Fan!