596: Chapter 596 Sect Master, Fairy Luyao has been captured by the Taixu Sect.

Hehuan Sect, Weaponry Workshop.

Xu Ruyu was performing the final adjustments on a newly built City-Breaker Cannon.

This cannon was significantly improved compared to the first one—the barrel was lengthened by half a foot, the energy circuits of the Array Soul were re-optimized, the recoil was greatly reduced, and the mount's steering mechanism was more flexible.

Wang Tie was assisting with Zhao Xiaogang by the side; one handed over tools while the other took notes.

"Sect Master, do you think this angle is sufficient?"

Wang Tie rotated the mount, and the muzzle slowly tilted up, aiming at the test stone wall on the edge of the Martial Arts Arena.

"Raise it two more degrees."

Xu Ruyu didn't even look up, holding an engraving needle in his hand as he carved Array Pattern onto a new barrel.

Zhao Yan squatted nearby, chin resting on his hands, watching intently.

He had been pestering Xu Ruyu for several days, wanting to be the first official gunner of the City-Breaker Cannon.

Xu Ruyu hadn't agreed, saying they would talk about it after the tank was finished.

Zhao Yan didn't give up and squatted at the Weaponry Workshop entrance every day, saying he would only move back once the Sect Master gave the nod.

Qingyan also came; she sat in a corner, clutching her Butterfly Short Blades, her large eyes darting around as she watched one person then another.

She didn't understand much about Artifact Refining, but she liked watching the Sect Master and the others work, finding it lively.

Xu Ruyu had just carved a new Array Pattern on the barrel and was about to activate it for testing when he suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps from outside.

The footsteps were urgent and heavy, as if someone were running for their life.

The Grand Elder pushed the door open and entered.

Xu Ruyu looked up and saw the blood at the corner of his mouth, his wrinkled robes and disheveled hair, the red-rimmed eyes of Zhou Daniu and the ashen face of Li Ergou behind him, and the large patch of dark red blood on Chen Ping's shoulder; his brow furrowed instantly.

"Grand Elder, what happened?"

The Grand Elder took a deep breath, his voice as raspy as sandpaper.

"Sect Master, Miss Lu Yao was taken by the Taixu Sect.

We encountered people from the Taixu Sect at Luoxing Ferry; they said Miss Lu Yao is a traitor and were taking her back for judgment.

We fought them, but we were outnumbered. Senior Xiao wasn't there, so no one could stop them.

To avoid involving us, Miss Lu Yao went with them of her own accord."

Xu Ruyu put down the engraving needle.

His movements were very slow, as if he were afraid of snapping the needle.

"Taixu Sect."

He repeated those three words, his tone very light, as if he were chewing on something.

The Weaponry Workshop fell dead silent.

Everyone stopped their work. Zhao Yan stood up, the playful grin vanishing from his face, replaced by a coldness that only appeared when a predator stares at its prey.

Qingyan's fingers tightened slightly around the Butterfly Short Blades, and a flash of blue light flickered on the blades.

Zhou Daniu took a step forward, his voice muffled with suppressed rage.

"Sect Master, Sister Lu Yao went with them to save us.

That Elder Liu even called her a temptress and said she had shamed the Taixu Sect.

They want to take her back to be punished according to their sect rules.

Sect Master, what should we do?"

Xu Ruyu didn't answer immediately.

He picked up a charcoal pencil from the table, twirled it in his hand, and then gently placed it on the blueprint.

Then he smiled.

It wasn't a smile of joy, nor a sneer, nor mockery; it was the kind of smile one has when they feel it's fate after being handed exactly what they needed.

When Zhao Yan saw that smile, a chill suddenly ran down his spine.

He had followed Xu Ruyu for so long that he knew every time the Sect Master showed this expression, it meant someone was about to suffer terribly.

Xu Ruyu's gaze swept over the weapons just created in the Weaponry Workshop—the barrels of the City-Breaker Cannons glinted with a cold silver light under the furnace fire, the mounts were sturdily set on iron wheels, and the Array Souls flowed slowly within the energy circuits.

Beside them were several long-range barrels still being assembled, along with a tank prototype whose chassis was already put together, every steel plate on the tracks polished to a shine.

He walked over to a City-Breaker Cannon, patted the thick and long barrel, turned around, and looked at the Grand Elder, Zhou Daniu, Li Ergou, Zhao Yan, Wang Tie, Zhao Xiaogang—at every face in the Weaponry Workshop.

"Do you want to try and see if this shot can blast open someone else's mountain gate?"

Zhou Daniu was stunned for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up.

He nodded vigorously, his neck almost snapping.

"Yes! I fucking want to! I've been dreaming about it!"

Zhao Yan's eyes lit up as well.

He lunged beside the City-Breaker Cannon, pressing his hand on the mount as if afraid Xu Ruyu would change his mind.

"Sect Master, let me fire! I've been practicing my aim these past few days; I guarantee one shot will blast their mountain gate to dust!"

Li Ergou didn't speak, but he had already pulled the Chuanyang Gun from his waist and wiped the barrel with his sleeve.

The movement was light and steady, like cleaning a tool prepared for a major task.

The Grand Elder's eyes were slightly red.

He took a step forward, his voice trembling slightly, but this time it wasn't from anger, but something else.

"Sect Master, you're going to stand up for Miss Lu Yao?"

"Stand up for her?" Xu Ruyu smiled, took his outer robe from the wall, and threw it over his shoulders. "Grand Elder, you're looking at it the wrong way. Lu Yao is now a member of the Hehuan Sect.

The Taixu Sect capturing her is a slap in the face to the Hehuan Sect.

What I'm doing isn't standing up for her; it's collecting a debt.

Last time their Sect Head and Elders were trapped in the Grand Array and didn't have enough Spirit Stones, I waived twenty thousand.

Twenty thousand Spirit Stones didn't even get me a thank you, so we'll trade for something else—their mountain gate."

He walked to the Weaponry Workshop entrance, the sunlight outside enveloping his entire being.

He turned around, looking at the Disciples behind him carrying guns and cannons; the smile in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by a cold, sharp edge.

"Bring your gear. Follow me."

Zhao Yan was the first to rush out of the Weaponry Workshop, running several steps before doubling back to pick up the City-Breaker Cannon's mount.

Wang Tie and Zhao Xiaogang hurried to help; the three of them pushed the mount onto the Spirit Beast hitch.

Zhou Daniu ran back to grab his qi-breaking gun, then helped Li Ergou get his Chuanyang Gun, stuffing them full of Energy Crystals.

Qingyan stood up from the corner, sheathed her Butterfly Short Blades back into the leather scabbard at her waist, walked to Xu Ruyu's side, and looked up at him with sparkling eyes.

"Sect Master Brother, I'm going too. I can fight."

Xu Ruyu patted her head and didn't say no.

Leng Ningshuang and Ning Caihe also arrived upon hearing the news.

After hearing the Grand Elder's concise account, Leng Ningshuang asked nothing; she turned to gather the Disciples, her voice as cold as a blade quenched in ice.

"First and second squads, assemble.

Bring your Source Energy Armor and all available weapons.

Gather in front of the mountain gate in half an hour."

Ning Caihe silently took down his sword and wiped the dust off the scabbard with a cloth.

Xiao Nianyin walked over from the direction of the Main Hall.

She had no book in her hand; her gaze crossed the crowd and landed on Xu Ruyu's face.

"I'm going this time."

Xu Ruyu nodded.

"Not just you, we're all going.

Zhao Yan, get the City-Breaker Cannon ready.

Daniu, check everyone's Energy Crystals.

Ergou, go to the warehouse and bring the ammunition—as much as you can carry.

Wang Tie, you guys distribute the newly made Chuanyang Guns to the Disciples without guns.

Qingyan, find Sun Xiaohua and have her prepare more Medicinal Pills—healing, detoxification, and Qi replenishment; prepare plenty."

His voice wasn't loud, but every sentence was like a nail driven into people's hearts.