Seeking Truth with a Sword-Chapter 578 - 521: Stab in the Back
Through the canyon, leaping over the hills, they surged directly into the clouds.
Li Ang and Galuo shuttled between the misty clouds until they reached above the clouds, where they suddenly faced strong resistance.
The Gang Wind Layer.
Endless Heaven and Earth Gang Wind assailed them, like blades slashing towards the two of them. The Jade Pendant at Li Ang’s waist flashed brightly, conjuring a Mountain and Sea Illusion to block the pervasive Gang Wind.
An incessant CRACKLING sound filled the air.
Galuo, clinging to Li Ang, glanced at the unwilling faces of the people from Taihao Mountain below the Gang Wind Layer and shouted at Li Ang with narrowed eyes, "Where are we going?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
"West."
Li Ang hugged Galuo tightly and dove toward the west.
"..."
Yu Feiyu, floating in the air, watched the departing figures of Li Ang and Galuo. After a brief contemplation, he decisively said, "The Mountain and Sea Longevity Talisman has a limited duration; it won’t last for more than ten minutes at most. Junior Brother Luo, you three follow them from below. Capture them when they descend from the Gang Wind Layer. Remember, prioritize taking them alive."
"Understood."
The Taihao Mountain Disciple whose name was called nodded, summoned his companions, and pursued Li Ang.
Yu Feiyu then dove downward to join the battle against Ghost Shovel.
Through investigations over the past twenty-odd years, Taihao Mountain’s Judgment Court had a clear understanding of Ghost Shovel’s abilities. All the Cultivators coordinated, firmly restraining Ghost Shovel, preventing him from using his Devouring Heaven and Earth ability. They also ensured he had no opportunity to take out a flesh ball from the filthy bag at his waist to consume and replenish his energy. Like a pack of wolves hunting a lion or tiger, they bided their time, not seeking a fatal blow, but only needing to continuously wear down their opponent—more reinforcements were on the way.
However...
A trace of unease lingered in Yu Feiyu’s heart.
Why is Li Ang fleeing to the west? The border of Yu Country is clearly to the south, and the southwest is Jing Country’s territory... Could it be... he’s fleeing to Li Yuan?
The violent Gang Wind created a storm-like, dense ripple on the barrier formed by the Mountain and Sea Longevity Talisman. The Jade Pendant at Li Ang’s waist kept flashing brightly, as if it might shatter at any moment. Galuo watched the Jade Pendant nervously. If this thing is destroyed, then she and Li Ang, stuck in the Gang Wind Layer, will only face the fate of being torn to pieces.
The young woman paused. She could no longer spare a thought for lofty ideals about her country or the possibility of ending the war. Ever since the Khan had fallen gravely ill, the Turkic Royal Court had been in constant turmoil. The once unified and harmonious Ashina Clan had instantly plunged into chaos. Everyone knew that Prime Minister Ashide Keluo had Taihao Mountain backing him, and that Taihao Mountain merely wanted the Turkic People to go and die on the front lines in Yu Country. Everyone suspected that the Old Khan’s sudden illness might have been orchestrated by Taihao Mountain. But what could be done? The power of the Haotian Taoist Sect was too immense, like a great mountain pressing down on everyone, leaving them breathless, even afraid to privately discuss the reason for the Khan’s critical illness. All they could do was gather in their tents, accusing and cursing each other, sighing as they prepared for the worst: Ashide Keluo would become the new Khan, and the Ashina Clan’s tribes would be sent to the front lines. It was precisely to change this future, to prevent this meaningless war, that she had taken a great risk and, acting on her own accord, contacted Yu Country. But Ghost Shovel’s interception had ruined everything.
A wave of exhaustion washed over her, and Galuo couldn’t help but hold Li Ang tighter, whispering in his embrace, "Are we escaping towards Li Yuan?"
"Mm," Li Ang nodded.
Li Yuan was located to the west of the Turkic lands, a gigantic rift valley spanning fifteen hundred miles. Its depths were unfathomable and perpetually shrouded in thick fog, within which countless demons dwelled. Moreover, Li Yuan suppressed Spiritual Energy. No Magic, Telekinesis, or talismans could be used there. Even Martial Arts Grandmasters would quickly become exhausted due to the hindered circulation of their qi and blood. It was a forbidden zone for Cultivators.
"Even without descending to the bottom of the valley, just standing near the surface above the gorge significantly weakens a Cultivator’s Qi Sea. The closer one gets to the rift valley, the greater the weakening," Li Ang said. "The people from Taihao Mountain might not dare to follow us to Li Yuan."
The only problem was whether they could actually make it there. Li Ang looked downward. Three Cloud Patrol Monks from Taihao Mountain were following within the cloud layer. If he lowered his altitude, those three would attack immediately. In his and Galuo’s current condition, defeating three opponents of the same realm would be extremely difficult.
Faster, faster! Li Ang urged himself silently, diverting a part of his consciousness to check on his Ink Silk Clones. He had deployed many of them in places like Yu Country, Jing Country, and Zhou Kingdom to gather clues about the Supreme Mysterious Sect. And now, all the clones are rushing to converge...
BOOM!
An explosion from the clouds interrupted Li Ang’s thoughts.
He saw the rearmost Taihao Mountain Cultivator, while passing through a cumulus cloud, inexplicably unleash a lightning Magic attack on his two companions. The betrayal was so sudden that the two ambushed Cultivators had no time to react before they were struck by another spell—a fierce wind blasted them directly into the Gang Wind Layer. Unprepared, the Protective Talismans they carried shattered instantly. Their bodies, lacerated by the Gang Wind, lost all momentum and plummeted downwards.
PLOP! PLOP!
They crashed one after another into a Nameless lake, their fates unknown.
This sudden turn of events left Li Ang and Galuo dumbfounded. The remaining Taihao Mountain Cultivator adjusted his flight posture, turning to face upwards, directly towards Li Ang and Galuo. Then, he tore off his face—or rather, his disguise mask.
"How can it be you?!"
Li Ang’s shock and astonishment were palpable; he almost lost control of his flight and tumbled out of the Gang Wind Layer. It was no wonder he was so astounded. The person who had appeared before them was none other than Lu Yunan, the merchant woman from the Northern Black Mountain.
"It is I. Disappointed?" Lu Yunan smiled faintly. She gently fluffed the long, pure white hair that had been concealed beneath her mask, letting it unfurl and flutter in the wind.
"..."
Li Ang steadied himself. He had met Lu Yunan a few times but had never sensed any trace of Cultivation from her. Frowning, he asked, "Are you a secret agent from the garrison? Or someone from the Supervision Department?"
"Neither," Lu Yunan smiled faintly. "I only work for myself. By the way, I was the one who sent you that letter in Taiyuan Prefecture. And an hour ago, I was also the one who sent a Nearby Worm message to the Ashina girl in your arms, telling her to come and assist you."
A letter? Li Ang instantly recalled the letter containing detailed information about the Plague Demon Talisman. It was that very letter that had made him suspect the existence of another hidden power in the world, aside from Zhao Ming.
"Time is limited. It doesn’t matter whether you trust me or not; you can continue to stay in the Gang Wind Layer until the Mountain and Sea Longevity Talisman’s effects wear off before descending," Lu Yunan said. "We need to head to Li Yuan as quickly as possible. Yu Feiyu and Bian Chenpei can’t hold Ghost Shovel for long. Zhao Ming’s methods are beyond their imagination."
