Chapter 1475: Repaying In Kind
Three days had passed in the blink of an eye.
During these three days, the Tianyuan Sect mobilized a large number of people, even ordering its affiliated sects to join the search for Yi Feng and the disciples of the Xinjian Sect. However, they found nothing.
The disciples of the Xinjian Sect seemed to have vanished into thin air, completely hidden within the chaotic and diverse martial world. Despite the Tianyuan Sect's formidable influence, searching the entire martial world was impractical. After several days of fruitless efforts, their immense power felt like hitting cotton, leaving the entire sect frustrated and furious.
Helpless, the Tianyuan Sect had no choice but to intensify their search efforts. They spread a kill order across hundreds of miles around Yandang Mountain, hoping to leverage the strength of other sects to capture the detestable Xinjian Sect disciples.
At the same time, to prevent another sneak attack, the Tianyuan Sect increased their patrols, especially tightening the protection of their higher-ups. Not only were inner disciples constantly on guard, but the four elders also began taking turns leading night patrols.
Previously, Yi Feng had infiltrated the Tianyuan Sect at night, assassinating seven or eight guardians and causing immeasurable losses. This left the Tianyuan Sect's disciples in a state of panic, forcing them to take these extreme measures. While protecting the sect, they also set up a trap, hoping to catch Yi Feng like a turtle in a jar.
However, after three full days, not only was the martial world eerily quiet, but the Tianyuan Sect also experienced no further night attacks.
The entire sect felt as though they had been played, growing increasingly anxious and furious. Yet, they couldn't withdraw their heavy defenses, leaving them utterly frustrated. Even some of the elder stewards were grinding their teeth in anger.
As the fourth day approached and night fell, the patrolling disciples began to slack off, secretly cursing their miserable task and gradually letting their guard down.
On the high wall of the outer courtyard, Yi Feng and the black-clad youth reappeared, smiling as they observed the distant patrols.
"Brother, you were right," the black-clad youth said. "The Tianyuan Sect has indeed strengthened their defenses. The more important the person, the more patrols there are. But the outer sect? It's much easier to sneak in here."
Yi Feng nodded calmly. "Of course. The Tianyuan Sect isn't stupid. They've already suffered losses and won't be unprepared."
He then turned to the black-clad youth and asked curiously, "By the way, you've been gathering information these past few days. Did you find anything? Or were you too busy enjoying yourself to focus on the task?"
Hearing this, the black-clad youth smirked and raised his chin proudly. "Are you kidding? Do I look like that kind of person? For the past three days, I've been diligently lurking in the Drunken Cloud Pavilion. I've met almost all the girls there and have gathered quite a bit of information!"
Yi Feng almost laughed out loud. No matter how you looked at it, it sounded like the guy had been enjoying himself for three days, having a blast. If it were anyone else, they wouldn't believe a word of it.
However, Yi Feng knew his friend well and trusted that he wouldn't slack off at a critical moment. So, he asked, "Alright, tell me. What did you find out?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the black-clad youth began his tale with pride.
"Alright, but don't be shocked! According to the information I gathered, the Tianyuan Sect's rise in recent years isn't just due to their surface-level strength. They've been involved in plenty of shady dealings behind the scenes!"
"Rumor has it that the Tianyuan Sect has been playing both sides in Yandang Mountain. Murder and robbery are commonplace, and even human trafficking isn't a big deal for them. They even own the Drunken Cloud Pavilion!"
Yi Feng was stunned. "There's such a thing?"
He hadn't expected the Tianyuan Sect to be involved in so many evil deeds. For a sect that presented itself as the leading righteous sect in the area, they were utterly shameless!
Before Yi Feng could express his shock, the black-clad youth nodded solemnly and continued.
"Exactly! Without these underhanded dealings, the Tianyuan Sect wouldn't have the wealth and power to expand to their current state. They've even managed to cultivate five Heavenly Sun Realm experts, including their sect leader, Jin Zhenyuan."
"Now, the Tianyuan Sect has grown arrogant to the extreme. Even their outer disciples are incredibly cocky. According to a girl named Chu'er, she was tricked into the brothel by the second senior brother of the outer sect, Li Zhenfang. He even killed her entire family!"
"Over there is the outer sect's main courtyard. The small courtyard next to it is Li Zhenfang's residence. That scoundrel has been colluding with outer sect elders to line his own pockets, committing countless atrocities. He's living the high life and must have plenty of money!"
"And that's just some of the information. If I had more silver and time to spend a few more days drinking, I could've gathered even more intel..."
At the end, the black-clad youth suddenly changed the subject, smiling at Yi Feng.
"Brother, after we pull off this job, can you give me more funds for gathering information?"
The abrupt shift almost made Yi Feng laugh. However, seeing the eager look in his friend's eyes and considering the valuable information he had gathered, Yi Feng nodded in agreement.
"Alright. After this job, I'll give you more silver so you can have a good time for a few days."
But as soon as he finished speaking, before the black-clad youth's smile could fully form, he suddenly switched to a serious expression and corrected Yi Feng.
"I'm not going to have a good time! I'm going to gather information!"
Yi Feng couldn't help but laugh and nodded in agreement. "Right, right. Gathering information."
With that, the two of them, led by the black-clad youth, jumped down from the wall and sneaked into the outer sect's courtyards. Before long, they found the infamous second senior brother, Li Zhenfang!
In just two moves, the black-clad youth subdued him, stepping on his chest as Li Zhenfang begged for mercy.
"Spare me, great hero! Spare me! We have no grievances. Let's talk this out!"
His panicked expression and gaunt face, clearly ravaged by a life of indulgence, still hid a trace of malice in his eyes.
The black-clad youth stomped on Li Zhenfang's ribs, breaking a few, and coldly demanded, "You trash! What tricks are you trying to pull with me? Several of your sect's guardians have already fallen to my blade. With your measly strength, what schemes can you possibly have?"
The cold interrogation instantly terrified Li Zhenfang, who didn't even dare to groan in pain.
"It's you! You're the ones who attacked our sect that night!"
Seeing Yi Feng and the black-clad youth remain silent, confirming their identities, Li Zhenfang was filled with dread, his eyes wide with fear.
"Great heroes! Spare me! The conflict between your sect and the Tianyuan Sect has nothing to do with me! As long as you spare my life, I'll do anything!"
His fawning, opportunistic demeanor was truly disgusting.
However, hearing this, the black-clad youth had an idea and sternly asked, "Oh? Then tell me, where is the Tianyuan Sect's treasure vault?"
Li Zhenfang's eyes widened in shock, but under the pressure of the black-clad youth's boot, he quickly spilled everything he knew, leaving nothing out.
Once he finished, the black-clad youth slit his throat with a swift, clean stroke.
"Whoosh!"
After the quick execution, the two searched the room and found a considerable haul, including thousands of taels in silver notes and a full bag of spirit stones.
Following that, they killed over a dozen outer sect disciples who had colluded with Li Zhenfang.
Soon, fires broke out in the outer sect, accompanied by shouts of alarm.
"The traitor Yi Feng is here! Capture the villains!"
Feng Mofeng, hearing the commotion, was filled with rage. As he led his men to the scene, he saw the black-clad youth chasing down outer sect disciples with his sword.
Seeing his enemy, Feng Mofeng's eyes burned with hatred, and he roared, "You little thief! Stop your madness! If you have the guts, fight me head-on! Bullying weaker outer sect disciples is no feat!"
To his surprise, the black-clad youth showed no intention of stopping. With another swing of his sword, he took down a few more disciples, then turned back with a grin.
"Hehe! How is this bullying? I'm just following your example! At most, it's repaying in kind. Don't tell me the Tianyuan Sect's elders are experts at bullying the weak?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yi Feng, who had stepped out beside him, added with a mocking tone, "Really? Is the Tianyuan Sect that shameless?"
The two of them feigned shock, their act causing the Tianyuan Sect members' blood pressure to skyrocket.
Witnessing their audacity, not only had they killed outer sect disciples, but they also mocked Feng Mofeng for his previous underhanded tactics. Feng Mofeng was so enraged that his killing intent surged.
However, just as Feng Mofeng was about to unleash his full power, the two tossed the outer sect disciples in front of him, blocking his line of sight, then fled into the night, disappearing without a trace.
By the time Feng Mofeng caught the outer sect disciples and turned to give chase, the two were long gone, leaving behind only corpses and raging flames.
Feng Mofeng's furious roar echoed through the night.
"Traitors! Traitors!!!"
From a distance, Yi Feng and the black-clad youth, who had already made their escape, laughed heartily atop a mountain peak. Seeing numerous figures rushing out from the Tianyuan Sect, they quietly suppressed their laughter and vanished into the darkness.
The next day, the Tianyuan Sect's main hall was filled with roars of anger.
"Bastards! That traitor Yi Feng actually attacked our outer sect disciples! Such despicable actions are utterly detestable! From today onward, we will search every inch of the surrounding hundred miles to find that traitor and tear him to pieces!"
As a large number of experts were dispatched, the news spread throughout Tianyuan City, becoming the talk of the town. The Tianyuan Sect's reputation was tarnished, and many sects secretly laughed at their misfortune.