Chapter 214: The Hidden Traitor

The Hidden Traitor

"The Shen Family" it was a confirmation.

The assassin’s eyes flickered. That brief reaction was enough.

Renhao’s smile returned. "So they really are from the Shen Family."

Renyu examined the emblem without touching it. "Why would Shen Haoran send assassins after us?"

"To delay us," Renjun replied. "Not kill us."

Renhao frowned. "If they wanted to kill us, they would have sent stronger cultivators."

"Exactly," Renjun said. "Their goal was likely to keep us away from something—or prevent us from reaching a certain location."

Renyu looked toward the forest path ahead.

"Did Shen Haoran know we were searching for our sister?"

The kneeling assassin remained silent.

Renhao crouched in front of him and smiled without warmth. "You don’t need to answer. Your reaction already did."?

The assassin’s voice trembled.

Renhao tilted his head. "What? Don’t worry. You won’t die so easily."

The man swallowed.

Renjun’s eyes narrowed. "There’s something else we need to consider."

Renhao’s laughter faded. "You’re right. Someone among our people betrayed us."

His gaze swept over the fallen assassins.

"Shen Haoran must have placed someone inside our ranks."

A cold smile touched his lips.

"I wonder how long that traitor plans to hide."

Renyu raised a hand. "Enough."

The two younger brothers fell silent.

He turned toward Renjun. "Jun, extract whatever information you can. We need to leave soon."

"Understood."

Renjun sheath his sword into his Soul Manor and approached the two surviving assassins. His expression remained calm as he extended both hands.

Green-and-crimson Qi flowed from his palms.

Thin strands separated from the energy, stretching through the air like living vines.

The assassins struggled.

"What are you doing?" one of them shouted.

Renjun didn’t answer.

The strands shot forward and entered their foreheads.

"ARGHHHH!"

Both men screamed. Their bodies jerked as the vine-like Qi spread through their minds.

Images flashed through their consciousness—faces, locations, orders, and fragments of buried conversations.

Every attempt to resist made the pain worse.

"Stop! Stop!"

Renjun’s expression didn’t change.

"Don’t resist. The more you struggle, the more painful it will be."

The man’s scream weakened into a strangled groan.

Renjun’s Core Superpower was the Verdant Blood Vine. It allowed him to create green-and-crimson threads capable of binding targets, piercing defenses, and interacting with their bodies.

Combined with his knowledge of medicine and alchemy, it also made his ability useful for extracting information and examining living subjects.

It wasn’t only a combat ability.

In Renjun’s hands, it was a tool for restraint and investigation.

Renyu watched in silence.

His own Core Superpower, the Crimson Vine, focused more on defense and control. He could create strong vines to protect his allies, reinforce positions, and redirect attacks.

It suited his role as the eldest brother.

Renhao’s Thousand Thorn Vine, however, was far more aggressive. His crimson, thorn-covered vines attacked from multiple directions, making it dangerous for enemies to approach him.

Together, their abilities complemented one another.

Renyu controlled the battlefield.

Renjun uncovered its secrets.

Renhao overwhelmed their enemies with relentless attacks.

Their combined technique, the Threefold Blood Vine Formation, had been created from that harmony.

But they had no reason to use it now.

Their investigation was more important.

After several moments, Renjun withdrew his hands. The green-and-crimson threads dissolved into tiny particles before disappearing.

The two assassins slumped forward, their faces pale.

Renhao approached. "Well?"

Renjun remained silent for a moment.

"They were hired to intercept us. Their orders were to eliminate all three of us and prevent our scouts from escaping."

"Thouhh just to be sure, who hired them?" Renyu asked.

"That’s the problem brother. They received their orders through an intermediary. The person’s identity was hidden."

Renhao clicked his tongue. "Convenient."

"They were given our route, our numbers, and the identities we’re using in Country B," Renjun continued.

Renyu’s expression grew colder. "So the information came from someone who knows our movements."

"Exactly."

Renjun glanced at the unconscious assassins.

"There’s more. They were specifically told not to attract the attention of the Four Great Sects. They were supposed to intercept us in this isolated area."

Renhao’s smile faded.

"So whoever sent them knows we’re following the sects."

"Most likely."

Renyu looked toward the deeper forest.

They had secretly followed the elders after their scouts reported activity near the old iron-mining rift and the abandoned underground facility.

They had been close to discovering what the Four Great Sects were investigating when the assassins appeared.

Now, someone had tried to silence them.

This was no longer only about finding Seana. Their movements were being watched.

"Renyu," Renhao said.

The eldest brother turned. "What is it?"

"We shouldn’t remain here. If Shen Haoran has decided to attack us, he should be prepared for the consequences."

"Not yet," Renyu replied. "First, we need to learn how much of our investigation has been exposed."

He looked toward Renjun. "Can you extract anything else?"

Renjun shook his head. "The memories connected to the employer were deliberately sealed. I can force my way through, but it would take time, and there’s no guarantee we’d find anything useful."

"Then leave it," Renyu said. "We’ll deal with the traitor after we return."

Renhao sighed but didn’t argue.

A faint smile appeared on Renjun’s face. "You seem eager to settle the matter."

"Of course. I dislike traitors."

Before Renyu could reply, the trees rustled.

All three brothers turned at once.

A figure wearing a blood-red cloak emerged from the shadows and approached quickly. He stopped before them and knelt.

"Young Masters."

Renyu’s expression returned to its usual calm. "Report."

The subordinate raised his head.

"Our surveillance teams detected several groups of assassins approaching this region. They’re much stronger than the previous attackers."

Renhao’s eyes narrowed. "How strong?"

The subordinate hesitated.

"Several possess auras comparable to Peak Stage Foundation Establishment realm. Some early stage core Formation realm."

Renyu’s expression changed slightly. He glanced at his brothers.

"We need to draw them away from this area."

Renhao frowned. "Why not deal with them here?"

"Because a battle of that scale will attract the Four Great Sects’ attention," Renyu said. "Our presence here is already suspicious. If the sects discover another force operating nearby, they’ll begin investigating us as well."

Renjun nodded. "He’s right. We don’t know how much the sects have already discovered. Drawing their attention now would only complicate things."

Renhao shrugged. "Fine. We’ll lead them elsewhere."

The subordinate lowered his head. "I’ll arrange it immediately."

Renjun glanced at the two unconscious assassins. "I’m finished here."

He withdrew the last strands of Qi and stood.

Renyu nodded. "Let’s go."

Renjun followed. Renhao spun his sword once before storing it in his Soul Manor.

The three brothers exchanged a brief glance.

Then they shot into the forest.

The blood-red-cloaked subordinate followed close behind.

Within moments, the trees swallowed their figures.

Only the fallen assassins remained.

Farther away, several groups of killers were already closing in.?