Chapter 2160 - 2160: The Fish Has Taken the Bait

"Really?"

Mon Song felt as if he'd narrowly escaped death.

"Could it be fake? Moreover, the situation was far more dangerous than you imagined. A lot of Purple Frogs showed up afterward. I had to flee with you for a full two hours to shake them off. I nearly ended up dead at their hands myself."

Qin Chen lied without a hint of shame.

"Thank you, Commander."

Mon Song believed Qin Chen's words, considering he remembered the earlier part of their encounter. As for the latter part, he couldn't see why Qin Chen would lie to him.

Most people would have abandoned him and run off by now, right?

Qin Chen shook his head, "No need to thank me; I just think that if we came together, we should also go back together."

Mon Song felt moved and then asked, "Commander, how long was I unconscious?"

Qin Chen replied, "You were out for a day and a night. I've already investigated Tang Zhen's whereabouts; he's inside the base. Now we can return to Black Frog Lake."

Mon Song's face lit up with joy; this was exactly what he hoped for.

Whether true or false, since Qin Chen was the one investigating, any problems would fall on him. Mon Song wished to return to Black Frog Lake as quickly as possible.

Qin Chen warned, "Do not mention what happened to us on the way to Deacon Zhoo."

Mon Song's eyes narrowed, recalling that Zho Zishi had asked him to spy on Qin Chen. Could Qin Chen really have a problem?

Qin Chen continued, "Of course, if you don't mind the trouble, you can tell him. I just think Deacon Zhoo is inherently suspicious. If he learns of this matter, it may lead to complications."

"You might not know, but just the day before yesterday, he tested me many times, and if it wasn't for his sincere efforts to recruit me, I would have left already."

Mon Song immediately agreed, "I understand, I won't say more."

Being Zho Zishi's confidant, Mon Song found Qin Chen's words too relatable, as Zho Zishi had tested him numerous times as well.

Every time, it seemed that with a slight mishap, his life could be forfeit.

If he disclosed the Purple Frog ambush they encountered, it might raise Zho Zishi's suspicions, leaving Mon Song to face doubt once again.

At dusk, they returned to Black Frog Lake.

"Truly in the base then?"

Upon receiving the news, Zho Zishi's eyes narrowed and he said to Qin Chen, "You've worked hard, go down and rest. We must waste no time; tomorrow we hit Tang Zhen."

"You'll follow me, and there'll be quite a battle. Those folks from the Qian State Prefecture are not easy to deal with; rest well tonight."

He deliberately sent Qin Chen away, leaving Mon Song behind.

Qin Chen wisely nodded and then departed.

"Mon Song, noticed anything unusual along the way?"

Zho Zishi's eyes fixed on Mon Song, questioning.

Mon Song shook his head without hesitation, "No."

"Really nothing?"

Zho Zishi asked skeptically, a glint passing through his eyes.

Mon Song had been with Zho Zishi for a while. Seeing Zho Zishi's expression, he knew Zho Zishi was trying to trick him, confidently responding, "Nothing."

Zho Zishi nodded, "You can leave now."

After numerous tests, he trusted Mon Song greatly.

Besides, Mon Song indeed hadn't deceived him.

Qin Chen was clever, utilizing Mon Song's timid nature, ensuring Mon Song would remain silent to prevent trouble.

"Everything's ready for tomorrow."

Zho Zishi didn't dwell on it. Although inherently suspicious, he didn't doubt everyone constantly. That would make him neurotic.

Qin Chen was already excluded from his list of suspects.

"As long as I obtain the Orange Dao Heart and possibly kill Tang Zhen, I can achieve great merit, gain Liuw Sang Dharma King's substantial rewards, and break through to become a two-star Daoist King."

A flash of ambition swept through Zho Zishi's eyes.

Jian Jia's death did not sadden him; rather, he was pleased.

Because now, all the achievements in the Bahu Forest would be his alone.

To smoothly reclaim the Orange Dao Heart tomorrow, Zho Zishi sought Hei Lin.

He wanted Hei Lin to help him against Tang Zhen.

But Hei Lin refused outright.

The reason was simple.

If Hei Lin were to act and got exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The Black Frog Clan ranked strongest within the Colorful Frog Clan, but even their strength could not withstand the combined power of other clans. Hei Lin wasn't foolish and wouldn't take such a huge risk.

...

The next day.

Zho Zishi led the Zen Heart Dragon Palace team towards the Qian State Prefecture army base.

There were over three hundred people.

Every one of them possessed Tribulation Transformation Realm cultivation.

The lineup was genuinely tough.

This mission was merely to reclaim the Orange Dao Heart, not to annihilate the Qian State Prefecture army, so only the elite were needed, not large numbers.

Zho Zishi had already informed Qin Chen of the plan.

Qin Chen would lead a portion of the team to feint an attack on the base, drawing out Tang Zhen, after which Zho Zishi would strike, using the Steel Armor Warrior to defeat or even kill Tang Zhen, reclaiming the Orange Dao Heart.

Though their lineup was strong, it was impossible to completely wipe out this side of the Qian State Prefecture army.

Tang Zhen said he couldn't entirely eliminate Zen Heart Dragon Palace, and Zen Heart Dragon Palace felt the same.

Because both parties were at a balance point, a stalemate had ensued.

However, Zho Zishi's Steel Armor Warrior was exceptionally formidable, and his sole target was Tang Zhen.

No one in the Bahu Forest could single-handedly stop it, so the plan was expected to be one hundred percent successful.

A group arrived at the base at dusk.

Zho Zishi gazed ahead, eyes slightly narrowed, "Strangely quiet, but no telling how many are hidden in this forest. Qin Ni, be careful."

"If the plan succeeds smoothly, I'll report it to Liuw Sang Dharma King, maybe even apply for Dao Medicine from Dao Village for you, to aid your breakthrough to Daoist King realm."

Qin Chen nodded, "We will definitely succeed. Those Qian State Prefecture folks would never guess we'd be bold enough to raid their base."

Zho Zishi laughed, as Qin Chen voiced exactly what he was thinking, "That's quite a surprise. Alright, no time to waste, proceed with the feint attack."

"Yes."

Qin Chen nodded, then gestured, quickly leading a hundred people towards the base.

Meanwhile, within the base.

Tang Zhen received a report.

"The Zen Heart Dragon Palace team has arrived, saw Qin Chen, but not Zho Zishi. Qin Chen seems poised to attack our base, leading part of the group."

As per Tang Zhen's instructions, they'd already laid surveillance arrays outside the base. Qin Chen and his team's movements were entirely exposed.

Zho Zishi remained hidden further away, so he hadn't been discovered yet.

Tang Zhen's eyes narrowed, "Qin Chen is following Zho Zishi's orders. Zho Zishi must be nearby, lying in wait for me to show up."

Yue Xilin said, "Commander, what do we do now?"

Tang Zhen turned to the six imposing, colorful Frogs behind him, "The bait is on the hook."

These six were the Clan Leaders of the Red Frog Clan, Yellow Frog Clan, Green Frog Clan, Frog Clan, Blue Frog Clan, and Purple Frog Clan!