Chapter 457 - 426: Encirclement and Suppression

Chapter 457: Chapter 426: Encirclement and Suppression

"I implore you to agree, Valley Master."

Jin Wu’s heart pounded with anxiety, yet he was also filled with a sliver of hope. "Even if it means being a dog at your feet, I am willing..."

"Is that so?"

Looking at Jin Wu, Chen Che gave a faint, unreadable smile. "You don’t lack for food, drink, or status in Faqian City. There’s no reason for you to come pledge allegiance to me, is there?"

Jin Wu sighed helplessly.

"To be honest with you, Valley Master, a few years ago, I accidentally offended a Golden Core Realm Sword Cultivator. I’m not a native of Faqian City, so I’ll have to leave eventually. If he comes looking for revenge, it would be good to have someone who can speak up for me."

He could never forget the way that Nameless Sword Cultivator had slain Bai Shibao. The man had given him a meaningful glance before leaving, which had kept him on edge ever since, to the point that he didn’t even dare leave Faqian City.

The City Lord was, of course, the one backing the Celestial Garden Inn.

But this disaster was his own making. If his superiors found out, he’d be lucky to escape with just a flaying.

Therefore.

He could only seek protection from an outside power.

Choosing Chen Che wasn’t a completely random act of desperation. He had approached several Golden Core cultivators recently, but they had all treated him with disdain. Approaching Chen Che was just a long shot; if he agreed, it would be a huge blessing.

If he was rejected, he would lose nothing.

"Do you remember the eleven Golden Core True Masters I saw at Celestial Paradise?"

After a moment of thought, Chen Che spoke.

"I... I remember!"

Jin Wu nodded emphatically.

"I want their information. The more detailed, the better, and the faster, the better. If they find out about this..." Chen Che gave him a deep look, then turned and walked into the courtyard, his voice drifting back. "...you’ll have one more Sword Cultivator to worry about offending."

"Yes, yes! Rest assured, Valley Master Chen!"

Jin Wu was ecstatic.

He figured this must be a test from Valley Master Chen. As long as he completed this task, he would earn the man’s protection.

As for gathering information on these Golden Core cultivators, it wouldn’t be too difficult.

After all, he had lived in Faqian City for a long time and had at least some connections.

But even if he racked his brains, Jin Wu would never have guessed that the Valley Master Chen whose help he was seeking was the very same Nameless Sword Cultivator he had sold information on!

...

Over the next few days, Chen Che spent most of his time in the inn.

Firstly, he needed to familiarize himself with his Fierce Eyes and the "Great Sun Style," a new technique he had comprehended from the Taichu Haoyue Sword.

Secondly, he needed to seize the opportunity to advance his cultivation.

His realm was only a hair’s breadth away from the Golden Core Fifth Layer.

A vicious battle was coming, and he had to prepare for it in advance.

Meanwhile, Meng Changtu and Meng Qianxun set out secretly for Faqian City. Yu Yunko also went with them.

「During his few days of seclusion.」

Fan Sulan, along with several other Golden Core cultivators, had even come to visit him personally, offering to host a private welcome banquet for him. However, Chen Che wasn’t in the habit of exchanging pleasantries with dead men walking, so he refused them directly, using the excuse that he was monitoring Xiao Chan.

This greatly displeased Fan Sulan. According to Jin Wu, her face was as cold as frost when she left, and she could barely conceal her anger.

"Valley Master Chen, is it really okay to refuse her like that?"

Jin Wu asked cautiously.

"What, should I invite her back and apologize to her over drinks?" Chen Che asked, toying with the Jade Scroll in his hand and watching him with that same unreadable smile.

This particular Jade Scroll contained detailed information on several people.

Fan Sulan’s history was particularly interesting; the first half of her life shared much in common with Xiao Chan’s.

She was born into a family of officials, but was implicated when her clansmen committed a crime and was sent to the Jiaosi Fang. By chance, she found a copy of the "Great Joyful Zen Skill" hidden within the pages of a Buddhist Scripture and unexpectedly set foot on the path of cultivation.

After succeeding in her cultivation and taking her revenge, she was taken in by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Qingquan Nunnery to continue her training there.

Following this, Fan Sulan did indeed practice cultivation legitimately for some time. But how could the cultivation gained from tedious meditation and bitter training ever compare to the Great Joyful Zen Skill? Using the Qingquan Nunnery’s name as cover, she resumed her cultivation by practicing Yang Gathering and Yin Compensation.

When she was discovered by the nunnery, she had to flee to avoid having her cultivation crippled. After she reached Core Formation, Fan Sulan, disregarding the kindness she had been shown, actually returned and annihilated the entire Qingquan Nunnery.

Since then, she had remained a Loose Cultivator.

Before she reached Core Formation, people constantly gossiped about her origins.

After she reached Core Formation, no one dared to mention it again.

Besides being skilled in swordsmanship, this woman’s Divine Sense was also exceptionally powerful. Having no proper background, her methods were extremely unorthodox. It was said she even raised several soul-stealing Demonic Foxes that went around absorbing True Essence Qi and Blood for her to consume.

Hearing this, Jin Wu broke out in a cold sweat and said with a fawning smile,

"Indeed, with Valley Master Chen’s status, you truly don’t need to give face to anyone. In terms of origin, background, or status, even if all of them were bundled together, they still couldn’t compare to you, Valley Master!"

Chen Che looked at the Jade Scroll in his hand, the information within flashing through his mind.

The other Golden Core cultivators were also mostly from unorthodox backgrounds. The exception was Yu Zhen, who managed a family clan. The clan had produced two or three Golden Core cultivators in the past, but after offending someone, they were slaughtered until only he remained. Later, he had to beg Duobao to intervene, which was how he managed to preserve a sliver of his clan’s lineage.

Perhaps this was why he was now working for Duobao.

As for the others, Chen Che now had a general understanding of their strength, magical artifacts, and origins. Of course, who could know what hidden cards they held until the final moment? But at least now he had some idea of what to guard against.

"Go back. I still have some things to take care of in Faqian City. After everything here is settled, you can come with me to Jinyun Valley."

Chen Che said slowly, putting away the Jade Scroll.

"Thank you for your immense grace, Valley Master!"

Jin Wu froze for a moment, his eyes filled with delighted surprise.

Evidently, his work gathering information had been very satisfactory, or else Chen Che wouldn’t have invited him to Jinyun Valley.

’Good.’

’The days of worrying and fear are finally coming to an end. That Nameless Sword Immortal will surely give face to Valley Master Chen.’

"Immense grace?"

Chen Che almost laughed. He waved his hand, dismissing him.

After Jin Wu withdrew, Chen Che activated his Divine Sense and immediately transmitted the contents of the Jade Scroll to Xiao Chan, who was staying in the opposite courtyard.

"This is the information on the Golden Core cultivators involved in the siege."

"Got it."

Xiao Chan replied. Transmitted via Divine Sense, the information was committed to memory in moments.

"Among these eleven Golden Core cultivators, the leaders—Yu Zhen, Fan Sulan, and Guang Hui—are the strongest. The other eight are slightly weaker. According to their plan, they will most likely try to force you out of the city, and they might even resort to kidnapping you directly."

Chen Che continued via voice transmission:

"They’ve become more active these last two days. I’ve heard Yu Zhen is in contact with the Second City Lord."

"We absolutely cannot let them make the first move..."

Xiao Chan’s reply was grave.

"Do you have a plan?"

"Not yet."

Xiao Chan sighed and answered honestly,

"My advice is that when the time comes to act, the farther we are from Faqian City, the better. That way, we can handle it whether we choose to fight or flee. With the two of us working together, we won’t have to worry about news leaking and reaching the Primordial Sect."

Chen Che grunted in agreement, crushing the Jade Scroll in his hand. His gaze turned chillingly cold. "But the reinforcements haven’t arrived yet..."

"We might not be able to wait that long."

Xiao Chan closed his eyes.

...

WHOOSH—

High above the clouds, a great bird burst forth, flying at an altitude so high that not even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator could spot it.

There were five people on the bird’s back: three men and two women.

They were Meng Qianxun, Meng Changtu, Chen Xi, Yu Yunko, and Yu Qian.

"How many more days?"

Meng Qianxun asked, unable to contain his impatience.

"A day and a half."

Meng Changtu’s face was etched with urgency. He had already answered this question countless times on their journey.

To avoid being noticed, they had left the valley three days after Chen Che. They should have had plenty of time, but who could have expected the situation in Faqian City to deteriorate so rapidly, to the point where a fight was about to break out?

"Elder Meng..."

Yu Yunko’s expression flickered, and she seemed to want to say something persuasive.

"We need to go faster, even faster, or we won’t make it in time."

Meng Qianxun clenched his fists, his face full of worry. "It’s eleven Golden Core cultivators in total..."

Hearing this, Chen Xi could only form a seal technique with her hands and urge the puppet to fly faster.

...

...

"Heh, Jinyun Valley..."

Inside the Celestial Garden Inn, Jin Wu was in an exceptionally good mood.

Sitting on his lotus leaf, he even had the leisure to set out some wine and savor a few sips. Everyone said this Valley Master was extremely kind and deeply valued loyalty. A few of the old-timers who had followed him from the beginning, despite their mediocre talents, held very high positions in the Valley.

"Who knows, I might even reach Core Formation someday," Jin Wu thought to himself blissfully, savoring a mouthful of Spirit Wine.

"Senior, Senior..."

Just then, Li’er’s urgent voice called out.

"What is it?"

Jin Wu raised an eyebrow.

"A group of Golden Core cultivators has arrived outside! They’ve surrounded the place but haven’t come in. I don’t know what they’re doing," Li’er exclaimed.

"What?"

The slightly drunk Jin Wu sobered up instantly.

...

At the same time, the atmosphere outside the Celestial Garden Inn was thick with tension.

Countless passing cultivators stared at the imposing procession led by Yu Zhen and the others.