Eternal Saber

Chapter 453 - 59: Flames of War

Chen Tang did not press for the person behind this Hermit.

One of the rules among Hermits is to keep secrets. Using any means on them is just a waste of time.

After the two dealt with this tail, they returned to the inn.

However, upon returning to the inn, Chen Tang remained deep in thought.

Ah Li noticed the unusual look on Chen Tang’s face and gestured a question.

"It shouldn’t be just one person who’s targeted us."

Chen Tang mused, "Even after we killed that hermit, the feeling of being watched didn’t disappear immediately."

"Where is he then, another hermit?"

Ah Li gestured a question.

She didn’t sense the person Chen Tang was talking about.

Chen Tang shook his head and said, "On our way back, he seemed to sense danger, left, and didn’t continue watching us."

"The feeling this person gave me doesn’t seem like a hermit, and he was quite far away, so I couldn’t detect his location."

Chen Tang waved his hand and said, "Let’s rest. The death of that Upper Concealment should have frightened this one off. Without absolute certainty, he won’t reveal himself, and we can sleep peacefully."

The two rested at the inn for a night, got up early, ate and drank well, and continued on their way.

A few days later, Chen Tang reached the territory of Wuxing County, where Plum Blossom Peak was located.

According to the map, Meixiang County should be not far ahead, at the foot of Plum Blossom Peak.

When Chen Tang and Ah Li arrived at Meixiang County, their pace gradually slowed down.

Not far ahead, the bustling county town had now turned into a desolate ruin.

The entire town was lifeless, charred ruins and walls were everywhere, a few wisps of smoke rose slowly, not from the stoves of ordinary homes, but from fires in the ruins that had yet to be extinguished.

Chen Tang’s face was somber as water as he dismounted and walked.

Ah Li obediently followed behind.

The muddy ground beneath their feet was marked with hoof and wheel prints, haphazard and chaotic, as if the entire town had been trampled by thousands of soldiers and horses.

This mud was mixed with blood.

Chen Tang walked while holding the horse, surveying in all directions.

On the ruins, broken pottery, collapsed doors, and those horrifying corpses!

At a glance, they almost covered the entire town, a disturbing sight.

Severed limbs were also everywhere.

The deceased were mostly young and strong men, some barehanded, some holding various farming tools, some with swords or knives, dressed like people from Jianghu, and some were governmental officials...

These people had tried to resist before they died, but without exception, all perished!

Many died in a similar manner.

Their throats were slit by weapons thin as a cicada’s wing, the wounds smooth and narrow, showcasing the sharpness and speed of the weapon!

Some were pierced, whether in the head or chest, by a sword.

Such wounds could only have been caused by the Flying Sword of a Mystic Master!

"The sins committed by the Profound Celestial Army!"

Someone nearby pounded the ground, lamenting with blood-curdling cries.

At Langya Pavilion, Chen Tang had only heard from others about the Profound Celestial Army’s atrocities of burning, killing, and looting across Great Xia.

But that was ultimately just a plain statement.

Witnessing it firsthand at this moment, the blow to the heart was deeply felt.

Chen Tang slowly clenched his fist, a surge of fervent anger rose within him.

Not far away, in the ruins, an old man in his sixties or seventies sat dazed on the ground, hair disheveled, face covered in dust, eyes vacant, expression numb, as if he had lost his soul.

This was a survivor of the war.

But even if he lived, there was little difference between him and the dead.

His home was destroyed, people perished.

A lifetime of efforts, the family beside him, all were gone.

Gone overnight.

Chen Tang casually questioned a few surviving people and roughly learned the details.

Last night, a Profound Celestial Army arrived in Meixiang County, committed a massacre, and abducted all the women and children in the town, then disappeared.

After walking for a long time, Chen Tang finally exited Meixiang County.

He looked back at the town resembling hell on earth, in silence, tightened the bow and arrow on his back, mounted the horse, and rushed towards Plum Blossom Peak.

Before noon, Chen Tang and Ah Li had already arrived.

Plum Blossom Peak was not high, mainly covered with plum trees.

The Plum Blossom Sword Sect was located on Plum Blossom Peak.

The attire of Chen Tang and Ah Li was somewhat peculiar, but after presenting the invitation from Langya Pavilion, the disciples at the gate straightened their expressions, dared not be careless, and quickly invited the two inside, while someone went to inform the sect leader.

Peng Shiquan came upon hearing and personally led people to greet them.

"Friends from Langya Pavilion have come from afar, please come in!"

Peng Shiquan appeared very hearty and hospitable, inviting Chen Tang and Ah Li into the main hall.

"May I ask how to address the two friends?"

Peng Shiquan scrutinized Chen Tang and Ah Li, somewhat puzzled in his mind, and asked with a grin.

Indeed, Chen Tang and Ah Li looked too young and unfamiliar.

Their attire also seemed a bit peculiar.

Chen Tang was plainly dressed, unlike a young master of Langya Pavilion versed in literature.

The young girl seemed rather obedient, looking more like a maid.

Moreover, Chen Tang carried a huge strong bow, a quiver attached, with a long sword at his waist, appearing quite odd.

"I am Shen Tang, known as the ’Feiyu Streaming Light Sword’ in Jianghu, from the Book and Sword Hall."

Chen Tang remained calm and said, "This is my cousin, Shen Li."

Upon hearing the name, Peng Shiquan found it matched with Chen Tang’s equipment and laughed, "So it is the Feiyu Streaming Light Sword, a name long admired."

"How is Madam Su’s health recently? I heard that now at Langya Pavilion, the Grand Dowager has come out to preside over the situation?"

Chen Tang knew immediately that Peng Shiquan was testing him.

Chen Tang casually replied, "Grandmother is okay, just over a month ago, when we had an appointment with the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Grandmother came out once, then went back."

Peng Shiquan then asked a few questions, seemingly with concern, about the matters of Langya Pavilion.

Having spent more than a month at Langya Pavilion, Chen Tang was already well-acquainted with the people there, responding smoothly and without any flaws.

Peng Shiquan relaxed, arranging accommodation for Chen Tang and Ah Li.

"On my way here, I saw that Meixiang County suffered from the massacre by the Profound Celestial Sect. Does Sect Leader Peng know of this?"

Upon rising, Chen Tang casually inquired.

Peng Shiquan, hearing this, appeared sorrowful, shook his head with a sigh, and said, "I have only just heard about this. I am preparing supplies and will lead people to visit Meixiang County in the next few days."

"Sect Leader Peng is indeed diligent."

Chen Tang nodded,

When they had just entered, the Plum Blossom Sword Sect was festively decorated, joyous, preparing to welcome a new sect leader, completely unaffected.

Chen Tang asked again, "Are the Profound Celestial Bandits truly so brazen, isn’t there a way to eradicate them?"

"In recent years, the Profound Celestial Sect has gradually grown stronger, becoming somewhat uncontrollable."

Peng Shiquan said in a deep voice, "The first thing I did upon taking over as sect leader was to lead the Plum Blossom Sword Sect to join the Profound Slaying Alliance. We alone as one or two forces from Jianghu are fundamentally unable to contend with the Profound Celestial Sect, only by working together with Jianghu, will we have the chance to wipe out the Profound Celestial Sect!"