novelraw Chapter 873 - 739: The Traitor
Chapter 873 - 739: The Traitor
The people who went down all said there's no danger, and excitedly wanted to go again. How could this merit be monopolized by others? The big credit still isn't certain.
At this time, there were many brave men willing to take heavy rewards, and they responded one after another, willing to go.
Everyone wanted to try their luck, assuming they weren't seeking loot. When everyone else went down and you're left behind, it's not a good look.
The cautious ones just reminded themselves not to venture deeply.
Upon Shi Chun's inquiry, Su Mian also saw that little red bug, but she didn't know what it was either. Shi Chun was reluctant to say the person who dropped it was from Demon Path.
Meanwhile, Mulan Jin sent news asking if Shi Chun was hiding in the Extreme Abyss with Situ Zhen to evade pursuit?
Shi Chun retorted, asking where this statement came from. Mulan Jin informed frankly that Manxi sent troops to the Extreme Abyss; those scouting said they found traces of Shi Chun and Situ Zhen escaping below.
On hearing this, Shi Chun felt infuriated. Clearly, Manxi hadn't listened to him and still sent men to capture Situ Zhen. If it weren't for worrying about conflicts with the Heavenly Court's forces, fearing mutual slaughter, this might have been kept from him.
Now he suspected the disclosure about Situ Zhen having the Sky Splitting Sword might relate to Manxi, because he only shared this lie with Manxi.
He roughly understood Demon Path's head-gathering tactics and immediately asked Su Mian waiting for news beside him, "Scouts going down to the Extreme Abyss report finding my and Situ Zhen's escaping traces. Is this your leaked information?"
Su Mian denied, "You haven't shown yourself; plans were made to hide you until the battle ends. There's no need to involve you, no need to stir extra trouble, only released rumors saying Situ Zhen was discovered..." Suddenly startled, realizing something, she softly said, "There's another faction taking advantage of the situation."
Shi Chun also realized, glancing slightly at the cliff opposite.
He didn't pursue this matter further. He didn't care who seized the initiative to open the Demon Altar, nor whether Demon Path getting the altar would cause global turmoil. Rather, he wished for more gathered Demons, hoping for inter-demon slaughter over loot, giving him a chance to "save the injured and dying."
However, on the Heavenly Court Team's side, he still hoped a large force wouldn't be killed in this trap, and it was an opportunity to dissociate from this location. He immediately replied to Sister Mulan: Someone is causing trouble, possibly deceit; don't fall for it. I'm still on my way to Extreme Abyss.
After sending this message, even if Demon Path behaviors might leak, it facilitated disassociation. Xuanji Token Master could testify.
Manxi at the Heavenly Court Command Center heard this and indeed fell into suspicions and deliberations, afraid to act rashly.
At this time, Su Mian also received a definite reply from above and turned to Shi Chun, saying, "The upper echelons agreed to your observance; wait here, I'll go out for a while. Feng Chi, come with me for a trip."
Feng Chi was startled yet hard to resist, had to comply.
Seeing Feng Chi being taken away, Shi Chun grew wary and asked, "Your superiors agreed, why still go out?"
Su Mian said, "I am Centurion of East Victory Team 706, with over a thousand under my command now. I must arrange personnel matters before heading to the Abyss; otherwise, not showing up would be unreasonable. It won't take long; wait for me."
After speaking, she waved and left with Feng Chi.
Leaving, all Feng Chi could do was give Shi Chun a helpless look.
After they left, they didn't go far but circled to another position down the Abyss, neither deeply entered, hiding amidst vapor rising from the rushing water.
Feng Chi realized there was clearly a secret to disclose.
Sure enough, Su Mian began, "That old man from Wu Hong's four protectors, also came to Extreme Abyss. Though Shi Chun has a fair reputation for reliability in business, this matter is significant. Adding unknowns about the old man, precautions are necessary."
Feng Chi didn't know the old man either. Earlier, Su Mian had briefed her about his identity, now hearing this, she couldn't help but be puzzled, "How do you know the old man came?"
Even she hadn't heard anything about this from Shi Chun.
Precisely what Su Mian intended to discuss, she lowered her tone, "Previously, that old man moved on some errands, refusing to take Wu Hong and the four protectors. Thus, those four couldn't discern his actions. Movements between Shi Chun and that old man must be interconnected; observe Shi Chun's actions at his side, and those four at the old man's; coordinate between you and those four, authenticate conditions promptly, and possibly unveil some signs. Best to uncover the old man's background quickly; for Shi Chun to regard it highly, it seems extraordinary."
Upon hearing the first half of the speech, Feng Chi already realized something, widened her eyes, and panicked after hearing, "Wu Hong and the four protectors are our people?"
After posing this question, she thought back on when Wu Hong and the four defected—they were captured and held by Demon Path for years; she rescued them eventually. The problem likely lay within those imprisoned years.
Yet she sought confirmation, thus added, "When did they become our people?"
Su Mian shook her head, "I don't know either; I'm not clear about their background. Before they enrolled for battle, I hadn't even known their names. Only upon entering was I told to establish contact with them."
Feng Chi pursed her lips, knowing that if not for the current circumstance, she might not be informed about the quartet.