novelraw Chapter 86 Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole
Chapter 86 Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole
Chapter 86: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole
“Don't let the fact that things seem to be developing exactly as we predicted fool you. The smoother things go, the more abnormal they often are. The people under Song Luoyao are not useless.”
“Your meaning is, this might be another one of Song Luoyao’s schemes?” The middle-aged man was startled, his back instantly drenched in sweat.
“Hmph, it’s not impossible. So, for now, we’ll observe and see. Let those clowns jump around as they please,” the old man said calmly, with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Father is right. I will go keep an eye on my subordinates immediately, lest they reveal any clues,” the middle-aged man respectfully accepted the order, then walked out of the secret chamber…
...
Song Lutong and the others had been gone for three days. Under the strong pressure of the Enforcement Team, the entire clan was harmonious. Even if there were a few clueless individuals, they didn't dare to act too obviously, only daring to make some minor, harmless moves in the shadows.
Surprisingly, the major powers in Ling Province had also been very quiet during this period, disturbingly so.
Logically, with the Song clan's core forces dispatched and their base unprecedentedly empty, the Earthfire Sect, as their old adversary, should not waste such a rare opportunity. Yet, they seemed oblivious, quiet to an extreme.
Song Changsheng was utterly bewildered by this, wondering if the Earthfire Sect was concocting some wicked scheme. Suddenly, he realized something: why hadn’t he seen Third Elder?
Song Luoyao was not among those who had left the mountain that day, nor was she within the clan.
Song Changsheng felt like he was vaguely grasping the key to the situation.
“Could this matter be related to Ninth Aunt? Where did she go?” Song Changsheng fell into deep thought on the road. Since he was still in seclusion during the clan meeting, he didn’t know that Song Luoyao had actually gone to Falling Sunset City to bid for a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Just as he paused in thought, an old man with a hunched figure walked towards him. Song Changsheng’s eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward to salute: “Junior greets Clan Elder.”
Song Xiandu stopped, looking at him with a smile. “What is it, little Changsheng?”
His smile was very kind and amiable, his face full of wrinkles like blooming chrysanthemums. But for some reason, Song Changsheng always felt a slight discomfort from the way the other party looked at him.
The feeling was fleeting. He was eager for the other party to clear his doubts, so he didn't dwell on it. He said respectfully, “This junior has just returned from Little Qing Mountain and wanted to visit Ninth Aunt, but didn’t see her. I wonder if you are aware of the inside story?”
Song Xiandu said with some surprise, “You don’t know?”
Song Changsheng felt utterly confused. If he knew, why would he be asking?
“Luoyao went to Falling Sunset City to bid for a Foundation Establishment Pill for you. She’s been gone for quite a while now. I thought you knew.”
A sudden realization struck Song Changsheng’s mind, and all his previous doubts were instantly cleared. Elder Great and the others had likely gone to rendezvous with her. They left so urgently, could something have happened?
In an instant, Song Changsheng thought of many possibilities.
Song Xiandu said with a smile, “Calculating the time, she should be back soon. Then you can go into seclusion to break through to Foundation Establishment. A Foundation Establishment cultivator so young truly makes this old man feel ashamed.”
Song Changsheng forced a smile, then cupped his hands to the old man and said, “Thank you for clearing my doubts, Clan Elder. This junior has other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave.”
“Mm, no worries, no worries. My Lusheng often mentions you, saying you don’t come to him to learn spells anymore now that you’ve grown up.”
“These past few days have been quite busy. Please convey to Clan Uncle Lusheng that this junior will definitely pay a visit in a few days.”
A middle-aged man’s image immediately came to Song Changsheng’s mind. When he was young, that person had always taught him spells, serving not only as an elder but also as a teacher. It was indeed time to pay him a visit.
“Mm, this old man will definitely relay your message,” Song Xiandu smiled, then slowly walked forward.
...
After updating his current artifact refining rank at the Hundred Arts Hall, Song Changsheng returned to his courtyard. But for some reason, he felt restless and uneasy, as if something was about to happen.
“Ninth Aunt, please, please be safe,” Song Changsheng silently prayed in his heart.
Upon learning that Song Luoyao had gone to bid for a Foundation Establishment Pill on his behalf, Song Changsheng was both shocked and moved, but this was followed by waves of worry.
Her journey would certainly not be peaceful. Who knew how many overt and covert traps awaited her? A single careless mistake could cost her life.
He tried to sit down and cultivate, but found that he couldn't calm his mind no matter what. Feeling agitated, he decided to go for a walk. Just as he stepped out of his courtyard gate, he saw several streaks of light cut across the sky, landing on Cangmang Peak.
Song Changsheng’s heart suddenly sank, and he quickly rushed towards that direction.
The place where the streaks of light landed was precisely the Hundred Arts Hall. By the time Song Changsheng arrived, many people had already gotten there ahead of him, but for some reason, they were all blocked outside the door.
Song Changsheng squeezed his way to the front and saw Song Lutong, his eyes wide, leaning against the doorframe. Anyone who approached would be sternly driven away by him.
In just a few days, Song Lutong's expression had become abnormally haggard, his hair disheveled, and a dangerous aura emanated from him, making Song Changsheng's ominous premonition grow even stronger. For a moment, he felt a slight trembling in his hands beneath his sleeves.
“Clan Uncle.”
Song Lutong’s eyes widened, then softened when he saw Song Changsheng. He said in a booming voice, “Twenty-first Uncle is waiting for you inside. Go on in.”
With that, he moved aside, clearing a path.
Song Changsheng stepped inside and found Song Xianyun, Song Luzhou, and Song Luohuai standing with their backs to him, forming an arc in the spacious hall. The atmosphere was very oppressive.
His arrival did not attract their attention. Song Changsheng felt his throat go dry. He moved to Song Luohuai’s side, and with just one glance, he felt a sudden dizzy spell, his eyes blurring.
On a soft couch lay Song Luoyao, covered in blood, her face ashen. Her body was wrapped in bandages, blood soaking through the strips of cloth, and both her legs from the knees down were gone.
If it weren’t for the slight rise and fall of her chest, Song Changsheng would have truly thought her soul had returned to the heavens.
“This… Who did this?” Song Changsheng felt his lips tremble.
Song Luohuai’s face showed hatred. He said angrily, “It’s those bastards from the Lieyang Sect! We don’t know who leaked the information, but Ninth Sister was ambushed and surrounded on the way. If we hadn’t gone to rendezvous with her beforehand, those beasts might have succeeded!”
“The clan has a traitor!” Song Luzhou roared, his eyes red and killing intent overflowing.
Normally, the two of them were the most at odds, but in reality, they were half-siblings. Seeing Song Luoyao in this state, he was more heartbroken and furious than anyone.
Song Xianyun’s face was filled with sorrow, and he blamed himself, saying, “This is all my fault. I should have stopped her back then.”
...