Chapter 359: Leaving the City

Yun Huizhou replied, “To the city gate.”

“Alright.” Lian Li lifted his feet and headed toward the gate leading to the Imperial Mausoleum.

Yun Huizhou reached out to pull Lian Li back, manually turning him in a different direction. “This way.”

Lian Li looked in that direction and realized it wasn’t the way to the Imperial Mausoleum. He asked Yun Huizhou, “Did you remember it wrong? The Imperial Mausoleum is that way.”

Yun Huizhou said, “I didn’t. We aren’t going to the gate near the Imperial Mausoleum, but to the gate on the other side to see how many people are leaving today.”

The two of them arrived at the South Gate together, specifically finding an inconspicuous spot with a good vantage point to keep watch. In less than fifteen minutes, they saw dozens of martial artists leaving through the South Gate.

At this rate of departure, the martial artists would likely be all gone in a few more hours.

Lian Li had actually considered whether they could stop this disaster by directly announcing that the news of the Imperial Mausoleum was fake—that the supreme treasure had already appeared and been taken by them.

But the thought only flashed through his mind before he dismissed it.

The mastermind behind the scenes was clearly using the news of the supreme treasure to stir up trouble. If they announced the treasure was in their hands and the mausoleum news was fake, the mastermind could easily turn it around and say that Drunken Dream Island had released fake news to play the martial arts world for fools so they could keep the treasure for themselves.

Combined with the opponent’s series of actions clearly targeted at the Imperial Court and the martial arts world, it would be disastrous if the mastermind committed the deeds and then shifted the blame onto the people of Drunken Dream Island.

Not everyone possessed the ability to think independently; many people simply believed whatever rumors they heard and only trusted what they wanted to believe.

Furthermore, there would always be those with ulterior motives who, even if they saw through the lie, would be willing to kick them while they were down.

Lian Li was unwilling to gamble on human nature.

Seeing so many people leaving now, Lian Li felt somewhat relieved.

Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction. However, they never expected that while their counterattack was efficient, the opponent’s movements were even faster.

Late that same night, the West Island Master and the East Island Master appeared in the courtyard simultaneously to call out to the juniors who had already fallen asleep.

Lian Li was practically startled awake by their voices.

The two of them had been guarding against trouble at night, so they had lain down without even taking off their outer robes.

At this moment, they stood up, grabbed their weapons, and appeared in the courtyard.

“Senior Sect Uncle, Senior Sect Uncle, what happened?” As soon as Lian Li came out, he saw the two elders looking solemn and hurriedly asked.

By then, Qu Tingquan, Captain Zheng, and his team had all come out as well. They looked at the two Island Masters, waiting for them to speak.

The East Island Master spoke first. “We received word that the garrison has withdrawn. The Imperial Mausoleum is now unguarded. Many people have already entered.”

Qu Tingquan’s expression changed as she said, “Then we must enter quickly as well.”

The West Island Master and the East Island Master looked at her at the same time. Before they could speak, Lian Li spoke first. “Senior Sister Qu, it’s fine if others don’t know, but let us be honest with you—there is no supreme treasure inside the Imperial Mausoleum at all.”

Qu Tingquan didn’t seem surprised by Lian Li’s words in the slightest. She replied, “I had already guessed as much.”

She looked at Yun Huizhou and Lian Li, her gaze very calm. “You stayed in the border city for so long and even went beyond the pass. After you returned, although you paid attention to the news of the supreme treasure in the Imperial Mausoleum, your focus was on the event itself rather than the treasure within. Therefore, I had a suspicion. After traveling together, I knew my guess was likely correct.”

She didn’t state it explicitly, but Lian Li understood. Qu Tingquan meant she had long guessed that Lian Li and Yun Huizhou’s trip beyond the pass might have been for the supreme treasure.

Once that assumption was made, and considering it was impossible for two supreme treasures to appear within a single year, one could conclude that the news of a treasure in the Imperial Mausoleum was fake.

“However, I still must go in,” Qu Tingquan said, her gaze exceptionally firm. “Since we know there is a trap inside, and so many people are entering, there’s no telling how many will make it out alive. Among them are disciples from sects that are on good terms with the Green Rainbow Sword Sect. They know nothing of this; I cannot simply leave them be.”

Lian Li was genuinely shocked.

To be honest, Qu Tingquan’s behavior felt somewhat like a “Holy Mother” in his view.

Of course, “Holy Mother” was never meant to be a derogatory term.

Lian Li believed that those who were generous at the expense of others were the ones who truly defiled the word “Holy Mother.”

He preferred to call those people “hypocritical saints.”

“This is my own decision,” Qu Tingquan continued. “I shall take my leave then.”

With that, she didn’t give the others a chance to speak and flew off immediately.

Lian Li instinctively tried to chase after her, but Qu Tingquan sent him back to Yun Huizhou’s side with a wave of her hand.

Just as her figure was about to vanish from Lian Li’s sight, her voice rang out again.

“Junior Brother Lian, there is no need to come. This is my decision; it is enough for me to go alone. Besides, the outside might not necessarily be safer than the inside.”

Seeing Lian Li still staring fixedly in that direction, Yun Huizhou reached out and patted Lian Li’s shoulder.

Lian Li turned to look at him and said, “Senior Sister Qu is going in alone.”

Yun Huizhou nodded. “Yes, I saw and heard.”

Lian Li: “…”

He really didn’t know how to respond to Yun Huizhou’s words.

Fortunately, the East Island Master and the West Island Master did not intend to let them waste time like this.

The West Island Master first said to Captain Zheng and the others, “If there is anything you wish to do, go ahead and do it yourselves.”

Captain Zheng had no intention of insisting on following Yun Huizhou and Lian Li at this point. Once they left Fengling Villa, their escort mission was considered complete.

And now, the matters at the Imperial Mausoleum involved not just the martial arts world but also Prince Chun; thus, he could no longer continue mingling with the martial artists.

He cupped his fists toward the group from Drunken Dream Island and then led his team members away.

Finally, only four people remained in the courtyard.

The East Island Master spoke up. “None of the Transcendents here will enter the Imperial Mausoleum; they are only sending their disciples or juniors. However, since we know it is all for nothing, there is no need for the two of you to go in.”

The West Island Master added, “Don’t go running around blindly these next few days. I have a task for you.”

Lian Li and Yun Huizhou both composed their expressions, waiting to hear the task the West Island Master was about to assign them.

The West Island Master tossed them five items that looked like traditional medicine packets.

Lian Li instinctively wanted to open one upon catching it, but the West Island Master stopped him. “That is something to deal with the living corpses. Do not touch it directly.”

Lian Li’s movements froze. He asked, “Then Senior Sect Uncle, what exactly is this used for?”

The West Island Master said, “The contents are divided into small individual packets. Once you find the place where the living corpses are hidden, use your internal energy to shatter the small packets inside and scatter the powder over as many living corpses as possible.”

Seeing the lingering confusion on Lian Li’s face, the West Island Master knew Lian Li hadn’t failed to understand the instructions, but rather didn’t understand what effect the medicinal powder actually had.

He pondered for a moment before continuing, “There will be rain tomorrow at noon. When the powder meets water, it will draw out the parasites inside the living corpses. Once the parasites come into contact with that medicinal water, they will be dissolved instantly.”

Lian Li understood. His and Yun Huizhou’s mission tonight was to find as many living corpses as possible and sprinkle the powder on them.

Lian Li didn’t know why the West Island Master was so certain that living corpses would appear. Thinking of the suspicious living corpse that appeared at dusk, he asked about it.

The East Island Master lowered her eyes slightly and said, “When the disciples of the Green Rainbow Sword Sect were coming over, they were attacked by living corpses. They captured two; one was given to Xi Yu to test medicine, and the other was slightly modified and released this evening.”

“I see.” Lian Li nodded, then carefully inquired about where the Green Rainbow Sword Sect disciples had been attacked by the living corpses earlier.