Feeling the sharpness of the sword, Mao Jianhe broke out in a cold sweat, forcing a smile onto his face. "Miss Ye, let's calm down a bit. We have no ill intentions."
Fearing that Ye Qingyan might strike him with her sword, Mao Jianhe trembled as he placed his finger on the blade, attempting to move it. However, he found that the sword Ye Qingyan held was unyielding.
"Whether or not you have ill intentions is not determined by words. At least, I haven't seen any sincerity in your actions," Ye Qingyan said.
Ye Qingyan pressed the sword against Mao Jianhe's neck, slicing through it. Blood gushed out, staining his white shirt.
Mao Jianhe endured the intense pain in his neck but dared not make any move.
"I will count to three. Anyone hiding in the dark, come out, or this man's head will roll!"
Ye Qingyan's voice echoed through the dark night, overpowering the roar of the helicopter and penetrating the wilderness. It startled countless birds!
Mao Jianhe's muscles tensed to their limit. He stood frozen, allowing the blood mixed with sweat to flow from his body onto the ground. Although he had received orders to kill Ye Qingyan on the spot if she didn't cooperate, and then retrieve her soul, he now saw that the strength Ye Qingyan displayed made their small contingent utterly incapable of posing a threat. It was meaningless to turn hostile.
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
After Ye Qingyan uttered "One," three Rank Seven异士 (yi shi - extraordinary individuals) flew out from the dark wilderness. An old man in simple cloth attire, a middle-aged man in shorts and a t-shirt, and a plump monk. Their appearances varied, but all were extraordinary.
Ye Qingyan glanced at the three and sneered, "Daoist Buyu Li Qun, True Man Sanshi Wang Kun, Monk Bujie Fakong. Three renowned Rank Seven 异士 appearing at once. Your Hongchen Pavilion truly thinks highly of me."
Wang Kun laughed heartily, "Qingye Sword Venerable, you truly live up to your reputation. Have you broken through to Rank Eight? The combined strength of us few might not even be a match for you, old sir."
Fakong clasped his hands together. "Amitabha, Miss Ye's cultivation is heaven-defying. This monk admits defeat."
Li Qun: "..."
After Ye Qingyan unleashed her aura, these three realized that even their combined strength could not kill Ye Qingyan, and they might even be killed by her instead. Rather than continue hiding in the wilderness to be captured, it was better to reveal themselves. At least their dignity would be preserved, and they would have a way to retreat.
These three were all 异士 working for the Hongchen Pavilion, taking on jobs through their platform. However, unlike Ye Qingyan, Li Qun and the other two were from the current era. The eldest, Li Qun, was no more than eighty years old. They willingly worked for the Hongchen Pavilion in exchange for cultivation resources.
Before Ye Qingyan realized she had been tricked, she had collaborated with Li Qun and knew how strong he was. Back then, she, a Rank Seven 异士, was no match for Li Qun! It was rumored that Wang Kun and Fakong possessed similar strength to Li Qun. If Ye Qingyan hadn't broken through to Rank Eight by now, the Hongchen Pavilion sending these three individuals would have meant her demise today.
Seeing that Ye Qingyan's icy expression had not softened, Mao Jianhe quickly said with a smile, "Miss Ye, the esteemed Qingye Sword Venerable, is renowned far and wide. The Pavilion places great importance on your affairs."
"The higher-ups are very concerned about the situation Miss Ye is in and fear that you might encounter danger. That's why they sent us to escort Miss Ye. Please don't misunderstand!"
"As long as Miss Ye returns with us, I guarantee your safety."
With three Rank Seven 异士 appearing, Mao Jianhe felt a bit more confident. However, Ye Qingyan's sword was still at his neck, so he dared not act presumptuously.
Wang Kun chimed in, "Miss Ye, give us some face. We're all just trying to make a living. Don't make things difficult for us."
"Even if we can't stop you today, stronger individuals from the Pavilion will come tomorrow. This situation cannot go on forever."
Fakong clasped his hands together. "Amitabha, this monk agrees with True Man Sanshi."
Seeing that Wang Kun and Fakong had spoken up to persuade her, Ye Qingyan sneered inwardly. She then looked at Li Qun and asked, "Do you mean the same?"
Li Qun nodded slightly. Though he remained silent, his meaning was clear.
The true strength of the Hongchen Pavilion was a mystery to everyone. However, one thing was certain: the Hongchen Pavilion had Rank Eight 异士, and not just one. Even with Ye Qingyan's breakthrough to Rank Eight, she could not contend with the Hongchen Pavilion! Ye Qingyan could still kill everyone present and escape now. But if she went to the Hongchen Pavilion's base, she would be trapped by Rank Eight 异士, with nowhere to flee.
Ye Qingyan sneered, "Very well..."
Ye Qingyan's aura began to surge. Mao Jianhe could not withstand it and knelt to the ground. The three Rank Seven 异士 from Li Qun also sensed that Ye Qingyan was about to act and assumed their stances, ready to fight. The battle was imminent!
Just as Ye Qingyan was about to decapitate Mao Jianhe and eliminate Li Qun and the other two, Ye Ling's voice echoed in her mind.
"Qingyan, go back with them and see what they intend to do."
"I will follow behind you and ensure you face no danger."
Upon hearing Ye Ling's words, Ye Qingyan's aura instantly dissipated, causing the three who were preparing for battle to freeze in surprise. Ye Qingyan sheathed her long sword and said to the stunned Mao Jianhe, "I will go back with you. Let's go."
Mao Jianhe, who had one foot in the grave, was overjoyed to still be alive and broke out in a cold sweat! He quickly got up from the ground and smiled at Ye Qingyan, "Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Ye. I guarantee you will face no danger!" With that, Mao Jianhe signaled to the helicopter above, asking them to lower a ladder.
"Hmph!" Ye Qingyan snorted, whether at Ye Ling or Mao Jianhe was unclear. With a displeased expression, she grabbed the ladder and leaped up. Mao Jianhe, after tying a handkerchief around his neck to stop the bleeding, grabbed the ladder with one hand and signaled the helicopter to take off.
After watching Ye Qingyan depart by helicopter, Wang Kun and the other two breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Kun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said with lingering fear, "What kind of incredible encounter did this Ye Qingyan have? Wasn't she listed as a Rank Seven 异士 in the data? How did she suddenly break through to Rank Eight?"
Fakong said, "Miss Ye's background is extraordinary, not something we can presume to understand. Now that this matter is concluded, this monk shall take his leave."
Wang Kun nodded. "Very well. I also have matters to attend to. Farewell. I hope we have a pleasant collaboration next time."
Li Qun: "..."
"Leaving so soon? Do you think the mission to eliminate Ye Qingyan was too easy?" At this moment, Ye Ling's voice sounded in the ears of the three, causing their expressions to change drastically.
"Who?" Wang Kun's smile vanished completely. He quickly looked around, his expression extremely serious. They had not detected the presence of anyone else from beginning to end!
"I am here." Ye Ling stood at the entrance of Ye Qingyan's cave dwelling, smiling down at the three below. His smile was amiable.
Wang Kun found that he could not discern Ye Ling's cultivation level. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he asked in a deep voice, "Who are you, sir?"
Ye Ling smiled slightly, then disappeared from his original spot, causing the pupils of the three to contract sharply. The next moment, Ye Ling appeared behind Wang Kun and the other two, whispering,
"The one who will kill you."