At this very moment.
Within the villa, the Third Elder scanned his surroundings with a sinister smile.
Someone had just reported that Chinese people were seen entering and exiting here. His intuition told him this must be a big catch, otherwise, they wouldn't dare to barge in so brazenly.
That was why he brought his men, determined to catch them red-handed.
After Feng Ze was captured earlier but returned safely from China, he had suggested to the楼主 (Louzhu -楼主 is a title that can be translated as Lord, Master, or Leader, depending on context. Here, due to the fictional martial arts setting, "Louzhu" itself is a good choice for specificity and adherence to rules, or a suitable title could be "Palace Master" or "Sect Master". Given the strict rule about not translating titles unless explicitly known and the goal of retaining original flavour, "Louzhu" is preferable. However, if a generic title is preferred to aid understanding for a wider English audience, "Palace Master" or "Sect Master" could be considered. Given the context of "听风楼" (Tingfeng Lou - Hall of Listening Winds), "Hall Master" or "Wind Listening Master" are also options. Adhering strictly to rule 2, if no established English equivalent exists and maintaining the specific flavour is key, the pinyin "Louzhu" is the safest choice.) to execute Feng Ze.
But the Louzhu, considering Feng Ze's low cultivation and wanting to win people's hearts, had spared Feng Ze.
Now Feng Ze was colluding with the Chinese forces that the Louzhu hated the most. He wanted to see how Feng Ze could possibly save his own life!
At this moment, he was not in a hurry to go in and search for people.
He had already set up an inescapable net around the perimeter; no one could leave stealthily.
And he wanted to make Feng Ze panic, giving Feng Ze enough time to hide the person.
This way, whether they found the person escaping from here or found them here later, Feng Ze would be irrevocably implicated in colluding with Chinese forces.
Ding ding ding…
However, to his surprise, he did not see Feng Ze come out to greet him. Instead, he heard the sounds of weapons clashing from inside the villa.
"Ye Cangtian, don't think you can force me to submit just because you have more people!"
"I am a person of Tingfeng Lou in life, and a ghost of Tingfeng Lou in death!"
"I advise you, it's still not too late to lay down your weapons. If the people of Tingfeng Lou arrive, you are doomed to perish..."
As the sound of weapons clashing echoed, Feng Ze's roar followed. Shortly after, two figures burst out from the villa.
One of them was Feng Ze, and the other was someone very familiar, none other than China's Ye Cangtian!
Uh…
Seeing this scene, the Third Elder's face turned extremely grim.
Although the entire villa was surrounded, he had kept many subordinates with him to serve as more witnesses and to search the villa.
If everything had gone as he expected, it would have been fine.
But what he saw now was Feng Ze fighting valiantly in blood. If this reached the Louzhu's ears, not only would Feng Ze not be punished, but he would also receive considerable rewards.
And he couldn't silence everyone; after all, the subordinates around him could all become Feng Ze's most powerful witnesses…
Everything had backfired. How could he be happy?
"Third Elder, what are you still standing there for!"
"Quickly join me in capturing the scoundrel from China!"
As the Third Elder's face was filled with anger, Feng Ze's voice reached him from a distance.
The Third Elder's expression changed again. He quickly signaled the surrounding guards to go and help, while he himself moved around the perimeter.
At first glance, his movement around the perimeter seemed like he was searching for an opportunity to strike, but only he knew that he was stalling for time.
It was evident that Zhou Ze and Ye Cangtian were struggling in their fight. He believed that it wouldn't be long before Zhou Ze fell into a pool of blood.
Not only would Feng Ze die then, but Ye Cangtian would also be significantly weakened, making it easier to deal with him.
If Ye Cangtian could be killed, then this merit would be his alone to claim.
It could be said that the Third Elder was full of calculations, but he had overlooked some important factors: Gui Wu and Nan Xi.
The two women had accompanied Ye Cangtian and naturally would not stand by and watch Ye Cangtian being besieged. As the guards rushed forward, Gui Wu and Nan Xi also made their move.
And how could ordinary guards possibly be a match for the two women?
After a fierce battle, all the guards fell to the ground groaning. The only one who could still help Feng Ze was the Third Elder.
"Chen Yuanshan, you bastard, if you still don't make a move now, you're trying to use someone else's hand to kill me, aren't you!"
"Let me tell you, all these brothers are watching!"
Feng Ze looked at the Third Elder, who was still hesitating, and suddenly understood his intentions. He then roared.
"This..."
As the roar echoed, the Third Elder's face changed again. He had no choice but to join the battle.
If he didn't make a move, he would be held accountable for murder, and might even be accused of colluding with the enemy.
Most importantly, the guards on the ground were only severely injured, not dead. This meant that the situation here would inevitably reach the Louzhu's ears.
"Old man, can't you see we're having a one-on-one fight? Why do you have to butt in, haven't you any sense!"
Ye Cangtian, while blocking the attacks of the two, reprimanded the Third Elder.
"Ye Cangtian, put down your weapons and surrender obediently, and this old man guarantees to spare your life!"
"If you insist on being stubborn, then don't blame this old man for being ruthless!"
Hearing Ye Cangtian's words, the Third Elder snorted coldly and said loudly.
Heh heh.
With a single sentence, Ye Cangtian's face instantly revealed a disdainful smile. "Old man, you seem quite arrogant! Then I'll test your strength..."
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian's speed suddenly changed. His main target shifted from Feng Ze to the Third Elder, and the dagger in his hand was replaced by the Dragon Soul Saber.
Hiss!
Feeling the change in Ye Cangtian's speed, the Third Elder gasped.
The speed was too terrifying. Even with his cultivation, he found the opponent's movements dazzling.
Ah!
In a short while, after a few chaotic parries, the Third Elder let out a heart-wrenching scream.
His left arm was silently severed by Ye Cangtian's Dragon Soul Saber. The pain almost made him faint on the spot.
However, it was not over yet. Ye Cangtian then struck out with a palm, which hit his chest heavily.
Instantly.
Pain spread through his limbs. The Third Elder suddenly realized that all his meridians had been completely severed.
"I..."
As the Third Elder's face turned pale, without his cultivation, he was just an ordinary person. His power, his status, instantly turned into an illusion…
"Old man, you were so loud before, how can you be so vulnerable? Are you that useless?"
Ye Cangtian's voice came, making the Third Elder spit out a mouthful of blood in anger. However, he dared not say anything more.
Now that his cultivation was gone, he had no resistance at all. It would be no harder for the opponent to kill him than to crush an ant.
So, to save his life, he had better not provoke the opponent.
"Ye Cangtian, my opponent is me! What's the point of bullying an old man? Come at me if you dare!"
Just as Ye Cangtian's voice fell, Feng Ze's roar came again.
Hearing this, the Third Elder's eyes immediately showed suspicion. His relationship with Feng Ze had always been bad. Why was Feng Ze so furious for him today?
In his opinion, Feng Ze should be happy to see his current predicament.
Even if Feng Ze didn't openly laugh, he shouldn't have angered Ye Cangtian, this fiend.
"Feng Ze, your strength is too weak, I can't be bothered to play with you. You should go and cultivate more!"
On the other side, Ye Cangtian easily repelled Feng Ze, his face showing disdain as he said with a smile.
After speaking, he took Nan Xi and Gui Wu and rapidly phased away from the villa.
"Third Elder, are you alright?"
Seeing Ye Cangtian and the other two leave, Feng Ze did not pursue them. Instead, he quickly came to the Third Elder's side and began to express concern, leaving the Third Elder utterly bewildered…
…
Inside the main hall of Tingfeng Lou.
When the Third Elder was carried back on a stretcher, the Louzhu was completely stunned.
The Third Elder had only been gone for a few hours, and how had he lost an arm and had his cultivation crippled?
He cast his gaze upon Feng Ze, who had come along, and said grimly, "Feng Ze, what exactly happened?"
At this moment, his gaze towards Feng Ze was somewhat sharp.
He was somewhat aware of the enmity between Feng Ze and the Third Elder. Now that the Third Elder was brought back by Feng Ze, he couldn't help but suspect that Feng Ze was responsible.
"Reporting to Louzhu, Ye Cangtian from China came to me earlier, wanting to bribe me!"
"As a result, we had a disagreement and started fighting. It was at this moment that the Third Elder also rushed over upon hearing the news and joined the battle valiantly."
"And then the Third Elder was injured by Ye Cangtian..."
"Your subordinate is incompetent. Seeing the Third Elder heavily injured, yet allowing the culprit to flee recklessly, I am truly ashamed. I beg Louzhu for punishment!"
Feng Ze recounted the events truthfully, but he did not point out that the Third Elder intended to harm him. Instead, he spoke a few kind words for the Third Elder.
This immediately made the Third Elder on the stretcher doubt if he had heard correctly.
After all, during the battle, Feng Ze had already seen through his intention to stall for time, but why was he not exposing him now?
The Third Elder truly couldn't understand the intention behind it.
"Third Elder, is what Feng Ze said the truth?"
At this moment, the Louzhu glanced at the Third Elder and asked.
"Mm, the situation is generally like this."
The Third Elder nodded reluctantly upon hearing this.
Regardless of anything, it was a good thing that Feng Ze had not reported him to the Louzhu. He would not create trouble for himself, so he could only admit it.