"But how did they break through the mountain's outer defenses? When we returned to the mountain, we had already ordered the sentinels along the way to strengthen their vigilance," Li Feiyu muttered in confusion.
Han Li answered calmly, "There's nothing strange about it. The Wild Wolf Gang must have been planning this large-scale assault for a long time. It's easy for them to place a few spies at the outer perimeter. With these insiders leading the way, it's perfectly normal for the sentinels to be taken down silently."
"But it's impossible for the Wild Wolf Gang to take down all the branch halls so easily. I think their plan is to encircle the various mountain peaks where the branch halls are located, without attacking them directly, while concentrating their best fighters on attacking the main hall at Sunset Peak. If they can capture or kill the sect's leaders, the rest of the branch halls will fall apart on their own."
"Then what do we do now? Should we go to Sunset Peak?" Li Feiyu urgently asked.
Han Li fell silent for a moment, then turned to face him, speaking in a low voice, "You still haven't told me. How could the negotiation team, with so many powerful experts, be completely wiped out? According to logic, the Wild Wolf Gang shouldn't have the strength to do that."
Li Feiyu's face twitched at the question. He subconsciously licked his dry, cracked lips and managed a bitter smile. "They used a large number of repeating crossbows—military-grade, enhanced ones."
"Military-grade repeating crossbows?" Han Li asked, his brow furrowing.
"Yes! Two days after we left the mountain, we were walking through a grassy area. Since we were still within our own territory, everyone was quite relaxed. Suddenly, countless Wild Wolf Gang members erupted from the ground, each armed with a heavy crossbow. The arrows came raining down, dense as a storm. Any disciple with slightly weaker martial skills was killed on the spot. Only a few of the more powerful ones, or those with luck, managed to dodge. Even they were injured, and their abilities were severely weakened. I was one of the lucky ones. If not, I wouldn't have made it back."
Li Feiyu's expression turned grim as he recalled the terrifying scene of the barrage. He couldn't hide the trace of fear in his eyes.
"Once the arrows stopped, their experts came charging in. What followed was a fierce battle. To increase our chances of survival, we split up and broke through on our own. I was lucky again, as I wasn't considered an important target by the enemy, so the pursuit was less intense. That's how I managed to escape. But when I tried to head back, I found that the outposts, which should have been held by our side, had been replaced by Wild Wolf Gang members waiting to ambush us. I walked into a couple of traps before realizing what was happening. From then on, I stopped trying to seek help from the outposts."
Li Feiyu's voice grew more solemn as he continued, "To find out what happened to the others, I captured a Wild Wolf Gang enforcer and learned that Vice-Sect Leader Wu and several elders had died in the ambush, surrounded by a large group of their experts. Only a few people, like me, who weren't considered important targets, managed to escape. After hearing this, I didn't dare waste any more time and ran straight back to the mountain. Along the way, I met two other surviving guardians. Together, we ran for a day and night before finally making it back to the mountain."
Li Feiyu paused, his expression a mixture of helplessness and concern. "As soon as we returned, the other two guardians went to Sunset Peak to inform Sect Leader Wang about the massacre. I came here first, making up an excuse about treating my injuries, hoping to figure out a plan of action with you. If Vice-Sect Leader Wu and so many others died in the ambush, the higher-ups might blame us, the ones who managed to escape, and make us scapegoats. Now, before I even explained all this to you, the Wild Wolf Gang's forces are already attacking the mountain. What do we do now?"
Han Li frowned deeply after hearing all of this, the tension building in his chest. Outside, the sounds of battle grew louder, and he could hear the desperate screams of the dying. The atmosphere on the mountain had shifted to one of chaos and death.
"Do you still have any subordinates left on the mountain?" Han Li's voice dropped to a low murmur.
"Yes, I still have over twenty subordinates. They're stationed near Elder Li's residence. I had planned to bring them out once the negotiation team returned," Li Feiyu replied.
"Good. Let's head to Elder Li's residence first and gather everyone. Then we'll also find Zhang Xiuer and Elder Li to discuss our next steps. Once we know the full extent of the situation, we'll decide what to do," Han Li said calmly, his voice unwavering and logical.
"Alright, I'll follow your lead," Li Feiyu agreed, his tone filled with urgency.
Han Li gave a slight nod, but noticed Li Feiyu's agitation. "You're really concerned about Xiuer, aren't you?" he remarked, his tone slightly mocking. He couldn't help but find it odd that Li Feiyu, aware of his imminent death, still insisted on marrying her. It seemed a bit contradictory to Han Li.
Li Feiyu didn't seem to hear Han Li's remark. He hurriedly said, "I'm really worried about her safety!"
Han Li gave him a sidelong glance, then turned his back and jumped down from the rooftop. Li Feiyu followed right behind.
"I'll gather my things. We should leave immediately," Han Li said, his voice steady.
"Yes, hurry up. I'm really concerned about Xiuer's safety!" Li Feiyu called out, his voice full of anxiety.
Han Li couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated, but simply muttered under his breath. His friend's concern for Zhang Xiuer was both somewhat irritating and a little enviable.
With that, Han Li quickly entered his room, gathering a few essential items in preparation for their escape.