Advance Deployment

Helian Duzun quickly stepped forward. "Worthy nephew, this matter is the responsibility of my sect."

"Alas!"

As he spoke, Helian Duzun let out a sigh. "It is all my fault. I forgot to tell you that bandits have been active around here. I should have escorted you away."

"More importantly!"

"Just now, I clearly caught that bandit, yet he slipped away the moment I let my guard down."

"Alas!"

"Blame me!"

"Blame me!"

Anyone unaware of the truth would surely have believed Helian Duzun's words.

He spoke with such sincerity, and not the slightest change showed on his face. It gave the impression that he truly knew nothing about what had happened earlier.

"Worthy nephew!"

As Helian Duzun spoke, he lowered his stance. "Come, please return to the sect with me once more. I will immediately order men to capture every bandit here and hand them over to you for personal disposal."

Helian Duzun had put on a complete performance, leaving Qin Jishi unable to find fault with anything he did.

Even if Qin Jishi clearly knew that the "bandit" was Helian Wang, what could he do?

Hmph!

Who would admit it?

Catch adultery in pairs, catch thieves with stolen goods.

Without evidence, even if they talked until the sky collapsed, Helian Duzun would never bear the blame.

Of course!

Qin Jishi knew that now was not the time to tear all pretenses apart with Helian Duzun.

"Hehe, Pavilion Master Helian, there is no need for you to blame yourself. This matter has nothing to do with your sect. If anyone is to blame, it is our poor luck. To think we encountered bandits less than a hundred li from Heaven Annihilation Pavilion—it seems that bandit is quite capable."

"He certainly is no ordinary bandit!" Helian Duzun said angrily. "I