Infiltration!

Heyuan County, Hekou.

The continuous sunshine had melted the accumulated snow, clearing the roads. Along a main road leading to Hekou, five fast horses were galloping at full speed.

Shen Zhui, Yan You, Han Mao, and two others had left the city and were already thirty miles out.

"Whoa~"

Han Mao, who was in the lead, tightened the reins and slowed down. Shen Zhui and the others stopped as well.

"Cousin, have we arrived?" Yan You asked, catching up.

Shen Zhui, Zhao Hu, and Rong Zimo also gathered around.

Han Mao took a careful look at their surroundings and then nodded. "Another two or three miles, and we'll be in Hekou Town. Be cautious, don't let your guard down."

"Got it, cousin," Yan You nodded.

Although Wang Long had assigned the Peak Houtian realm Yan You to lead the team, Yan You was not good with words and was less familiar with the terrain of the towns outside the city than Han Mao. Therefore, at Yan You's suggestion, Han Mao had been in charge of the journey from the start.

"Understood," Zhao Hu and Shen Zhui also nodded.

They had traveled thirty miles on the main road. After the period of concealment passed, Han Mao led them onto a smaller path towards Hekou Town. They had seen very few people along the way and had entered smoothly.

If they had followed someone else's orders and marched openly on the main road, five Ninth Stage Houtian martial artists would likely have been discovered long ago. But now, they were still relatively safe.

Shen Zhui knew that Hekou Town was the location of a branch shrine of the Li Family, and it was certainly guarded by many powerful individuals. Having someone like Han Mao, who was familiar with the area, would naturally avoid a lot of trouble.

"If anyone questions us, kill those who are guilty and knock out and tie up the innocent," Han Mao instructed. "Although the mission time is ten days, it's better to delay our exposure as long as possible."

"Understood," everyone nodded.

Even though the mission had a ten-day timeframe, if they were exposed too early, the Village Head of Hekou was a member of the Li family, and they might have to live rough from then on.

Under Han Mao's leadership, the five carefully avoided various fortified villages that might be occupied by powerful individuals.

In Hekou Town, inside the hall of a luxurious manor surrounded by a four to five-meter-high wall, three Xiantian Masters were reclining on lounge chairs, each with two scantily clad maids respectfully serving them.

"Haha, it's rare for the three of us to get together like this. Brother Xiangyang, Brother Mu, don't be shy, drink up!" one of the bald, burly men said, raising his cup with a laugh.

"Heifeng, you're living the good life," one of the youths in a green robe echoed. "The Family Head bestowed upon you three hundred Human Cauldrons, and they are all excellent specimens under six years old. It seems Brother Heifeng's breakthrough to High-stage Xiantian is just around the corner!"

"Indeed, Brother Mu and I are extremely envious, but we haven't performed any great deeds. We don't know how long it will take us to break through," another man in a black daoist robe, with his chest exposed, said enviously.

They were all guest elders of the Li Family. The Li Family possessed a special cultivation method that could help them rapidly improve their realms. This special cultivation method required the essence and blood of young children as an auxiliary.

These child Human Cauldrons were difficult to obtain, and it was hard to get them without performing great deeds. Unlike Daoist Heifeng, who was rewarded with three hundred boys and girls at once.

"Hahaha," Daoist Heifeng couldn't hide the smugness in his eyes, but he deliberately feigned humility. "Don't be envious of me, you two. Killing that group of Ninth Stage Houtian martial artists who were coveting the branch shrine a few days ago almost cost me my life."

"Two Ninth Stage Houtian martial artists borrowed Divine Power, causing my Vital Energy to be damaged. The Family Head took pity on me and sent me some things to recuperate. It's barely enough to recover, let alone break through. Unless they send another five hundred Human Cauldrons, it won't be enough."

Daoist Xiangyang and Daoist Mu just smiled and said nothing, secretly cursing Heifeng for boasting after getting what he wanted.

To want another five hundred child Human Cauldrons? That would likely be equivalent to their entire year's allocation!

However, they were not as strong as Daoist Heifeng, and being guests, they naturally had to maintain a pleasant demeanor.

Even though they were all eating and drinking together amicably now, if it came down to interests, they would turn on each other with ruthless efficiency.

"Come, drink! This Hundred Fruit Brew is a fine thing. If it weren't for you two, I wouldn't have brought it out to entertain you," Daoist Heifeng raised his cup again.

"Haha, thank you, Brother Heifeng," Daoist Xiangyang grinned.

"Heifeng, we've been out for quite some time. We should head back to the branch shrine," the older Daoist Mu said, putting down his wine cup.

Daoist Heifeng was somewhat displeased. "Brother Mu, you have ten Ninth Stage Houtian martial artists and two Peak Houtian realm experts guarding your area. What are you afraid of? The County Magistrate has been holed up in the city for over half a month, and what fool would dare to cause trouble for us? You've only been out for half a day, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

In fact, among the three, he looked down on Daoist Mu somewhat.

A Qi Cultivation True Person in the Xiantian Realm actually needed an elite squad of martial artists to assist him. Didn't that prove the Family Head didn't trust his strength?

It was just that his personality was cautious and meticulous, and he considered things thoroughly, which was why the Family Head valued him.

But in Heifeng's eyes, this was just cowardice.

"Heifeng," Daoist Mu still said with a smile. "The Family Head entrusted me with this task, and I dare not be careless. It concerns the branch shrine, so it's best to be cautious."

Daoist Heifeng wanted to persuade him further, but suddenly Daoist Xiangyang, who was drinking, showed a look of confusion. He took out an ancient wooden token from his bosom and examined it carefully.

Daoist Mu also noticed Daoist Xiangyang's abnormality and quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

Daoist Xiangyang hesitated. "A subordinate of mine, an Eighth Stage Houtian martial artist, just sent me a message, but he didn't say anything."

Heifeng immediately laughed. "Haha, Brother Xiangyang, your subordinate must have had too much to drink and accidentally triggered the token."

"Which area is this person responsible for?" Daoist Mu advised, "Brother Xiangyang, don't be careless. You should ask first."

"Hmph, it's rare for us to gather. Are you also going back, Brother Xiangyang?" Heifeng said with some displeasure.

Daoist Xiangyang pondered for a moment, then put down his wine cup. "This person is just a captain of the outer perimeter patrol for the branch shrine. To be safe, I'll ask."

"Hmm?" Daoist Xiangyang frowned. "He's not responding."

In Hekou, within a high-walled compound, Shen Zhui and the others held a knife to the throat of a terrified Eighth Stage Acquired Realm martial artist. Seven or eight corpses lay scattered around them.

"Who is this token notifying? Speak!" Zhao Hu glared fiercely at the Eighth Stage Acquired Realm martial artist.

"It's, it's Elder Xiangyang, the Xiantian Master here! D-don't kill me, I didn't get a chance to say anything just now. You can just knock me out, I don't know anything!" the martial artist stammered.

"You're quite sensible," Han Mao chuckled. Just moments ago, they had ambushed the outer perimeter of the manor housing the branch shrine. After a brief fight, only this spineless Eighth Stage Acquired Realm martial artist remained, without alerting anyone else.

"Why waste so much time talking to him? Just cut him down!" Zhao Hu raised his great saber, about to strike.

"Brother Hu, wait a moment," Han Mao and Shen Zhui said in unison, stopping him.

Han Mao and Shen Zhui exchanged a look. Han Mao gestured for Shen Zhui to speak first. Shen Zhui pondered for a moment, then whispered, "Although we stopped him from reporting just now, I'm afraid we've alerted that Xiantian martial artist."

"There are three branch shrines in this area. We can only fight a Xiantian martial artist if we summon a deity. The County Magistrate's primary objective is to destroy the branch shrines, and the Xiantian Master here is not at the branch shrine. This is a heaven-sent opportunity!"

Even though the five of them could each borrow divine power, and Shen Zhui himself could even summon twice, none of them could guarantee they could kill a Xiantian.

There were three mission locations. If they could destroy the branch shrines without engaging a Xiantian martial artist, that would be ideal.

"Furthermore, this manor is vast and complex. We can have him guide us inside."

"I can mimic his voice and then contact the Xiantian Master," Rong Zimo suddenly offered.

"I'm afraid that won't work," Han Mao shook his head. "It's too easy to expose ourselves."

"Buzz~" Just then, the wooden token on the martial artist's person vibrated slightly.

"It's, it's the Elder," the Eighth Stage Acquired Realm martial artist said fearfully.

"If you don't cooperate, you die, understand?!" Han Mao growled. "If you cooperate, we'll spare your life."

"U-understood."

"Brother Hu, let him go," Han Mao decided.

The Eighth Stage Acquired Realm martial artist took a deep breath, then channeled Vital Energy into a part of the token, activating a formation.

Immediately, the wooden token stopped vibrating, and a cold voice came from within.

"You dare to trespass in a forbidden area. No matter who you are, you cannot escape!"

Rong Zimo and Zhao Hu were startled, their eyes widening in fury.

Han Mao and Shen Zhui remained silent, staring intently at Xu Lao Ba.

Xu Lao Ba took a deep breath and said, "E-Elder, it is your subordinate."

The voice was silent for a moment, then suddenly roared, "Xu Lao Ba, you have the audacity to collude with outsiders and deceive me!"

"E- hic -Elder, your subordinate admits his guilt. I shouldn't have been drinking with my brothers while on patrol, and I accidentally triggered the token. Please forgive me, Elder! It's just cold, and the brothers couldn't bear it."

"Then why didn't you reply immediately?"

"I was drunk and couldn't hold steady, so the token accidentally fell into a ditch."

So that's how it is. Daoist Xiangyang, who was drinking, breathed a sigh of relief and was about to scold them before ending the communication.

But at that moment, Daoist Mu, who was beside him, suddenly spoke, "Ask his subordinate to say a word."

"Hm?" Daoist Xiangyang was taken aback, but then nodded. "Alright."

"Xu Lao Ba, have another person speak with me."