A little while later.
Tian Qing returned. As soon as he entered, he saw Zhuang Haiwen's corpse.
His expression shifted slightly, then turned into a sneer.
Just as he thought.
Sneaking into the stronghold chief's courtyard was asking for death.
"Chief, who is this guy...?"
"Never mind who he is. Find somewhere to bury him. Do it cleanly and leave no trace."
"Yes..."
Tian Qing cupped his fists and walked toward Zhuang Haiwen.
"Oh, right. Did you go speak to the hidden sentries outside?"
"Uh... Chief, those fellows were far too careless. They need a harsh dressing-down, or anyone will be able to sneak into Guiyang Stronghold. We might as well be an inn!"
"Enough. Since you already spoke to them, go back and make sure they remember that no one came here tonight. Understood?"
"Mm... Understood."
Tian Qing was shaken. He was no greenhorn.
Li Yun would not tell him who the dead man was, and he wanted the sentries to keep their mouths shut. That could only mean this man's identity was unusual.
If word got out, it might bring enormous trouble down on Guiyang Stronghold.
Tian Qing dared not delay. He hoisted Zhuang Haiwen's corpse onto his shoulder and slipped away under cover of night, intending to find a place well outside Guiyang Stronghold to bury him deep.
After Tian Qing left, Li Yun fell into silent thought.
The facts proved that the Three Strongholds' plan to join forces and establish the New Sect had long since ceased to be a secret. Someone had been watching them for some time.
Even White-Headed Old Man Stronghold had been backed by someone in the shadows, all to take possession of the Martial Armory left by the Extinct Blade Sect without a sound.
That made matters even more complicated.
He