Mole

"What's going on? Tell me in detail!"

The Old Ancestor of the Guo Family's voice boomed like a bell, making the surrounding porcelain vibrate. He was the type of person whose voice was naturally loud.

"Yes, Father!"

Guo Jing scrambled to his feet and bowed, saying, "The orphan of the Zhou Family, Zhou Wenwu, has returned. I was worried and ordered my two nephews to follow him... They sent a message earlier saying everything was normal, but after they entered the deep mountains, reportedly heading to the Secluded Valley, all contact was lost."

"Deep mountains? Secluded Valley?"

The Old Ancestor of the Guo Family tilted his head and suddenly said, "That doctor who's rumored to be so miraculous? What's his name... Fang..."

"Fang Yuan!"

Guo Jing gritted his teeth slightly. Losing two Martial Artists was a devastating blow to the Guo Family, not to mention the familial ties involved.

"Afterward, our people monitored Zhou Wenwu's safe return, but there's still no news of my two younger brothers. I fear the worst!"

"Scoundrel!"

The Old Ancestor of the Guo Family roared in anger, letting out a sharp shout that made Guo Jing tremble. It was unclear if he was scolding Guo Jing, Fang Yuan, or his two misguided descendants.

"Did those two... participate in the major event?"

After his anger subsided, the Old Ancestor of the Guo Family deliberately lowered his voice, his expression turning extremely grim.

"Absolutely not!"

Guo Jing shook his head repeatedly. "This matter is of great importance. Within the entire Guo Family, only my father and I know the inside story. I haven't even told my closest second brother!"

"Good!"

The Old Ancestor of the Guo Family nodded, a hint of bewilderment in his eyes. "I've been lurking here since I was eighteen. It's been over sixty years now. Fortunately, I've finally received the secret order from my Sect. This family expansion is at the Sect's behest, preparing for future cover and activities. We absolutely cannot be negligent! As long as this is successful, I, as a nominal disciple, can finally return to the Sect and be recognized by my ancestors..."

"I understand this naturally!"

Guo Jing nodded repeatedly. Fang Yuan, who was eavesdropping outside, felt a chill in his heart:

Judging by the conversation between these two father and son, this Guo Family is actually a mole planted in Qingye County by a major Force from outside Qinghe Commandery? No wonder they were obscure before and could suddenly rise up like an invasion like fire!

I can be sure that the other party must have similar arrangements in other commanderies and counties... This kind of planning and strategy, especially the patience, is simply...

He seemed to see an invisible net spread out, encompassing the entire Qinghe Commandery.

Those nominal disciples were like nodes, lying dormant usually, but revealing their Fangs once they received orders.

Thinking of this, Fang Yuan immediately held his breath and concentrated his attention on the room.

The conversation between the Guo father and son continued.

"Father!"

Guo Jing's voice held a hint of confusion. "Didn't the Sect's previous order command us to lie low? Why the sudden change?"

"This matter..."

The Old Ancestor of the Guo Family slowly said, "I know a little. It's said that a Traitor appeared in the Sect and stole an important Treasure, fleeing along the Qingling Mountain range. It's highly possible they've reached this area. Our current rise is to gain enough influence and Force to mobilize a large number of low-level personnel to enter the mountains and provide cover for the experts sent by the Sect! After all, Qinghe Commandery is still within the sphere of influence of the Gui Ling Sect, and Shi Yutong, that Martial Ancestor, is not to be trifled with..."

"It's just... after such a long time, that person has probably already fled a thousand miles away. The Sect doing this is likely still unwilling to give up..."

As he spoke, the Old Ancestor of the Guo Family sounded somewhat disheartened.

Guo Jing, however, looked pleased upon hearing this.

Regardless of the reason, by riding this wave, the Guo Family had developed rapidly, and that was enough!

Traitor... Treasure...

Could it be such a coincidence?

Outside, the more Fang Yuan listened, the more his expression became uncertain. He immediately thought of the unlucky Martial Artist Han Shou, whom he had killed, and the strange Treasure Map hidden in the interlayer of his boots.

The lines on that map looked like ghostly scribbles, missing parts here and there. Fang Yuan had tried to decipher it several times, getting dizzy, and then gave up, putting it aside.

But now, it seemed this item was quite valuable, a treasure of a Force comparable to the Gui Ling Sect! Something they would retrieve at all costs.

What a pity, what use is a partial map?

Fang Yuan shook his head inwardly and heard the Old Ancestor of the Guo Family's voice again: "Hmph, Secluded Valley... Fang Yuan, is it? Do you really think I'm a pushover just because you dared to harm my people? My Guo Family's foundation is shallow. To rise, we need impressive achievements to truly establish ourselves in Qingye City."

"The failure of my two nephews this time shows the rumors are true; that Fang Yuan is already an Inner Family Master!"

Guo Jing's voice carried a sense of caution. "Even though Father has been enduring, he's now at the sixth realm, but that person is young after all..."

If his father were in his prime, Guo Jing wouldn't have had the slightest worry.

But now, his father was nearing eighty. Even though his internal energy was profound and he was still as energetic as ever, how could he fight against a Martial Artist of the same level?

"I know this naturally, but my Guo Family has never been afraid of trouble!"

The Old Ancestor of the Guo Family waved his hand. "Tomorrow, you will personally lead a team to the Secluded Valley to investigate the movements of Little Seven and Little Eight. If those two are safe and sound, then let the matter rest. If they have met with foul play... then retreat!"

"Retreat!"

"That's right. I will personally send a message to my Sect. That Secluded Valley is highly suspicious!"

The Old Ancestor of the Guo Family chuckled slyly. "Who told you the Secluded Valley lineage resides deep in the mountains and is so mysterious? It wouldn't be strange to encounter that Traitor there..."

Guo Jing heard this and felt a chill in his heart.

Even if it was a fabricated accusation, once the sect's experts knew, they would kill without mercy, no questions asked.

With such a simple move, he had used someone else to do his killing. Truly, the old are the wisest. He suspected that even if Fang Yuan died, he wouldn't know how he died.

"Father, your plan is brilliant!"

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but beam.

But suddenly, he noticed his father's expression change. The wrinkles on his old face tightened, looking extremely tense.

Snap, snap!

Immediately, loud applause sounded from outside the door. A man in black pushed open the room door and swaggered in, "Good plan! Truly a good plan!"

"Inner Family Master!?"

The Guo Family Old Ancestor stood up, his beard and hair bristling. His palm, as large as a winnowing fan, pulled Guo Jing behind him. "Jing'er, be careful. I'll handle everything!"

He looked at the man in black, his expression extremely solemn. "Who are you, and why have you trespassed into the Guo Residence?"

"Old dog, die!"

Fang Yuan didn't bother exchanging pleasantries with the old man. He extended his right hand, his fingernails extending like blades, and slashed down.

Screech!

At the same time, his entire arm bulged unnaturally. The skin beneath the black clothing was a dark, blackish hue, and even his palm emitted wisps of Black Qi.

Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt, sixth layer of power! And Black Sand Palm!

The moment Fang Yuan attacked, he went all out!

He had no choice but to go all out. After all, this was the heart of the Guo Family. Just now, the Guo Family Old Ancestor had deliberately sunk his Qi to his Dantian, letting his voice carry far. Footsteps were already hurrying from outside.

Even though an Inner Family Master was usually invincible against someone in the Internal Breath realm, if there were too many of them and they attacked together, he could still be worn down and killed.

Fang Yuan's eyes flashed like lightning.

The moment the Guo Family Old Ancestor revealed his poisonous scheme, he had already decided: the Guo Family must be annihilated!

"Eagle Claw Hand?!"

The Guo Family Old Ancestor's face darkened. He struck out with both fists, his Qi erupting like a giant's. "Giant Spirit Qi!"

Bang!

Claw met fist. The Guo Family Old Ancestor retreated several steps, leaving deep footprints on the ground. His face flushed, and he spat out a mouthful of blood mist. However, the damage to his body was far less than the shock in his heart. "Sixth Gate expert? How can he be so formidable?"

Screech!

The black clothing on Fang Yuan's arm tore apart, revealing his dark green arm. The reflected damage was quickly healed by his powerful physique. He didn't retreat at all and lunged forward again, transforming into a great eagle. The Eagle Claw Internal Energy flowed from his lower abdomen to his arm, then from his arm to his palm. His five fingers moved, making popping sounds like cracking beans, and he ferociously clawed down.

"Die!"

"Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt!? You are Fang..."

The Guo Family Old Ancestor was even more astonished, but he swallowed his words halfway, forced to focus entirely on defending himself.

"Hah, Giant Spirit Supports the Sky!"

He thrust out both palms, pushing upwards, blocking Fang Yuan's Eagle Claw Hand strike that aimed for his crown.

Bang!

As Qi surged outwards, Guo Jing watched the scene blankly.

This man in black was actually overpowering his father. Moreover, judging by his father's slightly trembling arms, he was clearly at a disadvantage!

Faster! Faster!

He clenched his fists, his face covered in cold sweat. All he could do now was hope that the reinforcements from outside would arrive quickly.

"You can block three of my claws, you're not bad!"

Fang Yuan let out a clear whistle and struck out with another claw.

"Ugh..."

The Guo Family Old Ancestor's face was ashen. Using the last of his strength, he brought his hands together in a defensive posture, blocking the Eagle Claw. He saw the family retainers and guards finally rush in, and a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.

But in the next instant, another claw broke through, hooking his Adam's apple like lightning and squeezing it tightly.

Crack!

A crisp sound echoed. The numerous retainers rushed in and then witnessed a scene that made their blood run cold.

The pillar of the Guo Family, the mighty Guo Family Old Ancestor, clutched his neck and slowly fell, his breath vanishing in an instant.

"Villain!"

Guo Jing's eyes turned red. "I will not rest until I have your life!"

"You die too!"

Fang Yuan understood the principle of cutting weeds and removing their roots.

He took three quick steps and reached Guo Jing, who was trying to hide in the crowd, and then, like lightning, struck out with another claw.

"I'll risk it all!"

Guo Jing crossed his arms to block, and was indeed a skilled fighter at the fifth level.

Unfortunately, his Internal Breath surged, and as soon as it was gathered, it collided with Fang Yuan's internal energy and shattered upon contact.

Crack!

Fang Yuan mercilessly crushed his neck again, then surveyed his surroundings.

Many of the household servants, guards, and even members of the Guo Family retreated one after another, not daring to meet his gaze.

Fang Yuan let out a cold laugh, then climbed over the courtyard wall and swaggered away, disappearing from sight.