The Hidden Pawn

"What happened? Tell me everything!"

The Guo Family Old Ancestor's voice boomed like a bell, making the porcelain around him hum. He was one of those people who naturally spoke in a loud, ringing voice.

"Yes, Father!"

Guo Jing got to his feet and bowed. "Zhou Wenwu, the last survivor of the Zhou family, has returned. I wasn't at ease, so I sent two nephews to follow him... They reported that everything was normal, but after they entered the mountains—apparently heading for Hidden Valley—they went silent."

"The mountains? Hidden Valley?"

The Guo Family Old Ancestor tilted his head, then suddenly said, "That healer everyone talks about as if he were some kind of wonder-worker? What was his name... Fang... Fang..."

"Fang Yuan!"

Guo Jing ground his teeth. Losing two martial artists was a crippling blow to the Guo family, especially since there was some kinship between them.

"Afterward, our people confirmed that Zhou Wenwu returned safely, but there's still been no word from my two younger cousins. I'm afraid... they're dead."

"Bastard!"

The Guo Family Old Ancestor roared in fury. Guo Jing shuddered, unable to tell whether the old man was cursing him, Fang Yuan, or those two foolish descendants.

"Did those two... know anything of our great undertaking?"

After his anger passed, the Guo Family Old Ancestor deliberately lowered his voice, his expression turning utterly grim.

"Absolutely not!"

Guo Jing shook his head again and again. "This matter is too important. Only you and I know the truth within the entire Guo family. I didn't even tell my closest second brother!"

"Good!"

The Guo Family Old Ancestor nodded, a distant look in his eyes. "I came here to lie low when I was eighteen. It's been over sixty years now. Thankfully, the sect's secret orders finally arrived. The family's expansion this time was arranged by the sect, to prepare for its next cover and operation. We must not neglect it! If we succeed, then at last this nominal disciple of the sect can return to the mountain gate and be acknowledged by his ancestors..."

"Your son understands, of course!"

Guo Jing nodded repeatedly. Outside, Fang Yuan listened in, his heart tightening.

"From what these father and son are saying, the Guo family is actually a sleeper agent planted in Qingye County by some powerful force beyond Qinghe Commandery? No wonder they'd been unknown all this time, only to suddenly rise like a fire sweeping through the fields!"

"I'm sure they've made arrangements like the Guo family's in other commanderies and counties, too... Such forethought and scheming, especially their patience, is simply..."

He seemed to see an invisible web spread open, swallowing the whole of Qinghe Commandery.

The nominal disciples were like nodes in the web, lying dormant until an order came. Then they would bare their fangs.

At that thought, Fang Yuan immediately held his breath and focused on the small room.

The conversation between the Guo father and son continued to drift out.

"Father Lord!"

Guo Jing sounded puzzled. "Didn't the sect previously order us to lie low? Why the sudden change?"

"This matter..."

The Guo Family Old Ancestor spoke slowly. "Your father knows a little. Apparently, a traitor emerged within the sect and stole an important treasure, then fled along the Qingling Mountain range. He may well have reached this area. We're taking the chance to rise now so we'll have enough influence and power to mobilize a large number of common folk to enter the mountains, and to cover for the experts sent by the sect! After all, Qinghe Commandery is still within the Gui Ling Sect's sphere of influence, and that Martial Ancestor Shi Yutong is no easy opponent..."

"But so much time has passed. The man has probably fled a thousand miles by now. The sect's doing this, most likely, because it can't bear to let the matter go..."

By the end, even the Guo Family Old Ancestor sounded dispirited.

Guo Jing, however, looked delighted.

No matter what, the Guo family had seized this tailwind and risen rapidly. That was enough!

"A traitor... a treasure..."

"Could it really be that coincidental?"

Outside, the more Fang Yuan heard, the more uncertain he became. He immediately thought of Han Shou, the unlucky martial artist he'd secretly killed, and the strange treasure map hidden in the lining of his boot.

The lines on the map looked like gibberish, with pieces missing here and there. Fang Yuan had tried to interpret it several times, but after it left him dizzy and cross-eyed, he'd stopped bothering and tossed it aside.

But now it seemed this thing was exceptionally valuable—a treasure belonging to a great power on par with the Gui Ling Sect! They were willing to pay any price to get it back.

What a pity. What use is a fragment of a map?

Fang Yuan shook his head to himself. Then the Guo Family Old Ancestor's voice came from within: "Hmph, Hidden Valley... Fang Yuan, was it? He dares lay a hand on my people? Does he really think this old man is a soft persimmon? My Guo family has shallow roots. If we're to rise, we need a dazzling victory to truly establish ourselves in Qingye City."

"The failure of my two nephews proves the rumors are true. Fang Yuan is already an Inner Family Master!"

Guo Jing's voice was cautious. "Even though Father Lord has kept his strength hidden and has now reached the sixth gate, that man is still young..."

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

But his father was now nearly eighty. Though his internal strength was profound and he was still as vigorous as a dragon and tiger, what if he fought a martial artist of the same rank?

"Of course I know that. But the Guo family has never been afraid of trouble!"

The Guo Family Old Ancestor waved a hand. "Tomorrow, you'll personally lead a party to Hidden Valley and investigate what happened to Seventh and Eighteenth. If they're safe and sound, then forget the whole matter. If they've already been killed... withdraw!"

"Withdraw?"

"Exactly. I'll send a report to the sect myself. That Hidden Valley is highly suspicious!"

The Guo Family Old Ancestor gave a sly smile. "That Hidden Valley lineage lives deep in the mountains and keeps to itself. It wouldn't be surprising if they'd run into the traitor..."

Guo Jing's heart sank as he listened.

He knew that even if the charge was made up, once the sect's experts heard it, they would rather kill the innocent than let a guilty one go.

A casual move, and he'd borrowed another's blade to kill. Truly, old ginger was the spiciest. Even if Fang Yuan died, he probably wouldn't know how it had happened.

"Father Lord, what a brilliant plan!"

At the thought, his face lit up.

But suddenly, he saw his father's expression change. The wrinkles on the old man's face drew tight, making him look extremely tense.

Clap, clap!

Loud applause rang out from beyond the door. A man in black pushed it open and swaggered inside. "A brilliant plan! Truly brilliant!"

"An Inner Family Master?!"

The Guo Family Old Ancestor rose, his beard and hair bristling. His huge, fan-like hand pulled Guo Jing behind him. "Jing'er, be careful. I'll handle this!"

He stared at the man in black, his expression grave. "Who are you, sir, and why have you barged into the Guo residence?"

"Die, old dog!"

Fang Yuan didn't bother answering. He thrust out his right hand, his nails extending like blades as he slashed down.

Rrrip!

At the same time, his entire arm swelled unnaturally. Beneath his black clothes, his skin was dark as ink, and even his palm was flecked with wisps of black qi.

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

Fang Yuan struck with all his might from the outset!

He had no choice. This was the heart of the Guo family, and the Guo Family Old Ancestor had deliberately sent his final words ringing far beyond the room, his voice powered by his dantian. Outside, hurried footsteps were already approaching.

An Inner Family Master could usually sweep aside practitioners of the Internal Breath realm with ease. But if there were too many of them and they swarmed him all at once, even he could be worn down to death.

Fang Yuan's eyes flashed like lightning.

The instant the Guo Family Old Ancestor had revealed his treacherous scheme, Fang Yuan had made up his mind: the Guo family had to be wiped out!

"Eagle Claw Hand?!"

The Guo Family Old Ancestor's expression darkened. He drove out both fists, power surging around him like a giant. "Giant Spirit Qi!"

Bam!

Claw met fist. The Guo Family Old Ancestor staggered back several steps, stamping deep footprints into the ground. His face flushed red, and he spat out a mist of blood. Yet his injuries were nothing compared to his shock. "A sixth-gate expert? How can you be this powerful?"

Rrrip!

The black fabric on Fang Yuan's arm fluttered away, revealing skin dark as ink. Thanks to his powerful Physical Quality, he recovered from the slight injury with a single breath and hadn't even been forced back. He pressed forward again, seeming to transform into a great eagle. Eagle Claw Internal Energy surged from his lower abdomen to his arm, then from his arm to his palm and fingers, each joint snapping into place with a sound like beans popping, as he seized his opponent in a ruthless strike.

"Die!"

"Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt?! Are you Fang..."

The Guo Family Old Ancestor was even more astonished, but he swallowed the rest of his words and focused all his attention on the fight.

"Ha! Giant Spirit Supports the Sky!"

He thrust both palms upward, catching Fang Yuan's Eagle Claw Hand just before it could break through his crown.

Bam!

As their power burst outward, Guo Jing watched in a daze.

The man in black was pressing his father hard, and from his father's trembling arms, it was clear that he was at a serious disadvantage!

Faster! Hurry up!

He clenched his fists, cold sweat streaming down his face. All he could do was hope the men outside would arrive soon.

"You've managed to block three of my claws. Not bad!"

Fang Yuan let out a sharp cry and struck with another claw.

"Ugh..."

The Guo Family Old Ancestor's face turned the color of gold paper. Summoning the last of his strength, he held both hands before him, closing off Fang Yuan's Eagle Claw. He saw the household servants and guards finally rush in, and a flicker of delight appeared in his eyes.

But in the next instant, Fang Yuan's other claw broke through. It flashed like lightning, hooked onto the old man's Adam's apple, and squeezed.

Crack!

The crisp sound rang out. The servants rushed into the room, only to witness a sight that made their hearts and guts shatter.

The pillar of the Guo family—the mighty Guo Family Old Ancestor—clutched his throat and slowly fell. In an instant, his life was extinguished.

"Scoundrel!"

Guo Jing's eyes turned red. "I'll never rest until you're dead!"

"You're next!"

Fang Yuan knew all too well that to pull up the grass, he had to dig out the roots.

He took three strides in two and rushed at Guo Jing, who was trying to hide among the crowd. Then he thrust out a claw as fast as lightning.

"I'll fight you!"

Guo Jing crossed both arms to block the blow. He was actually a fifth-gate expert.

But his Internal Breath had only just gathered when it collided with Fang Yuan's internal energy—and crumbled at a touch.

Crack!

Fang Yuan ruthlessly crushed his throat as well, then swept his gaze around the room.

The servants and guards, along with the rest of the Guo family, all retreated in panic, not daring to meet his eyes.

Fang Yuan sneered, vaulted over the courtyard wall, and disappeared in broad daylight.