Betrayal

"What?"

Hearing the follower speak, Great Hero of Southern Mountain and the others' pupils contracted. The follower was none other than Zhang Wei, disguised as an expert from Roaring Dragon Villa—and Cao Dan's ninth sworn son.

Zhang Wei had spoken now, which undoubtedly meant he was conveying Cao Dan's wishes. And given that Zhang Yunhao had suddenly said he wanted to leave with them earlier, there was only one possible explanation!

"Tian Ming has thrown in his lot with Cao Dan. Damn it!"

Great Hero of Southern Mountain stared hard at Zhang Yunhao, his eyes brimming with Killing Intent. He didn't care that Zhang Yunhao had made a scene in the villa, and he didn't even care that Zhang Yunhao coveted his wife. But Zhang Yunhao had actually sided with Cao Dan, and that was something he absolutely couldn't tolerate. It might ruin his plan!

The others also understood, and Killing Aura filled their eyes. Huang Lei in particular was gritting her teeth so hard they nearly shattered. She deeply regretted bringing Tian Ming along!

It was just that Huang Lei had forgotten why she'd brought Tian Ming in the first place: she'd wanted him dead.

The atmosphere abruptly turned murderous. The righteous and wicked alike were completely bewildered, having no idea what was going on.

"So angry? Aren't you a traitor too? And you've sold out all these people!"

Zhang Yunhao sneered inwardly. He gazed fearlessly at Great Hero of Southern Mountain and clapped his hands. "This young man speaks beautifully! So, Great Hero of Southern Mountain, can I come along too?"

Great Hero of Southern Mountain wished Zhang Yunhao dead, but Zhang Wei had already made his position clear, and he couldn't stop him. All he could do was put on a hearty laugh and say, "Since Brother Tian wants to go, I have no objection. Come along."

"Good!"

Zhang Yunhao nodded with satisfaction. Just before leaving, he thought of something and taunted Fierce Arhat. "I'm going to meet that so-called important person. Do you think I'm qualified? You're the one who isn't qualified, aren't you?"

Fierce Arhat had a fiery temper. How could he stand being provoked? He immediately stepped forward. "Great Hero of Southern Mountain, I'm going too."

Great Hero of Southern Mountain paused, but still said, "Fine. Come along."

And so, one more person joined the group leaving. Zhang Yunhao sneered inwardly. It would be quite a show when Fierce Arhat learned the truth about Great Hero of Southern Mountain!

Raging Fire Mad Saber Tian Ming had noticed something was off. He sent Zhang Yunhao a voice transmission. "Gang Leader Tian, what exactly is going on?"

Zhang Yunhao replied mockingly, "I'll show you what a hypocrite looks like in a moment. But our goal hasn't changed!"

"A hypocrite? Surely not?"

Lei Jue knew what Zhang Yunhao meant and looked utterly astonished. Roaring Dragon Villa had a history of several hundred years. How could its leader be a hypocrite?

Zhang Yunhao didn't answer, and Lei Jue didn't ask any more. They would know soon enough.

After that, the group followed Great Hero of Southern Mountain into a secret passage. It was much longer than they had expected. They walked up and down, but still didn't reach the end.

No one spoke along the way, and the atmosphere was oppressively heavy. Even the thickheaded Fierce Arhat sensed something was wrong. He wanted to ask Great Hero of Southern Mountain what was happening, but the mood was so bizarre he couldn't bring himself to speak.

After who knew how long, the group finally emerged from the passage and saw daylight again. Fierce Arhat let out a sigh of relief, but when he saw a line of people standing ahead, his eyes widened in shock.

What left Fierce Arhat even more incredulous was that everyone except him, Raging Fire Mad Saber, and the six other heroes bowed to the people in front of them. Even the Great Hero of Southern Mountain he admired most did the same. "Greetings, Director-General!"

There was only one Director-General in the Great Jin State: the Grand Eunuch, Cao Dan!

That's right. Standing at the exit were none other than the white-haired yet youthful-looking Cao Dan and his twelve sworn sons!

Scholar Lu, Zhang Dazhuang, and the others had also been brought there and were standing to one side—which pleased Zhang Yunhao greatly. He had more reinforcements!

"You may rise."

Cao Dan waved his hand, then addressed Great Hero of Southern Mountain kindly. "Long Yuan, I'm delighted that you've abandoned the darkness and turned to the light. Once this is done, I will absolutely honor my promise to you!"

"Thank you, Director-General."

Great Hero of Southern Mountain thanked him, but looked far from pleased. In fact, he seemed somewhat reluctant. He had surrendered because Cao Dan's fifth sworn son had found the villa's shameful secret, leaving him no choice.

By now, everyone understood what was happening. Those who hadn't known the truth stared in disbelief. The dignified leader of the righteous path, Great Hero of Southern Mountain, had actually sided with Eunuch Cao?

Fierce Arhat roared in disbelief, "Great Hero of Southern Mountain, you actually sided with Eunuch Cao?"

Great Hero of Southern Mountain had no answer. He could only keep his face cold and remain silent. Zhang Yunhao sneered to himself, but put on a look of shock. "Director-General, what exactly is going on?"

"Tian Ming, I'm very pleased that you told me about this, but you worried needlessly. Great Hero of Southern Mountain is one of my people too. This whole thing has been a setup from the start!"

Cao Dan pointed toward the villa on the opposite mountainside and smiled. "A setup to catch everyone who refuses to submit to the Imperial Court in one fell swoop. Do you see? The army is climbing the mountain, ready to wipe out those rebels!"

Everyone turned to look. From their vantage point, they could indeed see a massive army rapidly closing in on the villa from all directions, its ranks stretching as far as the eye could see!

Lei Jue and the others drew in sharp breaths. Martial artists were powerful, but against such a vast army equipped with all manner of powerful crossbows, they would have no chance. In other words, the experts in the villa were doomed!

"Cao Dan is vicious, and Great Hero of Southern Mountain is shameless! For the sake of wealth and glory, he sold out the whole martial world to Cao Dan. He really is a complete hypocrite!"

Lei Jue was both shocked and furious. If Zhang Yunhao hadn't been just as shameless, they would have been done for this time, reduced to stepping-stones for someone else.

Thinking of something, Lei Jue sneaked a glance at Zhang Yunhao. He felt the Gang Leader wasn't as simple as he seemed, but didn't dwell on it. As long as Zhang Yunhao gave the order, he would act!

He'd taken the money, so he had to do the job!

Though he walked the wicked path, Lei Jue wasn't a man who broke his word!

"Long Yuan, I'll kill you!"

Now that Fierce Arhat understood everything, his eyes turned bloodshot. He charged at Great Hero of Southern Mountain, mad with rage, but Longchuan and his men seized him. Fierce Arhat refused to give up, roaring and struggling without pause, his fury having driven him out of his mind!

Anyone betrayed by Great Hero of Southern Mountain would be just as furious!

"Director-General, your grand vision is truly beyond the reach of a short-sighted man like me. I can't even imagine such a masterstroke. I'm impressed, truly impressed!"

Zhang Yunhao put on an admiring expression and showered Cao Dan with flattery. Then, smiling, he turned to Great Hero of Southern Mountain. "Brother Long, who'd have thought we were on the same side! Let's work together for All Living Beings from now on!"

The words were full of mockery. Great Hero of Southern Mountain's face turned livid, but he only snorted and said nothing. Huang Lei, however, glared daggers at Zhang Yunhao.

Seeing that Zhang Yunhao and Great Hero of Southern Mountain were at odds, Cao Dan's smile widened. "You really are on the same side. All right, the battle over there is about to begin. Let's enjoy the show at our leisure!"