By the stone steps, a bloody battle had just erupted, yet the other side of the mountain path was eerily quiet.
Lu Kai led a handful of trusted followers, quietly slipping into the mountain forest. Twisting and turning, they ducked beneath a stone cliff draped in tangled vines.
He halted, his expression grave, and spoke in a low voice, "Fall back, all of you."
At his words, a sudden rustling sound stirred through the dense woods.
Several dark figures slowly materialized, nimble-framed and clad in bandit attire with short blades at their waists, radiating killing intent.
Yet they did not attack Lu Kai. Instead, they cupped their fists in unison and spoke in low voices,
"Greetings, Lord Lu."
Lu Kai swept his gaze across them, his expression easing slightly as he nodded and asked, "Are everyone's accounts settled? Is everyone here?"
An older-looking bandit stepped forward with a steady gaze and replied,
"Everyone is present. Our plants have been lying low in the stockade for five days and have thoroughly scouted out the details."
Lu Kai's gaze suddenly sharpened, and he asked in a low voice,
"Have you located the Pill Hall?"
The man nodded,
"It's right beneath Iron Wall Cliff in the back mountain. The entrance is disguised as an abandoned animal pen, making it hard for outsiders to spot."
"The fire inside is burning at its peak. Daoist Chai is reportedly in seclusion there, refining his final batch of pills."
A cold flash crossed Lu Kai's eyes. "Very good."
"Where are those 'fiends'?"
Based on the intelligence from their plants, they naturally knew that someone had assigned several blood disciples—in other words, fiends—to the Pill Hall.
And Daoist Chai was feeding these fiends blood pills, driving them to madness...
"They've been settled in a concealed house near the