Ambush

Two days later, the relentless overcast rain finally ceased, allowing the sodden Linhe County to catch its breath.

Against the deep blue sky in the east, which had not yet fully darkened, a moon the color of congealed blood slowly poked its head out.

It stained half the sky with a heart-palpitating shade of crimson.

The main tent at the pier was already packed with people, the atmosphere heavy and grave.

Aside from Yue Shan's small squad, there were several other elite teams present—roughly thirty or forty people in total—all holding their breath, their gazes fixed squarely on the figure in the center of the tent.

Yue Changkong stood with his hands behind his back, his posture as straight as a pine. He had changed into a dark cyan martial outfit today, cinched with a leather belt that made him appear even more capable.

The gentle smile he usually wore had long since vanished, replaced by a cold, blade-like stillness.

His gaze swept slowly across every face in the tent, the invisible pressure causing the very air to thicken.

Chen Mo stood slightly behind Yue Shan, clearly sensing the slightly labored breathing of his companions and the faint scent of medicinal herbs.

He quietly adjusted his internal energy, the scorching heat from refining the Red Sun Blood Crystal still seeming to linger in his palms.

The second stage of cultivation, Tempering Bone into Steel, was exceptionally painful and slow, but the subtle feedback of his bones growing increasingly solid brought him a measure of relief.

"Everyone is here." Yue Changkong's expression was stern, his voice laced with a murderous chill. "No need for pleasantries. Tonight at the Hour of the Rat, fifteen miles west of the city, at the Mass Grave Mound."

He paused; the tent was so silent that a falling needle could be heard, save for the faint sound of wind outside.

"Those bastards from the Moon-Worship Cult have chosen the moment when the earth-yin energies converge to set up a Life-Force Extraction Ritual Array at the Mass Grave Mound. They intend to steal the vitality and blood essence from a radius of several hundred miles, refining it into that Life-Force Cauldron to extend the life of some old ghost." Yue Changkong's tone was flat, yet it radiated icy killing intent. "The three counties of Linhe will not tolerate their insolence."

"We have two objectives." He held up two fingers. "First, when their array reaches its most critical moment, I will personally strike to break the formation and seize the cauldron. That cauldron, and the vitality gathered within, is of great use to us."

A fiery glint flashed in many people's eyes.

The Life-Force Cauldron was clearly an extraordinary treasure; the vast vitality contained within was undoubtedly a massive tonic for practitioners, potentially even holding the key to a breakthrough.

As for the ordinary civilians whose blood and vitality were being stolen, everyone present subconsciously ignored them.

"Second," Yue Changkong lowered his hand, his tone turning abruptly frigid. "Once the array is broken, the core cultists presiding over it will suffer a backlash and their strength will be severely compromised."

"Your task is to form a perimeter to prevent them from escaping."

He pointed to several marked areas on a map in the tent, corresponding to different teams: "Yue Shan, you lead your men to guard the east. Zhao Meng, the west. Qian Shaokun, the south. Sun Yisheng, the north."

"Each team will lie in ambush at their designated positions and wait for my signal."

Yue Changkong's voice was resolute and brooked no argument: "Remember, the guiding principle for tonight's operation is only eight words."

His gaze swept across the room once more, enunciating each word clearly: "Plough the courtyard, sweep the lair; leave no soul alive."

This meant that from the core of the array to the outermost perimeter, every Moon-Worship cultist present—regardless of status or strength—was to be executed without exception to ensure no news leaked out.

Chen Mo's heart tightened slightly. He had always assumed the two sides were in a partnership; he hadn't expected the Bureau of Strange Suppression to have such intentions.

It seemed Yue Changkong's true goal was the opponent's Life-Force Cauldron.

"Move out now. Tonight, I want not even a chicken or dog left alive at the Mass Grave Mound."

"Yes!" the people in the tent roared in unison. Though the sound was muffled by the tent, it carried a sense of absolute, murderous resolve.

The group filed out one by one, returning to their respective squad camps.

Yue Shan gave a few final instructions before leading his men toward the west of the city.

By now, the sky had turned completely dark. The blood-red moon, large as a platter, hung high in the sky, casting a bizarre, dark crimson sheen over the earth.

The night wind carried the distinct, earthy, and decaying stench of the Mass Grave Mound, adding to the sense of foreboding.

They did not take the main road, instead weaving through the abandoned alleys and field ridges west of the city, moving with agility and taking care to make as little noise as possible.

Yue Shan took the lead, clearly extremely familiar with this terrain.

After running for about a quarter of an hour, leaving the clamor of the pier camp behind, only the sound of wind and footsteps remained.

Yue Shan slowed his pace slightly, walking alongside his squad members to begin whispering their assignments.

"Listen up. We are responsible for the eastern perimeter blockade." His voice was very low. "The terrain on the east side of the Mass Grave Mound is relatively flat, with several abandoned mortuaries and piles of rubble. These are key areas where the enemy might choose to break out or set up their outer perimeter."

"Zhao Tie, you leave the group early. Circle behind that small dirt slope to the east and set up the Yin-Locking Pulse-Severing Array and the Lost-Track Illusion Smoke Array!"

"The range doesn't need to be large; just cover fifty paces in front of our eastern defensive line."

"Do you have enough materials for the formation?"

Zhao Tie nodded heavily, patting his bulging cloth bag: "I have enough. I've calculated the earth energy; the ley lines at that eastern slope are stable, so the array should be effective. Once it's set up, I'll monitor from the array core. If a powerful enemy tries to break through, I'll trigger the Dragon-Trapping Stake to stall them and send a signal."

"Good." Yue Shan continued, "Zhou Ling, your position is on the small hill with the higher elevation to the east."

"The view there is wide; you can overlook our entire eastern defensive line and prioritize eliminating the enemies that pose the greatest threat to us."

Zhou Ling licked her slightly chapped lips, a flicker of excitement in her eyes: "Understood, Captain. I guarantee not a single one will slip through!"

"Wu Tong," Yue Shan looked at the still-pale Wu Tong, "your injuries haven't fully healed, so you shouldn't engage in prolonged combat."

"You are responsible for protecting Zhao Tie and Zhou Ling. If the enemy's force is too great, you are to retreat immediately and regroup with us."

Wu Tong tightened his grip on his long saber: "Don't worry, Captain."

Finally, Yue Shan's gaze fell on Chen Mo: "You stay with me as mobile support."

"Very well." He nodded, having no objections; staying by the captain's side should be safer.

"Let's get to work." Yue Shan waved at the group, signaling Chen Mo with his eyes to follow.

The two left the main path, creeping along a trail almost entirely swallowed by weeds toward the designated pile of stones.

The night wind brushed through the grass, creating a soft rustling sound, and the eerie sensation drifting from the direction of the Mass Grave Mound grew increasingly pronounced.

Only after the figures of the others had vanished from sight did Yue Shan turn his head to look at Chen Mo. "That Paper Doll that appeared at the Mass Grave Mound the other night—that was you, wasn't it?"

Chen Mo's heart gave a violent jolt!

He had not expected to be discovered that night.

He steadied his nerves and admitted it candidly: "It was me."

Yue Shan had no intention of pursuing the matter; instead, he nodded. "It is good to be cautious, but what you saw is merely the tip of the iceberg."