Betrayal, Counter-Betrayal
The time set by Zhao Minghui arrived quickly. The eight people gathered in a small forest, and it was there that Zhao Minghui finally revealed some information.
"Because of the war between the Black Heaven Hall and the Ancient Moon Hall, the spiritual weapons were being lost very quickly. So their spiritual weapons were forged in a mine nearby, and then transported directly to the battlefield after forging," Zhao Minghui said.
He unfolded a map with his only remaining right hand, marking some terrain features. Zhao Minghui glanced at the other seven people and then said, "We'll split into two teams, one with five people and the other with three."
"Five of them directly attacked the weapons forging division near the mine, while the other team went to this location." Zhao Minghui pointed to a spot, a small hill near the mine, which was high up and offered a clear view of the surrounding area.
"Our comrade-in-arms has already communicated with me. He will try to get here after the riots begin. Your task is to clear out his pursuers and then take him away."
After Zhao Minghui finished outlining the plan, he began assigning personnel. The five who were to launch the frontal attack were basically doomed, while the three who were to provide backup might have a chance of survival if everything went smoothly.
"It's also because we don't have enough manpower. These days, the Black Heaven Hall's patrolling disciples are searching everywhere. Sending more than ten people would easily lead to being discovered. Otherwise, we wouldn't have risked our lives to send five people to storm the Forging Division," Zhao Minghui said with a wry smile.
Currently, the Black Heaven Hall and the Ancient Moon Hall is gradually gaining the upper hand. The Black Heaven Palace has dispatched people to patrol its territory to prevent enemies from causing trouble. Therefore, under normal circumstances, people in the Black Heaven Hall's territory are restricted to their respective residences.
Only some traveling merchants who have obtained a pass can travel to various places. If you bring a large group of people, taking down this Spirit Weapon Forging Bureau would not be a problem, but you would probably be discovered by patrolling disciples on the way.
"I am naturally one of those five. As for you, who dares to go to their death with me?" Zhao Minghui said with a faint smile. After a final discussion, five people were selected, including Zhang Zhaozhong.
As for the other three, a hint of regret lingered on their faces. Zhao Minghui took out a brocade pouch and handed it to one of them, saying, "This is a token for the handover. If that person fails to escape, it contains their true identity. Remember it, then destroy it. Don't let the Black Heaven Hall people know."
"Brother Zhao, I understand." The man's name was Xiang Le. He nodded. He and Zhao Minghui were old acquaintances. Back when they were digging traps on Golden Sand Island, he was the first to spot the Black Heaven Hall's fishing boat approaching. Therefore, Zhao Minghui trusted him.
When he took the brocade pouch, he was suddenly taken aback. He noticed that several of the eight people seemed to have glanced at the pouch without his noticing. This made him tense, and he looked at Zhao Minghui opposite him.
"We are all here to stop the war, and I hope everyone can survive." Zhao Minghui's faint smile disappeared, and after speaking, he and his four men quickly vanished into the grove.
Xiang Le's heart stirred, and he looked at the two people beside him. In the past, he had only thought of them as straightforward and honest men, righteous men worthy of respect. But at this moment, he suddenly felt that something was wrong.
He walked ahead, rubbing the brocade pouch in his palm. As he walked, his expression began to change. Suddenly, he stopped and looked in the direction Zhao Minghui had left, his eyes flickering. He thought to himself, "You really trust me, huh?"
"Brother Xiang, why have you stopped?" one of the people following Xiang Le asked when he saw Xiang Le suddenly stop.
"It's nothing, it's just that some people always make the wrong choices, and people can't always see themselves clearly." Xiang Le didn't turn around and continued walking forward, putting the brocade pouch she was holding into her clothes.
"That's true, but there's nothing we can do about it," another person chimed in, seemingly trying to explain something, or perhaps expressing a sigh.
"Without a contact, the spirit weapon forging technology has already been passed back. Among these eight people, three or four may be traitors. Be careful, if things go wrong, run away immediately." These were the words from the brocade pouch.
The information inside wasn't written on paper, but carved from wood. Martial artists have keen senses; after touching the wooden strips a few times, they could translate all the words on them. Only then did Xiang Le understand.
This operation was a setup, a scheme using Zhao Minghui's life as bait. He selected several potential spies from within the organization, brought them here, and fabricated the existence of a long-extinct accomplice to lure these traitors into revealing themselves.
Presumably, there are other backup plans in place to ensure that the traitor is exposed. Zhao Minghui handed the secret package to me, someone who had been with me on Golden Sand Island, and told me the information, probably out of remorse for putting me in such a dangerous situation.
"As for these two people beside me, perhaps both are spies, or perhaps only one is. If we use the brocade pouch to test them, we can find out who they are." Xiang Le made up his mind and soon arrived at the small hill he had planned to visit.
From here, one can see a general view of the mine below and the forging workshop. However, looking at the steep mountain ridge, one of them said in surprise, "Hey, how did that fellow cultivator get up here? This is too steep!"
"He probably has his own methods," Xiang Le said with a smile, observing the expressions of the two men. One of them was still wondering how the non-existent person had gotten up there, while the other was looking around at the retreat routes.
Judging from the current situation, the person who raised the question should be the mole. So Xiang Le thought for a moment and suddenly pointed to a place at the foot of the mountain and said, "Look at this person, isn't he the one we're waiting for?"
"Where?" The other two men were startled and looked down. Then, Xiang Le drew his longsword and slashed out, killing the two men. He then took out the brocade pouch and threw it down the mountain.
"Brother Zhao isn't ruthless enough. He insisted on leaving us a way out. Why not just kill us all, regardless of whether we were suspects or not? He was too indecisive and ended up trusting the wrong person." Xiang Le shook his head in thought, then tapped his head and sent the message.
Inside the Forging Division below, Zhao Yifan waited quietly. Suddenly, a cloud of black mist surged around him, and then a Shadow Assassin appeared. The Shadow Assassin coldly said, "Number 999 just sent word that this attack was merely a probe by an internal traitor. No one in the Forging Division has betrayed us."
"I see. Then let's have a good talk with this second disciple of Golden Sand Island. Anyway, we're about to give up here." Zhao Yifan nodded and said, "The war will end soon, and the ten-year competition will begin soon. It's good to warm up in advance."