Turning the Enemy's Scheme Against Them

"I fear that because of me, he has already been targeted by villains. His situation is unknown."

He raised his head. His eyes, usually as calm as still water, were filled with anxiety. At this moment, he finally looked a little like a young man.

"This case involves demons. I wish to seek the Demon Suppression Bureau's aid and rescue him without delay."

Liu Hongyan exchanged a glance with Mr. Mo, understanding flashing through her eyes. So that was why this boy had suddenly risked a breakthrough—it was for this matter.

They bore some responsibility for Aji's situation as well. They had previously sent people to protect him in secret, but they had never expected the Dark Pavilion to seize control of him right under their noses.

"I will immediately inform the Demon Suppression Bureau," Liu Hongyan said solemnly. "But you must promise me that before there is a clear result, you are not to leave the academy without permission or investigate on your own."

Though Li Yuan was anxious, he knew that their true target was him. If he rushed over recklessly, he would only walk straight into their trap.

"This student understands. I will follow Instructor's arrangements in all things."

"Mm. Go back and consolidate your cultivation first. The moment there is news, I will notify you at once." Liu Hongyan waved him away.

Li Yuan saluted them both and left the courtyard. The morning light had already brightened fully. He clenched his fists, feeling true qi surge through his body, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Whoever had laid hands on his people would have to pay the price.

Upon receiving Liu Hongyan's message, Chen Shuo did not make a grand display. He brought several trusted, capable subordinates, changed into plain clothes, and quietly entered Western Market.

Ever since the last assassination attempt had failed, the Dark Pavilion had kept its banners furled and drums silent. Now, it had finally been unable to hold back any longer.

Business was sparse in the secluded general store. Aji was wiping away dust with a rag when he saw Chen Shuo enter and hastily piled on a smile to greet him.

"Customer, what do you need?"

Chen Shuo's gaze swept over the shelves. They held only common daily goods such as oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea. There was nothing unusual.

"Our little shop also buys mountain goods. If you have any, customer, you may take them out for us to see."

Seeing that he said nothing and looked unfamiliar, Aji smiled.

"What mountain goods do you buy here?"

"All kinds of animal hides, beast bones, and mountain delicacies. As for the price, that depends on their quality."

Aji's expression was perfectly normal. Chen Shuo could not sense any spiritual energy fluctuations from him, and the general store appeared to hold no abnormalities either.

Chen Shuo did not wish to alert the snake in the grass. He casually asked a few questions, claimed he had not brought any goods today, and left.

Before long, several subordinates returned one after another. One of them had made a discovery.

"Chief, this subordinate detected demon aura fluctuations in the rear courtyard. The nearby neighbors also said that Aji had suddenly become withdrawn and taciturn lately, rarely leaving his home."

Chen Shuo pondered for a moment, then went to the academy to see Liu Hongyan.

"Aji was likely struck by demon arts and placed under control," Chen Shuo voiced his judgment. "I suspect it was still the Dark Pavilion's handiwork. Their target was naturally Li Yuan."

Baleful Intent filled Liu Hongyan's phoenix eyes. "Just as expected."

She thought of how the demon core last time had been tampered with. The method had been exceedingly clever, even deceiving the gatekeepers' inspection and nearly causing a great disaster.

"The Dark Pavilion likely will not let this rest. Rather than wait for them to make their move, we should take the initiative." Chen Shuo raised a thick brow and looked at Liu Hongyan.

"You mean, rather than guard against thieves for a thousand days, we should pull the firewood from beneath the cauldron?" Liu Hongyan mused.

Those demons hid in the shadows, watching Li Yuan at every moment and slipping through every crack. If they let down their guard again even once, would that not bring about a terrible disaster?

Rather than live in daily fear and apprehension, it truly would be better to cut through the tangled mess with a swift blade and settle everything once and for all.

"Then what is Captain Chen's intention?"

"I want to use this opportunity and make Li Yuan the bait, draw out the one behind the scenes, and catch them all in one net!"

For many years, the Dark Pavilion had lurked in the capital, stirring up trouble. They were impossible to guard against and had given the Demon Suppression Bureau endless headaches. If they could use this chance to uproot them entirely, it would indeed be a good thing.

Liu Hongyan hesitated. "Would using Li Yuan as bait be too dangerous? After all, the enemy is hidden while we are exposed..."

"There is certainly danger," Chen Shuo said gravely. "The Dark Pavilion will not cease its attempts on his life. He may evade the first day, but not the fifteenth. Rather than guard against them day after day, it would be better to turn their own scheme against them."

"So long as the plan is thorough, we may yet be able to kill them instead."

Yet Liu Hongyan, usually so decisive, still could not make up her mind. As an instructor, she could not gamble with her student's life.

"Very well. I will personally ask Li Yuan."

"He is no longer a child and can make his own decision. Besides, this matter arose because of him. We must respect his wishes."

Liu Hongyan pondered for a long while before finally sighing. Li Yuan had always had his own ideas. It was better to let him decide for himself.

At this moment, Li Yuan was practicing the new Breath Concealment Technique in Mr. Mo's courtyard. This spell could conceal the aura of his realm extremely well, keeping it at the appearance of the middle stage of the Subtlety Realm.

Unless one was a master of the Essence Condensation Realm, it would be difficult to see through this disguise.

After hearing Liu Hongyan explain the fishing plan, he barely hesitated.

"I'll go."

"Aji was implicated because of me. How could I sit by and do nothing? And the Dark Pavilion clings like maggots to bone; I will not rest until they are removed. If we can use this chance to drag them out, then taking some risks is worthwhile."

As he spoke, he cupped his hands and saluted them both. "I ask Captain Chen and Instructor Liu to make the arrangements. This student will surely cooperate."

Chen Shuo looked deeply at him, a trace of approval passing through his eyes. He gave Li Yuan's shoulder a hearty pat. "Good! You have courage!"

"Don't worry. The Demon Suppression Bureau and Divine Martial Academy will never let you face danger alone. This time, we will ensure those sneaky rats who hide their heads and show their tails come but never return!"

Over the next several days, Chen Shuo and the others busied themselves devising the plan, while Li Yuan cultivated in peace and waited for the right moment.

Before long, the academy's summer break arrived, and the students gradually returned home.

Li Yuan sent Aji a letter. In it, he said that due to issues with his realm, he had not yet used the demon core he had received last time. Once he had some free time, he would visit him at Western Market.

He also enclosed some silver with the letter for Aji to use in purchasing demon cores.

In a hidden cellar somewhere.

Shadow Thirteen looked at the letter in her hand, disappointment appearing in her eyes.

"That brat really is lucky. He actually slipped past another disaster." She muttered softly. "But next time, you will not be so fortunate."

"My lord, the opportunity has come." She turned toward the shadows of the cellar. "Li Yuan said in his letter that he will come to Western Market, though the exact time is uncertain. Should we..."

A long silence came from the shadows before a hoarse voice finally spoke. "Leave this matter to you. I will send people to draw Mo Wentian away. You and the Shadow Blade Squad will be responsible for intercepting and killing Li Yuan."

"The Shadow Blade Squad?" Delight rose in Shadow Thirteen's heart.

"This time, success is the only option. Failure is forbidden. Otherwise, bring your head to see me."

Before she could remain happy for long, a sinister voice came from the shadows. The dense killing intent frightened her into stiffness, and her face changed drastically.

"This subordinate understands. I will not fail your trust!" Shadow Thirteen hurriedly bowed, her back already ice-cold.

Before the break, the entire Pivot Star Class held a small gathering. Having learned from last time's lesson, they chose the academy dining hall's second floor as the venue.

After a year together, there was competition between them, but also deep affection. Most precious of all, not a single one of them had been eliminated throughout the year.

The next day, everyone gradually departed Divine Martial Academy. Only Li Yuan remained, moving into Mr. Mo's small courtyard once again.

The sky was overcast that day. Western Market was as bustling and noisy as ever, with a ceaseless stream of people.

A youth wearing a wide-brimmed bamboo hat and a half-worn blue robe, together with a bearded middle-aged man in a gray cloth robe, slowly wandered over.