"Fellow Daoist Li, I never imagined Che Rong would be so utterly deranged as to attack your place as well."
"It is truly regrettable that we failed to learn of it in time and come to your aid."
Although Crouching Tiger Hill was remote, Demon Hunters were bound to venture through the nearby mountain forests, so word of the incident inevitably spread. Just one day later, those taking a keen interest had already heard about it. Zhen Zhuo, one of the three great Attendants, soon arrived on behalf of Yunshan Valley to offer his sympathies, bringing Li Chen a batch of spirit stones and supplies.
Li Chen replied coolly, "Thank you for your concern, fellow Daoist. I will deal with what happened here myself."
Zhen Zhuo suggested, "Why not join our alliance and work with us to strike down this villain?"
Li Chen said, "I will give it some more thought."
Zhen Zhuo said, "Then I shall take my leave. I will await your favorable reply in Yunshan Valley."
Li Chen said, "Safe travels, fellow Daoist."
"These people really do have their ears everywhere. Something happens in these damned mountain wilds, and they still hear about it."
A short while later, Wu Ding watched Zhen Zhuo fly away, indignation showing on his face.
"Young Brother Li, are you really going to join that blasted 'Demon-Slaying Alliance'?"
Li Chen shook his head and began to ponder in silence.
Some things were best seen through but left unspoken.
*Here in the Suyang area, I could hardly be accused of seeking conflict. I wasn't even interested in attending that earlier meeting to organize the hunt. How could Che Rong truly be such a mad dog that, instead of going after the Rogue Cultivators who attended the meeting or the far more lucrative