With a rustle, the kneeling Zhu Ze pitched headfirst onto the ground.
The scene of fierce combat fell silent in an instant.
Seeing Wu Jinliang bouncing around with his great saber dragging behind him, seemingly unharmed, Shi Chun's anxious heart settled, and he withdrew his gaze.
He immediately took out the Mother-Child Talisman he used to contact Chu Jingtang and sent a message: Confirmed-they're silencing witnesses. The Suyuan Sect is personally involved. Get out now!
Chu Jingtang seemed to have been waiting by his Mother-Child Talisman. A reply came almost as soon as the message went out: Where do we go?
Shi Chun did not think he necessarily knew the terrain better than the other man and replied: Go wherever you think is safe. Don't go too far. Tell me when you find somewhere, and I'll come find you afterward.
Chu Jingtang: You're my lord and master.
Shi Chun put away the Mother-Child Talisman, declining to stoop to his level.
Elsewhere, the cloak that had bound Mao Zhong tightly to the ground, still trailing black mist, suddenly tossed him out. Then it flew up like a bat and settled back over Xiang Lan'er's shoulders.
Wu Jinliang had already darted over and begun searching Mao Zhong.
Xiang Lan'er looked him over and asked in puzzlement, "You took several strikes from his sword. You're all right?"
Wu Jinliang chuckled. "They were just putting on a mysterious act to scare people. I'm fine."
Xiang Lan'er frowned, unable to make sense of it for the moment. She turned and flashed away, landing beside Shi Chun. With the tip of her foot, she flipped Zhu Ze over. Seeing blood flowing from his mouth and nose, she used her powers to examine him and discovered he was dead. She looked up at Shi Chun with some