Time flowed quietly onward, and in the blink of an eye, more than two hours had passed.
Then Ma Liang entered the cave at an almost hurried pace, breaking the stillness.
Chen Mu looked up, puzzled. "What's wrong? Why the rush?"
Ever since his change in temperament, Ma Liang had been known for his composure, making his current agitation particularly jarring.
Ma Liang had no time for explanations. He cupped his fists, his expression grave. "Fifth Brother, Sixth Brother, something terrible has happened!"
Chen Xiaojun remained relatively calm, a faint smile curling his lips. "Looks like what you saw there gave you a fright."
This only left Chen Mu more confused. "What gave him a fright? Sixth, where exactly did you send Xiao San? Surely you can tell me now? Stop keeping it under wraps."
Chen Xiaojun nodded gently and gestured to Ma Liang. "Since Xiao San is back, let him explain."
Ma Liang drew a deep breath before speaking slowly. "Fifth Brother, Sixth Brother ordered me to scout the Wolf Bandits at Eaglebeak Peak. But when I arrived, all I saw was..."
He paused.
Chen Mu impatiently prompted him. "You went to Eaglebeak Peak? What happened there? What did you find?"
Ma Liang's voice was low and heavy. "Dead. Every last Wolf Bandit. Hundreds of them, all killed. Their blood had pooled into rivers. It was a horrifying sight-the entire mountainside was stained red."
Chen Mu spat out the wine in his mouth. Stunned, he sprang to his feet, his eyes wide. "All dead? How is that possible?"
Ma Liang nodded solemnly. "At least by the time I arrived, not one was left alive."
Chen Mu's gaze shifted between Ma Liang and Chen Xiaojun before settling on the latter's face, which remained as calm as still water. "Sixth, you