Chapter Twenty-Three: Evaded

The wooden cabin was built against the mountainside, far removed from any other cabins, and in the depths of night, it seemed especially lonely.

Three dark figures arrived almost simultaneously.

One led, with two flanking left and right.

The night was silent and still.

Holding their breath, the three fixed their gaze on the cabin, a flicker of surprise flashing in their eyes.

The wooden cabin’s exterior bore simple enchantments and wards. Spiritual senses probing from outside in would be blocked, but from inside out, nothing hindered them.

Yet, from the moment the three appeared, there had been no sound from within the cabin.

Could it be that the person inside was so lacking in vigilance?

It was entirely possible.

After all, this was the Inner Sect of the Profound Qi Sect; under normal circumstances, what danger could befall an inner disciple?

The three’s earlobes quivered slightly.

Still, the cabin remained utterly silent.

It seemed to have melted into the night itself, utterly tranquil.

Suddenly.

As if they had agreed upon it, all three moved, their right hands forming seals, summoning flying swords.

A sharp, piercing sound broke the silence as a hundred swords stabbed from three directions into the cabin.

In an instant, the cabin was riddled through.

Splinters flew, and the whole cabin collapsed to the ground.

The three extended their spiritual senses, covering the entire demolished area.

Their hands moved, and the swords hissed menacingly.

Yet, in their senses, there was not a single trace of a person!

Such racket had already startled the surrounding cultivators.

More than a dozen cultivators from nearby cabins rushed out, about to demand an explanation, but upon seeing the style and color of the three’s robes, they immediately retreated, saying nothing more.

“How convenient,” one of the three remarked.

“It’s certainly convenient.”

“So what now?”

“What else? If he’s lucky enough to survive tonight, let him. Let’s go home and sleep!”

The dust settled, and the three exchanged glances.

“Why don’t the three of us join forces and visit Gravel Sand City?”

“The long night is hard to endure without completing our task; a trip sounds good.”

“Perhaps when we return, we’ll find him here howling in despair!”

With a rush of wind, they vanished into the darkness.

The three figures disappeared into the night, and silence once again enveloped the area. Only a few cultivators poked their heads out, shook them at the ruined cabin in mild pity, and withdrew again.

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