Hidden Moth-Chapter 540 - 308: All Act Wise and Borrow the Blade and Robes

"I arrived before you and saw that kid destroy the array protecting the herb field, and then he dug out three spirit medicines before hiding, waiting to ambush you..."

As the words were spoken, Li Xiuyuan emerged from behind a large rock, hands behind his back, looking quite suave... In reality, he had been quite busy while He Kao was meditating.

Elder Li first inspected the body of the assassin, then replanted the three spirit plants back into the center of the herb field and cast spells to minimize the impact on their vitality. Finally, he repaired the guardian array of the herb field.

He even recorded the entire process, not using legendary magical treasures like the Mirage Pearl but instead rigging up a law enforcement recorder on his shoulder.

He Kao: "Since you arrived so early, you didn’t even make a sound and just watched me fall into a trap?"

Li Xiuyuan shook his head and said with a smile: "If you were struggling, I would have intervened, but you managed to take him down instead."

He Kao said with displeasure in his voice: "But I got hurt, and it’s a serious internal injury!"

Li Xiuyuan shook his head again and said: "It’s just temporary weakness, nothing serious. There are Phoenix Feather Knots here, you can pick as many as you want later on, which will help enhance the spiritual effect of the elixirs."

He paused and looked at He Kao, "You would have to face this trial sooner or later. When you’re going out in the future, it’s not possible to always have me secretly following you... You’ve surprised me, when did you break through to Tier Five cultivation?"

He Kao stood up and said: "Just two days ago."

Li Xiuyuan: "That’s quite a coincidence, right when the Pure Yang Pill was completed. Now we don’t have to worry about many things, even Old Ghost Jiang didn’t foresee this."

He Kao: "Elder Jiang booked my train ticket and hotel, could he have anticipated someone trying to attack me here and arranged for you to secretly protect me?"

Li Xiuyuan sighed: "This was just a probe, not targeting you specifically, but some others, though we don’t want anything to actually happen."

He Kao snorted: "I get it, you’re using me as bait again!"

Li Xiuyuan glared and said: "If someone has their eyes on you, rather than passive defense, it’s better to find a way to draw them out, that’s the best protection for you. Don’t be ungrateful!"

He Kao: "Who was that earlier, and why did he try to ambush me?"

Li Xiuyuan threw him two things: "These are an ID card and a room key card from him. The ID is genuine, he probably didn’t expect to fall to you."

He turned out to be from Han Ning, with Tier Five cultivation, but I couldn’t tell what path he followed, nor was he a registered Magic Sect disciple... Most likely from the Xiao Alliance."

The ID card had a name and address; the "assassin" was named Feng Li, thirty-eight years old, living in a community in Han Ning City. If he’s truly a Xiao Alliance sorcerer, it means the Xiao Alliance’s reach is quite extensive, given Phoenix Tail Town is within Han Ning’s jurisdiction.

He Kao looked at the room card and said: "Did he know in advance that I would come here?"

Li Xiuyuan nodded: "He checked in a day before you did. You arrived yesterday, he came the night before."

He Kao, not being foolish, immediately responded: "Someone leaked my travel information?"

Li Xiuyuan lowered his eyelids: "The room at Beiyuan Manor was booked for you by Old Jiang’s men, I’m in the know too, but we didn’t leak any information."

He Kao hesitated and asked: "Will the Ancestral Hall handle this?"

Li Xiuyuan, expressionless, said: "Since I’m already here, I’ll investigate thoroughly, just focus on your own affairs... As Hidden Moth, passing this trial is just the beginning for you."

He Kao handed the ID card and room card back to Li Xiuyuan: "If the assassin is from the Xiao Alliance, why would the Alliance send such a high-level expert to ambush me?"

Li Xiuyuan gave a look as if seeing an idiot, but still sent a divine thought, both analyzing the reasons and also giving He Kao a reminder. As of late, many have been paying attention to He Kao, each with different motives.

The Ancestral Hall awarded He Kao the last Pure Yang Pill, leaving many Magic Sect disciples discontent. Some things the elders understand well but can’t speak openly about. He Kao was recommended by Mei Guyu.

Mei Guyu’s recommendation was simple. That night at the outskirts of Qi Yuan, he participated in slaying one Illusion Master and six Tier Five sorcerers from the Xiao Alliance and forced back Fabre. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The Ancestral Hall’s announcement only mentioned the results, not the detailed parts of the magical combat, like the one in the Immortal Pot Grotto Heaven, only stating that Earth Master Gu Chun uncovered the Xiao Alliance’s plot; the magical combat outside Qi Yuan only praised Elder Mei’s Divine Sword.

From the Xiao Alliance’s perspective, they don’t know what happened in the Immortal Pot Grotto Heaven. As for the magical combat in Qi Yuan, Fabre witnessed it firsthand, seeing Mei Guyu and "Li Xiuyuan." How did another He Kao appear there?

Upon reflection, it’s understandable, since that night, Mei Guyu and Li Xiuyuan had just finished dining at He Kao’s place before heading out; He Kao was likely aiding from the perimeter and passing information.

So, the Xiao Alliance is keen to uncover the truth, but unfortunately, those in Magic Sect’s upper echelons who know the details aren’t easily accessible. The most practical method is to pick on He Kao, the perceived easy target.

The waters in Qi Yuan run deep, who knows what traps the Ancestral Hall has set, especially with Mei Guyu stationed there. Yet, just then, He Kao left Qi Yuan alone... so someone set an ambush following the clues.

All this is just Li Xiuyuan’s analysis; as for whether it’s true, since the assassin is dead, there’s no way to interrogate further.