My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 930 - 544: There Is a Traitor in the White Lotus Sect (Bonus: 4-in-1)

Ten days later.

The Lifeng Pavilion traveled day and night, heading south to the Southeast, inquiring about Min Ning's whereabouts, but few knew of him.

To Zhong Hou, the reason was partly that Min Ning had hidden his tracks too well, and the Southeastern turmoil led many intelligence organizations to lose their leads. Even if there was information, it was a costly price, and the truth was not guaranteed. Moreover, they had no foundation in the heartland of Great Yu, making it challenging to find someone.

However, the reason why Lifeng Pavilion has stood firm for so many years is due to its strategic location at the borders of two countries and its excellent reputation, with patient and precise actions, boasting a seventy percent success rate.

Assassins have always been the best at adapting to the situation and being flexible.

Since the White Lotus Sect was rampant in the Hu-Guang and Jiangxi areas in the Southeast, naturally, the White Lotus Sect became a cooperative target and a source of intelligence. Only the White Lotus Sect would be more willing to share information with an assassin organization like theirs.

Five days later, after consulting, Zhong Hou met the incense master of a branch of the White Lotus Sect at a deserted temple by Poyang Lake.

"Friends from the north, always watching the sparks in our stove, are you looking to borrow some fire?"

Zhong Hou placed his short knife on the ground, speaking in coded language: "To borrow fire, you need to add wood. We have brought hard timber, which burns longer than reeds, just borrowing fire."

The incense master suddenly laughed, and the patrolling sect members outside heard the noise. Seven or eight torches suddenly gathered by the window. It wasn't until he waved them away that the flickering shadows on the paper-covered window dispersed back into the night.

"It's not just borrowing fire." He poked at the fire pit and said, "You northern barbarians are interesting. You put in no work and no effort, yet you want our intelligence."

"We are willing to pay."

"In these times, money is useless; we need manpower," the incense master said. "The White Lotus Sect needs help with something. You help us, and we'll help you find what you need."

Zhong Hou considered this briefly, smiled, and took out a copper plate from his pocket, saying, "This is my token, left with you. We will help."

"Good... let's talk slowly."

That night, Zhong Hou reported the situation after their meeting.

"We can leave at any time, but the matter of the Demon Refining Abyss is likely a deceit."

"Into the tiger's den, to achieve the tiger's cub," the Fengzhu's mask glinted coldly, saying, "Let's do it, get the intelligence first. This time I'll do it personally, even if Chen Yi comes, I'll kill him as well."

Zhong Hou nodded heavily, fully confident in Fengzhu's capabilities.

Soon after, with the White Lotus Sect's introduction, the Lifeng Pavilion members reached the White Lotus Sect's main altar. Their arrival was expected, and the White Lotus Sect had gathered a group of elite members, set to depart the next day.

The White Lotus Sect laid out a grand feast, with mountain delicacies and exotic dishes, to see them off. The Lifeng Pavilion people couldn't afford to be absent.

After three rounds of drinks and five flavors of food, Zhong Hou, half-drunk, saw someone in plain clothes walking slowly from the darkness, slightly out of place with the surroundings.

Zhong Hou raised his cup to toast the man, seeing his youth, and praised him with laughter: "It is an honor to meet a young hero, may I ask your noble name?"

"Chen Yi."

"Chen... Yi?"

Numerous characters flashed through Zhong Hou's mind, like "Yi (毅)," "Yi (义)," or "Yi (意)," finally settling inexplicably on the last one, "Yi (易)."

His eyes widened, pupils contracted, reflecting Chen Yi's slightly squinted gaze. He immediately masked his expression, displaying an earnest smile and said, "I've long heard of Battalion Commander Chen's reputation."

Chen Yi inquired in return, "May I know your honorable name and where you make your fortune?"

"My surname is Zhong, given name Hou, without a courtesy name, doing all the rough, hard work, unable to make a fortune."

Having said that, Zhong Hou exchanged a few more pleasantries, then slowly withdrew, watching Chen Yi turn and depart. He subtly signaled to the not-so-distant Fengzhu.

Gu Jue's eyes had already slightly narrowed, walking away unhurriedly.

The opportune moment, exchanging drinks, was the perfect timing.

From his sleeves, the hidden sword had already extended, stealthily approaching from behind, silently.

Suddenly, a cheerful laugh came from nearby, the White Lotus Sect's Saint Heir,

"Come, Fengzhu, let me introduce you to our honored guest, Battalion Commander Chen Yi."

...

.........

Time goes back a few days earlier, to when Chu Yiyuan returned to the White Lotus Sect.

The dark sky showed no sign of dawn, the land shrouded in mist, sparse vegetation and barren trees lined the path, desolation visible everywhere. Chu Yiyuan and his group walked this lonely path.

Chen Yi was long gone, and there was no other option but to return to the main altar of the Sect for orders, akin to awaiting death. Chu Yiyuan dared not flee and couldn't, so he hastened back, hoping for leniency.

But hope was slim.

In due time, calamity was inevitable, and Chu Yiyuan, sleepless, contemplated whether to end his own life, preserving some semblance of honor in tragedy.

When they reached the riverbank, Chu Yiyuan and a few trusted followers gathered, taking out the last of their silver taels and gold leaf. It was time to part ways, scattering their family's wealth.

The expressions varied among the group, some sad, some happy, all hesitant. Chu Yiyuan, usually trusted by all, found it hard to leave at this moment.

His confidant He Yong pushed back, saying: "Don't say that... incense master, there's no certainty yet, perhaps we'll just be demoted to regular members upon return, and maybe rise again after thirty years."

Chu Yiyuan interrupted: "Thirty years later, we'll rise again in the underworld."

Seeing the group's hesitation, Chu Yiyuan ignored it and forcefully distributed the silver and coins to each, rejecting any returns with force.

He said: "I am under a blood curse, death is inevitable. You all should leave to avoid being implicated by me. If our cause fails one day, you must preserve the fire and rise again in the future!"