The giant man, as if casually holding a small chicken, gripped the unconscious blue-clad enforcer in one hand and stepped steadily out of the woods. His blood-splattered form contrasted sharply with his green robe, making the stains appear as vivid as blooming peach blossoms.
Li Feiyu sucked in a cold breath. As the giant approached, he tossed the blue-clad man onto the ground. The scent of fresh blood filled the air, causing Li Feiyu's face to turn pale as he instinctively took a half-step back, assuming a defensive stance.
The giant ignored Li Feiyu's actions and simply took another step forward, returning to his place behind Han Li, standing still as if he had never moved.
Li Feiyu, seeing that nothing had changed, exhaled deeply and lowered his guard. He glanced at the fallen enforcer and then at Han Li, whose expression was as calm as ever. A smile slowly spread across Li Feiyu's face.
"I see now. You've been so calm because you've had a powerhouse like him by your side this whole time. Why didn't you tell me earlier? I've been on edge for nothing!" Li Feiyu said, trying to sound casual, but his mind was already racing, wondering about the connection between Han Li and the giant.
Han Li noticed the thought crossing Li Feiyu's mind but had no intention of clarifying. Instead, he wore a subtle, knowing smile and slowly spoke, "This blue-clad enforcer likely knows a lot of useful information. Should we interrogate him? I think you, the mighty Hall Master, are better suited for the job. The capable ones take on more responsibility, so I'll leave it to you."
Li Feiyu felt a bit resentful about Han Li's attempt to change the subject, but his curiosity about interrogating the enforcer overpowered his annoyance. He agreed without hesitation.
Li Feiyu grabbed the unconscious blue-clad man and swiftly entered the woods, starting his interrogation. Han Li, on the other hand, casually sat down on the grass, seemingly unbothered.
Soon enough, Li Feiyu returned, his expression dark and solemn.
"That was fast. Did you get anything useful?" Han Li asked without standing, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Hmph! He's a coward, afraid of dying. I barely even touched him before he spilled everything. There's good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?" Li Feiyu said, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Let's start with the good news. It'll lift my spirits a bit," Han Li replied nonchalantly.
"The good news is that you were right about Wild Wolf Gang's plans. They've indeed only trapped the other mountain peaks and haven't made any attempts to attack them. All their main forces are gathered at Sunset Peak, launching an all-out assault. I've heard they've already captured several checkpoints." Li Feiyu's voice was calm as he recounted the good news, but it seemed he wasn't overly concerned about the safety of their higher-ups.
"Well, that's good to know," Han Li murmured, tapping his nose thoughtfully. "Now, I'm guessing the bad news is a lot worse, right?"
"You're right, the bad news is bad indeed. Besides the Wild Wolf Gang, there are also the Iron Spear Society, the Broken Water Sect, and several other smaller gangs involved in this attack. Looks like our sect is in serious trouble," Li Feiyu said, his tone heavy with concern.
Han Li was momentarily stunned. This news was unexpected, but his calm quickly returned.
"Don't worry about how many forces are involved. Our priority now is to meet with your little lady and your subordinates. With the chaos outside, it's better to leave now," Han Li said, making a quick decision.
Li Feiyu immediately agreed, grateful for Han Li's timely advice.
"What about that guy? How did you deal with him?" Han Li suddenly asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Silenced him. What else could I do?" Li Feiyu shrugged nonchalantly.
Han Li smiled faintly, pushed himself off the ground, and stood up.
"Let's go then. We'll try to avoid the enemy. If we can't, just kill anyone who discovers us. Don't leave anyone alive, or more of them will gather," Han Li said lightly, but his words carried a chilling intent.
A few miles from Spirit Hand Valley, at Elder Li's residence, the courtyard was packed with people—men and women, young and old—none of whom seemed to possess any martial skills. They were murmuring among themselves, anxiety evident on every face.
Nearby, over twenty young men in black clothes, armed with swords and knives, stood watch, their vigilance starkly contrasting with the unarmed crowd.
Inside the house, two figures were locked in a heated argument.
"I don't agree with sending people outside. Our defenses here are already weak. If we send more out, we'll be even more vulnerable. No way, absolutely not!" a rotund middle-aged man said, spitting as he shook his head vigorously, adamantly opposing something.
"But we don't know what's happening outside. If we don't send someone to scout, we'll be completely in the dark. That's too passive," countered Ma Rong, Elder Li's most trusted disciple.
"Passive or not, what happens outside has nothing to do with me. The safety of this place is the most important. Unless you're planning on disobeying orders?" The middle-aged man's beady eyes narrowed as he suddenly pulled out a golden token and waved it in front of Ma Rong's face, a smug expression on his face.
Ma Rong glanced at the token, sighed deeply, and cupped his hands in a respectful salute.
"I wouldn't dare. I'll obey the order, of course."