"Senior Brother Mu got injured? How could that happen?"
Jiang Hao was surprised. As a reminder to the readers, please note our domain name.
Mu Qi was a true disciple at Broken Hearts Cliff, known for his profound cultivation. How could ordinary matters cause him harm?
The only explanation was that the mine had been attacked.
"He’s been helping at the mine recently. You should've heard about the sect's clash with Azure Sky Mountain, right?" Liu Xingchen asked softly.
Jiang Hao nodded, "Yes, I heard we hold the advantage."
"Correct. Elder Bai Zhi personally took action this time, and several teaching elders weren't idle.
Your master, the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Joy Pavilion, the Thunder Fire Peak Master, and the Icy Moon Valley Master all took action.
Azure Sky Mountain has reportedly suffered internal strife for years, so overall their strength doesn't compare to ours.
However, after holding a Dao Debate Conference, they had quite a few strong allies offering support.
This led to a months-long stalemate until last month when Elder Bai Zhi struck with a force like thunder, severely wounding Azure Sky Mountain's patriarch.
Only then did the advantage fully shift to us.
I'm sure you understand that once morale is lost, defeat can cascade like a mountain collapsing. Our opponents lost their momentum.
Many were captured alive, and the merit from capturing one alive far outweighs just killing them.
That's why the Lawless Heaven Tower has become exceptionally lively lately, which also means the mine is bustling."
"Among the captives, there were not only people from Azure Sky Mountain but also from other sects?" Jiang Hao immediately realized.
Liu Xingchen nodded and continued walking ahead:
"Therefore, there's always someone trying to rescue people. That's why Mu Qi got injured, but the enemies met a worse fate, as Mu Qi captured them and threw them into the Lawless Heaven Tower."
Jiang Hao nodded, feeling a bit puzzled.
Did Liu Xingchen come here just to tell him this?
Although they got along well, Liu Xingchen wouldn't normally come by just for a casual chat unless it was something serious.
Soon, Jiang Hao understood the main reason for Liu Xingchen's visit this time.
"Mu Qi is retreating from the mine, so Broken Hearts Cliff needs someone to replace him.
Currently, you, Junior Brother, have the lightest duties," Liu Xingchen said knowingly.
Jiang Hao lowered his eyes in silence. With the Spirit Herb Garden's tasks completed, he truly had nothing pressing these days.
Taking over wasn't out of the question.
The Spirit Herb Garden was now more alert and not as prone to incidents as before.
Besides, there was a rabbit there, plus a Foundation Establishment expert guarding it.
"Thanks for the heads-up, Senior Brother," Jiang Hao expressed his gratitude.
Learning about this in advance would help him prepare, so he wouldn’t be completely in the dark once he arrived.
"Junior Brother, do you remember the Golden Core undercover you killed back then?" Liu Xingchen suddenly brought up Jin Zhouheng.
"Yes, it's my first experience dealing with such a level of a cultivator. It's unforgettable," Jiang Hao nodded.
He knew nothing about the aftermath of Jin Zhouheng's case.
Ever since he killed that person, he hadn't heard any further news.
Nobody had come to ask him about it either.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator killing a Golden Core usually leads to questions about the details.
Yet, there had been nothing at all.
"This matter is something I've been handling, and it should be over, but it might not be," Liu Xingchen glanced at Jiang Hao and said:
"Jin Zhouheng was from the Falling Sunset Sect. He intended to kill you for Yun Ruo.
He'd recently broken into the Golden Core stage, and within the sect, he was considered honest and sincere, though his social connections were poor since childhood. Yun Ruo somehow convinced him to risk everything for her.
When we started monitoring Jin Zhouheng, he logically shouldn't have been able to resist.
However, that night he received information and thus evaded our capture.
We nearly had him heavily wounded, but then someone interfered.
Ultimately, he reached you.
There were others who wanted you dead too.
That person was very strong. Our array masters tracked him for months.
Only recently did we manage to capture him alive."
Tracking him for months? Jiang Hao was amazed. No wonder he hadn't seen Liu Xingchen for a while.
Curiously, Jiang Hao asked:
"Who was that person?"
"An undercover from the Shadow Ghost Sect. He's been thrown into the Lawless Heaven Tower.
Soon, he’ll be sent to the mine. Interestingly, he used to work at the mine.
We're still investigating, as there might be more traitors among the miners. Junior Brother, be extra cautious if you're heading there.
Let me warn you," Liu Xingchen's tone grew serious:
"Though the mine is under sect jurisdiction, once you enter the caverns, the Law Enforcement Hall finds it difficult to explore thoroughly.
They might only perform a superficial inspection, since the mine contains energy that disrupts investigative efforts."
"Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother," Jiang Hao replied gratefully, then considered for a moment before continuing:
"Is Jin Zhouheng the high-ranking Falling Sunset Sect member you mentioned who was infatuated with Senior Sister Yun Ruo?"
"No," Liu Xingchen shook his head.
Jiang Hao fell silent.
This meant that the threat from the Falling Sunset Sect still lingered.
As for the Shadow Ghost Sect, he wasn't overly concerned.
Their primary target seemed to be the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, which remained relatively safe.
The immediate worry was the mine, where entering the caverns could easily lead to danger.
There was not only the threat from those who held a grudge against him but also the infiltrators planning to act.
Moreover, other sects might attempt rescues.
The good news was, according to Liu Xingchen, the Heavenly Joy Sect wasn't a big concern as they were all focused on attacking Azure Sky Mountain.
They wouldn’t spare the energy to target a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like him.
Yet, it was still prudent to stay alert.
After Liu Xingchen left, Jiang Hao made his way alone to the Spirit Herb Garden, where he found Senior Brother Mu Qi standing at the entrance.
Mu Qi's face was pale, and his energy unstable.
Indeed, he was injured, but not as severely as he appeared.
Jiang Hao, having practiced the Nameless Secret Manual, could roughly gauge Mu Qi's condition.
'It seems Senior Brother Mu Qi might be using his injury as an excuse to leave the mine. Is the situation over there not so favorable?'