Chapter 26: Sending You and Ye Qingchen on Your Way

"Cooperation? Each gets what they need?"

Ye Qingchen frowned, looking at Qin Yue, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.

The entire convoy was full of martial artists of high cultivation, yet Ye Qingchen couldn’t understand why Qin Yue would seek out someone like him, who was only in the Martial Apprentice Realm!

Qin Yue nodded:

"That’s right! I can help you shake off the Li Family’s pursuit, find the heavenly treasures you need, and in return, you help me get rid of Elder Du’s surveillance!"

Ye Qingchen grew even more puzzled:

"Elder Du’s surveillance?"

Qin Yue whispered:

"Exactly! Elder Du isn’t one of my people, he was sent by my rival to spy on me!"

"Now, I’m about to break through to the Martial Master Realm, but I can’t let Elder Du know about my cultivation rise, so I have to get him away!"

"I hope you’ll work with me!"

Ye Qingchen mused:

"You want to use my chance to leave the convoy, let Elder Du and the Li Family fight, then slip away yourself?"

Qin Yue nodded:

"Smart, exactly!"

Ye Qingchen decided at once:

"Alright! I agree!"

Qin Yue was taken aback by Ye Qingchen’s straightforward answer:

"Aren’t you afraid I’m just using you?"

Ye Qingchen replied:

"You’ve kept your word before, I’m willing to trust you this once!"

Qin Yue smiled at Ye Qingchen:

"Interesting, then let’s hope our cooperation goes well!"

...

Behind a massive boulder outside the Valley.

Li Mingliang led a dozen Li Family experts hiding here.

They’d been monitoring Ye Qingchen’s every move.

"Second Young Master, it’s been three days. Ye Qingchen hasn’t left the convoy. If he never comes out, don’t we lose our chance to kill him?"

One Li Family expert said worriedly.

Li Mingliang replied coldly:

"Relax! Since Ye Qingchen risked his life to enter the Qingyun Mountains, he must have another purpose, he definitely won’t stay hiding in the convoy! A good hunter needs patience! Just keep an eye on him and wait for the right moment!"

"Second Young Master’s analysis is spot-on!"

"Let’s just keep waiting then!"

A dozen Li Family experts nodded in agreement.

Just then—

The Li Family expert keeping watch out front rushed over:

"Movement! He’s moving!"

"I saw Ye Qingchen still in the Valley, but he’s clearly avoiding the convoy, heading to the other end!"

"I bet he’s looking to leave the group and escape!"

Li Mingliang sneered:

"Finally lost his patience? Quite hasty!"

"Li Yi, Li Er, you two stay here and confuse Ye Qingchen. The rest of you, follow me over there and wait for him!"

With a wave, Li Mingliang led the group away quietly.

...

In the Valley.

Qin Yue, accompanied by Elder Du, was inspecting the herb-gathering group’s harvest, nodding in satisfaction from time to time.

"Master, that Ye Qingchen wants to leave, and outside, the Li Family is prepping to kill him. Should we interfere?"

Elder Du asked Qin Yue quietly.

Qin Yue laughed:

"Interfere! Of course we should! When has our Qin Family ever gone back on their word?"

"Alright! I understand!"

...

By now, Ye Qingchen had reached the Valley’s other exit.

Outside at the north side, a huge waterfall cascaded down, showers of spray flying everywhere.

This was the best spot for Ye Qingchen to leave the convoy!

He’d already prepared for the worst!

If Qin Yue broke her promise and Elder Du didn’t help, Ye Qingchen could still escape through the waterfall, fleeing the Li Family’s hunt!

His palm trembled slightly, clutching the messenger Qin Yue had given him.

"Whoosh!"

Receiving the signal, Ye Qingchen didn’t hesitate. He darted out of the Valley at full speed!

Twisting his body around, he emerged from the Valley, unseen by anyone inside.

But after just thirty meters, his path was blocked by Li Mingliang’s men.

"Heh, kid, didn’t expect this, did you?"

"I knew you’d try to break away from the group. The net is cast!"

"Dare to cripple my sister’s dantian? You’re dead!"

Li Mingliang sneered, closing in on Ye Qingchen.

Ye Qingchen tried to turn and run back, but three Li Family experts blocked his retreat.

Now he was surrounded on three sides, only the waterfall remained open.

"Ye Qingchen, today you won’t escape, even if you grow wings!"

"Attack!"

Li Mingliang suddenly gave the order!

But at that instant—

"Li Family, you just won’t go away, huh? Looks like you don’t care at all for my authority!"

Qin Yue had somehow walked out of the Valley, Elder Du following behind.

Li Mingliang’s heart trembled. He quickly put on a forced smile:

"Master Qin, Ye Qingchen has already left the group. If we kill him now, it’s not the Rising Sun Pavilion breaking its word. Please, let us through!"

Elder Du had previously shown his martial master strength; Li Mingliang and his men didn’t dare act rashly.

"Master, how should we deal with these people?"

Elder Du asked.

Qin Yue waved her hand:

"Teach them a good hard lesson, so they know what happens when someone offends our Qin Family!"

"Yes!"

Elder Du responded, then charged directly at Li Family’s experts, fists like the wind!

Li Mingliang and his men were terrified, hurriedly drawing weapons and trying to escape!

They knew they were nowhere near Elder Du’s equal!

In an instant, the two sides were in a wild melee!

"Quick, run!"

Qin Yue and Ye Qingchen seized the chance and bolted into the distance!

But they’d barely covered a hundred meters before the fight was already over!

"Master, where are you headed?"

Elder Du’s voice rang out.

Qin Yue and Ye Qingchen turned, their pupils shrinking to needlepoints!

The dozen Li Family experts, including Li Mingliang, were all dead, eyes wide, corpses horrible to behold!

"Elder Du, I told you to teach them a lesson, not to kill them!"

A hint of sorrow flickered in Qin Yue’s beautiful eyes as she glared at Elder Du.

Elder Du’s methods were too ruthless; she couldn’t accept it for a moment, completely forgetting her plan to escape his surveillance!

Elder Du stepped toward Qin Yue, his wrinkled face smiling kindly:

"Master, if I didn’t kill them, they’d see me kill the Master with their own eyes. If any news got out, how could I survive in the Qin Family?"

Ye Qingchen was shaken to the core!

What’s going on?

Elder Du’s actually going to kill Qin Yue!

Qin Yue’s pretty face filled with rage:

"Elder Du, you’ve got a lot of nerve. Dare to rebel against your master?"

Elder Du’s smile grew even more kindly:

"Master, did you really think I was only here to monitor you?"

"I was assigned to your side for one reason: to wait for a chance to kill you!"

"Those Li Family idiots make perfect scapegoats for me!"

"Rest assured, Master, after you’re dead, I’ll wipe out the Li Family to accompany you in the afterlife!"

"Now, allow me to send you and Ye Qingchen on your way! Hahaha!"

Elder Du’s gentle smile twisted gradually into a ferocious grin!

Ye Qingchen was chilled to the bone!