"Duan, Daoist friend?"
Chen Sansi reminded, "Itâs time to go, or more people will surround us."
"Not everyone has been rescued yet!"
Duan Silu spoke in a still somewhat erratic manner, "I just captured a live one and learned there are still hundreds of boys and girls locked underneath a brothel in Ronghua City. Weâre planning to rescue them."
This auction only showcased a portion of the "Furnace Tripods," and the majority were auctioned off by number without showing their faces.
Chen Sansi pondered, "The situation has already escalated, wouldnât it be unwise to go now?"
"No! Quite the opposite!"
Duan Silu replied seriously, "I estimate that right now, the whole city is rushing over here. Going back now will allow us to move unseen under the light, and we can definitely sneak into the city without much effort."
"I understand that."
Chen Sansi warned, "But Ronghua City has a City Protection Array, and even if you find them, it will be very difficult to get them out."
"No need to take them out!"
Duan Silu explained, "I suspect this whole thing was orchestrated by that old Jiang Shang and the Demon Sect. In the end, itâs a shady business.
"Plus, there are so many of them. As long as we can get them out of the brothel, it will surely attract Shengyun Sectâs attention.
"Although these sects are not necessarily good people, they pride themselves on being ârighteous sectsâ and have the basic bottom line that they wonât ignore this.
"Daoist Xiao should retreat first; the three of us are enough to handle this!"
As he spoke, the three of them adjusted direction, treading on their flying swords.
"What about you guys?"
Chen Sansi looked at them, knowing the rescued boys and girls might be unharmed, but they absolutely wouldnât be able to escape again, "What if you go and never return?"
"Then weâll never return!"
Duan Silu and the other two didnât look back and flew straight toward Ronghua City, constantly forming seals to accelerate, and soon disappeared from sight.
"..."
Chen Sansi watched their backs, wanting to say something but stopping himself. He couldnât help but recall Sima Yaoâs assessment of these people: madmen.
"Indeed, a bit crazy."
He couldnât imagine, in Sky Water Continent, that anyone would be willing to use their life in exchange for the survival of unrelated individuals. Deep down, he knew he couldnât do it.
This situation was different from when they left Po Yang and crossed Hongze; back then, there was still a glimmer of hope, and his fellow villagers followed him through adversity. They made a life-or-death attempt together when faced with a dire situation, while these "Furnace Tripods," though innocent, would only make him try his best without risking his own life.
"Wish them good luck."
Chen Sansi whispered to himself, then had Little Bamboo carry the Demon Suppression Departmentâs Wu Wei, and the two flew away.
After flying more than ten miles.
Chen Sansi awakened the armless Demon Suppression Guard on the flying boat.
"Demon!"
Wu Weiâs arm throbbed with heart-wrenching pain, and he roared ferociously, "How dare you, I am a Silver Token Commander of the Demon Suppression Department and a confidant of Lord Eight. You dare capture me, the Song court wonât spare you, the Upper Sect wonât spare you... ah!!!"
Before he could finish, Dongfang Jingxing manipulated the Flying Knife, carving a piece of flesh from him, and a sinister voice creeped into his ears, "Answer whatever you are asked next."
"Eunuch, I... ah!"
He had several pieces of flesh sliced away, all done using the Lingchi Blade Technique. Despite seeing bone, he couldnât die and could only endure endless torment.
"This Lingchi Blade Technique originally contains a total of three hundred and sixty cuts. You, as a Martial Artist with a strong physique, should endure even more cuts."
Dongfang Jingxing said coldly, "I boast good skills, guaranteeing you wonât pass out, allowing you to enjoy it fully."
"Hahaha, disabled person, not even as good as a mortal slave, do whatever you want..."
Wu Wei suddenly felt a chill: "What, what are you doing? No, no, Iâll talk, Iâll tell everything!"
Only then did Dongfang Jingxing slowly put away his knife and began a careful interrogation.
Meanwhile, Chen Sansi stood with his sword, remaining vigilant about the surroundings, vaguely sensing something approaching. But as a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator, his Divine Sense was not keen enough to accurately detect it, so he slightly frowned.
"Our home asks you."
Dongfang Jingxing bluntly inquired, "What is in Bai Familyâs Medicine Valley, what are you planning with the Demon Sect, and is it connected to the Medicine Valley incident?"
"Medicine, Medicine Valley..."
Wu Wei hesitated, only willing to say a word when the blade threatened closer, "In the Medicine Valley thereâs that, that..."
"Buzzââ"
An unexpected buzzing sound rang in the ears of the three.
It was then that Chen Sansi suddenly realized, on the edge of their flying boat, an unnoticed black spot appeared, which, on a closer look, was a cicada insect.
The pitch-black body had strange patterns on its surface, and its vibrating wings contained Spiritual Power. Its mouth emitted a needle-like spike, directly charging forward.
The cicadaâs speed was not fast. Enveloped in water flows, the long sword in Chen Sansiâs hand accurately slashed at the cicada, slicing it in half.
Yet, at the moment the blade tore through its shell, the cicadaâs interior erupted with an intense black light.
"Not good!"
Chen Sansiâs heart sank as he pulled Little Bamboo behind him with one hand, simultaneously forming seals and casting, summoning a Thick Earth Shield in front of him.
At the same time, the diminutive cicadaâs body unleashed an incomparably terrifying Evil Qi, which exploded massively outward.
"Boomââ"
Even with the Thick Earth Shield blocking, Chen Sansi was still knocked back dozens of meters in the air before stabilizing himself with effort.
But Wu Wei wasnât so fortunate. He and the entire flying boat were torn apart in the explosion, fragments scattering to the ground, devoid of any life.