Looking at the characters on the oiled paper folded hat, Lu Yu fell silent.
In today's ambush, only the Black Wolf and the Fierce Tiger Gang Leader managed to escape, but the Fierce Tiger Gang Leader is already dead. The only one who could have left this message is the Black Wolf.
But how did he know that I was the one who informed the Han Family?
Lu Yu recalled that observer. Until now, he hadn't gotten a clear look at the observer. If the observer always knew his whereabouts, then why was he able to successfully lead people to ambush the underground faction members?
Originally, Lu Yu thought the observer was from the Wild Wolf Gang, but now it seems that the observer might not be from the Wild Wolf Gang. Otherwise, there would be no reason not to alert them when he found out that Lu Yu knew the Wild Wolf Gang's whereabouts.
Who exactly is the observer?
Rather than studying who the observer is, Lu Yu is more concerned about the safety of Little Tail. The Black Wolf is not like him, who would show mercy.
With his current strength, he is definitely no match for the Black Wolf. Going alone to Xiao Tang Mountain is seeking death.
If he could leverage the strength of the Han Family, there might be a chance to rescue Little Tail, but his current strength has not reached the desired level yet.
In that case, the only option is to find a way to kill both the Wild Wolf Gang Leader and Yang Xiu at once.
Lu Yu pulled the dagger out of the table, glanced at the oiled paper folded hat, and left the small courtyard heading for the Han Family Estate.
In fact, proving that Yang Xiu is the mastermind is very simple. He just needs to confront Han Yu. The reason they hadn't discovered Yang Xiu is the mastermind is largely because no one had mentioned the internal spy in the Han Family to Han Yu.
The courtyard where Han Yu resides is mostly guarded by Yang Xiu. Other guards who vaguely feel an internal spy has emerged in the Han Family haven't had the opportunity to contact Han Yu, and Yang Xiu would never bring up the internal spy with Han Yu.
As for Steward Zhang and Han Yaozu, they wouldn't tell the younger ones about the mastermind hiding within the Han Family to prevent chaos and ensure peace of mind.
Not to mention the younger ones, even the elders and enshrined members of the Han Family are unaware. It's just that they've experienced a lot and are able to detect signs from the surrounding movements and draw some conclusions.
In fact, no more than five people within the Han Family explicitly know there is a mastermind: Lu Yu, Steward Zhang, Han Yaozu, and Han Yaotong. Others do not know much and only have their suspicions.
Lu Yu became one of the informed because he provided the clues; otherwise, he wouldn't have had this chance.
At present, Lu Yu found Steward Zhang and inquired about Yang Xiu's whereabouts.
Steward Zhang seemed a bit puzzled, "Why are you asking this? Yang Xiu just went for a walk with Han Yu."
Having said this, Steward Zhang himself also found it a bit strange. Why go for a walk all of a sudden out of the blue?
The reason he didn't suspect Yang Xiu was because, in his perception, Yang Xiu was just a Martial Cultivator at the Body Refinement realm and did not have any Spiritual Qi fluctuations. The guards in the study were killed by a Martial Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation realm.
Yang Xiu and Han Yu had left the Han Family Estate. Lu Yu immediately sensed something amiss. Recalling the previous kidnapping of Han Yu by the Wild Wolf Gang, Lu Yu instantly realized Yang Xiu intended to hold Han Yu hostage to force the Han Family to hand over something.
Things have come to this point, and there's no use hiding Yang Xiu's identity anymore. Lu Yu promptly said, "Yang Xiu is the mastermind."
"What?" Steward Zhang was greatly shocked.
"He took Miss Han out of the Han Family Estate to hold her hostage, forcing the Patriarch to hand over something," Lu Yu quickly said, "Yang Xiu and the escaped Black Wolf agreed to meet at the top of Xiao Tang Mountain."
He doesn't know whether Yang Xiu and the Black Wolf have such an agreement, but he needs support from the Han Family anyway. As long as the Black Wolf is there, everything will be fine. Even if Yang Xiu doesn't show up, it just means Yang Xiu didn't come to the meeting, not that he lied.
If the Black Wolf isn't at the top of Xiao Tang Mountain, then it's the Black Wolf who deceived him, not him deceiving Steward Zhang.
If Yang Xiu doesn't plan to kidnap Han Yu now and the two return safely to the Han Family Estate, he can still have Han Yu confront him, proving Yang Xiu is the mastermind.
In all the scenarios Lu Yu envisioned, he could keep himself uninvolved and wouldn't bring trouble upon himself.
In the future, when the Han Family looks into the truth, he would have already left Windmill Town.
"Yang Xiu is the mastermind!" Suddenly, Han Sanye rushed out shouting, crushing two jade balls in his hand, his Qi blood surged continuously, his eyes bloodshot.
"I trusted him so much, and Fan'er was so nice to him, yet he dared to harm my Fan'er! Such a vicious heart. Where is he? I must avenge Fan'er myself!"
"Top of Xiao Tang Mountain," Lu Yu said.
Grabbing Lu Yu, Han Sanye dashed out of the Han Family, eyes blazing, teeth gnashing, "Lead the way."
Lu Yu gave directions. Han Sanye's speed as he ran with all his might was astonishing. Lu Yu could barely make out the surroundings and give the correct directions.
Soon, the two arrived at the top of Xiao Tang Mountain, and to Lu Yu's surprise, there were three people, but Little Tail was nowhere in sight.
"Yang Xiu, I will kill you to avenge my son!" Han Sanye, seeing Yang Xiu on the mountaintop, threw Lu Yu aside and charged at Yang Xiu.
Yang Xiu said to the Black Wolf, "Kill that old man. Once we get what we came for, we will retreat immediately."
Without a word, the Black Wolf stepped forward to face Han Sanye, and when he saw Lu Yu arrive at the top of the mountain, the Black Wolf revealed a chilling smile.
"Where's the girl?" Lu Yu, looking displeased, shouted loudly.
The Black Wolf, blocking the furious Han Sanye, still had the leisure to chat with Lu Yu, saying, "You had Meng Hu jump off a cliff to his death before. I also had that girl jump off the cliff. Can you guess how I did it?"
Lu Yu's face remained expressionless, but from the very beginning, upon knowing that the little tail had been captured by the Black Wolf, he had already prepared for the worst.
"I told her, as long as she jumped down herself, I wouldn't kill her good brother."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu's heart ached, his hands clenched tightly, wishing he could immediately cut down the Black Wolf on the spot.
Seeing Lu Yu's expression, the Black Wolf shouted excitedly, stabbing at Master Han with his short knife. Master Han's pair of flesh palms were already drenched in blood.
"If not for you, my brothers would still be alive and well!" Black Wolf roared, the attacks from his hands becoming ever fiercer.
Master Han was also filled with a burning rage, so furious that he could no longer feel the pain in his hands. His palms turned red as he struck at Black Wolf's chest, merely avoiding vital points, and exchanging blow for blow with him.
Black Wolf felt a scorching heat and pain, as if a red-hot iron plate was pressed against his chest; a surge of burning Spiritual Qi rushed into his body, only to be quickly expelled by his own Spiritual Qi.
Both sides sustained significant injuries and separated for a moment, each preparing a more powerful killing move.
Yang Xiu spoke, "Lu Yu, I never dreamed that someone who just entered the Han residence could ruin so many of my plans."
Lu Yu felt the pressure; he was locked onto by Yang Xiu's energy, knowing that the slightest movement could prompt Yang Xiu to strike at him.
"But no matter, what I want is almost within my grasp," Yang Xiu said nonchalantly. "And you will perish here, as the cost of your meddling!"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh~ Sounds of clothes brushing against air came from the mountain forest behind Lu Yu.
"Let Han Yu go!" Han Yaozu shouted.
Yang Xiu smiled, not even glancing at the unconscious Han Yu lying on the ground, and said, "My condition is simple: hand over the Ice and Fire Seven Heavens cultivation technique, and I'll release her."
Han Yaozu, Steward Zhang, and numerous enforcers surrounded the mountaintop.
The Black Wolf had retreated to Yang Xiu's side; though he hadn't killed Lu Yu himself, seeing Lu Yu's expression gave Black Wolf great satisfaction. Of course, if given the chance, Black Wolf wouldn't hesitate to strike at Lu Yu.
Hearing Yang Xiu's demand, Han Yaozu was slightly taken aback; Yang Xiu's request was somewhat unexpected, but he quickly regained composure and said, "No problem, you can have the cultivation technique, but you must ensure Han Yu's safety."
Yang Xiu kicked Han Yu, infusing a stream of Spiritual Qi into her body to rouse her, and said to Han Yaozu, "See? She's fine, nothing's happened to her. Bring the cultivation technique."
"Brother Yang, what's happening?" Han Yu climbed up, still a bit dizzy as she sat on the ground. Seeing herself at the cliff and most of the people around were familiar, she confusedly asked Yang Xiu.
"Brother Yang, you're just a fool!" Han Yaozu couldn't help but curse aloud.
If Han Yu had sensed something was off about Yang Xiu, even the slightest hint to himself could have prevented the current situation.
This girl was foolish, just like her mother!
Han Yaozu took out a disk made of jade, half red and half blue, and said, "The cultivation technique is here, bring Han Yu over."
Yang Xiu signaled to Black Wolf, "Go over and check if it's genuine."
The Black Wolf cautiously stepped forward, took the cultivation technique from Han Yaozu's hand, and after a moment, turned back to Yang Xiu and said, "It's real."
Yang Xiu's face showed a smile, Black Wolf returned the cultivation technique to Han Yaozu and returned to Yang Xiu's side.
"I'll let Han Yu walk over, and you throw the cultivation technique over," Yang Xiu said.
"No problem," Han Yaozu agreed.
Yang Xiu lifted the still confused Han Yu from the ground, saying to her, "Get up, go back!"
Han Yu walked a few steps in a daze, suddenly turned around and cried, "You'd rather have the cultivation technique than me?"
"Come back!" Han Yaozu shouted.
Yang Xiu didn't respond to her, his gaze fixed on the cultivation technique in Han Yaozu's hand, without even a flicker. Seeing him like this, Han Yu wiped her eyes, becoming a big teary face, sobbing as she turned and walked towards Han Yaozu.
"Throw it over!" As Han Yu was halfway across, Yang Xiu shouted.
Han Yaozu tossed the cultivation technique in his hand; in an instant, both sides took action.
Yang Xiu charged forward to seize the cultivation technique, Black Wolf threw his short knife at Han Yu, forcing Steward Zhang to change his target to protect Han Yu, Han Yaozu rushed directly at Yang Xiu, heavily injured Master Han also charged at Yang Xiu, while other enforcers rushed towards Black Wolf.
Boom~
Yang Xiu and Han Yaozu clashed palms, the intense Spiritual Qi causing an explosion, Yang Xiu used the opportunity to stomp the ground and grasp at the cultivation technique in mid-air. Han Yaozu more ruthlessly tossed a potion bottle, knocking the cultivation technique down the cliff.
Master Han harried Yang Xiu relentlessly, eyes blazing with fury, ignoring Yang Xiu's attacks, seeking to exchange injuries with him.
Two consecutive Blazing Palms struck Yang Xiu's chest, pausing him for a moment but causing no damage, while Master Han was sent flying by Yang Xiu's strike, falling off the mountaintop unknown if alive.
Yang Xiu's Han residence guard uniform was burned through, revealing a dark green Soft Armor underneath, which continuously flickered with spiritual light.
"A Spiritual Armor?" Han Yaozu was somewhat surprised and loudly asked, "Who exactly are you?"