Chapter 122: When the Wall Falls, Everyone Pushes—So What If the Villain Talks Too Much?

Chapter 122: When the Wall Falls, Everyone Pushes—So What If the Villain Talks Too Much?

Hex Union headquarters.

A courtyard within the compound.

"Boss, urgent news—Cai Liuliu’s group has left the city. However, they’ve split into four carriages departing through separate gates to confuse us. Our men are tracking which one carries Cai Liuliu and his daughter."

A trusted subordinate entered the courtyard to report Cai Liuliu’s movements to Vice Leader Xie Tai.

Xie Tai inwardly savored the title "Boss"—he’d long wanted to shed his "Deputy" label. Now, finally, his chance had come.

"Flee? Where could Cai Liuliu possibly run?"

After hearing the report, Xie Tai’s lips curled into a mocking smirk.

When a wall collapses, everyone pushes.

Cai Liuliu’s patron had abandoned him, and the Xuan Shui Sect hunted him relentlessly. Even if he escaped Big Feng City, the Sect would never let him leave Qinzhou Province alive.

"Gather our forces", Xie Tai ordered softly, his eyes flashing with ambition.

"At once!" The subordinate bowed and departed.

Left alone in the silent courtyard, Xie Tai slowly rose, returned to his chamber, and changed attire. The leader’s seat of Hex Union was finally ready for new occupant!

...

Su Chen’s third safehouse.

The once-spacious courtyard now lay in ruins—debris scattered everywhere, earth torn asunder leaving jagged pits, weeds and leaves swirling in the air, and a faint metallic tang of blood riding the breeze into Su Chen’s nostrils.

He stood motionless beside Madam Qi’s corpse. Her head lay meters from her body, lifeless eyes staring with impotent fury. Such expressions were all too familiar to Su Chen—routine, even.

"Nothing?" He sighed after rifling through her belongings, frowning at empty pockets.

This battle had nearly cost him half his life yet yielded nothing. The only gain came from the earth energy he’d channeled into Madam Qi—now noticeably thickened after circulating through her body.

Even his vital force reaped better rewards than he did. Su Chen shook his head wryly.

Chirp chirp!

"Strange—why’s a fly keep buzzing around me?"

Brushing aside stray thoughts, Su Chen noticed the insect sound. Earlier, during his clash with Madam Qi, he’d been too preoccupied to notice.

Hiss!

"This isn’t a fly—it’s a bee?"

Quick as a flash, Su Chen snatched the source—a tiny winged creature. Examination revealed it wasn’t a fly at all.

"A tracking insect?" He eyed Madam Qi’s corpse thoughtfully. Returning home, he’d sensed no anomalies—yet soon after Madam Qi attacked, this insect appeared. Could she have used it to locate him?

Medical Secret Manual did mention techniques using insects like Scent-seeking Beetles, which apothecaries used to track medicinal herbs. Markets traded them openly.

"Could this lead me to her base?"

He placed the insect on Madam Qi’s body. Initially unresponsive—likely deterred by bloodstains—it suddenly buzzed to life, veering sharply toward the courtyard exit.

"Let’s see where you go."

Half an incense stick’s time later, Su Chen stood in a dilapidated hut. The insect led him to a corner where Chuyingying’s bloated corpse exuded a foul stench. Nearby lay a bundle.

Chirp!

As Su Chen retrieved the parcel, the insect dropped lifeless—its brief purpose fulfilled. Pity, but these Fragrance Lure Insects rarely survived long.

Inside the bundle: fifteen silver notes and three vials of Vital Energy Pills. Pocketing the loot, he muttered, "Dispose of the corpse, then relocate."

...

"What’s that stench?"

A figure paused before Su Chen’s courtyard gate, hand raised to knock. The pungent odor made him hesitate.

Knock knock knock.

After three raps, he strained to listen—no footsteps within.

"Anyone home?" He called nervously, receiving only silence.

Assuming absence, he slid a letter beneath the door.

Screech!

As he turned to leave, a motionless figure materialized behind him—Su Chen, expressionless.

"A-are you the house owner?" The messenger stammered.

Su Chen nodded. "What’s the letter?"

The man, sweating profusely, retrieved the letter and handed it over. "Courier’s job."

Su Chen pressed silver coins into his palm. "Thanks."

The man fled, shoulders visibly shaking.

"From Zhu Yan", Su Chen murmured, breaking the seal.

...

"Yah!"

The carriage rolled steadily toward the city gates, flanked by over a dozen burly attendants in plain clothes.

Inside rode three: Zhu Yan, Cai Xiaoyue, and the unconscious Cai Liuliu.

Ignoring her father’s advice to escape alone with Zhu Yan, Cai Xiaoyue had instead drugged Cai Liuliu and joined them.

"Don’t worry, Little Yue. Four decoy carriages should throw them off", Zhu Yan soothed.

Cai Xiaoyue managed a smile. "I’m fine."

Her smile faded. "Senior Zhu… what if Benefactor Ding Peng goes to Cai Manor looking for us?"

Zhu Yan’s expression darkened. He’d sent word to Su Chen earlier, but finding his house empty, he’d left a letter instead.

"Relax—I sent a letter informing the Benefactor of our departure." His voice held forced calm.

Whoosh!

The carriage slowed at the city gates. Both exhaled relief, though tension still gripped their features as they rolled past the threshold.

Leaving the city was only the first step—the real journey was just beginning. Cai Xiaoyue could only hope Zhu Yan's plan would work, deceiving the others long enough for their escape.

"Leader..."

They hadn't traveled far when the road grew rough. Despite the carriage's efforts to cushion the bumps, Cai Liuliu stirred awake.

"Where are we?" he mumbled, blinking at the interior decor and spotting Cai Xiaoyue and Zhu Yan seated across from him. His face paled instantly. A glance outside confirmed his worst suspicion—he was no longer inside Cai Manor. They'd drugged and smuggled him out.

"Heave", he sighed, shaking his head. "Little Yue, taking me with you will only drag you all down. If the clan discovers this, you'll never escape."

Cai Xiaoyue shook her head firmly. "Zhu Yan and I have a plan", she explained. Though worry etched his features, Cai Liuliu didn't argue. "Let's just pray they don't uncover our scheme too soon."

A sharp whistle cut through the air as the carriage ground to a halt. The three exchanged tense glances.

"Master Zhu", called a voice from outside. "Someone ahead claims to be your acquaintance."

Zhu Yan stiffened, then rose. "I'll check." Cai Xiaoyue's brow furrowed with unease as she watched him exit.

Stepping out, Zhu Yan spotted a familiar figure. "Benefactor! You came?"

Su Chen nodded. "To see you off." His expression darkened. "I encountered another Cai Manor carriage earlier. Something was wrong—it was ambushed. Everyone slaughtered."

Zhu Yan's face tightened. "Benefactor, this is complicated. Please return now. We'll talk more if our paths cross again."

Su Chen said nothing, his gaze drifting to the carriage where Cai Xiaoyue peeked anxiously through the curtain. Seeing Su Chen, she relaxed—until his eyes narrowed at the sight of Cai Liuliu inside.

"You shouldn't have come", Su Chen murmured. "They're already hunting you."

Zhu Yan opened his mouth to protest, but thunderous hoofbeats drowned him out. From the woods charged Xie Tai, his men fanning out behind him.

"Brother Cai!" Xie Tai called, striding forward with calculated menace. "You've sparked a civil war within the Hex Union. Now you'd just ride away? You underestimate us all."

Cai Liuliu sighed, stepping down with Cai Xiaoyue's support. "After all these years, must it end like this?"

Xie Tai laughed bitterly. "The mighty Cai Clan Leader, reduced to begging for mercy! How the mighty fall!"

"I'll make you a deal", Xie Tai proposed, eyes gleaming. "Take your own life, and I'll spare your daughter and these traitors."

"Dad, no!" Cai Xiaoyue cried.

Zhu Yan stepped forward. "Don't believe him. Even if you die, they'll kill us all."

Su Chen's calm voice cut through. "He's right, Xie Tai. Killing Cai changes nothing."

Xie Tai's laughter boomed. "This is your plan? A beardless pup? How pathetic!"

Su Chen smiled. "Actually, I rather enjoy chatty villains."

Before anyone could react, Xie's men convulsed violently, then collapsed like puppets with severed strings.

"Poison!" Xie roared.

"Thanks for the chatter", Su Chen quipped. "It made dosing your tea easier."

Fury contorted Xie's face. "You insolent brat!" He lunged, palm crackling with Qi, air splitting with the signature Crackling Palm technique.

"Look out!" Zhu Yan yelled, but Su Chen stood rooted.

Cai Liuliu warned, "Don't let him land a hit!"—too late. Su Chen's fist met Xie's palm head-on.

The impact erupted like thunder, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.

"How?!" Xie staggered back, disbelief flashing across his face.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end