Chapter 501: Returning to Yangchun City

Chapter 501: Returning to Yangchun City

2024-11-25

Within Yangchun City, the topic of Wulan Manor was rarely discussed.

It was evident that the city had experienced some unavoidable circumstances.

As a result, the residents had to be cautious in their speech and behavior.

This further emphasized the significance of Su Chen's previous actions.

Wulan Manor truly felt the danger and crisis.

Unable to gain any benefits in Yangchun City through ordinary means, Su Chen had no choice but to devise alternative methods.

On the fifth day of his stay, Su Chen spotted a familiar face in a local tavern.

Gu Liang, the disciple who had been tied up by Su Chen, was there.

He seemed to be recovering well, although he still appeared weak. However, his overall condition was not bad.

At least on the surface, there were no noticeable issues.

He even ordered a pot of wine and took a few sips.

He seemed quite at ease.

Upon seeing this, a hint of a smile appeared on Su Chen's face as he sat down directly across from Gu Liang.

When Gu Liang noticed Su Chen, he furrowed his brows.

As he realized who was sitting before him, his expression changed instantly, becoming pale and weak.

Gu Liang did not immediately recognize Su Chen.

But when Su Chen sat down opposite him and tapped the table, smiling at Gu Liang, it triggered a realization.

The smile, accompanied by Su Chen's demeanor, instantly revealed his identity.

"Are... are you him?"

Gu Liang's voice trembled slightly as he asked, his mind already knowing the answer but unable to resist asking again.

He desperately hoped that the person before him would hesitate and say he was mistaken.

Unfortunately, things did not unfold as he wished.

Su Chen picked up a cup and poured himself a drink from Gu Liang's wine pot.

Holding the cup, he looked at the wine and then at Gu Liang.

In Gu Liang's eyes, he felt like that wine.

Helpless to resist Su Chen's actions, he lacked the ability to determine his own fate.

"Injured people should drink less, as it slows recovery."

Su Chen responded to Gu Liang's inquiry with these words.

While not a direct answer, anyone with a functioning brain should understand the implied meaning.

If it were just a random passerby, how would they know about his previous injury?

"This is Yangchun City, and Wulan Manor's experts are everywhere."

The last time Gu Liang was captured by Su Chen, he showed little anxiety.

Even in Su Chen's presence, he maintained an air of superiority.

But now, his words spoke of Wulan Manor's experts, yet his demeanor betrayed his fear and anxiety.

He tried to hide his unease, but it was futile.

"It's fine. If Wulan Manor is as formidable as you say, they wouldn't have let me go so easily.

Those people couldn't catch me.

Of course, if you have confidence in them, you can stand up and shout right now.

Call them over and see what happens."

Su Chen took a sip from his cup, his calm demeanor increasing the pressure on Gu Liang.

Gu Liang's heart raced, and since seeing Su Chen, he had shown signs of unease several times.

Despite the drink, he lacked the courage to stand and shout, summoning Wulan Manor's hidden guards.

With Su Chen so close, Gu Liang knew that if he called out, Su Chen would immediately strike, ending his life.

To preserve his life, he knew what choice to make.

Su Chen understood Gu Liang's temperament.

If he had any integrity, he wouldn't have revealed Jun Han's whereabouts.

"After Jun Han was injured, did Wulan Manor punish you?

After all, you disclosed his itinerary."

Gu Liang's face darkened further under Su Chen's questioning.

"Why aren't you speaking?"

Seeing Gu Liang's silence, Su Chen continued to press.

Unable to evade, Gu Liang spoke in a low voice.

"I didn't tell the manor about this, I didn't say anything."

"No wonder. If Wulan Manor knew, you shouldn't be so relaxed."

Su Chen's response left Gu Liang feeling even more suffocated.

He didn't want to continue discussing this, but in front of Su Chen, he had no face to save.

Gu Liang, once proud, had lost all dignity after betraying Jun Han.

In his mind, he tried to reassure himself repeatedly.

In his own words, he had thought Jun Han would be safe, and even if Su Chen wanted to harm him, he wouldn't succeed.

This kind of talk is fine for self-comfort and to avoid excessive self-blame.

But if one were to take it seriously, that would be a sign of insanity.

As long as Su Chen reveals Jun Han's itinerary, it would be a betrayal in Jun Han's eyes.

Wulan Manor would definitely investigate this matter.

Gu Liang believed that Su Chen couldn't harm Jun Han, which was fine.

But at that moment, he also considered other possibilities.

Su Chen had too many ways to deal with Jun Han.

He could ask for help, use mechanisms, and various other tricks.

Even if he couldn't harm Jun Han's life, it would still cause trouble.

Gu Liang looked up at Su Chen, feeling that he had fallen into Su Chen's hands.

At this moment, he didn't even want Su Chen to be captured by Wulan Manor.

As long as Su Chen wasn't caught, the news of him betraying Jun Han's itinerary would never reach Wulan Manor.

Correspondingly, he would also remain safe.

But Gu Liang was clear that because of this, he was being manipulated and controlled by Su Chen.

"Is Wulan Manor's news prohibited from spreading outside?

In the past few days here, it seems like no one has mentioned Wulan Manor."

Su Chen asked, and Gu Liang confirmed his guess was correct.

In the future, when inquiring about news, it was likely that he would become the first choice.

But at the moment, he had no choice unless he was willing to go down with the ship.

"The elders suspect that you've been hiding nearby, and by knowing the manor's situation, you'll be better prepared.

So they've prohibited the circulation of news.

This way, they have a better chance of capturing you.

Unfortunately, they're thinking too simply.

You're right here in Yangchun City, and they still haven't caught you."

Su Chen nodded, agreeing with this point.

"You people from Wulan Manor indeed think too simply about many things.

To put it simply, Wulan Manor is overly arrogant."

Su Chen paused, not continuing on this topic.

"How is the internal situation in Wulan Manor? Is it in chaos?"

"It's relatively stable."

"With so many disciples injured previously, isn't Wulan Manor concerned?"

"The higher-ups might not be worried, but what about the younger generation disciples in Wulan Manor? Don't they have any concerns?"

Su Chen clearly doubted Gu Liang's response.

In early April, the news he heard mentioned that Wulan Manor was in disarray.

But not long after, it had calmed down completely.

It seemed that the pressure he applied was far from enough.

"Although you injured Senior Brother Jun Han this time, don't overestimate yourself.

You only managed to injure Senior Brother Jun Han through a sneak attack.

The other fellow disciples you injured aren't considered very strong within the manor, you just picked on the weaker ones.

We younger generation disciples are well aware of your strength.

You can only injure us through sneak attacks. In a head-on confrontation, you're far from capable.

As long as we gather and go out together, instead of staying inside the manor all day, you won't pose any threat."

As Gu Liang spoke, he seemed to exude a stronger aura, standing tall and proud.

Su Chen understood, and it seemed like these people still underestimated him.

The correct version is available at 69shu.com! 6=9+shu.

Even if Jun Han was injured by Su Chen, and even if there were several other young disciples injured.

The younger generation of Wulan Manor still remained confident.

"Alright, then I'll put in more effort and strive harder.

I'll try to keep the younger generation of Wulan Manor in a state of panic.

If possible, can you give me some advice?

Who among you from Wulan Manor, if injured, would make you more worried?"

Su Chen's question didn't receive a response.

Gu Liang wouldn't provide any further hints on this matter.

"I suggest you worry about yourself.

Elder Fan has arranged for people to search for you, including those who know you very well.

Instead of making the people of the manor worry, why not consider your own situation?

To avoid implicating me when you're caught."

The last sentence was spoken lightly, but it was the key point Gu Liang wanted to emphasize.

He had always been concerned about being implicated.

Looking at Jun Han, his rating had been lowered because of the injury inflicted by Su Chen.

From now on, the resources that Senior Brother Jun Han, the grand senior brother, could obtain from Wulan Manor would decrease significantly.

Gu Liang also worried that he might face similar consequences.

With a lowered rating, the resources he could obtain from Wulan Manor would be greatly reduced.

Su Chen grasped the key point in Gu Liang's words and immediately asked, "Someone who knows me very well? Has Wulan Manor sent someone to the Zhou Kingdom to find someone?"

Su Chen wasn't overly worried.

On the contrary, seeing Su Chen's calmness made Gu Liang feel a bit concerned.

"Don't take this lightly, Elder Fan has invited a Transcendent Realm cultivator this time.

He's a powerful cultivator from the Zhou Kingdom, and he knows you well.

This Elder Sun, you studied under her for many years, and you should still address her as Master."

Upon hearing the name Elder Sun, Su Chen immediately realized who she was.

"You mean Sun Xuerong from the Yunyang Sect?"

"Yes, that's her name. She's already leading a team to find you, and in a while, she'll be heading to the Zhou Kingdom.

She'll directly ask your sect to hand you over.

Don't think you're safe.

You still have many dangers to face."

Hearing this, Su Chen let out a cold snort.

"She has the audacity to boast, even claiming that I studied under her. How shameless."

Gu Liang wanted to say something, but Su Chen didn't feel like chatting with him further.

They had discussed what needed to be discussed.

The younger generation of Wulan Mountain Mansion still looked down on him.

The disciples of the Great Sect were indeed confident.

Su Chen reconsidered his plans in his mind, thinking of putting more pressure on Wulan Mountain Mansion.

Additionally, Su Chen also wanted to face off against the younger generation of Wulan Mountain Mansion.

He had already reached the Fifth Rank Middle Realm, and among the younger generation, he was undoubtedly considered outstanding.

Without the need for an ambush, he could still emerge victorious.

However, the higher-ups of Wulan Mountain Mansion were watching closely, making it difficult to have a direct confrontation.

If they were to fight, they might still be in the midst of battle when Fan Chengyan would interfere.

After leaving the restaurant, Su Chen sought an opportunity to strike at three disciples of Wulan Mountain Mansion.

They were the ones who had helped Fan Chengyan deal with him.

Regardless of whether they were afraid or not, he didn't care if they accused him of ambushing them. It didn't matter.

He wanted to put pressure on Wulan Mountain Mansion.

Even if it only exhausted their manpower and resources, that would be fine.

After a month of calm, Wulan Mountain Mansion encountered another crisis.

At the very least, the higher-ups of the mountain mansion would be more anxious and worried.

After handling the matter, Su Chen no longer stayed in Yangchun City.

He left and headed south.

For several months, he hadn't collected any letters or gathered any news.

In his mind, he kept thinking about what Gu Liang had said.

According to Gu Liang, Sun Xuerong was leading a team to the Zhou Kingdom, intending to confront Heaven's Pivot City.

She was forcing Heaven's Pivot City to hand him over.

In fact, Heaven's Pivot City had been in correspondence with him.

Because the Zhou Kingdom had a relatively good relationship with the Jin State, and in the past few years, the Jin State had warned Wulan Mountain Mansion not to cause trouble in the Zhou Kingdom.

The last time, they had almost caused chaos throughout the entire Zhou Kingdom.

The Zhou Kingdom was small, but if it fell into chaos, it would be a significant matter for the Jin State.

So, when Su Chen heard this news, he had some doubts in his heart.

Wulan Mountain Mansion dared to cause trouble in Heaven's Pivot City?

This action was equivalent to the entire mountain mansion standing against all the sects of the Jin State.

The Jin State's western, northern, and eastern borders were all adjacent to the wilderness regions.

Only the southwestern and southern borders were slightly more stable, bordering other countries.

The lengthy border required a massive investment of manpower and resources to defend.

If Wulan Mountain Mansion caused chaos in the Zhou Kingdom, it would disturb the peace in the south for the Jin State.

If the Zhou Kingdom fell into chaos, would the smaller countries follow suit? This was also something to pay attention to.

They had already pledged allegiance to the Jin State, and they still held this attitude towards the smaller countries.

Would the other small countries continue to follow the Jin State?

Su Chen had thought about this long ago, and Elder Xuan had emphasized it in his letter.

He said that Heaven's Pivot City wouldn't face any danger, and Wulan Mountain Mansion wouldn't dare to offend again.

But just now, Gu Liang's certainty made Su Chen believe that Wulan Mountain Mansion had some plans.

Heading south, Su Chen prepared to see if Zhu Ming Palace and Heaven's Pivot City had left any messages for him.

In the Jin State, he had never found a suitable information broker.

There were no agencies selling intelligence.

This had always been a troublesome issue for Su Chen.

It seemed that in the Jin State, the channels for intelligence were monopolized by the Great Sects.

Even the mid-level sects didn't have the ability to establish their own intelligence agencies.

Thinking of this, Su Chen felt that this was a shackle holding back the sects of the Jin State.

Without their own intelligence, the sects would always be a step behind in various matters.

And this wasn't the worst part.

For these sects, there was an even bigger problem.

The intelligence they received was mostly passed down from the Great Sects above.

It was likely that the information had been processed and filtered.

They held onto valuable intelligence, only releasing trivial and insignificant news.

This shackle was a significant obstacle for ordinary sects to grow into Great Sects. It was truly difficult, difficult."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end