250: Prepare an ambush

In the ruined temple, the campfire reflected Qin Feng's ashen face. Looking at the three pieces of intelligence refreshed a day ago, each one was like a poisoned needle piercing his heart.

The green intelligence revealed Zhongli Wu's seasoned cunning—the opponent hadn't been completely lured away by Ji Ruxue. Instead, he keenly sensed it might be a decoy and only dispatched a portion of his forces (three Half-step Martial Emperors and four Martial Kings) to pursue her. His main force remained within a hundred-mile radius, searching as fine as a comb, even going so far as to kill the local Vice City Lord who came to question him to blockade the news and show his determination. This indicated that the conventional "luring the tiger from the mountain" tactic had limited effect.

Another piece of black intelligence showed that the probability of a successful breakout was about fifty percent, and the probability of a fight to the death was also fifty percent.

Since the odds are the same, it's better to fight to the death than to betray my companions.

The only slightly bright spot was the blue intelligence, suggesting that Ye Wuyou's stance might be exploitable, but the words "temporary rescue" also implied instability.

Just as his thoughts were racing, weighing whether to risk a rendezvous, a simple communication jade talisman on his waist, paired with Cold Peach Blossom's, warmed slightly, transmitting a fragmented but clear message: "Young Master Qin... have rescued Ji Ruxue... and Ye Wuyou... an assassin escaped... our location may be exposed... pursuers are coming..."

"Damn it!" Qin Feng growled, standing up abruptly. The worst-case scenario had occurred! Cold Peach Blossom successfully rescued them, but their tracks were also leaked. The escaped assassin would bring back information about them (and Qin Feng's possible location), and Zhongli Wu's main force would soon swarm in like sharks smelling blood!

"Xiao Chun!" Qin Feng looked sharply at the girl tending to Little Fire. "The 'emperor extermination powder' traps prepared earlier, along with the 'Half-Step to the West' and 'Blood-Sealing Throat' poisons—are they all ready?"

Although Xiao Chun was nervous, her movements were decisive as she nodded vigorously. "Yes! The trigger devices for the 'emperor extermination powder' have been set up on that rocky slope to the southeast, the best spot for an ambush. Following the map you drew, they're in three locations, supporting each other like the horns of a bull. I've carefully mixed the 'Half-Step to the West' powder into the surface soil and several conspicuous clumps of grass in key spots; it's colorless and odorless, easily kicked up and inhaled during intense movement or when Qi is jolted. The 'Blood-Sealing Throat' toxin is also ready; it's been applied to everyone's weapons and several hidden mechanical arrows." She pointed to several specialized leather cases and bottles nearby.

A cold glint flashed in Qin Feng's eyes. These three sinister items from the Medicine King Valley's treasury were finally going to be put to use. emperor extermination powder specifically corrodes a Martial Emperor's Qi and Divine Soul, making it the key to weakening powerful enemies; Half-Step to the West, mixed into the environment, can delay and weaken the combat power of mid-to-low-level enemies on a large scale; Blood-Sealing Throat is a finishing Sharp Weapon that kills instantly upon contact with blood. With these three working together, combined with the terrain and everyone's strength, they might truly tear a hole in this desperate situation, or even... strike back!

"Notify Peach Blossom," Qin Feng said quickly to Tao Yuanyi, while he also began checking the poison applied to his ink plum sword. "Tell her not to return here, but to take Ji Ruxue and Ye Wuyou directly toward the Southeast Rocky Slope! Lead the pursuers... to me! We will set an ambush there to meet them!"

"Yes!" Tao Yuanyi's expression was solemn as he immediately sent a message to Cold Peach Blossom using a special technique. Xia Ya had already hoisted her giant shield, the blade of her giant tooth sword shimmering with a faint blue toxic light. Everyone checked their weapons and armor, the air thick with the murderous Aura preceding a great battle.

Qin Feng took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his unease and anxiety, leaving only cold killing intent and desperate determination in his eyes. Zhongli Wu, Corpse Demon Sect Master... don't you want our lives? Then come and see who steps into this meticulously prepared death trap first!

...Almost simultaneously, at the Yin Demon Sect's temporary camp.

Another high-ranking official sent by the Blood-Filled Tower to coordinate—Manager Blue Nightmare, a middle-aged man with a sinister face and eyes like a vulture—received the latest intelligence brought back by "Iron Mask" after he fled back in panic.

"Ye Wuyou... has actually betrayed us as well?" Blue Nightmare tapped his fingers on the table with a soft "thump-thump," a cold smile appearing on his face. "Good, very good. One 'Qing Xue' wasn't enough, and now we add 'Ye Wuyou'... The Tower Master was just worried he didn't have enough excuses to clean house. Send the order: all those belonging to the Blood-Filled Tower are to cooperate with our Fellow Daoist from the Yin Demon Sect to prioritize hunting down these two traitors! Dead or alive!"

Someone below took the order and left.

Zhongli Wu and the Corpse Demon Sect Master were also in the tent. After hearing Iron Mask's description, Zhongli Wu's brow furrowed under his hood.

"Cold Peach Blossom? The Personal Disciple of Sikong Ye from the Medicine King Valley... She appeared there to receive Ji Ruxue..." Zhongli Wu mused. "This means that kid Qin Feng is likely nearby! They haven't gone far, and might even... have set an ambush, waiting for us to be lured over by Ji Ruxue?"

The Corpse Demon Sect Master cackled, patting a zombie beside him that was dark gold all over, emitting a nauseating stench of decay and a powerful pressure. "Brother Zhongli, you're being far too cautious! Even if there's an ambush, so what? A few Martial Kings, plus an injured Ji Ruxue, a traitorous Ye Wuyou, and a Cold Peach Blossom... can they really turn the world upside down? If you're afraid, my 'Golden Corpse' can lead the charge! Whatever traps or poisons they have, we'll trample them first!"

Zhongli Wu's eyes flickered. While the Corpse Demon Sect Master's words were arrogant, they weren't without reason. In the face of absolute strength, small schemes were often fragile. What he feared were the hidden cards the Medicine King Valley might have left behind, or the inexplicable "weirdness" about Qin Feng. But now that the arrow was on the string and the Blood-Filled Tower had shown its stance, any further hesitation might lead his partners to look down on him and even affect the Sacred Sect's grand plan.

"Hmph!" Zhongli Wu snorted coldly and stood up, his black robes moving without wind. "Would I be afraid? I just don't want to be toyed with by juniors. Since the general area is confirmed and we have clear targets... then according to plan, we shall surround them! Manager Blue Nightmare, please have your Tower's experts cooperate in blockading the perimeter to prevent them from escaping again. Corpse Demon Sect Master, your 'Golden Corpse' will lead the way!"

"Haha, good!" the Corpse Demon Sect Master laughed.

"As it should be," Manager Blue Nightmare replied sinisterly.

Orders were quickly dispatched. A large number of elites from the Yin Demon Sect and the Corpse Demon Sect, personally led by Zhongli Wu and the Corpse Demon Sect Master, surged like a black tide toward the direction where Cold Peach Blossom and Ji Ruxue were retreating—the Southeast Rocky Slope where Qin Feng had set his death trap. Several diamond-level assassins from the Blood-Filled Tower spread out like ghosts, prowling the perimeter and weaving an invisible net of slaughter.

The night was deep, and the killing intent had condensed into something tangible. On one side was a meticulously arranged, lethal trap designed for the weak to overcome the strong; on the other was a menacing army of vengeance with overwhelming power.

The Southeast Rocky Slope was filled with jagged rocks, casting eerie shadows under the pale moonlight like a giant maw waiting to devour, quietly awaiting the nourishment of blood.

Qin Feng lay behind a large rock, his ink plum sword across his knees, the toxin on the blade reflecting the faint light. Beside him, Xiao Chun nervously gripped a poisoned dagger, Xia Ya's giant shield stood tall, and Tao Yuanyi's spear lay in wait like a dragon. Further away, Cold Peach Blossom should be racing toward this land of death with the injured Ji Ruxue and Ye Wuyou.

The wind wailed, sounding like a prelude for the dead.