It was at dawn when Wu Guang, Xiao Feng, Duqi, and the Cui brothers arrived at the tower at last.

Surprisingly waiting for them was Old Rui, he explained that the information he had brought when he arrived before was the reason why Cui An stayed.

Only when they were supposedly safe inside the tower, the youngsters felt tired. After all, this night was long and eventful. Old Rui decided to don't tire Wu Guang even more with the night's events in the city and recommended

"When Palace Master Chen arrives, we will speak of it. For now, go to sleep"

Nodding, both Wu Guang and Xiao Feng went to their rooms on the Wisdom's floor, while Ji Yong arranged one of the free rooms for Duqi.

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When Elder Chen arrived at the tower several hours later, he summoned everyone involved in the night events to a big meeting room located on the tenth floor of the tower.

Inside the room, Wu Guang, Xiao Feng, and the Cui brothers were standing near a table where Elder Chen, Zhen Mang, Lang Zheng, and Old Rui were sitting.

After the Cui brothers reported everything that had happened, they were dismissed.

Right after they left, Zhen Mang introduced Lang Zheng to Wu Guang and Xiao Feng. After they greeted him with cupped fists, they were told to take seats by the table by Elder Chen.

The discussion of the events from different points of view was long, surprisingly Old Rui also added another one, which was the City. It turned out that several assassinations had happened during the night in the city. Most of the targets were officials and officers, with a few merchants mixed in. In total, sixteen people were killed with no survivors or eyewitnesses.

When everyone had finished talking, Elder Chen spoke, "To summarize; In the city, a group of officials, officers, and merchants had access to the tunnels, and they used them for contraband purposes while also renting their use to different parties. Before we could catch them, they were eliminated by the assassins, which seem to be part of the Underhill group. They had wanted to cover their kidnapping of the Clan's warriors and younglings."

"As we know, the kidnapping was successful because of some unknown sleeping drug which the assembly warrior administered to incapacitate the Clan's group. Its effects are potent enough to knock out any expert below the Sage realm, but it was negated by the bloodline powers in both Lang Zheng and Duqi's cases. In the former case, most probably as an intended effect, the qi in the dantian was suppressed." Elder Chen paused, contemplating for a moment.

He continued, "During our visit to the tunnels and mines, Zhen Wang and I encountered a group of death swords and captured one. From the two Soul realm master assassins, one was killed and exploded with a strange acidic substance somewhat alike to the Death Rain. The other escaped with the person they call Master Zhao."

"During this time, Wu Guang's group fought off two Spirit realm assassins and killed eight non-cultivators. The attackers, including the two Body realms that guarded the young Clansmen were confirmed as city guards on leave."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Later, when Zhen Mang and Lang Zheng were moving to the tower, they found the bodies of the escaped spearman and both Spirit realm assassins near the north wall stairs. They were probably disposed of by their organization." At this, Elder Chen could tell their opponents were ruthless.

"Meanwhile, the enforcers that I sent to scout the tunnels and city completed their tasks successfully. We have full knowledge of the tunnels and all the exits are mapped. Even so, we regretfully could not catch the one that is the probable mastermind or a representative thereof - Master Zao. Does anyone wants to add something?" He finished and glanced around at each person present.

"Hmm, although the rescue was a success and we have found some clues, the question still stands. Why?"

"You are right Enforcer Zhen, we can't guess the reason, at least for now. There is also another question, is this somehow related with the ambush on the Shu father and son that you told me about?" asked Lang Zheng who was silently listening to everything after quickly recounting how they were captured, how he awoke quickly but suffering from a strange qi deprivation and thus decided to wait off and then hunt of the attackers. When he had recuperated enough, he saw them leaving the mine and sensing Elder Chen and Zhen Mang went to their encounter.

"The timing is too suspicious, but the attackers are different. The only case that would explain this, would be if the mastermind is the same. As for the reason, my guess is that it may be a matter related to something in the Wildlands or the Demonic Cliff. If I am right, most probably they wanted to provoke a fight between the Clans and the Sect, weakening both and creating an opening to enter the wildlands.

Old Rui, you have something on your mind?" When Elder Chen spoke about his guesses, he noticed Old Rui's thoughtful expression and probed

"I don't know if I am on the right, but I have been thinking about the things used in all this. Black mist, qi erasing crystal, an unknown sleeping drug, and even some kind of strange acid. The Flowing Leaves city general, the Underhill group, and the tunnel information. This all requires a lot of money and resources. If it's a single mastermind, who could finance all this?"

"There is no one on Half Island like that, even people from the Qiu family would not be able to spend such amount" Zhen Mang said

"Exactly my point. But what if the mastermind is not from the island?"

"I doubt we will reach a conclusion to this with what we know. But, Old Rui, you have risen the right issue. When we return to the sect we should try to investigate if there have been any new rune ships arriving lately" Said Elder Chen.

Some moments later, the meeting ended. It was decided to leave for the sect in two days, which would be enough for everyone to recuperate. Meanwhile, Elder Chen, Zhen Mang, and Old Rui would try to seek clues in the city. Lang Zheng decided to send a message to the Assembly explaining what happened, and after discussing some details to stay in the sect for a few months as a visitor.

The young clansmen were about to awake and Xiao Feng would take care of them, but as Wu Guang had no ties with them he decided to center on cultivation during this time.

When everyone left, Elder Chen gave some cultivation pointers to Wu Guang who he had motioned to stay. Unbeknownst to him though, Wu Guang did not need them, although he listened and then thanked the elder honestly.