Chapter 104: The Blood-Slaying Alliance

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Standing on a distant rooftop was Pamoji, whose divine awareness had long detected the presence of three Golden Core cultivators within the Shen family estate. However, lacking absolute confidence in victory, he dared not intervene and instead concealed himself nearby to observe.

Though he had shielded his own aura, it was still detected by a mere early Golden Core cultivator, which sent a flicker of alarm through Pamoji’s heart. Secretly, he was relieved that he had not rashly stepped forward to intervene.

Only after the three had moved away did Pamoji take flight from the rooftop and head straight toward the Shen family estate.

Liu Junhuai and two others exited the Shen family estate, having completely sealed off Cheng Kelei’s consciousness. They then summoned the Cloud Piercer and sped deep into the Crane Crest Mountain Range.

Half an hour later, they arrived before the grave of Liu Junhuai’s mother, Mrs. Liu.

They placed several severed heads before the tomb, arranged various offerings, and burned a censer of incense. The three knelt in a row and kowtowed deeply three times to Mrs. Liu.

Mo Sitong murmured a few words to her deceased parents-in-law, then quietly stepped aside.

Liu Junhuai remained kneeling on the ground, slowly recounting the process of revenge to his mother. Unconsciously, two clear tears welled from his eyes.

They lingered at the tomb for three full hours before the three entered the chaotic space.

Shen Duoduo and Wu Bini, accompanied by Ajiu, waited at the entrance to the Mountain River Gourd. When the three returned, Shen Duoduo was unusually silent and said no more, following them back to Qingyun Lake.

After briefly recounting the revenge, Liu Junhuai said, “My great enmity has been avenged, but those two suspects remain at large. Uncle Wu must contact the sect and have everyone enter Pingdu City tomorrow. I have arranged to meet Pamoji at noon tomorrow at the City Lord’s Mansion arena. You will accompany them there. I will not interfere in the capture of Zhi Gongjian and Yun Jiezi. Uncle Wu, you must devise a plan; act according to the situation.”

Fang Keyin said, “Soon I, you, and Grandpa Bian will escort Wan Ren out. Three Golden Core cultivators suddenly appearing in the Shen estate makes me worried they might escape.”

Liu Junhuai replied, “They shouldn’t run. Cheng Kelei’s capture must have drawn the attention of the Black-Clothed faction. To prevent leaks, they will surely send reinforcements. Grandpa, I have a hunch that Pamoji is connected to the Black-Clothed group. Perhaps he holds a certain rank within that secret organization. When we were at the Shen estate, Cheng Kelei treated him with great respect. Though the Meteorite Mansion is backed by Yanfu Palace, I sensed a superior-subordinate relationship between them.”

Bian Jizhong said, “Didn’t Pamoji gather some cultivators to aid him? Tell us about this.”

Liu Junhuai said, “Pamoji called seven assistants: one early Golden Core, one mid-stage Golden Core, and five late Foundation Establishment cultivators. Knowing our strength, he might recruit more. The real battle has yet to begin. I intend to return for further investigation. To win a hundred battles, one must know oneself and the enemy.”

Wu Wanren said urgently, “Then we should hurry. Liu Junhuai, send me out first. I must quickly report to the sect leader and mobilize reinforcements.”

Liu Junhuai nodded, “I will send you out now. Also, Uncle Wu, instruct Sect Leader Xiao to closely monitor the recruits for any suspicious cultivators contacting outsiders. This is an unforeseen change. If there are traitors, they will surely transmit these developments.”

Bian Yanshan said, “Enough talk. Let’s go. We have only a dozen hours. We must arrive before them.”

With that, they rose and exited the chaotic space, boarding the Cloud Piercer to fly outside Pingdu City.

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Within half an incense stick’s time, they arrived outside the city. After setting down Fang Keyin and two others, they handed over the sealed Cheng Kelei to Wu Wanren. Liu Junhuai redirected toward the Shen estate.

Stealthily entering the sixth courtyard, Pamoji was still there, conversing with the Shen family members.

It was clear the Shen family had given up defending against Liu Junhuai, but Pamoji stubbornly refused to abandon them, leaving Shen Ao helpless.

Pamoji said, “Head of the Shen family, Liu Junhuai is nearly exterminating your people. Wouldn’t it be a pity to give up now? After all, I’ve already gathered reinforcements. You wouldn’t abandon them halfway, would you?”

Shen Ao replied, “Senior Pamoji, you don’t know. Before leaving, Liu Junhuai warned the Shen family not to oppose him anymore. People have already died by his hand. I begged him to spare the few of us alive. The mineral rights have been left to you, and the Shen family can no longer help. The family estate has long been sold off. You have enough to pay for your hired hands. Please spare the last few of us.”

Shen Bingwen shouted, “Grandfather, Liu Junhuai has killed so many of us. Should we just let this go? This is our only chance for revenge. Since the family estate has been handed over, why not wait one more day?”

Shen Hengyi angrily slapped him and roared, “Are you trying to get all Shen family members killed? That brat Liu Junhuai’s power is immense—three Golden Core cultivators at will. What revenge could you possibly exact? Hiring these people has already bankrupted us; how can we summon more?”

Shen Bingwen said, “Don’t we still have the Shen estate? We could mortgage it to Lord Xi first.”

Shen Ao spat blood, trembling as he pointed at Shen Bingwen, unable to speak.

Pamoji coldly watched their quarrel, a faint sneer at the corner of his mouth. “Head of the Shen family, since I’ve brought the people you requested, if you continue to refuse, I will slaughter you all myself without waiting for Liu Junhuai.”

Shen Hengyi gazed at Pamoji bitterly, then turned to Shen Ao. “Father, our current plight is all because of the scheming of your eldest daughter-in-law. I am ashamed before our ancestors. Now there’s this one,” Hengyi pointed at Shen Bingwen, “it seems we’ve invited wolves into the Shen family!” Saying this, he rapidly plunged a dagger into his own chest. He looked up at the ancestral portrait hanging high in the hall and slowly collapsed.

Shen Bingwen fell atop Hengyi, wailing uncontrollably. Shen Ao’s eyes turned vacant, while his two other sons stared blankly at their fallen eldest brother.

Pamoji snorted coldly and strode away.

Liu Junhuai withdrew his divine sight, sighed, and descended quietly behind Pamoji.

Pamoji arrived at the fourth courtyard, where Yun Jiezi and Zhi Gongjian were discussing matters. Upon seeing Pamoji enter, they quickly stood and bowed their heads to the side.

“Don’t even think of escaping. Anyone who tries will be torn limb from limb! Now we’re all bound together; only by united effort can we leave Pingdu City alive,” Pamoji said with hatred.

Zhi Gongjian said, “Elder Pamoji, we’ll follow your lead. But at noon tomorrow, with our current strength, can we stand against Liu Junhuai? They have three Golden Core cultivators.”

Pamoji replied, “Tonight two more Golden Core cultivators will arrive, plus five late Foundation Establishment cultivators. Our strength is not inferior. Besides, the alliance leader has sent several reinforcements who will arrive at dawn. Liu Junhuai must be eliminated, and Cheng Kelei, even if we can’t rescue him, must be silenced. If news of the organization leaks, our entire Bloodshed Alliance will be hunted to extinction by the cultivation world.”

In the shadows, Liu Junhuai’s heart leapt with joy. This Bloodshed Alliance must be the Black-Clothed faction. The truth was drawing ever closer.

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Yun Jiezi asked, “Elder Pamoji, why did you have us come to aid the Shen family? Was it at Cheng Kelei’s invitation?”

Pamoji said, “You don’t need to know what you shouldn’t. The alliance leader has his reasons. I suspect Liu Junhuai knows some inside information and am considering whether he has reported to the leader.”

Zhi Gongjian said, “Elder Pamoji, don’t worry. Liu Junhuai surely doesn’t know. Otherwise, he would have leaked the news to a sect and wouldn’t have come himself, exposing his hand.”

Pamoji said, “Then why hasn’t he killed Cheng Kelei outright? This man is ruthless. Has he left any survivors in the past days? Why spare only Cheng Kelei?”

Yun Jiezi thought for a moment and said, “Perhaps he fears leaving prematurely. Also, he hasn’t captured Shen Bingwen—maybe as a threat. In any case, Liu Junhuai must be killed. He poses too great a threat and has many secrets hidden among his young Golden Core allies.”

Zhi Gongjian said, “So what? Secrets are only obtained by capture. This man is terrifying, and his scheming is even darker. This revenge was meticulously planned. If he lacks a strategist, he will become a formidable hero with terrifying methods.”

“Enough,” Pamoji said with some annoyance. “No matter how strong he is, he cannot contend with the Bloodshed Alliance. One-on-one, I could kill him without our help. You two keep watch here; I will go and dig into Shen Ao’s resources.” Saying this, he left with hands behind his back.

Liu Junhuai knew nothing more could be gleaned before their reinforcements arrived and turned to leave the Shen estate.

His divine sight located Fang Keyin and the others. Mounting his flying sword, Liu Junhuai sped to join them.

After regrouping, he sent a communication jade talisman and piloted the Cloud Piercer back to where he had parted with Wu Wanren.

Half an hour later, Wu Wanren arrived in haste, followed by Sect Leader Xiao Qingtian of the Tianji Sect.

After settling them inside the Cloud Piercer, Liu Junhuai produced a crystal orb. “This orb records images, scenes, and sounds of a person. Sect Leader Xiao, please infuse it with your true essence and try.”

Xiao Qingtian infused a trace of true essence, and the recorded images of Pamoji and the two others appeared. They watched with great excitement. This confirmed the existence of the Black-Clothed faction. Capturing the three would lead to more information.

Liu Junhuai wiped a small section of his own divine sight from the orb and returned it to Xiao Qingtian. “This crystal orb is exceedingly precious. Sect Leader Xiao, you must return it after use!”

Xiao Qingtian smiled. “You’re so stingy—hardly like a Golden Core cultivator. If Wanren brings it to me, I will keep my word. By the way, I found a suspicious cultivator in the Haitian Pavilion and have reported it to my sect. Thanks to your care, you’ve saved us from a potential crisis. This is a great merit.”

Liu Junhuai said, “I don’t want any merit. Just don’t spread word of my involvement.”

Xiao Qingtian said, “Rest assured. You have contributed much to our sects. I will keep your secret.”