The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 77: Countermeasures

"But how did they breach the outer sentry posts on the mountain? When we fled back, we clearly ordered the guards along the way to heighten their vigilance," Li Feiyu muttered to himself in confusion.

"There's nothing strange about it. The Wild Wolf Gang must have plotted this large-scale attack for a long time. Planting a few spies on the periphery would be effortless for them. With these traitors leading the way, it’s only natural that the sentry posts were taken out silently," Han Li said indifferently.

"However, the Wild Wolf Gang won’t find it easy to capture all the branch halls. I suspect they plan to surround but not attack the peaks where each hall is located, then concentrate their other experts to focus on assaulting Sunset Peak, where the main hall is. As long as they capture or kill our sect’s leaders, the remaining halls will collapse without a fight."

"So what should we do now? Should we head to Sunset Peak?" Li Feiyu pressed impatiently.

Han Li remained silent for a long moment before suddenly turning to face Li Feiyu and speaking gravely:

"You still haven’t told me how the entire negotiation team, filled with so many experts, was wiped out. Logically, the Wild Wolf Gang shouldn’t have such overwhelming strength."

At these words, Li Feiyu’s facial muscles twitched. He unconsciously licked his parched lips and forced a bitter smile.

"They deployed a large number of repeating crossbows—military-grade reinforced ones at that."

"Military repeating crossbows?"

"Exactly."

"At the time, we had only been away from the mountain for two days and were crossing a grassy plain. Since we were still within our own territory, everyone was relaxed. Suddenly, countless Wild Wolf Gang members emerged from underground all around us, each armed with a heavy crossbow. A storm of bolts rained down on us—so dense that all the disciples with weaker martial skills died instantly under the barrage. Only a handful of the most skilled or luckiest managed to survive the initial attack, though every one of them was injured, their combat strength greatly diminished. I was one of the fortunate ones—otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it back."

As he spoke, Li Feiyu still seemed haunted by the memory, his eyes betraying a trace of lingering fear. The horror of that crossbow volley had clearly left a deep mark on him.

"After the bolts stopped flying, their experts moved in, and we were locked in a desperate battle. To increase our chances of survival, the remaining survivors split up, each breaking through on their own."

"I was lucky—I wasn’t considered a high-priority target, so the pursuers sent after me were few and not particularly strong. Somehow, I managed to fight my way out. But when I tried to return, I discovered that all the outposts along the way, which should have been manned by our people, had already been taken over by the Wild Wolf Gang. They were lying in wait for escapees like me to walk into their trap. After falling for it once or twice, I didn’t dare seek help anymore."

"Determined to learn the fate of the others, I later ambushed one of the Wild Wolf Gang’s Blue-robed Law Enforcers. From him, I learned that Sect Leader Wu and several Elders had been surrounded and killed by their experts. Only a few like me—deemed unimportant but skilled enough—managed to escape.""Upon learning this news, I didn't dare delay for even a moment and desperately rushed back to the mountains. Along the way, I accidentally encountered two other escaped temple guardians like myself, so we fled together for a full day and night before finally returning to the mountains."

"Upon returning, those two guardians went to Sunset Peak to inform Sect Leader Wang about the complete annihilation of the negotiation team. I made up an excuse about needing to heal my wounds and secretly came to you first to discuss how we should handle this."

"Think about it - Sect Leader Wu and so many others died in the ambush, yet only a few of us mid-ranking members managed to escape. Who knows if the higher-ups might vent their anger on us to shift blame, making us scapegoats."

"And now, before I could even finish explaining this to you, the Wild Wolf Gang has already attacked. Tell me, what should we do now!"

Li Feiyu poured out all these words in one breath, his expression turning somewhat helpless again.

After listening, Han Li frowned and tilted his head in thought.

The sounds of fighting on the mountain grew more intense, occasionally punctuated by the shrill screams of dying men, sending chills down one's spine.

"Do you still have any subordinates on the mountain?" Han Li's voice became very low.

"Yes, I have over twenty men stationed in several houses near Elder Li's residence. I originally planned to take them out of the mountains on business after returning from negotiations."

"Good. First we'll go to Elder Li's residence to gather with these men, and incidentally meet up with Miss Zhang Xiuer and Elder Li. As for our next steps, we'll decide after assessing the specific situation," Han Li said calmly, appearing very rational.

"Alright, I'll follow your lead."

"With all this chaos outside, I'm really worried about Xiuer!" Li Feiyu grew visibly anxious.

Han Li shot Li Feiyu a glance, truly unable to understand this guy's thinking. On one hand, he was extremely anxious and concerned about Zhang Xiuer; on the other, knowing his own lifespan was short, he still insisted on marrying her, clearly condemning her to widowhood!

"What a contradictory fellow!" Han Li silently gave his friend this unflattering assessment.

Han Li lightly leaped down from the roof first, with Li Feiyu following shortly after.

"I'll go pack some things, then we'll leave immediately."

"Good, please hurry. I'm really worried about Xiuer's safety."

Hearing this, Han Li could only remain silent.

The way the other kept saying "Xiuer" so affectionately made Han Li feel both somewhat disdainful and somewhat envious.

Ignoring Li Feiyu who had suddenly transformed into a lovesick fool, Han Li returned to his room and began efficiently gathering several essential items.

(End of Chapter)