Chapter 53: Overestimating One’s Abilities

“Hmph, Old Li went to the Hiring Guild and posted a notice at all costs to rescue his son and daughter-in-law. Is there any doubt about that?” Ye Zihan frowned, speaking with righteous indignation.

“That Old Li dared to post a mission at the Hiring Guild, claiming that our Liuguang Stronghold kidnapped his son and daughter-in-law?” one of the leaders exclaimed, disbelief in his voice.

“Hmph, that wretch Li Han! We saved him out of goodwill that day, and this is how he repays us? What a traitor.”

“We really shouldn’t have saved him. It would’ve been better to let Qingshui Stronghold capture him instead.”

The other leaders chimed in, their faces red with anger.

Ye Zihan and Yan Chen exchanged glances, frowning as they tried to make sense of the situation. What was really going on here? Did Liuguang Stronghold actually save Old Li?

The burly, broad-shouldered chief shook his head with a sigh. “The human heart is truly treacherous. But I suspect Old Li had no choice; his son and daughter-in-law are in the hands of Qingshui Stronghold. He must have been forced to post that mission.”

“Even so, does he remember that if we hadn’t stepped in that day, he would’ve died at Shuijian Hollow?”

“Seventh Brother is right. That Old Li is nothing but an ungrateful villain!”

The chief waved his hand, signaling the leaders to be silent, then turned to Ye Zihan and Yan Chen. “Did you two really take on Old Li’s mission?”

Yan Chen, realizing things were not as simple as they appeared, did not hide the truth. He recounted everything: accepting the mission, meeting Old Li, and what followed.

As he spoke, the room was filled with the sound of heavy breathing. The leaders clenched their fists so tightly that veins bulged like serpents along their arms.

At that moment, a bandit rushed in, shouting from afar, “Report… report… Chief, Qingshui Stronghold has launched a surprise attack! They’ve already breached our first line of defense at Shuijian Hollow!”

“What? Qingshui Stronghold is attacking us?”

“Hmph! And you two still claim not to be spies? Qingshui Stronghold is at our gates. They must have sent you to sow chaos and catch Liuguang Stronghold off guard!”

“Let’s kill these two brats first, then go slaughter those scoundrels from Qingshui Stronghold!”

Many of the leaders bristled with hostility, but the chief bellowed, “Silence, all of you! The most pressing matter now is to hold the defenses at Shuijian Hollow. We must not let Qingshui Stronghold break through.”

He then turned to Ye Zihan and Yan Chen. “Do you know who the people standing behind you are? They are corrupt officials. The more grievous their wounds, the more they have plundered from the people and the more innocents they have harmed.”

Stunned, Ye Zihan and Yan Chen turned to see seven or eight men behind them scatter the moment they heard these words. In that instant, the two understood: what else could this be but a guilty conscience?

Could it be they had been used from the start? Was Liuguang Stronghold truly not the villain here? The two exchanged a silent glance, unable to answer the burly chief.

“Our Liuguang Stronghold has no quarrel with you two. You may leave the mountain now,” the chief said, waving them off without resistance.

“Hmph, you want to send us away before this is settled? Absolutely not.” Ye Zihan sneered coldly.

Yan Chen added, “We will not leave until the truth is clear. Didn’t you say Qingshui Stronghold has attacked? We’ll go with you and see for ourselves whether we were truly deceived by Old Li.”

They were men of passion and honor. If their actions had led to the attack on Liuguang Stronghold, how could they stand by and do nothing? As for Qingshui Stronghold, they were determined to uncover the truth of Old Li’s story.

The other leaders and two deputies had already left. Only the chief remained. “Very well, come with me.”

The three of them hurried through the mountains, soon arriving at the foot of the ridge behind the stronghold. Before them lay a modest hollow, named Shuijian Hollow, marking the border with Qingshui Stronghold.

As they arrived, the air was filled with the sounds of battle—shouts, screams, and the clash of weapons echoing through Shuijian Hollow as dawn approached.

“Who is that?” Yan Chen’s pupils contracted as he stared at the mounted figure at the highest point in the hollow.

Ye Zihan recognized him as well. “That’s Old Li! He’s a cultivator?!”

Even the chief was stunned, gritting his teeth in hatred. “It seems we’ve all been played for fools. He must have taken some elixir to conceal his strength and appear like an ordinary man.”

Atop his horse, Li Han was radiant, laughing heartily. “Many thanks to you two young friends. We stood guard all night, thinking you’d never act.”

“So you really are spies?!” The Seventh Leader, who had earlier attacked in the council hall, erupted with rage and raised his weapon, only to be stopped by the chief.

“Seventh Brother, do not act rashly. These two young men are not villains. I am certain they will give Liuguang Stronghold an explanation.” The chief paused, then continued, “Our priority now is to intercept the men of Qingshui Stronghold.”

The chief’s words left Ye Zihan speechless, but also kindled a fierce anger within him. The Old Li atop his horse was nothing like the feeble man they had met before; his face was ruddy, his eyes gleaming with joy, and his wrinkles had vanished, replaced by the youthful appearance of a man in his twenties. He was far from the frail elder they’d believed him to be.

“You dared deceive us for money?” Yan Chen’s voice was icy. Ye Zihan ground his teeth in anger—he had wanted to stand up for Old Li, only to be used as a tool. The sting of betrayal was bitter indeed.

This “Old Li” was in truth named Li Dadao, a young man who had recently joined Qingshui Stronghold and had already risen to the rank of second chief—a clear sign of his abilities.

“You two young men, if you’re not content here, why not join Qingshui Stronghold? With your talents, you’d surely become leaders in no time,” Li Dadao shouted down at them, his companions having already descended into the melee, leaving him alone, gazing loftily at the battlefield below.

The pain of betrayal gnawed at Ye Zihan and Yan Chen. With a shout, both drew their weapons and, using intricate footwork, charged up the slope toward Li Dadao.

“Foolish boys. Were it not for the favor you’ve done Qingshui Stronghold, I wouldn’t waste words on you.” Li Dadao’s face was full of disdain. Seeing the two approach, he leapt down from his horse and, with a flourish, swung his long saber in rapid succession.

His technique was that of the Night-Tier, and as the second chief of Qingshui Stronghold, he was a Flame Shadow Warrior at the late Four Symbols stage, already glimpsing the threshold of the Five Elements realm—one foot already across.

He appeared under thirty, yet possessed such strength—a testament to his remarkable talent.

“Young men, fall back! He’s already half a step into the Five Elements realm. You are no match for him!” the chief of Liuguang Stronghold called out. Arrogant he might be, yet he was sincere and upright. The men of Liuguang Stronghold were all forthright and would never exploit the people or let their brothers come to harm.

No matter what Ye Zihan and Yan Chen had done before, now that they fought with Liuguang Stronghold against Qingshui Stronghold, they were counted as brothers. With his twin war hammers swinging in great arcs, the chief cut down foes as he raced to their aid.

“Chief of Liuguang Stronghold…” Ye Zihan and Yan Chen saw the chief rushing to their side and were moved. This was true brotherhood. No wonder the men of the stronghold held him in such high regard.

Despite some past grievances, he fought by their side without hesitation. In that moment, the two paid him deep respect.

Though Li Dadao had one foot in the Five Elements realm, he was still at the Four Symbols stage, while Ye Zihan and Yan Chen were at the Three Talents stage. Yet their skills were formidable, and they could withstand a few exchanges.

“Blazing Flame Saber!” Li Dadao roared, unleashing his Night-Tier skill. His saber seemed doused in oil, blazing with fierce fire.

“Dancing Fire Serpent!” Yan Chen’s Azure Peak sword moved like a spirit snake, trailing flames in its wake. As a scion of one of the three great hidden clans, his skills were not weak. This was a Wind-Tier technique, superior to Li Dadao’s Night-Tier, making up for their difference in strength.

There are five technique tiers: Shadow, Night, Wind, Moon, and Blood, in ascending order. Yan Chen’s Wind-Tier technique naturally surpassed Li Dadao’s.

“Shadow Thorn Ignites the Plains!” Ye Zihan would not be outdone. With a shout, his Red Lotus Dagger blazed with firelight, illuminating his determined face.

The two charged, their weapons clashing with Li Dadao’s saber, the collision sending a thunderous shockwave that made the ears of those nearby ring painfully.

“Overestimating yourselves! How can a faint glow rival the bright moon? You two ignorant boys are no match for me!” Li Dadao laughed loudly, his single stroke sending Ye Zihan and Yan Chen flying, even though their techniques and weapons were superior. In the face of overwhelming strength, such advantages meant little.

With one foot in the Five Elements realm, Li Dadao was not someone two Three Talents cultivators could resist—like adults effortlessly sweeping aside children.

Ye Zihan and Yan Chen felt a metallic taste rise in their throats and spat blood, their bodies tracing arcs through the air.

“Young men, fall back! Let me deal with this villain, and you may do with him as you wish!” The chief of Liuguang Stronghold arrived in time, catching the two as they fell and, wielding his twin hammers, charged with a roar at Li Dadao!