Chen Zhongming was lost and desperate.
After everyone had chimed in about the experiences of the experts from their respective sects, they all felt a little ashamed.
After a long while, seeing that Chen Zhongming still hadn't spoken, they exchanged glances.
Chen Zhongming suddenly realized, "Where is Mr. Zhao?"
Everyone turned their heads and looked around.
They realized that one person was indeed missing, Grandmaster Zhao Shenggu of the Demon Heart Sect.
"This—"
"Why didn't Mr. Zhao come?"
"Could it be that he suddenly changed his mind and decided not to come?"
"That's possible."
Zhao Shenggu, as a Grandmaster of the Demon Heart Sect, had agreed to an assassination attempt despite not being near the end of his lifespan, which had already made them feel strange.
Now, it seemed that he was just putting on a brave face, and ultimately regretted it, so he simply didn't come.
"Mr. Zhao wouldn't do that," Chen Zhongming shook his head.
He didn't think Zhao Shenggu was the type to be all talk and no action, strong on the outside but weak on the inside.
Instead, he was a ruthless person, not only to others but also to himself.
Since he had agreed, he would never go back on his word.
The others shook their heads.
"But Mr. Zhao just didn't come. It's not like he couldn't find the way, right?"
"Or could it be that something happened to him?"
"What could have happened?"
"...Could it be that he fell in Jade Capital City?"
Several people gasped simultaneously, their expressions darkening.
They exchanged glances, suddenly feeling that this was highly likely.
"Could something really have happened to Mr. Zhao?"
The middle-aged man, Feng Rui, said in a deep voice, "I'm quite familiar with Mr. Zhao. I know that he has a scar on his arm."
"Then..."
"I'll go take a look at the White Bone Pagoda at Ziyang Manor."
"...How about we go together?"
"Be careful when looking at the White Bone Pagoda," someone suggested. "Many people went to look at the White Bone Pagoda, and ended up in the White Bone Pagoda themselves."
"That guy should have left already."
"Who knows? What if he's guarding the White Bone Pagoda?"
"He's capable of doing something like that!"
The surrounding people discussed animatedly.
Some were kind, advising him not to go, while others had a gleeful, watching-the-show mentality, urging him to take a look.
They also wanted to go, but didn't dare, so it would be best if this brave person went to see.
Chen Zhongming watched coldly, sneering inwardly, feeling extremely disheartened.
It was no wonder that Chu Zhiyuan defeated them one by one. Even at this point, they hadn't forgotten to fight among themselves!
Thinking of this, he said in a deep voice, "Mr. Feng, I'll go with you."
"Thank you, Mr. Chen," Feng Rui nodded readily. "Then shall we leave now?"
"Let's go!"
Chen Zhongming glanced at the others, "Mr. Feng and I will be back within half an hour. Please wait a moment."
"Young Master Chen, be careful."
"If you find anything amiss, leave immediately and don't hesitate."
"Of course," Chen Zhongming cupped his fist lightly and floated away.
Feng Rui hurried to follow.
Chen Zhongming took out the string of black beads from his sleeve, gently removed one, and handed it to Feng Rui, "Mr. Feng, take this, and he won't be able to detect you."
"...Thank you, Young Master Chen."
Feng Rui felt that Chen Zhongming wouldn't risk his life to joke with him, so he took it.
As soon as he took the black bead, a faint aura entered his palm, and then surged into his body.
He frowned and focused his mind to look inward, but didn't find anything unusual.
He was somewhat wary of Chen Zhongming.
He wouldn't let his guard down against any expert from any sect.
"Mr. Feng, do you think Mr. Zhao is...?"
"I'm afraid it's more likely that he's met with misfortune."
"Yes...I understand Lao Zhao. He's vicious and cold-blooded, but he's definitely a man of his word. Once he agrees, he'll never go back on it."
"...Let's hope not."
"If Lao Zhao is gone too, are we still going to continue the assassination?"
"As long as we can gather twelve people, we'll do it!"
"Even if you're the only Grandmaster, you'll still do it?"
"Yes."
"Actually, there are plenty of opportunities to make a move. It's the same if we do it in Da Meng. Anyway, it's still early before he comes back, so we can plan it calmly."
"...If it's in Da Meng, he'll probably go destroy the Da Meng headquarters."
Feng Rui said, "How could he know the location of your sect's Da Meng headquarters?"
"If he can find our Da Jing headquarters, he can find the Da Meng headquarters."
"But that will take time, right?"
"Mr. Feng, don't you want to assassinate him?"
"If we can join forces with the experts from Da Meng, that would be for the best. We've already been severely weakened by his killings."
"He's scared us out of our wits!"
"...Yes," Feng Rui nodded helplessly. "You can tell from everyone's expressions."
Chen Zhongming felt a sense of sorrow in his heart.
He couldn't help but want to laugh.
This was the expert of the evil sect, truly laughable and pathetic. At this point, they had already been scared out of their wits and dared not fight Chu Zhiyuan anymore.
"He has the Evil Emperor Jade Pendant on him!"
"Even with the Evil Emperor Jade Pendant, we can't snatch it from him."
"You don't even want the Evil Emperor Jade Pendant?"
"...Rather than snatching it from him, it's better to wait for someone else to snatch it from him first, and then snatch it from them."
"Heh! Haha—"
Chen Zhongming suddenly let out a strange laugh.
Feng Rui looked at him and shook his head.
Chen Zhongming laughed loudly, "Fearing him like a tiger, our hearts are filled with terror!"
Feng Rui sighed, "Isn't he terrifying?"
"If you're afraid of him, can you escape?" Chen Zhongming stopped laughing, "If you can't escape, then fight! Rather than being scared all the time, it's better to have a quick and decisive battle!"
"Why not live a few more days if you can?"
Chen Zhongming was speechless.
The two of them silently arrived outside Ziyang Manor, blending into the bustling crowd outside the manor.
Now, besides the twelve White Bone Pagodas, the area outside Ziyang Manor had already faintly become a small market.
The flat square outside the manor was the center, gradually extending outwards, with all kinds of small stalls selling food, drinks, and entertainment.
It stretched all the way to the outer gate of the Southern City:
People gathered in twos and threes, browsing these stalls.
The twelve White Bone Pagodas shimmered in the sunlight, looking quite frightening.
But the people outside the manor were not only unafraid, but also had a sense of security for some reason.
By now, the area outside Ziyang Manor had already become a forbidden area for the evil sect's demonic people.
They were probably terrified, or didn't want to see the White Bone Pagodas, feeling deeply ashamed, so they no longer came here.
Even if there were truly brave people who came over, they had to tuck their tails between their legs, not daring to expose themselves or act recklessly.
Chen Zhongming and Feng Rui mingled in the crowd, looking at the White Bone Pagodas, especially the newest one.
After Feng Rui took two glances, he turned and walked out, and Chen Zhongming followed.
His expression was normal, not even looking at Ziyang Manor, not showing any anger or hatred.
Because that would attract Chu Zhiyuan's attention, and he had to be extra careful outside Ziyang Manor.
After leaving the square, the two walked two miles away, and their expressions became gloomy.
Seeing Feng Rui's expression, Chen Zhongming knew that he had seen Zhao Shenggu's bones.
"I didn't expect Lao Zhao to..." Feng Rui shook his head, "Too wronged!"
A dignified Grandmaster, dying no differently from other Innate experts, both dying silently.
This was too frustrating.
Chen Zhongming said coldly, "I should have made a move one day earlier!"
If it weren't for his procrastination, his caution, Zhao Shenggu wouldn't have died so frustratingly, so meaninglessly.
"You can't blame Young Master Chen for this. Who could have expected him to make such a move!" Feng Rui comforted.
"Therefore, he must die, otherwise, none of us will survive!‘
"...On the contrary, I think we should go to Da Meng to find people. They are even more cowardly."
