Free Web NovelChapter 1663: Chapter 1965: Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Ablaze (3)
Strange! What are the Heavenly Dragon Sect people trying to do? As his thoughts spun quickly, Ling Chen turned his attention to the wooden box beside him. He quietly opened the lid and searched through its contents. Suddenly, upon discovering something, his expression changed dramatically.
This... this is gasoline!
Ling Chen was shocked, not expecting these wooden boxes to be filled entirely with bottles of gasoline.
Oh no! The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is probably in trouble.
No time to think more, Ling Chen swiftly retreated from the Heavenly Dragon Sect’s camp. Soon after, he caught up with those disciples from the Heavenly Dragon Sect responsible for transporting gasoline. At this moment, the group had already reached the periphery of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, and besides them, Tan Gang and his subordinates had arrived earlier, discussing something among themselves.
Looking at the defensive line established by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion not far away, Ling Chen couldn’t help feeling a bit worried. Entering the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion now, even with his speed, he would be discovered by Tan Gang and his men. Moreover, quite a few disciples of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had already gathered behind the defensive line; surely they had noticed the actions of the Heavenly Dragon Sect, so there was no need for him to go and alert them.
Thinking it over, Ling Chen decided to hold his position and observe the situation first.
At that moment, disciples of the Heavenly Dragon Sect were lifting the wooden boxes they had transported on trailers. Meanwhile, in a clearing at the edge of the forest, numerous large crossbows were set up. These crossbows were over two meters long and affixed to the ground with stands, appearing as though they had been modified.
Could these guys be planning to use gasoline to attack the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion?
As soon as this thought emerged, Ling Chen saw more than a dozen disciples from the Heavenly Dragon Sect carrying wooden boxes before the crossbows. As the box lids were opened, bottles of gasoline were carefully placed onto the crossbows. In addition, a small gadget was attached to the top of each gasoline bottle.
Before long, all the gasoline bottles were properly installed, with the crossbows positioned toward the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.
When the bowstrings of the crossbows emitted a muffled sound, the gasoline bottles set at the openings shot out immediately, tracing an arc through the air before crashing into the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.
In an instant, the gasoline bottles smashed into a building within the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, exploding instantly and turning into a raging fire. Simultaneously, countless gasoline bottles soared into the sky, all landing within the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. In no time, flames erupted everywhere in the pavilion.
Indeed! Ling Chen hid in the shadows, watching the disciples of the Heavenly Dragon Sect continuously shoot gasoline bottles. What a clever plan... using fire attacks against the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Although the pavilion had established a defensive line outside, such a defense was useless against falling gasoline bottles. The bottles bypassed the high walls directly, landing on the buildings.
The Heavenly Dragon Sect was thoroughly prepared for this operation, with dozens of boxes of gasoline bottles. Should these gasoline bottles all fall into the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, the pavilion might be engulfed in a sea of fire.
Seeing the fire spreading more fiercely in the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Ling Chen frowned slightly, unsure of what to do. Taking action now would certainly lead to being surrounded by Heavenly Dragon Sect members. Although he was not afraid of their mass tactics given his current strength, his concern wasn’t about that; it was the potential presence of hidden experts within the Heavenly Dragon Sect.
Yu Zhen from the Lianhai Sect had once told him that the Heavenly Dragon Sect had a particularly formidable expert. With the sect launching a large-scale attack on the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, it was impossible for them not to have a skilled person overseeing, and they were cooperating with the Dark Pavilion, which would surely send experts to assist. If Ling Chen acted recklessly, he might trigger the intervention of those experts.
Considering this, Ling Chen had to suppress the urge to act, patiently waiting for the right moment.
At this moment, inside the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Su Mei was swiftly evacuating toward the Yangxin Pavilion with the protection of the disciples. The Yangxin Pavilion was located deep within the pavilion, at a distant spot, making it difficult for gasoline bottles to reach. Thus, all of the pavilion members orderly retreated to the Yangxin Pavilion.
Standing at the entrance of the Yangxin Pavilion, looking at the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion gradually turning into a sea of flames, Su Mei’s face appeared somewhat pale. These buildings held hundreds of years of history, now ending in a fiery grave. As the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, how could she not be heartbroken?
"Pavilion Master." At this point, Song Ge hurriedly arrived with several others and said solemnly, "The Book Collection Pavilion is surrounded by flames, and we can’t get inside."
Upon hearing this, Su Mei’s expression changed immediately, and she said urgently, "No! We must find a way to rescue all the texts from the Book Collection Pavilion; they are the essence of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion spanning hundreds of years. They absolutely cannot be destroyed by the fire."
"But..."
"No buts." Su Mei interrupted Song Ge, saying, "Take more people with you and head to the Book Collection Pavilion immediately. Use any means necessary to preserve the contents inside. Do you understand?"
Song Ge smiled wryly; having just come from the Book Collection Pavilion, he naturally knew the situation there. The fire was spreading too quickly, and even if he organized manpower to fight the fire, it would be impossible to save all the contents of the pavilion. However, with the pavilion master’s orders, he could only comply despite the difficulties. Immediately, he gathered over twenty disciples from the Yangxin Pavilion and charged back into the flames.
"Pavilion Master, Elder Du requests your presence."
Receiving reports from her subordinates, Su Mei nodded and hurriedly made her way to Du Kang’s residence.
Upon entering the room, she saw Du Kang sitting on a wicker chair by the window, holding a wine gourd, surrounded by more than a dozen empty wine jars.
"Elder Du." Su Mei approached and gently called out.
Du Kang took a sip, slowly lifted his head, looked at Su Mei, and asked, "The Heavenly Dragon Sect has struck?"
"Yes, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has turned into a sea of flames. I’ve had everyone retreat to the Yangxin Pavilion for shelter." Pausing, Su Mei couldn’t help but urge, "Elder Du, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion faces an unprecedented crisis; please don’t remain despondent. Otherwise, the pavilion will truly be doomed."
Du Kang shook the wine gourd, seemingly plunged into silence, without saying a word. Seeing him like this, Su Mei sighed quietly, unsure what more to say.
Recently, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion sent a team to investigate the Dark Pavilion’s secret stronghold, only for everyone to fall into an ambush without return. The team consisted of elite disciples selected from the Yangxin Pavilion, including Du Kang’s direct disciple, Yang Tao.
Yang Tao’s death dealt a significant blow to Du Kang. Yang Tao had been following Du Kang, learning martial arts since he was a few years old, for over twenty years now. Although technically teacher and student, they were like family, with Du Kang regarding Yang Tao as his own. Thus, the pain of sending off someone younger was unimaginable for Du Kang.
Because of this, Du Kang had been despondent for a while, turning a blind eye to the pavilion matters, drowning himself in alcohol daily at home. Su Mei understood his feelings and hadn’t disturbed him, but now the enemy was at their doorstep; Du Kang was her only reliance. If Du Kang didn’t act, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion might really face destruction.
