Free Web NovelChapter 1668: Chapter 1970: The Fate of Tianji Sect (2)
Damn!
The phone battery is dead. How is he supposed to contact the reinforcements? Back when Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had its incident, he had called Tong Zhentian, hoping Dragon Tiger Hall could send reinforcements quickly. Calculating the time, it has been seven or eight hours since the call, but the people from Dragon Tiger Hall haven’t arrived yet, and he doesn’t know what the situation is.
Unknowingly, several hours have passed. Ling Chen is lying motionless in the grass outside the camp, secretly monitoring the situation inside.
The camp is surrounded by searchlights, providing excellent visibility. Additionally, there is a sentry every five meters outside the camp, with very strict security. It is likely that Tan Gang knows he is wandering outside, hence having enhanced the defenses to prevent him from sneaking in. Thus, after waiting several hours, Ling Chen has not found an opportunity to infiltrate.
In the blink of an eye, the horizon turned pale.
Ling Chen glanced at the sky, estimating it to be past five in the morning.
At this moment, there was finally movement inside the camp; Tan Gang and Mo Shuiyan emerged from the tent, stood chatting for a while, then called a Heavenly Dragon Sect disciple to instruct him on something.
Soon, several Heavenly Dragon Sect disciples carried Du Kang out of the tent. Du Kang’s situation seemed not too good. Though his hands and feet weren’t bound, he allowed those disciples to carry him without resistance.
In no time, the entire camp had assembled, numbering forty to fifty people, led by Tan Gang and Mo Shuiyan, heading straight toward Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.
Watching them go far off, Ling Chen directly entered the camp. At this moment, all the people had already left with Tan Gang, leaving behind an empty camp.
Taking all Heavenly Dragon Sect disciples with him, Tan Gang probably intends to settle things finally with Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. In one corner of the camp, quite some supplies were still stacked. Ling Chen looked around, gathered a few things, and quickly headed toward Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.
...
At this time, in the valley behind Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Su Mei was patiently awaiting Du Kang’s return. It had been more than ten hours since last night, and given Du Kang’s capability, everything should have been settled.
"Pavilion Master."
Seeing Song Ge entering from outside the cabin, Su Mei asked, "What is it?"
Song Ge, looking worried, said, "Those Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion disciples who got poisoned by the drinking water are in very grave condition. I’m worried they won’t last long. If Elder Du doesn’t bring back medicine soon, they might not survive today."
"Don’t rush, I believe Elder Du won’t let us down." Pausing, Su Mei continued, "I understand everyone’s emotions are unstable now, but you must help keep things calm and ensure nothing happens."
Song Ge nodded, saying, "Rest assured, Pavilion Master, everyone is loyal to Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Even as we face peril, we will advance and retreat together with Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion."
"That’s best."
"Bad news! Terrible news!" As soon as Su Mei finished speaking, a breathless Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion disciple rushed in, forgetting even basic etiquette, urgently saying, "Pavilion Master, something... something has happened, you’d better go outside and have a look."
Seeing the anxious look on his face, Su Mei hurriedly stood up, following Song Ge towards Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s main entrance. After a day and night of raging fire, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had already turned into ruins, with ashes and thick smoke lingering everywhere.
Passing through the shattered buildings, the group finally reached the defense line outside Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s gate. Looking around, they saw about twenty meters away from the pavilion, a tall scaffold erected from wood, towering five to six meters high. At the top of the scaffold, someone was tied up— it was Du Kang, who went out seeking assistance last night.
Seeing this scene, Su Mei and the others’ expressions drastically changed.
"Isn’t that Elder Du?" Song Ge was greatly shocked, hurriedly asking, "Pavilion Master, what should we do now?"
Su Mei furrowed her brows, her gaze fixed on Du Kang not far away, with a trace of worry flashing in her bright eyes. At this moment, despite her exceptional wisdom, she had no idea how to handle this situation.
Du Kang’s capture means Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has lost its only Heavenly List expert. Without Du Kang overseeing, how could Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s disciples break out of the siege?
Thinking of this, Su Mei felt her mind in turmoil, with no solution at all.
What to do? What to do?
"Master Su." At this time, a group of people appeared under the scaffold not far away, led by none other than the Vice Sect Leader of Heavenly Dragon Sect, Tan Gang.
Tan Gang smiled, and said loudly, "Elder Du is in my hands now. If you don’t want him dead, you’d better surrender with your subordinates immediately. I guarantee that as long as you surrender, you won’t be harmed in the slightest. Master Su, you’re a smart person, I believe you know that with Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s current strength, you’re in no condition to fight me. Rather than sending your people to their deaths, why not give them a way out? They might be grateful to you someday."
Hearing Tan Gang’s words, Su Mei’s face turned even grimmer. Indeed, without Du Kang by her side, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s combat strength is instantly halved. If forced to fight head-on, it might cost everyone’s lives.
"Pavilion Master, let’s fight them." Song Ge said solemnly, "This is our only chance. Even if we lose, we cannot let Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s prestige weaken."
Su Mei pondered for a moment, asking, "How many people do we have now?"
"All disciples added up are one hundred and twenty, among them, there are ten Earthly List experts. This is our only reliance, our strongest combat force. Pavilion Master, why not let me lead a team to hold off the Heavenly Dragon Sect members, and you with the other disciples divide into two routes to break through. I think Heavenly Dragon Sect doesn’t have enough manpower to stop you all. As long as you’re safe, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s hope remains, and sooner or later we can regain our former glory."
Song Ge’s words plunged Su Mei into silence, she didn’t know what she was contemplating, remaining speechless for a long time.
"Master Su, I’ll give you half an hour to consider. If you exceed the deadline, don’t blame me for being ruthless."
Tan Gang’s voice came over, Su Mei lightly bit her lips, seeming to make a decision, and spoke, "Later, I will help attract their attention. At that time, take the opportunity to leave with everyone. They only want me, they won’t do anything to you."
Upon hearing this, Song Ge became anxious, "How could that be, you’re the Pavilion Master, if you’re captured by Heavenly Dragon Sect, they certainly won’t spare you. Besides, can you really stand to see Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion turned to ashes?"
"Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s fall to this point is inseparable from me. You are all Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion disciples, and as Pavilion Master, I should be responsible for your safety. Enough! You don’t need to persuade me, I’ve made my decision, and nobody can change it." With that, Su Mei turned to look at Du Kang tied to the scaffold, murmuring to herself, "It’s all my fault... If I had known back then, I shouldn’t have refused Ling Chen."
