Chapter 398: The Bronze Mask

The manor was surrounded on all sides by forest, much of it evergreen pine that did not shed its needles even in winter, clearly meant to conceal something. Yet at this moment, it suited Zhang Xiaohua’s intentions perfectly. He hid himself in a spot and released his divine sense, carefully observing his surroundings.

He saw that this was a very large estate, seemingly as big as an entire village. The inside was indeed different from what Zhang Xiaohua had seen before. Huanxi Villa had fields and houses, and in the Southern Sea Flood Dragon King’s estate in Jingyue City, there were mountains and water. But this manor consisted mostly of rows upon rows of small houses, looking extremely orderly.

Banner Leader Gao drove his donkey cart leisurely along several neat and crisscrossing paths, stopping before a large hall at the very center of the manor. Just as he was about to get off the cart, two men dressed in blue martial attire emerged from the hall. Seeing Banner Leader Gao, both exclaimed in surprise: “Banner Leader Gao, why have you come again? Did you find some good stuff?”

Banner Leader Gao replied with a beaming smile: “Ah, it’s Banner Leader Liu and Banner Leader Liang. Are you two also here to present goods to the Order Master?”

A man with a somewhat dark complexion said: “Not exactly. The Order Master’s standards are a bit high. I haven’t managed to find anything suitable in my area. I was worried the Order Master would be anxious, so I came to explain and ask for a bit more time.”

The other man added: “My situation is similar to Banner Leader Liu’s. Aside from the ten or so from before, there’s been no new harvest. A few days ago, I did find a girl in town, but before I could present her to the Order Master, I ran into an expert. She was rescued, and Su Liu had his acupoints sealed and was set on fire by a group of people.”

Hearing this, Banner Leader Gao was stunned. “How did Su Liu get so unlucky? He actually ran into a group of experts?”

Banner Leader Liang gave a bitter smile. “I don’t know exactly how many there were. The ones who set him on fire were just ordinary townsfolk. It’s just that Su Liu’s acupoints were sealed, so he couldn’t resist, and that’s how he ended up burned to death.”

Banner Leader Gao was speechless. To be killed by an expert could be blamed on lacking skill, but to be finished off by a group of ordinary people—well, that could only be chalked up to bad luck.

With a sorrowful expression, he said: “Poor Su Liu. Banner Leader Liang, you’ve lost a right-hand man. It must be much harder to meet your quota now.”

“That’s right. Last night, I personally went to capture that girl, and while I was at it, I killed a few of her family and neighbors. I suppose that counts as avenging Su Liu.”

“Sigh, Banner Leader Liang, you are truly righteous and loyal. If Su Liu’s spirit is aware in the afterlife, he would surely thank you.”

Banner Leader Liang was quite pleased to hear this and said: “Not at all, we’re all brothers here—of course I had to avenge him. Oh, by the way, I’m still short a few. Do you have any extras on hand?”

Banner Leader Gao waved his hand repeatedly. “If it were an ordinary day, I might be able to spare a few for you, Banner Leader Liang. But these past few days, the city has been rife with trouble—several strange incidents have happened. I doubt I’ll be able to make any moves for a while. The last girl on this cart was only caught after I took a huge risk and lost two of my men. I hope you can understand, Banner Leader Liang.”

Seeing Banner Leader Gao decline, the two Banner Leaders didn’t press further. They cupped their fists and said: “Then congratulations to Banner Leader Gao for successfully completing the Order Master’s orders. I’m sure you’ll be handsomely rewarded. Allow me to congratulate you in advance.”

Banner Leader Gao smiled and said: “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. I’m just serving the Order Master—there’s no thought of seeking merit.”

Banner Leader Liang said: “However, the Order Master isn’t here today—only the Deputy Order Master is present. I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, Banner Leader Gao.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Banner Leader Gao did indeed look a bit disappointed and said: “Didn’t the Order Master say he would be here these few days? I…”

Before he could finish, a stern voice rang out from inside the hall: “Gao Xionglin, do you need the Order Master to report his whereabouts to you?”

Banner Leader Gao’s face changed at once, and he hurriedly bowed and said: “Deputy Order Master, it was my mistake. I shouldn’t have been so presumptuous.”

The two other Banner Leaders also quickly bowed.

At this moment, a tall man in a pale blue long robe, with some white in his hair, walked out of the hall. His face was concealed behind a bronze mask, making it impossible to see his true appearance.

“You two, why aren’t you off handling your business? Don’t you see there are hardly any disciples left in the manor? They’re all out on assignments. Why are you still here idling and chatting?” The masked Deputy Order Master said coldly.

The two Banner Leaders dared not delay, bowed once more, and quickly took their leave.

At this moment, Zhang Xiaohua had already hidden himself among the pine trees. As he released his divine sense, he observed the masked Deputy Order Master standing at the hall’s entrance. Zhang Xiaohua frowned and attempted to pierce through the bronze mask with his divine sense to glimpse the man’s true face. But just as his divine probe enveloped the Deputy Order Master, the man suddenly jerked his head upward, scanning the empty air as if alerted. Startled, Zhang Xiaohua immediately withdrew his divine sense, thinking: *Could this man actually perceive spiritual probing?*

The moment Zhang Xiaohua retracted his divine sense, Deputy Order Master’s brow furrowed slightly. He glanced around suspiciously before finally asking: “Gao Xionglin, were you followed on your way here?”

Banner Leader Gao bowed respectfully. “This humble one took every precaution, Deputy Order Master. I circled extensively to shake off potential pursuers. Even if someone had trailed me, they’d have been lost long ago.”

“Hmm,” the Deputy Order Master grunted, still unconvinced. He amplified his senses with inner energy, scanning the surroundings thoroughly before relaxing slightly. “Perhaps I imagined it. Now, you mentioned unusual happenings in Pingyang City? Explain.”

Banner Leader Gao smiled ingratiatingly. “Might the Deputy Order Master first grant me the honor of presenting this girl from my cart? Afterward, I’ll recount the details—”

“Still scheming, Gao Xionglin?” The Deputy Order Master chuckled dryly. “Very well. Deliver the girl to the back hall, and I’ll grant the rewards the Order Master promised.”

“Truly?!” Banner Leader Gao brightened. “My deepest gratitude, Deputy Order Master!” 

He retrieved the unconscious girl from the donkey cart and followed the masked man into the hall.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohua, fearing his divine sense had been detected, dared not probe further. After a moment’s hesitation, he descended silently and activated his Earth Escape technique, reappearing near Yu Deyi’s hiding spot. Emerging from the shadows, he addressed the waiting man: “Brother Yi.”

Yu Deyi straightened urgently. “Great Hero! Did you uncover anything ahead?”

Zhang Xiaohua recounted to Yu Deyi everything he had just observed about the manor. Finally, he added: “There are indeed several experts in the manor. I doubt the two of us alone could match them. Do you think you can find some reinforcements?”

“Reinforcements?” Yu Deyi asked in confusion. “Where are the companions who were traveling with you, Hero?”

“Helpers?” Zhang Xiaohua replied: “He left earlier, and now I have no idea where to find him.”

“Then where does Hero want me to look for help?” Yu Deyi countered.

“Sigh, how should I know? Now that I think about it, if you could draw your brother-in-law here, it might not be a bad thing.”

“It’s too late for regrets now, Hero. However, I do have an idea.”

Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes lit up. “What is it? Tell me quickly.”

“I have a military dispatch token for Pingyang City in my possession, which I received last time when we went to the village to suppress bandits. With this token, I can mobilize some soldiers in any town or place with stationed troops within the jurisdiction of Pingyang City. The only problem is, I’m not sure exactly where we are now, or which town is nearest. It’s definitely out of the question to return to Pingyang City right now.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua chuckled to himself: If it were Pingyang City, I might not know, but from our journey, this direction seems similar to the route I took from Lu Town to Pingyang City. I just passed through here, how could I forget?

He then pretended to think deeply for a moment before saying: “If my memory serves, to the southwest of here, there’s a market town, I think it’s called Lu Town. It should be about half a day’s journey. With your stamina, Brother Yi, you should be able to reach it by midnight, right?”

“Of course, with my stamina—oh, I mean, with my mount’s stamina, there shouldn’t be any problem.”

“Good, then. Brother Yi, I’ll leave the task of returning to Lu Town to summon reinforcements to you. I’ll stay here and keep watch. If they make any move to transport your niece elsewhere, I’ll leave a message here. What do you think?”

Yu Deyi listened inwardly: Look where we are now—forced to summon troops. If you’d let me act earlier and rescue her immediately, we’d already be back in Pingyang City! But in a world where might makes right, he dared not voice objections. He merely cupped his fists and said: “Then I’ll trouble you, Great Hero. I’ll depart at once to gather soldiers and should return by dawn. Please keep close watch on these scoundrels—do not let my niece vanish without a trace.”

Zhang Xiaohua chuckled. “Rest assured. Even if all else fails, I’ll prioritize rescuing your little niece myself.”

Whether Yu Deyi believed this or not, he bowed again. “My deepest gratitude, Great Hero. I take my leave.” 

He mounted his chestnut horse, cracked his whip, and galloped down the forest path.

Once Yu Deyi vanished, Zhang Xiaohua sat cross-legged, pondering deeply. Since awakening my divine sense, no one has ever detected it. How did that bronze-masked man sense me today?

A chilling thought struck him: Could martial artists at peak realms also possess divine sense?

But he recalled his earlier encounter—when his consciousness had clashed with that giant-eyed monster beneath the volcanic island. This felt different. Perhaps the Deputy Order Master lacks true divine sense, yet somehow perceives its presence? The implication horrified him. If so, my greatest advantage is neutralized. How can I proceed?