Once he got into the bamboo forest, the pressure suddenly lessened.
After all, no one would think anyone could bypass all the defenses and silently infiltrate the main peak, so the defense here was extremely weak.
Zhao Ya traversed the bamboo forest, pausing occasionally to avoid the passing people on the distant mountain path.
Even though it was already midnight, the main peak of Cyan Bamboo Ridge remained bustling.
People moved back and forth on the mountain path, pushing carts or carrying burdens, taking various supplies to the back mountain.
Zhao Ya knew these were likely mining supplies, so he paid them no mind, instead steering clear of crowded areas, quickly reaching the heights of Cyan Bamboo Ridge.
Here it was much quieter.
Aside from some guards, only the lights from the Central Courtyard Stronghold were shining.
But there was no one here.
Because Huo Tianxiao had made it clear that the Central Courtyard Stronghold was only used for large gatherings, and was otherwise left idle.
So Zhao Ya bypassed the guards and infiltrated the Central Courtyard Stronghold.
He planned to cut through the Central Courtyard Stronghold directly to the back mountain, not only shortening the distance but also avoiding a lot of trouble.
But just as he crossed the front hall and reached the courtyard gate, a figure inside made him stop abruptly and hide.
In the brightly lit but empty hall, a person was standing with their back to the door, seemingly lost in thought.
From behind, the silhouette was graceful and alluring, surprisingly a woman.
Zhao Ya was momentarily stunned, then immediately recognized her.
Fu Tingfang.
The younger sister of the Great Village Chief of Cyan Bamboo Ridge, Fu Tingyuan, and one of those who had once pursued him relentlessly.
Zhao Ya narrowed his eyes slightly.
What was Fu Tingfang doing at the Central Courtyard Stronghold in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?
Could there be something going on?
So Zhao Ya didn’t act rashly but quietly stayed hidden, waiting.
For a long while.
Then Fu Tingfang sighed quietly.
"Come out, I knew you would come!"
Zhao Ya’s heart was shocked.
When did Fu Tingfang become so formidable?
He had been Concealing Breath all the way; how could she have noticed?
However, Zhao Ya quickly calmed himself and remained completely still.
Sure enough.
At that moment, a man’s laughter came from outside the courtyard window.
"Miss Third, you are indeed trustworthy, you truly came."
With the voice, a young man stepped leisurely into the courtyard.
The man was not much older, about twenty-seven or eight, quite good looking, but somehow always giving an impression of arrogance and wickedness.
Especially those eyes, which were boldly sizing up Fu Tingfang ever since he came in.
Fu Tingfang’s pretty face turned cold, "Guan Lun, why did you summon me here in the middle of the night?"
The man named Guan Lun laughed heartily, "Miss Third, the long night is lonely, don’t you feel sleepless? I’m just worried you’d be restless, so I planned to chat with you for a while."
"Nonsense!" Fu Tingfang turned pale with anger, and rebuked him, pointing at Guan Lun.
"I am the third miss of Cyan Bamboo Ridge, who do you think you are to flirt with me? Aren’t you afraid my brother will find out and tear you limb from limb?"
Unexpectedly, Guan Lun wasn’t frightened at all. Instead, he smiled and said, "Miss Third, even if the Great Village Chief finds out, so what? You know you’re unmarried and I’m unmarried, and our ages match perfectly. Why don’t we give it a try? I promise you’ll feel like you’ve reached Paradise and won’t ever leave me."
"Shut up!" Fu Tingfang was almost driven mad with anger.
"In your letter, you claimed there was something important to discuss, something regarding my brother’s breakthrough, that’s why I came here to wait for you, and all you’ve said so far are lewd and offensive words. Are you mocking that there’s no one from Cyan Bamboo Ridge to stop you?"
Guan Lun looked at her with a smirk, "Miss Third, that’s not fair. I am part of Cyan Bamboo Ridge now, so how can you say there’s no one? I’m just a young man admiring a beautiful lady like you, wanting a bit of fun, what’s wrong with that?"
Fu Tingfang said no more and turned to leave.
Guan Lun didn’t stop her, instead watching with a sly grin, softly counting.
"One, two, three...."
She had barely taken ten steps when Fu Tingfang suddenly groaned and nearly fell to the ground, looking at Guan Lun in disbelief.
"You actually drugged me?"
"Hahaha, how can you call it drugging? It’s just to enliven the upcoming event a bit. But you have to admit, this Paradise Sect’s drug is quite effective, ten steps to fall means ten steps indeed." Guan Lun said excitedly.
By this time, Fu Tingfang was already swaying, barely able to stand.
But as she saw Guan Lun approaching, she gritted her teeth and drew her sword, placing it against her own neck.
"Take another step and I’ll kill myself right here. I refuse to believe my brother would let you off after he finds out!"
This tactic indeed worked; Guan Lun stopped, smiling peculiarly at Fu Tingfang.
"Oh, why are you doing this? You haven’t yet tasted the joy between a man and a woman, naturally not knowing its wonders. Once I show you, you’ll never want to die again!"
"Scram!" Fu Tingfang began seeing black spots and knew it was bad. In desperation, she braced herself to act.
At that moment, Guan Lun suddenly lunged forward, knocking the sword from Fu Tingfang’s hand and pulling her into his arms.
"Hehe, beauty, dying is not so easy. My brothers and I have been pent up on this mountain for too long. Why don’t you keep us company tonight?"
With that, he picked up the nearly unconscious Fu Tingfang, ready to walk out.
Suddenly, he felt dizzy, his foot stumbling, almost falling to the ground.
Strange, could it be that the Paradise Sect’s drug was too potent, and he got caught too?
As soon as he had this thought, he saw a figure appear before him.