"Then how do you communicate with your superiors? With the large profits from running this business and your usual dealings, how are those funds transferred over? You should at least know that, right?" Zhao Ya suddenly asked.
The question hit the mark, and Shen Yunshen couldn’t help but perk up, immediately following up with his own question.
"That’s right, you should at least know that, right?"
Zheng Dalei sighed softly, just about to speak.
Shen Yunshen suddenly turned and delivered a palm strike.
Bam!
A crossbow arrow that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere was struck away by Shen Yunshen’s forceful palm.
The target of the arrow was aimed directly at Zheng Dalei on the ground.
This sudden change startled everyone.
Only Zhao Ya sensed the arrow as it flew over, but his actions weren’t as quick as Shen Yunshen’s.
At the same time, Shen Yunshen, filled with a murderous aura, leapt into the air, leaving behind just one sentence.
"Ya, watch over this guy."
Then he rushed into the woods by the roadside at incredible speed, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Zhao Ya didn’t idle either, immediately dragging Zheng Dalei behind a large stone by the road to prevent any further danger.
Only then did he pick up the now bent crossbow arrow from the grass, examining it closely in his hand.
The crossbow arrow was exquisitely crafted, longer than those used by Zhao Ya’s Hand Crossbow, and significantly heavier.
It was also made of an unknown material that remained intact despite Shen Yunshen’s powerful palm strike, only bending instead of breaking.
No doubt, this crossbow arrow must have been crafted by skilled craftsmen, likely produced by the Mechanical Sect.
Just then, Shen Yunshen returned.
From his expression, Zhao Ya could tell he had failed.
Indeed.
Shen Yunshen angrily spat on the ground.
"Damn it, his legs were fast, I actually lost him."
In fact, when Zhao Ya saw the crossbow arrow, he already guessed that Shen Yunshen would probably return empty-handed this time.
Because this crossbow arrow was clearly made for long-distance ambush.
When Shen Yunshen knocked away this arrow, the ambusher was likely hundreds of meters away in the hills.
So even though Shen Yunshen’s Lightweight Skill was impressive, catching someone was probably out of the question.
The facts proved Zhao Ya’s suspicions.
"Ya, what are you looking at?" Shen Yunshen asked.
Zhao Ya handed the crossbow arrow over.
Shen Yunshen took it, his eyes narrowing.
"This crossbow arrow... It should be from the Mechanical Sect, right?"
"Yeah, I guessed the same. So it seems Zheng Dalei is more important than we thought, otherwise Separation Tower wouldn’t go through so much trouble to kill him." Zhao Ya analyzed.
Shen Yunshen’s eyes brightened.
"Makes sense."
When the two arrived behind the stone, Zheng Dalei was waiting for them.
Upon seeing them, the first thing Zheng Dalei said was.
"There is a special unit within Separation Tower. These people wield specially made Hard Crossbows, capable of hitting targets even 200 meters away. They must have been the ones who tried to kill me earlier."
As he said this, Zheng Dalei’s expression was peculiar.
There was a hint of sorrow, and a touch of self-mockery.
Although he knew he was doomed after being defeated by Zhao Ya.
Yet dying at the hands of Zhao Ya and the others was entirely different from dying by the hands of his own.
Even though Zheng Dalei had been with Separation Tower for a long time, his heart remained unsettled.
After all, he believed he had done nothing wrong, and even in the face of death, he didn’t betray Separation Tower.
But what he received in return was the Tower’s urgent assassination attempt.
That’s something no one could easily accept.
Zhao Ya felt a stirring in his heart.
This sounded an awful lot like a sniper.
Then Zhao Ya asked, "So why did they go to such great lengths to kill you?"
"That’s right, do you know some kind of secret?" Shen Yunshen also asked.
Zheng Dalei hesitated for a moment, then finally gritted his teeth and said, "You’re right, I do know a secret."
"Oh? And what is that?" Zhao Ya asked with interest.
Zheng Dalei took a deep breath, then said, "You’ve always wanted to know where the headquarters of Separation Tower is, right? Although I don’t know the exact location, I do have a clue I can share with you."
-----------------
On the road back to Jade Dragon City, Shen Yunshen was grim-faced and remained silent.
Zhao Ya also did not speak up.
He was only mulling over the words Zheng Dalei had said before he died.
Indeed.
Zheng Dalei had died.
He knew this outcome was unavoidable, but the assassination attempt by Separation Tower clearly provoked him, prompting him to reveal the core secrets he knew before he died.
After hearing it, even Zhao Ya couldn’t help but be shocked.
Because according to Zheng Dalei, Separation Tower, which seemed to be just an assassin organization, was actually much more profound.
Many sects had both overt and covert dealings with them, but that generally was only related to business transactions.
After all, sometimes sects face dirty work they don’t want to handle themselves, and the bigger the sect, the more so; that’s where Separation Tower’s value becomes apparent.
But beyond that, there was one sect that was deeply entangled.
And this entanglement was definitely not your typical exchange of interests.
That sect was the renowned North Canglong.
Upon hearing this name, even Shen Yunshen’s expression changed, and he immediately pressed Zheng Dalei on the truth of his words.
To this, Zheng Dalei only offered a bitter smile, saying he was about to die; what reason would he have to lie?
Through his account, Zhao Ya learned that once, when Zheng Dalei was in contact with his superiors, he actually saw a high-ranking elder from North Canglong.
At the time, Zheng Dalei’s superior was very respectful to this elder.
After the elder left, out of curiosity, Zheng Dalei asked about it.
But his superior was incredibly evasive, saying nothing.
After this, Zheng Dalei became cautious, and upon closer observation, found traces of North Canglong in many aspects of Separation Tower.
But Zheng Dalei also understood the gravity of this matter, and never mentioned it to anyone.
Even just moments ago, facing the deadly threats from Zhao Ya and Shen Yunshen, he hadn’t considered revealing it.
Had it not been for the final betrayal from Separation Tower chilling him to the core, he’d have taken this secret to his grave.
This was why Shen Yunshen looked so solemn.
Because he never imagined that what was supposed to be a simple operation to eliminate Separation Tower would eventually connect to their mortal enemies in the north, North Canglong.
Yet, upon further consideration, the more it made sense.
Because Separation Tower’s rapid rise was indeed baffling.
In just ten short years, it had grown into the foremost assassin organization Beyond the World.
If there weren’t any backing, that explanation wouldn’t hold.
But the more it made sense, the heavier Shen Yunshen’s heart became.
Because he couldn’t ascertain whether the support for Separation Tower was the collective will of North Canglong or just some elders acting independently.
Even the attempt on Zhao Ya’s life had become a mystery.
If it were merely the personal action of an assassin under Separation Tower, it would be simpler.
But if there was a directive from North Canglong involved, the nature changed entirely.
Thinking of this, Shen Yunshen decided to return to Azure Dragon Temple and report this matter directly to Grand Elder Guan Xuejiang before determining their next steps.
However, before returning, there were two matters to attend to.
One was naturally concerning the City Lord’s Mansion of Jade Dragon City.
Since they willingly colluded with Separation Tower and even obstructed Shen Yunshen, they must be made to pay the price.
And the other matter...
Shen Yunshen turned to look at Zhao Ya beside him.
"Did you open any meridians again?"
Zhao Ya wasn’t surprised by this; the changes in strength and aura after opening the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian were apparent and wouldn’t escape Shen Yunshen’s notice.
"Yes, opened the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian."
"Was it during your fight with Zheng Dalei just now?"
Despite already suspecting, Shen Yunshen couldn’t help but ask.
Zhao Ya smiled and nodded.
"Yes."