At the same time, in a dilapidated temple a dozen miles away from Zhao Ya, Wu Bao’Er was also watching the rain outside.
This was a shabby Mountain God Temple, very secluded, and not easily noticeable.
In this mostly collapsed main hall, a large group of people had gathered.
Ye Xunhuan was very disgusted by the filth inside; his nature-loving cleanliness found it unbearable to step on the dirt and animal droppings everywhere in the hall.
But he didn’t want to get soaked in the rain outside, so he toppled over the headless Divine Statue on the altar and stood on it himself.
Steel Shadow seemed unfazed by all this, casually sitting in a bunch of weeds, his eyes fixed intently on Wu Bao’Er in the distance.
Wu Bao’Er could even feel the burning gaze wandering over her.
This made her extremely uncomfortable.
If it weren’t for the number of people present, she wouldn’t be caught dead under the same roof as this Steel Shadow.
After all, he was a downright pervert.
This intense dislike peaked when Wu Bao’Er saw the battered body of a woman being carried out after being tormented by Steel Shadow all night.
Just then, Liu Ming seemed to sense this, appearing behind Wu Bao’Er to block Steel Shadow’s view.
Steel Shadow was quite displeased by this, but Ye Xunhuan had previously instructed that under no circumstances should Liu Ming be harmed.
So he could only shoot Liu Ming a cold glance, reluctantly shifting his gaze elsewhere.
At this moment, Ye Xunhuan, who was on the altar, lightly clapped his hands.
"Everyone, I have a few words to say."
The originally noisy hall quieted down, and then Ye Xunhuan smiled slightly at a dignified-looking man in the crowd.
"Elder Luo, mind if I say a few words first?"
This man was none other than Luo Congkuan, Elder Luo of the North Canglong, who previously had a dispute with Qin Jianji at the Jade Dragon City inauguration ceremony.
Behind him stood a neatly organized team, each with an extraordinary aura and a stern expression, clearly elite guards sent by North Canglong.
Luo Congkuan couldn’t help but smile slightly upon hearing Ye Xunhuan’s question.
"Please speak freely, Steward Ye."
Only then did Ye Xunhuan begin: "Everyone, we are all Martial Dao elites, so there’s no need to say much. This time, the decision to deal with South Canglong was jointly decided by the Separation Tower and North Canglong."
"I’m sure everyone knows that Temple Master Jing of North Canglong has exited seclusion and is currently consolidating his power. Once he is finished, he will come down the mountain to settle scores with South Canglong."
"So our group should be considered as the vanguard, and our main mission is to gather intelligence. Of course, if we can make some gains, that would be even better."
"Today’s heavy rain is perfect for ambushes and sneak attacks. I have only one thing to say: once you enter Azure Dragon Temple’s territory, rely on your skills. There will be rewards for killing the elders of Azure Dragon Temple, particularly if you manage to kill Zhao Ya, there will be a significant reward."
"But if anyone retreats at the sight of battle, don’t blame me, Ye Xunhuan, for being unkind."
The crowd shouted their agreement in unison.
"What Steward Ye says is true. This time, we are here to probe and gather intelligence, but we must also showcase the prestige of our North Canglong. If anyone hesitates or retreats at this time, I, Luo Congkuan, will not tolerate it," Luo Congkuan said aloud.
Ye Xunhuan smiled slightly, then turned his gaze toward Wu Bao’Er in the distance.
"Miss Bao’Er, you have crossed paths with Zhao Ya before. He is one of the key targets selected by both the Separation Tower and North Canglong this time. So now, please recount your previous encounter with him."
Wu Bao’Er dared not refuse and nodded, then stepped forward and began to recount her previous battle with Zhao Ya.
She had told this story more than five times lately, so it was very familiar to her.
The people in the hall, upon hearing this, began to murmur among themselves.
"I was wondering who this impressive person was, but it turns out he’s just a fledgling who just entered Meridian Opening, with nothing more than a Hand Crossbow from the Mechanical Sect. He’s not worth mentioning at all," someone said indifferently.
"Just don’t let me run into him. If I do, I’ll kill him first, no question," someone else said eagerly.
But there were also some who remained silent.
Especially the team leaning against the wall, faces covered with black cloth and a small suitcase in hand, their expressions were particularly solemn.
They were the crew from Separation Tower, specialized in long-range assassination with Hard Crossbows.
Having had indirect contact with Zhao Ya before, they naturally knew the prowess of this young man.
Particularly today’s heavy rain left them deeply worried.
Yet apart from them, most people ignored what Wu Bao’Er said.
Ye Xunhuan noticed this as well, but didn’t remind anyone, merely smiled slightly and said.
"Since that’s the case, let’s start the operation. Once it’s done, we’ll reunite here at the Mountain God Temple."
"Understood!" the crowd responded.
Then some people couldn’t wait to leave the broken temple, dashing into the curtain of rain.
Luo Congkuan and others nodded at Ye Xunhuan and also left the broken temple.
Wu Bao’Er didn’t rush to leave.
Since earlier, she had been observing the rain, and her thoughts had not stopped for a moment.
Especially after hearing Ye Xunhuan say that their group was the vanguard, Wu Bao’Er sneered in her heart.
Bao Shan and others were the real vanguard, after all.
And their action had Ye Xunhuan’s approval.
Yet now, they had disappeared.
This news was forcibly suppressed by Ye Xunhuan, with outsiders having no idea.
Wu Bao’Er learned of this from Liu Ming, so she remained uneasy.
Even using her toes, she could guess that with no news from Bao Shan and others for so long, they certainly met with misfortune.
That much was fine, but the key was whether they leaked information about this operation before their demise.
Given Wu Bao’Er’s understanding of the people from the Separation Tower, this was almost certain.
So now, South Canglong surely already knew and might even be on their guard.
Despite this, Wu Bao’Er could do nothing about it.
She was but a lowly assassin in the Separation Tower after all, with a crime on her back, a bearer of guilt.
At this moment, nothing she said could alter the current situation.
When most people had left, Wu Bao’Er was just about to move.
Ye Xunhuan suddenly called out to her.
"Wu Bao’Er, go with Steel Shadow."
Wu Bao’Er was taken aback, and then immediately shook her head violently.
"No need, I can go alone."
Ye Xunhuan didn’t give her a choice, saying firmly, "Steel Shadow, go with her. Remember, you’re on a mission now. Try anything funny, and beware of my means."
Steel Shadow let out a creepy laugh, standing up with an excited look toward Wu Bao’Er.
Wu Bao’Er wanted to refuse again.
At that moment, Liu Ming stopped her and lightly shook his head.
The meaning was clear: don’t refuse anymore, or risk angering Ye Xunhuan.
Reluctantly, Wu Bao’Er had to brace herself and agree.
"Go on, and hope you can bring Zhao Ya’s head back to see me," Ye Xunhuan smiled.
Wu Bao’Er glanced at Steel Shadow, then swiftly leaped into the rain.
Steel Shadow followed closely behind.
Despite wielding huge Steel Claws, he didn’t seem clumsy at all in his movements.
After they left, Ye Xunhuan turned to Liu Ming with a slight smile.
"You’re really worried about her?"
Liu Ming nodded, "Of course, she’s my partner after all."
"Just a partner?" Ye Xunhuan’s smile was ambiguous.
"I only like men." Liu Ming said candidly.
"Heh, then I’m a man too, why are you keeping your distance from me?" Ye Xunhuan laughed.
Liu Ming’s scalp tingled; here we go again!
Since meeting Ye Xunhuan, he had been "harassed" continuously.
This left Liu Ming extremely annoyed, unable to refuse, he could only force a smile.
"Elder Ye holds a noble status, I dare not act presumptuously."
"Heh heh!" Ye Xunhuan chuckled, and didn’t pursue the matter further, merely lifting his gaze outside, licking his lips with some excitement.
"Such a rain... Perfect weather for killing, isn’t it?"