The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 432: On Your Own

“What’s wrong, Grandmother?” Everyone cried.

Grandmother sighed, “It is a message from Pavilion Lord Long. Regent Estate has indeed assisted in our siege. But instead of helping Hell Valley and the others, it is stopping our reinforcements. Pavilion Lord Long’s side has suffered heavy casualties and was forced into retreating. We’re on our own.”

“What?”

The women shook their heads in grief. They had held on so far hanging on to the hope that help was on the way. 

But with even their support under heavy attack, they had sunk into the pits of despair.

They could hold on for just a few short months before they would be breached.

Drifting Flowers Edifices was hanging by a thread.

Everyone sighed, feeling death closer than ever.

Grandmother’s eyes flashed with determination, “Overseers, split into five teams and break out tonight. We will meet again at Flying Cloud City a thousand miles away!”

“Grandmother…”

“I know this is dangerous, with a high chance of being wiped out, but it’s better than sitting around for the axe to drop. We still have dozens of defenses in effect. They will never expect us to make such a risky move. Breaking through is our best bet. If we wait any longer, they’ll raise their guard!” Grandmother squinted.

The others nodded.

It was the most dangerous, yet most promising course of action. Waiting any longer would have even this chance robbed off of them.

The overseers bowed, “Understood, Grandmother…”

The moon hung high in the night sky, with a seldom cloud marring its glow every now and then. Outside Drifting Flowers City, the disciples of the three houses withdrew after a long day of work, leaving a few hundred guards. 

One overseer took its thousand disciples under the cover of the night outside the city. They moved fast, like panthers, and were upon the unsuspecting guards in seconds.

“Ah, ene-“

The guard’s cry was cut short at the swipe of a Drifting Flowers Edifices’ disciple’s blade across his neck. His eyes were still wide as he hit the pool of blood on the ground. 

Drifting Flowers Edifices’ disciples split in teams of 3-5 members, robbing the lives of guards and ensuring the success of this mission.

Slip-up was bound to happen at some point regardless.

A guard threw a jade slip into the air.

The jade slip exploded in a shower of light, revealing the shadows in its glaring display.

The overseer shouted, “We’ve been spotted. Sisters, forget everything and just attack!”

“Charge!”

The thousand disciples rushed together towards the garrison of the three houses as they shouted.

The house lords were out at the first sign of warning, guiding their disciples. Seeing it was just a thousand people coming at them, they relaxed.

“That’s it? These broads make a night raid with a thousand warriors? That’s not nearly enough to get us warmed up, ha-ha-ha…” Lin Rufeng disdained.

Yan Bogong nodded with a smile, “True. With only some average overseers in the lead, what can they do even if they reach us? Since when did that Chu Bijun shrew turn senile? You should send more people if you want to attack. These few are of no use!”

“And what if they have different plans? I intend to capture an overseer and wring it out of her. This’ll be some nice and easy merit.” You Wanshan’s eyes glinted.

The other two nodded inside.

[You Wanshan sure makes sense.]

They both charged as well. With their level, this would be a walk in the park.

You Wanshan snickered in the back, carefree.

Bam!

Lin Rufeng was the first to arrive with his uncanny speed. A single palm had the overseer flying and heavily wounded.

Lin Rufeng snickered, glancing at Yan Bogong coming over with cock-sure attitude, “Ha-ha-ha, it looks like the credit is all mine.”

“Humph, of course it comes easy to you when you run faster than a hare. As for how much credit you get, it remains to be seen.” Yan Bogong smiled.

Lin Rufeng brushed his remark off, grabbing the woman, “Merit is merit either way. Ha-ha-ha, lass, why are you attacking at night?”

The overseer merely held her head high, watching the moon.

Her thousand disciples were defeated as well, most dead, others captured, and very few escaped. 

Lin Rufeng’s hand tightened and flooded her body with Yuan Qi.

The woman’s brow creased and sweated from the unimaginable pain, but she still didn’t make a peep.

“Humph, you sure are tough. Let me relieve you of a hand first!” Lin Rufeng shouted.

The woman was still moon gazing. Lin Rufeng was pissed, but Yan Bogong stopped him before he got to any cutting, “Ha-ha-ha, House Lord Lin, this girl is an overseer. Standard interrogation won’t work on her. I have with me a Hundred Ant Pill. It will feel like thousands of ant bites all over the body. Such pain and torment is worse than death. Can I give it a try?”

[Humph, you rotten geezer. You’re stealing my thunder.]

It was obvious to Lin Rufeng’s what the old man’s game was, but it wasn’t like he was getting anything out of the stubborn lass either.

If by some chance the info she had was priceless, delaying it would have Regent Estate yell Merry Woods’ ears out.

Lin Rufeng sighed and handed her over, “Fine, let’s see if your Hundred Ant Pill is as good as you say.”

“Prepare to be amazed, ha-ha-ha…”

Yan Bogong forced her jaw open and threw the pill in.

The woman twitched and jerked and started sweating harder than ever.

But she still kept her lips tight, even chewing them to the point of bleeding.

“Ha-ha-ha, it must hurt like hell. Stinging, itching, tingling, and let’s not forget the excruciating pain!”

With a cackle, Yan Bogong approached her ear, “No one can stand it more than two hours. You better fess up and I’ll relieve you of your torment. Why must you be so stubborn? Talk, why are you attacking?”

The woman gnashed her teeth harder and her face contorted.

Yan Bogong wasn’t going anywhere, just looking at her in confidence, “Then help yourself to a world of hurt. Just let me know when the going gets too tough, alright? I’ll be waiting, ha-ha-ha…”

Yan Bogong spoke like a winner. You Wanshan at the side had a lazy and vague smile.

An hour into the torture, the woman was red like a ripe tomato and could no longer take it, “Give it to me now! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything!”

Yan Bogong glanced at Lin Rufeng in pride and threw a pill in her mouth.

The woman calmed down while shivering.

“Ha-ha-ha, now talk. Don’t think for a second that I’ll believe you if you say you came to capture our camp with so few people. What’s your aim? Speak the truth!” Yan Bogong smiled.

The woman looked at the sky and showed a pleased smile, “Ha-ha-ha, it’s too late! You’re too late!”

“What’s going on, talk!” Yan Bogong frowned.

The woman mocked him, “I led my team here knowing full well that all we’ll find is death. Our mission was quite simple really. To kill the guards and fake a raid and, once discovered, stall. Grandmother and the rest have already left. You’re too late in catching up, ha-ha-ha…”

“What, this was a diversion?”

Yan Bogong shuddered and cursed, “Damn that bitch and her schemes. That hag acted all dignified for so long and we never thought she’d sacrifice an overseer, to save herself no less. Humph, you really showed me, Lady of Steel!”

Yan Bogong fumed under the woman’s sneer. Lin Rufeng was already thinking about how to explain this to Regent Estate.

Only You Wanshan had a prideful look and a crafty grin…