Shen Lang drove behind Tang Hongyao, but Shen Lang was much smarter, maintaining a distance of two kilometers from Tang Hongyao throughout.
At such close proximity, one would need a pair of sharp eyes to avoid losing track.
Shen Lang didn't have such eyes, but Shi Wuxie did.
Shi Wuxie could control birds and used a bamboo flute to command a flock of birds in the sky to monitor Tang Hongyao's vehicle. As long as Shen Lang followed the direction of the birds, he wouldn't lose her.
It had to be said that this method of tracking was not only extremely clever but also incredibly safe.
In fact, after leaving the hotel, Tang Hongyao had been constantly worried about Shen Lang following her. She had checked several times along the way and even changed her driving direction to confirm if Shen Lang was tailing her.
As a result, Tang Hongyao found no anomalies on several occasions, so she continued driving towards Tang Family Fort.
To be honest, Tang Hongyao was conflicted, as she didn't know how to explain herself to Tang Jiutian.
Tang Hongyao couldn't possibly tell Tang Jiutian that she had taken people to kill Shen Lang and Shi Wuxie, only to be defeated by Shen Lang and spared due to his mercy.
Tang Jiutian, if he wasn't an idiot, wouldn't believe such a story.
After all, what merciful person would send Tang Zixuan and Nalan Wushuang to their execution, resulting in their direct shooting?
Similarly, what merciful person would break Tang Qubing's hands and one leg over a minor conflict?
However, despite the disbelief, it was the truth.
Tang Hongyao was troubled throughout the journey, and the closer they got to Tang Family Fort, the more worried she became, her driving a little absentminded.
"Miss, there's no need to worry. We can testify that you absolutely did not do anything that would bring shame or disgrace to the Tang Sect. You are absolutely loyal to the sect, and we can explain it to the Sect Master."
These eight men in black were Tang Hongyao's subordinates, and their loyalty was unquestionable, though they weren't particularly intelligent.
Hearing their words, Tang Hongyao gave a bitter smile and said, "If the Sect Master were someone who listened to others, he wouldn't have earned the nickname 'Tang the Tyrant'."
Indeed, while Tang Jiutian was a powerful figure, he also possessed a cruel and domineering nature, prone to killing. This applied not only to his enemies but also to his own people within the Tang Sect. Many enemies had died by his hand, but so had quite a few of his own kin.
Towards Tang Jiutian, Tang Hongyao and the other Tang Sect subordinates felt genuine fear and submission.
Upon hearing Tang Hongyao's words, the eight subordinates were immediately speechless.
Yes, when had the Sect Master ever been one to listen to explanations? If he decided someone had betrayed him, even if they hadn't, their fate would still be sealed.
Better to kill a thousand wrongly than let one escape – this was Tang Jiutian.
"Forget it, I won't dwell on it. I'll just tell the truth. If he wants to kill me, then so be it."
Tang Hongyao suddenly breathed a sigh of relief and said indifferently.
Tang Family Fort was located within Mount Wuhou, atop its summit. Within a ten-kilometer radius of the fort lay a primeval forest.
The primeval forest was home to venomous insects and ferocious beasts, as well as rotting trees and decaying animal carcasses, all of which formed a natural barrier.
The venomous insects and beasts could deter most people from approaching Tang Family Fort. Even if someone miraculously survived facing them, they would still have to contend with miasma.
What was miasma?
Miasma was the toxic gas released from the decomposition of trees, forests, and the bodies of venomous insects and beasts in a primeval forest. It was highly poisonous.
It had to be admitted that Tang Jiutian had foresight; from its construction alone, Tang Family Fort was rendered an impregnable position.
Tang Hongyao drove to the foot of Mount Wuhou and then disembarked with her eight subordinates.
Tang Family Fort was flanked by cliffs on three sides, with no road for vehicles on the front. Only a narrow path, just wide enough for one person to ascend, existed.
This path was paved with bluestone slabs but was deceptively cunning.
This path was alive.
The stone slabs on this path shifted daily. One might step on a particular slab in the morning and be unharmed, only to be shot through the throat by a crossbow bolt from an unknown source if they stepped on it in the evening.
After disembarking, Tang Hongyao led her eight subordinates up the mountain. Even as members of the Tang Sect, Tang Hongyao proceeded with extreme caution, pondering each step for a long time.
After Tang Hongyao ascended, Shen Lang and Shi Wuxie also arrived at the foot of the mountain.
Shen Lang produced a pill and handed it to Shi Wuxie, saying, "This is the Hundred Poisons Pill. After consuming it, you will be immune to all poisons for three hours, allowing you to bypass the miasma of the primeval forest."
"Thank you—"
Upon hearing Shen Lang's words, Shi Wuxie expressed her gratitude, then took the Hundred Poisons Pill and drank some water.
Seeing Shi Wuxie consume the Hundred Poisons Pill, Shen Lang led her up the mountain.
As Tang Hongyao and her group ascended, a flock of birds in the sky had already meticulously observed the bluestone path they had taken. The birds, through their unique calls, relayed to Shi Wuxie which bricks Tang Hongyao's group stepped on and which they avoided.
Consequently, Shi Wuxie and Shen Lang encountered almost no obstacles and followed Tang Hongyao into the Tang Sect.
The Tang Sect boasted dozens of ancient buildings, grand and imposing, resembling palaces. After Shen Lang and Shi Wuxie infiltrated, they quickly found a place to hide.
Shen Lang and Shi Wuxie concealed themselves in the shadows and observed that Tang Family Fort housed at least eight hundred Tang Sect disciples.
Despite it being daytime, these individuals patrolled incessantly, with guards posted every ten paces and sentries every five, leaving no opportunity for outsiders to cause trouble.
Shen Lang and Shi Wuxie hid behind an artificial rockery. Shen Lang pointed to an ancient building, more than ten stories high, and said, "That tall building is called the Skyward Tower. My sister is imprisoned on the seventh floor, but it's broad daylight, and we can't infiltrate now. Should we just wait?"
Shi Wuxie, who could control birds, had already used them to locate her sister. However, the miasma and poisonous fog of Mount Wuhou were too potent, and she did not want to risk the death of tens of thousands of birds, which was why she had been holding back from a rescue.
Now that they had infiltrated the Tang Sect, Shi Wuxie still had to proceed with caution, as she could not freely command birds when near Mount Wuhou.
After all, to her, her sister's life was as important as the lives of innocent birds.
"Let's wait."
Hearing this, Shen Lang smiled and said, "It's daytime now, and everything is exposed under the sun. When night falls and security is slightly lax, that will be our best opportunity to rescue her."
"Alright—"
Shi Wuxie nodded upon hearing this and replied, "I'll listen to you."
Meanwhile, as Shi Wuxie spoke, Tang Hongyao had entered an old house where Tang Jiutian and Tang Wan'er were seated.
"Hongyao, the mission failed?"
Tang Jiutian, who was drinking tea, asked indifferently without even looking up as Tang Hongyao entered.
"Yes, I am no match for Shen Lang. The mission failed. I ask the Sect Master for punishment."
Tang Hongyao knelt before Tang Jiutian and said.
"Hongyao, you are indeed guilty, but not for failing against Shen Lang. You are guilty for bringing them into the Tang Sect."
Tang Jiutian dropped a bombshell, saying, "After you entered Tang Family Fort, they followed you in."