"Xuan Sanqi, you are truly audacious. You still intend to strike at my people in front of me?"
Ye Cangtian spoke coldly. The next moment, with a forceful grip, Xuan Sanqi's arm was snapped with a loud crack.
"I'll fight you to the death!"
Xuan Sanqi, enduring the pain, roared. With his other arm, he drew his weapon and fiercely stabbed towards Ye Cangtian's chest.
"Foolish. Do you think you have a chance to resist?"
As Ye Cangtian spoke dismissively, his other hand shot out like lightning, directly disarming him. He then stepped forward and kicked Xuan Sanqi, sending him flying.
"Pfft..."
A mouthful of blood arced through the air. Ye Cangtian's kick had directly shattered Xuan Sanqi's meridians, rendering him a complete cripple.
"All guards, receive my orders! Bring all the interrogators here, along with the apprehended informants, back to the branch!"
"Anyone who resists shall be killed without mercy!"
This time, as Ye Cangtian's voice fell, all the guards sprang into action.
The previous interrogators, one by one, began to cooperate obediently.
The winner takes all. Xuan Sanqi had lost, and their resistance would be futile. Cooperating now might earn them leniency and save their lives.
...
Tiancan Tower.
Tiancan sat in the main seat, his gaze shifting with an uncertain expression.
He had just received news that Xuan Sanqi was confirmed to be a spy for the Eastern Camp's Ninja Division. He had now been captured by Dawn and sent to the headquarters of the Dark Association, Ghost City.
This scoundrel, why couldn't he just die!
Tiancan roared inwardly. If Xuan Sanqi were dead, he wouldn't be implicated.
But with Xuan Sanqi alive, and crucially, sent to Ghost City, the situation was dire.
If Xuan Sanqi couldn't withstand the brutal torture and implicated him, Tiancan Tower would surely face a bloody purge!
"Tower Master, we should trust Xuan Sanqi. He is a loyal and fearless ninja of Dongying and would surely not betray us."
A voice echoed, and a figure suddenly appeared in the empty hall.
This person looked emaciated, and like Tiancan, appeared to be at least sixty or seventy years old.
This was none other than the former deputy captain of Tiancan's squad, and the only survivor besides Tiancan.
"Duan Dao, I wish I could trust Xuan Sanqi, but I cannot afford to take the risk!"
Tiancan glanced deeply at the other man and continued, "Tiancan Tower is the foundation built by the Ninja Division over decades. You understand better than I do what it means to the Ninja Division!"
With these words, Duan Dao suddenly understood everything.
Tiancan Tower not only had to gather intelligence for the Ninja Division as much as possible but also to overthrow the rule of the Dark Association in the future and completely control the world's third relic for the Ninja Division!
If Tiancan Tower were destroyed, their efforts over the years would be in vain! It would also be a tremendous loss to the Ninja Division.
With this thought, Duan Dao hesitated for a long time before slowly saying, "Since you've said as much, then leave this matter to me. Dying by my hand is better than dying by someone else's!"
"I am still hesitant, wondering if this is a scheme by Dawn!"
Tiancan frowned slightly. He was increasingly unable to fathom this Dawn. Xuan Sanqi, who had been hidden for years, fell into his hands within days of Dawn's arrival.
Therefore, Tiancan was genuinely worried that this was another of Dawn's stratagems.
If that were the case, Duan Dao's mission would be extremely dangerous. If something happened to Duan Dao, it would also be a significant blow to Tiancan Tower.
"Tower Master, we have no other choice now."
"As you said, if Xuan Sanqi has a problem, Tiancan Tower will be destroyed."
"So, we can only take the risk! Rest assured, even if I die, I will complete the mission!"
Duan Dao gritted his teeth and said.
For him, Tiancan Tower could not be lost, and he was willing to sacrifice his own life to protect its integrity.
"Alright, you may go!"
Hearing the other man's words, Tiancan slowly nodded. Duan Dao was right; he had no other choice.
...
Outskirts of Youming City.
Xuan Sanqi, locked in a prison cart, stared blankly at the passing scenery.
His heart was filled with despair. If sent to Ghost City, he would undoubtedly endure unimaginable torture.
He was psychologically prepared for this. If he couldn't bear it, he would choose to end his own life.
In any case, there was only one thing he would say: no matter what, he would never betray the Ninja Division. It was only with deep regret that he could no longer serve them!
Surrounding the prison cart was a long convoy of escort guards, numbering at least a hundred.
At this moment, two guards at the rear of the convoy were whispering to each other.
One of them looked quite spirited, while the other appeared somewhat frail and had a somewhat effeminate appearance.
These two were none other than Ye Cangtian and Mandarava.
"Sir, what are we doing here?"
"Even if Xuan Sanqi is a spy for the Ninja Division, you don't need to escort him personally, do you?"
"Even if you are escorting him personally, with your distinguished status, you should at least arrange for a carriage!"
Mandarava rolled her eyes at Ye Cangtian and complained irritably.
She was a delicate woman with tender skin. If she had to endure a long journey to Ghost City, she didn't know how disheveled she would become! How could she stand it?
"Idiot, do you think Xuan Sanqi is the only spy from Dongying?"
"Someone is bound to attempt a prison break!"
"If we were to travel in a carriage, wouldn't that clearly announce my presence in the convoy? Then who would dare to attempt a break-in!"
Ye Cangtian glared at Mandarava and said irritably.
Upon hearing this, Mandarava finally understood.
She then glanced at Ye Cangtian and said, "Even so, why did you bring me along? My strength isn't that great, and shouldn't I be in Youming City gathering intelligence?"
Ye Cangtian looked around and calmly explained, "The ones attempting the prison break are from Tiancan Tower. And what was Tiancan's purpose in placing you by my side?"
With this statement, Mandarava suddenly came to a realization.
Ye Cangtian had previously analyzed with her that Xuan Sanqi was completely obedient to Tiancan.
Afterward, Xuan Sanqi was proven to be a spy for the Eastern Ying Ninja Division. This suggested that Tiancan must also have some connection with the Eastern Ying Ninja Division.
After all, from a superficial standpoint, Xuan Sanqi was more noble than Tiancan, being a member of the Dark Association.
Therefore, under normal circumstances, Xuan Sanqi wouldn't have been subdued by Tiancan.
The only possibility was that Tiancan was also from Dongying, and held a higher position within the Eastern Ying Ninja Division, which would explain everything.
Furthermore, Tiancan's reason for sending her to Dawn's side was simple: to monitor Dawn's every move.
Now that Dawn was clearly making a move, if she didn't relay the information, Tiancan would certainly blame Mandarava and might even try to kill her.
Therefore, Dawn bringing her along was actually a form of protection, fearing that Tiancan might act against Mandarava in his absence.
Having figured everything out, Mandarava's eyes flickered as she said, "Thank you, sir, for your protection."
Mandarava was somewhat touched. If this were a matter involving other factions, she might have been abandoned.
Her abilities weren't exceptionally strong, and many could replace her. She had no significant value, so abandoning her would be easy.
But Dawn had brought her along, making her feel a familial warmth, and also proving that Dawn was a person who valued relationships, loyalty, and promises.
"Hmph! Think with your head more next time!"
"Not every time will I be by your side to explain things to you!"
"At the same time, you must remember one thing: you are my person, and no matter what, I will never abandon you!"
Listening to Ye Cangtian's cold snort, Mandarava felt an inexplicable warmth and a satisfied smile spread across her face.
Rustle, rustle...
Just then, faint sounds emerged from the forest.
Immediately, all the guards became vigilant and formed a defensive formation.