Chapter 102: Sleepless Night For The Xie Clan.
"What is taking them so long?"
The Xie Clan Master paced back and forth in his private chamber; his brows knitted in worry.
Tonight, he had sent his most trusted men on a dangerous mission—to steal every last one of the mysterious array plates, and if possible, uncover the secret behind their creation.
His true ambition lay in seizing the entire batch of plates and using them to strengthen his clan.
With such resources, the Xie Clan could rise above their rivals. The idea of auctioning a few of the plates had also crossed his mind.
it would not only earn them vast wealth but also elevate their prestige throughout their city.
But now, hours have passed.
The men had been gone for more than three hours, and there was still no word.
"Could they have been captured?" he muttered, pausing in his steps.
The thought gnawed at him, but he quickly shook his head. "Impossible. I sent the best of the best."
He clenched his fists tightly, as though to force away his unease. Every one of the men he had chosen was a First-Rated Martial Artist.
To ensure the mission’s success, he had poured enormous resources into hiring them.
Only two of his clansmen had been included, and their sole purpose was to make sure the hired blades did not double-cross him.
And yet... silence.
The Clan Master’s nerves only worsened.
Unable to sit still any longer, he left his room and found several elders gathered outside, their faces mirroring his uneasiness.
"Clan Master..." the First Elder called out, his voice low and uncertain.
The Clan Master understood at once what they were thinking. Though his own heart was sinking, he forced a confident smile onto his face.
"Don’t worry. Nothing has gone wrong," he said casually, his voice carrying a veneer of assurance. "I believe something must have simply delayed them."
His words earned a sigh of relief from the elders, but none of them could completely smother the creeping dread that clung to their hearts.
Their instincts whispered that something was amiss, and no amount of empty reassurances could banish it.
Unfortunately for them, none of the Xie clan elders would have a peaceful sleep tonight.
The following day.
The sun rose over the horizon, its golden rays spilling across Mystic City and bathing its streets in light. A new day dawned, bright and full of promise.
Bang! Bang!
A loud banging rattled the gates of a mansion.
Standing outside was a woman of ordinary appearance, but her face was pale and stricken with dread.
Anxiety flickered in her eyes as she hammered on the gate again and again.
Just as she raised her hand for another strike, the gate creaked open. Zhang Wei appeared, his tall frame filling the entrance.
At first, he frowned at the woman, ready to reprimand her for her impatience, until she recognized her.
She was one of the female attendants from the Blazing Sun Pavilion.
"Sir," she blurted, her words tumbling over each other, "May I see the Young Miss—no, the Young Master!"
Zhang Wei studied her carefully, his suspicion sharpening. "Has something happened at the store?"
"Yes, sir," she replied quickly, bowing her head. "That’s why I must see the Young Master immediately!"
Without further hesitation, Zhang Wei ushered her into the mansion.
Inside the main hall, Jun Wu and the others listened attentively as the attendant relayed her story.
"So you’re saying," Jun Wu repeated slowly, his eyes narrowing, "that there are several men lying helpless on the ground in the backyard of the store?"
"Yes, Young Master," she confirmed with a vigorous nod. "They’re still sleeping, as though under some spell."
Jun Wu rose to his feet, his expression calm but his eyes gleaming with interest. "Let’s go and see this surprise for ourselves."
Xinyue hurried to his side, her face clouded with confusion.
Why would strangers be sleeping in the backyard of their store?
What kind of situation was this?
Mao Yun and Zhang Wei, however, exchanged knowing looks. They already had an inkling of what had transpired.
...
A short while later, the group arrived at the Blazing Sun Pavilion.
In front of the entrance, the remaining three attendants were already waiting nervously.
Jun Wu’s sudden appearance on the nearly deserted business street drew little attention; few stores had opened so early.
With long strides, he and his men entered and made their way to the backyard.
As Jun Wu lifted his hand and deactivated the protective formation, the illusion faded away, revealing the several hooded men sprawled across the ground.
His lips curled faintly.
"You may return to your posts," he told the attendants. "I’ll handle things here."
"Alright," Xinyue nodded quickly. She beckoned the attendant who had come with them. "Come with me."
Though she said nothing further, her eyes betrayed her realization.
It was obvious now.
These men had tried to steal from the Pavilion the night before and had been caught in the formation Jun Wu had personally laid down.
Whenever Xinyue left the store, she always activated the Illusory Array Formation for protection.
Many outsiders wondered why the Blazing Sun Pavilion employed no guards like other establishments.
They could never have guessed that its defenses were far stronger than any guards.
With the women gone, Jun Wu waved his hand and activated both a Sound Barrier Array and a Concealment Array.
The backyard was now cut off from prying eyes and ears.
Then, he looked at Zhang Wei. "Wake up our guests."
Zhang Wei smirked and obeyed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
His strikes echoed, jolting the intruders awake.
"Ahhh!" "Ahhh!"
Miserable screams tore from their throats as they sprang upright, their faces twisted in panic.
"What—what happened?!"
"Where are we?!"
Confusion and fear overwhelmed them.
The last thing they remembered was trying to flee the pavilion.
Again and again, they had hurled themselves at the walls, certain they would escape with one more effort.
But each time, they had found themselves back where they started.
After hundreds of futile attempts, exhaustion had consumed them, and they had collapsed into unconsciousness.
This damn place had made them lose their mind.
Now, as their eyes adjusted and they saw the three figures standing before them.
Then, realization struck them.
Their hearts pounded like war drums, their throats dry, their bodies trembling.
They opened their mouths, desperate to explain, to beg, to say something.
But no words came.
For there was only one thought burning in their minds...
They were doomed.