Zhou Yan watched Xiang Jian flee in disarray, utterly bewildered. What was going on? Was he seeing ghosts?
Confused, Zhou Yan prepared to return to his room. As he stepped forward, a surge of heat coursed from his lower abdomen to his head, making all his blood seem to boil. Zhou Yan felt uncomfortably hot and involuntarily loosened his collar.
"Why is it so hot?" Zhou Yan wiped his forehead, finding it was sweating. As the internal temperature continued to rise, he quickly realized. His conversation with the Deputy Sect Leader had likely been overheard by the Sect Leader word for word. This was the Sect Leader’s punishment!
Zhou Yan left quickly. Fortunately, the Eight Directions Sect had a cold spring, which could suppress the heat toxin. Though it would be painful, it was better than enduring it. He feared that if he persisted, he might explode. At the same time, he cursed Xiang Jian for not being a better brother and not warning him!
Shan Yun watched Zhou Yan flee as if his life depended on it, even ignoring her greeting. She was puzzled. "What's wrong with Lord Zhou? He looks like he's seen a ghost."
Qi Hong shook his head. "I've never seen him normal. He's always like this, abnormal."
"Lord Zhou is abnormal?" Shan Yun asked, perplexed. He had seemed quite normal to her before.
"He was normal, but after spending so much time around the Sect Leader, he's become a bit abnormal," Qi Hong sighed. Their Sect Leader had a way of driving people mad. Hadn't he himself nearly gone mad because of her?
He, the dignified warrior of the Primordial Tribe, had felt like dying when he was publicly defeated by a young girl. But he had endured it all. Now, he was accustomed to it. One couldn't look at their Sect Leader as a normal person. She was an anomaly, and one had to constantly measure her by the standards of a pervert, otherwise, they would be the ones who were crushed!
Before dawn, the Poison Woman's poisoning had been resolved. After all, she dealt with poisons regularly and had a high tolerance. Once free, the Poison Woman quietly left the Eight Directions Sect.
The guards discovered the Poison Woman was missing and came to report. Xiao Man, fast asleep, turned over, her back to the guard. "If she's gone, she's gone."
"Sect Leader, aren't we going to do anything?"
"What, do you have the ability to go to the Ruthless Sect and tie her back?" Xiao Man's voice was lazy and indifferent. Sudan Novels.
The guard didn't know what to do and finally retreated, closing the door. Just then, Shan Yun arrived to call Xiao Man for breakfast. "Has the Sect Leader woken up?"
"Reporting to Lord Shan Yun, no, the Sect Leader is still sleeping. The Poison Woman has escaped."
"If she's gone, she's gone," Shan Yun replied, echoing Xiao Man. If the Poison Woman could enter the Eight Directions Sect undetected, then her departure would also go unnoticed. Even if they noticed, these people couldn't keep the Poison Woman.
The guard scratched his head and resignedly left. Shan Yun urged Xiao Man to get up, but Xiao Man refused. She was exhausted from dealing with the Poison Woman last night and wanted to take it easy and get a good sleep today.
Although Xiao Man was the Sect Leader of the Eight Directions Sect, she rarely managed the sect's affairs. All major and minor matters were still handled by Zhou Yan, who managed the Eight Directions Sect with great efficiency.
Zhou Yan had spent the entire night in the cold spring, resolving the heat toxin but contracting a severe cold. He emerged sneezing, his face pale and shivering. Shan Yun, seeing him thus, couldn't help but inquire.
"Lord Zhou, what's wrong with you?"
Zhou Yan gave Shan Yun a resentful look. "I accidentally fell into the cold spring."
"Falling into the cold spring isn't pleasant. I'll have someone boil some ginger soup for you later."
"Thank you, Miss Shan Yun," Zhou Yan replied, teeth chattering, as he went to his room to change clothes. Due to his illness, he didn't leave his room for two consecutive days.
By the time the Poison Woman and her people from the Ruthless Sect came to seek refuge, Zhou Yan's cold had almost recovered. Their new Sect Leader always did things that defied belief. Now, even if Xiao Man said the Flying Eagle Gang would come seeking refuge tomorrow, he would believe it.
Zhou Yan settled the people from the Ruthless Sect and explained their sect rules, explicitly forbidding anyone from harassing the young women of the Ruthless Sect, under penalty of severe punishment.
When the news of the Ruthless Sect seeking refuge with the Eight Directions Sect reached the Flying Eagle Gang, Fu Ning flipped the table on the spot. "That wretched woman! I wanted to cooperate with her, and she refused, but she's willing to lick Xiao Qin's boots!"
"Gang Leader, the Eight Directions Sect has now annexed the Mad Saber Society and the Ruthless Sect, becoming the number one force in the Land of No Law. This is extremely disadvantageous to us."
Xi Wen frowned and said, "If the Flying Eagle Gang had extended an olive branch to Xiao Qin from the start, we might not be in such a passive position. In the Land of No Law, might makes right. If Xiao Qin had joined the Flying Eagle Gang at the beginning, then the Flying Eagle Gang would be the top gang in the Land of No Law. Unfortunately, our Sect Leader is shortsighted."
"I know, you don't need to tell me!" Fu Ning raised his voice. Xiao Qin was ambitious, first annexing the Mad Saber Society, and now taking in the Ruthless Sect. Next, she might turn her attention to the Flying Eagle Gang. "Xi Wen, do you have a solution to our current predicament?"
"If you don't want to end up like the Mad Saber Society, we have no choice but to follow the Ruthless Sect's example and surrender to the Eight Directions Sect," Xi Wen said after a moment of thought. "If the forces in the Land of No Law could unite as one, it would reduce many troubles. Then, the assessment in Wuji City wouldn't be a free-for-all."
"For me to pledge allegiance to the Eight Directions Sect? Impossible!" Fu Ning exclaimed, agitated. The thought of having to submit to others made him feel uneasy. He couldn't help but resent Xiao Man. If it weren't for Xiao Man's appearance disrupting the balance of power in the Land of No Law, he wouldn't be in such a dilemma.
"Gang Leader, only two of the four major forces remain, with the Eight Directions Sect dominating. Given Xiao Qin's personality, she will likely launch an attack on the Flying Eagle Gang soon. Surrender before they attack is the best option," Xi Wen advised. "Gang Leader, if we wait until the Eight Directions Sect attacks, what awaits us will be..."
Fu Ning angrily waved his hand, interrupting Xi Wen. "Are you that afraid of death? The Eight Directions Sect hasn't attacked yet, and you're already scared out of your wits? You fear Xiao Qin, but I don't!"
Xi Wen immediately fell silent. He knew Fu Ning was currently enraged and wouldn't listen to reason. However, time was of the essence, and no one knew when the Eight Directions Sect would attack. If they waited until the Eight Directions Sect had crushed them before surrendering, they would be prisoners. It was entirely different from actively submitting.
"Your subordinate takes his leave," Xi Wen said, then retreated. When persuasion failed, he could only choose silence. After all, he wasn't the one who made the decisions. All he could do was minimize the losses as much as possible when the Eight Directions Sect attacked.