The Inside Agent

Chapter 308: The Inside Agent

“Big Brother, do you not believe me either?” the young woman said, forcing a smile.

“It’s precisely because we all believe in you, Fifth Sister, that we’re giving you a chance to explain. As long as there’s nothing shameful inside that box, opening it voluntarily will put everyone’s doubts to rest!” the old man said coldly.

Hearing this, the young woman’s face cycled through an array of colors—flushed red, then pale white, alternating in quick succession.

When she looked toward the others, the pained expressions on the lanky man and the rest only chilled her heart further. She no longer knew what to say.

After a brief moment of deliberation, she steeled herself. Abruptly, she shoved the small box back into her robes, while her other hand flew to produce a round blue bead. Lifting it high above her head, she declared in a shrill voice:

“Don’t force me! You all know what a Heaven Thunder Seed is. I only ask to leave this place!”

The woman’s actions turned the faces of the other four Meng Mountain Friends pale, especially the young man who had always harbored feelings for her. His expression was one of utter desolation.

“It seems there’s no need to look inside that box. Fifth Sister, you truly have stooped to this,” the old man roared, his anger flaring. He clenched his fists and took a heavy step forward.

“Don’t come any closer, Big Brother! Or I will unleash it!” The young woman’s eyes showed a flicker of panic as she brought the blue bead before her, fingers forming the gesture to release it.

Seeing this, the old man’s hair and beard bristled, but he dared not advance further. He knew all too well the power of a Heaven Thunder Seed.

“Fifth Sister, are you truly prepared to use that Heaven Thunder Seed against us? Do you remember who gave it to you? Back then, because your cultivation was too low, the five of us pooled our spirit stones to buy it for your protection. Fourth Brother, especially, contributed almost all of his savings. And now you would use it against us? Don’t you think that’s going too far?” the middle-aged woman said, her voice thick with disappointment.

The young man beside her, upon hearing this, trembled with a tumult of emotions. His lips moved, but no words came out.

The young woman’s face showed a trace of shame at the middle-aged woman’s words, but it vanished in a flash. She continued stubbornly:

“What’s the point of bringing that up now? I am different from you. I must achieve Foundation Establishment! The Black Fiend Sect’s people promised me that if I rendered enough merit, their Sect Leader could force Foundation Establishment to success without even needing a Foundation Establishment Pill. And there would be no risk at all.”

The lanky man’s brow furrowed deeper and deeper as he listened. Finally, he could not help but interject:

“Fifth Sister, it’s not too late to turn back. How can you believe such talk? A Foundation Establishment without a pill? They’re just taking advantage of your youth to fool you!” This Second Brother of the Meng Mountain Friends spoke with genuine sincerity.

“Hmph, I don’t need you to lecture me, Second Brother. I know whether it’s true or not. There’s no point hiding it anymore. I joined the Black Fiend Sect two years ago, on that one expedition. Our Sect Leader’s power is vast beyond the imagination of outsiders like you!” the young woman snorted coldly, revealing a shocking piece of information.

“You joined the Black Fiend Sect two years ago? Then that means you were the one who tipped them off about their capture, weren’t you?” Han Li, who had been silently watching from the side, suddenly cut in.

These words sent another wave of shock through the old man and the others. Their gazes fixed on the young woman once more. None of them wanted to believe that their Fifth Sister had truly done such a thing.

The young woman’s face shifted between light and shadow. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke slowly:

“Yes, I did tell the Black Fiend Sect where everyone was. But my original intention was good. I only wanted to give everyone a chance at Foundation Establishment. According to the Black Fiend Sect’s usual practice, nine out of ten people they capture alive are used for blood sacrifice. I saved your lives.”

Having come this far, the young woman felt there was no point in continuing to hide the truth.

“Heh. So according to you, we brothers should be thanking you, Fifth Sister?” the dark-faced old man said, laughing in fury.

“Think what you will. I never meant you any harm. Don’t force me,” the woman said, her delicate features twisting slightly. She raised the Heaven Thunder Seed again.

But at that moment, Han Li gave her a faint smile and said:

“A Heaven Thunder Seed. Truly a fine treasure.”

The moment the words left his mouth, his form blurred and vanished from where he stood.

“You—” The young woman was sharp-witted. The instant she saw this, she tried to flick her wrist.

But before she could, a light breeze brushed past her face. A hand clamped down on her wrist. Han Li had appeared behind her like a ghost, his grip firm.

“This thing is too dangerous. I’d better hold onto it,” Han Li said without ceremony. He pried the Heaven Thunder Seed from her fingers and casually tossed it into his storage pouch.

Seeing her greatest trump card taken from her as easily as a child’s toy, the young woman’s face turned ashen. For a moment, she forgot to struggle. Fear appeared in her eyes for the first time.

“She is your sworn sister. I’ll leave her to you. All I ask is that you get everything she knows about the Black Fiend Sect. How you deal with her after that is your affair. But I trust you are not foolish enough to let her go back and report to your enemies,” Han Li said, his gaze sweeping meaningfully over the other four members of the Meng Mountain Friends. His tone was calm and collected.

A white light flickered on his hand, and he moved with lightning speed, striking several acupoints on the young woman’s body, sealing her true essence and preventing her from using any magical power.

Then, without any hesitation, Han Li reached into the young woman’s robes and retrieved the small box. With a light toss, he threw the woman toward the still-dazed young man.

“Thank you, Senior Han!”

The dark-faced old man naturally understood that Han Li had just done them a great favor, and spoke with profound gratitude.

Han Li raised a hand in silent dismissal, then cast a few yellow hand seals. He casually dispelled the sound-isolation barrier he had secretly set up nearby. Then, his figure slowly disappeared into the darkness.

“Big Brother, what should we do now?”

The lanky man watched Han Li’s receding figure, his expression complex. He lowered his voice to ask the dark-faced old man.

“Let’s take Fifth Sister back to her room and keep her under guard. We’ll decide how to deal with her after tonight’s operation,” the old man said after a moment of thought.

“That’s good. At the very least, it will give everyone time to cool down,” the lanky man nodded in agreement. He turned to the young man still holding the woman and said, “Fourth Brother, take Fifth Sister back to her room.”

The young man gave a dazed nod. Carrying the woman in his arms, he turned woodenly and walked toward the Clear Sound Courtyard.

Seeing the young man’s desolate back, the lanky man sighed, a flicker of pity on his face.

The middle-aged woman came over to join them.

“Is Fourth Brother going to be alright? He’s always been so devoted to Fifth Girl… and now…” The middle-aged woman shook her head repeatedly, an expression of distress on her face.

“Cough. I had high hopes for them, too. But that’s impossible now,” the old man said, suddenly looking exhausted.

The chain of shocking events had worn down even this decisive and resolute elder.

The oldest among the Meng Mountain Friends lingered for a while longer, exchanging deep sighs and lamentations.

“Wait! Did Fourth Brother go back alone to take Fifth Sister to her room?” the old man suddenly said, his face changing as if he had just remembered something.

“Yes, Big Brother. Is something wrong? Do you think Fourth Brother might—”

The lanky man was startled by the question at first, then his face also changed as a dawning realization filled him with worry.

Without another word, the two of them hurried off toward the Clear Sound Courtyard.

The middle-aged woman, still perplexed, was left standing alone, a puzzled look on her face.

…

Inside the Clear Sound Courtyard, the young man sat alone in the main hall, slumped in a chair, staring blankly ahead.

Before him stood the dark-faced old man and the lanky man, their faces a picture of dismay.

The young woman was nowhere to be seen.

“Second Brother, Fifth Sister still has the Senior’s restriction placed on her. She can’t have gotten far. Go after her immediately. I will go apologize to Senior Han and ask him to join the pursuit. We absolutely cannot let her escape and report back to the Black Fiend Sect. If she refuses to cooperate, or if she has help… then use lethal force,” the old man said, his expression grim.

“Understood, Big Brother!”

The lanky man paused for a moment, then immediately recognized this was no time for soft-heartedness. He nodded solemnly and hurried out.

“Fourth Brother, you… cough.” The old man turned back to look at the young man after the lanky man had left.

But seeing his absent-minded state, he couldn’t bear to scold him any further. He let out another sigh and went to find Han Li.

…

“It’s fine. Let her go. If your Second Brother doesn’t catch up with her, then don’t bother chasing anymore.”

Greatly to the old man’s surprise, Han Li did not seem alarmed at all to learn that the young woman had escaped the Qin Estate. He only said this in a light, dismissive tone.