"No, I was helping Senior Brother Ma look after the herb garden seven or eight years ago, around the time of the Blood Colored Trial. Senior Sister Chen, why do you ask?" Han Li looked up and answered honestly, even putting on a hint of curiosity on his face.
Chen Qiaoqian's face turned pale in an instant. After biting her red lip, she said stiffly, "No? But I remember Senior Brother Han happened to go out once around that time, and the timing seems to match perfectly!"
"Oh, I was preparing for the Blood Colored Trial back then, so I went out to purchase some magic treasures and talismans. But nothing out of the ordinary happened." Han Li denied calmly.
Hearing Han Li's words, Chen Qiaoqian was silent for a long while! She just stared at Han Li coldly, her gaze piercing enough to make him feel uneasy.
"In that case, there's nothing more to discuss! Senior Brother, you can leave now. I'd like to be alone for a while."
A flicker of barely perceptible disappointment crossed Chen Qiaoqian's face. She gently turned her head away, her voice filled with weariness.
Seeing this, Han Li sighed, knowing that regardless of whether she believed his words, this Senior Sister Chen would no longer bother him.
She should have been able to read his intention to keep her at a distance. And given her proud nature, she naturally wouldn't come looking for him repeatedly.
"Senior Sister, then I'll take my leave!" Han Li clasped his hands together and turned to leave the garden without any hesitation.
Only after Han Li's figure had completely disappeared did Chen Qiaoqian turn back, gazing toward the garden gate with complex eyes, and murmuring softly, "If it wasn't you, then who could it be? Back then, the only person in the valley with that kind of strength who also happened to be out was you, Senior Brother Han!"
After saying this, she walked gracefully to a blooming peony flower, extended her delicate fingers to gently pluck the vibrant, dew-kissed blossom, and brought it to her nose for a light sniff.
Accompanied by the fragrant scent, Chen Qiaoqian sank deep into her thoughts.
Han Li left the garden and let out a long breath. After shaking his head, he returned to the main hall with light steps.
When the others saw Han Li return so quickly, they were a bit surprised. But no one was tactless enough to come forward and ask about it.
Even though a few made casual jokes about Han Li and Chen Qiaoqian, Han Li just smiled it off without concern, his expression showing nothing unusual.
Not long after, Chen Qiaoqian also came in. Her expression normal, she sat back down beside Zhong Weiniang and continued their quiet conversation.
Seeing this, the others naturally felt embarrassed to continue teasing the two about their affair, and quickly shifted the topic back to the upcoming battle against the Black Fiend Church.
Time passed quickly, and the daylight soon faded.
The cultivators of Yellow Maple Valley had already returned to their respective rooms, making preparations for the great battle.
Although everyone felt that their side had a significant advantage in Foundation Establishment stage cultivators and victory should be assured, they all remained extremely cautious. After all, no one would be careless with their own life.
Still, when they thought of the numerous benefits they would reap after annihilating the Black Fiend Church's lair, they could hardly contain their excitement.
After all, when would these people ever have the opportunity to openly besiege Foundation Establishment stage cultivators? Of course, excluding those life-and-death battles against demonic cultivators where they risked their necks.
This time, the Black Fiend Church had not just one or two Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. Presumably, they would be able to get quite a few good materials and quality magic treasures from them! Especially those fellow disciples of Senior Sister Chen who came to help—more than half of them were actually here for this very reason.
Otherwise, who would risk their lives here based on just empty talk about eradicating heretical cultivators!
Han Li was also in his room, quietly checking the puppet beasts in his hand, while the Four Friends of Mengshan stood respectfully before him, looking as if they would follow his lead.
Truth be told, after Han Li's fellow disciples arrived, the dark-faced old man had wanted to approach these Foundation Establishment stage cultivators to curry favor, hoping to gain some benefits.
But whether it was Song Meng and the others, or the later group led by Senior Sister Chen, would any of them take a Qi Condensation stage rogue cultivator like the dark-faced old man seriously? After a few unkind words, they sent these people away, making it clear to them that not every Foundation Establishment stage cultivator from the Seven Great Sects was willing to associate with them. This made them even more respectful toward Han Li.
"This battle against the Black Fiend Church, regardless of the outcome, there's no need for you few to go. It would be best if you left the capital tonight to avoid the conflict." The puppet beast in Han Li's hand flashed with white light and was put away into his storage, his expression indifferent.
"But Senior, how can we retreat when the battle is about to begin!" The dark-faced old man hurriedly spoke on behalf of the others.
"This isn't about retreating or not. It's that you simply can't intervene. Joining on your own would just be throwing your lives away. Here are some upper-grade magic treasures. Take one each. Consider them parting gifts from me as your senior." Han Li shook his head with a slight smile.
With that, he brushed his sleeve across the table, and several exquisite, gleaming upper-grade magic treasures appeared on its surface.
Han Li did have spare top-grade magic treasures—in fact, quite a few. After all, he had killed so many Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, and his collection was naturally astonishing.
However, he had no intention of giving those to these few. A few upper-grade magic treasures would be quite a decent gift for these Qi Condensation stage rogue cultivators. If he brought out top-grade magic treasures, it might instead stir their greed, which would be unfavorable for his future plans to bring them under his wing.
Sure enough, when the Four Friends of Mengshan saw these magic treasures, their faces lit up with joy. They thanked Han Li repeatedly, saying that if he ever needed their service in the future, they only needed to come find them at Mengshan, and the four of them would be very willing to serve him.
Having heard the promise he wanted to hear, Han Li gave them full face and personally escorted the few out of Yuejin City, leaving them even more grateful.
But as they were about to leave, the dark-faced old man suddenly pulled Han Li aside and said carefully, "Senior, Fifth Sister won't be appearing at the Black Fiend Church, will she? Senior, there's no need to say anything. We brothers actually understand perfectly. Even Fourth Brother probably guessed as much. But none of us have pierced through this veil. After all, Fifth Sister is already too deeply involved. It's actually better if she doesn't appear before us brothers anymore!" With these words full of deeper meaning, the old man seemed to have set down a heavy burden. He restored his respectful expression and took his leave from Han Li.
Han Li stood in place, watching the gradually receding figures of the Four Friends of Mengshan, still pondering the intention behind the dark-faced old man's final words.
After a moment, Han Li suddenly chuckled to himself, then floated back into the city.
...
Upon returning to the Qin residence, it was already dark. The cultivators of Yellow Maple Valley were all assembled in the main hall, ready to depart. But Han Li was surprised to find that Third Senior Brother was no longer in the room.
He couldn't help but look at Song Meng, who was wiping down a blue longsword magic treasure, and ask, "Fourth Senior Brother, where is Third Senior Brother?"
"Third Senior Brother went to try and persuade Sixth Junior Brother again. If Senior Brother Wu agrees to join us, we'll have a better chance in tonight's battle. But in my opinion, Senior Brother Wu would never have left in the first place if he were willing to help!" Song Meng said without looking up.
"He went to find Sixth Senior Brother?"
Han Li frowned, about to ask more, when Liu Jing returned alone from outside with an odd expression on his face.
"Senior Brother Liu, is your Brother Wu still unwilling to come? If so, forget it. It doesn't matter whether we have one more or one less. The nine of us are more than enough to handle the Black Fiend Church." The oldest-looking male disciple among Senior Sister Chen's group said casually.
"If only it were that simple! The key is, when I went this time, I didn't see Brother Wu at all!" Liu Jing said with a bitter smile.
At this, everyone, including Han Li, was stunned.
"What happened, Senior Brother Liu? Isn't that coward staying at an inn nearby? Did he check out early and return to the sect?" Zhong Weiniang blinked her big eyes and guessed.
"No! I asked the innkeeper. Brother Wu went out early yesterday morning and hasn't been seen since. His personal clothes and belongings at the inn were not packed, so it doesn't look like he returned to the valley." Liu Jing shook his head, his voice filled with worry.
Hearing this, the others discussed it among themselves, but no one could say for sure what happened.
But Han Li couldn't help thinking, "Could it be that Wu Xuan is so unlucky that he's been captured by the Black Fiend Church?"
Perhaps Liu Jing had the same thought as Han Li, because he looked at the sky outside and then said decisively, "We'll discuss Senior Brother Wu's matter later. Let's set out now! We must succeed in this battle and completely eradicate the Black Fiend Church!"