Sage of Humanity
Chapter 943 - 941: Hand Over Li Taibai

"Senior Brother, what exactly is going on?" Lin Yue's face also changed.

Zhang Kun's expression was grave: "You only know that the person who was beheaded is named Tan Shu, but do you know the person behind him?"

Lin Yue frowned: "No matter who is behind him, the Haotian Alliance shouldn't disregard the bigger picture just because someone died in battle, right? Over the years, many people have died at the two mountain passes because of combat, and among them, there were disciples from 1st grade sects. No one ever raised a fuss because of that. Senior Brother, I know this Tan Shu is a disciple from the Tianyuan Sect, but what kind of background does he have that makes you treat it like a looming threat?"

Zhang Kun said, "Since you know he's a disciple of the Tianyuan Sect, can't you think of someone?"

Lin Yue pondered for a moment: "Are you referring to... Yu Huajin, that old immortal? Is Tan Shu related to her?"

"Sigh!" Zhang Kun sighed, "Junior Sister, you reached the Divine Sea Realm relatively late and might not know that Yu Huajin's husband was surnamed Tan. They had a son who was said to be extraordinarily talented. Several decades ago, he shone brilliantly but, due to some mistakes, was beheaded by Feng Wujiang on the battlefield to console the troops. Tan Shu is the descendant of this person, who died while Tan Shu was still in the womb."

"So... Yu Huajin is Tan Shu's grandmother?"

Zhang Kun solemnly nodded: "Now, do you understand?"

Lin Yue's face also changed.

Zhang Kun said: "Because of what happened back then, that old hag Yu Huajin has harbored deep resentment towards the Righteous Blood Sect. Even though she is part of the Haotian Alliance, she has often suppressed them both openly and secretly. It's said that the deaths of many Righteous Blood Sect disciples were related to her. Unfortunately, the Righteous Blood Sect didn't have concrete evidence, and with the sect's decline, the matter was left unsettled. Yu Huajin had only one son, who was slain by Feng Wujiang, and that son left only one offspring, now dead at our hands, practically eradicating this line. How can Yu Huajin let this go? If it were someone else, they would consider the bigger picture and not make a big deal out of one person's death. But Yu Huajin is a madwoman; who knows what she might do?"

Lin Yue suddenly felt a headache. Earlier, Lu Ye's victory over the strong by defeating Tan Shu brought face to their side, but now she realized it was a colossal blunder.

Just as Zhang Kun said, if it were any other Divine Sea Realm cultivator, even if angry, they would consider the bigger picture. But Yu Huajin is a lunatic, capable of doing unexpected things.

Especially since Yu Huajin still holds substantial power over the Sky Gate Checkpoint, it's hard to predict what actions she might take.

It seems Tan Shu was stationed at Jinglan Lake Pass partially because the combat there wasn't intense. That crazy woman had a private intent to protect her family's last descendant, and since Jinglan Lake Pass falls under the jurisdiction of the Sky Gate Checkpoint, it was more convenient for her.

While Lin Yue was contemplating, the guard tokens on her and Zhang Kun's waists simultaneously reacted. The two shared an uneasy glance and immediately realized that their worst fears had happened.

And it came so quickly, making them deeply aware of Yu Huajin's madness.

"Prepare for battle!" A low shout, amplified by spirit force, swiftly spread throughout Dark Moon Forest Pass.

In an instant, the entire mountain pass was like a pot of oil sprinkled with salt, boiling over, and countless Ten Thousand Demons Ridge cultivators ran to their posts, the sounds of preparation echoing everywhere.

In less than thirty breaths, all the Ten Thousand Demons Ridge cultivators within the pass mobilized, displaying incredible efficiency.

Lu Ye, who was cultivating and resting, was also alarmed.

Noticing the anomaly, he quickly opened the door and stepped out, though his face remained pale.

The consumption of his Mental Consciousness had already been replenished, but he had told Tong Shuyao that he used a Forbidden Technique, allowing him to defeat Tan Shu with a weaker force.

Being a Forbidden Technique, naturally, its consumption was immense, and it wouldn't be possible for an ordinary person to recover so quickly.

He quickly spotted Tong Shuyao standing not far away, looking up as if searching.

"Senior Sister Tong, what's going on?" Lu Ye asked.

"The Haotian Alliance is attacking the checkpoint," Tong Shuyao quickly replied, still feeling puzzled. Jinglan Lake Pass and Dark Moon Forest Pass hadn't seen any battles for a long time, so why would the Haotian Alliance suddenly come to attack?

She vaguely suspected that it might be related to the events of the previous day, but couldn't be sure.

Lu Ye listened with a deep frown.

The Haotian Alliance came to attack the checkpoint, and Li Taibai was from the Ten Thousand Demons Ridge; if he encountered people from the Haotian Alliance, should he fight or not?

If he fights, it goes against his nature; if not, it might expose his weakness.

In an instant, his face grew paler, his body staggered, and his entire aura seemed extremely feeble.

"Junior Brother Taibai!" Tong Shuyao rushed forward to support him.

Lu Ye waved his hand: "That Forbidden Technique consumed too much. I need to rest for a few more days to be fine."

Tong Shuyao feared no deceit: "In that case, Junior Brother, please return indoors; you need not participate in today's battle."

Lu Ye decisively nodded: "Senior Sister Tong, please be careful."

"Go back, I'll report to the Mountain Pass Chief, you won't be punished for avoiding battle," Tong Shuyao said, soaring into the sky.

Seeing her leave, Lu Ye quickly turned around and stepped inside his house, closing the door. No matter what, he couldn't join today's excitement.

With the battle preparations ordered, even though there had been no conflict for a long time, Dark Moon Forest Pass quickly became operational, constantly receiving messages from the front line, but soon all sources were cut off.

It was clear that the scouts probing for information had their tracks exposed; their fate was likely doomed.

On the city walls, Lin Yue and Zhang Kun, the two Mountain Pass Chiefs, stood side by side, exerting their ocular power to peer into the distance, vaguely able to see the massive formation of the Haotian Alliance.

"That old witch acts recklessly. However, given her sensitive status, she certainly won't lead the fight personally. Nevertheless, I assert there are more Divine Sea Realm attackers than just the two from Jinglan Lake Pass, there must be reinforcements dispatched. Junior Sister Yue, send a message to the neighboring passes on both sides, tell them to be ready to support us at any time!"

"Yes!" Lin Yue accepted the order, immediately sending messages to the Divine Sea Realms of the neighboring sides, urging them to prepare for support.

It was unwise to call them over now; asking for help before the battle would weaken our morale. If the Haotian Alliance is feinting an attack here, and the real target is the sides, asking for help now would fall into their lure-the-tiger-from-the-mountain scheme, burdening and endangering the sides.

Moreover, the speed of the Divine Sea Realm is rapid; if they sense something off and come from nearby, they can arrive within one hour.

With the defenses of Dark Moon Forest Pass, they could certainly hold for one hour.

The Haotian Alliance army drew nearer, causing Zhang Kun and Lin Yue to furrow their brows. For the current lineup, Jinglan Lake Pass has virtually deployed its full force, even sending its two Divine Sea Realm Chiefs.

These two, a man and a woman, had cultivations similar to Zhang Kun and Lin Yue. Though they had never crossed paths in battle, a real fight would certainly be a match between equals.

No other Divine Sea strong cultivators were seen, but if the other side intended to hide, they wouldn't be detected.

"Just received information, that Liew Yuemei is Tan Shu's biological mother!" Zhang Kun lightly spoke while looking at the palace-attired woman among the two Divine Sea Realms on the opposing side.

"They're probably mad!" Lin Yue furrowed her delicate brows.

Just because of one death, a great commotion ensued, causing two longtime peaceful passes to start a war. It would be a source of ridicule if spread.

But half of Sky Gate Checkpoint is run by Yu Huajin, and Liew Yuemei is the chief of Jinglan Lake Pass. Tan Shu's death evidently drove this mother-in-law and daughter somewhat insane, now only thinking about avenging Tan Shu, heedless of everything else.

Even if this matter reaches Haotian City's Elder Council, they wouldn't criticize them since the factions are adversarial by nature; launching an attack is a regular step—the death of an heir is merely an excuse.

"Activate the array!" As Zhang Kun shouted, the protective array of Dark Moon Forest Pass was triggered, a transparent light screen like an overturned bowl covering the pass.

On the city walls, the light of numerous arrays began to shine, waiting to strike when the enemy approaches a specific distance.

Throughout history, in the battle between offense and defense, the defender always held the advantage, so even though Jinglan Lake Pass has deployed its full force, Zhang Kun and Lin Yue aren't overly worried because given the situation, the enemy won't conquer Dark Moon Forest Pass.

Their only concern is the presence of hidden Divine Sea Realms.

The attacking Haotian Alliance army evidently saw the response from Dark Moon Forest Pass, halting outside their range.

Liew Yuemei, clad in white palace attire and with a face colder than ice, stepped out from the crowd, stopping five hundred meters away from Dark Moon Forest Pass.

Her gaze swept over every segment of the city wall, seemingly searching for someone, but found nothing, finally retracting her line of sight in disappointment and fury.

"A guest from afar is indeed delightful. Fellow Daoist Liew, why didn't you give a heads up before coming? If you informed me sooner, I would have gone out to welcome you." Zhang Kun looked at Liew Yuemei with a smile.

He showed warm hospitality but Liew Yuemei responded coldly, lightly speaking, "Where is Li Taibai? Hand over Li Taibai, and I'll immediately withdraw my troops!"

Zhang Kun raised his eyebrows. Despite knowing the reason for today's battle was yesterday's altercation, hearing the opponent's admission was another thing.

In his heart, he understood; Tan Shu's death indeed incited great anger in Liew Yuemei and Yu Huajin. The opponent showed complete transparency, without any intent to hide.

In reflection, it's not surprising; over thirty years ago, their son and husband were slain by Feng Wujiang in battle. They painstakingly raised their grandson and son, giving him some cultivation skills, and placed him in a pass with little conflict, fearing harm, yet he still died.

Moreover, he was killed by someone whose cultivation was four levels lower.

No one could accept this.

"Fellow Daoist Liew, you're jesting. Not to mention, I don't know who Li Taibai is, nor whether he belongs to my Dark Moon Forest Pass forces. Even if I knew, I wouldn't hand him over to you."

"Hand him over! Otherwise, I'll make sure Dark Moon Forest Pass is never at peace!" Liew Yuemei's expression suddenly turned ferocious.

"Fellow Daoist Liew, don't forget, you are Divine Sea Realm; standing before the armies of both sides, you shouldn't lose your composure!"

Liew Yuemei cared not for composure; her gaze turned towards the city, urging her spirit force, she shouted forcefully, "Li Taibai, come out! Today, I will rip you to shreds!"