“Separately,” Mei Tingzhu whispered. “Then we’ll act together as a group of five. This way, we all have a chance to survive.”
Mei Tingyan and Mei Tingchun were weaker, so acting alone would surely make them prey on others. They had to team up, but unfortunately, with their combined strength, they couldn’t possibly obtain five Tianxin fragments. Someone would still have to die.
However, if they took individual mission orders but acted together, their chances of obtaining a Tianxin fragment would greatly increase. Even if they couldn’t get one, at least they’d all have a chance to survive.
“But why would there be such a loophole?” Mei Tingjun asked.
If they could think of this, wouldn’t the Crane Control Army have thought of it too?
“Regardless, this is our only option, isn’t it?” Mei Tingzhu countered.
With their five-person strength, obtaining even one Tianxin fragment would be an excellent result. If they acted separately, fewer people might die in the end.
“What do you all think?” Mei Tingjun looked at the other three.
“I have no objections,” said An Jiu.
For An Jiu, this was like receiving a mission. It didn’t matter if she worked in a team or alone; the goal was to obtain a Tianxin fragment. Whether others lived or died was of no concern to her.
Mei Tingchun swallowed hard and said dryly, “Then… let’s give it a try.”
“Alright,” Mei Tingyan agreed.
In such a short time, there truly wasn’t a better plan.
By the time the five finished their discussion, half of the people present had already left.
They each took their mission orders and followed the crowd towards the ancient temple.
Dozens of people walked on the snow, their steps as light as feathers brushing the ground. Only An Jiu’s footsteps crunched in the snow, drawing glances from many.
An Jiu remained nonchalant, but those walking beside her felt somewhat uncomfortable.
“Can’t you use some internal energy?” Mei Tingyan asked irritably.
“Who says we must use internal energy? Isn’t it better to conserve it for survival?” In public, An Jiu naturally wouldn’t admit she had no internal energy. Otherwise, once they entered the temple, wouldn’t everyone frantically try to snatch her map?
Mei Tingzhu found An Jiu’s words reasonable and followed suit, withdrawing his internal energy.
The snow wasn’t too deep, so even without internal energy, they wouldn’t lose their way.
Around them, people began withdrawing their internal energy in twos and threes. Some, however, were unconcerned and quickened their pace, intending to enter the temple first to scout the terrain.
As she walked, An Jiu took out the map from her bosom to examine it.
Mei Tingjun thought briefly that it was safer to look at the maps now, before entering the temple, as others couldn’t snatch them yet. He signaled the others to take out their maps as well.
Comparing them, they discovered that An Jiu and Mei Tingyan’s maps formed a complete picture, while the other three had identical maps.
They silently put away their maps and hurried to catch up with the crowd.
The ancient temple for this trial was originally built in the early Tang Dynasty. Over the next 270 years, it had been expanded more than ten times, becoming the most renowned Buddhist temple in the area. However, after the Song Dynasty was established, Buddhism was suppressed in favor of Daoism. Legend had it that a century ago, a massive slaughter occurred here, killing hundreds of monks. The reason remained unknown.
Since then, the ancient temple often echoed with the sound of chanting sutras. On days when the sunset dyed the sky blood-red, the temple bell would mysteriously toll. Nearby villages were wiped out by plagues. People began to say that the temple was haunted by the wronged souls of the monks. Believing that the vengeful spirits of monks were more ferocious than ordinary ghosts, no one dared to live nearby for the past hundred years.
An Jiu had guessed that this was a massive ancient temple, but seeing it up close still surprised her.
Before them stretched a vast expanse of darkness. The undulating silhouette resembled several distinct mountain peaks, with pagodas jutting into the clouds like giant fingers.
“Heavens!” Mei Tingchun exclaimed softly.
Exclamations of awe echoed around them.
Although many large Daoist temples were built quite grandly and beautifully nowadays, none could compare to this abandoned ancient temple before them. It offered a glimpse into the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty’s golden age.
The plaque above the temple’s main gate had long been destroyed, its original name unknown. The weathered gates stood open, with several black-cloaked figures standing in front, distributing signal tubes to those entering.
One of them spoke in a deep voice, “Those acting alone can use this signal in times of danger to be rescued by the Crane Control Army. The price is having your face branded and being entered into slavery…”
“Tch, what use is that!” Someone immediately threw away their signal tube.
They carried the honor of their families on their shoulders, so they’d rather die with dignity than live in shame!
The Mei family’s second branch members also discarded their signal tubes. Even Mei Tingchun, whose martial arts were weak and who feared death, threw away this lifeline without a second thought.
An Jiu felt that keeping the tube would be of little use and might make others think she was weak, inviting attacks. So she discarded it as well.
Entering the courtyard, everyone chose their routes.
All wore identical black cloaks, but their clothes bore distinct markings. For instance, the Crane Control Army’s clothes had silver cranes with spread wings embroidered on the corners, the Mei family’s had red plum blossoms, and the Cui family’s directly bore the character “Cui”…
“Which direction is the pagoda?” Mei Tingyan asked quietly.
With everyone wrapped in cloaks, it was hard to distinguish individuals or genders without hearing their voices. Mei Tingzhu slightly raised his chin, indicating they should move forward.
Although the five of them lacked strength, the Mei family was one of the four great families of the Crane Control Army, undoubtedly powerful. As they walked, many eyes followed them, but no one dared to make the first move against them.
The temple complex occupied an entire mountain. Most of the original paths were overgrown with weeds, and moving through the dry undergrowth would make noise. Most people chose to pass through the buildings instead.
Halfway up the mountain, the most prominent building was the Main Hall. All other halls had paths leading there. The pagoda forest was in a huge depression behind it. To reach the pagodas, one had to pass through the Main Hall.
Mei Tingjun sensed fighting breaking out around them and whispered, “This doesn’t bode well.”
Because An Jiu lacked internal energy and couldn’t use lightness skills, they had to stick to the main road. At first, others thought they were confident in their strength and dared not provoke them rashly.
“We’re safe for now, let’s pick up the pace,” Mei Tingzhu said quickly.
The group silently accelerated.
This acceleration caused problems! Those with and without internal energy walked completely differently! Soon, people noticed the discrepancy, but unsure of the other four’s abilities, they remained cautious.
There were many lone actors nearby who didn’t need to risk snatching maps from groups. Unhindered, the five quickly reached the Main Hall.
“Should we go through the hall or around it?” Mei Tingjun asked Mei Tingzhu’s opinion.
The interior was dark, making ambushes easy, but going around meant a much longer route through dense buildings where enemies could hide while they were exposed.
After brief consideration, Mei Tingzhu decisively said, “Through the hall.”
The main doors stood wide open, with faint footprints on the ground.
An Jiu halted, saying, “You go ahead, I’ll catch up later.”
They could move silently using their internal energy, but An Jiu couldn’t. If there was an ambush inside, she’d be easily discovered.
“Alright,” said Mei Tingzhu.
Mei Tingjun hesitated but said nothing as he stepped into the hall.
Once they were out of sight, An Jiu grabbed the ornate door, nimbly leaped up, and flipped onto a beam in the corridor’s ceiling. She took out her bow and arrows, hanging upside down like a bat, ready to ambush through the broken doors and windows.
She hung there silently.
Ding!
The sound of clashing weapons rang out from inside, but only once.
In the center of the Main Hall stood three enormous Buddha statues. High platforms lined the walls, holding statues of various arhats.
From outside, An Jiu saw a hidden weapon shoot out from behind a smiling, cross-legged arhat statue.
She nocked an arrow, waiting patiently.
Mei Tingjun and the others would soon reach the back hall. Those hiding inside grew impatient and quickly launched another sneak attack.
Just as the hidden weapon shot out from behind the Buddha statue, An Jiu’s arrow flew with a whoosh.
“Ah!” A cry of pain echoed through the great hall.
An Jiu knew that if she were alone, she’d only target other lone actors to have a chance of winning. For someone to dare attack the Mei family group, they must at least be of equal strength.
“Careful, it’s poisoned!” Mei Tingjun shouted, his sword flashing as he swept away the poisoned needles flying toward them.
Whoosh!
An Jiu let loose another swift, fierce arrow.
Seeing another person fall, Mei Tingjun and the others immediately realized An Jiu was helping them and understood they had been used as bait!
Mei Tingchun used his sword to examine the corpse, finding half a map on the body.
“It’s from the Liu family,” Mei Tingchun said, seeing the embroidery on the corner of the clothes.
They didn’t know how many families made up the Crane Control Army, nor did they understand the Liu family’s standing.
Initially, when they learned An Jiu couldn’t use internal energy, all four thought she would be a burden. But now, seeing her kill two people in an instant from the darkness, their attitudes subtly shifted.
As the four hesitated whether to leave or stay to support An Jiu, hidden weapons suddenly flew at them from the east.
Two ambushers followed up with sword attacks, engaging the Mei family members in combat.
Something was off… there should be one more person…
An Jiu held her bow taut but didn’t release. She could sense someone coming towards her position!