C90 There Were Assassins

The closer we approached, the more the grandeur of this location became apparent.

From a distance, the 'crack' seemed no wider than a hair, but upon nearing it, the entrance was wide enough to fit four or five carriages abreast. Gazing upward, clouds and mist shrouded the view, obscuring the peak, while the road within twisted out of sight, blocked by the looming stone walls.

"Be on your guard," Qing Yangde said with a grave tone, advising Lee Yu. "If anything seems off, stick close to the crowd."

Lee Yu poked his head out of the carriage, nodding in acknowledgment. "Is there an issue?" he asked. "Don't worry, I value my life. I'll be careful."

"Things should be fine, but this is the prime spot for an ambush. If someone were planning an attack, it's most likely to happen here," Qing Yangde explained, not lingering any longer as he swiftly guided his beast away.

Lee Yu pondered the situation. Only those who reached the Hundred Clans Assembly with their delegations intact were eligible to vie for a slice of the future's lucrative pie.

Was it fair that the assembly's fixed location was closer for some and farther for others? Absolutely not! The Ming Imperial Family set the venue within their direct control, giving those clans near the Great Imperial Capital a shorter and safer journey. Those less fortunate faced traversing half the Ming territory, increasing their risk of assassination, both in probability and potentially in frequency. Many clans would relish the opportunity to discreetly deliver a treacherous blow within their own lands, a twisted display of the host's 'hospitality.'

"Come up here," Lee Yu beckoned.

Cui looked up, startled. Lee Yu had been content with her walking alongside the carriage these past few days; why the sudden change? "There's no need," she instinctively declined, finding that traveling on foot had spared her from some of the usual reprimands.

Lee Yu's brow furrowed. "I told you to get up here!"

If danger truly loomed ahead, he was likely to be a prime target. Leaving Cui on the ground was risky; he feared he might not be able to extend a helping hand in time if she was caught in the crossfire.

As for the two newcomers, Lee Yu suspected their Sixth Grade cultivation was merely a facade.

Cui glanced at Qing Miaoyan, who gave a slight nod in agreement. "Alright then," Cui acquiesced.

'Is he anticipating danger?'

'It seems Lee Yu truly values deep bonds and loyalty, ready to defend those he cares about.'

Qing Miaoyan's mind raced with thoughts, and she swiftly grasped Lee Yu's motives.

The chariot was roomy enough for four, yet Lee Yu had no plans to invite her and Qing Yingyao aboard, a clear indication of his selective closeness.

'He probably expects us to take a hit for him on the outside!'

With a sly smile, Qing Miaoyan held her tongue and continued to ride the azure bull beast alongside the group.

The deeper they traveled, the narrower the path became. At times, the carriages barely squeezed through, and they could only see about a dozen people ahead or behind.

"Do you know this place?" Lee Yu, not in the mood for cultivation and concerned about his reaction time, probed, "Why not widen the road here?"

'So he's intrigued by this place.'

Now Cui understood why Lee Yu had summoned her. After reflecting for a moment, she replied, "There was a time when we considered it, especially since it's quite a distance from Tebbe City, and it hampers economic exchange."

"But even after deploying many strongmen, progress was slow. It was only after experts surveyed the area that we found out the entire region is composed of extremely hard red stone. Cultivators below Seventh Grade can't break through it. Tools break daily, and since the red stone is worthless, we abandoned the idea."

Red stone impervious to anyone below Seventh Grade?

Lee Yu's interest was piqued. With a swift motion, he jabbed his finger forward like lightning, sinking it into the stone as if it were tofu.

"Young Master, your physical strength is truly formidable!"

Cui's delicate mouth hung open in astonishment. The move she had just witnessed was devoid of any spiritual energy; it was pure brute force that had driven it home.

"Could this be the reason behind the red stone's name?"

Lee Yu withdrew his finger, his expression one of amazement.

The bright red liquid on his fingertip resembled blood. He rubbed his finger, remarking in wonder, "It's still warm to the touch. How peculiar."

"Scarlet does signify heat. It's true, venturing out into the world presents many memorable experiences!"

"Young Master, what are you talking about?" Cui snapped out of her daze, her eyes catching the crimson on Lee Yu's hand. She raised her voice sharply, "Be on guard!"

With those words, she seized Lee Yu's arm and leapt from the carriage.

The Azure Sun Army soldiers, alerted by her cry, drew their blades. The narrow path made it impractical to maneuver their azure bull beasts, so the nearest twenty or so soldiers dismounted and hurried on foot toward Lee Yu.

"An assassin? But from where?" Lee Yu was baffled.

"Young Master, there's nothing unusual about the name 'Scarlet Stone.' It's simply named for its property of turning red when heated. It shouldn't produce any liquid, especially not one that's warm!"

Cui's face was grave. As the soldiers formed a protective circle around them, she quickly clarified and then instructed one of the soldiers, "You there, go and enlarge that opening."

The designated soldier complied without hesitation, heading straight for the hole.

"Could it really be such a coincidence? That by testing its hardness, I happened to prod a hidden assassin?" Lee Yu mused, his gaze fixed on the advancing soldier.

The soldier reached the hole unscathed and, straining with great effort, managed to expand it slightly.

"It's an insect," he called out, extracting the now lifeless creature.

Relief washed over everyone at the sight of the dead insect.

"Alright, return to your posts," Lee Yu said, his lips twitching at the sight of the bug.

The group dispersed in response.

Cui relaxed upon seeing the plump insect, knowing that such bizarre creatures did indeed inhabit the Crimson Stone. But then a thought struck her, and she urgently exclaimed, "Wait, this insect is a decoy. There's really a..."

Before she could finish her sentence, a long saber suddenly pierced through the chest of the soldier who was holding the plump insect, his back to the stone wall. Explosions boomed both ahead and behind, filling the air with a haze of dust.

"There's... an assassin."

It was only then that Cui completed her thought.

Figures burst forth from the stone walls on either side, all clad in black with long sabers slung across their backs. Most wielded the prowess of the Eighth Grade, coldly and ruthlessly reaping the lives of the soldiers nearby.

"Young Master," Cui turned, her eyes meeting Lee Yu's stern expression.

Lowering her gaze, she noticed the front of Lee Yu's shirt was soaked in blood.