Four Seas Cloud Moon

Ji Zeming and Xiao Wu meticulously searched every inch of the land, every corner, but could find no trace of the men in black. After some inquiries, they learned of a mysterious folk legend: a secret organization exists, its movements unpredictable, reappearing at specific times. Whenever this organization surfaces, it inevitably unleashes a bloody storm, igniting war and potentially leading to the downfall of dynasties!

Surprisingly, perhaps only Qian and Zhou Erwang had witnessed this mysterious organization firsthand and even joined it. So, Han Bing and Zhang Guangzheng should also have some connection to this organization!

At this time, Ziying stepped forward and said, "In my opinion, we should refrain from any rash actions for now, lest we alert the enemy. Who can guarantee that they don't have spies within the court? After all, we are in the open, while the enemy is hiding in the shadows. If we are not careful and injure Your Majesty, it would be a disaster!"

Not long after, at court, Ziying and Hancheng were both honored by the emperor for their achievements. Ziying danced with joy, beaming with delight, his entire body seemingly floating. In stark contrast, Hancheng's face flushed with shame, believing that this reward was entirely due to Ziying alone.

After the court was adjourned, the ministers in the court dispersed one after another, but Lu Xiaotian deliberately kept Ziying, Han Cheng, Zhang Guangzheng, Han Bing, Yue Heng and Xu Haotian, and signaled everyone to follow him to the study to discuss important matters.

After entering the study, everyone took their seats. Ziying spoke first, detailing the thrilling events of the Second King's assassination. When the mysterious organization was mentioned, everyone present couldn't help but look solemn. Han Bing and Zhang Guangzheng also began to recall events related to this mysterious organization.

Han Bing has always been a low-key person, and he usually keeps a low profile. At this moment, he slowly said: "In fact, I have also received some help from this mysterious organization. Looking back, I may have someone secretly behind the scenes who fanned the flames for me to become a vassal king." After saying this, he frowned slightly, as if he was lost in thought.

Zhang Guangzheng, on the other hand, was more forthright. He stated bluntly, "It's said that our family's ancestors came from a mysterious power, and the technique that controls feng shui originated from that power. I only heard my grandfather mention this incident occasionally when I was a child, but since he passed away, no one has mentioned this matter since."

Lu Xiaotian listened quietly to what the two had to say, then turned his gaze to Yue Heng and Xu Haotian. They exchanged glances and simultaneously shook their heads, indicating they didn't know much about the matter. However, at this moment, Yue Heng suddenly frowned, as if remembering something important. He took a deep breath and slowly said, "Everyone, I've remembered something strange..."

Looking back to those days, when I was young and full of vigor, I led my men to gallop across the battlefield and bravely kill the enemy. However, fate played a cruel joke on us - during a fierce battle, we unfortunately fell into a trap carefully laid by the enemy.

Back then, we fled in panic, pursued by a surging tide of enemies. Watching my comrades fall one by one, my heart ached as if torn apart. But my instinct for survival compelled me to continue my desperate flight with the few hundred men left. Even more daunting was the fact that the relentless pursuit of our enemy numbered tens of thousands, a disparity so vast it was despairing.

During our escape, we stumbled into a deep, quiet valley. We thought we could take a breather and rethink our escape plan, but the enemy quickly blocked the valley entrance, trapping us in this desperate situation.

After days of traveling and fierce fighting, our supplies of food and water were running low. Hunger, thirst, and fear gripped us like demons, and deep despair shone in our eyes. Faced with such dire circumstances, we had no choice but to launch a surprise attack under cover of night, attempting to break through the enemy lines.

However, the enemy was clearly well prepared, and every attack we launched was met with fierce resistance. After several assaults, we suffered heavy casualties, with over half of our already small force lost. Looking at my wounded and exhausted brothers around me, I felt a surge of guilt and helplessness.

Finally, after another failed breakout attempt, looking at the few hundred or so men left, I made a painful decision: surrender to the enemy in exchange for their chance of survival. Although my heart was filled with resentment and humiliation, as long as I could save the lives of these brothers who had followed me through thick and thin, it would all be worth it.

However, what I never expected was that that very night, while I was still immersed in the worry of the unknown future, these brothers who were like brothers to me suddenly tied me up. They silently left all the remaining food and water, arranged for a brother to be in charge of guarding, and then rushed to the valley entrance again without hesitation, ready to make a final desperate struggle.

At that moment, tears streamed down my face. I wanted to shout to stop them, but my throat felt like something was blocking it, and no sound came out. I could only watch their figures gradually disappear into the darkness, the sound of killing echoing in my ears. As time passed, the shouts gradually became fainter, until they disappeared completely. I knew in my heart that my last hundred or so brothers were probably in danger.

Two nights later, silence enveloped the valley. The brother who had stood by my side this entire time slowly approached me and silently untied the ropes that bound me. Without a word, the sadness and despair in each other's eyes spoke volumes. Then, we both mounted our horses and slowly headed toward the mountain pass.

As we approached the mountain pass, a strong, putrid stench assaulted our senses. In the faint moonlight, I saw corpses scattered across the ground, lifeless and, having been neglected for so long, already rotting. Tears welled up in my eyes again as I watched this horrific scene. This was the final fate of my hundred or so brothers... their bodies, exposed in the wilderness, still emitting a foul stench.