Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Xue Wuying led his six remaining disciples and ran fifty miles outside the Qingyi Gate. After confirming that no soldiers were chasing them, they found a dense forest to rest.

"Damn it, how could the government troops suddenly attack without any warning!"

After calming down, Xue Wuying began to think about the massacre of his family that had happened that day.

The more he thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. The Qingyi Sect had dealings with the local government, and under normal circumstances, they would notify him immediately if there were any major changes in the imperial court.

But this time, why was there no prior warning?

Could it be...

"Could it be Shen Lang?"

Suddenly, a possibility occurred to him.

It seems that government troops attacked as soon as Shen Lang arrived.

Could it be that he collaborated with the imperial court, staging a coordinated attack from within and without to wipe out the Qingyi Sect?

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Thinking back to when Shen Lang covered the rear, could it be that he was using this opportunity to exchange information with the government officials?

"Damn it, I've fallen for his trick, Shen Lang! Don't let me catch you, or I'll tear you to pieces!"

He roared angrily, now certain that Shen Lang was a spy planted by the imperial court within the Qingyi Sect.

But just then, Shen Lang's voice rang out behind him.

"Sect Leader Xue, who do you intend to tear to pieces? You'd better make things clearer."

Xue Wuying's heart tightened, and he quickly turned around to look.

Shen Lang was staring at him with a serious expression, a deep crimson stain soaking through his outer garment.

Xue Wuying suddenly stood up, pointed at him and asked, "Shen Lang, I'm asking you, was it you who led the government troops to my Qingyi Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang's face darkened even further: "Xue Wuying, you dare to doubt me?"

"Who else could it be but you? I just can't understand why I didn't receive any advance warning about such a major operation by the government troops."

"But you've only been at my sect for a few days, and the Green Robe Sect has already been targeted by the government troops. Who else could have interfered besides you!"

"Hahaha." Shen Lang laughed. "Xue Wuying, I have to admire your imagination, but you'd better think carefully. If it really was me who betrayed you..."

"Do you think you can leave alive? Look at my injuries! I almost died at the hands of those imperial guards while covering your retreat!"

Xue Wuying snorted coldly: "I think this is probably a ruse you and those government troops put on to deceive me."

"A self-inflicted injury ruse? Sect Leader Xue, it's such a waste that your brain isn't used for storytelling in taverns and teahouses."

You almost lost your life because of this self-inflicted injury? If that's what you think, there's nothing I can do about it.

I thought martial arts sects were all about chivalry and vengeance, full of heroic spirit. Now it seems they're even more despicable than I imagined.

I saved your life, and you turn around and frame me? Do you think I, Shen Lang, am some pushover you can bully?

As he spoke, he drew the dagger from his waist, his eyes turning exceptionally cold.

"what are you up to?"

Xue Wuying was startled, clutching her injured hand, her face paling with shock.

"doing what?"

Shen Lang's death chant echoed through the dense forest.

"I told you from the beginning that I needed three thousand taels of silver for travel expenses to leave this godforsaken place."

I never imagined I'd almost be defeated in this small place like Qingyi Gate, and then be framed by you.

Fine, since neither the martial world nor the imperial court can tolerate me, what else is there to say? If we're really going to settle accounts, it's you, Xue Wuying, who owes me.

If I hadn't listened to your nonsense, I might already be living a carefree life away from the Chu Kingdom, instead of ending up in this predicament.

so."

The dagger flashed with a cold light, illuminating Shen Lang's face, which was filled with murderous intent.

"I might as well kill you, strip you of your belongings, and find a place to exchange them for food so we can keep on the run."

Realizing that Shen Lang wasn't joking, Xue Wuying panicked: "Brother Shen, let's talk this out. It was all my fault just now."

But you should also be understanding. After all, the government troops only suddenly stormed into my Qingyi Gate because of your arrival. I suspect you had no choice.

Shen Lang snorted lightly: "I remember I said this when we first met, right? I'm wanted by the Empress, and I'm afraid it would implicate your Green Robe Sect. Just give me some money and I'll leave."

But you insisted on keeping me here to say that we should jointly control the situation. Now that someone has betrayed us and caused the Green Robe Sect to be robbed, you are now doubting me?

All I can say is that your actions have truly chilled me to the bone. Fine, it's safer to kill you and go my own way.

Don't worry, I'll give you a quick death; you won't feel any pain.

Xue Wuying was taken aback: What he said made sense and was based on evidence. I was the one who left the person behind. Could it be that he really wasn't colluding with the court, and there was another hidden story?

"Xue Wuying, do you have any last words?"

The threat of death rang in his ears, immediately pulling Xue Wuying back to reality.

"Brother Shen, I'm sorry, I apologize for what I said before."

Now that the imperial troops have arrived, and the area is likely surrounded by government forces, it's crucial to avoid internal strife, especially at times like these.

"Oh ho, so you've learned to play the emotional card now?"

Xue Wuying, now you have nothing left, following you would only be a burden.

I regret covering your retreat. Killing you all made my escape much easier; I feel less burdened now.

"No!"

Xue Wuying took a deep breath.

"Brother Shen, although the Green Robe Sect has been destroyed, the people behind me are very powerful."

Shen Lang laughed: "Someone as down on their luck as you actually has the nerve to say you have someone backing you up? It's unbelievable."

Xue Wuying took a deep breath: "Brother Shen, to be honest, the people behind us have long been dissatisfied with the current Empress's perverse actions."

They are secretly plotting to assassinate him and install a new emperor, while my Qingyi Sect...

We've served him for years, and now that we have nowhere else to go, why don't we come with me to join him?

"Is the person you're talking about really that capable?" Shen Lang asked with a hint of doubt. "How come I don't know anyone like that exists?"

Xue Wuying: "Please trust me this once, Brother Shen. It's not something that can be explained in a few words. Once you meet that person, everything will be clear."

Shen Lang: "Okay, I can trust you one more time, but if you dare to lie to me..."

I will cut off pieces of your flesh and make them into elixirs of bliss.

Xue Wuying nodded emphatically: "Don't worry, it definitely won't happen this time."

Shen Lang: "Let's not delay, let's set off immediately, but before that..."

Suddenly, Shen Lang's eyes turned cold.

The dagger in his hand flashed out suddenly, passing between the six people in front of Xue Wuying.

In the blink of an eye, a neat bloodstain appeared on the necks of all six people, and they died on the spot.

"Why did you kill them?!"

Xue Wuying's eyes widened, and he trembled.

Shen Lang sheathed his dagger and replied, "Who can be sure whether there might be a spy from the imperial court among these six people?"

To prevent the tragedy of the Green Robe Gate from repeating itself, it's best to keep quiet forever.

"But they are all my trusted confidants; they would never betray me!"

"Don't be naive. It's precisely because they're your trusted confidants that they have a greater chance of betraying you. After all, they know..."

They have far more than ordinary people, and a greater chance of gaining favor with the imperial court; eliminating them would actually bring peace of mind.

After explaining, Shen Lang ignored Xue Wuying and strode forward.

"Let's get going quickly, or none of us will survive if the government troops catch up."

Looking at the bodies of the last six trusted men lying in pools of blood, and then at Shen Lang's departing figure, Xue Wuying clenched his fists, his pupils filled with resentment.

"Shen Lang, whether you are a spy or not, I will settle the score with you regarding the Green Robe Sect sooner or later. When you see the Heavenly Venerable, you will definitely die a horrible death!"