Chapter 32: Lin Kun Outwits the Treacherous Scheme

Elder Lingfeng’s gaze was as cold and venomous as a serpent’s. A sneer of disdain hung upon his wrinkled face as he swept his eyes over Yun Yao and Jun Mohan, as if appraising two lambs waiting for the slaughter.

"Hmph, nothing to do with you?" His voice was low and gravelly, like the grinding of stone, grating on the ears. "In this Forest of Secret Treasures, who can truly remain uninvolved? I suspect you came here for the treasure yourselves!"

Yun Yao cursed the old fox under her breath, yet she forced an innocent smile onto her face. "Elder, you’ve misunderstood. My senior brother and I are merely passing through. We found the scenery of this forest exquisite and decided to explore, nothing more." As she spoke, she tugged at Jun Mohan’s sleeve and blinked her bright, limpid eyes, feigning a look of wide-eyed innocence.

Though Jun Mohan was not skilled at lying, he could at least play along with Yun Yao. He nodded slightly, maintaining a calm expression. "My junior sister speaks the truth; we are indeed just passing through." He gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, ready to react to any sudden shift, while struggling to suppress the biting chill radiating from his own body.

Elder Lingfeng squinted, clearly unconvinced. He scoffed, "Bah, silver-tongued liars! Everyone in this Forest of Secret Treasures is here for the prize. You two juniors, stop trying to deceive me!" He waved a hand, signaling his disciples to act. "Surround them and search them!"

Upon his command, the disciples moved instantly. Wielding sharp blades, they lunged toward Yun Yao and Jun Mohan with agility. The surrounding air felt as if it had solidified; the oppressive atmosphere made Yun Yao feel as though she were suffocating. She could feel a light sweat on her palms, and her heart hammered against her ribs.

Jun Mohan’s gaze turned razor-sharp. He gripped his sword so tightly his knuckles turned white. He stepped in front of Yun Yao like a towering mountain, blocking every possible threat. His aura grew cold and cutting, like a blade drawn from its scabbard, ready to strike down anyone who dared approach. Feeling his sturdy back, Yun Yao calmed slightly. She knew this was no time for panic. Her mind raced, searching for a way to break free before they fell into even deeper trouble.

Just then, Yun Yao sensed something amiss—a flicker of malice hidden within the crowd. She looked up and locked eyes with a disciple who appeared remarkably meek. The disciple kept his head bowed, his eyes darting back and forth. His tightly clenched fists betrayed his true intent. A realization struck her.

"Senior brother, watch out..." she whispered, her voice so faint it was barely audible, yet enough for Jun Mohan to grasp her meaning.

Jun Mohan’s eyes sharpened. "It seems," he said slowly, "that there will be no peaceful end to this today."

Yun Yao scanned the crowd once more, this time focusing her energy to employ her telepathic ability.

Elder Lingfeng appeared formidable, yet he was inwardly fearful of the unknown dangers lurking within the forest; he was desperate to seize the treasure and depart, unwilling to be entangled here for long. The meek-looking disciple, known as Junior Brother Luo, was a mole bought off by another faction, and he was currently trembling with anxiety, terrified that his identity would be exposed.

Luo’s nervousness was like a flickering candle in the dark, impossible to hide from Yun Yao’s keen perception. She moved calmly toward Jun Mohan and whispered a few words, revealing Luo’s identity and the Elder’s anxieties.

Jun Mohan’s eyes flashed, and he subtly adjusted his stance. Just as the disciples were about to close in, he surged forward. His sword flashed like silver lightning, aiming directly at Luo!

"What are you doing?!" Luo cried out, scrambling to evade. The edge of the blade grazed his cheek, whipping up a fierce gust of wind. The terror on Luo’s face confirmed Yun Yao’s assessment.

The Elder’s ranks fell into chaos; they had not expected infighting. Elder Lingfeng’s expression darkened, and he roared, "Stop! What are you doing?!"

However, Jun Mohan ignored him, his swordplay pouring out like a tempest, every strike aimed at Luo’s vital points. Yun Yao seized the opportunity, weaving through the crowd with grace and striking at the disciples who were stunned by the sudden turn of events, throwing them further into disarray. Watching the shock on their faces, a flash of triumph crossed Yun Yao’s mind. Surprise was indeed the key to victory.

Amidst the confusion, Jun Mohan grabbed Yun Yao’s hand, and they vanished, breaking through the perimeter and sprinting toward the depths of the forest.

Once they reached a relatively safe, hidden spot, Jun Mohan finally stopped and carefully checked Yun Yao for injuries. "Are you hurt anywhere?" he asked, his voice laced with a subtle concern.

"I’m fine," Yun Yao said, shaking her head gently. Looking into his concerned eyes, a warmth flooded her heart. In this forest fraught with peril, their mutual reliance and support gave her a profound sense of peace.

"Let’s rest here for a moment," Jun Mohan said. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her ear, a tender gesture that made her heart flutter. They smiled at each other; in this dangerous woods, the warmth between them felt especially precious.

Yet, just then, a faint sound drifted from the distance...

Having just found their hiding place, they were startled by the noise. They exchanged a look of alarm, both sensing a grim omen. Jun Mohan stood up abruptly, pulling Yun Yao behind him as his sword left its scabbard with a cold shimmer.

"Are they chasing us again?" Yun Yao whispered, her eyes filled with tension.

Although they had broken through the encirclement, the crisis was far from over.

"It would seem so," Jun Mohan replied, his tone sharp and decisive. He listened intently; the rustling of leaves nearby was accompanied by the soft sound of footsteps. Someone was clearly closing in.

"Hide!" Yun Yao commanded instantly, noticing a concealed cave nearby.

They ducked inside, and the moment they crossed the threshold, they heard the cold, cruel voice of Ying Sha outside: "Search everywhere! They cannot have gone far."

The cave was dark and damp, the air filled with the scent of earth. Yun Yao and Jun Mohan held their breath, moving as little as possible as the footsteps grew denser outside.

Ying Sha’s voice echoed outside, nightmarish and unsettling: "If you let them escape, you will all pay with your lives!"

The disciples responded in turn, scattering to search. Every footstep felt as if it were landing on their hearts; their own heartbeats and breathing sounded deafeningly loud in the silence of the cave.

Suddenly, Yun Yao felt a faint movement beside her. She turned to find a small fox sitting in the corner, its bright, large eyes watching them with vigilance. Its fur was as white as fresh snow, making it stand out in the dim cave.

"A little fox?" Yun Yao was startled, but she quickly calmed herself and whispered to Jun Mohan, "There’s a little fox here. It looks very wary."

Jun Mohan noticed the creature as well and nodded slightly, signaling for her to attempt communication. Yun Yao slowly reached out, trying to soothe the animal. Its ears twitched, as if it were debating whether to trust these two uninvited guests.

"Don’t be afraid, we won't hurt you," she said, her voice soft and gentle. Yet, the fox continued to stare at her with caution, as if weighing its options.

Outside, the sounds of the search grew closer, each step making their hearts leap into their throats. Yun Yao’s mind raced; she knew this fox might be the key to their escape. But at this moment, the creature’s reaction remained the greatest variable.