ebookland Chapter 428 A Plot to Lure the Traitor into Revealing His True Colors
Chapter 428 A Plot to Lure the Traitor into Revealing His True Colors
The bait has been set up.
This is a juicy, ripe piece of false intelligence, hanging in the air where I know those treacherous snakes lurking there can reach it.
I “confessed my feelings to the moon”—may her innocent heart be blessed—saying that I had solid evidence of the identities of the remaining traitors, and a meticulously prepared list would be released in a few days.
It was a gamble, a risky bluff, but my gut—the thing that had gotten me out of trouble countless times—told me it would work.
An atmosphere of anticipation and tension filled the air.
Days passed, day turned into night, and beneath the seemingly calm surface of the sect, a tense energy was surging.
I could almost taste the fear and despair emanating from the hidden enemy.
They were like mice cornered and had no choice but to take action.
And that's exactly what they did.
The message came in the form of whispered rumors, an anonymous tip handed to a trusted disciple: there was a planned ambush, their last desperate attempt to silence us before disaster struck.
They chose the council hall—the core of our sect's decision-making—as their final stronghold.
How ironic, this is what traitors are like.
We knew it was a trap, but we still walked into it.
Elder Xuanfeng's face was gloomy but resolute; Senior Brother Lin's hand rested uneasily on the hilt of his sword; and I, my heart pounded wildly between my ribs, but my face remained expressionless.
We know what will happen, but we also know we must play our part well.
Even Deacon Wu, who was still pale and weak from his previous ordeals, insisted on staying with us. His loyalty was like a candle flickering in the impending storm.
He muttered something about "bearing the consequences"—may his stubborn soul be blessed.
The atmosphere changed the moment the heavy oak door closed behind us.
A cloyingly sweet and sinister smell began to permeate the entire room.
It's poison.
My stomach churned.
"Get down!" I yelled, and as the first wisp of emerald green smoke began to swirl around our ankles, I dropped to the pristine floor.
Chaos erupted.
The whooshing sound of protective spells, the clanging of metal against metal, the coughing of those caught off guard—this was a symphony of impending doom.
I hastily set up a barrier, and the familiar surge of spiritual energy temporarily calmed my wildly beating pulse.
Beside me, Elder Xuanfeng moved with surprising agility for his age. His hands wove intricate patterns in the air, deflecting a barrage of razor-sharp needles that shot out from the dark corner of the room.
Poor Deacon Wu wasn't so lucky.
His weakened body could not withstand the attack of the poisonous smoke.
He was swaying, his face was ashen, and he was clutching his throat.
Senior Brother Lin, this loyal guardian, immediately rushed forward and shielded him with his own body.
A nauseating thud echoed in the room as a poisoned dart struck its target, embedding itself deeply in Senior Brother Lin's shoulder.
He let out a scream, a rough and painful cry that pierced my heart.
Through the billowing smoke, I saw Elder Xuanfeng inspecting a malfunctioning trap. His brow was furrowed, and he was completely focused.
“This isn’t something an amateur would do,” he said in a low voice, his voice tense with unease. “The precision, the complexity… there must be someone manipulating things behind the scenes, someone far more experienced than these poor scum.” His words confirmed my suspicions.
This was not merely a desperate, death throes, but a meticulously planned attack executed with chilling professionalism.
Someone is waging a protracted war, and we are just pawns in their twisted plan.
My gaze swept across the chaotic scene—the injured, the struggling, and the fear in their eyes.
A chilling fear spread through my stomach, colder than any winter wind.
We're in a deeper predicament than I imagined.
Just then, a metallic flash appeared at the edge of my field of vision.
A figure emerged from the smoke, clutching a sinister, curved dagger, its eyes fixed on...me.
“You,” the figure hissed, its voice distorted by the mask, “tonight is your end.”
At the doorway, there was a barely perceptible, subtle movement... it was Mingyue.
Her pale, terrified face caught my eye.
“No…” she said softly, her voice barely audible amidst the noise.
"No..." The acrid smoke stung my eyes, blurring the scene before me into a hazy nightmare.
The sounds of clashing steel and agonizing screams echoed in my ears—a chaotic symphony of betrayal.
The air was filled with a strong and pungent smell of blood.
The moon's pained face came into my view, like a pale moon in a stormy sky.
Her whispers were almost inaudible amidst the noise, yet they felt like a knife twisting in my stomach.
"no no……"
Damn!
I underestimated the emotional damage this scam caused her.
She was just a pawn, a frightened little bird in the flames of war.
But now, she is wavering.
The masked man lunged forward, his daggers flashing silver in the darkness.
I dodged, and the dagger whistled past my ear, so close I could feel the air moving around.
My heart was pounding between my ribs, like a frantic little bird trapped in a cage.
The traitor launched a fierce attack, a series of relentless blows, each aimed at killing me.
"It's all your fault!" A voice hissed in my ear, hoarse and close.
This is not the voice of the masked attacker.
It was Mingyue, her voice choked with sobs from pain.
"All of this... the poison, the fighting... it's all because of you!"
My blood ran cold.
Even she's like that!
The traitor has already bewitched her.
Damn!
I miscalculated.
I placed too much trust in that fragile bond of loyalty, forgetting that fear, like a spreading vine, can strangle even the purest intentions.
“He promised that all of this would end…” Mingyue sobbed, her words almost incoherent.
"As long as I... as long as I help..."
The masked man was temporarily distracted by her outburst, and his attack slowed down.
This is exactly the opportunity I need.
I activated my spiritual power, and a familiar warmth flowed into my veins, enhancing my strength.
I let out a deep roar, unleashing a surge of pure power that repelled the guy.
They stumbled, momentarily stunned. Just then, the event occurred.
A sharp whistle pierced the chaos. Reinforcements had arrived. This was my signal.
The heavy oak door suddenly swung open, revealing a row of loyal disciples with stern expressions and swords drawn.
They rushed into the room and surrounded the masked man.
Caught off guard, the traitor let out a choked curse.
Their gazes darted between me and the disciples who had surrounded us, as they calculated their chances of winning.
They were trapped.
For a fleeting moment, a surge of triumphant joy welled up inside me. We'd caught them.
But this feeling was fleeting.
The traitor flicked his wrist and threw a small black object at our feet.
It landed heavily on the ground, releasing a cloud of pungent black smoke.
The stench was unbearable, causing people to suffocate and go blind.
I coughed, tears welled up in my eyes, and the world turned into a spinning abyss.
When the smoke cleared, the traitor was gone.
disappeared without a trace.
Only one object remained on the smooth floor, faintly glowing in the dim light.
It was a small, exquisitely carved wooden token with unfamiliar and peculiar symbols engraved on its surface.
I picked it up; the smooth wood felt cool to the touch, even to my fingertips.
A chill ran down my spine.
This is not over yet.
It's far from over.
"This..." Elder Xuanfeng's voice was hoarse and filled with unease due to the lingering effects of the smoke.
He reached out his trembling hand and gently stroked the strange symbols with his fingertips.
"This...I've seen this before..."
His words hung in the air, containing an unspoken profound meaning.
I met his gaze, and a sense of foreboding welled up inside me, my heart sinking.
We are no longer facing just a few disgruntled traitors.
Something far more sinister is hidden behind this...
"Where have I seen you before?" I asked, almost in a whisper.