Bai Zihe's heart churned with a tempestuous storm, his emotions unsettled for a long time.
This news had truly shocked him to the core.
To speak of it.
Bai Zihe was now quite confident in his own strength.
But recalling the intricate details his martial aunts had taught him when imparting their skills, he could infer the extent of their power.
Bai Zihe reached a conclusion.
Even he, in his current state, was far from their match; there was no comparison.
Let alone their master, who was as unpredictable as gods and ghosts, and peerless in the world.
Their strength…
Was far beyond mortals, not something he could fathom at present.
But with such formidable power, how could they have vanished without a trace, innocent and unharmed?
Had they encountered trouble?
Entered a dangerous land?
Fallen into an ambush?
Bai Zihe simulated a myriad of possibilities in his mind, but none held water.
"Junior disciple brother…"
Yue Rushuang, seeing his deeply furrowed brows, comforted him. "Senior martial uncle and master possess peerless martial arts. They should be fine."
"I rather think they might be entangled by something, unable to extricate themselves for a while."
"So, don't worry too much!"
Bai Zihe nodded. "Fifth martial sister, I understand."
Though he said so.
His master and martial aunts had shown him favors greater than life itself.
If they were alright.
If something had happened.
A sharp, piercing glint flashed in Bai Zihe's eyes.
Even if the heavens turned upside down, even if the universe was turned on its head, Bai Zihe would make the perpetrator pay.
For the next few days.
Bai Zihe spent his time contemplating and investigating his master's disappearance.
But the matter had too few clues and too many doubts, making it impossible to even begin, and there was no progress.
Soon, the date of the Ancient Martial Arts Tournament approached.
Over there, second martial sister Ji Xueyun called, inquiring when Bai Zihe would return.
Bai Zihe set off that very night, heading back to Jiangdong Provincial City.
On the way.
He arrived at a secluded spot.
The chauffeur dispatched by Xuantian Pavilion stopped the car by the roadside and said, "Young master, I need to relieve myself. Please wait a moment."
Bai Zihe paid it no mind.
Soon after, the chauffeur, in a hidden corner, carried a rocket launcher and, with a sinister grin, aimed it at the car.
Boom!
A rocket streaked forward, engulfing the car in a sea of flames.
The chauffeur leaned against a tree trunk, watching the conflagration with smug satisfaction, then confidently took out his phone and dialed.
"Boss."
"It's done here."
"Bai Zihe has been consumed by the inferno."
With an RPG like that, how many could possibly survive?
Perhaps…
Some experts might dodge the RPG before it arrived, escaping to safety and preserving their lives.
But if hit head-on, coupled with the car's explosion and fire…
Even the Great Luo Golden Immortal himself would perish!
As he spoke.
The chauffeur sent the pre-recorded video to the other party.
After a moment of silence.
"Fifty million has been transferred?"
"Thank you, boss, thank you, boss!"
The chauffeur, his expression ecstatic, hung up the phone. Seeing the message indicating fifty million had arrived, he was overjoyed.
"Fifty million!"
"Enough for me to live comfortably for a lifetime!"
The chauffeur, spirits high and filled with pride, mused, "How should I spend this fifty million?"
"Let's start with three days and nine young models!"
Just then.
A bone-chillingly cold voice emanated from behind.
"I suggest…"
"You might as well use the fifty million to commission a coffin for yourself!"
Hearing this voice, the chauffeur was struck with sheer terror.
He subconsciously turned around and saw none other than Bai Zihe, who should have been in the car, not standing here!
He, he…
Wasn't he supposed to be dead?
The chauffeur's mind went blank; he couldn't comprehend how Bai Zihe had escaped the flames.
When he got out of the car.
He had even quietly locked the car doors.
This…
Was unreasonable, unscientific!
But no matter how shocked he was, the fact remained.
Bai Zihe stood before him, alive and well, not dead in the inferno.
Cold sweat instantly beaded on the chauffeur's forehead.
Run!
Having betrayed the young master, there was no chance of survival if caught.
Without hesitation, the chauffeur bolted.
But as he took his first step, Bai Zihe's hand seized his neck from behind.
"Young master!"
The chauffeur was utterly terrified, his bowels loosening in fear, and he cried out in desperation, "I was forced into this! I, I… I'm willing to reveal the one behind me…"
Bai Zihe paid him no mind.
With a cold snort, he directly threw the chauffeur into the air, giving him no chance to explain or equivocate.
Whoosh!
The chauffeur traced a perfect arc through the air, falling in terror into the fiery abyss.
"Ahhhh!"
His tragic screams echoed throughout the small grove.
The flames grew even more intense.
"Those who dare to betray must pay the price!"
A cold glint flickered in Bai Zihe's eyes as he prepared to turn and leave.
But suddenly.
"Rustle, rustle—"
"Hiss, hiss—"
"Swoosh, swoosh—"
From within the woods, countless sounds suddenly arose.
Following that, a cackling laugh, echoing wildly, sent chills down one's spine.
"I knew it."
"This kind of pawn wouldn't be reliable. I had to come myself."
His voice reverberated through the wilderness, making it impossible to pinpoint his true location.
And as his words faded.
The previous sounds intensified.
Numerous dark specks also entered Bai Zihe's sight, the sounds originating from their movements.