The reason for targeting the Chaotic Wind Mountain Bandits, aside from eliminating Zhang Hu... is that the bandits have been ravaging and looting for several years, likely amassing some wealth.
Lu Ye wants to continue extracting designated rewards, and this requires a large amount of silver.
So it makes sense to hit the Chaotic Wind Mountain and grab some silver.
As it was already late at night, Lu Ye contemplated for a moment, then quietly left Chen Lingxiang's courtyard without using his body technique.
After all, the Chen Family had an ancestor of the Innate Eighth Layer.
If he was noticed and thought to be an enemy, causing a bigger commotion would be counterproductive.
Stepping out of the room, Lu Ye glanced around.
It was already late at night, and most people were deep in slumber.
Just as Lu Ye was planning to stealthily leave the courtyard, the door of the neighboring room suddenly opened.
Chen Lingxiang's figure appeared at the door.
Looking at Lu Ye quietly, Chen Lingxiang smiled softly, "Young Master Lu, still not asleep at this late hour?"
Lu Ye replied indifferently, "I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd take a walk. Sorry to disturb you, Miss Chen."
Watching Lu Ye intently for a moment, Chen Lingxiang stepped forward and spoke softly, "Young Master Lu, there's a murderous aura about you... are you planning on taking a life?"
Hearing this, Lu Ye was slightly taken aback.
This woman... such keen insight.
Thinking about storming the Chaotic Wind Mountain, Lu Ye naturally harbored a slight murderous intent.
Unexpectedly, Chen Lingxiang sensed it, worthy of being Innate Second Layer.
A moment later, dispersing the faint killing intent, Lu Ye shook his head, "Miss Chen must be joking. I'm just a mere Condensing Origin Realm, who can I kill?"
A trace of melancholy flashed in her eyes, Chen Lingxiang spoke mournfully, "Is Young Master Lu still unwilling to... tell Lingxiang the truth?"
"You are Lingxiang's savior. I can swear to the heavens, I harbor no ill intent towards you."
"If I break this oath, let me perish in the tribulation upon reaching Innate Fourth Layer!"
Heavenly Dao Oath!
Lu Ye did not expect Chen Lingxiang to make such a Heavenly Dao Oath in front of him.
Upon reaching the Innate Realm, tribulations appear when advancing from Third Layer to Fourth Layer, Sixth Layer to Seventh Layer, and Ninth Layer to Above Innate!
Many Innates fail at these critical junctures, suffering serious injuries or even... perishing!
With Chen Lingxiang's age, talent, and the vast resources of the Chen Family,
breaking through to above Innate Fourth Layer is a certainty.
Her Heavenly Dao Oath was equivalent to showing all her cards.
If she harbored any ill will towards Lu Ye... she would fall under the tribulation when advancing to Fourth Layer!
Gazing deeply into Chen Lingxiang's eyes, Lu Ye slightly shook his head, "Are you so certain that mysterious person that night was me?"
Chen Lingxiang took a deep breath and spoke with certainty, "It was you, Young Master Lu! Lingxiang could never mistake your eyes!"
"Since you're so certain, I have nothing more to say." Lu Ye still shook his head.
However, he neither admitted nor denied.
But to Chen Lingxiang, this meant she had made significant progress!
Lu Ye did not deny it.
With a slight smile, Chen Lingxiang said, "Since Young Master Lu wants to go for a walk, why don't we go together?"
Seeing Chen Lingxiang determined to follow him, Lu Ye pondered for a moment.
"What if I told you, I'm not actually going for a stroll, but heading to Chaotic Wind Mountain?"
Hearing this, Chen Lingxiang's eyes immediately brightened.
"Young Master Lu, is that true?"
"The Chaotic Wind Mountain Bandits dared to plunder our Chen Family's goods long ago; they deserve death. Young Master Lu... please take Lingxiang along!"
Looking at the beautiful face and hearing the soft and gentle voice utter such murderous words from Chen Lingxiang,
a word suddenly sprang to Lu Ye's mind.
Contrast.
...
After leaving the Chen Mansion, watching Chen Lingxiang trailing behind him with a gentle smile, Lu Ye showed a hint of helplessness and walked out of Luohua City.
A moment later, they left the vast Luohua City, and Chen Lingxiang, seeing the absence of people around, said a bit excitedly,
"Young Master Lu, shall we fly there? It will be quick."
The distance from Chaotic Wind Mountain to Luohua City is about a thousand miles.
Flying with full power at the Innate Realm, it takes approximately half an hour to reach the mountain's base.
Seeing Chen Lingxiang's enthusiasm, Lu Ye replied blandly, "I told you, you're mistaken. I am not the mysterious Innate from that night and cannot fly."
This statement was half true and half false.
He was the mysterious person, but he truly was not Innate.
Chen Lingxiang was taken aback, then glanced at Lu Ye with a peculiar gaze.
This Young Master Lu, does he enjoy impersonating?
Even when she's sure it's him, he denies it!
But, for someone so young to have such formidable cultivation, enjoying a bit of role-playing isn't unacceptable.
"Very well, we'll walk then," Chen Lingxiang replied softly, immediately acquiescing, playing along with his act.
...
Walking on land, even with inner strength to speed up, it isn't a straight path.
After spending roughly an hour, nearing midnight, the two finally reached the base of Chaotic Wind Mountain.
By this time, both of them had changed attires, donned in black clothes and masked for nighttime operations.
Looking at a sentry post on the mountainside, Chen Lingxiang murmured, "Young Master Lu, I'll handle this small matter."
Silently slipping behind a large rock, Chen Lingxiang picked up a pebble, wrapped it with Innate True Qi, and instantly pierced the sentry's forehead.
Just as she was about to signal Lu Ye to follow, she saw a figure flit like a phantom into the sentry tower and then return.
"What terrifying body technique!" witnessing this up close, Chen Lingxiang was astounded.
This body technique was something she longed for.
Lu Ye's swift appearance was naturally to collect the sentry's money pouch.
Even the smallest amount wasn't to be wasted.
Following that, the duo easily eliminated the sentries along the way, reaching the front of the Chaotic Wind Mountain Stronghold.
At this moment, the stronghold was ablaze with lights, the sound of commotion faintly audible.
Looking around at the place adorned with red silk and large red lanterns, suggesting a festivity of some sort,
Chen Lingxiang's beautiful face turned frosty, "Hmph! It's likely another innocent seized along the way, forced to become a bride of the stronghold."
Inside the stronghold hall, bandits were feasting and drinking.
In a room at the back, a woman forced into a red bridal gown, her face filled with horror, was huddled continuously into a corner.
Zhang Hu, having had quite a bit to drink, staggered in from outside.
Gazing at the captivating woman in the corner, his eyes gleamed lewdly.
"My lady, don't hide. Here with me, you can eat well and live well, much better than below the mountain."
After that night's failed raid, realizing he narrowly escaped death at the hands of a mysterious Innate, Zhang Hu felt fortunate.
To dispel the ill luck after returning, Zhang Hu intentionally captured an innocent woman.
Intending to bring her up the mountain stronghold to marry as a new concubine and bring good fortune.
The woman in the bridal gown cowered, tears flowing, her voice trembling, "I beg you, leave me be."