Kunyang Town was a small settlement of just a few thousand people, nestled near the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Economically and infrastructurally backward, it was a chaotic no-man’s-land. Decades ago, everything changed when brothers Du Wen and Du Wu arrived and established the Du Clan. With their formidable strength, they swiftly unified the town’s factions, making the Du Clan its sole power.
Under their rule, the Du Clan grew stronger, now boasting over a thousand members and wielding significant influence around the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Were it not for their wariness of the Song family in Nanling Province, the Du Clan might have expanded across the entire province.
At present, with Old Master Du in seclusion, the Du Clan’s affairs were managed by its four guardians, known as the Four Diamonds. But now, these guardians—Wild Leopard, Wild Wolf, Wild Fox, and Wild Cat—sat with troubled expressions.
“What’s going on?” Wild Leopard, the leader of the Four Diamonds, demanded, his cold gaze fixed on Wild Wolf, Wild Fox, and Wild Cat. His tone was grim. “Why are so many people coming to Kunyang Town lately? Since when did our town become so popular?”
The three remained silent. Over the past few days, several groups had arrived, none of them ordinary. These were skilled experts, too powerful for the Du Clan to eliminate easily.
“Speak! Are you all mute?” Wild Leopard snapped.
“Big Brother, could this be related to the Old Master’s plan?” Wild Cat ventured. “Some of these people are from the National Security Bureau in Yongzhou Branch. They might be acting on higher orders.”
“Impossible,” Wild Leopard said firmly. “The Old Master’s plan has been in motion for years. If someone wanted to investigate, they wouldn’t wait until now. Besides, we have people in the government. If there was any news, we’d know.”
He paused, then continued, “The National Security Bureau folks are mostly ordinary. As long as we don’t provoke them, they’re not a threat. I’m more concerned about those experts. Who are they, and what are they doing in Kunyang Town? That’s what matters.”
After a silence, Wild Wolf said, “Big Brother, I think they’re looking for someone.”
“Looking for someone?” Wild Leopard frowned.
“Wild Wolf, are you joking? Looking for someone? No outsider has come to Kunyang Town in decades. Who would they be looking for?” Wild Fox scoffed.
“I have my reasons,” Wild Wolf retorted, glaring at him. “Why are you interrupting?”
“You—” Wild Fox bristled.
“Enough! This isn’t the place for your bickering,” Wild Leopard barked, silencing them both.
“Wild Wolf, go on,” he said.
“Yes,” Wild Wolf replied, wary of Wild Leopard’s authority, second only to Old Master Du.
Organizing his thoughts, he continued, “These people started arriving three days ago. But you may not know that something happened outside Kunyang Town that day. Following the Old Master’s rule that no one approaches during this time, I sent Wild Fox to kill a young man who showed up. Unexpectedly, Wild Fox’s men were killed—over a dozen of them—and he fled. The young man vanished. The next day, these people appeared near Kunyang Town. I think they’re connected to him.”
Wild Leopard turned to Wild Fox. “Is this true?”
“Yes,” Wild Fox nodded.
Bang!
Wild Leopard slammed the table, glaring at them. “Why wasn’t I informed of something this big? Can you take responsibility if things go wrong?”
“Big Brother, I think Wild Wolf’s overthinking it. How could a young man be connected to these people—the National Security Bureau, those experts? Are they here for him because they’re bored?” Wild Fox said dismissively.
Wild Leopard shot him a cold look. “If there’s no connection, then tell me, why are they here?”
“If Wild Wolf hadn’t let that man in, this wouldn’t have happened,” Wild Fox muttered.
Wild Wolf quickly clarified, “Big Brother, Big Beard brought that young man. By the time I arrived, he was gone.”
“Him?” Wild Leopard fell silent, then asked, “Any news on this young man?”
“None. We’ve searched all of Kunyang Town. He’s either left or gone into the Hundred Thousand Mountains,” Wild Wolf said, shaking his head.
“Forget him. If we see him again, kill him. Right now, we need to deal with these newcomers. Their presence disrupts the Old Master’s plan, and we can’t afford any mistakes,” Wild Leopard said.
“Why not leak that the young man went to the Hundred Thousand Mountains?” Wild Wolf suggested, eyes glinting. “If they head there, it confirms they’re after him, solving our problem and validating our suspicions.”
“Good idea. Wild Wolf, handle it. Wild Fox, station men at every exit from the Hundred Thousand Mountains. If that young man comes out, report immediately,” Wild Leopard said, a chilling killing intent in his eyes. “Anyone who kills our Du Clan members doesn’t leave alive.”
“Yes,” Wild Wolf and Wild Fox stood, saluted, and left to make arrangements.
Wild Leopard turned to Wild Cat, who had been silent. “What’s your take on this?”
“Wild Wolf’s guess is likely correct, but I’m worried about their true purpose,” Wild Cat said, a sharp glint in his eyes.
“True purpose?” Wild Leopard paused, then realized, “You think the young man and these people are putting on a show for us?”
“Exactly. If they’re acting, their target is us. I’m concerned this involves the Song family. We’ve kept our distance from them, and some in the Song family are already displeased. This could be their warning,” Wild Cat said, worried.
“They wouldn’t dare,” Wild Leopard said, his eyes flashing with killing intent.
“They might. The Song family is one of the eight top clans, the overlords of Nanling Province. If they know about the Old Master’s plan…” Wild Cat trailed off, anxious.
“Then none of these people leave Kunyang Town,” Wild Leopard said, his killing intent bare. “The Old Master’s plan is at a critical stage. It needs their blood to fuel his divine technique. Once he succeeds, our time to rise will come.”
