In the end, Li Chengfeng and the rest accepted the mission.
Because in this world, there were many things that looked like they had a choice but in reality, there was no choice.
To the old steward, the reason he issued this mission was to attract the traitors of Hidden Sword Court who had defected to Hidden Brocade Court to accept this mission, and then wipe them out in one fell swoop.
Of course, Huangfu Song would be the one to bear the reward for this mission. However, if these people all died, not only would Huangfu Song not have to spend a single copper coin, he could even eliminate these traitors who were trying to suck their blood and had designs on Hidden Sword Court.
The old butler was a man who prided himself on his loyalty. What he detested and hated the most were those two-faced, fickle traitors.
However, when he heard about Li Chengfeng's old butler committing suicide in order to protect Li Chengfeng, he could not help but clap and praise him for being a loyal servant.
…
After Li Chengfeng and the rest decided to accept the mission, they did not waste any more time. They immediately asked Xiaobao to inform the old housekeeper of Huangfu Song's mansion. Then, other than the Grand Senior Brother, the rest of the disciples of Hidden Sword Court gathered and prepared to complete this mission.
"Tianxing, you don't have to go this time. Stay at Hidden Sword Court and cultivate."
Li Chengfeng advised Han Tianxing kindly. Ever since Han Tianxing obtained the Heavenly Dragon Sword, he had gone crazy. He ate, slept, and even went to the toilet, hugging the sword all day. Other than eating, drinking, and defecating, he spent all his time practicing, trying to improve his compatibility with the Heavenly Dragon Sword and increase the success rate of him reaching Foundation Establishment.
But Han Tianxing shook his head without hesitation. "No, I have to go!"
Li Chengfeng advised, "This mission is just an escort. Why don't you spend more time cultivating at Hidden Sword Court? Becoming stronger is the right path!"
Han Tianxing was not an idiot, in fact, he was extremely intelligent. He stared at Li Chengfeng. "Senior Brother, if it's just a simple mission, why would Hidden Sword Court send everyone?
Even Senior Brother Qin and the others are going to make a move?
Why would almost everyone in Hidden Sword Court go except me?
Am I not a disciple of Hidden Sword Court?
Is it because this mission is too dangerous and you think I'm weak? Are you afraid I'll be a hindrance? "
What Han Tianxing said was exactly what Li Chengfeng was thinking. That's right, he felt that Han Tianxing made no difference.
As Han Tianxing spoke, his face flushed and his eyes filled with humiliation and indignation. He felt like he was being ostracized and had become an outsider.
Li Chengfeng sighed. "Don't think too much about it. You're good material for cultivation, you'll definitely become a great cultivator in the future. This mission doesn't bode well but if we don't make it back, at least Hidden Sword Court still has hope.
If you go too, then our Hidden Sword Court will be completely broken. "
Han Tianxing glared at Li Chengfeng and said firmly, "Senior Brother Chengfeng, if you all die, how can I survive in Hidden Sword Court?
Those people, will they let me go?
Would they let the rest of Hidden Sword Court go?
Although my strength is weak, I can still be of some help. At the very least, when you need bait, I can be the bait and cover your escape! "
Li Chengfeng raged and was about to speak when Ouyang Nan patted him on the shoulder. "Junior Brother Tianxing has a loyal heart, don't disappoint him.
Rather than cultivating in seclusion at home for a thousand days, why not travel ten thousand miles to train? If he survives this mission, I'm sure he'll improve greatly. "
Overjoyed, Han Tianxing bowed to Ouyang Nan. "Thank you, Senior Brother Ouyang!
I won't let you down! "
Ouyang Nan stared at Han Tianxing. "Remember, we're asking you to come because we want you to improve, not because we want you to die fearlessly!
We're risking our lives so that you can rebuild Hidden Sword Court, understand? "
Han Tian bowed and said solemnly and decisively, "Junior brother will remember!"
Li Chengfeng smiled bitterly. "Alright, let's be on our way."
The group had already packed up and headed towards the foot of Spiritual Mountain. Before they left, Li Chengfeng did a headcount. Including Qin Mieqin, Qiu Chuqiu and the others, there were nine people in total.
Ouyang Nan watched as Li Chengfeng scanned the group, deep in thought. "What is it?"
Li Chengfeng tilted his head in thought. "I feel like we're missing someone."
Qiu Chuqiu smiled. "Is it An Tong?
He disappeared the last time we went out, I don't know why. "
Ouyang Nan said, "Ignore him, he's always been weird!"
Li Chengfeng thought for a moment but could not figure it out. "Alright, let's go."
Li Chengfeng felt that someone was missing but when they arrived at the small town at the foot of Spiritual Mountain and saw a few familiar figures amongst the large group of horses, he immediately realised that someone was missing.
"Qu Tongqiu, Zhao Yibai!"
Li Chengfeng immediately spotted two familiar figures among the servants in Huangfu Song's residence. He roared in anger.
Qu Tongqiu and Zhao Yibai shuddered and tried to hide into the crowd but Li Chengfeng sprinted over and picked them out of the crowd like chickens.
"You two traitors!" Li Chengfeng gritted his teeth. "When did you join Hidden Brocade Court?!"
Ouyang Nan and the rest cursed too, "You two worthless wretches!"
"Scum of Hidden Sword Court!"
"Bastards, when did you betray us?"
"I knew they'd betray Hidden Sword Court sooner or later!"
Everyone shouted insults at them, causing Qu Tongqiu and Zhao Yibai to tremble uncontrollably. Tears welled up in their eyes as they knelt down reflexively. Two people stepped out from the crowd of servants. They were dressed in the uniform of Huangfu Song's mansion, but their appearances and auras were vastly different from the lowly and wretched servants.
Their eyes were like torches. One of them was tall and had a strong physique. He carried a magical longsword on his back. It was obvious that he was a cultivator who had cultivated for many years. The other was short and had a goatee. His gaze was malicious. When Li Chengfeng and the rest saw them, they were instantly enraged and filled with hostility.
"Sun Yongcai!"
Qin Mieqin and Ouyang Nan clenched their fists when they saw Sun Yongcai, their eyes spitting fire. They hated this traitor who instigated the first internal strife in Hidden Sword Court.
He was the one who caused everyone in Hidden Sword Court to betray the court and join Hidden Brocade Court, causing Hidden Sword Court to fall into the abyss!
If there was anyone they hated the most, Sun Yongcai would be at the top of the list!
Even more so than Shanxue and Huangfu Song!
"Zuo Fei?"
Su You, Tianjun and Blockhead blurted out subconsciously. Su You yelled angrily, "When did you join Hidden Brocade Court?
Where did you go?! "
Tianjun looked at Zuo Fei sadly. "Junior Brother Zuo, why did you give up being a cultivator of Hidden Sword Court and become a servant of Hidden Brocade Court?"
Blockhead also said angrily, "Senior Brother Zuo, you're not my Senior Brother anymore!!"
Zuo Fei, Su You, Blockhead and Tianjun were of the same generation and entered Hidden Sword Court at the same time. They were the closest to each other.
Zuo Fei glanced at Li Chengfeng and sneered, "Cultivator of Hidden Sword Court?
Look at you all, everyone is busy preparing for their final sprint in cultivation. What are you all doing?
You're still doing the work of a servant, aren't you? "
Sun Yongcai chimed in, "Man strives for success, water flows to the bottom!
Why do you want to block the path of others? "
As he spoke, he helped Qu Tongqiu and Zhao Yibai up behind him and sneered, "They've already joined the Huangfu family and are now servants of the Huangfu family. You have no right to scold or criticize them."
Ouyang Nan trembled with anger. "If this mission is to protect traitors like you, then I won't accept it!"
Sun Yongcai laughed heartily. "You won't accept it?
What right do you have to say no?
If it weren't for our Young Master's sympathy, you wouldn't even have the right to refuse! "
Ouyang Nan's fiery temper was ignited. "You dog servant!
You have a death wish! "He raised his hand and unsheathed his sword. The sword gleamed brightly as it flew towards Sun Yongcai.
Sun Yongcai also unsheathed his sword with a sneer. "Come and try!"