Chapter 1005: Mission Failure
Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Tang observed his surroundings and flew up to a peak for a better vantage point.

From above, he saw people transporting boxes with horse-drawn carts toward a large mountain. After reaching the foot of the mountain, they seemed to vanish into thin air.

Chu Tang descended to the spot where they disappeared. Facing the mountain, he saw moss growing on the rocky surface with no visible cracks or entrance.

He tapped the mountain behind him. It was solid rock. “Doesn’t seem like there’s an entrance here. It must be somewhere else.”

Scanning the area, he noticed unusual markings on the ground. Nearby, a pile of large stones was surrounded by trampled grass.

Chu Tang’s eyes swept over the stones. The area didn’t seem suitable for hiding people, so the entrance had to be beneath the stones. The largest stone seemed the most likely.

He extended his senses beneath the stone and found the entrance.

Sitting cross-legged on the stone, he delved deeper with his senses.

He discovered an underground complex, a large but grim place where many people were making drugs. Judging by the soot on the walls, this operation had been running for a long time.

The group he had followed was loading goods—clearly, these were drugs, probably the infamous “Immortal Ointment.”

Anger flared in Chu Tang. These people deserved death for ruining countless lives. None of them should be spared.

He pushed the stone aside and entered the underground complex, drawing his dagger and killing everyone he encountered.

These people deserved no sympathy. Considering how many lives they had destroyed, a quick death was too lenient.

After eliminating everyone, he used a fire spell to destroy everything, leaving only a few horses.

Chu Tang removed the saddles and other restraints from the horses, setting them free. They were the only innocents here.

With a light stomp, Chu Tang caused the ground to quake, collapsing the underground structure and burying the evidence of the crimes within.

Perched on a nearby tree, he watched the chaos subside before flying away.

Following the parrots, Chu Tang arrived at the First Elder’s hideout. Surrounded by scenic mountains and rivers, he thought, “Even while fleeing, they insist on comfort.”

In the short time he observed, many people moved in and out of the mountain estate. Chu Tang smiled, “Let’s see how many elders I can catch this time.”

He intercepted a messenger, took the letter, and opened it.

The letter read: “50,000 taels of silver are stored in the south warehouse, loaded on carts and ready. When should we move them, First Elder?”

This letter was significant. Chu Tang smiled and destroyed the letter before heading toward the estate.

The First Elder, in his study, was fretting over a letter when he heard the door open but didn’t look up.

Chu Tang, disguised as a subordinate, said, “First Elder, there’s an issue at the south warehouse.”

The First Elder glanced up, seeing nothing amiss. “What issue?”

“It’s about the silver. They need you to come.” Chu Tang thought, “Will this get the First Elder to leave the estate?”

The First Elder frowned. “Is it serious?”

“I don’t know.” Chu Tang noted the First Elder’s hesitation. He expected the First Elder to rescue his son, Gu Mao’an, but the First Elder seemed more concerned with organizational matters.

The First Elder sighed, rubbing his temples. “Tell your master to handle it.”

“I need to leave?” Chu Tang pressed, “Will the First Elder really not go?”

“What’s wrong with you? I said no. Now leave,” the First Elder said irritably.

“Alright then.” Chu Tang stepped forward, grabbed the First Elder by the collar, and flew out the window.

The First Elder was too shocked to react initially. When he did, they were already far from the estate. “You…”

He was interrupted by shouts from the pursuers. “Stop! Who are you? Put the First Elder down!”

Chu Tang turned, waved his hand, and unleashed a gust of wind that sent the pursuers flying back, severely injuring them.

Seeing Chu Tang’s overwhelming strength, the First Elder felt a wave of helplessness. He was captured. “How did you find this place?”

Chu Tang smiled. “Your monkey led me here.”

The First Elder, “…”

He sighed internally at his miscalculation.

The result was inevitable—the First Elder was taken to the Tao residence and imprisoned with the other elders and his son.

The Second, Third, and Fourth Elders grew increasingly anxious. With the First Elder captured, they knew they had to hide well.

Learning how the First Elder was captured only heightened their fear.

Chu Tang spared the pursuers to pressure the remaining elders. Under stress, they would act, giving him a chance to capture them.

Lord Yun, too, learned of the First Elder’s capture. For the first time, he felt troubled.

Who was Chu Tang, and why did he oppose him at every turn? In his frustration, he sent another letter to Chu Tang.

This time, it was delivered by Hong Feiyu.

Hong Feiyu, accepting her role as a pawn, felt more at ease, having secretly collaborated with Chu Tang before.

“Do you need help here?” Facing the choice of serving Chu Tang or dying, she chose to serve.

Chu Tang raised an eyebrow. “We need someone to clean and cook. Are you up for it?”

“Better than dying.” Hong Feiyu accepted her new role, managing Chu Tang’s household chores.

Chu Tang remained noncommittal.

He opened the letter from Lord Yun. “What will it take for you to accept my terms?”

Chu Tang thought for a moment, then wrote, “Let me meet you. If I see you, I’ll stop.”

Killing Lord Yun would dismantle the Yun Organization, so naturally, he would stop.

Chu Tang personally delivered the letter to a Yun Organization stronghold in Shu City, asking them to pass it to their elusive leader.

Again, he had the parrots follow.

However, the enemy was extremely cautious, sending multiple people out from the stronghold. The parrots, unsure whom to follow, chose randomly and ended up following the wrong person.

“Sorry, Qingzhi.” The parrots felt guilty; this was their first mission failure.

Chu Tang patted their heads, comforting them. “You did well. If it were easy, Lord Yun wouldn’t have built such a vast organization.”