This acceleration caused problems! Those with and without internal energy walked completely differently! Soon, people noticed the discrepancy, but unsure of the other four’s abilities, they remained cautious.
There were many lone actors nearby who didn’t need to risk snatching maps from groups. Unhindered, the five quickly reached the Main Hall.
“Should we go through the hall or around it?” Mei Tingjun asked Mei Tingzhu’s opinion.
The interior was dark, making ambushes easy, but going around meant a much longer route through dense buildings where enemies could hide while they were exposed.
After brief consideration, Mei Tingzhu decisively said, “Through the hall.”
The main doors stood wide open, with faint footprints on the ground.
An Jiu halted, saying, “You go ahead, I’ll catch up later.”
They could move silently using their internal energy, but An Jiu couldn’t. If there was an ambush inside, she’d be easily discovered.
“Alright,” said Mei Tingzhu.
Mei Tingjun hesitated but said nothing as he stepped into the hall.
Once they were out of sight, An Jiu grabbed the ornate door, nimbly leaped up, and flipped onto a beam in the corridor’s ceiling. She took out her bow and arrows, hanging upside down like a bat, ready to ambush through the broken doors and windows.
She hung there silently.
Ding!
The sound of clashing weapons rang out from inside, but only once.
In the center of the Main Hall stood three enormous Buddha statues. High platforms lined the walls, holding statues of various arhats.
From outside, An Jiu saw a hidden weapon shoot out from behind a smiling, cross-legged arhat statue.
She nocked an arrow, waiting patiently.
Mei Tingjun and the others would soon reach the back hall. Those hiding inside grew impatient and quickly launched another sneak attack.
Just as the hidden weapon shot out from behind the Buddha statue, An Jiu’s arrow flew with a whoosh.
“Ah!” A cry of pain echoed through the great hall.
An Jiu knew that if she were alone, she’d only target other lone actors to have a chance of winning. For someone to dare attack the Mei family group, they must at least be of equal strength.
“Careful, it’s poisoned!” Mei Tingjun shouted, his sword flashing as he swept away the poisoned needles flying toward them.
Whoosh!
An Jiu let loose another swift, fierce arrow.
Seeing another person fall, Mei Tingjun and the others immediately realized An Jiu was helping them and understood they had been used as bait!
Mei Tingchun used his sword to examine the corpse, finding half a map on the body.
“It’s from the Liu family,” Mei Tingchun said, seeing the embroidery on the corner of the clothes.
They didn’t know how many families made up the Crane Control Army, nor did they understand the Liu family’s standing.
Initially, when they learned An Jiu couldn’t use internal energy, all four thought she would be a burden. But now, seeing her kill two people in an instant from the darkness, their attitudes subtly shifted.
As the four hesitated whether to leave or stay to support An Jiu, hidden weapons suddenly flew at them from the east.
Two ambushers followed up with sword attacks, engaging the Mei family members in combat.
Something was off… there should be one more person…
An Jiu held her bow taut but didn’t release. She could sense someone coming towards her position!