The second day
Zhang Hao, Qi Zhao, and Liu Mengyao met with three Senior Apprentice Brothers at the entrance of Hao Xian Sect.
The three Senior Brothers glanced at Zhang Hao and the others, their gaze lingering slightly longer on Liu Mengyao. One of the taller Senior Brothers enthusiastically said, "My name is Lin Junwei, and I am the leader this time."
The other two Senior Brothers also warmly came forward to introduce themselves. One slightly fatter youth was named Guo Sheng, and the other thin and dark one was named Lin Chaoyuan.
Zhang Hao observed carefully and found that all three had the cultivation of Martial Grandmaster (2nd level), considered outstanding in the Inner Sect.
He didn't know if he was overthinking it. Zhang Hao noticed that the eyes of the three Senior Brothers seemed to hold an inexplicable meaning when they looked at him. However, Zhang Hao didn't pay too much attention.
"Zhang Hao, the Heavenly Demon Sect claimed dominance centuries ago. Now that they are making a comeback, it will surely be with Thunder force. Do you think we can complete this mission?" Qi Zhao said with a solemn expression.
Zhang Hao said calmly, "We just do our best. Besides, Elder Tu reminded us in the main hall that although we are going on a mission, we are primarily going for experience, and completing the mission is just a bonus."
Qi Zhao looked at Zhang Hao with some surprise and asked, "Zhang Hao, do you mean that it's not a big problem if we don't complete the mission?"
Zhang Hao said calmly, "I didn't say that. But I think the Sect wouldn't be at ease letting us complete such an important mission alone. The greater possibility is that we are just targets on the surface to attract the Heavenly Demon Sect's attention. Secretly, there should be Elders from the Sect going on the mission."
Qi Zhao suddenly understood. He smiled slightly and said, "It seems we are not entirely useless."
Lin Junwei suddenly said seriously, "This time, I, your Senior Brother, am the leader. When we are on the mission, I hope everyone will follow my orders and not act alone. This is related to whether we can complete this mission."
Zhang Hao, Qi Zhao, and Liu Mengyao remained silent, which was considered their agreement.
"Senior Brother Lin, what do you think our first step should be now?" Qi Zhao asked Lin Junwei politely.
Lin Junwei nodded slightly and said, "I think we should go to Western Yuan City first. There are various merchants and vendors there, so we can probably gather some information, and it's also very close to Wanmo Ridge."
Zhang Hao nodded and said, "I agree with Senior Brother Lin."
Liu Mengyao and Qi Zhao looked at each other, naturally having no objections at this moment.
An hour later, the six people arrived at Western Yuan City after flying all the way.
Western Yuan City is not a large city. However, it controls the east-west corridor. It is a distribution center for goods from a dozen surrounding countries. Merchants from all over also use it as a transit point. Therefore, although it is not a large city, it is extremely prosperous.
Walking into Western Yuan City, Zhang Hao found that there were many Martial Warriors around. All were in a hurry.
Zhang Hao and the others found a restaurant and stayed there. The few people decided to stay in Western Yuan City today. They would go to Wanmo Ridge tomorrow. Anyway, this training period would last at least a month. There was no need to rush the journey too much.
After booking the rooms, the group ate in the lobby. The area was surrounded by vendors, which was the most convenient place to gather information.
"Ah, it's too tragic, that place, I will definitely take a detour in the future." A Middle-aged man had clearly just come from outside Western Yuan City.
"Brother Zhao, what exactly happened? You are considered an experienced person, there shouldn't be anything that could make you so terrified, right?" Another man asked.
"Of course, I, Zhao Jie, have traveled all over and seen everything. But this time, you wouldn't know, the entire village is gone. A thousand people, just like that, died, and their deaths were incredibly tragic. It's too horrifying." The Middle-aged man couldn't stop his fear as he spoke.
The Middle-aged man's words caught Zhang Hao's attention. He immediately stood up and walked to the Middle-aged man, saying, "Greetings, Uncle."
The Middle-aged man immediately stood up and returned the greeting.
Zhang Hao looked at the Middle-aged man and asked, "Uncle, I would like to know, where exactly is the place you just mentioned? What exactly happened?"
Upon hearing this, the Middle-aged man's expression still carried a trace of fear. He said, "I am from the Wusun Kingdom in the west, and this time I am going to Haoxian City to deliver goods. Originally, when passing by a village, I wanted to go in and ask for water, but I never expected to see the entire village, over a thousand people, all dead. And their deaths were extremely bizarre. I was scared to death and quickly ran out. I'm still a bit shaken now!"
Zhang Hao frowned. He asked the Middle-aged man, "Uncle, how were the deaths bizarre?"
The Middle-aged man shook his head and said, "I didn't see it clearly, but I vaguely remember that the deaths were very strange."
"Uncle, can you tell me where that place is?" Zhang Hao asked the Middle-aged man with a smile.
The Middle-aged man was a little suspicious of Zhang Hao's identity.
Zhang Hao immediately quietly told the Middle-aged man his identity.
The Middle-aged man was also a Great Martial Master. Upon learning that the youth before him was actually a Genius of Hao Xian Sect, he was greatly surprised. He was about to bow but was stopped by Zhang Hao.
"Haha, Uncle, no need for such politeness." Zhang Hao quickly waved his hand.
The Middle-aged man looked at Zhang Hao with reverence and immediately told him the location.
Zhang Hao returned to his seat with a solemn expression.
"Junior Brother, you shouldn't have revealed our identities. We came here secretly to investigate the Heavenly Demon Sect's plot." Lin Junwei looked at Zhang Hao with some blame.
Zhang Hao said with a hint of sarcasm, "Senior Brother, I'm afraid our identities were exposed as soon as we arrived in Western Yuan City. Given the Heavenly Demon Sect's pervasiveness, how long do you think we could hide our identities?"
Lin Junwei was momentarily speechless and let out a cold snort to show his displeasure.
"Zhang Hao, do you think that village that was massacred is related to the Heavenly Demon Sect?" Qi Zhao looked at Zhang Hao and asked with some curiosity.
Liu Mengyao also glanced at Zhang Hao, her eyes carrying a look of inquiry.
Zhang Hao pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "It's not certain, just a suspicion. After all, that place is too close to Wanmo Ridge."
"Junior Brother, this time we are going to Wanmo Ridge, don't cause any unnecessary trouble!" Lin Junwei looked at Zhang Hao and said calmly.
Zhang Hao felt a bit unhappy. This Lin Junwei always relied on his position as the leader to give orders.
But the problem was that Zhang Hao seriously doubted his identity as the leader. After all, Elder Tu hadn't mentioned anything about it before, so how could there suddenly be a leader? But even if the other party was really the leader, Zhang Hao wouldn't like someone pointing fingers at him.