Chapter Fifty-Four: An Alliance

Li Chun packed up his belongings in a hurry, gathered his people, and rushed over to Tang Ze’s side.

“Tang Ze, you old wretch! Isn’t it time to set out?”

Hearing Li Chun’s voice, Tang Ze rose and came out, sending a mental message for everyone to assemble.

“Li Chun, don’t be impatient. Let’s go find Xing Kai, then say farewell to the Demon Tribe.”

Tang Ze and Li Chun arrived at Xing Kai’s camp, only to find Xing Kai and his people preparing to leave.

“What’s this, Dean Xing? Leaving without even saying goodbye?”

Upon seeing Tang Ze and Li Chun, Xing Kai forced an awkward smile and walked over to them.

“Dean Tang, what are you saying? I just didn’t want to get entangled with old Li Chun here!”

Li Chun, furious, jabbed a finger at Xing Kai. “You’re just feeling guilty! Otherwise, why would you be sneaking away?”

Tang Ze saw that Xing Kai was about to argue back and quickly interrupted, “Oh, come now, you two, enough bickering! We should hurry back and report.”

“Hmph! Hmph!” The two snorted at each other and turned away, refusing to look at one another. Tang Ze glanced at them and couldn’t help but laugh.

“All right, you’ve known each other for years! You’re not young men anymore, why act like children? Here’s what we’ll do: let’s check in on the Demon Tribe, leave some people to keep watch, and when we’ve gathered enough men back home, we’ll wipe them out.”

The two nodded in tacit agreement. Li Chun spoke up quickly, “Fine, let’s do it your way! The Demon Tribe is getting far too arrogant.”

The three of them went to the Demon Tribe’s temporary base, only to find it deserted.

“Hmph! Lucky for them they ran fast. If I see them again, they won’t get away so easily!” Li Chun growled, scanning the area with clenched teeth.

“Let it be. They’ve escaped for now. Once the Four War Zones are ready, it’ll be time for a counterattack. Let’s go, time for us to head back. Farewell, everyone.”

As Tang Ze turned and walked past Li Chun, he gave him a meaningful look. Li Chun snorted at Xing Kai and went off toward his own people.

Watching Li Chun depart, Xing Kai let out a long sigh. He had been worried Li Chun might disregard his status and strike at his academy’s disciples.

“Hmph! Just wait. Sooner or later, you two will bow before me.” With a sinister smile, Xing Kai turned and rejoined his own men.

“You lot, take Wang Ke and return to the academy at once. I have other matters to attend to—stay safe on the road!” After giving his instructions, Li Chun flew into the depths of the forest.

No sooner had he entered the woods than he received a mental message from Tang Ze.

“Follow behind us. We’ll talk more in town.”

Tang Ze and his group arrived at the small town as dusk was falling. Tang Ze made up his mind. “Peng Lei, you all go find a place to rest. We’ll stay here for the night and leave tomorrow. I have some things to take care of and will come find you later.”

As Tang Ze left, Peng Lei led the group toward an inn. Entering the inn, Liu Xin’s eyes were filled with worry and sorrow. She gently stroked the stair rail, recalling how Yao Ye had stood up for her when they first arrived; now he lay unconscious, and her sadness deepened.

Xiao Xiao noticed and came over, wrapping her arm around Liu Xin’s and whispering, “Sister Xin, don’t worry. I believe that good fortune will protect Yao Ye.”

Liu Xin looked at Xiao Xiao, smiled, and nodded. The two supported each other as they ascended the stairs.

That night, two figures—Tang Ze and Li Chun—arrived one after the other at a small courtyard.

“Come, let’s talk inside. I’ve rented this courtyard; no one will disturb us here.” Once inside, Tang Ze casually set up a soundproof barrier.

Li Chun took a seat and glanced at Tang Ze. “So what’s going on? You can speak freely now.”

Tang Ze pondered for a moment before asking, “I want to know—did you leak any information about our movements on this trip?”

Li Chun slammed the table in anger. “What are you implying? Do you think the ambush you suffered was our doing? Then was the ambush we suffered your doing?”

“Hey, calm down,” Tang Ze said, stepping forward to press Li Chun back into his seat. “You were ambushed, and so were we. Only the three of us knew about this. I trust neither of our teachers lied.”

Li Chun looked at Tang Ze, puzzled. “Are you suggesting… Xing Kai?”

Tang Ze smiled faintly. “Who else could it be? I’ve long believed that the discord between our two academies is being deliberately stoked. Unfortunately, last time we caught someone involved, they died mysteriously before we could interrogate them.”

Tang Ze stroked his beard and turned to look at Li Chun. “Tell me, when our academies are both battered and exhausted, who stands to benefit the most?”

Li Chun thought for a moment, then stood up in anger. “Well played, Xing Kai. Well played, Fire Dance Academy!”

“All right, don’t lose your temper yet. We have no proof, so we can’t accuse them. Think back—when you went to check if Fire Dance’s disciples bore the Demon Tribe’s mark, how did Xing Kai act? One thing’s clear: there’s a problem at Fire Dance Academy. Whether they’re colluding with the Demon Tribe needs further investigation.”

“Hmph! Sooner or later, I’ll settle this score with him.” Li Chun cupped his hands to Tang Ze in thanks. “If not for you, I’d still be in the dark. I should hurry back; there’s much to handle from this incident.”

Tang Ze took a few steps, then suddenly turned back. “Li Chun, shall we devise a plan together?”

Li Chun looked at Tang Ze in surprise. “What do you have in mind?”

“Let’s keep up the appearance of rivalry between our academies, but secretly work hand in hand. If either of us runs into trouble, the other will help. What do you say?”

Li Chun thought it over and replied, “Agreed. If Fire Dance really is up to no good, we’ll deal them a heavy blow. This is a brilliant plan.”

Tang Ze smiled. “It’s settled, then. I won’t keep you any longer—I need to get back as well. I’m worried the Demon Tribe won’t give up so easily, and Peng Lei’s group is too weak for my peace of mind.”

Li Chun nodded, then soared into the sky. Tang Ze stroked his beard.

“Fire Dance, you’d best watch yourselves,” he muttered, and headed for the inn.