Chapter 109: Trouble...

“Wasn’t Wu Xingyan already dead?” Long Tianjiao’s expression darkened, a flicker of shock flashing in her eyes, yet she couldn’t help but ask.

“Chu Tian thought he had killed my master, but although my master’s body was destroyed, his primordial spirit endures!” Situ Deng retorted.

“Earlier, when Chu Tian ascended Mount Tai Chi again, he even fought against a fragment of my master’s divine consciousness. Didn’t he tell you about this after returning to Tianmen City?” Situ Deng countered.

Hearing this, Long Tianjiao fell silent. After a brief pause, she grasped Chu Tian’s intention. Chu Tian did not want the seven senior sisters to worry or fear; he chose to face these matters alone, which was why he had kept it secret.

Thus, Long Tianjiao bore no resentment toward Chu Tian’s concealment; instead, a warmth stirred within her heart.

“Are you not afraid that by attacking me, the Long family will find out and retaliate against the Situ family?” Long Tianjiao’s face turned cold, her tone laced with a threat.

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve already written a letter to the Long family. They won’t suspect the Situ family,” Situ Deng said with a cold smile, seemingly hiding a grand scheme behind his words.

“What did you write?” Long Tianjiao furrowed her brows, a foreboding feeling rising within her.

“I had someone imitate Chu Tian’s handwriting and sent a ransom letter to the Long family,” Situ Deng revealed.

“If you truly disappear and the Long family finds this ransom letter, they will surely believe Chu Tian kidnapped you,” he explained.

“At that time, Chu Tian will be unable to defend himself, and the enraged Long Sihai will undoubtedly go after Chu Tian, never suspecting the Situ family.”

Situ Deng’s face bore a look of smug satisfaction. He was never reckless; every move was part of a meticulous plan. Although Wu Xingyan was confident he could defeat Long Sihai, anything could happen. If Wu Xingyan failed and news leaked that the Situ family had abducted Long Tianjiao, the Long family’s wrath would be unbearable.

Therefore, while attacking Long Tianjiao, Situ Deng also sent an anonymous letter to the Long family to deflect blame and completely clear the Situ family’s name. At the same time, this plan could be used to manipulate the Long family into eliminating Chu Tian—a perfect twofold strategy.

“Despicable!” Long Tianjiao was aghast and instantly scolded him.

She no longer worried about her own safety but grew concerned for Chu Tian. She had met him outside the high-speed railway station, and many had witnessed the encounter.

If the Long family investigated her whereabouts, they would surely trace it back to Chu Tian. Combined with Situ Deng’s provocation, her grandfather Long Sihai would undoubtedly blame Chu Tian, putting his life in grave danger.

Thinking of this, Long Tianjiao grew anxious, but she was now at the mercy of others. No matter how anxious she felt, it was useless.

“Despicability is the passport of the despicable; nobility is the epitaph of the noble!” Situ Deng chuckled lightly, his tone calm.

“As long as the Situ family can become the leader in the struggle between north and south, I’m willing to pay any price, and bear any slander!”

Long Tianjiao’s face darkened, helpless. She knew she had no room for resistance and could only await fate.

“Now, sleep soundly. After we destroy the Long family, I’ll cherish you dearly!” Situ Deng grinned lecherously and, with a flick of his hand, struck the back of Long Tianjiao’s neck with a chop.

Bang!

Immediately, Long Tianjiao’s face paled, and she lost consciousness.

...

At that moment, Chu Tian had returned to the high-speed railway station and reunited with Wang Jiulong.

“Master,” Wang Jiulong greeted respectfully.

“Take a taxi. We’re going to the hotel,” Chu Tian instructed.

Wang Jiulong nodded promptly and went to the roadside.

Suddenly, Chu Tian’s phone rang. He took it out and pressed the answer button.

“Palace Lord, there’s been an incident!” Han Bao’s urgent voice came through the receiver.

“What happened?” Chu Tian frowned, fearing something had happened to the senior sisters in Tianmen City.

“You asked me to secretly protect your senior sisters, especially Fifth Senior Sister Long Tianjiao, who is far away in Jinling, but...” Han Bao hesitated, unsure how to proceed.

Chu Tian relaxed upon hearing this, unconcerned. He had just met Fifth Senior Sister. What could have gone wrong? Moreover, she wore the protective talisman he had given her. If she were in danger, the talisman’s spiritual energy would have leaked, and he would have sensed it immediately, including her location.

Since he felt nothing, his first instinct was to calm down.

Yet, Han Bao’s tone was so urgent regarding Fifth Senior Sister that something must have happened.

“Just say it directly. Don’t beat around the bush,” Chu Tian urged patiently.

“Palace Lord, our spies near the Long family just reported that the Long family’s eldest daughter has secretly left home, and the Long family is searching for her,” Han Bao explained.

“Is that all?” Chu Tian was indifferent. Fifth Senior Sister must have left home to meet him. There was no cause for alarm. Still, the Dark Divine Palace’s spies were diligent, reporting to him promptly, which was commendable.

“Besides this, the Long family seems to have received a ransom letter,” Han Bao stammered, reluctant to continue.

“A ransom letter? What ransom?” Chu Tian found it strange but felt a creeping unease.

“Palace Lord, the ransom letter was sent to the Long family in your name. It claims you kidnapped Miss Long and demands half of the Jinling Long family’s wealth as ransom. Otherwise... otherwise, you will... assault and kill Miss Long!” Han Bao’s tone was grave.

Knowing Chu Tian’s relationship with Long Tianjiao, Han Bao was certain the letter’s author was not Chu Tian.

“Absurd!” Chu Tian’s face darkened. “When have I ever written such a ransom letter?”

He instinctively thought it was some prank.

But then he reconsidered. Fifth Senior Sister had just returned to Jinling, and few there knew about her connection to him. If so few knew, why would someone sow discord by sending a ransom letter in his name?

Suddenly, a sharp gleam lit Chu Tian’s eyes.

“Master, what’s wrong?” Wang Jiulong returned, having found a taxi and ready to invite Chu Tian in.

But Chu Tian ignored him entirely.

“Han Bao, when was the ransom letter delivered to the Long family?” Chu Tian’s voice grew urgent, as if he was already piecing things together.

“Palace Lord, the ransom letter was just delivered. Miss Long is probably in great danger already—perhaps even in the hands of the ransom letter’s true author,” Han Bao’s tone was filled with worry.