Until Shi Bingzhi’s figure disappeared into the deep night.
Yu Daohan let out a long sigh, then took out his phone and dialed Nanjing Shuo’s number.
The call was answered by Nanjing Shuo after only four rings.
Nanjing Shuo, sounding a bit tired, asked, "Master Yu, what is it?"
Yu Daohan’s expression turned serious. "Shi Bingzhi has defected!"
Upon hearing this, Nanjing Shuo suddenly sat bolt upright in bed, his face filled with disbelief. "Master Yu, you can't be joking about this!"
Yu Daohan continued, "I don't have time to joke with you. Shi Bingzhi defected with two compasses. I severed one of his arms, but he managed to escape. Immediately issue a kill order and pursue Shi Bingzhi at all costs to retrieve the compasses!"
"Is there perhaps some misunderstanding?" Nanjing Shuo inquired.
He would believe others might betray them, but he absolutely wouldn't believe Shi Bingzhi would.
There must be some misunderstanding.
However, Master Yu and Shi Bingzhi had a decent relationship.
If Master Yu said he defected, there must be solid evidence.
Otherwise, a kill order wouldn't have been issued.
The compasses were crucial to the safety of the world, leaving no room for hesitation.
Nanjing Shuo immediately dialed his subordinate and commanded, "Notify all sects now. Shi Bingzhi has defected with two compasses. Any sect capable should immediately execute him and retrieve the compasses at all costs!"
This news spread instantly to all the sects, leaving everyone in disbelief.
Wang Ming also found it hard to believe upon receiving the news, but he still dialed his sect.
Perhaps they could spare two disciples to execute Shi Bingzhi.
Looking towards the night sky, Wang Ming muttered to himself, "Old Shi, what exactly are you up to!?"
At the same time, Liang Jing and Wang Fubao also received the news of Shi Bingzhi's defection.
Although they couldn't believe it, they still managed to find a way to spare two disciples to execute Shi Bingzhi and retrieve the compasses.
The Shenming Cult also received the news of Shi Bingzhi's defection.
Shen Fengqing, though somewhat disbelieving, sent her subordinates to investigate the situation.
If the matter was true, it would be an unparalleled opportunity to gain two compasses.
After hanging up the phone, Yu Daohan remained uneasy about Shi Bingzhi and secretly followed him.
Shi Bingzhi kept fleeing towards the woods on the outskirts.
Given his current injuries, he could lose consciousness from excessive bleeding within minutes.
Yu Daohan watched from a distance, his heart filled with anguish.
How he wished he could go and treat him, but he couldn't!
Struggling his way into the woods by the roadside, Shi Bingzhi could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.
Seeing that he could no longer hold on, Yu Daohan was about to go and treat him when he saw a van approaching on the road.
Yu Daohan immediately concealed his presence and hid behind a large tree.
The van stopped by the roadside, and four people alighted.
Due to the distance, Yu Daohan couldn't see their faces clearly.
But to find Shi Bingzhi's whereabouts so quickly, they were definitely spies from the Spiritual Affairs Bureau.
This was because only he had told Nanjing Shuo about Shi Bingzhi's location.
The four people who got out looked in the direction of the woods. One of them asked, "Did Shi Bingzhi really flee this way?"
The leader grinned and nodded affirmatively. "If he wants to live, fleeing into the woods is his only option."
Logically speaking, escaping into the woods offered a thirty percent chance of survival.
Another person asked, "Could this be false information released by Nanjing Shuo?"
The leader shook his head, his analysis thorough. "Probably not. All the sects are already struggling enough with the three entrances. They have no reason to create further panic. However, we must proceed with caution. If anything seems amiss, withdraw immediately."
The other three nodded and walked into the woods.
Not long after entering the woods, someone suddenly shouted, "The person is here!"
The other three quickly ran over.
Upon reaching Shi Bingzhi, all three were stunned.
Shi Bingzhi was unconscious, and his severed arm was still bleeding profusely.
The leader checked Shi Bingzhi's breathing and exclaimed happily, "He's still breathing!"
From afar, Yu Daohan watched the four men's actions silently.
The leader took out a black pill from his pocket.
The man behind him looked surprised. "Boss, this is the Heart Protection Pill the Cult Master gave me. You're just giving it to him?"
The leader shook his head and chuckled. "Two compasses for one Heart Protection Pill. This is a good deal!"
Shi Bingzhi's injuries were too severe, and he could lose his life at any moment.
After giving Shi Bingzhi the Heart Protection Pill, the four quickly bandaged him and carried him into the van.
Only after the van drove away did Yu Daohan emerge from behind the large tree.
Shi Bingzhi had successfully been taken in by people from the Shenming Cult.
He hoped he could complete his mission successfully!
Three days later.
At the Midnight Shop.
Yu Daohan packed his belongings, preparing to set out to search for the whereabouts of the other compasses.
There were now seven compasses left among the various sects, and the Yan Shu Sect was confirmed to have one, leaving six.
Qin Muyu and Liu Feng were not in the shop, seemingly preparing for the upcoming great battle.
Yu Daohan had not told them his plan.
Because he didn't know the price of summoning the Kunpeng.
Given their personalities, they would definitely not allow him to take such risks.
Just as he finished packing and was about to leave, a Spiritual Affairs Bureau car drove up.
Yu Daohan frowned upon seeing it.
Could it be Nanjing Shuo?
The car stopped at the entrance, and a flustered monk alighted.
"Wang Ming?" Yu Daohan was somewhat surprised.
He was no longer his usual mischievous self. His kasaya was stained with blood and had several holes.
It was clear he had just come from the front lines and hadn't had time to change his kasaya.
Wang Ming entered the shop, looking anxious. "Master Yu, what exactly is going on with Shi Bingzhi?"
Yu Daohan sighed. "Didn't I already tell you on the phone?"
Yu Daohan's phone had been ringing non-stop these past few days.
Nanjing Shuo, Wang Fubao, Liang Jing, and the sect leaders of some sects had all been inquiring about the specific situation.
Yu Daohan had explained it over and over again.
It was clear from Wang Ming's demeanor that he had also come to inquire about Shi Bingzhi's situation.
Yu Daohan asked, "Why are you here instead of guarding the front lines?"
Wang Ming said indignantly, "Nonsense! My home is about to be stolen, and you expect me not to come and find out what's going on?"
Yu Daohan knew this fellow wouldn't rest until he got to the bottom of it. "Have some water first."
Wang Ming nodded and followed Yu Daohan to the tea table.
He had come straight to the Midnight Shop after descending from the front lines.
He simply couldn't believe that Shi Bingzhi would defect.
Perhaps Wang Ming was genuinely thirsty, as he downed four cups of water before finally asking, "Master Yu, what exactly is going on?"
Yu Daohan, utterly exasperated, replied, "Didn't I explain it clearly to you on the phone? Shi Bingzhi defected with two compasses..."