Chapter 132: The Five Elements Protectors

We followed Xiang Fang to a small villa three miles away. It was completely deserted, as if it had been abandoned long ago. My master looked around and asked, "Is there no one here?"

Xiang Fang stood slightly behind my master and replied, "Senior, this place has been abandoned for some time. I thought it was quiet and had a fine night view, making it a good place for a drink. It is a bit dilapidated, but I hope you don't mind."

My master waved his hand, showing no concern for the state of the place. Xiang Fang smiled, gestured for my master to enter, and we followed them inside. Once inside, they sat on stone stools in the courtyard. My master looked around and swept his hand across the table, causing a pot of distilled spirits and two cups to appear. Xiang Fang was slightly taken aback, looking at the liquor, and remarked, "You are truly a master; your methods are extraordinary."

My master smiled and poured a cup for Xiang Fang, who hurriedly accepted it with both hands. After they touched glasses and took a sip, my master asked, "How long have you been serving as the Chapter President?"

Xiang Fang thought for a moment and replied, "For over three years."

My master nodded and added, "Then, do you know Wu Wenzhong?"

"Wu Wenzhong? The name sounds familiar, but my memory is not what it used to be." Xiang Fang gave an awkward laugh.

My master didn't mind and said, "You have a thousand things to attend to, so it is no fault of yours. Wu Wenzhong is the president of the Chongqing branch of the Taoist Association; you should surely know him."

Xiang Fang paused, thought again, and then nodded in realization. "Oh, President Wu! Of course I know him. Not only do I know him, but I actually owe him a favor."

"Oh? Is that so?" My master smiled.

Xiang Fang also smiled and nodded. My master continued, "Has President Wu been in touch with you lately?"

"In touch? Not really. We haven't spoken since we returned from the Beijing headquarters. We’ve both been quite busy," Xiang Fang said with a smile.

My master nodded and finished his drink. Sister Yu and I couldn't get a word in, so we wandered off to explore other parts of the villa. My master glanced at us, said nothing, and turned back to Xiang Fang. "To be honest, President Wu has run into some trivial matters recently and is completely overwhelmed."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Fang was startled. "What kind of matters? Are they serious?"

My master nodded. "You could say that. Some time ago, the Chongqing branch of the Taoist Association suffered a brutal attack. No one in the association was spared, save for President Wu and a few of his trusted aides who narrowly escaped."

Xiang Fang grew tense at these words, his brow furrowing. "Who did it?"

My master shook his head. Xiang Fang looked down at his glass and muttered to himself, "Why didn't Old Wu tell me? We are in the same association; why does he insist on keeping things to himself?"

Seeing Xiang Fang's anxious expression, my master said, "The main headquarters is already aware and has ordered President Wu to find the culprit. He likely didn't want to trouble you, knowing how busy you are as a branch president."

"Sigh, this is not a matter of being busy. First, I owe him a favor. Second, we are all part of the same organization and should help each other. By doing this, he is looking down on me." Xiang Fang was silent for a few seconds before asking, "Is there any lead on the perpetrators?"

My master shook his head. "Actually, that is why I am here."

"What? You too, Senior...?" Xiang Fang left the sentence unfinished, staring at my master in shock.

My master nodded. "Indeed, I encountered an incident similar to President Wu's. We have been working through the night and have tentatively identified a target, which is why I came here. Also, the reason I invited you for a drink was to investigate this case. If I have offended you in any way, I hope you will forgive me."

My master cupped his hands in a gesture of apology. Xiang Fang stood up and returned the gesture. "Senior, you are too kind. Since President Wu and you have both suffered such misfortune, it is my duty to assist. There is no need for such formalities; we are all in the supernatural circle, and it is not easy for any of us."

My master nodded. Xiang Fang sat back down and asked, "So, Senior, who is the target you have identified? May I know?"

My master smiled and nodded. "Certainly. I came here specifically to find this person; it would be self-deception to keep it hidden."

Xiang Fang smiled, and my master continued, "Wei Wujiang. You must have heard of him, President Xiang."

"Wei Wujiang..." Xiang Fang whispered the name. Suddenly, he looked up in shock. "The veteran of the Assassination Organization? The master of illusions?"

My master nodded. "The very same."

Xiang Fang was stunned. "That man rarely wanders through our circles, and his movements are erratic. He only surfaces after receiving an assassination order. Senior, are you sure about this?"

My master nodded again. "That night, we were attending a meeting at a hotel when we were suddenly attacked. I was pulled into an illusion, and my disciple was so tormented by the realistic scenes within it that he nearly jumped from the building. I saw a figure at the scene, hidden in the darkness. Just as I was about to act, the figure vanished. The next day, I ran into President Wu, and through his explanation, I realized he had suffered a similar attack—both victims of illusion arts."

Xiang Fang listened intently. When my master finished, he frowned. "It can't be such a coincidence. I heard that Wei Wujiang recently received an assassination order from the organization's headquarters. I don't know the location or the target, but could he be carrying out this very mission? No, wait... wait, I remember!"

Xiang Fang began to mutter to himself, then suddenly shouted. My master frowned. "Remembered what?"

Xiang Fang looked at my master, his voice tense and rapid. "Our Taoist Association has always been at odds with the Assassination Organization. Most sects dislike them, but our feud is on another level. Just two months ago, our headquarters in Beijing captured over a dozen of their members. The leader was Wei Wuxin, one of the 'Five Elements Protectors' and Wei Wujiang's younger brother. We crippled his spiritual sense and destroyed his cultivation. The Five Elements Protectors are all born of the same mother, and their strength is not to be underestimated; together, they could slaughter a medium-sized sect. They hold a high position in the organization. Now that one of their top generals has been crippled by us, they certainly won't let it slide. If this matter is linked to that, the Assassination Organization might be using Wei Wujiang’s revenge to suppress our Taoist Association once and for all."

My master furrowed his brow. "The Five Elements Protectors are indeed bound by blood. If one is harmed, the others will surely attack in force. All of this is still speculation, but as the branch president here, you must know the exact location of the Assassination Organization, right?"

Xiang Fang froze, looking at my master with a puzzled, furrowed brow. "Senior, what do you mean? Do you intend to confront them directly?"

My master nodded. "We cannot delay any longer. If this is truly an act of revenge against your association, I fear your other branches will also come under attack. If we wait, things will only become more complicated."

Xiang Fang nodded. "The Assassination Organization is located in the Guotong Building. The entire building is filled with their members. If you go just like that, I fear it may be unwise."

My master smiled. "What is unwise about it?"

Xiang Fang looked at him, wanting to say more but holding back. He sighed. "In that case, Senior, I will accompany you. There is safety in numbers."

Just as my master was about to refuse, Xiang Fang’s cell phone rang. Sister Yu and I walked over just in time. Xiang Fang picked up the phone, looking perplexed. "Hello, what is it?"

"President, it's bad! Something huge has happened! Where are you? You need to come back immediately!" a voice shouted anxiously from the other end.