Douluo: Unparalleled General, Starting by Deceptive Thousand-Snow-Peak 104

Chapter 104: The Traitor

Nan Feihuang’s certainty stemmed from a simple observation: during their escape, their speed was far inferior to that of the Chi Tu (a legendary swift horse), and their erratic, non-linear route, with deliberate slowing and turns, suggested they weren’t trying to evade capture at all.

In dense forests, such tactics might be explainable – using terrain to confuse the pursuer and gain a better chance of escape. But veering off a straight road, with a clear direction of travel? It made no sense.

Their chance encounter with his mother wasn’t coincidence; they knew her location and headed straight for her.

Coupled with the markings left by Qian Renxue during Nan Feihuang’s rescue of her, he was certain a traitor existed among them, leaving behind clues only they could understand.

Initially, Nan Feihuang suspected Qian Renxue’s involvement, but two years of interaction proved otherwise. The culprit was someone else.

The Martial Soul Temple had two major factions: the Pope’s Palace and the Hall of Worship. Since Qian Renxue was unaware, it had to be someone from Bibi Dong’s faction.

Nan Feihuang initially intended to keep Dian Wei and Lü Lingqi completely hidden, even from the Academy Tournament, to prevent Ancient Thunder King Country from appearing too strong. But now, that wasn’t an option.

Bibi Dong, through the traitor, had undoubtedly learned Dian Wei and Lü Lingqi’s details.

Both Zhang Lao and Xu Rong held high positions within the country, and Nan Tianchen trusted them, not bothering to conceal information.

Fortunately, only a few knew the actual relationship between Nan Feihuang and Lü Lingqi. Xu Rong and Zhang Lao weren’t among them. Therefore, he could simply claim Dian Wei and Lü Lingqi were secretly cultivated underlings, needing no further explanation.

Sending this letter wouldn’t only prevent Bibi Dong from successfully driving a wedge between him and Qian Renxue; it would backfire spectacularly.

Bibi Dong herself would be drawn into Nan Feihuang’s plan.

However, this would expose Lingqi completely to Qian Renxue’s scrutiny, which was why Nan Feihuang hesitated.

“My lord, Bibi Dong knows about E’lai (Dian Wei) and Lingqi. She will certainly tell Qian Renxue, creating conflict between you. Keeping it hidden is pointless. It’s better to reveal them openly, preventing future problems. They are warriors, and keeping them hidden breeds resentment. This is a chance to openly showcase our nation’s strength. As long as we maintain a good relationship with Qian Renxue, the Martial Soul Temple won’t act against us,” Xun Yu advised.

Nan Feihuang nodded, acknowledging Xun Yu’s reasoning.

“By the way, Wen Ru, how did you know Xu Rong and Zhang Lao might be traitors? Was it also through information from Chi Tu and me?” Nan Feihuang asked, puzzled.

“Oh, so my lord only knows there’s a traitor but not who it is? I seem to have overestimated your wisdom. Zhang Lao is pitiful; devoted to the country, yet suspected. Your method of identifying the traitor was meticulous, but unnecessary. I knew about the traitor from the day you returned, without needing any information from Chi Tu. I knew who the traitor was the moment I heard the full account of your capture.”

“For the past two years, I’ve been secretly gathering evidence and planning to use this person to spread misinformation. A seemingly covert traitor is sometimes more useful than a loyal confidant,” Xun Yu smiled triumphantly, “In terms of intelligence, I still slightly surpass my lord.”

While Xun Yu’s words were vague, Nan Feihuang grasped the key information. “Wen Ru, you said I misunderstood Zhang Lao. So, the traitor is Xu Rong?”

“Exactly!” Xun Yu confirmed. “My lord, recall the map of Douluo Continent, and you’ll understand why I suspected a traitor from the start.”

Nan Feihuang had a map of Douluo Continent hanging in his bedroom; he’d studied it countless times and was intimately familiar with its geography.

Nan Feihuang wasn’t stupid; he grasped the implication immediately.

There was no need for convoluted deductions. They had entered the Star Dou Forest from the border between Ancient Thunder King Country and the Heavenly Dou Empire.

This wasn’t strange; they departed from Ancient Thunder King Country, while Qian Renxue came from the Heavenly Dou Empire – it was the closest entry point.

The strange part was Qian Renxue’s escape route after encountering Chi Tu.

Wuhun City was the closest city to the Star Dou Forest, located to its west. Logically, anyone fleeing would head in that direction for a better chance of survival.

Yet, they fled north – towards their entry point into the forest.

This meant they intended to escape in that direction from the beginning. Or, they knew Queen Lan Xue was closer to them than Wuhun City.

But the Star Dou Forest was vast. Unless they knew her exact location, such a choice made no sense.

Xun Yu based his guess on this, concluding that a traitor had left markers for the Snake Spear Douluo and others.

Nan Feihuang pressed further, “Then how did you determine it was Xu Rong, not Zhang Lao?”

“Because the one who protected you was Xu Rong. At that time, Snake Spear Douluo and Porcupine Douluo wanted to use the Queen’s power against Chi Tu. But there was one thing they couldn’t fully control: what if the Queen refused to help and chose to flee?”

“Therefore, they needed to ensure a factor that would force the Queen to stay – you, my lord. As long as you remained there, the Queen, however reluctant, would have to fight.”

“This was the most crucial aspect. How could they control this? Could they gamble their lives on luck? Impossible! If Xu Rong hadn’t deliberately approached to protect you, if the King, who favored sons over daughters, had rescued you and left, ignoring Princess Feiling; if he hadn’t used his Glory Shield to seemingly protect you but instead grabbed your shoulder and fled—you, a Soul Ancestor, couldn’t have resisted a Soul Sage.”

“But he didn’t. He stood there, using his shield to seemingly protect you, but actually restricting your escape. A mere Soul Ancestor, in the dangerous Star Dou Forest, with powerful enemies ahead, wouldn’t dare leave the protection of a Soul Sage.”

“Otherwise, once you left, the Queen, even if concerned for others, wouldn’t necessarily risk her life to fight for them.”

“Therefore, I’m certain. Whoever kept you on the battlefield, forcing the Queen to fight, was their man!”

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