Chapter 124: How Did You Figure It Out?
“But why, after a full ten breaths, has Nie Zheng not returned?”
His gaze swept over the chaotic firefighting scene like a hawk, then suddenly sharpened—
Chen Shun’an, that old fellow, has also disappeared!
“Deserted mid-battle? Good, good, good, just when I couldn’t catch you, you delivered yourself into my hands!”
Hong Junxian sneered inwardly. While Lin Shou Zhuo and the other first-rate experts weren’t paying attention, he quickly found a water cart with most of its water remaining behind a high wall at the county yamen.
Hong Junxian’s nostrils twitched. Following the faint scent remaining in the air, he walked step by step to the entrance of a dark alley.
The corners of his mouth turned up in a smile of a scheme succeeding. He suddenly tensed his legs and exerted force, his body flashing into the alley at extreme speed.
Hong Junxian shouted sternly,
“Chen Shun’an, how dare you—!!”
The words came to an abrupt halt.
Hong Junxian stared blankly at Chen Shun’an, his fingers clenched inwards, extending his arm and slowly pulling a figure that looked like a puddle of mud and was barely breathing out of the sunken ground.
Chen Shun’an?
The person in his hand is… Nie Zheng?
In Hong Junxian’s mind, Nie Zheng, who was so high and mighty, second only to Director Lu Jing in Wuqing County, was now like fish on a chopping block.
This, how is it possible?
I, I, I… why am I here?
Hong Junxian’s lips trembled, wanting to say something, but all his strength seemed to have been drained away. His body convulsed strangely, and the scene before him felt extremely unreal.
Chen Shun’an, carrying Nie Zheng, slowly raised his head. On his honest, wrinkled old face, a hint of surprise appeared.
“How… did you find me?”
*Plop!*
A crisp sound echoed, and dust flew up.
Hong Junxian immediately knelt on both knees, wailing and begging for mercy,
“Brother Chen… No, no, Senior Chen, this humble one had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I didn’t know Senior was just playing in the mortal world. I beg Senior not to hold this humble one accountable and spare my life! I, I, I am willing to do anything. Money, a house, cultivation methods, whatever you want, I’ll give it to you, just please don’t kill me, don’t kill me!!!”
Hong Junxian trembled, his words not daring to stop. At the same time, a foul odor emanated from beneath Hong Junxian.
A puddle of water slowly spread.
【Wish +20】
Chen Shun’an looked at Hong Junxian and raised an eyebrow.
Old age, and a timid heart as well.
Hong Junxian was actually scared out of his wits by him?
Hong Junxian had retired from the martial world years ago but had long since allied with Zhao Guanghui. Now he was even a guest official for Guanghui and seemed to be deeply trusted by Zhao Guanghui.
Thinking of this, Chen Shun’an’s heart suddenly stirred.
“Do you have any wishes?”
Hong Junxian was stunned: “Huh?”
In Hong Junxian’s eyes, Chen Shun’an’s not-so-tall physique suddenly exuded an indescribable ancient aura.
Even Chen Shun’an’s voice became as cold as a god’s, and he said faintly,
“Tell me, your wish…”
…
Inside the county yamen.
Rolling smoke rose like a black dragon ascending to the heavens, filling the air with a pungent smell of burning, the crackling sound of wood exploding, and a terrifying odor of burning flesh.
Several clerks and runners who couldn’t escape in time became figures in the flames, emitting screams that were not quite human.
“Why hasn’t Lord Nie returned yet?”
A guest official from the chamber of commerce parried a flying spark with his saber, his voice filled with suppressed panic.
“We can’t hold them off any longer…”
“These gang members are too cunning!”
The guest officials from the local chamber of commerce and gang leaders in Wuqing County were in a difficult situation, trying to hold back Bai Manlou and the others.
At the same time, their eyes frequently flickered towards the huge hole in the outer wall of the county yamen, created by Nie Zheng, with longing.
These people knew their own strength.
It wasn’t that they were completely outmatched by the Guo Lu Society members.
It was just that no one wanted to sacrifice themselves to achieve glory for others and earn great merit for the Wuqing Stick Bureau.
They all wanted to win without taking any damage.
Bai Manlou and the others naturally understood the thoughts of the people in front of them, and their attacks became even more fierce.
Although they were also a little puzzled why Nie Zheng had not returned.
Was it a trap, or had something else happened?
However, time did not allow for deep thought. The mysterious item, the Big Black Hat, could steal scents and imitate forms, but it had a time limit, lasting at most for one stick of incense.
Once the mysterious item failed and there was no longer the cover of stolen scents.
Let alone reclaiming the bodies of their brothers, escaping Wuqing County alive today would be a problem.
Moreover, they didn’t know how the battle was going with Red Fifth Master…
With this thought, a look of determination flashed in Bai Manlou’s eyes. He bent down and picked up the long sword from the ground. The sword body reflected the flickering firelight and emitted a low, clear hum.
Bai Manlou said in a deep voice,
“I have a final move called ‘Sword Heart Melts Together in Hatred,’ which is enough to tear through their combined assault. While that dog Nie hasn’t returned, you guys hurry and leave, I’ll cover your retreat!”
Zhou Yiyong snorted coldly, his tone displeased,
“Young Bai, don’t think that just because your realm has caught up to mine, you can boss me around. You have a final move, and don’t I?”
The Money Grabber said nothing, because he didn’t.
The group’s momentum changed, and they launched a joint assault, sword light like lightning, hammer winds shaking the ground, and finger energy piercing the air!
The local martial artists, who were already harboring ulterior motives, immediately fell into disarray, screaming and retreating with various injuries. Some cowardly individuals began to look for opportunities to escape to the periphery of the sea of fire.
However, one figure moved against the tide of the retreating battle.
Hong Junxian, with a righteous expression, resolute eyes, and disheveled hair, advanced with the determination of facing a thousand men alone, his saber in hand.
His voice boomed like a great bell, “You rebels dare to be so rampant! Hong is here!”
Many martial artists who were fleeing in disarray were shocked by this scene. Some showed shame, some secretly mocked him for being pedantic, some sneered at him for showing off, and more turned their heads away, unable to bear witnessing Hong Junxian’s end.
“Old man, how dare you block me?!”
Zhou Yiyong had just heavily injured an opponent with a hammer blow and was full of fighting spirit and excitement.
Seeing Hong Junxian make a move, he strode forward, his lungs expanding and contracting, unleashing surging qi and blood. His eight-angled bronze hammer, carrying a terrifying whistling sound that tore through wind and fire, slammed down!
The two exchanged blows rapidly, afterimages scattering, and dust rolling.
Hong Junxian grunted, spat out a mouthful of blood, and was sent flying backward, breaking several courtyard trees.
“Senior Hong, I’ll help you!”
Suddenly, a figure in a worn grey cotton robe swooped in like a hawk and appeared behind Hong Junxian.
Chen Shun’an extended both hands, his arms reaching out, barely catching Hong Junxian. The moment his feet touched the ground, force penetrated the earth from the soles of his feet.
With each step back, Chen Shun’an’s face turned a shade redder.
The sleeves of his arms were shredded inch by inch, revealing his slightly trembling, pain-numbed arms.
*Rumble!*
The two figures, unstable, tumbled together into a side hall that had not completely collapsed but was engulfed in fierce flames, instantly swallowed by fire and smoke!
“Hmph, martial artists from the capital are nothing more than this!”
Zhou Yiyong snorted coldly.
However, both for Hong Junxian and the second-rate warrior who rushed to help later.
Even though their stances were different, Zhou Yiyong actually held them in higher regard.
They were men.
With Nie Zheng’s prolonged absence, everyone had their own thoughts. Furthermore, Hong Junxian, a veteran of the martial world, was severely injured and his life was unknown.
The remaining few had no more desire to fight and all retreated.
Seeing this, the Guo Lu Society members no longer pursued them. They moved as if walking through a sea of fire, quickly leaping over the high wall and heading towards the Vegetable Market Intersection, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
…
Outside the county yamen, the sky was ablaze with fire, casting fluctuating light and shadow on everyone’s faces.
“Where did Lord Nie go?”
“We can’t stop them, the Guo Lu Society members have escaped!”
“The Guo Lu Society has gained the upper hand, their strength is terrifying, we are no match for them at all!”
Sharp voices echoed.
Accompanied by several first-rate experts retreating in disarray from the sea of fire.
Outside the county yamen, the runners, martial artists, and gang members who had been rushing to put out fires stopped their actions, their faces filled with horror, and couldn’t help but swallow.
So the rebels of the Guo Lu Society are this strong?
Even Lord Nie’s fate is unknown?
Flames snaked along the pillars and climbed onto the rooftops, greedily consuming everything flammable.
At this moment, the county yamen seemed to have transformed into a devourer of all things in everyone’s eyes, instilling fear.
“What’s going on?!”
Zhou Qing, with light makeup and a delicate face, rushed over.
“Lord Zhou.”
“Senior Zhou.”
Many of the confused Water Carriers, upon seeing the newcomer, seemed to have found their backbone. They straightened their expressions and bowed respectfully.
Compared to Lin Shou Zhuo, it was clear that in the eyes of these Water Carriers, Zhou Qing held greater importance and deeper authority.
Lin Shou Zhuo moved swiftly, pulling Sun Xiao and Cheng Bin behind him. Seeing Zhou Qing, he said grimly,
“It seems something went wrong inside the county yamen. Nie Zheng… is in trouble!”
Nie Zheng is in trouble?
Zhou Qing’s face instantly filled with astonishment.
At this time, many more first-rate martial artists arrived one after another. Zhou Qing glanced at them, indifferently casting a look at his old rival Yue Ting, and said coldly,
“Yue Ting, you’re quite idle. Why aren’t you going inside?”
Yue Ting stood with his arms crossed and smiled faintly: “I am merely ordered to guard the granary, I have no duty to fight fires and eliminate rebels.”
“Hmph!”
Zhou Qing was about to say more when he noticed Lin Shou Zhuo’s dark expression, his gaze scanning around as if desperately searching for something.
Zhou Qing frowned and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Lin Shou Zhuo’s voice was somewhat hoarse, with a hint of anxiety: “Old Chen is missing.”
Chen Shun’an?
Zhou Qing’s heart skipped a beat.
Sun Xiao and Cheng Bin exchanged a look upon hearing this and hesitated,
“Could Old Chen have sensed the situation was bad and left early?”
“Yeah, Old Chen has always been good at avoiding bad luck and escaping. He’s faster than anyone. He should be fine, right?”
Lin Shou Zhuo let out a long breath, his gaze still fixed on the sea of fire: “I hope so.”
“Someone, someone is coming out, hurry and receive them!”
The yamen gate had long since collapsed. Many people gathered on the street saw two figures emerge rapidly from the sea of fire.
“Senior Hong, hold on tight to me, I’ll take you out!”
Chen Shun’an, half-supporting and half-carrying the heavily injured and unconscious Hong Junxian, walked steadily despite the speed. He broke through the curtain of fire and returned to the street.
“It’s Hong Junxian? He’s not dead?”
“The one supporting him is… Chen Shun’an from Grit Well?”
“That’s strange. Zhou Yiyong is a genuine master who slew two bandits. How could Chen Shun’an resolve his residual force and save Hong Junxian? It’s unbelievable…”
