The table was covered with white paper. With his wrist resting on the brush, Meng Qi wrote out the details of the Maoling incident, carefully avoiding any information he shouldn’t know—such as the organization’s name never mentioned by Jiang Hengchuan: “Myth!”
Naturally, all the content and judgments came solely from Meng Qi’s own narration. For instance, he claimed that the Ruan family got involved because Jiang Zhiwei had a close friendship with Ruan Yushu, and Jiang herself got involved because she and Meng Qi had developed a bond during their time at Shaolin, and had met again while traveling the martial world, becoming good friends.
After writing the final word, Meng Qi pulled out his green-tasseled official seal and stamped it onto the paper. A vivid, complex red seal imprint appeared, nearly impossible to forge.
“Bu Feng, Su.” Meng Qi read aloud the seal’s inscription with a smile. He folded the secret report, tucked it into his robe, altered his appearance, left the house, and wandered through the streets. Eventually, he arrived at the same shop selling brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones as before. Using a series of covert signals, he submitted his report as a Bu Feng spy and obtained the latest intelligence from various regions.
Meng Qi felt fortunate this mission hadn’t exposed his identity. As a spy, if every time trouble arose he simply announced he was an investigator, then what was the point of being a spy? He might as well become a regular Qing Shou investigator or a disciplinary officer. Unless truly cornered with death inevitable, other life-saving methods were far more valuable than revealing his identity.
Once his identity as a Bu Feng spy was exposed, the reputation of “Swordbreaker” Su Meng would be ruined, and he could forget about participating in any sensitive martial affairs.
No sooner had Meng Qi returned to the rented courtyard than he suddenly sensed something. With a smile, he said, “Senior Brother Qi, show yourself.”
From a hidden corner of the courtyard, Qi Zhengyan slowly stepped forward, speaking expressionlessly, “I didn’t expect I still couldn’t escape your notice, junior brother Meng.”
“Of course. My spiritual perception rivals that of a half-step into the external world.” Meng Qi replied calmly, then grinned, “Senior Brother Qi, you’ve finally arrived.”
Qi Zhengyan had long grown accustomed to Meng Qi’s shameless confidence, and responded with slight embarrassment, “I was worried I wouldn’t arrive on time by boat, so I disembarked and traveled day and night. However, in the wild mountains at night, I kept encountering monsters, ghosts, bandits, and thieves, delaying me so much that I actually arrived slower than by boat. Upon entering Jiangdong, I heard that the Maoling matter had been resolved, with the death of ‘Shocking for Miles’ and the destruction of the Dongyang estate.”
“Senior Brother Qi, I think you’re explaining a bit too much. That’s not like your usual style of speaking few words.” Meng Qi grinned, punching his palm, “Could it be that the real reason wasn’t the monsters and bandits, but that you got lost?”
Qi Zhengyan’s face twitched slightly, his expression unchanged, “You’re imagining things.”
“There is only one truth.” Meng Qi cracked a joke only he understood, then changed the subject, “Senior Brother Qi, do you have any plans?”
“Plans?” Qi Zhengyan furrowed his brow. “To challenge the young martial experts of Jiangdong and hone my skills.”
Meng Qi smiled, “Great! I was thinking the same. Let’s go together.”
“Who are you planning to challenge?” Qi Zhengyan asked.
Meng Qi smacked his lips, “Originally, my best target was Qingyu of the ‘Five Emperors’ Sabers,’ but the kid returned to his sect.”
He paused, then continued, “So now my target is Liusu of the Louwailou in Yingcheng, the ‘Young Master Qinglian.’ Even if the chances of failure are high, I still need to challenge him. Only by facing someone stronger or at a similar level can I truly sharpen my skills.”
“Senior Brother Liusu…” Qi Zhengyan’s expression momentarily grew distant.
Liusu, the “Young Master Qinglian,” was the most outstanding disciple of the Huanhua Sword Sect of this generation, always basking in the spotlight. His peers both admired and envied him.
When Qi Zhengyan was still an ordinary disciple, he had often admired Liusu’s talent and status. Now, upon hearing that his friend and “cousin” intended to challenge the senior brother he had always regarded as invincible, he couldn’t help but feel deeply shaken and emotionally stirred, as if trapped in a dream.
Only a few years had passed. How had junior brother Meng reached such a level?
What about me? How much of a gap still exists between me and Senior Brother Liusu?
Reading Qi Zhengyan’s thoughts, Meng Qi encouraged him, “Senior Brother Qi, once you open your eighth orifice and start cultivating the ‘Purple Stars River,’ you’ll be able to take on Liusu!”
According to the Human Rankings and the intelligence from the Six Gates Bureau, Liusu possessed extensive combat experience and had recently attained the state of harmony between heaven and humanity. He practiced the “Immortal-Bestowed Longevity Sword,” so under normal circumstances, unless one had other advantages or unique techniques, reaching the level of Heavenly Resonance would be necessary to stand a chance against him. After all, Liusu had talent, technique, skill, dedication, and experience—all fully developed, lacking only the comprehension of a Dharmakaya move.
However, Meng Qi’s “Eight-Nine Mystical Art” excelled in transformation and deception, with a higher rank than the “Immortal-Bestowed Longevity Sword.” His experience in life-and-death battles also far exceeded Liusu’s, giving him the chance to challenge him. As for Qi Zhengyan’s “Hun Tian Treasure Mirror,” it was unique during the orifice-opening stage, allowing him to slightly manipulate the external world even before full mastery. Thus, Meng Qi believed that after Qi opened his eighth orifice, he could approach Liusu’s current combat strength, though how strong Liusu would be by then remained unknown.
Qi Zhengyan took a deep breath, “Right now, I still lack the courage and confidence to challenge senior brother Liusu. I hope that by watching your battle, I can better understand my own capabilities.”
His meaning was clear—he would accompany Meng Qi to Yingcheng and challenge the orifice-opening experts there.
“Great! Yingcheng’s Louwailou.” Meng Qi grinned, showing all his teeth.
…
Traveling through Jiangdong, they mostly traveled by boat, passing small bridges over gentle streams, green willows, white walls, and black-tiled roofs, all exuding quiet prosperity.
Arriving near a small town close to Yingcheng, Meng Qi and Qi Zhengyan disembarked and hurried along the main road, hoping to reach the city before dawn, rest briefly, and then arrive at Yingcheng in their best condition.
The night deepened, autumn winds grew cold, and a chill crept into their bones. As they ran, they began competing in footwork techniques. One used the Wind God Legs and Illusory Demon Steps, the other the all-encompassing “Hun Tian Treasure Mirror.” Their speeds were quite similar.
Suddenly, Meng Qi spotted distant flickers of firelight. Ahead, by the roadside, a large group of people carrying torches appeared.
“What happened?” Meng Qi slowed his pace, and Qi Zhengyan caught up.
Meng Qi shook his head, “Don’t know. Let’s go ask.”
He had always been curious.
Approaching, Meng Qi noticed people dressed as constables and various martial artists holding torches, seemingly preparing to search the forest.
“Brother, what’s going on?” Meng Qi casually asked a man in martial attire at the edge of the group.
The man glanced at Meng Qi and Qi Zhengyan, “Are you passing martial heroes?”
“Yes.” Meng Qi “honestly” replied.
After a moment’s hesitation, the man said, “The ‘Flower-Plucking Bandit’ Hei Hudi has committed several crimes in this city, raping and killing several noble daughters. Now he has kidnapped the sixth young lady of the Sha family and fled into these mountains. We’ve been summoned by the local chief investigator to search the forest in teams.”
“Hei Hudi?” Meng Qi feigned ignorance, and Qi Zhengyan also showed no recognition.
Understanding their lack of knowledge, the man said, “You two are new to Jiangdong?”
Meng Qi nodded, “Exactly. Is Hei Hudi famous?”
The Six Gates Bureau’s reports had never mentioned this name. Those listed there were either experts at the external world level or top orifice-openers.
“He’s a shame to Jiangdong!” the man sighed. “He’s a nine-orifice expert, his martial skill is nothing special, but his footwork is extraordinary, and his stealth is top-notch. He’s skilled in hidden weapons and sedatives, allowing him to repeatedly escape after committing crimes. He’s ruined the reputations of countless young women. Worse, he’s cruel by nature. If ruining their reputations wasn’t enough, he never leaves them alive.”
In this martial world, gender differences were minimal, and the culture was relatively open. Except among noble families, most martial artists didn’t discriminate against women who had been violated. But Hei Hudi had gone too far.
Thus, while others were called “Butterfly” or similar names, he was given the prefix “Black.”
The self-proclaimed chivalrous Meng Qi immediately grew angry, “Where is he?”
“He entered the forest through this mountain path.” The man warned, “At night, Hei Hudi’s hidden weapons and sedatives are especially dangerous. If you two want to help, better wait for us to form teams and join one of them for mutual support.”
“Hei Hudi is cautious by nature and rarely targets major clans. However, the Sha family is closely related to the Mi family of Yingcheng, who have already sent people for assistance. Our main purpose is to scare Hei Hudi so he can’t harm Sha’s sixth young lady further. If you really encounter him, remember to shout for help. Chief Investigator Wang and the hero Lin Baozhi are both top-tier nine-orifice experts who should be able to capture Hei Hudi.”
His words implied a hidden meaning—that Sha’s sixth young lady might already be beyond saving, and they could only seek vengeance.
Without another word, Meng Qi rushed straight up the mountain path, with Qi Zhengyan following closely behind.
“Hey! Hey!” The martial man shouted, but the two ignored him.
The others heard the commotion and turned to look. The martial man awkwardly pointed, “Two reckless fools…”
Entering the forest, Meng Qi extended his spiritual perception, scanning the surroundings reflected in his mind lake, searching for clues.
As he moved forward, he suddenly heard distant cries for help.
He immediately quickened his pace, rushing forward with the Illusory Demon Steps and Wind God Legs, moving so fast he left afterimages. Qi Zhengyan temporarily fell behind.
Deep in the forest stood a small wooden cabin, a temporary shelter used by hunters.
Inside, a girl in a pale pink dress weakly clutched her chest, retreating in fear, crying for help.
She had been drugged, her limbs weak, her martial skills useless for resistance.
Facing her stood a man in dark clothing, his mask pulled down to reveal a pale face. Though originally somewhat handsome, his appearance clearly showed signs of excessive indulgence, making him look around thirty or forty.
“Scream all you want. They won’t dare enter the forest recklessly. By the time they arrive, we’ll already be done with our fun…” Hei Hudi wasn’t rushing to attack. He loved watching women’s helpless, terrified expressions.
Sha’s sixth young lady bit her tongue, trying to sever it, but her body was too weak, only managing a small wound, causing pain without effect.
“It’s getting late.” His eyes seemed to blaze with flames as he rubbed his hands together, slowly approaching.
Sha’s sixth young lady stumbled backward until she hit the wall.
“It’s useless. Just obediently enjoy it. Who knows, if I’m in a good mood, I might not kill you.” Hei Hudi sneered.
Just then, Sha’s sixth young lady’s gaze froze, staring straight behind Hei Hudi.
Hei Hudi chuckled, “I’ve known that trick since I was ten. Don’t try to fool me into turning around.”
Suddenly, a cold breeze brushed his neck, icy and bone-chilling, causing him to shiver involuntarily.
His martial artist instincts made him slash his sword behind him, but there was nothing there.
He quickly turned around. The cabin was empty inside and out. Just as he relaxed slightly, another cold breeze touched his neck, even colder than before.
Could it be a ghost? His hairs stood on end.
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