Chapter 431: The Stranger

The leading figure was Ji Tao, one of the deputy commanders of the personal guards of the Garrison Command, ranked at the second level of the Human Stage. He was highly trusted by Jiang Shenghong, the commander of the personal guards. Being a local, Ji Tao had connections with all sorts of people in society and was responsible for some secret intelligence tasks. Currently, he was in charge of the critical operation using the Guo family as bait to lure out the leader of the Red-Cloth Army.

If Ji Tao encountered enemies he couldn’t handle, he would send a signal or deliberately create a commotion to summon the stronger warriors from the Garrison Command for help. However, he hadn’t done so now because recklessly calling for help without assessing the enemy’s strength and identity would result in severe punishment from his superiors later. Therefore, he decided to follow the enemy secretly first, carefully determine the enemy’s strength and importance, and then decide on the next move.

Now, seeing that only one person from the Red-Cloth Army had arrived, although the person’s aura was impressive, it did not reach the level of the Earth Stage like the Garrison Commander. Ji Tao felt confident that he could handle the situation. After all, his bloodline was unique, and his boxing techniques were formidable, rivaling most warriors at the first level of the Human Stage. If he really couldn’t handle it, he still had many subordinates who could call for help in time.

He sneered, “Money? Let’s make it ours instead! Capture him!”

As his voice fell, he lunged down from above at Zhao Heng, throwing a heavy punch with his right fist, surrounded by crackling blue lightning. The air around his punch shattered with a loud crackling sound.

Even before the punch landed, a numbing sensation attacked Zhao Heng’s body, vibrating his soul as if real thunder had descended.

At the same time, figures atop the walls leapt down, and those blocking both ends of the alley quickly moved closer. Some were personal guards from the Garrison Command, some were secret agents, and others were hired ruffians loyal to Ji Tao. Their main target was Zhao Heng, with only a few assigned to deal with the audacious “wanderer” Meng Qi.

Suddenly, a gentle sound of a qin (Chinese zither) drifted into their hearts, its origin unknown, its destination uncertain. Cold and serene, it was like a calm lake under the moonlight or an ancient ice cave, sending chills deep into their souls, freezing their thoughts, and turning each figure into an “ice sculpture.”

Under the influence of the “Moon-Cold Mantra,” everyone, including Ji Tao, the deputy commander of the personal guards, slowed their movements and gradually froze in place.

How terrifying was that qin sound! A few still managed to move with difficulty, trying to send out distress signals, but it was already too late. A sudden flash of sword light appeared in their eyes, followed by a fleeting shadow of blue, and then everything turned black.

Suddenly, one person’s body ignited with pale yellow flames, slightly resisting the icy chill of the Moon-Cold Mantra.

This was due to the uniqueness of his bloodline, giving him stronger resistance than ordinary Human Stage warriors against the Moon-Cold Mantra.

Just as he was about to ignite a flare, a purple river surged toward him, sparkling with countless brilliant starlights, as if the Milky Way had overturned, instantly enveloping him. The starlight penetrated every pore, circulating through his body, scouring his bones and organs.

As the purple star river receded, the person collapsed limply, his skin beneath showing no intact area.

Within a few breaths, the figures in the alley fell like autumn grass in the wind, with more than half collapsing. The remaining few were helpless before the onslaught of Jiang Zhiwei and Qi Zhengyan.

Ji Tao’s fist, crackling with blue electricity, slowed increasingly, his skin turning cold, his eyes dull and sluggish. Zhao Heng remained expressionless, extending his right hand like a dragon’s claw, majestic and noble, and caught Ji Tao’s fist, dissipating the blue electric sparks in his palm.

The several guards attacking Meng Qi had been initially careless and relaxed, but now their eyes widened, their thoughts sluggish. They watched helplessly as the “wanderer” cheerfully drew a long sword that seemed forged from flames. Then, a flash of light, and blood spurted from their throats like rain.

A few more breaths passed, the qin music ceased, and only Meng Qi and Ji Tao remained standing in the alley. Even the eyes and ears of the Garrison Command stationed nearby had not escaped this fate.

Meng Qi and the others were not afraid of possible enemies near the Guo residence. Their only concern was whether they could eliminate the threat silently. After all, the city of Danning was still on high alert. Any significant commotion would draw the attention of Zuo Hanfeng and his elite warriors. If that happened, they might end up like stray dogs without a home. Therefore, they devised a small plan to lure the enemies to a suitable place for confrontation.

This secluded alley, seldom passed by others, had been quiet except for the distant echo of the qin music, which wouldn’t draw anyone’s attention. Unnoticed, many had already left this world forever.

Without further words, Jiang Zhiwei, Qi Zhengyan, and others remained vigilant around, while Meng Qi approached Ji Tao, who had been severely wounded and had his acupoints sealed by Zhao Heng. Meng Qi’s aura suddenly changed, as if he were the supreme sky overlooking everything, having witnessed countless changes through time, thus appearing indifferent and distant.

Ji Tao’s head spun, and many memories surged forth—his most profound and painful experiences.

They unfolded in chronological order, from childhood to the present, forcing him to relive them repeatedly.

An endless cycle of pain, driving him toward breakdown. Ji Tao’s eyes began to lose focus.

Suddenly, streaks of lightning erupted from the ocean of his mind, supremely yang and mighty, attempting to sever Meng Qi’s spiritual connection with him!

This was the special trait of his bloodline, rarely susceptible to “external evil” invasion!

Meng Qi’s gaze was deep and serene, like a celestial or a Buddha, his aura lofty and vast. Facing the bombardment of “thunder,” he remained completely unmoved.

Purple lightning marks appeared on the back of his hand, noble and dazzling, exuding a faint aura of terrifying thunder.

In Ji Tao’s vast sea of consciousness, he was struggling desperately, hoping that the true essence of lightning within his bloodline would overwhelm the opponent’s soul and free him from this torment. Yet at that very moment, he “sensed” the opponent growing infinitely towering, standing atop a thunderous ocean, draped in purple lightning like a descending deity, causing the lightning he had “unleashed” to kneel in reverence.

The Thunder God?

Ji Tao was shocked and bewildered, and then he felt the tormenting cycle begin again.

“Mercy! Mercy!” Deprived of any support, he finally collapsed completely, tears and snot streaming down his face, utterly unrecognizable as a man!

Meng Qi withdrew his gaze, ignoring Zhao Heng’s scrutinizing look, and let the lightning marks on his hand return to normal.

After cultivating the ancestral cavity between his eyebrows, Meng Qi had several ways to overcome Ji Tao’s lightning power within his bloodline. However, time was pressing, and this place was not truly deserted, so naturally, he chose the quickest method.

“Where is Du Huaishang?” Meng Qi stared into Ji Tao’s eyes.

Ji Tao fearfully averted his gaze, trembling as he replied, “He escaped.”

After his breakdown, the scar-faced giant had become like a timid, frightened rabbit.

“How did he escape?” Meng Qi remained as steady as a mountain, not disrupting his “image” in Ji Tao’s eyes, to avoid affecting the interrogation.

Ji Tao took several deep breaths, speaking rapidly, “A few days ago, our secret agents discovered that the lame Guo had connections with the Red-Cloth Army, but Zuo Hanfeng’s deputy, Yin Zuoshi, advised the Garrison Commander not to act rashly against the Guo family to lure out the bigger fish. Not long after, an important guest visited the Guo residence, seemingly Du Huaishang. Therefore, the Garrison Commander led several masters to launch a surprise attack on the Guo family at night, attempting to capture and kill him.”

“But Du Huaishang was no easy prey. He seemed to have sensed the danger in advance and fled with severe injuries, leaving no trace afterward. Thus, the Garrison Commander sealed off the city of Danning, allowing entry but not exit, and conducted a thorough search.”

“Who is Yin Zuoshi?” Meng Qi deliberately jumbled the order of his questions.

Could this Yin Zuoshi be the new recruit of Zuo Hanfeng, an outsider?

Only they could keep the Red-Cloth Army’s intelligence vague.

Ji Tao replied, “Yin Zuoshi’s name is Yin Lenghui. He’s a native of Danning, unknown and unnoticed since childhood. About a month ago, he suddenly came to the Garrison Command, claiming to have been taught by an outsider and skilled in witchcraft. He expressed his desire to assist the virtuous in times of chaos.”

“A true local of Danning?” Meng Qi slightly frowned. This sounded like another Reincarnator!

Sudden strong figures always made Meng Qi suspect they were reincarnators!

Ji Tao nodded, “The Garrison Commander sent secret agents to verify. They confirmed Yin Zuoshi’s identity through neighbors, local records, and official documents, and then felt safe to employ him.”

“Why does he call himself the left deputy?” Meng Qi slightly eased his previous suspicion.

Ji Tao replied, “Yin Lenghui arrived with two companions, claiming to be disciples of a secret sect. He himself served as the left deputy of this sect. Oh, and he later mentioned that the witchcraft curse had affected Du Huaishang, who wouldn’t recover for one or two months, so he definitely couldn’t escape from Danning.”

“Is Yin Lenghui at the Human Stage or the Earth Stage?” Meng Qi asked gravely.

Ji Tao shook his head, “Unknown. Sometimes he seems like a Human Stage warrior, sometimes like an Earth Stage warrior. His two companions are also outsiders, possessing many miraculous techniques, making it impossible to determine whether they are at the Earth Stage or the Human Stage.”

Meng Qi repeatedly questioned Ji Tao from different angles, confirming that Ji Tao had not concealed any information about Yin Lenghui. Then he asked about Zuo Hanfeng. Finally, Meng Qi waved his right hand, igniting a flame that pierced Ji Tao’s forehead.

The sword was drawn, the tip without a trace of blood, only a flame burning silently.

“Du Huaishang is hiding well. Even with Zuo Hanfeng sealing the city and conducting a thorough search, he couldn’t be found. We are strangers here; it’s even more impossible for us,” Zhao Heng, who had also listened to Ji Tao’s answers earlier, slightly frowned.

Qi Zhengyan looked somewhat serious, “If we inquire recklessly, we might fall into Zuo Hanfeng’s trap.”

“In fact, there’s no need to find Du Huaishang. As long as we kill Zuo Hanfeng, the predicament in Danning will resolve itself,” Jiang Zhiwei remained expressionless, as if she had already considered this.

Although Zuo Hanfeng was strong, they had the Immortal Binding Rope, and their combined strength was not weak. The opportunity was promising!

“Great!” This suggestion suited Meng Qi’s thoughts perfectly, and he nodded immediately.

Searching for someone was meticulous work, and a slight carelessness could lead to Zuo Hanfeng’s pursuit. It would be better to seek an opportunity to eliminate the greatest danger first. In reverse, it could also be considered completing the mission.

Zhao Heng and Qi Zhengyan pondered for a moment and also believed that killing Zuo Hanfeng was the best choice.

“Be careful of the three outsiders,” Ruan Yushu, holding the ancient qin, reminded.

Yin Lenghui and others were mysterious and formidable. Without understanding their true strength, the assassination of Zuo Hanfeng would easily fail.

“This matter is easy to handle,” Meng Qi suddenly smiled, his facial muscles changing, resembling Ji Tao somewhat.

“What do you plan to do?” Zhao Heng was quite surprised.

Meng Qi smiled, “Naturally, ‘Ji Tao’ will return to the Garrison Command to report an ambush. The enemy consists of two men and one woman, with formidable strength, causing many of our subordinates’ deaths, and I myself was also severely wounded.”

“Moreover, among his subordinates, there are still ‘four’ wandering martial artists alive who will assist the secret agents in searching for the attackers.”

As he spoke, he changed into Ji Tao’s clothes and created real, crisscrossing wounds on his face. Anyway, with the Eight-Nine Mystical Art, it would be easy to recover without scars.

Thus, it would be difficult for outsiders to detect the subtle differences!