Three days later, in a private room of a certain tavern.
Hu Dou guarded the door, glaring around with wide eyes, as if he wished to roar at every passerby, “What are you looking at? Have you never seen someone guarding a door before?”
His young master had been frail since childhood and was neglected by the emperor, leaving Hu Dou, a eunuch with near-external-scene cultivation, to serve as his personal protector. Both were men of misfortune and thus got along well, treating each other more like companions than master and servant. Yet recently, the young master had become secretive, constantly meeting people behind his back—an unprecedented occurrence!
Hu Dou subtly extended his senses, fully opening his perception, his mind as calm as a still lake, quietly monitoring the room’s activity to discover who the young master was meeting.
“It is my duty to ensure the young master’s safety,” he told himself.
In Hu Dou’s mind, he visualized the round table, the sandalwood burner, the window frame, and so on. Opposite him sat Prince Wei, Zhao Heng, who had transcended into the realm of unity with heaven and earth. Thus, Hu Dou could only faintly sense the aura of the Celestial Dragon and the resonance of the universe, unable to clearly reflect his appearance.
Across from Zhao Heng, Hu Dou perceived nothingness, an empty space. Occasionally, a breeze passed through, confirming his judgment, like seeing white clouds against a blue sky.
The sounds were confined within an aura barrier, not a single sound escaping.
Inside the private room, Zhao Heng watched silently as the window opened noiselessly, and a green shadow slid in like a mirage, sitting brazenly across from him. The figure picked up ivory chopsticks and took a bite of red-braised lamb, chewing with evident satisfaction.
“It’s definitely authentic grassland lamb…” Meng Qi closed his eyes, a look of contentment on his face.
Zhao Heng was momentarily stunned, for in his perception, there should have been nothing but air and wind. Yet his eyes, nose, and ears all clearly told him that Meng Qi was sitting right there!
Zhao Heng, having wandered through countless cycles and hailing from a prestigious lineage, quickly understood Meng Qi’s state—having achieved the perfection of unity with heaven and earth and returned to simplicity. He was quite surprised, as merely a year and a month ago, Meng Qi had just opened his nine orifices.
Yet only such rapid progress could have allowed him to slay the Wolf King!
“Got any results?” Meng Qi finally spoke after a hearty meal.
Zhao Heng nodded: “All results are in.”
“The person you’re looking for, Gu Changqing, came to the capital three years ago seeking relatives, staying with the Xie family for half a year but receiving little attention. Later, he joined the Zhongzhou Escort Agency, moved to the Drill Ground Street, and is now an escort leader returning from the south with a shipment, expected to arrive in a few days…”
Meng Qi listened attentively, planning to meet Gu Changqing upon his return to the capital. After all, he was the first friend he had made while wandering the martial world.
“Yang Wuliang is the Supreme Elder of a minor sect in southern Ningzhou. Ruthless and cruel, he has connections with the underworld. Hired by the Third Prince to obtain external-scene martial techniques, he has come to the capital as a guest.” Without wasting words, Zhao Heng shifted from Gu Changqing to Yang Wuliang. “Xiao Meng, why are you inquiring about him?”
Meng Qi took a sip of wine: “One must fulfill one’s duty when entrusted. Yang Wuliang has committed many evils and will inevitably face retribution.”
“Are you planning to confront him?” Zhao Heng slightly frowned. “That might be difficult.”
“Why?” Meng Qi raised his eyebrows.
Zhao Heng explained: “The capital is teeming with external-scene experts. In the Changming Alley where the Third Prince resides, there are two aristocratic families, each possessing no fewer than three external-scene experts. The slightest disturbance can alert them, making it hard for even a Grandmaster of the Earthly List to cause trouble in the capital. If detected and intercepted, escape would be impossible!”
“Moreover, the Crown Prince’s assassination attempt has frightened the Third Prince. At night, the mansion’s formations are fully activated, making it difficult even for an external-scene expert to infiltrate unnoticed.”
“Add to this the eunuch Feng Zheng and the hidden experts within the Jin Mansion, and confronting Yang Wuliang becomes extremely challenging!”
Meng Qi pondered thoughtfully: “Does Yang Wuliang never go out?”
“No, he has received an external-scene martial technique from the Third Prince and has been studying it day and night, diligently cultivating to break through the limit of heaven and man as soon as possible.” Zhao Heng’s investigation was thorough.
Meng Qi lightly tapped the table with his right hand, as if keeping rhythm with the distant music outside: “I understand. Do you have detailed arrangements for Yang Wuliang’s daily patrols and guarding duties?”
“Please don’t act rashly; there may come a time when we can act openly.” Zhao Heng’s expression changed slightly as he urged caution.
Meng Qi smiled: “Don’t worry, I know my limits.”
Seeing his determined yet calm gaze, Zhao Heng felt slightly reassured and proceeded to share the detailed intelligence he had gathered.
Meng Qi listened quietly, already forming a plan, and smiled: “Tomorrow at noon, wait for me at the back side gate of your mansion, ready to activate the formation anytime.”
“How do you plan to do it?” Zhao Heng wasn’t worried about Meng Qi implicating him, as past missions had proven his reliability.
Meng Qi stood up, pushed open the window, and gazed at the dark night outside:
“A guest is meant to protect others, not to be protected.”
No matter how elaborate the preparations, a guest could never expect such luxuries. Quite the opposite—they were always on the front lines facing danger!
Just like the guest he had killed in Yicheng long ago!
With his green robe fluttering, the window was already empty.
…
Sunlight shone brightly, almost blinding, bringing a sense of heat and drowsiness.
Cicadas on the trees cried out hysterically, yet their noise only heightened the sense of tranquility, making people even sleepier.
At midday in early autumn, both people and objects seemed to catch laziness, with many patrolling guards losing focus.
“When I was wandering the martial world, elders always warned that the most dangerous and likely time for assassination was noon, not night,” Yang Wuliang said, leading two subordinates as he inspected the patrol teams.
Though only in his early forties, he liked to refer to himself as an old man.
One of his subordinates asked in surprise: “Why not night?”
Yang Wuliang stroked his long beard and chuckled: “Who doesn’t know that moonless, windy nights are the best for killing? Naturally, people are more vigilant then—with various preparations, hidden precautions, and ancestral spiritual senses cultivated from the ancestral apertures, making it hard for assassins to strike. But at noon, with bright sunshine and no darkness, evil forces retreat, making it seem the safest and most peaceful time, naturally lowering people’s guard.”
“Plus this lazy feeling—if attacked, people would definitely react slowly, and before they even realize what’s happening, their heads would already be separated from their bodies.”
The subordinate nodded thoughtfully: “Thank you for the lesson, Master.”
He had studied at the capital’s martial arts academy and joined the Jin Mansion after graduation, lacking much experience in the martial world. Now, listening to Yang Wuliang’s explanation, he felt he had gained much insight.
Yang Wuliang nodded in satisfaction. Now that he was in the Prince Jin’s residence, he needed to win people’s hearts to avoid being marginalized by other guests.
He smiled and continued: “Of course, these are just precautions for wandering the martial world and don’t apply here in the capital. Here, external-scene experts are everywhere—what fool would dare attempt a daylight assassination?”
“And even if they somehow succeeded, where could they possibly escape to?”
“That’s right! Eunuch Feng is a genuine external-scene expert!” Another subordinate chimed in.
As they spoke, they turned to the side gate, where several guards were clearly slacking off. Yang reprimanded them, urging them to stay alert.
“Afternoon does make one sleepy…” One subordinate whispered, stifling a yawn when the guards weren’t looking.
At that moment, a cart delivering charcoal came around the corner. Several guards went to inspect it and verify the personnel.
Yang glanced briefly, noticing nothing unusual. He squinted slightly, instinctively avoiding the bright sunlight, then turned to continue patrolling with his two subordinates.
Just then, a blue-clad man pushing the cart straightened his back and rushed forward in large strides, leaping past the guards in just a few steps, reaching Yang Wuliang’s side.
The bright sunlight and the guards’ lethargy caused a brief hesitation when they noticed the sudden change.
It was none other than Meng Qi, who had subdued the charcoal deliveryman long ago, waiting precisely for Yang Wuliang’s patrol to reach the gate!
With his right fist, Meng Qi combined his essence, energy, and spirit. His arm remained straight, his fist like white jade, striking down with a mighty force that shattered all evil!
Yang Wuliang was also momentarily slow, seeing only a rough, imposing figure with a strange, almost demonic allure. He only reacted when the fist was already descending.
“Come on!” He angrily shouted inwardly, clenching his fist to strike. Waves surged around him, dark and deep like an endless sea, meeting the white jade-like fist with thousandfold force.
Inside the Prince of Jin’s residence, Feng Zheng’s half-closed eyes suddenly snapped open as he sensed the shift in cosmic power.
The fist descended, transforming into a claw. Five fingers became hollow, actively guiding Yang Wuliang’s fist and the oceanic force toward himself.
Bang!
Yang Wuliang’s body involuntarily lunged forward, his fist striking the opponent’s palm. He felt an odd softness, like silk or a net, yet woven with golden and silver threads, impossible to break.
“Bad!” He saw the opponent’s left hand rising, striking downward from above. Five white, slender fingers exuded a strange allure. Before the palm, darkness and light swirled, as if heaven and earth were collapsing!
Inside Meng Qi’s inner world, his Yuan Shen sat high in the center, beneath it the nine orifices and internal organs forming myriad heavens, each an intricate universe born from his acupoints.
It seemed to have no front or back, no past or future. Suddenly, it raised its hand, descending from the heavens, bringing cosmic destruction and returning to primordial chaos!
A vast, boundless force mingled with terrifying destruction, merging inner and outer, indistinguishable from each other!
Meng Qi’s left hand followed the trajectory of his Yuan Shen’s palm, overlapping perfectly, as if enveloping everything, sealing all possibilities.
Feng Zheng stood up, hesitating momentarily whether this was a ploy to lure him away. He wasn’t sure whether to protect the Jin Prince, order other guests to rescue and activate the formation, or go himself.
In other courtyards, powerful consciousnesses emerged but had not yet turned their attention.
Facing this palm strike, Yang Wuliang’s heart and courage shattered. His right hand was still trapped, forcing him to raise his left hand barely in defense.
Crack!
Darkness surged, heaven and earth overturned. Yang Wuliang’s left hand was struck backward, the white, slender fingers imprinting on his forehead!
His head exploded, blood spraying, white matter flowing. Meng Qi used the force of Yang’s punch to somersault backward, evading the guards’ attack, leaping outside in one swift motion.
Feng Zheng hesitated no longer, chasing with full force, moving so fast he became a blur.
Meng Qi dashed into the street, vanishing into the crowd.
Feng Zheng’s face darkened as he sensed the trail, gradually flying up, nearly catching up.
Just then, the trail vanished! Mysteriously disappeared!
His pupils constricted as he surveyed the surroundings. Pedestrians moved about normally—some laughing, some hurrying. Nearby mansions, sensing his movement, activated their defensive formations, including the Wei Residence in Children’s Alley.
“Cursed dog thief!” He roared in fury.
…
“In the capital, the hardest part of killing someone is actually escaping, but I’m not worried about that,” Meng Qi smiled at Zhao Heng inside the Prince Wei’s residence.
A Cycle Talisman was about to be his!
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