Chapter 25: Assault

“That’s right, Master Zheng!”

Tu Yanghao, whose face looked honest but heart was full of malice, was very respectful and courteous toward Zheng Qian.

“I never thought this world would actually have gods of official status, and also Heishan Shenjun… Since divine edicts exist, we must manage them well. If we have enough blessings, we might also become official gods one day… Brother Tu, you’ve really done a great service. I will definitely speak well of you to the eldest brother…”

Zheng Qian said.

“Thank you, Master Zheng!”

Tu Yanghao was also visibly excited.

He didn’t have as grand ambitions as Wu Ming. To become a god after death and keep his consciousness intact was already a great fortune for him.

Not to mention, if he obtained a divine edict and became an official god of a region, he could protect his family’s blessings, accumulate fortune, and start a family’s rise, even ensuring prosperity for hundreds of years to come!

With such a reward offered, not only Tu Yanghao but also Ma Lao-san and even the new members were filled with excitement, almost wanting to shout loudly to express their loyalty.

“Hehe!”

Just then, a black shadow flickered outside the window, followed by a cold laugh.

“Who’s there?”

Tu Yanghao’s face darkened. His body moved instantly, covering a range of two zhang in a flash, like a dragon leaping from the sea or a tiger descending from the mountain, sending a powerful gust of air as he struck his palm. Bang! The window shattered into several pieces, the mulberry paper covering it flying apart, and an outer robe slowly drifted down.

“Bad! He’s trying to distract us!”

Tu Yanghao’s face turned black. He heard a loud bang from behind as Wu Ming stormed in with a cold expression, not even looking, sending out a black flash from his hand.

“You!”

Ma Lao-san only managed to cry out one word before the black flash struck his neck, tearing it open. Blood spurted out like a fountain, and he fell to the ground twitching.

“Ahh!”

The other new members, lacking experience in life-or-death combat, screamed in fear at the sight, which greatly annoyed Tu Yanghao: “What are you screaming for? Do you want to attract the city guards?”

They were currently inside the county town. If they drew trouble and the city gates were closed with a citywide search, even he would be worried.

After all, he wasn’t a god yet and couldn’t fly or vanish into thin air. Facing walls several zhang high guarded by soldiers, he would also feel helpless.

However, he had no time to think about that now.

Because Wu Ming, with a cold face, had already attacked him with his hands shaped like claws.

Chi chi!

The wind roared, his fingernails flicked out, creating a piercing sound.

As the sound echoed, Wu Ming’s right arm muscles bulged, veins crisscrossing. His originally jade-like skin turned iron-blue and black, as solid as steel.

Anyone, even with an unbreakable body, would likely lose several ounces of flesh if struck by such a claw.

“Jingang Dali Yingzhua Shou (Diamond Claw of the Mighty Eagle)?”

Seeing the sharp claw wind from his opponent, Tu Yanghao didn’t dare to be careless, his hands turning pitch black: “Watch my Iron Palm!”

Peng!

The two inhuman hands, resembling those of gods, collided. Both Wu Ming and Tu Yanghao took a step back.

“Xiantian?!”

Wu Ming’s heart stirred as he felt the force from the opponent’s hand. He realized this enemy had already entered the Xiantian realm, his internal energy refined and concentrated, surpassing the postnatal realm in both quantity and quality, something he couldn’t match.

However, at this moment, one mistake led to many more. Having lost the first move, he had to attack fiercely and use the opponent’s mental vulnerability, combined with his original peak qi cultivation, being half a step into Xiantian, making them evenly matched.

“Watch this! Thirteen Strikes of the Heavenly Eagle!”

After the first move, Wu Ming seized the advantage without hesitation. Taking advantage of the moment Tu Yanghao couldn’t catch his breath, he leaped into the air, his hands transforming into claws, attacking relentlessly.

In martial arts, moves involving leaping into the air and striking downward were always considered risky.

Although the height provided an advantage, it also exposed one’s weaknesses to the enemy. If the opponent couldn’t be defeated in one go, the subsequent counterattacks would be difficult to handle, possibly leading to defeat and death!

Therefore, when Feng Han taught Wu Ming, he earnestly warned him that once these thirteen consecutive strikes were launched, the opponent must be left unable to counterattack!

“He!”

Claw shadows filled the sky!

At this moment, Wu Ming charged forward with an unstoppable momentum, firmly suppressing his opponent. The thirteen eagle claw strikes were executed in one breath, like a heavy rainstorm crashing down.

“You…”

Tu Yanghao felt as if countless claw shadows were like the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers surging forward with immense force. Although he managed to resist, his courage had already waned. Worried about the enemy’s reinforcements, his mind faltered for a moment, allowing the claw wind to penetrate his defenses.

Peng!

Figures flashed and separated. Tu Yanghao let out a muffled groan, fell to the ground, his arm bleeding profusely, a chunk of flesh missing.

These moves happened in the blink of an eye. Wu Ming broke through the door, threw hidden weapons, killed someone, and fought against Tu Yanghao, all within a few moves, so fast that others couldn’t even react!

And by leveraging the timing and terrain, he, at the physical realm fifth level with qi cultivation, defeated a sixth-level Xiantian expert!

If this battle were to be spoken of, it would surely shock many, and even Feng Han would be delighted, declaring Wu Ming ready to go out on his own.

“Kill!”

Taking the enemy by surprise, unleashing all his martial arts skills, after defeating Tu Yanghao, Wu Ming’s eyes flashed with coldness as he stepped forward to pursue and finish off Tu Yanghao.

Since this person had sent assassins after him, he couldn’t be left alive.

Moreover, this time he managed to injure Tu Yanghao completely due to the element of surprise, seizing the initiative from the start.

If they fought again, Wu Ming couldn’t be entirely sure of victory. Letting this person live would inevitably bring many troubles to completing his mission, so he had to be eliminated!

Wu Ming’s eyes turned cold, his figure darting forward like lightning, his right hand spread into fingers like sharp claws aiming for Tu Yanghao’s head.

If this claw landed, Tu Yanghao’s brains would surely splatter.

“Lin!”

At this moment, a voice was heard, carrying the Daoist intent, and suddenly several black shadows whipped over like venomous snake whips, their force twisting.

Pa pa!

Wu Ming changed his claw into a grab, catching the black shadows. His palms felt a sharp pain, and then he shook them off, only to see that several vines had appeared on the ground without anyone noticing, dark green with small thorns on the edges.

“Daoist techniques?”

Wu Ming shook his right hand, which returned to its original jade-like state without a single scratch.

After all, when he struck, his qi filled his palms and backs of his hands, making his skin thick and his muscles hard, no less solid than the Iron Palm.

“It seems… you are the real mastermind behind this Xue Xue League!”

He lowered his hand, focusing on Zheng Qian in front of him, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Zheng Qian looked at the shocked newcomers, the dead Ma Lao-san with a pool of blood beside him, and the injured Tu Yanghao lying on the ground, his expression not very pleasant.

After all, just a momentary lapse in concentration allowed the enemy to rush in, kill one person, injure another, and disable two major fighters. No one would look happy under such circumstances.

“The spring breeze from the nine heavens turns into sweet rain, Chi!”

However, Zheng Qian’s face was like cold water, but his hands formed a Daoist mudra and pointed at Tu Yanghao.

A gentle breeze passed by, and a green glow appeared on Tu Yanghao’s body, accompanied by mist, stopping the bleeding and healing the wounds.

At the same time, several vines, like venomous snakes, circled around Wu Ming, moving unpredictably, seemingly ready to bite at any moment.

“Thank you, Master Zheng!”

Tu Yanghao got up, his face showing a sinister smile: “Kid… you’re dead for sure!”

Earlier, Wu Ming had already confirmed that this person was seriously injured, with damaged meridians, but now, not only could he barely move, but the wound on his hand was also gradually stopping the bleeding, causing Wu Ming to secretly marvel.

Zheng Qian also said: “Actually coming alone, indeed bold and skilled, but unfortunately, you’re showing too little regard for us…”

He moved his fingers, and the vines and Tu Yanghao were about to pounce.

“Is that so? The one who will die might not necessarily be me…”

Wu Ming smiled: “Do you think I would come alone without any preparation?”

“What?”

Zheng Qian’s expression changed, but before he could say anything, noise came from outside: “Catch the thief!”

“Someone is setting fires!”

…

For a moment, the outside was filled with a cacophony of voices approaching from afar, bustling and crowded. Torchlights and strong men with hoes and clubs, along with several night watchmen, could be seen gathering, their faces filled with hatred.

“This is your residence, hehe… plus your suspicious background that cannot withstand investigation, so you can’t possibly escape blame…”

Wu Ming smiled. After all, he wasn’t a fool. Preparing to charge alone, he had made preparations before coming.

If he could achieve a decisive victory and completely destroy the enemy, that would be ideal. If not, these angry people he had drawn in would be his capital for escape.

“Well then? I wonder how much of your magical skills will remain when facing the aura of the military and government?”

Wu Ming smiled as he looked on.

Zheng Qian hesitated, glaring hatefully at Wu Ming. Seeing Tu Yanghao’s unsteady steps, he knew his Daoist skills were not refined enough. The minor healing spell could only temporarily suppress the injury. At this moment, they could still handle Wu Ming alone, but against a crowd, they would be at a disadvantage, making him even more resentful: “We’re leaving!”

“We saw it! The thief who stole and set fires ran into this courtyard!”

A loud shout came from outside. Torchlights surrounded the place from all directions, and even a voice with authority was heard: “The official constables are here on duty. Bystanders, stand back!”

“Damn it! What has this kid done to cause such public outrage!”

The official constables were naturally the city guards. Although they were just minor officers, they carried the government’s blessings while performing their duties. Cultivators could fight against them, but their Daoist techniques would inevitably be weakened, making the situation even more disadvantageous.

Zheng Qian no longer hesitated and quickly retreated to the backyard with Tu Yanghao.

“Wait for us, my lord!”

At the same time, the other new members were anxious and hastily followed behind.

“Leave one of them behind!”

Wu Ming sneered, put on a face mask, and chased after them…

…

“This is…”

The next day, at the break of dawn, several people including Shan Lan saw Wu Ming walk in, dragging a person, and their faces turned somewhat dazed.

“Hey? Isn’t this Wang Xia, our senior brother? I thought you were with Tu Yanghao, how come…”

Lin Qizhi rubbed his eyes, looked at Wu Ming again, and suddenly understood, his face filled with anger: “How could you do this? How could you do this?”

Shan Lan glanced meaningfully at Wu Ming, smiled sweetly, squatted down, and looked at the trembling man: “You’re called Wang Xia, right? I have a few questions I’d like to ask you. I hope you can answer truthfully. Otherwise…”

“Hmph!”

Ling Guhong snorted coldly and very cooperatively drew his sword.