Chapter 93: Killing Intent Fills the Air, Identity Exposed

Chapter 93 -94: Killing Intent Fills the Air, Identity Exposed

Inside the Tao Mansion, the atmosphere was exceptionally lively. The Martial Artists who had arrived one after another exchanged greetings before heading into the main hall together to take their seats.

Only after everyone was fully assembled did Tao Dingfang finally make his belated appearance. Clad in a full suit of armor, he wore an apologetic expression. “Hahaha, I’m late! Please forgive me, everyone. How about this? I’ll drink a cup as a penalty.”

Saying so, Tao Dingfang picked up his wine cup. Seeing this, the crowd followed suit and downed a cup of their own.

At this moment, Zhao Baiyu, the Gang Leader of the White Jade Gang, spoke up. “Lord Tao works tirelessly day and night. It is truly a blessing for White Stone City.”

Hearing this, the rest of the crowd immediately voiced their agreement.

Tao Dingfang waved his hand dismissively. “Gang Leader Zhao’s words make me feel a bit embarrassed, but to be honest, I have indeed been quite busy recently.”

As he spoke, his gaze casually swept across the hall before suddenly pausing. “Hall Master Hong, I see there’s an empty seat on your side. May I ask who is missing?”

Hong Ming immediately replied, “It’s my young disciple, Su Chen. He is still in Medicine Town and hasn’t returned yet. I beg Lord Tao’s forgiveness.”

“Ah, so it’s little friend Su Chen. I heard he has already stepped into the ranks of Power Training Martial Artists. To achieve such a feat at a young age, his future is truly limitless!” Tao Dingfang praised. The crowd’s expressions turned rather peculiar at this remark, while Hong Ming simply offered a faint smile and a word of gratitude.

As the feast progressed, Tao Dingfang’s gaze suddenly landed on a man dressed in fine brocade garments. “Gang Leader Xiao, I see everyone else drinking and enjoying themselves. Why haven’t you touched your food or drink?”

Xiao Changhe was the Gang Leader of the Changhe Gang. He had a medium build and an honest, simple-looking face, but his eyes betrayed a sharp shrewdness. Hearing the question, he smiled and shook his head. “Thank you for your concern, Lord Tao. I am feeling slightly unwell. My previous injuries haven’t fully healed yet, so I cannot consume alcohol. Please forgive my lack of participation.”

“I see. But tell me, Gang Leader Xiao, are you unwell because of your injuries? Or is it because this general eradicated the Rebirth Sect?” Tao Dingfang asked mildly.

The moment those words were spoken, the entire hall plunged into dead silence. Everyone’s eyes snapped toward Xiao Changhe in unison.

Xiao Changhe’s expression changed drastically. Forcing a bewildered smile, he asked, “Lord Tao, what do you mean by that?”

“Did Gang Leader Xiao really think I was completely unaware of your collusion with the Rebirth Sect?” Tao Dingfang narrowed his eyes and sneered.

“Lord Tao, how could I possibly collude with the Rebirth Sect? Surely there must be some kind of misunderstanding!” Xiao Changhe stood up and cupped his fists respectfully.

“At a time like this, let’s just put our cards on the table. There’s no need for such hypocrisy,” Tao Dingfang laughed, shaking his head. He then waved his hand. “Everyone, please step forward and apprehend Xiao Changhe!”

“I’ll do it!” The moment the command was given, Ning Yuan, Patriarch of the Ning Family, struck first.

BANG!

Xiao Changhe reacted with lightning speed, blocking Ning Yuan’s attack and knocking him back with a single move. He then threw his head back and burst into maniacal laughter. “Tao Dingfang, I didn’t expect you to figure it out after all. But do you really think these people can do anything to me?”

“Arrogant fool!” Ning Yuan spat out in exasperation. He prepared to charge forward again, but the moment he took a step, his body suddenly staggered. “The food is poisoned?” he gasped in horror.

Hearing this, everyone else’s expressions twisted in dismay as they stared at Xiao Changhe in shock.

Xiao Changhe sneered coldly in response. “That’s right. The food was indeed poisoned. None of you are escaping today.”

With that, Xiao Changhe dashed forward in a blur, slamming his palm into Ning Yuan’s chest. With a loud THUD, Ning Yuan’s body flew backward like a kite with a snapped string, crashing heavily into a cluster of tables and chairs.

“Tao Dingfang, your time has come!” After knocking Ning Yuan down, Xiao Changhe slowly walked toward Tao Dingfang, a chilling intent blooming in his eyes.

“I truly didn’t anticipate this,” Tao Dingfang admitted, nodding. He watched Xiao Changhe approach with an expression of utter calmness.

Xiao Changhe felt a flicker of doubt, but he quickly concluded that Tao Dingfang was merely putting up a brave front. “What a pity. You’re out of chances,” he sneered.

The moment his words fell, Xiao Changhe lunged violently, launching an attack at Tao Dingfang.

“However, that doesn’t mean you can kill me!” Tao Dingfang’s apathetic voice rang out as he stood up swiftly and charged forward. Judging by his sheer speed, he didn’t look poisoned in the slightest. “The one who deserves to die is you!” he scoffed, arriving right in front of Xiao Changhe and throwing a punch.

BANG!

Xiao Changhe suffered the exact same fate as Ning Yuan. He was sent flying by Tao Dingfang’s blow, crashing heavily onto the ground.

“Until you become an Internal Martial Artist, you will never understand the true power of one. Did you really think a mere knockout drug could affect this general?” Tao Dingfang scoffed. Once an Internal Martial Artist’s internal organs were properly tempered, they were immune to anesthetics and common poisons. Back when he was conversing with Xiao Changhe, he had already neutralized the toxins in his own body.

“You…” Xiao Changhe groaned, glaring at Tao Dingfang with grief and indignation.

With just one strike, his internal organs churned violently. Tao Dingfang’s immense kinetic force tore through him like a thousand needles and a myriad of hammers, torturing his insides.

CLAP CLAP CLAP!

Instead of replying, Tao Dingfang merely clapped his hands. In an instant, a swarm of Governmental Constables and soldiers burst through the doors.

“Arrest all of them! If anyone resists, kill them without mercy!”

“Yes, sir!”

The group of Governmental Constables and soldiers immediately fanned out, subduing the crowd before anyone could react.

“Lord Tao, is there a mistake? We aren’t rebels of the Rebirth Sect,” Ning Yuan asked in astonishment.

The crowd also turned to look at Tao Dingfang, only to see him break into a relaxed smile. “There’s no mistake. You are all targets for today’s arrest.”

“Why is that?” Hong Ming asked, his expression turning ugly.

Tao Dingfang glanced at him and said indifferently, “If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves for taking things you shouldn’t have.”

Upon hearing this, the faces of everyone present instantly contorted into grimaces.

“Move!” a soldier barked loudly, ordering the crowd to walk out.

“Get lost!” At that moment, Xiao Changhe roared in fury. Sweeping his legs in a rapid spin, he kicked the weapons out of the nearby soldiers’ hands. He then executed a flawless kip-up, leaping to his feet and knocking down the surrounding guards.

This sudden turn of events momentarily stunned the crowd, but several Martial Artists quickly snapped to their senses. “Everyone, fight your way out!” they hollered.

“Kill them all!” Tao Dingfang commanded upon seeing the rebellion.

Receiving their orders, the Governmental Constables and soldiers immediately sprang into action, engaging the Martial Artists in a brutal slaughter.

Although these Martial Artists were poisoned, the knockout drug hadn’t taken full effect in such a short period, leaving them with enough strength to fight back.

Tao Dingfang wasn’t worried about this in the slightest. Xiao Changhe wasn’t the only one who had poisoned the food—for the sake of this operation, Tao Dingfang had administered his own poison as well. However, he hadn’t spiked the alcohol. He had laced the bowls and cups with Soft Bone Powder. It wouldn’t be long before these Martial Artists became lambs to the slaughter, completely at his mercy.

BANG!

The main doors were forcefully kicked open by a Martial Artist. Several others took the opportunity to flee outside, but before they could even take a few steps, their bodies were pierced through by a barrage of sharp arrows.

Witnessing this horrific scene, the hearts of the Martial Artists still fighting inside the hall plunged straight into the abyss. An overwhelming sense of impending doom instantly engulfed them.