Chapter 148: The Guard Commander Wants His Head

“Get the Water Bodhi seed as soon as possible. We need to leave the Water Qilin Cave ahead of schedule.”

The Fourth Prince gave the order and swiftly dashed toward the deeper part of the cave, his movements no longer cautious.

Yang Ling and the others quickly followed.

Soon, they reached the end of the cave.

It was completely empty. Not only was there no Water Bodhi seed, there wasn’t even a single exotic flower or rare herb.

“This is impossible…”

A flicker of shock passed through the Fourth Prince’s eyes as he scanned the area, his expression growing uglier by the moment.

The Fourth Prince’s information seems to be wrong…

Yang Ling’s expression turned strange.

Li Huaiyi and the others didn’t dare to speak.

Before long, the Fourth Prince’s face darkened with gloom:

“It appears there’s no Water Bodhi seed here. We’ll have to check the next marked location.”

The next marked location? Yang Ling’s mind churned.

So the Fourth Prince had intel on more than just one spot.

They retraced their steps, but just as they reached the massive ice chamber where the Frost Force Bear was, they suddenly spotted another group of figures approaching from the opposite side.

Among them, one person led a hunting dog. The dog, seemingly intimidated by the Frost Force Bear’s aura, kept its mouth shut and stayed completely silent.

Neither side spoke; they simply sized each other up.

Yang Ling’s gaze landed on the young man holding the hunting dog.

Character: Nangong Yue

Profession: Martial Artist

Strength: 77

Agility: 68

Spirit: 40

Martial Arts: Ironclad Divine Armor Sutra (Flawless Proficiency), Dragon-Capturing Saber Technique (Skilled), Swift Wind Step (Skilled)

Affiliation: Rong Tribe, Heavenly Wolf Guard

Yang Ling couldn’t help but mutter inwardly.

The internal technique this guy trained in was clearly the Ironclad Department’s technique.

The Dragon-Capturing Saber Technique was also from the Ironclad Department.

Swift Wind Step was a movement martial art from the Bitter Awareness Temple.

“He’s trained in all Zhao State martial arts, yet he’s a Rong Tribe Martial Artist.”

“Heavenly Wolf Guard… is this the Rong Tribe’s spy network?”

“Brother Nangong?! What are you doing here!?”

Li Huaiyi suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

Nangong Yue smiled. “Oh, it’s little brother Huaiyi. I came specially to support you all.”

Li Huaiyi looked toward the Fourth Prince. “Your Highness, he’s a Seventh-Rank Ironclad of the Ironclad Department. His presence here today is certainly worth questioning.”

Nangong Yue let out a soft sigh:

“Little brother Huaiyi, our bond runs deep. Why do you suspect me so?”

Li Huaiyi’s face remained expressionless, but a faint trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes.

“A spy for the Rong tribe has wormed his way into being a Seventh-Rank Ironclad…”

The Fourth Prince smiled faintly:

“Nangong Yue, all these people you brought—they’re all Rong Tribe spies, aren’t they? So many Seventh-Rank experts, all within Zhao State’s borders—only the Heavenly Wolf Guard Commander of the Rong Tribe could orchestrate such a feat.”

“Humble as I am, I am indeed a member of the Heavenly Wolf Guard.”

Nangong Yue smiled politely. “It is my honor to meet the Fourth Prince today.”

Yun Ruo and the others’ expressions grew heavier.

The opposing force numbered at least a hundred.

That was more than three times their own strength.

Under these circumstances, if the two sides clashed, the Ironclad Department would surely be defeated!

“Are you Heavenly Wolf Guards planning to make a move on me?”

The Fourth Prince said calmly. “Is this the Rong Tribe declaring all-out war on Zhao State?”

“I wouldn’t dare. Actually, we came today for only one thing.”

Nangong Yue clasped his hands in a courteous gesture:

“We hope the Fourth Prince will hand over a Chief Constable named Yang Ling. We want his head. Once he’s dead, we’ll withdraw immediately.”

“…”

The Fourth Prince was stunned.

Yun Ruo and the others couldn’t believe it either.

They came with all this force… for a Yang Ling!?

Was that even possible?

Yang Ling jolted, and when he looked back at the opposing group, his eyes were filled with utmost gravity.

They came for me? I have that much clout?

Have these Rong Tribe spies gone mad? Holding a grudge to this extent?

“If you weren’t from the Heavenly Wolf Guard, I might think you were joking.”

The Fourth Prince mused. “Is this your commander’s decision?”

“Indeed. The commander wants his head.”

Nangong Yue nodded gently, scanning the crowd with his gaze.

The Fourth Prince looked at a nearby Ironclad Department constable:

“Yang Ling, it seems your methods have already caught the attention of the Heavenly Wolf Guard Commander. He’s a being with a mind as sharp as a demon. Sending people to eliminate you means he’s certain you’ll cause immense trouble for the Heavenly Wolf Guard in the future.”

The Ironclad Department constable’s eyes widened in surprise, then he quickly nodded:

“Your subordinate feels strangely honored.”

“So you’re Yang Ling?”

Nangong Yue sized up the Ironclad constable from head to toe.

“That’s me. What of it?”

The Ironclad constable nodded gently, a look of contempt in his eyes.

Yang Ling’s face twisted with a strange expression.

Is the Fourth Prince planning to use another Ironclad to die in my place?

“You’re no more Yang Ling than I am. Did you really think I’d come here without doing my homework?”

Nangong Yue laughed scornfully, then fixed his gaze on Yang Ling:

“Yang Ling, you have one choice now. Come here and let me cut you down—die cleanly. Then the Fourth Prince and his people get to live.”

“You underestimate me, Zhao Zheng. Do I need to beg you for my life?”

The Fourth Prince let out a light laugh, pulling a hand crossbow from his waist and aiming it at Nangong Yue:

“Since you knew I personally came to Water Qilin Cave, didn’t it occur to you that I’d be carrying a Divine Crossbow?”

A Divine Crossbow!? The faces of the Seventh-Rank experts Nangong Yue brought changed dramatically, their eyes filled with fear!

This was a devastating weapon that could kill even a Fifth-Rank top expert with a single arrow!

Seeing this, Li Huaiyi and the others quickly drew their own hand crossbows and aimed at the enemy.

Yang Ling’s expression shifted, and he immediately took out a hand crossbow and handed it back to Yun Ruo.

“You take this first. I have another.”

Yun Ruo pulled out a hand crossbow of her own, one that looked even better than the one in his hand.

Yang Ling felt a surge of amusement in his heart. It seems everyone here is carrying a hand crossbow!

He also aimed at Nangong Yue and his men, his peripheral vision involuntarily sneaking a glance at the Fourth Prince’s weapon.

The Divine Crossbow was pitch black all over, crafted from some unknown metal.

Its size wasn’t large, but its bowstring was incredibly thick!

The smile on Nangong Yue’s face stiffened slightly, then he spoke with composure:

“Your Highness, the Divine Crossbow isn’t something just anyone can handle.”

“How many shots can you fire? Three? Five? That’s the absolute limit.”

“How many can you kill? Let’s give you ten. The rest of us can still chop you into mincemeat.”

“Yang Ling, shoot the Frost Force Bear’s rear and break out. Whoever survives—let fate decide.”

The Fourth Prince’s voice sounded in Yang Ling’s ear.

Acting immediately, Yang Ling aimed at the Frost Force Bear’s rear and pulled the trigger.

Swish—

Thud—

The crossbow bolt struck the Frost Force Bear’s rear, embedding itself to the depth of an arrowhead.

Yang Ling’s heart sank. This thing’s defense is probably close to mine when I activate the Vajra Indestructible Body!

“ROAR!”

The Frost Force Bear let out a furious roar and instantly stood upright.

It had already been enormous when lying down.

But when it stood up, it was like a wall!

At that moment, the Fourth Prince pulled his trigger.

The black crossbow bolt turned into a streak of dim light, shooting toward Nangong Yue.

But Nangong Yue was already prepared; he moved the moment the Fourth Prince pulled the trigger.

Thud—

Several Seventh-Rank experts behind him were pierced through by the bolt, dying on the spot.

Li Huaiyi and the others also pulled their triggers, shooting at the Rong Tribe spies.

After the Frost Force Bear roared, seeing people on both sides, it instinctively wanted to charge at the Fourth Prince.

But when it saw the Fourth Prince gritting his teeth as he drew back the bowstring, loading another bolt and aiming it at him, it immediately lunged toward Nangong Yue’s side instead!

Yang Ling’s mind moved swiftly. He put away the hand crossbow, flicked his hands at his waist, and produced eight throwing knives between his fingers.

Vajra Bright King Technique—activate!

Ethereal Steps—activate!

Heaven’s Will Divine Blade—activate!

Yang Ling’s Agility instantly skyrocketed to 165 points!

Heaven’s Will Divine Blade—Ice Blade!

He infused Vital Qi into the blades, and the eight throwing knives shot out like lightning.

All of them flew straight toward Nangong Yue!

Nangong Yue had only just dodged the Divine Crossbow’s kill shot. Seeing this, he grabbed a nearby Martial Artist and threw him in front of himself as a shield.

Thud, thud, thud!

The throwing knives embedded themselves into the Martial Artist’s body.

The icy force surged instantly, freezing him into a block of ice!

“Heaven’s Will Divine Blade!?”

Nangong Yue’s face changed dramatically.