Chapter 294: The Scholar-Seeking Daoist

Lin Yan was truly on pins and needles.

"I am only a Ninth-Rank martial artist, why must I face such an Upper Sixth-Rank expert?"

He could not understand how Changhe Prefectural Capital could get itself into such a mess.

A Silver Ten from the Heavenly Wolf Guard had fled from the Capital, and it would have been one thing if he simply refused to return to the Rong tribe, but to come here to Changhe Prefectural Capital and slaughter the Ironclad Department?

What kind of action was this? Retribution?

"It seems Director Yang really struck the Heavenly Wolf Guard hard, but it's a pity these old bones of mine will have to take responsibility here."

"If I had known, I might as well have stayed in Green Mountain City and waited to retire…"

He glanced at Huo Dong beside him and found that this Second Division Director, whose combat power was not particularly high, was unusually composed today.

A trace of admiration showed in Lin Yan's eyes.

This was the demeanor of a Director of the Inspection Department.

Although he was older, when it came to staying calm before a major incident, he still couldn't match this man.

"Slaughter the Ironclad Department of Changhe Prefectural Capital?"

Yun Ruo's expression remained collected, "Master Mingxin, if the Heavenly Wolf Guard were to do such a thing in Zhao State, do you think the Rong tribe would have no Heavenly Wolf Guard halls of their own that would be slaughtered as well?

One hall, or two?"

The Director of the Bandit Apprehension Division’s First Division also pondered:

"Master Mingxin, since you've already escaped from the Capital, why not return to the Rong tribe? This makes no sense."

Lin Yan nodded repeatedly in his heart.

It was far too unreasonable.

"I told you, I want Yang Ling convicted."

Mingxin smiled, "Reasonable and logical, right?"

"Director Yang is merely the Director of the First Division of the Public Security Department at the Ironclad Department in Changhe Prefectural Capital, a Seventh-Rank Ironclad at best…"

The Director of the Bandit Apprehension Division’s First Division shook his head gently:

"To frame him, at the cost of sacrificing you, an Upper Sixth-Rank? Not reasonable."

He paused, "You don't actually think that if you do something like this, you can run out of Zhao State, do you?

If today is slaughter, tomorrow a master will come to arrest you.

You can't get away."

"Indeed, I cannot get away. An exposed Silver Ten is of little use to the Guard Commander now."

Mingxin sighed softly:

"I can only secure one last escape route for my family."

Were they being blackmailed?

Yun Ruo and the others' gazes shifted.

"Let me be clear with you, Yang Ling has recently harmed the Heavenly Wolf Guard's interests.

He caused us severe losses.

The Guard Commander has made it clear: if we can have him killed, all the better; if not, ruin him utterly."

Mingxin laughed, "The Guard Commander said he might guess what's happening here and rush back.

If he really comes, I'll kill him myself, and you won't need to die."

"Perhaps Eunuch Xu will come."

Yun Ruo said calmly.

Mingxin's smile only widened:

"Even better. If Eunuch Xu kills me, Yang Ling still dies, and that Blazing Gold Mine will be destroyed."

"…"

Those present felt a chill run down their spines.

This was not a spur-of-the-moment arrival; preparations had already been made.

The Heavenly Wolf Guard was mobilizing its forces to cooperate with Mingxin's revenge!?

"Who are those outside?"

Yun Ruo suddenly looked toward the door.

Seven or eight figures stood there, men and women, old and young.

"Wanted criminals from the Black List. Their cultivation isn't particularly high, but there are Ninth-Rank and Eighth-Rank experts among them."

Mingxin: "They've come to help me complete this task."

Eighth- and Ninth-Rank…

The directors present grew ever more solemn.

If they struck, the Ironclad Department would likely suffer heavy casualties today.

At the same time, a group appeared near the Blazing Gold Mine.

"Our inside man told us Eunuch Xu hasn't left. Our orders are to strike the moment he departs; for now, hold position."

"Understood!"

…

"The garrison troops of the Prefectural Capital aren't idle either."

The Director of the Bandit Apprehension Division’s First Division suddenly spoke.

Mingxin smiled calmly, "Another friend is on the way. We've calculated that two Sixth-Rank experts can cripple the Prefectural Capital completely."

Two Sixth-Rank!? Even Yun Ruo inhaled sharply, her expression turning grave.

One Upper Sixth-Rank can only do so much before human resources are exhausted.

But two Sixth-Ranks… the possibilities for destruction were far more terrifying!

The Director of the Bandit Apprehension Division’s First Division fell silent.

Wen Kongxuan drew a deep breath; he could already imagine what would come next.

"Also scouts from your Silver Generation?"

Yun Ruo's eyes narrowed slightly.

"I am no scout of the Silver Generation. Miss Yun Ruo, do you still remember me?"

Suddenly a loud, clear laugh sounded from outside the door.

An ageless-looking old Daoist entered, holding a floating dust talisman.

He must have been handsome in his youth; even though he now showed age, he retained a certain scholarly grace.

"This old Daoist…"

Wen Kongxuan and the others ran through the names of the experts they knew, and suddenly fixed on one.

The Black List's number twenty-seven, the Scholar-Seeking Daoist Yu Chunxi! A Mid Sixth-Rank powerhouse!

A cold dread crept into everyone’s hearts.

Those ranked in the Black List's top ten were notorious bandits with Fourth-Rank tricks. This list had not been updated for years; some great bandits hadn't shown themselves in ages and were presumed dead.

Those ranked eleven to twenty wielded Fifth-Rank methods.

This Scholar-Seeking Daoist at twenty-seven was unquestionably a Mid Sixth-Rank powerhouse!

What made them shudder was not merely his strength.

It was his perverse methods. He favored both women and men.

Records in Zhao State showed at least a hundred people killed by him, each death horrifyingly gruesome.

People suspected it had something to do with the cultivation technique he practiced!

"You're that thief!"

Yun Ruo sprang to her feet, a cold glint in her eyes.

Yu Chunxi smiled:

"It seems Miss Yun Ruo still remembers this poor Daoist. Back in the Capital I nearly had the chance to taste Miss Yun Ruo's favor.

A pity someone interfered; I've regretted it in secret all these years."

Wen Kongxuan and the others showed a flicker of shock.

This old man had once tried to attack Director Yun?

Mingxin seemed to dislike the Scholar-Seeking Daoist's manner of speaking; he frowned:

"Yu Chunxi, what we're going to do is slaughter this place, nothing more.

Cooperate with me and refrain from unnecessary actions."

The Daoist fixed a half-smile on Mingxin:

"Master Mingxin, of course I will cooperate, but I have certain requests as well.

The Heavenly Wolf Guard has already agreed to these."

Mingxin fell silent. If the Heavenly Wolf Guard had agreed, he dared not oppose them nor could he stop anyone.

"Then shall we begin?"

Yu Chunxi smiled.

"Why rush? I'm waiting for someone. Wait a bit longer."

"This time he is the main target."

Mingxin said calmly.

"If Eunuch Xu comes, we will be in danger."

Yu Chunxi: "I don't believe that Yang Ling would dare come here. A mere newly promoted Sixth-Rank, how could he contend with you, an Upper Sixth-Rank?

Better to act before Eunuch Xu arrives."

He looked at Yun Ruo with a gaze that was gentle, yet burning.

Mingxin thought for a moment, then murmured:

"Actually Eunuch Xu can't come either; if he tried to, someone would be waiting for him on the way."

Yu Chunxi stopped mid-step and couldn't help laughing:

"I see. Then we have plenty of time."

Their expressions shifted.

The Heavenly Wolf Guard could dispatch Fifth-Rank experts to intercept Eunuch Xu?

Scouts of the Gold Generation!?

"In that case, it seems whoever comes won't be able to break this plan."

Lin Yan muttered to himself:

"Yunniang, I'm afraid I have to go first."

Suddenly someone pushed open the courtyard door and walked in.

"Mingxin, did you just say Eunuch Xu can't possibly come? Is that true?"

Yang Ling asked curiously.