South of North Street, there was an array of broad estates, where not only were the prominent gentry of Qinghe Town residing, but also wealthy and influential merchants. Even the residence of Chief Constable Hong, who handled fierce criminals for the Guardian Mansion, was located nearby.
The night had an ominous wind, with dark clouds looming above, plunging Qinghe Town into a deep darkness. Only some lights from the riverside boat workshops flickered through the gloom.
Bai Ziyue walked down a wide path, his face expressionless, his stride steady and purposeful.
Soon, he stopped at the entrance of a grand mansion.
Two Qilin Stone Pillars stood on either side, resembling predatory beasts. Above the entrance, a series of high plaques were centrally hung.
With a cold smile, Bai Ziyue paused, then leaped swiftly, stepping firmly on the left Qilin Stone Pillar, and instantly vaulted over the Zhao Mansion’s gate.
This mansion, of course, belonged to Zhao Jing, the Left Guardian of the Sunburst Gang.
Since Zhao Jing sent Liuu River and Kou Yun to assassinate him, Bai Ziyue had made up his mind.
*Rather than dealing with endless harassment and potential assassinations, he might as well end things once and for all.*
*It wasn’t hard for him to make this decision*; *his only concern was his insufficient strength.*
However, after this outing, Bai Ziyue not only made significant progress in martial arts but had become a truly Peak Inner Cultivation Martial Artist. Although he couldn’t match the Inner Power Realm of Zhao Jing, he wouldn’t be completely powerless against him.
The most important thing was that he had advanced even further in the Immortal Cultivation Method.
The Fifth Layer of Qi Cultivation—perhaps this realm couldn’t be quantitatively compared to a martial artist’s realm. But, purely in terms of techniques, after battling Daoist Wutong and the Fierce Ghost, he had gained absolute confidence.
The Zhao Mansion wasn’t large. Besides a vast garden in the front yard, there were only the guest hall in the center and the living quarters in the backyard.
Bai Ziyue’s gaze swept over, suddenly revealing a hint of confusion.
At this time of night, there was still light in the guest hall.
Nevertheless, Bai Ziyue, confident in his abilities, leaped closer.
"Master, the government side has been taken care of. The Lord Guardian has promised not to interfere in our gang affairs. Even if chaos erupts on that day, they won’t send people here.
As for within the gang, there are now four managers who are siding with us. It seems that your promotion to Sect Leader is almost certain."
An excited voice emanated.
"Uncle Qin, it’s too soon to celebrate. Everything depends on confirming that matter first.
By the way, it’s been two days, and there’s still no news from Liuu River, has there?
That Hall Master Li Zhao is an extremely cunning old fox. Until Bai Ziyue’s death reaches his ears, he won’t put forth the effort to help us.
Only when Bai Ziyue is confirmed dead will my takeover as Sect Leader be assured."
Next, Zhao Jing’s voice followed.
"Still nothing. Logically, there should have been news yesterday. Could something have gone wrong?"
The man Zhao Jing called Uncle Qin muttered in confusion.
Suddenly, Zhao Jing stood abruptly, with a mix of fear and uncertainty in his eyes as he looked outside.
"Master, what’s wrong?"
Uncle Qin was also startled. Then he felt a chill over his body—a dense mist of Yin Qi surged in, enveloping the entire guest hall and even the whole Zhao Mansion.
Instantly, he felt a darkness falling before him. Even with all his strength to open his eyes wide, he could only vaguely see within three meters; beyond that, it was pitch black and utterly unseeable.
Zhao Jing uttered gravely, "I don’t believe I have a life-and-death vendetta with Daoist Wutong. During the siege of Ghost Head Stronghold, I merely acted under orders and followed the majority. When striking against the Daoist’s Corpse Refinement, it was mostly superficial action. Why would the Daoist trouble me?
If the Daoist is short on travel expenses or needs any favor from me, please say so, and I’ll do my utmost to help without fail."
Compared to Uncle Qin, Zhao Jing, due to his profound skills, had a slightly better visual range. He could vaguely see within five meters.
Yet despite this, his heart was in turmoil.
Having experienced the battle at Ghost Head Stronghold, he was aware of Daoist Wutong’s methods. Even the Sect Leader with Third-class Realm strength couldn’t escape death. He didn’t think he could be a match for the Daoist.
Even though it seemed the opponent’s Dharma Treasure and Corpse Refinement were damaged, the Immortal Cultivator’s methods were unfathomable; how could they be resisted?
Therefore, he immediately chose to show weakness.
Standing outside the gate, Bai Ziyue was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, surprised that Zhao Jing would so straightforwardly admit defeat.
If he truly were Daoist Wutong, perhaps he might consider letting Zhao Jing off the hook.
After all, someone soon to become the Sunburst Gang Branch Sect Leader in Qinghe Town would still be quite useful once controlled.
But he was not Daoist Wutong.
With Zhao Jing, there was no longer any possibility of reconciliation.
He extended his hand slightly, and within the Soul-Gathering Banner, twenty-four Yin Souls lined up in succession.
Immediately, an image unfolded, and a swordsman silently materialized before him.
Since the battle was within the city and considering the massive figure of the eagle, it was naturally not suitable to release it.
After waiting for a long time without getting a response from the other party, Zhao Jing felt increasingly panicked at the subtle energy fluctuations coming from outside the door. He hurriedly spoke, "Daoist, you and I really have no grievances nor grudges, why must we become deadly enemies and engage in such mutually harmful acts?
I know you came for revenge.
Honestly, I also greatly disliked how Li Xun acted. If you don’t feel assured, I can help you avenge him.
I know Li Xun has a brother named Li Qing who runs businesses in Wujiang County. We can target him first and then find an opportunity to kill Li Xun.
I can even secretly assist you in reestablishing the Ghost Head Stronghold, and your reputation will undoubtedly become even more illustrious..."
Hearing no sound from the other side of the darkness, Zhao Jing quickly seized the moment to add, "By then, we can also join forces, with the Sunburst Gang taking the lawful path and the Ghost Head Stronghold taking the shady path, won’t we then have the entire Qinghe Town at our disposal?
At that time, we can rake in immense wealth and enjoy boundless power... Cooperation is the only way for us to achieve a win-win."
Bai Ziyue’s face gradually showed a strange expression.
*Zhao Jing’s shamelessness truly broke a certain limit. In a way, he really was a ruthless hero.*
*However, the more this was the case, the more Bai Ziyue could not let him go. An enemy as insidious and without bottom lines was best left dead.*
With a slight gesture, twenty-four Yin Souls surged into the reception hall, like the wailing of ghosts and the howling of wolves.
Even the swordsman transformed into a streak of light and flew out.
Only then did Bai Ziyue calmly point his finger before himself, enveloping himself in a transparent light membrane.
He then reached for his waist, pulling out a small black shield, ready to activate it at any moment.
Even though he was filled with confidence, Zhao Jing was indeed a formidable figure in the Inner Power Realm, with extraordinary strength, so naturally, Bai Ziyue had to be fully prepared.
Afterward, Bai Ziyue’s spiritual power surged.
In an instant, a cyan small sword hanging from his waist trembled, shooting out from him and hovering before him.
The spiritual power within him transformed into a coursing stream, quickly flowing in.
In the blink of an eye, the Cyan Light Sword emitted a layer of radiant glow.
With a thought, the sword light transformed into a stream of light.
"Daoist Wutong, do you really want to fight to the death?"
Zhao Jing, sensing something amiss, let out a long howl skyward. The power surged from his throat, his voice echoing into the void, almost piercing the heavens.
Even though the whole Zhao Mansion was shrouded by Bai Ziyue’s Yin Qi, the voice still penetrated outward, reaching beyond the Zhao Mansion.
Without further hesitation, Zhao Jing’s body jolted mightily within the room. The power surged as he stomped down, shattering the stone slabs in the hall, then he bolted toward the door like a flash of lightning.
Beside him, Uncle Qin also moved at the same time. Despite his old age, at his peak, he had reached the Peak of Inner Cultivation. Even though his qi and blood were now declining, he still had the strength of a late-stage Inner Cultivation martial artist.
With a sudden grasp of the tables and chairs beside him, he swung them with power, directly hurling them outside the door, then moved to crash through the wooden wall beside him, tumbling into another room.
In an instant, over twenty Yin Souls appeared before Zhao Jing, turning into ghost claws reaching directly for him.
Zhao Jing roared fiercely, his qi and blood rising like smoke signals, his hands slightly open, sharp as eagle claws. The cold inner power surged, and in an instant, his hands turned pitch black.
Eagle Strike Ten Techniques!
Like a great roc spreading its wings, an eagle striking through the sky, Zhao Jing ferociously surged into the Yin Souls, his claws like lightning, tearing the Yin Souls into halves.
In a brief moment, he damaged no fewer than five Yin Souls, and with the intense splash of his qi and blood, it was like water hitting hot oil, letting out sizzling sounds of souls being obliterated.
In an instant, the five Yin Souls were wiped out, their souls scattered.
A streak of sword light suddenly illuminated before his eyes, Zhao Jing’s expression remained unchanged, his eagle-like claws slightly opening and retracting.
The long sword snapped abruptly, Zhao Jing’s body, like a raging bull, crashed forward forcefully.
With a loud boom, the swordsman’s entire body shattered, disintegrating into spots of light.
But at that moment, Bai Ziyue’s Dharma Artifact Small Sword also arrived.
Silent, yet unbelievably fast, Zhao Jing was suddenly startled and wanted to adjust his body to respond, but it was already too late.
He could only slightly sidestep, forcibly shifting aside to avoid the critical heart region.
However, on the other side, his body was simultaneously pierced through.
Blood gushed out, splattering the ground.