Chapter 128: Challenge? Ambush!

He died before he could receive treatment.

Primarily, the second set of Five Elements Talismans delivered a fatal blow to his already grave injuries.

"With ample Paradise Points and resources, I've grown stronger." Guo Ming rarely fought, yet he understood the changes.

Previously, Da Bao struggled to kill even a crazed Zhang Cai; now, He Yun—a match for Yuan Chong—died so easily.

"No chest again. Looks like it's still accumulating."

"Wait—whose are these two chests?" Guo Ming suddenly noticed two Excellent-grade chests still unopened in his storage space.

"They're from the Prince of Fu and Li Wanwu," Da Bao reminded.

Guo Ming slapped his forehead: "I completely forgot."

After killing the Prince of Fu, Li Wanwu, and the Imperial Concubine, Guo Ming was busy with the imperial tomb and enthronement; after that, he pushed forward bandit suppression and cultivation.

Mainly because there was no immediate threat, Paradise Points were plentiful, and these two chests were of average quality—he didn't take them seriously, which led to forgetting.

If not for killing He Yun and being reminded of the chests, he'd likely have remembered only after completing the hidden bandit suppression mission.

With his food, clothing, shelter, and travel secured, Guo Ming never opened his storage space unless necessary.

【You opened: Chest (Excellent), obtained: Prince's Guard Waist Token, Paradise Points ×2000】

【Prince's Guard Waist Token】

【Type: Equipment · Talisman】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Durability: 100/100】

【F Prince's Guard (Active): Consume 20 Mana to summon a Prince's Guard to fight for you, lasting 10 minutes, cooldown 30 minutes】

【Equipment Requirement: Spirit 5, Energy 25】

——

【You opened: Chest (Excellent), obtained: Skill Book (Taichang Military Manual), Paradise Points ×2900】

【Skill Book: Taichang Military Manual】

【Type: Legacy Skill】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Effect: Upon use, gain the Taichang Military Manual legacy; replace Energy with Internal Energy, and enhance close-range and ranged skills】

(Note: This is the strongest legacy skill in this trial world)

(Note: Cannot enhance basic skills)

(Note: Male cultivators only)

(Note: Requires castration)

Guo Ming equipped the waist token. Like the Divine Machine Camp Crossbowman Token, it was a summoning-type item; the summoned guards were likely melee, useful for protection.

As for the Taichang Military Manual, seeing its boost to close and ranged combat, he acknowledged it as the strongest legacy skill in this trial world.

But upon seeing the three notes, he promptly shoved it back into storage.

It looked powerful, but hard to sell.

Limiting it to males meant losing half the market—not to mention the castration requirement.

There were ruthless types, but among the Paradox Paradise reserve recruits, few would risk their second brother for it.

With He Yun dealt with, it was nearly midnight; Guo Ming decided to rest first.

Good rest ensured better condition, improving efficiency in both cultivation and learning.

He could skip sleep, but sleeping made things better.

When he awoke, a corpse hung from the ceiling.

It had been killed by Da Bao in the night—another forest bandit who'd infiltrated to assassinate him.

Worried of disturbing Guo Ming's rest, Da Bao simply hung the corpse and went to sleep.

After all, it was just a corpse; even if it revived, Da Bao could kill it again.

"They're ramping up the pressure on me," Guo Ming said. After having the body removed, he began his daily cultivation and offerings.

Only after completing his daily tasks did he leisurely step outside.

As the leader, he didn't need to clock in—or even show up at the office.

As long as he wasn't worried about infiltration or being sidelined.

"Commander, the bandits have new movements."

Upon arriving, an agent from the Secret Service handed him a sealed letter.

"A bunch of bandits—utterly clueless," Guo Ming glanced at the letter and sneered. "Clearly, He Yun's death shook them badly."

The letter stated that the leader of Pingdou Mountain, the River-Turning Dragon King, declared: "Jianghu matters are settled in Jianghu." He challenged Guo Ming to a duel in two days.

If the River-Turning Dragon King won, Guo Ming would cease his suppression.

If Guo Ming won, the Dragon King would surrender his life and beg Guo Ming to spare the forest heroes.

The duel was set at Beimenkou.

"Send people to ambush. When this River-Turning Dragon King shows up, strike immediately," Guo Ming never considered accepting the duel.

Just swarm him.

"Commander, the challenge has already spread. Some citizens in the capital have heard and are spreading it further. If you avoid the duel, your authority will suffer," the Secret Service agent said helplessly.

Guo Ming thought briefly: "Trace the source. Arrest every last one who spread it."

As for damaged authority? Guo Ming didn't care.

Letting your reputation trap you into a trap? You're not fit to survive.

Deliberately using your weakness against an opponent's strength, ignoring your advantage—that's just insane.

"Go spread the word: these forest bandits have infiltrated the capital, causing countless casualties and massive property damage."

"Emphasize they are thieves and robbers—claim their so-called duel is merely preparation for looting and theft," Guo Ming ordered immediately.

If they could use public opinion to bind him, he could retaliate.

Just look at the Dragon King's terms: whether he won or lost, Guo Ming had to abandon bandit suppression—who gave him the nerve?

"Can you finish it within a day?" Guo Ming asked.

"By nightfall, we'll drown out the bandits' challenge. By midnight, we'll arrest all spreaders."

"We'll complete it by noon tomorrow!" The agent ran through the plan in his mind and gave Guo Ming a precise timeline.

"Good. Get to it." The timeline was acceptable.

The Secret Service mobilized instantly, beginning their counter-operation against the forest bandits.

"I never expected you'd climb this high. I'm curious how you did it?" A voice suddenly emerged.

The source was behind Guo Ming. He turned, and Da Bao yanked him back, eyes locked on the sudden intruder.

The man was also a Dimensional Adept, but excelled in stealth—he'd evaded even Da Bao's perception.

Recall: Da Bao had previously sensed even space-specialized assassin Adepts.

"Luck," Guo Ming said, sensing the man had no immediate intent to attack. He engaged in conversation.

If the man meant to strike, he wouldn't have spoken.

At this distance, if he attacked now, Da Bao couldn't pull him away in time.

Still, Guo Ming wasn't worried—he still had the Spirit Flag shield.

"I'm Hei Ya, a reserve member of the Longhu Alliance," the man slowly revealed himself—a man in a tailored suit and top hat.

He leaned on a gentleman's cane, gloved in white.

"I just returned from Susen, and the capital's situation has changed beyond recognition," Hei Ya said. "Make your summoning thing quiet."

"His killing intent makes me uncomfortable."

Guo Ming ignored him: "And then? What do you want?"

"Actually, I'm not here for you. I took a contract from Susen to kill you."

"You're worth an A-rank hidden quest, and they gave me ample resources as supply."

As soon as Hei Ya spoke, Da Bao activated Tearing Claws, blood-red fury swirling around him, ready to strike.

"Relax, big guy," Hei Ya said calmly. "If I meant to kill you, I wouldn't have shown myself."

"Didn't expect you're not a native. You must've arrived in the capital long after me."

"Ever think of teaming up for something big?" Hei Ya had come to propose cooperation.

"Go on," Guo Ming didn't lower his guard. The man had accepted an A-rank hidden quest—failure meant losing 20, 00 Paradise Points and one random stat.

So this was likely a ruse.

"Usurp the throne," Hei Ya continued. "With your power, forcing the Taichang Emperor off the throne is trivial."

"That's at least an A-rank hidden quest. I can help."

Hei Ya had considered killing Guo Ming outright—but his specialty was stealth and mobility, not damage. Even his full strike could only break the shield, not kill him.

The cost? He'd be torn apart by Da Bao.

A rich reward meant nothing if you couldn't live to claim it. Realizing he couldn't complete the task, he switched to seeking cooperation.

He'd lose 10, 00 Paradise Points—but gain three stat points.

"Pick another," Guo Ming refused.

Hei Ya's eyes flickered with surprise, then he smiled: "If you have your own plans, I won't disturb you."

As he spoke, his figure vanished into a flood of crow feathers.

As the feathers scattered, a single black feather shot toward Guo Ming's face.

The speed was extremely fast, far exceeding Da Bao's reaction time, and it landed instantly on Chu Danqing's forehead.

The shield formed by the Five Elements Spirit Flags shattered immediately.

Just as the Gentleman's Staff was about to strike Chu Danqing, Da Bao reached out and grabbed it with his hand.

The Black Crow's figure reappeared once more; six vines climbed up and tightly bound the opponent.

"Your attributes are insufficient, but your summons and skills make up for the weakness—there are few among the reserve apostles who can kill you."

"Unfortunately, I'm not one of them," said the Black Crow, removing his hat with his other hand—his entire body exploded, countless crow feathers obscuring the view.

"I hope next time we meet, there will be a chance to cooperate."

The Black Crow vanished without a trace, leaving only those words behind.

Chu Danqing immediately chose to leave, remaining on high alert; Da Bao did not relax for a single moment.

With the perception of the two of them, they could not detect the opponent at all.

The opponent specializes in this art—if he could be so easily spotted, what would his resource investment amount to?

(End of Chapter)