Chapter 137: Touching

The group assumed a defensive stance, slowly entered the factory, and the sight before them froze them in place instantly.

The floor was littered with black‑clad warriors' corpses sprawled in all directions, the ground itself stained red.

The four Eighth Grade Martial Artist corpses stood out even more, their chests caved in, the manner of death tragic.

Nearby, the Top Master Hong Tianyang's corpse was curled on the ground, eyes wide open, his face still bearing extreme terror.

"This… is this Hong Tianyang?"

Duan Fei recognized him, his tone full of disbelief.

"He's a Top Master; how could he have been killed?"

Shao Jinpeng's complexion turned pale as well; he knew the opponent's strength.

A Top Master is far from an easy opponent; even if he can't win, he can retreat unscathed—how could he meet such an end?

Lu Xiao hurried to Hong Tianyang's corpse, crouched, and examined it carefully.

Her fingertips lightly brushed Hong Tianyang's chest; finding no external wounds, she felt his pulse, her brows furrowing tighter.

Moments later, she rose, her expression exceedingly solemn.

"His heart and meridians were shattered by shock; he died silently, leaving no sign of struggle."

"Shattered heart and meridians? Yet no external injuries?"

Duan Fei inhaled a sharp breath of cold air.

"To precisely shatter internal organs without damaging the body's surface—this is at least the power of one who surpasses a Grandmaster!"

"Surpassing a Grandmaster?" The other Dragon Group members were stunned, fear written on their faces.

The Grandmaster was already the pinnacle of strength in their knowledge; a being that surpasses a Grandmaster was practically a legend!

Lu Xiao said nothing, her gaze sweeping the entire factory swiftly, eyes sharp as an eagle, seeking any trace of battle.

Except for the corpses littering the floor, the factory held no sign of fighting.

Not even a single lingering Inner Force ripple was present.

"So terrifying…"

Lu Xiao's eyes were full of dread.

"The perpetrator's strength is unfathomable; killing so many without leaving a trace of aura. Such power already exceeds our knowledge."

"What about Ling Zhaixing and the Tiger Talisman?"

Shao Jinpeng suddenly became alert, looking around, but saw no sign of Ling Zhaixing nor any trace of the Tiger Talisman.

"Could it be… that the assailant rescued Ling Zhaixing and snatched the Tiger Talisman?"

This speculation silenced everyone.

If that were true, the enemy they faced would be terrifying.

Lu Xiao inhaled deeply, forcing herself to stay calm, her tone solemn.

"From the scene's condition, a mysterious expert must have intervened, rescuing Ling Zhaixing while also killing Hong Tianyang and his subordinates."

"As for the Tiger Talisman, it was most likely taken by Ling Zhaixing, though it could also have been seized by that mysterious expert."

"What should we do now?"

Duan Fei asked, his tone tinged with bewilderment.

"Even a master surpassing a Grandmaster has intervened; can we still continue to pursue the Tiger Talisman?"

"We must investigate!"

Lu Xiao's gaze was resolute.

"The Tiger Talisman concerns the safety of the fifty‑hundred‑thousand troops in Nanjiang; any slip is unacceptable."

"But relying solely on us, we're likely powerless to complete the mission; we must contact headquarters immediately."

……

The Dragon Group members felt as if facing a great enemy, while Jiang Feng remained completely unaware.

At this moment, he was leading Ling Zhaixing into the Su Family Villa.

"Jiang Feng, why are you returning so late?"

Su Xueyan's gaze fell on Ling Zhaixing, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

"Xue Yan, let me introduce you."

Jiang Feng said, "She's called Xiao Ling, she's my friend, and she'll be staying at home for a while."

"Friend?"

Su Xueyan was momentarily stunned, then offered a gentle smile, not probing Ling Zhaixing's background.

She simply stepped forward quickly, looking at her with concern.

"Xiao Ling, are you injured?"

Ling Zhaixing hadn't expected Su Xueyan's warmth, and instinctively recoiled, her eyes still bearing some wariness.

Having roamed the jianghu for years, she'd seen countless deceit; sudden unguarded concern left her somewhat uneasy.

Jiang Feng noticed her discomfort, smiled, and said.

"Xiao Ling excels at tracking and locating lost items; I've asked her to help find the Xuan Warm Jade Essence. Only by obtaining the Xuan Warm Jade Essence can your Cold Poison be fully cured."

"Find the Xuan Warm Jade Essence?"

Su Xueyan's face was full of gratitude.

"Xiao Ling, if you can find the Xuan Warm Jade Essence, you'll be my Life-saving Benefactor!"

Feeling the warmth of Su Xueyan's palm, Ling Zhaixing's wariness lessened a bit.

She also smiled.

"A trivial effort; since I promised Jiang Feng, I'll certainly do my best."

"Quickly sit down and rest, I'll go prepare a guest room for you."

Su Xueyan said as she was about to stand, her gaze sweeping over Ling Zhaixing's Injury.

"Do you want to treat the Injury on you? There's a Medicine box at home, or I can have the Doctor come over?"

"No need to trouble me. I've already contacted Hua Lao, he'll send some healing Medicine over."

"Fine."

Su Xueyan nodded, leading Ling Zhaixing toward the second‑floor guest room.

"Xiao Ling, you can take a shower first, change into clean clothes; I'll go find a dress of mine for you to wear, although it may not fit well, it's still more comfortable than what you're wearing now."

Ling Zhaixing looked at Su Xueyan's gentle profile, and a warm current rose in her heart.

From childhood to now, besides Master, Rarely anyone cares for her this much.

For a moment she was at a loss, and could only whisper a sentence.

"Thank you."

Before long, Hua Jing arrived carrying a heavy Medicine box.

Jiang Feng carried the Medicine box upstairs and knocked on the guest room door.

"Come in."

Opening the door, Ling Zhaixing had already taken a shower and changed into Su Xueyan's light‑colored dress.

"These are healing Medicine and Paste, treat them yourself."

Jiang Feng placed the Medicine box on the table, opening it revealed a dazzling array of wound Medicine.

Ling Zhaixing took a few commonly used ones, looked up at Jiang Feng seriously and said, "Thanks."

"No need, recover the Injury quickly, just help me find the thing."

Jiang Feng finished speaking, turned and left the guest room.

Ling Zhaixing watched his back, a swirl of mixed feelings in her heart.

She has roamed the jianghu for years, accustomed to deceit, yet it's the first time she's met someone like Jiang Feng.

A night passed without words.

Early the next morning, at dawn, Su Xueyan had already prepared breakfast.

She just placed the porridge on the table when she saw Ling Zhaixing descend from upstairs; her complexion had become much rosier, and Footsteps were steadier.

"Xiao Ling, how do you feel?"

Su Xueyan Laughter asked, and served her a bowl of porridge.

"Much better, thank you Miss Su."

Jiang Feng also came over, looked at her condition, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Recovery is good, looks like your foundation is still decent."

"Of course!"

Ling Zhaixing lifted her chin, Tone with a few bits of Pride.

"I am one of the top two great thieves in the jianghu; if this Injury required long healing, I'd have been caught long ago."

She said, putting down the spoon, her gaze becoming serious.

"Jiang Feng, my Injury is no longer serious, now I can help you find that thief."