Chapter 158: The Mantis Catches the Cicada, the Oriole Lurks Behind

The Su Family Villa was quiet at midnight.

A black silhouette, as fast as lightning, landed in the villa's courtyard; it was Mu Laoyue.

He wore a black combat outfit, his feet stepping on empty space, and advanced toward the villa's main building.

Mu Laoyue's mouth curled into a sinister smile, his eyes full of triumph.

"Wait until I get the Tiger Talisman, then kill Jiang Feng with a single slash; the master will surely reward me handsomely!"

He thought he was acting unseen by gods or ghosts, but he didn't know Jiang Feng had already observed his every move clearly.

Just as Mu Laoyue was about to push the door open and enter, another black silhouette flipped over the villa's wall and came in.

The person wore a Night Cloak, a hat on his head, and a Mask covering his face; it was Shao Jinpeng, who had sneaked over to look for evidence.

Shao Jinpeng crouched on the ground, looked around cautiously, and after confirming no one was present, tiptoed toward the direction of the living room.

"Jiang Feng, this time I will definitely find evidence of you hiding Ling Zhaixing and the Tiger Talisman, and see how you can still be arrogant!"

Mu Laoyue was just about to push the door when he suddenly sensed a movement behind him.

He furrowed his brows, instantly suppressed his aura, flashed his form, and hid behind the curtain at the living‑room doorway.

He could feel the newcomer's strength was not weak, and for now did not want to create extra complications, only wanted to obtain the Tiger Talisman first.

Shao Jinpeng quietly pushed the door open and slipped into the living room.

The living room was pitch black, with only a sliver of moonlight filtering through the window.

He dared not turn on the lights, so he could only search the living room by moonlight.

He opened a drawer, rummaged through its contents, then pulled open a cabinet, checking whether anyone or the Tiger Talisman was hidden inside.

His movements were swift and light, fearing to alarm anyone in the villa.

Jiang Feng stood at the second‑floor foyer, watching Shao Jinpeng rummage through the living room like a thief, and found it rather amusing.

He originally intended to act immediately and subdue both, but upon reconsideration thought it better to tease them first and see how they would react when they met.

With that thought, Jiang Feng extended his hand and gently pressed the living‑room light switch.

Bang!

The living‑room's main light instantly flared on, its glare illuminating the entire room.

Shao Jinpeng jumped at the sudden light, instinctively stepped back and assumed a defensive stance.

And Mu Laoyue, hidden behind the curtain, was also exposed by the light.

He hadn't expected Jiang Feng to be awake and suddenly turn on the lights, and felt both shocked and angry.

"Who?"

Shao Jinpeng saw Mu Laoyue behind the curtain and shouted loudly.

He hadn't expected anyone besides himself to have broken into the Su Family Villa at midnight.

Mu Laoyue, realizing he had been discovered, stopped hiding.

He stepped out from behind the curtain, his gaze cold and viciously fixed on Shao Jinpeng.

"Who are you? How dare you ruin my plans!"

"I should be the one asking you that!"

Shao Jinpeng was not about to be outdone.

"Who are you? Sneaking into the Su Family Villa, what do you intend?"

"You have no right to know who I am."

Mu Laoyue sneered.

"Perfect, today I'll deal with you together!"

He had already intended to kill Jiang Feng, and now with a member of the Dragon Group present, he could take them both in one fell swoop, sparing future trouble.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Mu Laoyue lunged at Shao Jinpeng, throwing a fist that surged with a powerful gust, aiming straight for Shao Jinpeng's chest.

Shao Jinpeng, after all, was an Eighth Grade Martial Artist, and his strength was not weak.

He sidestepped Mu Laoyue's punch, simultaneously countered with a reverse fist, and the two instantly became a tangled melee.

Bang bang bang!

The sound of fists colliding rang through the living room as they fought, unable to separate.

Mu Laoyue's moves were cold, vicious, and lethal, each strike deadly, while Shao Jinpeng's techniques were more orderly, with tight defense, occasionally countering a few blows.

The furniture in the living room was knocked askew by the two, the cup on the coffee table shattered on the floor, and the commotion grew louder.

Jiang Feng sat on the sofa, sipping tea, and watched the fight with keen interest, as if watching a lively drama.

He thought their collision was quite amusing.

After a while, Jiang Feng took out his phone and dialed Officer Shen.

"Hello, Officer Shen?"

Jiang Feng's tone was very relaxed.

"Two thieves have come to my house and are fighting in the living room; it's quite noisy, do you want to bring a few people over to see?"

Officer Shen, hearing this, quickly replied.

"Jiang Feng, are you okay? We'll be there right away!"

"I'm fine; the house is just a bit messed up, please come quickly."

Jiang Feng hung up after speaking and continued watching the spectacle.

On the other end, Officer Shen, having just hung up and preparing to head to the Su Family Villa, suddenly received a call from above.

"What? Group Leader Lu of the Dragon Group wants to go with me to the Su Family Villa to catch thieves?"

Officer Shen was instantly left speechless, both laughing and crying.

She knew the Dragon Group operated in Jingcheng on missions in Jiangcheng, but never expected its members to be interested even in a thief‑catching task.

But even though she didn't want to agree, the Dragon Group's rank was too high, so she had to cooperate.

"Fine, I'll wait at the Su Family Gate for Group Leader Lu."

…

Here, Mu Laoyue and Shao Jinpeng have already fought for dozens of rounds.

Mu Laoyue gradually feels his stamina failing; he hadn't expected Shao Jinpeng to be so powerful, and he couldn't take him down.

"Damn it!"

Mu Laoyue mutters a curse under his breath.

His purpose this time is mainly to steal the Tiger Talisman.

Now he's not only exposed, but also being tangled by this hothead.

If the fight continues and the police arrive, it'll be even harder for him to get away.

Thinking of that, Mu Laoyue feints a move, forces Shao Jinpeng back, then turns and runs toward the window, intending to jump out and escape.

"Think you can run? Not that easy!"

Shao Jinpeng shouts and hurriedly gives chase.

But just as Mu Laoyue is about to leap out of the window, Jiang Feng, sitting on the sofa, flicks his finger lightly.

A faint Golden True Qi silently shoots out, striking Mu Laoyue's back.

Mu Laoyue feels a numbness in his back, his body instantly loses strength, and his movements lag half a beat.

Shao Jinpeng seizes the opportunity, rushes forward, and slaps Mu Laoyue's back with his palm.

"Pfft!"

Mu Laoyue spits out a mouthful of fresh blood, collapses softly onto the ground, and cannot get up again.

Shao Jinpeng steps forward, plants a foot on Mu Laoyue's back, and says smugly.

"Look at you—still trying to run!"

This guy is definitely not an ordinary petty thief; perhaps he's also after the Tiger Talisman.

Shao Jinpeng feels he has found evidence, and instantly bursts into joy.

At that moment, police sirens and footsteps come from outside the villa, growing nearer.

Shao Jinpeng's complexion changes; he had snuck in, and if anyone discovers that a bona fide Dragon Group member in a Night Cloak is here, he'll surely be dealt with.

Thinking of that, Shao Jinpeng quickly lifts Mu Laoyue, turns, and tries to flee toward the door in another direction.

But after he runs two steps, the villa's main gate is pushed open.

Lu Xiao leads several Dragon Group members, along with Shen Junyao and a group of police, and rushes in.

Lu Xiao spots the fleeing Shao Jinpeng at a glance and roars angrily.

"You audacious thief! Where do you think you're going!"

In the next second, Lu Xiao's figure lands behind Shao Jinpeng like a phantom, and he pulls off the opponent's mask in one swift motion.

"Shao Jinpeng? How could it be you?"