Chapter 6: Mutual Pursuit

Chief Flag Office.

Sun Yan's face changed drastically as he crushed the teacup in his hand.

"What did you say? Liu Chengle was captured by Shen Qing?"

"How is that possible? Liu Chengle has reached the Third Layer of the Acquired Realm."

"Are you sure the one captured is Liu Chengle?"

Xiao Bin's face was also full of disbelief, yet he spoke affirmatively.

"That's correct. The covert guard's message at the gate of Shen Qing's Junior Flag Office clearly states: a man in purple robes, plus a black iron fan—that is Liu Chengle's inseparable weapon."

Upon hearing this, Sun Yan collapsed straight onto his seat.

"As expected, Shen Qing was sent down from above, but where exactly did the leak come from?"

He believed that all these years his work had been flawless, so how could a leak appear at the end?

"Damn it!"

"What should we do now?"

Sun Yan took a deep breath.

"How many usable personnel do we have in White Cloud County right now?"

Xiao Bin did the math.

"My men and Huang Ke's add up to twenty, plus your people, Chief Flag, makes about thirty."

Sun Yan sat up straight, a fierce look on his face.

"Enough."

"Enough, let's go—Liu Chengle must not die!"

Xiao Bin's face changed: "Chief Flag, should we act now? The silver hasn't been moved yet!"

"If we act now, the commotion will be huge—what do we do with the silver?"

Sun Yan glanced at Xiao Bin, annoyed.

"If all my enemies were like you, that would be great."

"Who cares about the silver? If Liu Chengle dies, we're finished."

"He's our introducer into the White Dragon Sect; if he dies, we won't just be barred from the sect—the Embroidered Uniform Guard will hunt us down."

"What use is the silver to you?"

Night fell.

The screams inside Shen Qing's Junior Flag Office never ceased.

Shen Qing's Embroidered Uniform Guard and one of Lin Zikai's men didn't leave; they were frantically taking turns interrogating the man in purple robes.

They used every torture they could think of in their lifetimes.

They were eager to earn merit.

Shen Qing leaned back in his chair, by firelight looking at a booklet—a manual of footwork titled Carefree Step, also seized from the Huang family.

After reading it once, Shen Qing had already grasped its basic form.

He stepped out five paces in succession, startling a patch of parasol trees.

At that moment, Lin Zikai walked out of the cell, still stained with blood, and seeing Shen Qing's Carefree Step, he hurriedly shouted praise.

"Sir, excellent skill."

Shen Qing ignored Lin Zikai, merely muttering to himself.

"It still seems a bit off."

"It should be like this."

Shen Qing stepped out again, his whole body seeming to take on a phantom layer.

Lin Zikai raised his eyebrows: "Has the footwork broken through?"

"Sir, as expected of a sir, your talent is high."

But before the fawning words could leave his mouth, what happened next shattered Lin Zikai's world.

Only see: Shen Qing's second step brought Carefree Step to Minor Accomplishment, his third step brought it to Major Accomplishment.

With the fourth step, Shen Qing's whole body seemed to turn into a gust of wind, like a carefree immortal—elusive and unfathomable; his Carefree Step had reached perfection.

"Is this right? Is this how the footwork is practiced?"

Lin Zikai himself had not neglected footwork practice; after all, he had risen from the ranks as a junior flag, and footwork is essential.

He had practiced for nearly seven or eight years, yet he had only reached Minor Accomplishment.

Had he trained himself into a dog?

Suddenly, Lin Zikai's eyes lit up: "Could it be that the chief... has unlocked something?"

Shen Qing stopped his steps, because the screams in the courtyard had ceased.

Before Shen Qing's eyes also appeared a line of text.

【Your subordinate slew a Third Layer of the Acquired Realm warrior; loot entry: Fan Practitioner (green)】

He turned his head, looking at the dazed Lin Zikai to one side: "Finished the interrogation?"

Lin Zikai came to his senses, hastily saying: "Oh, yes, yes, I guarantee he's spilled everything, even his undershorts."

"Spill it."

"Yes, sir, this person is indeed from the White Dragon Sect, named Liu Chengle."

"Robbing you, sir..."

Saying this, Lin Zikai fell silent—robbing Shen Qing?

With Shen Qing's just-displayed strength, even ten Liu Chengles couldn't rob him.

Why wasn't Liu Chengle simply captured last night, why do we have to take such a big detour today?

Lin Zikai felt his brain about to smoke.

Could it be that Lord Shen Qing is just toying with them?

Lin Zikai felt he had caught that fleeting flash of inspiration.

Right, right, got it.

Lord Shen Qing must have already calculated every step, just toying with the White Dragon Sect!

Thinking this, Lin Zikai's gaze toward Shen Qing was filled with deep admiration.

Keep talking.

Got it, Sir!

Last night, it was Liu Chengle who brought people to offend you, Sir. Besides Huang Zikun, four members of the White Dragon Sect were involved—namely Petty Officer Xiao Bin and Huang Ke.

The silver is still hidden in Blessed Cloud Mountain.

Furthermore, this trail was revealed by Chief... Sun Yan.

Lin Zikai originally wanted to say Chief Flag Officer, but since it involved the White Dragon Sect, Sun Yan is no longer a Chief Flag Officer—this is the merit of Shen Qing and himself, Lin Zikai.

A flash of killing intent crossed Shen Qing's eyes: 'Looks like I'll be busy again tonight?'

Sir, it's already dark; should we go tonight? You've wiped out two sects in a row today—maybe you should rest a bit.

Shen Qing snorted coldly, picked up the goose-feather saber on the table, its edge fully exposed.

If I don't kill Sun Yan, I can't sleep.

Lin Zikai swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Suddenly, his ears twitched, and he turned his head to look toward the courtyard outside.

Sir, did you hear any movement?

Shen Qing's mouth corner slightly rose.

Looks like it's a mutual rush.

Having said that, he lifted his foot, walked toward the courtyard outside under the moonlight; a gust of wind blew, making Shen Qing's black robe rustle.

Lin Zikai froze for a moment, then his face turned stern; he slammed the door panel and shouted loudly.

Heigou! Lao Li! Bring everyone out, let's get to work!

The sound of hooves grew closer; at the street corner, more than thirty Embroidered Uniform Guard cavalry came galloping, with Sun Yan at their lead.

At that moment, Heigou and the others behind them surged out, drawing their swords and blades, ready in formation.

When everyone had steadied, Sun Yan spoke.

Shen Qing, you've been hiding deep.

Let's talk.

Shen Qing couldn't hold back: 'Talk? What qualifications do you have to talk with me? You set a trap, now finding you can't beat me, you want to talk?'

Damn, a toad wants to marry a fairy.

That's quite a beautiful thought!

Sun Yan's face grew increasingly grim.

Shen Qing, we're in the wrong on this matter, but if we keep fighting, both sides will surely suffer losses...

Shen Qing couldn't help but laugh.

You still talk about both sides losing? In the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, as long as one of you remains standing...

Today's matter is up to you to decide—how about it?