Chapter 124

"Drive!"

On the main street of Linggu County town, a squad of black-clad riders galloped their horses at full speed, racing toward the city's exit.

"Fine horse!"

At the inn's doorway, Qin Shuo watched the cavalry flash past before his eyes and couldn't help but praise them.

Though he knew nothing of horses, he could still sense the strength and weakness of their qi and blood.

Those horses had jet-black coats, bright manes, stood over seven feet tall at the shoulder, were lithe and powerful, with strong qi and blood—clearly top-tier steeds, far beyond the yellow piebald horse he rode.

"Boss, do you know who they are?"

Watching the riders disappear into the distance, Qin Shuo vaguely felt this squad was no ordinary lot—stern-faced, extraordinary in bearing, radiating an aura that warned strangers to keep away.

Most importantly, every rider was a martial artist, and the leader's qi and blood were formidable, likely a master of the Tongmai Realm.

"Probably the City Lord's mansion patrol; I heard many fierce beasts have appeared in the mountains lately, so patrol teams often go out to hunt them."

The innkeeper, standing with Qin Shuo at the door to watch the spectacle, said casually.

Hearing this explanation, Qin Shuo thought no more of it, mounted his horse, and continued on his way.

After leaving the city, the leader of the black-clad riders suddenly reined in his horse, turned, and gazed back along the road they had come.

"Sir, what's wrong?"

"I didn't expect him to be this fast—he's already reached Linggu County." The lead rider narrowed his eyes, brows slightly furrowed.

"Who?"

"Qin Shuo."

"What? Qin Shuo has already arrived in Linggu County? Where did you see him, sir?"

The rider squad stirred in commotion.

"At the inn's doorway." The leader said.

"That youth? So young?" The riders gasped in shock.

"Good thing he didn't recognize us, or we'd be in trouble."

The lead rider exhaled deeply, relieved:

"We're here to take over the prisoner transport from the Demon Suppression Division. If this divine-powered youth were with us, we'd hardly stand a chance.

Now, with just He Mingjing alone, we can't possibly resist the Zhenwu Hall's many men.

Speed up—we must seize control of Black Water City's prisoners before the situation concludes at the prefecture city.

"Yes."

……

Linggu County is only about a day's journey from Songyang Prefecture City.

Thus, after several days of continuous travel, Qin Shuo chose to rest here for the night before pressing on.

The closer he got to the prefecture city, the less urgent Qin Shuo felt.

Since the enemy intended to use Song Yan to threaten him, Song Yan should remain safe until he reached Songyang Prefecture.

Moreover, though the Song family's main and branch lines were at odds, Song Ci that old coot shouldn't go so far as to abuse his grandniece, already reduced to a prisoner.

Therefore, whether he arrived a day early or late at the prefecture city, it would make little difference to Song Yan.

On the contrary, it was he himself—after long travel, both his qi and blood and his spirit would suffer.

That's why he deliberately slowed his pace in Linggu County, adjusted his condition, and prepared for the coming great battle.

All along this road, he pondered what deadly trap the Fang and Song families would set for him.

After much thought, he could only arrive at one answer,

Wind Thunder Valley.

Given the Fang and Song families' strength, knowing he possessed divine power, they would never undertake such a self-destructive move.

If he were Song Ci and Fang Yongping, their first thought would surely not be to hold Song Yan hostage, but to immediately pack up and flee.

Yet now, the enemy deliberately released Song Tianhao to send him a message—clearly, they have something to rely on.

To counter his Buddhist supernatural power, unless a Refining Organs Realm master acts, even a Condensing Truth Peak expert would be equally ineffective.

After all, no matter how strong the Condensing Truth Realm, could it surpass the physique of one who wields the Xiaoyue Yaowang's form?

And who among the Refining Organs Realm masters would idle away their time just to target him?

Even if they came for the Longxiang Relic, there'd be no need to involve the Song family's affairs.

They want to kill him, yet dare not act openly.

Then the only possibility is that Wind Thunder Valley, which will soon bear the charge of colluding with demons because of him.

A Refining Organs Realm powerhouse, if placed in Wind Thunder Valley, would surely hold a high position—either a True Disciple or an Elder.

For such a figure to cross a thousand miles just to kill him, their connection with Xue Chengkong must be anything but ordinary.

As he thought this, Qin Shuo's yellow piebald horse had unknowingly already galloped into the territory of Songyang Prefecture City.

Gazing upon the vast city walls, coiled like a slumbering dragon, Qin Shuo felt a murderous intent suddenly rise in his heart.

What of the Refining Organs Realm?

Even if he cannot win, relying on the Moonlight Sovereign Sky-Traversal Technique, his foe may not necessarily prevail against him.

Below the Grandmaster level, martial artists cannot fly through the air.

But he wishes to see—just who in Wind Thunder Valley insists on forcing him into a death trap.

Upon the city gate.

Xiao Liu, who once served as Qin Shuo's carriage driver, now craned his neck, constantly gazing downward at the city below.

His eyes swept over the long-dragon-like queues waiting to enter the city, distinguishing each one, fearing to miss any detail.

"You'd better see clearly—if that Qin-surname slips quietly into the city, I'll flay your hide."

Just as Xiao Liu felt his eyes growing sore and was about to sneak a moment of laziness, Song Shan beside him spoke coldly.

"Yes."

Xiao Liu's face changed, and he was startled into a shudder.

He strained to widen his eyes, scanning the crowd below, daring not to slacken in the slightest.

These days, the Song Mansion underwent a great purge.

Many of his familiar servants and maidservants were dragged away by the guards, and then never returned.

The one who gave the order was none other than the Song Shan before him.

As his gaze fell back upon the crowd, a flicker of resentment flashed in Xiao Liu's eyes.

"You bullying dog, relying on your power—wait until Master Qin arrives, I'll beat you all to death, see if you're still arrogant."

Xiao Liu cursed in his heart, yet on his face he put on the appearance of straining to distinguish those entering the city.

A few days prior, rumors ran wild throughout Songyang Prefecture: a mysterious youth in Black Water City had mastered divine powers and slain the renowned Demon King Xiaoyue.

Later, it spread that this person was none other than Qin Shuo of the Liuhe Martial Arts Hall.

At first Xiao Liu did not believe it, but as the tale spread through every street and alley, he could not help but believe.

Afterwards, someone in the mansion learned that he had once served as Qin Shuo's carriage driver, and all came to him asking what the divine-powered youth who could slay demon kings looked like—whether he had grown three heads and six arms.

Especially the maidservants in the mansion, each one pining for spring, would inevitably ask about that divine-powered youth upon seeing him.

Even the chief maid Chun Jiu, whom he had secretly admired, had privately sought him out once, leaving him greatly excited.

Even the new steward of the Song Mansion looked upon him with favor, speaking to him with a few more courtesies, drawing envy from others.

But good fortune does not last.

His good days had not even passed a single night when the Song family was overturned.

The Song family head suffered grave injury and vanished, and the newly appointed steward was also beaten to death.

And because he recognized that surnamed Qin divine-powered youth, he was seized and brought to the city gate, tasked with surveillance.

Once that youth entered the city, he must immediately report to Song Shan, notifying the household to prepare.

In truth, Xiao Liu knew well: once Master Qin entered the city, his mission would be complete, and his fate would likely not be pleasant.

For even the maid who used to bring meals to Master Qin, upon hearing the news, was said to have been taken away and vanished, and he feared he too would not escape disaster.

Thus, he now fervently hopes that Master Qin might truly grow three heads and six arms, to annihilate the current Song family.

Then his servile status would also vanish, and he could seek refuge elsewhere.

Xiao Liu's thoughts raced, yet he dared not relax his eyes, continually scanning the crowd, fearful of missing anything, lest he be mercilessly struck down.

Just as his eyes began to dry again, preparing to rub them, to clear his vision.

On the official road outside the city.

A yellow-maned fierce horse came galloping from afar, raising rolling dust behind it, its momentum like a dragon.

Now there was no need for Xiao Liu to remind them; the crowd on the city wall all noticed the arrival of that person.

"It's him."

Song Shan's eyes snapped wide open, and he hastily took out the prepared fireworks, launching them into the sky as a signal.

Boom!

Almost at the instant the fireworks exploded, Qin Shuo charged into the city on horseback.

The guards at the city gate could not stop him in the least; just as they were about to organize men to pursue, they saw the garrison commander and Song Shan descend from the wall together, telling them not to give chase.

After entering the city.

Qin Shuo hesitated not at all, straight for the Song Mansion he went.

Though he knew there might be a great master of the Refining Organs Realm awaiting him, he felt no fear.

He had also considered sneaking into the city secretly, then plotting slowly.

But after deep reflection, he still decided to confront them head-on, directly demanding the Song Tianlin father and son release the person.

Because the Song and Fang families had long been entrenched in the prefectural city, and with the City Lord's Mansion of Wind Thunder Valley secretly aiding them, he thought it nearly impossible to silently rescue Song Yan.

If so, then there was no point wasting time—just storm the gate.

You lot aren't after my Longxiang Relic, are you?

I'll bring it to you—just see if you have the life to come take it.

Boom!

Two guards who tried to block Qin Shuo's entry were flung flying by the yellow-maned fierce horse.

The next second, a deep voice echoed throughout the entire Song Mansion courtyard:

"Song Ci, you old dog, get out here for your Qin Grandfather!"