Chapter 184: Bring Back His Head!

The Yanhu Zhai has the "Sword Gear"!

The Duan Tianhe Scripture sensed a component of the "Sword Gear".

Considering Lin Kuan's escape route, he ultimately landed at Yanhu Zhai.

This component, without doubt, is the "Sword Gear"'s greaves!

"Did Lin Kuan present the greaves to Sikong Qinhu?"

Chen Mu frowned.

If the "Sword Gear" greaves truly fall into Sikong Qinhu's hands, this will become troublesome.

Because Sikong Qinhu is not at the Earth Altar Initial Stage—he is a master of the Earth Altar Mid-Stage, the Chaoyuan Realm!

The Earth Altar Realm is not like the Post-Heaven or Innate Realms, divided into nine stages.

Though also consisting of three phases, it has only five minor realms.

Divine Bridge, Gathering Crown, Chaoyuan, Seeing the Spirit, Ascending the Altar!

These five minor realms connect the dantian and the third eye's consciousness sea, establishing the "Divine Bridge" that unlocks passage—this stage allows the cultivator to fully perceive their own body, achieving ultimate control over their flesh.

Yet their true qi reserves are not significantly enhanced.

Thus, the power of an Earth Altar Initial Stage cultivator is stronger than a Post-Heaven Late Stage one, but only slightly.

However, after the Divine Bridge, entering the "Three Flowers Gather at the Crown" realm is entirely different.

The "Three Flowers Gather at the Crown" means refining essence, qi, and spirit to their peak.

Like Chen Mu's Six Directions Slash, when essence, qi, and spirit converge into one point, the power unleashed is immense.

Yet Chen Mu can only unleash the Six Directions Slash a few times before exhausting himself.

The "Three Flowers Gather at the Crown" has no such limitation—every strike, every motion, unites essence, qi, and spirit.

At this level, an Earth Altar master, Chen Mu can at most launch one or two ambushes, then flee.

Killing him is unrealistic.

And the chief of Yanhu Zhai, Sikong Qinhu, is at the even higher "Five Qi Assemble at the Origin" realm!

Equal in level to Fang Rongxue of the Fang Clan in Jiangbei, whom Chen Mu wiped out in Xiangzhou.

Fang Rongxue's entry into the "Five Qi Assemble at the Origin" realm was extremely secret—only the Fang Clan and the Zhang Clan, related by marriage, knew of it.

The Sun Clan, Han Clan, and Biao Feng Martial Hall had no knowledge of it.

This was one reason Chen Mu did not touch the Fang Clan's treasure vault.

Once Fang Rongxue returns, he will surely go mad!

The Earth Altar "Five Qi Assemble at the Origin" realm cannot be compared to Tang Zhenke, Fang Ronghe, or others stuck at the Earth Altar "Divine Bridge" stage.

Worth noting is:

Despite Sikong Qinhu's strength, he is not among the top in the Five Great Camps of Cangshan.

The chiefs of Wolf King Camp, Giant Tree Camp, and Flying Sand Camp are also at "Five Qi Assemble at the Origin," some even at the Earth Altar Late Stage "Seeing the Spirit, Unbreakable."

Not to mention the chief of Cangshan's First Camp, Panlong Zhai—their leader is at the Heavenly Palace Realm, titled "Cangshan Dragon King!"

…

"Thank you, Young Master, for taking me in!"

"No need for formalities. I was very pleased with your previous gift. Since you have nowhere to go for now, stay in the camp—I can at least ensure you're fed and watered."

"Thank you, Young Master!"

…

While Chen Mu was pondering, his "Listen to the Wind" skill, tracking Lin Kuan, overheard a conversation from afar.

A conversation between Lin Kuan and a certain "Young Master"!

A gift was given?

"Lin Kuan didn't give the 'Sword Gear' greaves to Sikong Qinhu—he gave them to Sikong Sheng?"

Chen Mu's eyebrows lifted.

Sikong Sheng is Sikong Qinhu's second son, with Ninth Stage Innate cultivation.

If the "Sword Gear" greaves are in his hands, retrieving them will be far easier than if they were with Sikong Qinhu.

…

"Come on, you're at Innate Perfection—how could you lose to Chen Mu? Chen Mu may be on the Potential Dragon List, but isn't he only at Innate Second Stage?"

"That was before. Now Chen Mu has reached Innate Fifth Stage. And his scripture and martial techniques are extremely powerful—all top-tier, even possibly True Scriptures!"

"True Scripture? Chen Mu is a lone cultivator… oh, I remember—Chen Mu joined the Zhenwu Bureau. Given his age and his place on the Potential Dragon List, it's plausible some high-ranking official took notice and took him under his wing, passing down a True Scripture."

"Sigh~"

"No need to sigh. Potential Dragon prodigies aren't that special—over the years, how many Potential Dragon prodigies have died? Even those who cultivate True Scriptures. Since Chen Mu dares to ruin our plans, he has no right to exist. At dawn, I'll ask Uncle Ge to go to Lincang Prefecture—bring back his head!"

"Thank you, Young Master!!"

…

Someone wants to hire someone to kill me?

Chen Mu's expression turned icy, his mind racing.

The next instant, he turned and retreated silently, distancing himself from Yanhu Zhai.

Huh~

Huh!

A cold wind blew against his face.

Chen Mu's heart burned with heat.

Regarding Yanhu Zhai, Sikong Qinhu, and Sikong Sheng, he had only read the related Juan Sect records.

The detailed information, however, was unknown.

First return to Wulong Fucheng and figure out their relationship!

……

When leaving the city, his speed was extremely fast.

On the way back, he likewise raced at full speed the entire way.

When he returned to the Linchuang Prefecture Martial Guard Office, Wang Jianzhong and Yang Xue were just escorting some of Lin Kuan's subordinates and locking them into the dungeon.

Zhang Yaoqi was still at Lin Kuan's residence, conducting searches and confiscations.

"My lord!"

Seeing Chen Mu return, Wang Jianzhong and Yang Xue hurriedly paid their respects.

"Lin Kuan fled into Cangshan and took refuge in the Nightmare Tiger Shanzhai."

Chen Mu spoke, "Lin Kuan's trusted subordinates, as well as those who colluded with Lin Kuan — have they all been dealt with?"

"Most were killed in the resistance."

Wang Jianzhong looked slightly embarrassed. "Especially Lin Kuan's most Highly Regard-ed confidant — he pretended to surrender, then suddenly struck and killed two Guard Brothers trying to escape. I… destroyed him."

"It has nothing to do with Brother Wang — I killed him." Yang Xue quickly interjected. "As the most loyal dog in front of Lin Kuan, that bastard committed too many evils; his death is not to be pitied. If my lord wants to punish, then punish me!"

Yang Xue cupped her fists, lowered her head, and bowed toward Chen Mu.

"Even if there's punishment, it's not for me to dole out."

Chen Mu raised a hand slightly and said calmly, "Lin Kuan slaughtered innocent civilians, murdered colleagues, and colluded with the Cangshan bandits — his crimes are unpardonable. I will now report the case up to the State City Martial Guard Office and wait for the state to send someone to decide."

"Before the people arrive, you only need to handle the follow-up properly. By the way, regarding the information on the Cangshan 'Nightmare Tiger Shanzhai' — does the office have any?"

"Yes!"

Wang Jianzhong said respectfully, "This subordinate will go fetch the relevant materials right now."

"Very good."

Chen Mu nodded. "I'll go to the main hall to write the report. Bring the materials directly to the main hall."

"Yes!"

……

Wang Jianzhong and Yang Xue went off to work.

Chen Mu arrived at the main hall, took out the dedicated Heart-Connection Bamboo Slip that the Linchuang Prefecture Martial Guard Office used to contact its superiors, and entered the information.

Xie Ning, Qiu Lie, Lin Kuan, and the entire process of Lin Kuan fleeing into Cangshan and hiding in the "Nightmare Tiger Shanzhai" — all of it was transmitted.

The report was complete.

Wang Jianzhong happened to deliver the materials on the "Nightmare Tiger Shanzhai" just then.

No — to be precise, it was the materials on all five great strongholds of Cangshan — Coiling Dragon, Nightmare Tiger, Wolf King, Giant Tree, and Flying Sand — as well as more than a dozen other Shanzhai with Innate Realm cultivators stationed.

Because of the "trade" relationship with the Buried Dragon Range, the bandits within Cangshan lived very comfortably.

Dozens of them, large and small, could all eat their fill.

However, the materials Wang Jianzhong brought showed that among the dozens of Shanzhai in Cangshan, every single one with an Innate Realm cultivator stationed had connections to the outside world!