Chapter 73: Borrowing the Tiger's Might

The three factions arrived at the prefectural government office. Seeing the crowd surging inside like a mad tide, they knew they had found the source.

Scaling the wall to enter, they saw Liu Baiyun and the others holding back the crowd, faintly shielding Li Xiaosi behind them.

Although Liu Baiyun had previously put on a grand display of power at the Taishan Sect, the others had understood from the note she left that her actions were mostly meant as a warning.

Thus, they said nothing further and stepped forward to help Liu Baiyun’s group fend off the enemies.

As for Zhou Yingxue’s snide remarks... the two had never gotten along, and it wasn't just a matter of these past few days. Liu Baiyun’s refusal to let her go that day had actually been a case of settling a private score under the guise of public duty.

Since Zhou Yingxue was here to help, Liu Baiyun naturally couldn't retort and had to keep her mouth shut.

Both were veteran first-rate experts, the cream of the crop just below the pinnacle, and had known each other for years. Even if they disliked each other, their coordination was seamless.

Gao Ling loudly explained the essentials of dealing with the Gu soldiers, and the sect masters understood immediately.

With the three factions joining in, the crisis eased significantly, and Wang Hai finally had time to retreat from the fray to regulate his breathing and recover his Qi.

He was young, after all, and his Qi was limited compared to Liu Baiyun and the others. Even if he was slightly better off than Mei Qinghe, he was nearly bottomed out.

Wang Hai walked to Li Xiaosi’s side and asked in a low voice, "Little Four, is it almost done?"

"There's no need to save everyone; saving fifty or sixty percent is enough."

Li Xiaosi extended her wrist, tore off the bandage, and dripped some blood into the basin.

This method of gathering Gu only worked with fresh blood. If Li Xiaosi didn't drip blood into it intermittently, the effect would diminish.

If the gathered commoners dispersed then, all previous efforts would be wasted.

"Wait a little longer... Brother Hai, wait a little longer... It’s almost there..."

Li Xiaosi’s face grew paler, and Wang Hai felt a pang of heartache.

But they knew each other perfectly; Wang Hai knew that hidden beneath Li Xiaosi’s fragile appearance was a heart as stubborn and near-obsessive as his own.

Wang Hai could only grit his teeth: "Alright, let's wait a little longer."

With that, he grabbed Mei Qinghe’s left arm, his hand turning crimson and emitting wisps of white smoke.

Mei Qinghe’s wound slowly stopped bleeding.

Wang Hai had been taught by Li Miao; he knew healing techniques, though not as profound as Li Miao’s. But it was enough for an emergency.

Wang Hai let go, regulating his Qi while watching the life-and-death struggle before him.

He judged internally that in about half an hour, he would have to forcibly take Li Xiaosi and flee.

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Meanwhile, the Flag Master of the Flood Flag of the Ming Cult arrived outside the city gate with his disciples.

This group had originally been near the Taishan Sect, preparing for the plan on Mount Tai.

Having received Mao Yingxia’s message in a rush, they had traveled at full speed and only just reached Taian City.

The soldiers and yamen runners in Taian City had all been taken to Mount Tai by Cheng Yuanzhen. The ones guarding the gate now were merely a dozen old, weak, or crippled men.

The Flood Flag Master ignored them and was about to order his men to kill them and open the gate.

Just then, he heard the sound of horse hooves approaching slowly from not far away.

The Flood Flag Master turned his head, his pupils shrinking.

There was only one person, riding on horseback, wearing the official uniform of an Embroidered Uniform Guard! He carried a Xiuchun saber at his waist!

And hanging brightly at his waist was the token of an Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander.

The man rode to the city gate, turned his side to the Ming Cult members, and remained silent with a look of disdain.

Seeing this man’s demeanor, the Flood Flag Master felt uneasy and dared not act rashly; his disciples also stopped in their tracks.

Mao Yingxia had sent someone to inform him to come to Taian City only after learning that Lan Lechuan was dead.

The Flood Flag Master naturally knew that Lan Lechuan had died at the hands of an Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander named "Li Miao."

Who was Lan Lechuan? A Left Envoy of the Ming Cult! Below the Cult Leader, he was above ten thousand!

Before Ji Tianrui died, he rarely appeared, and almost all cult affairs were decided by Lan Lechuan alone. After Ji Tianrui’s death, the Ming Cult was carried entirely on Lan Lechuan’s shoulders.

It could be said that in the hearts of the Ming Cult members, if one had to rank Ji Tianrui and Lan Lechuan, one would truly hesitate.

Not to mention Lan Lechuan’s martial arts were above the pinnacle. Except for Yun Zelin, who was never seen, no one in the cult could rival him.

Such a figure had died silently at the hands of an Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander, even taking a half-step above-pinnacle expert like Zuo Lishan with him.

How could the Flood Flag Master not be afraid or hesitant?

He looked at the Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander, whose frame was thin, clothes loose, hands and feet seemingly weak, and eyes lacking luster—he clearly looked like a scholar who couldn't even truss a chicken.

But the more this was the case, the more he suspected: "Could this be returning to simplicity? Spirit restrained within?"

What he didn't know was that the palms of this "Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander" holding the reins were covered in sweat.

He was, of course, not Li Miao, but Jiao Qingfeng.

He was the Taian Prefecture clerk whom Li Miao had temporarily picked to be in charge.

Li Miao had made him change into the Embroidered Uniform Guard uniform and carry his token to patrol the four city gates.

If he encountered anyone neglecting their duty, he was to kill them. If he encountered Jianghu people causing trouble, he was to use this getup to scare them away.

Jiao Qingfeng had been trembling at first, but as a native of Taian, hearing the screams in the city, he gradually understood how heavy the burden on his shoulders was.

So he began to pull himself together, trying hard to put on an official air that didn't originally exist.

Jiao Qingfeng had just killed a soldier at another gate who had panicked and tried to open it.

Having seen blood, he had vomited once, and his character had been tempered somewhat.

Arriving here, he saw from afar the Flood Flag Master bringing people over with ill intent.

He had a sudden flash of wit, letting the soldiers under him stay away while he rode his horse, pretending to be composed, and slowly paced over.

By a stroke of luck, he had intimidated the Flood Flag Master.

And now, they were in a "stalemate."

Like a bamboo pole hitting a wolf—both sides were afraid; neither Jiao Qingfeng nor the Flood Flag Master dared to speak first.

The Flood Flag Master was waiting for "Li Miao" to speak, while Jiao Qingfeng was completely in the dark, knowing nothing of Jianghu matters, unable to even exchange secret codes.

One side was anxious, the other was feigning composure, resulting in an eerie silence.

However, not everyone present was clear-headed.

A trembling voice broke the silence: "Jiao... Lord Jiao, this..."

It was a gate-guarding soldier who, seeing the heavy atmosphere and that the other side hadn't moved, spoke softly to ask Jiao Qingfeng what was happening.

He thought he was whispering, but with the Flood Flag Master’s hearing, it was heard clearly.

"Jiao? Not surnamed Li?" He looked surprised.

Jiao Qingfeng’s heart sank when he saw the Flood Flag Master’s expression.

The few people outside the gate couldn't stop these Jianghu people.

His mind raced, but his face remained calm. Ignoring the soldier, he spoke loudly: "Who comes? State your name!"