Chapter 81: Borrowing the Tiger's Might

The people from the three sects arrived at the prefectural yamen. Seeing the crowd packed shoulder to shoulder in front of the gate, surging inside like madmen, 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 Xiao Si behind them.

Although Liu Baiyun had previously made a grand display of power at the Taishan Sect, playing the three sects for fools, after seeing the note she left behind, they understood that her actions that day were mostly meant as a warning.

Thus, the few of them said nothing more and stepped forward to help Liu Baiyun and the others fend off the enemies.

As for Zhou Yingxue's snide remarks... in truth, the two of them had never gotten along; this wasn't just a matter of the last few days. When Liu Baiyun had dragged her along that day, there was indeed an element of using public office to settle a private grudge.

Since Zhou Yingxue had come to help, Liu Baiyun naturally found it hard to retort and could only keep her mouth shut.

Both were veteran first-rate experts, among the most elite below the peak, and had known each other for many years. Even if they found each other unpleasant, their cooperation at this moment was seamless.

Gao Ling loudly stated the essentials for dealing with the Gu soldiers, and the several sect leaders understood immediately.

With the addition of the three sects' forces, the crisis eased significantly, and Wang Hai finally had time to withdraw from the fray to regulate his breathing and recover his true energy.

After all, he was not old, and his true energy was limited; he could not compare to Liu Baiyun and the others. Even though he was slightly better off than Mei Qinghe, he was nearing his limit.

Wang Hai walked to Xiao Si's side and asked in a low voice, "Fourth Sister, is it almost done?"

"There's no need to be perfect; saving five or six out of ten is enough."

Xiao Si extended her wrist, tore off the bandage, and dripped some more blood into the basin.

This method of gathering Gu only worked with fresh blood. If Xiao Si did not drip blood into it intermittently, the effect of gathering the Gu would become increasingly poor.

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

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

Xiao Si's face was becoming increasingly pale, which pained Wang Hai's heart.

But the two knew each other incomparably well; Wang Hai knew that hidden beneath Xiao Si's delicate, young girl exterior was a heart as stubborn and nearly obsessive as his own.

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

Having said that, he grabbed Mei Qinghe's left arm, his hand turning bright red and emitting wisps of white smoke.

Mei Qinghe's wound also slowly stopped bleeding.

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

Wang Hai let go, and while regulating his breathing to recover true energy, he watched the life-and-death struggle before him.

He judged inwardly that in about half an hour, he would have no choice but to forcibly take Xiao Si and flee.

————————

At the same time, the Flag Master of the Flood Banner of the Ming Sect, leading his subordinates, arrived outside the city gate.

This group of theirs had originally been near the Taishan Sect, preparing manpower for the plan on the mountain.

Having received Mao Yingxia's message in a hurry, they traveled rapidly and had only just managed to reach Taian City.

The soldiers and yamen runners within Taian City had all been taken to Taishan by Cheng Yuanzhen to wreak havoc. Those guarding the city gate now were nothing more than a dozen old, weak, sick, and disabled men.

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

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

The Flood Banner Master turned his head to look, and his pupils constricted.

There was only one person coming, riding on a horse, wearing the official uniform of the Embroidered Uniform Guard! Carrying a Embroidered Spring Blade!

And at his waist, a Thousand-Household token of the Embroidered Uniform Guard hung brightly.

That person rode the horse to the city gate, turned sideways to face the Ming Sect group, but wore an expression of disdain and said not a word.

Seeing this person's demeanor, the Flood Banner Master's heart pounded; he dared not act rashly, and his subordinates also stopped their steps.

Mao Yingxia had only sent people to notify him to come to Taian City after learning the news that Lan Lechuan was dead.

Lan Lechuan had died at the hands of an Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand-Household named "Li Miao"; the Flood Banner Master naturally knew this news as well.

Who was Lan Lechuan? The Left Envoy of the Ming Sect! Below the Sect Leader, above ten thousand people!

Before Ji Tianrui died, he had already rarely appeared; the affairs within the sect were almost entirely decided by Lan Lechuan alone. After Ji Tianrui died, the Ming Sect was shouldered entirely by Lan Lechuan.

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

Not to mention Lan Lechuan's martial arts, which were above the peak. Except for Yun Zelin, who could never be seen, no one in the sect could rival him.

Such a figure had died silently at the hands of an Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand-Household, even taking along a Zuo Lishan who was beyond the half-step peak.

How could the Flood Banner Master not be afraid, not hesitate?

He looked at that Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand-Household: his figure was thin and small, his clothes hung loosely, his hands and feet were weak, and there was no divine light in his eyes; he clearly looked like a scholar who lacked the strength to truss a chicken.

But the more this was the case, the more he suspected: "Could this be returning to simplicity? With inner spirit restrained?"

But what he did not know was that the palm of the "Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand-Household" opposite him, holding the reins, was also full of sweat at this moment.

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

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

Li Miao had him change into the Embroidered Uniform Guard official uniform, carry Li Miao's token, and patrol the four city gates.

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

Jiao Qingfeng was, of course, trembling with fear at first, but he was, after all, a native of Taian; hearing the screams inside the city, he gradually understood just how heavy the burden on his shoulders was.

Thus, he also began to brace himself, striving to put on that official prestige that did not originally exist.

Jiao Qingfeng had just killed a soldier at another city gate who had panicked and was about to open the gate.

Having seen blood, after vomiting once, his character had been tempered to some extent.

Rushing here, seeing from afar the Flood Banner Master bringing people over with ill intent.

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

By a stroke of luck, he had scared the Flood Banner Master.

And now, weren't they "awkwardly" stuck?

Like a bamboo pole hitting a wolf, both sides were afraid; neither Jiao Qingfeng nor the Flood Banner Master was willing to speak first.

The Flood Banner Master's side was waiting for "Li Miao" to speak, while Jiao Qingfeng's side was simply completely in the dark, knowing nothing of Jianghu matters, unable to even exchange a secret code.

One side waiting anxiously, the other feigning composure, it was an eerily quiet scene.

However, not everyone present was clear-headed.

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

It was a soldier guarding the gate who, seeing the atmosphere was heavy and the other side had not made a move, spoke softly, wanting to ask Jiao Qingfeng what the situation was.

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

"Jiao? Not surnamed Li?" He revealed a look of surprise.

Jiao Qingfeng saw the Flood Banner Master's expression, and his heart panicked.

These few people outside the city gate could not stop these Jianghu people opposite!

His thoughts raced, but his face remained calm; ignoring the soldier, he spoke loudly: "Who comes, report your name!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 82 =====