Chapter 47: Narrow Path

Jinshan County City, Tianyang Branch Academy.

Headmaster Zhou Qingzhu stared at two stacks of urgent reports on his desk, his face dark as if dripping with ink.

These were intelligence reports received by Squad Leader Zhong Da and Zhou Ji, head of the Tianhe Gang, from different sources since last night.

Different sources, yet nearly identical content.

The six teams dispatched by Jinshan Dao Academy to the six counties were all doing the same thing.

They had crushed, with overwhelming force, the bandits who had plagued the region over the past half-month—most killed, a few captured alive, especially the leaders.

In the intelligence delivered by Tianhe Gang’s head Zhou Ji, some annotations were even more alarming.

All the incense masters Zhou Ji had sent to these locations had vanished.

Neither alive nor dead—no bodies, no traces.

They were very likely captured alive.

If these incense masters were captured and tortured into revealing what they’d done, then Zhou Ji would be.

At this very moment, Zhou Ji, waiting outside Zhou Qingzhu’s courtyard, trembled like a quail.

If this were true, then Zhou Ji would.

But at this moment, Zhou Qingzhu’s expression grew even darker.

Half-blockading Jinshan County City, dispatching small squads to capture bandits in the six counties under Jinshan’s jurisdiction, reinforcing patrols hunting demons in the wilds, intensifying surveillance over Tianyang Branch’s elite, and some squads had even temporarily lost contact.

This string of actions filled Zhou Qingzhu with deep malice.

He felt Dong Zhao’s series of moves were ultimately aimed at him.

Could this matter possibly be turned against him?

Yes!

Zhou Qingzhu glanced at Zhou Ji waiting outside the courtyard, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.

If he killed Zhou Ji right now, no matter how clever Dong Zhao was, he could never be implicated.

Yet for a moment, Zhou Qingzhu hesitated.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t bear to lose Zhou Ji—a distant clan nephew.

The key issue was: if he killed Zhou Ji now, he would be safe, but he would be admitting defeat—utterly, completely defeated.

If Zhou Ji died now, all the underworld forces he had contacted and bribed could no longer be mobilized.

He would be unable to monitor or strike at Jinshan Dao Academy’s outlying teams.

It would be equivalent to surrendering prematurely.

But would Zhou Qingzhu willingly surrender prematurely?

He absolutely would not!

He had backup plans—and reinforcements.

In fact, this matter was not his alone—he was being aided and coordinated by Hu Dian, the head of the Yanzhou Tianyang Branch.

Last night, he had already contacted Hu Dian, who had been using a star-device to track the Qishanye region; Hu Dian was now moving toward Jinshan County City and, barring mishaps, would arrive in the shortest possible time.

When Hu Dian of the Branch arrived, even if Dong Zhao held some cards, he could not turn the tide.

After long deliberation, Zhou Qingzhu ultimately decided he could not surrender now.

Surrendering now would make him regret it for life and cause him to lose Hu Dian’s support, plunging him into utter ruin.

“How is the troop assembly coming?”

Outside the door, Zhou Ji exhaled in relief upon hearing Zhou Qingzhu speak.

Zhou Ji was no fool—he had considered many possibilities, even the worst.

But as long as his clan uncle needed him, he was safe.

“My uncle, since yesterday, we’ve secretly deployed one cultivation base of Star Refining Second Layer, three Star-Feasting Seventh Layer, five Star-Feasting Sixth Layer, and twenty-seven Star-Feasting Third to Fifth Layer wandering cultivators. All carry star-pigeons and can be contacted at any time,” Zhou Ji reported.

“Thirty-six? If divided into six directions, the numbers are still too few—no overwhelming advantage,” Zhou Qingzhu frowned, dissatisfied.

“My uncle, based on the main routes back to the county city from each county, I’ve identified five choke points, all over forty li from the city—five squads will suffice. Though fewer in number, our strength is overwhelming.”

“According to intelligence, the strongest member in each Jinshan Dao Academy team is Tian Zhang’s personal guard, around Star-Feasting Sixth or Seventh Layer. Other Jinshan Dao Academy disciples are mostly Star-Feasting First to Third Layer; no team has more than two above Star-Feasting Fourth Layer,” Zhou Ji recited like a bookkeeper—his intelligence work was impeccable.

“Then go arrange it. Ideally, none should return alive. At the very least, capture all prisoners and seize their confessions,” Zhou Qingzhu ordered.

“Yes, uncle. I’ll go at once.”

As Zhou Ji turned to leave, Zhou Qingzhu suddenly added, “If anything happens to you, run straight to the back mountain of the branch or send a signal.”

“Thank you, uncle.”

Zhou Qingzhu’s arrangement finally eased Zhou Ji’s tension—the terrifying possibility he had feared had become extremely unlikely.

Not long after Zhou Ji left, Zhong Da, the Tianyang Branch’s Star Patrol Squad Leader, arrived.

“How is it? Where are those five now?” Zhou Qingzhu demanded the moment Zhong Da entered. Zhou Ji’s methods were his public face—but insufficient. The orders he had given Zhong Da earlier were his true kill-stroke.

A single expert of mid-to-late Star Refining or even Star Condensing could easily wipe out several teams.

Zhong Da bowed, visibly nervous. “Headmaster, latest update: Hua Xin and Lü Yigong attempted to defect from the demon-hunting squads but were discovered, resisted, and executed on the spot by County Commandant Lu Chang on charges of demonic collusion.”

“Lu Chang dares?!” Zhou Qingzhu’s eyes blazed with fury—but fury changed nothing.

“Han Shou has lost contact—status unknown; likely no chance to escape. Only Jin Chi and Lin Lang have successfully withdrawn from the demon-hunting teams and are now hiding, awaiting orders.”

“According to reports, County Commandant Lu Chang originally planned to send men to pursue Jin Chi and Lin Lang under the pretext of chasing fugitives—but was stopped by our Branch’s Supervisor Huang Yunshu. No pursuit force has been dispatched,” Zhong Da said.

Zhou Qingzhu’s grim expression eased slightly—at least two had succeeded.

Two successes, even if both were late Star Refining, were more than enough to sweep through all six teams.

“Have you arranged for them?” Zhou Qingzhu asked.

“Headmaster, they’ve been arranged. The wandering cultivators strike first; if any survivors remain, they will intervene,” Zhong Da replied.

“And the men assigned to pin down Jinshan Dao Academy’s experts—have they all arrived?”

Previously, Jinshan Dao Academy had half-blockaded Jinshan County City, preventing reinforcements. Now, the tables had turned—they were ready to ambush the six squads.

They must hold Jinshan Dao Academy’s experts tightly, lest they rush to aid the six teams—Zhou Qingzhu had issued this order long ago.

“Headmaster, before dawn today, the Deputy Headmaster and all instructors followed your orders and left the city to confront Jinshan Dao Academy’s elite. Only at the West Gate did the Deputy Headmaster, still injured from yesterday and no match for Ning Yuchan, swap positions with the Supervising Abbot and arrived slightly late. By the time they arrived, Luo Kexing was already gone,” Zhong Da reported.

Hearing “Ning Yuchan,” Zhou Qingzhu’s face darkened with a flash of green—he had been too soft back then.

“Hmm. Monitor their movements. Report immediately.”

At noon, after a hearty meal, Niu Gui and Xu Jin led their squad toward Jinshan County City.

If all went well, they would reach the city by nightfall.

Besides the original team members, they carried two prisoners: Hong Li and Liu San.

No special prison cart was prepared; their limbs were dislocated and they were slung over horses like sacks.

After a night of interrogation, both were severely injured but not mortally so. Before departure, Niu Gui gave each a Star-Replenishing Pill; their bodies had been tempered by star-force, and with the pill’s energy, they wouldn’t die from the bumpy ride.

Notably, Xu Jin’s instructions from yesterday had taken effect: Qian Xiaohu and the others had used up all their Star-Replenishing Pills except one emergency dose, and all the Awakening Pills issued daily over the past four days were gone.

Sha Youtian had broken through to Star-Feasting Second Layer; Qian Xiaohu was nearly there.

Two other team members who had reached Star Pointing earlier had also broken through to Star-Feasting Second Layer—their combat strength had improved noticeably.

Coming in, they had rushed forward; returning, the two prisoners slowed them down.

Soon, they left Heshui County’s territory; over an hour later, the squad halted for a fifteen-minute rest.

“We’ll pass through Lihua Gang soon. This is the only route back to the county city from Heshui. If enemies are waiting, they’ll be there. Stay alert and act as needed.”

“If the enemy is too strong, I’ll create an opening for you. You ride one-star warhorses—fast. If you break out, you’ll survive and reach Jinshan County City.”

At this, everyone’s expression turned grim. Qiao Ruonan’s face darkened with sorrow. “Big Brother Niu, then you—”

“Mission first. Besides, I’m Star-Feasting Sixth Layer—my chances of survival are high. If you escape, they won’t fight me to the death,” Niu Gui said.

“Now, I’ll outline several combat plans for different enemy scenarios. Listen carefully.”

Fifteen minutes later, the squad resumed marching. In Xu Jin’s arms lay a layered, tightly wrapped bundle.

Inside were the silver notes Niu Gui had received, a letter, and an address.

When Xu Jin received it, he wanted to say something—but didn’t know what. He took it, resolved only to survive.

Fifteen minutes later, the squad reached Lihua Gang—a high, rocky terrain flanked by towering boulders and jagged stones, with occasional pear trees giving it its name.

A narrow path cut through the middle.

The widest point was twenty to thirty meters; the narrowest, only four to five meters. Total length: just over three li.

Upon entering Lihua Gang, the group grew extremely cautious.

After advancing about two li, Niu Gui’s face changed.

Ahead, at the narrowest point, a massive boulder blocked the path—completely impassable, even for one-star warhorses.

Almost simultaneously, eight armed cultivators wielding swords and spears leapt out from behind the boulder.

The moment Niu Gui saw the first man, his face turned deathly pale. “Yue Chong—Star Refining!”

(End of Chapter)