Chapter 33: Ambush

For the time that followed, the two chatted while enjoying the fine food, the atmosphere quite harmonious.

Their gaze happened to be able to see the center of the main hall.

Just then, an elegant sound of a zither came from not far away, extremely pleasant to the ear.

Following this, a woman wearing a bright red robe with a charming face flew toward the central high platform while holding onto silk ribbons from mid-air, her posture very graceful.

The woman arrived at the high platform, sat cross-legged, and began to gently play the zither.

The moving zither music spread in all directions.

This woman was none other than the top performer of Yuanyang Lou, Zhao Yuanjing.

Countless guests below were enchanted, looking at the woman on the platform with fiery faces; their burning gazes seemed as if they wanted to melt her.

Even some of the women were full of intoxication.

Yue Shulan was likewise intoxicated by the zither music, her face full of enjoyment.

"Warning, warning... Host is receiving influence from unknown energy, please move away as soon as possible..."

At this moment, the panel deep in his mind issued a frantic warning, causing Lu Zhangsheng's intoxicated mind to instantly snap awake.

"What terrifying influence; who exactly is this woman?"

His heart felt as if it had fallen into an ice cellar, yet he dared not show the slightest abnormality on his body.

His face still maintained an expression of intoxication.

Before long, the song ended, and only then did the guests on the platform return to their senses with regretful faces.

The most terrifying thing was that the crowd did not feel they had been influenced, as if it were only natural.

"This Master Jing's skill is becoming increasingly mature; it makes one's inner heart feel very ethereal."

Yue Shulan had a satisfied face.

Lu Zhangsheng smiled but did not speak.

In his heart, however, he was extremely vigilant.

This woman Zhao Yuanjing had been at this Yuanyang Lou for several years; he knew absolutely nothing about her true identity or her purpose.

It was like a dark cloud hovering over the entire Changping County.

Lu Zhangsheng decided that until his strength was sufficient, he would never come near Yuanyang Lou again.

The other party clearly had a massive conspiracy.

However, it was not very realistic for him to go and report it now.

His status was low and his words carried little weight, making it hard to be trusted; furthermore, the other party was certainly prepared, and perhaps by the time someone came to investigate, they would have already changed into a different skin, which would make exposing himself even more dangerous.

Lu Zhangsheng decided not to reveal this matter for the time being.

Afterward, Lu Zhangsheng exchanged a few more words with Yue Shulan before rising to take his leave.

Watching Lu Zhangsheng's departing back, the woman dressed as a maid had a puzzled face.

"Why did Miss spend such a high price to befriend an ordinary martial artist? And without even getting a definite answer from him."

Yue Shulan smiled faintly: "An ordinary martial artist? He is not ordinary; being able to escape from the hands of the Wenxiang Sect is enough to prove this person's ability."

"It is just that this person's temperament is tough and he is impervious to both soft and hard tactics; one can only move him with sincerity."

"Ordinary beauty will only make him increasingly vigilant."

Yue Shulan also felt doubt about her own appearance for the first time.

…………

After Lu Zhangsheng returned to his residence, he absorbed that spirit medicine.

Looking at the 8 newly added Source Energy Points on the panel, he was quite satisfied.

This ginseng was nearly one hundred and fifty years old, and the Source Energy Points it provided were quite good.

Over the next few days, Lu Zhangsheng did not rashly strike, but instead carefully gathered various intelligence on the Sanhe Gang.

Through his extensive investigations, he discovered quite a bit of useful information.

The Sanhe Gang was a large gang with several decades of history in Changping County.

In recent years, its influence had grown increasingly strong.

The main reason was that their old rival, the Haisha Gang, had fallen into a decline, and coupled with high-level members defecting to the Sanhe Gang, it allowed them to develop even more unscrupulously.

The entire gang's membership had already exceeded two thousand people.

If it weren't for their fear of the official authorities' strength, they would have likely started moving to swallow the Haisha Gang long ago.

Of course, to maintain the balance of power, the Sanhe Gang also possessed many martial Dao experts.

Under their banner were the Wind-Thunder Hall, Blazing Fire Hall, Ghost Shadow Hall, and others—six major halls in total—and there was no shortage of Bone-Forging experts.

As for the strength of the Gang Leader Huang Tianba and the two Deputy Gang Leaders, it was even more astonishing.

At night, everything was quiet.

Lu Zhangsheng lay on the bed, thinking carefully.

He had already formed a preliminary plan for what was to come.

With his own strength, forcing his way to cause trouble at their base would undoubtedly be like throwing an egg against a rock. Naturally, he would not be so unwise.

If he chose to ambush their trade routes, it would surely yield twice the result with half the effort.

As a large gang, the Sanhe Gang not only relied on collecting protection fees for profit but also had various brothels, gambling houses, and a medicinal herb business, and they maintained close ties with the Prefecture City.

Large amounts of silver and medicinal herbs were sent by them to the Prefecture City to grease the palms of various factions.

Otherwise, for such a large gang, the government would never allow them to exist.

Of course, their trade routes were certainly guarded by martial artists, but most were only Skin-Refining or Flesh-Refining martial artists.

With his own strength, as long as he acted carefully, it would naturally not be a big problem.

Having figured out his plans, Lu Zhangsheng fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, early morning.

The morning sun rose.

After Lu Zhangsheng washed up slightly, he took his slaughtering knife and walked out of the courtyard.

Before leaving, he did not forget to instruct Fang Qing and the other to stay away from the Demon-Suppressing Division family compound.

After exiting his own courtyard, he walked unhurriedly toward the city gate.

The streets were surging with crowds and were very noisy.

Some sneaky figures had also been watching him the whole time.

Lu Zhangsheng ignored them and headed straight out of the city.

He knew these were all scouts from the Sanhe Gang, specifically there to collect various intelligence.

Before long, Lu Zhangsheng was out of the city.

Afterward, he pushed off with his legs, utilized the Floating Light Shadow body technique, and quickly sprinted toward the official road ahead.

In the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the vicinity.

………………

Sanhe Gang, Wind-Thunder Hall base.

"Report to the Hall Master, that brat has left the city; should we send people to hunt him down?"

A man in green robes knelt on one knee, his right hand also making a throat-slitting gesture.

"Hmph... truly courting death. To have killed my people and still dare to leave the city—he simply does not put this Seat in his eyes."

Wang Yong snorted coldly, murderous intent erupting in his eyes.

"You go find a few martial artists from outside the gang to ambush him on the road back to the city..."

"Subordinate obeys the order."

Wang Shouren nodded respectfully.

He naturally understood his Hall Master's meaning; even if this matter were exposed, it would not be traced back to them.

With their intelligence network, finding a few unfamiliar martial artists was not difficult.

…………

Several hours later.

In the northeast part of Changping County, several dozen miles away, in a dense forest.

Lu Zhangsheng leaned quietly on a tree branch, his gaze fixed on the intersection ahead.

This place was an official road leading to Qingning Prefecture City, and merchants often traveled through here.

"Crack, crack, crack..."

Lu Zhangsheng utilized the Bone-Shrinking Art, and his entire body began to change rapidly.

The bones throughout his body were also rearranging themselves.

Before long, he had transformed into a tall man, his face also becoming much more rugged.

He took out a mirror, looked at himself, and was very satisfied.

This Bone-Shrinking Art was quite powerful, allowing him to completely change his identity.

Even if he met someone he was familiar with, it would be very hard to tell.

Afterward, Lu Zhangsheng began to wait, just like an old hunter.

This wait lasted for three days.

During this time, when thirsty he drank mountain spring water, and when hungry he ate the dry rations he had brought.

Fortunately, his own martial Dao cultivation was not bad, so he could naturally persist for a long time.

Having not seen a Sanhe Gang caravan pass by for a long time, he was not anxious.

As a hunter, he never lacked patience.

Caravans passed by on the official road every few hours, but they were all ignored by Lu Zhangsheng.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 34 =====