Chapter 71

"Instructor Deng, we don't seem to be heading toward Instructor Guan, do we?"

Looking at Deng Li walking toward the city, Gu Han deliberately spoke up and asked.

Deng Li didn't look back, his gaze solemn as he continued forward.

"I came to the city earlier to scout and found several suspicious individuals, which is why I specially sought you out to confirm things."

Gu Han couldn't help but sneer inwardly at Deng Li's nonsense.

This fellow really has no shame when he spins lies!

First he said General Guan sent him to find me, now he says he's checking for spies.

His inconsistent statements—doesn't he fear giving himself away?

Or is he confident that Gu Han can't resist Deng Li?

Gu Han deliberately slowed his steps to give Guan Shan time to catch up and stall.

But the two still arrived near the Jia Yu Trading House after the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

Deng Li pulled Gu Han into a concealed spot to hide, then said in a low voice,

"I've inquired; those people come out roughly every half hour, so we'll wait here."

Gu Han looked astonished at Deng Li's stern face.

Logically speaking, he should already be considered to have fallen into Deng Li's trap.

If Deng Li were truly colluding with the enemy state, he could easily strike at him now without anyone noticing.

Why go through all this roundabout trouble?

Since Deng Li isn't making a move, Gu Han is happy to delay.

Meanwhile, in the distant alley, Guan Shan hid in the shadows, watching Deng Li.

"This fellow, just what tricks is he up to?"

After waiting about the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, the gate of the Jia Yu Trading House courtyard suddenly opened.

A person dressed in black slipped out furtively, then, taking advantage of the darkness, darted into the alley.

"Come on, follow."

Deng Li gave a soft hiss and led the way forward.

Gu Han looked at Deng Li, who was completely off guard, and a flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes.

But after sighing, Gu Han still chose to follow.

The two concealed themselves in the dark, watching the person weave through the streets, still holding a sheepskin scroll in hand.

Taking advantage of the person's inattention, Deng Li suddenly moved, flashing in to snatch the scroll from his hand.

At the same time, Deng Li's other hand grabbed the person's throat.

"Don't make a sound!"

Deng Li only needed to move slightly to easily snap the person's neck, and he said coldly,

"Otherwise you should know the consequences."

Saying that, Deng Li tossed the scroll to Gu Han,

"Take a look, what is this?"

Gu Han caught the scroll and examined it closely.

He discovered that it marked the number of patrols on the neighboring street and the relatively weak points in the city defenses!

"Instructor Deng, this is a city defense deployment map."

At that moment, a flicker of fear and relief crossed the man's eyes, and blood suddenly trickled from the corner of his mouth!

The blood was purplish-black, clearly indicating death by poison.

Deng Li's face turned grim as he relaxed his grip, letting the limp corpse fall to the ground,

"It seems these people were already resolved to die; their mouths couldn't possibly yield any information."

They had poison hidden in their mouths; if captured, they would bite the capsule and die on the spot from the toxin.

Unless Deng Li could locate where the poison was stored and seize it directly,

otherwise it would be utterly impossible to prevent this suicidal behavior.

Gu Han, however, furrowed his brows, feeling that things weren't that simple.

They had barely arrived when this scout came out to mark the city defenses.

This series of actions—how could it be so neatly arranged?

Just then, Gu Han's ear twitched; it sounded like footsteps coming from the street corner.

"Instructor Deng!"

Before Gu Han could speak, Deng Li's body sprang forward like a leopard, straight for the black silhouette.

This speed startled Gu Han deeply.

The speed Deng Li displayed was far greater than Gu Han's after hunting a month's worth of demon beasts!

Although Deng Li is a Martial Master forged through years of training, naturally stronger than Gu Han,

but Gu Han is a cheat-user!

"Looks like I'll have to be more careful from now on."

Not long after, Deng Li brought the captured person back to Gu Han's side.

In Deng Li's hand was also a poison packet the size of a fingernail cap.

The man's face was swollen and bruised; at a glance it was clear he had just been beaten by Deng Li and had the poison packet snatched away.

"Will you speak yourself, or wait until I make a move and then talk?"

Deng Li coldly gazed at the man collapsed on the ground,

You should know, you cannot withstand the torture of Ben Lang Guo.

That's why all spies always prepare poison in advance.

Once captured, they take poison to kill themselves at the First Moment.

The black-clad person's chest heaved violently, his face deathly pale as he gasped for breath.

His eyes were filled with despair.

He had already made preparations when he took on this mission.

The poison packet will surely be seized; otherwise there's no way to get away with this.

All he has to do is clench his teeth and stay silent!

Only then can his family, his wife and children, have a bright future.

"I don't know what you're talking about; I just happened to pass by."

Smack!

Deng Li slapped the black-clad person's face, leaving a bloody palm print.

"Just passing by? Have you ever seen someone passing by with poison in their mouth?"

However, no matter how many threats Deng Li made, the black-clad person had several teeth knocked out, yet remained unmoved, refusing to speak.

"Gu Han, we've caught him today; I suspect we've already startled the snake."

Deng Li struck the black-clad man's neck with a knife, knocking him out, then turned to Gu Han,

"Why don't I take him back for a harsh interrogation, then act once we get the information?"

Gu Han fell silent for a moment, then said,

"Instructor Deng, didn't you ask me to come identify the suspect?"

Deng Li's heart jolted; he quickly thought of an excuse and said,

"I was just focused on noticing something off about these two and acted immediately, forgetting to ask you."

"How about it, have you seen these two?"

Gu Han pulled back the black-clad person's cloak and discovered that this man was actually the small team leader of the merchant caravan from the earlier transaction.

Gu Han's brows knit tightly; could it really be such a coincidence?

"What's wrong?" Deng Li asked, puzzled.

Gu Han shook his head,

"This is the person I encountered acting suspiciously at the City Gate earlier."

Upon hearing this, Deng Li let out a long sigh of relief.

"That's good; it seems your earlier suspicion was correct, and I and General Guan were not thorough enough."

"If that's the case, let's head back to the Military Camp first."

Just as Deng Li was about to leave, he suddenly stopped and looked at Gu Han,

"I'll stay here; Gu Han, take my token and go to the City Tower to summon a squad."

"Have them watch the Jia Yu Chamber of Commerce people in shifts day and night, so we don't alert the remaining spies and let them slip away."

Saying this, Deng Li took off his token and tossed it to Gu Han.

Gu Han caught it steadily, and his doubts lessened once again.

Deng Li has done this much; it seems he couldn't have done better.

Otherwise, Deng Li could have simply gone to get reinforcements himself, putting Gu Han in danger.

Then, whether Gu Han dies or Deng Li barely manages to save him at the last moment,

it would be a great gain.

Following Deng Li's orders, Gu Han quickly went to the City Tower and returned with a ten-man city patrol squad.

They were all veteran soldiers, the weakest among them being Martial Practitioner.

Throughout the process, Deng Li remained where he was, never leaving.

"This is now in your hands to watch."

"Don't worry, Instructor Deng; we guarantee we'll complete the mission."

The squad leader of the city patrol slapped his chest and assured them.