Chapter 141: Village Chief Leads the Team

Jiangnan pointed at the unconscious Black-robed Man on the ground and gave Zhou Hexuan instructions.

"Take him away."

Zhou Hexuan nodded, stepped forward and hoisted the Black-robed Man with a swift motion.

The three turned and headed toward Grass Mountain Village.

"Are we really going to eradicate the Holy Sect?"

Xia Yurou walked beside Jiangnan and asked softly.

"Hmm."

Jiangnan nodded, his gaze steady.

"If the Holy Sect is not eliminated for a day, Nanjiang will never know peace."

"But the Holy Sect's power is massive; we…"

Xia Yurou opened to speak but stopped, a trace of worry in her eyes.

"No problem."

Jiangnan interrupted, his tone calm.

"When soldiers come, the general blocks; when water comes, earth covers."

"I actually want to see just how powerful this Holy Sect truly is."

Xia Yurou stared at Jiangnan's profile, a strange trust welling up inside her.

She believed this man could definitely accomplish it.

The three soon returned to Grass Mountain Village.

At the village entrance, the Village Chief waited anxiously.

Seeing Jiangnan and the others return, the Village Chief's eyes brightened and the Village Chief hurried forward to greet them.

"You all finally made it back!"

The Village Chief scanned the three from head to toe, and upon seeing they were unharmed, the Village Chief exhaled in relief.

"Village Chief."

Jiangnan gave a slight nod, as a greeting.

"And this one is…"

The Village Chief's gaze fell on the unconscious Black-robed Man on Zhou Hexuan's shoulder, puzzled.

"A member of the Holy Sect."

Jiangnan explained.

"Holy Sect?!"

The Village Chief's complexion changed, a flash of terror in the Village Chief's eyes.

"You… you captured a Holy Sect member?"

"Yes."

Jiangnan nodded.

"This…"

The Village Chief was at a loss for words, unsure how to react.

"Village Chief, no need to worry."

Jiangnan saw through the Village Chief's thoughts and comforted the Village Chief.

"This person has already been subdued by me; there is no danger."

"That's good, that's good."

The Village Chief wiped the sweat from the Village Chief's forehead and nodded repeatedly.

"Village Chief, you previously said that if we help you eliminate the bandits, you will lead us into Nanjiang."

Jiangnan shifted his tone sharply, getting straight to the point.

"Yes, yes, that's indeed the case."

The Village Chief snapped back to the Village Chief's senses and nodded repeatedly.

"You all rest assured, this old man may not have much skill, but my word is still binding."

"At dawn tomorrow, I will take you into Nanjiang."

"Fine."

Jiangnan nodded, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

"Then we'll take our leave first."

"You all take care on your way."

The Village Chief saw the three off, the Village Chief's gaze complex.

Night fell, and Grass Mountain Village was shrouded in silence.

Inside the Village Chief's house, the lamps flickered.

The Village Chief sat at the table, brow furrowed, burdened with heavy thoughts.

"Father, what's wrong with you?"

A young woman carried a bowl of hot soup and entered, asking softly.

"Xiao Yu."

The Village Chief looked up, saw the Village Chief's daughter, and forced out a faint smile.

"It's nothing, just a bit tired."

"Father, are you still worrying about those outsiders?"

Xiao Yu placed the hot soup on the table and asked softly.

"Hmm."

Village Chief nodded and sighed.

"Those few people, their origins are unknown, and they even captured Holy Sect members; I'm afraid…"

"Afraid of what?"

Xiao Yu interrupted, eyes firm.

"Father, don't you always say that one should be upright and have a clear conscience?"

"Although those few people have unknown origins, they helped us deal with the villains; they are our benefactors."

"We should repay kindness, not be superstitious and suspicious."

"But…"

Village Chief was about to say something, but Xiao Yu cut him off.

"Father, don't worry."

Xiao Yu grasped Village Chief's hand and comforted softly.

"I trust those few people; they are not bad."

"Moreover, even if they are bad, Grass Mountain Village is not easy to bully."

Village Chief looked at his daughter's steadfast eyes, and a warm current rose in his heart.

He nodded lightly.

"Alright, Father, I'll follow your lead."

Night deepened, and the village fell into sleep.

Inside Jiangnan's room, the lights shone brightly.

Jiangnan sat cross‑legged on the bed, eyes tightly closed, breathing evenly.

Within his body, Qi circulated, looping back.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance passing through his gaze.

"It's coming."

He murmured to himself.

As the words fell, a faint sound came from outside the window.

Several Black Shadows, like specters, slipped silently into the room.

"Seeking death."

Jiangnan let out a cold snort, his figure flickered, and he vanished on the spot.

In the next instant, he appeared before the Black Shadow and thrust out a palm.

The palm wind whistled, bearing fierce murderous intent.

The Black Shadow reacted swiftly, its form shuddered, evading the palm.

"Who are you?"

Jiangnan asked coldly.

The Black Shadow gave no reply, silently launching an attack.

Several cold flashes darted, heading straight for Jiangnan's vital points.

Jiangnan's gaze hardened, his form flickered, dodging the assault.

He swung his palm, Qi surged, battling the Black Shadow.

Inside the room, Strong Wind howled, tables and chairs were tossed about.

The battle lasted a moment, then Jiangnan suddenly seized a flaw and struck the Black Shadow's chest with a palm.

The Black Shadow let out a muffled hum, flew backward, slammed into the wall, spitting fresh blood.

"Speak, who sent you?"

Jiangnan pressed toward the Black Shadow, questioning coldly.

"Cough…"

The Black Shadow coughed several times, struggling to lift its head.

"We... are people of the Holy Sect..."

"Holy Sect?"

Jiangnan narrowed his eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

"Kill... kill you..."

The Black Shadow stammered.

"Kill me?"

Jiangnan sneered.

"Just because you are?"

"Holy Sect... won't let you go..."

The Black Shadow's gaze turned resentful and poisonous.

"Is that so?"

Jiangnan's gaze chilled, and he struck the Black Shadow's Heavenly Spirit Cover with a palm.

The Black Shadow's body trembled, its gaze scattered, and it died completely.

Jiangnan turned and looked at the other Black Shadows.

The few Black Shadows had already been terrified, kneeling on the ground, trembling.

"What about you?"

Jiangnan asked coldly.

"We... we are also members of the Holy Sect..."

One Black Shadow trembled.

"We... we came to rescue someone..."

"Rescue?"

Jiangnan narrowed his eyes.

"Rescue whom?"

"Rescue... rescue him..."

The Black Shadow pointed at the unconscious Black-robed Man on the ground.

"I see."

Jiangnan suddenly understood.

"Go back and tell the Holy Sect, if they want someone, let them come themselves."

"Yes, yes, yes..."

The several Black Shadows, as if pardoned, rolled and crawled out of the room.

Jiangnan watched their disheveled backs, his gaze icy.

"Holy Sect, I am waiting for you."

He turned, looked at the unconscious Black-robed Man on the ground, his eyes complex.

"It seems we must speed up."

The next morning, sunlight bathed the earth.

At the entrance of Grass Mountain Village, Village Chief, with Xiao Yu, had been waiting for a long time.

"Everyone, are you ready?"

Village Chief, seeing Jiangnan and the others approach, asked softly.

"Yes."

Jiangnan nodded.

"Then let's set out."

Village Chief inhaled deeply, his gaze resolute.

The party set foot on the road toward Nanjiang.

They passed through dense jungle, crossed steep peaks, and waded across rapid rivers.

Along the way, the scenery was beautiful, yet danger lurked everywhere.

Soon, they found a spot beside a lake to rest. This was a place the Village Chief often visited when hunting in his youth, relatively safe.

However, the Village Chief repeatedly warned them never to touch the stones beside the lake.