Chapter 149: The Shushan Person

Nightfall slowly descended, and the jungle filled with various insect chirps and beast roars.

Jiangnan withdrew his true Qi and opened his eyes: "Awake."

The youth slowly opened his eyes, staring around blankly: "I… where is this?"

Jiangnan said lightly: "A safe place. Who are you? Why did you end up there?"

The youth came to his senses and hurriedly thanked them: "Thank you both for rescuing me. I am Li Qing, and I am…"

He suddenly halted, eyeing Jiangnan and Caili warily: "Who are you two?"

Jiangnan raised an eyebrow: "The ones who saved you."

Li Qing hesitated for a moment, seeming to weigh pros and cons.

Finally, he let out a long sigh: "Fine, since you two saved me, you must not be bad people."

He stared into Jiangnan's eyes: "I am a Shushan Disciple, sent by my master to investigate here."

A flash of surprise crossed Jiangnan's eyes: "Shushan?"

Li Qing nodded: "Exactly. Have you two ever heard of the Holy Sect?"

Caili's pupils contracted sharply: "Holy Sect? They're the ones who slaughtered my people!"

Li Qing's expression hardened: "Just as I thought. It seems the Holy Sect's power is larger than we imagined."

Jiangnan asked in a deep voice: "What do you know?"

Li Qing looked around and lowered his voice: "This matter is of great importance; please keep it sealed."

Jiangnan and Caili nodded in agreement.

Li Qing then continued: "According to our investigation, those Holy Sect members seem to be searching for something."

"What thing?" Caili pressed.

Li Qing shook his head: "The specifics are unclear, but it definitely involves the Ancient Ruins."

A sharp glint flashed in Jiangnan's eyes: "Ancient Ruins?"

Li Qing nodded: "Exactly. They seem to be after an Ancient Artifact, which is said to be able to…"

Before he finished speaking, a sudden disturbance echoed from afar.

Jiangnan sprang to his feet, watching the source of the sound warily.

Li Qing's face changed dramatically: "Damn, they've arrived!"

Caili looked around in terror: "What do we do?"

Jiangnan said in a low voice: "Follow me."

He grabbed Caili's hand, signaling Li Qing to follow.

The three swiftly slipped into the foliage, moving deeper.

Rapid footsteps sounded behind them, as if someone was in pursuit.

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Jiangnan's eyes,

"You go ahead; I'll handle this."

Li Qing was startled, about to speak but was silenced by Jiangnan's gaze. Caili looked at Jiangnan anxiously, hesitant to speak.

Jiangnan gently patted Caili's shoulder: "Don't worry, it'll be over soon."

Li Qing hesitated briefly, then nodded. The two vanished quickly into the dense underbrush.

Jiangnan turned to face the direction he came from, slowly clenching his fists. Tension hung in the air, and leaves rustled.

Suddenly, a Black Shadow swooped down from the trees!

Jiangnan's form flashed, easily evading. The figure lunged at empty air, then turned and glared at Jiangnan.

"Hand over those two!" the Black-clothed Men shouted harshly.

Jiangnan sneered: "Just you?"

Before he finished, several silhouettes surrounded from all sides. They wore matching black clothes, faces twisted ferociously.

Jiangnan remained calm, standing still and waiting. The surrounding air seemed to solidify, and leaves ceased trembling.

"Charge!" the leader ordered.

Five Black-clothed Men launched attacks simultaneously, fists and kicks raining down. Jiangnan's eyes hardened, true Qi surged.

He swung his right hand, releasing an invisible force. The two nearest Black-clothed Men were instantly flung backward, crashing heavily into a tree trunk.

The remaining three were shocked, yet still unwilling to yield. They drew Daggers, circling Jiangnan with predatory eyes.

A slight smile curled Jiangnan's lips, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes. He tapped his foot lightly, and the ground trembled instantly.

The three Black-clothed Men were caught off guard, their stances wavering. Jiangnan seized the chance, slipping behind one of them like a specter.

A hand slash struck the man's neck from behind, and the Black-clothed Man fell with a thud. The other two, seeing this, turned pale with shock.

"You… who are you?" the leader's voice trembled.

Jiangnan gave no reply, merely staring at them coldly. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, seeming to pierce the soul.

The two Black-clothed Men exchanged a glance and fled. Jiangnan did not pursue, simply standing still.

He closed his eyes, feeling the surrounding Qi. After a moment, his eyes snapped open.

"Come out," Jiangnan said calmly.

Deep in the forest, a silhouette slowly materialized. It was a towering middle-aged man, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

"You truly are formidable," the middle-aged man nodded slightly, "May I ask which master you are?"

Jiangnan replied calmly: "Just a nameless foot soldier. Who are you?"

The middle-aged man smiled: "I am Wang Lie, a Holy Sect Protector."

Jiangnan raised an eyebrow: "Holy Sect? More like a cult! What exactly are you after?"

"Seems you know quite a bit," he said.

Wang Lie stepped in front of him and said:

"Since it is so, sir, please stay. If you meddle in the affairs of my Holy Sect, don't expect to leave easily."

Killer intent flared in Jiangnan's eyes: "Get out of the way!"

A powerful surge of true Qi erupted from Jiangnan's body, spreading outward like a tide. Wang Lie's complexion changed dramatically, and he retreated repeatedly.

Seizing the chance, Jiangnan leapt up and sprinted toward the direction where Li Qing and Caili were fleeing.

Branches whistled past his ears, and Jiangnan felt extreme anxiety. He cursed himself for letting those two leave alone.

Suddenly, the sound of fighting came from ahead. Jiangnan quickened his pace and finally saw the scene that made his heart race.

Li Qing lay on the ground, drenched in blood. Caili was restrained by two Black-clothed Men, struggling desperately.

Rage burned in Jiangnan's eyes, an unprecedented force surged within his body. He let out a roar, and his true Qi swept out like a tsunami.

The two Black-clothed Men hadn't reacted before they were flung away by that force. Caili, still shaken, looked at Jiangnan with surprise and gratitude.

Jiangnan hurried forward to check Li Qing's injuries. Fortunately, they were only superficial wounds, nothing serious.

He exhaled, turned to Caili and said, "It's okay, let's leave here quickly."

Caili nodded, and as the three were about to leave, a cold voice came from behind:

"Want to leave? It's not that easy."

Jiangnan turned around and saw Wang Lie, leading a dozen or so Black-clothed Men, surrounding them completely.

"Hand over that kid, and I'll spare you from death." Wang Lie sneered.

Jiangnan stood before Li Qing and Caili, his gaze firm: "Don't even think about it!"

Wang Lie sighed, "Why go looking for death? You're strong; how about joining my Holy Sect?"

Jiangnan scoffed, "Just because you lot are a bunch of petty ruffians?"

Wang Lie erupted in anger, "If that's the case, don't blame me for being impolite!"

He waved his hand, and the dozen or so Black-clothed Men attacked simultaneously. Jiangnan inhaled deeply, his true Qi surging.

"Caili, take Li Qing and go! I'll hold them off!" Jiangnan whispered sharply.

Caili hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She helped Li Qing up and fled into the deeper jungle amid the chaos.

Jiangnan exhaled, focusing entirely on the enemies before him. He formed seals with both hands, and streams of true Qi shot out like sharp swords.

The Black-clothed Men fell one after another, yet kept coming forward in succession.