https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-16-A-World-of-Survival-Seeking-Collection-/12984492/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-18-Enhance-Enhance-Seeking-Collection-/12984496/
Chapter 17: The Ruffian's Wealth, Shi Dian Appears! (Seeking Collection)
Chapter 17: The Ruffian's Wealth, Shi Dian Appears! (Seeking Collection)
On the outskirts of Tongguan Town, along the road.
The ruffian led the way, with Qin Zheng following closely behind.
When they reached a large tree, the ruffian stopped and turned, his face filled with grief as he spoke to Qin Zheng, "Master, I really can't go any further."
"Those inside the ruined temple are bandits. If they see me leading you there, they'll surely draw their blades and cut me down first."
"Along this road, just another half a mile ahead, and you'll reach the temple. Please, Master, spare me and let me go!"
Qin Zheng's gaze remained fixed on him, and finally, he slightly parted his lips, uttering a single word, "Scram."
The ruffian's face lit up at these words, and he immediately turned and began running back the way they had come.
But after a few steps, he hesitated and turned back, looking at Qin Zheng, and warning him, "Master, those in the temple are not ordinary."
"If it's not a matter of deep-seated hatred, I advise you not to go."
Qin Zheng turned to face the ruffian and asked, "What's your name?"
The ruffian was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Qin Zheng to ask his name.
After a moment's hesitation, he replied, "I was orphaned at a young age and gave myself the name Fa Cai."
Qin Zheng nodded and continued, "Go, and from now on, earn an honest living. Don't laze around idly."
The ruffian responded with a dazed 'yes' and then hesitantly turned to leave.
Qin Zheng also turned around.
The fifty meat buns from the old vendor were worth more than a single loose silver.
This thought flashed through Qin Zheng's mind, but he quickly shifted his gaze back to the road ahead.
He had come here as bait to lure out Shi Dian.
But the old man hadn't appeared, and instead, Qin Zheng had discovered his hiding place.
This made sense.
As an executioner, Qin Zheng was alone in Black Goose City, with no relatives in Tongguan Town.
Now, having offended the Golden Cicada Gang, he couldn't stay put in Black Goose City and had fled to this remote and impoverished town.
Something was amiss.
Even if Shi Dian knew of Qin Zheng, he would sense the deception and wouldn't act rashly.
What troubled Qin Zheng was how easily he had found Shi Dian's hiding place, as if it were too simple.
He had merely walked around Tongguan Town, casually obtaining crucial information from a vendor.
Then, from the ruffian's mouth, he learned of Shi Dian's whereabouts.
If it were this easy, Ji Changyin and the government's Xu Capturer should have already taken action.
There was no need for Qin Zheng to serve as bait.
As this realization struck Qin Zheng, his brows furrowed slightly, and a thought suddenly emerged in his mind.
This was all intentional!
Perhaps Shi Dian's people had noticed Qin Zheng as soon as he arrived in Tongguan Town.
They were using him, or perhaps Ji Changyin and Xu Capturer, to lure them into the ruined temple!
Therefore, if Qin Zheng continued towards the temple, he might fall into an ambush!
With this thought, Qin Zheng narrowed his eyes and scanned his surroundings, intending to find Ji Changyin hiding in the shadows.
Regardless of the truth, he needed to share his suspicions with them.
Moreover, Shi Dian might have already guessed their identities and prepared an ambush.
Hiding would serve little purpose.
Just as Qin Zheng was about to call out, a voice echoed from a distance.
"Master, don't go there!"
Qin Zheng focused his gaze and saw it was Fa Cai, the ruffian who had led him.
"There's a trap there! They asked me to lead you there, and in return..."
Before Fa Cai could finish his sentence and reach Qin Zheng, countless arrows suddenly shot out from the mountainside, piercing the air with sharp hisses.
Simultaneously, the sound of clashing weapons echoed from the mountains, signaling a fight.
Qin Zheng's pupils constricted in alarm.
He swiftly pulled off the coarse cloth from his back, revealing the Ghost Head Saber in his hand.
"Crouch down!!!"
Qin Zheng swiftly deflected the arrows aimed at him with his nimble movements.
Using all his strength, he leaped towards the direction of the wealthy ruffian, shouting loudly.
But the wealthy ruffian seemed stunned by the sudden turn of events, frozen in place.
Qin Zheng's eyes hardened, and with another burst of power from his legs, he darted forward like a phantom, instantly reaching the ruffian's front.
Then, his Ghost Head Blade moved like a shadow, blocking all the incoming arrows.
"Grandpa, thank you!"
The wealthy ruffian finally reacted, his voice trembling as he spoke to Qin Zheng.
"Run! Don't look back!"
Qin Zheng shouted at him.
The wealthy ruffian quickly nodded and sprinted towards Tongguan Town.
By now, the arrows from the mountain had ceased, and only the clash of weapons could be heard.
It was the remnants of the Golden Cicada Gang, including Ji Changyin and the government's Xu Capture Chief, fighting.
Qin Zheng didn't leave immediately because these remnants were the perfect targets for harvesting merit.
Ordinary prisoners could provide only a few coins of merit.
However, the two members of the Golden Cicada Gang that Qin Zheng had killed, Shi Yan and Wei Feng, had provided over one tael of merit each, which was several times more than others!
To have lasted this long without being caught and still be by Shi Dian's side, there would only be more, not less!
With this thought, Qin Zheng's eyes hardened, and with a single step, he unleashed his lightfoot techniques and quickly darted into the mountains.
Before long, he spotted Ji Changyin's figure, and beside him was a man wearing a capture chief's uniform.
Both wielded long blades, facing off against five or six remnants of the Golden Cicada Gang. Several corpses of the gang members already lay on the ground.
Upon seeing this, Qin Zheng swiftly concealed himself and approached the battlefield, aiming at his targets.
His figure suddenly burst into action!
The Ghost Head Saber sliced through the air, leaving a white trail.
Then, taking advantage of the enemy's lack of reaction, he slashed across their necks.
In an instant, blood gushed from their necks, and their heads were sent flying.
"Be alert! There might be arrow ambushes!"
Ji Changyin shouted as Qin Zheng joined the battle.
Swish!
As soon as he finished speaking, an arrow flew towards them.
Qin Zheng slashed the remnant in front of him aside and then turned his blade to block the arrow.
These remnants were not weak, and they were foreign martial artists.
With archers hiding in the shadows, it was no wonder Ji Changyin and the other man had not quickly subdued them.
Qin Zheng intentionally concealed his strength and did not engage in all-out attacks to kill the enemies.
However, even so, these remnants were no match for the three of them working together, and they were soon all slain.
During a brief lull, Qin Zheng divided his attention, focusing a strand of his consciousness on the Virtue Scroll.
He had gained four taels and three coins of merit from killing the three remnants.
This filled Qin Zheng's heart with joy.
The harvest in this short moment was more than what he had gained in several days!
"Why aren't you running?"
At this moment, after confirming that all the remnants were dead, Ji Changyin turned to Qin Zheng.
"Sir, I also want to contribute to eradicating the remnants of the Golden Cicada Gang!"
Qin Zheng replied with a dignified voice.
"Is this the young executioner you mentioned?"
On the other side, the tall Xu Capture Chief looked at Qin Zheng.
He nodded and continued, "Indeed, his blade technique is fierce, and he's a promising talent."
"Thank you, Xu Capture Chief, for your praise!"
Qin Zheng bowed in gratitude.
"Let's go. Shi Dian has dared to lure us here, he must be close to a breakthrough!"
"We need to be extra cautious from now on!"
Ji Changyin took the lead, and the two of them, without looting the corpses, returned to the road and prepared to head towards the ruined temple.
Qin Zheng felt a slight sense of regret.
However, just as the three of them had taken a few steps, a familiar figure approached them.
It was Shi Dian, the leader of the Golden Cicada Gang!
(End of Chapter)
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