https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-187-Earth-Movement-Talisman-Thousand-Li-Charge/13688361/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-189-Kill-Them-All-Mind-Transformed/13688363/
Chapter 188: Midnight Bloodshed, Ambush!
As Lu Qing prepared to scale the mountain, deep within the secret pavilion of the fortress, several figures exuding formidable presence were gathered, discussing something in hushed tones.
"Lord," said a lean figure, "we just received word from headquarters this evening—under any circumstances, we must uncover the true strength of Lu Qing from Cang County."
"Again, Lu Qing?" growled a towering man in brocade robes, irritation flaring in his voice. "How are we supposed to figure this out? Over the past two years, four of our Tian Gang assassins have already fallen to him. Sending people to investigate his power is like throwing ourselves into a death trap!"
Indeed, the man’s anger was justified. For two long years, the Qi Sha Lou had lost four of its elite Tian Gang-level killers—each dispatched from his own command. Though the assassins were rivals rather than friends, their deaths still weighed heavily on him. More than that, none of them had managed to send back even a single shred of intel before they died. He had been reprimanded by headquarters on multiple occasions.
"Useless trash," he muttered bitterly. "Holding the Tian Gang title, yet they couldn’t even handle a mere Nei Fu Jing youth!"
"And headquarters—what nonsense is this Qi Sha Ling decree? Now they’re stuck with their own mess. If that brat survives seven assassinations, I’d love to see how they’ll explain themselves!"
The brocade-clad man cursed inwardly, his rage spilling over even toward the higher-ups. But despite his fury, a cold knot of dread remained in his chest. All signs pointed to one truth: Lu Qing was far stronger than anyone expected. Even Tian Gang assassins—some of the most elite in the world—had been no match for him. Worse still, it was possible the man possessed a secret technique capable of piercing the Qi Sha Lou’s stealth concealment arts. Otherwise, how could four elite assassins have failed so utterly, not even managing to escape or send back a single report?
Yet headquarters kept pressing him to uncover Lu Qing’s true power—no time, no mercy. How could he possibly comply?
He had no ambition to claim the Tian Gang title. He didn’t want any connection with that monster! And as for risking his life to gather intelligence for a bunch of spoiled brats in the upper echelons? Not a chance.
"Lord," a subordinate interrupted, "Zheng Gongzi wishes to see you."
The brocade-clad man scowled. "What now? That Second Generation Scoundrel wants what?"
"He says the two novices from last time were so much fun, and he’s eager for something more… intense. He’d like you to arrange it."
"Damn waste of space," the man spat. "No talent at all, just a pampered heir who thinks he can do whatever he wants. He nearly killed those two women last time—now he wants more? I don’t care how many times he begs, I’m not doing it!"
"Anyway, he’s waiting for you outside."
"Damn it," the man snarled. "If I weren’t hiding my identity, I’d snap his neck and turn him into a human pole!"
"Lord, be careful with your words," the lean figure warned. "There are ears beyond the walls."
The man exhaled sharply. "Fine. I’ll go. Tell him I’ll be there shortly."
He knew better than to act on impulse. The Qi Sha Lou had built this outpost with great effort. If he exposed its location in a fit of rage, the punishment would be severe. And if the Zheng family found out… they might be forced to vanish entirely.
Meanwhile, Lu Qing moved silently through the night, creeping up the mountain.
Shen Hun Fu Lu masked every trace of his presence, perfectly concealing his aura. Combined with the Night Traveler’s Garb’s adaptive camouflage, even a Xian Tian Jing cultivator would struggle to detect him.
Thus, Lu Qing slipped into the fortress without a sound.
Inside, the scene was loud and chaotic—crowds roaring, lamps blazing, a decadent, hedonistic atmosphere. It reminded him of the Kuai Hua Village he had once annihilated—another place of indulgence and deception.
In fact, according to the intelligence from “An Ying,” this very fortress was a front for the Qi Sha Lou, a brothel and gambling den used to gather and exchange information. Most of the patrons had no idea they were in the hands of assassins.
Once inside, Lu Qing activated his Abilities, hiding in the shadows while using Spirit Soul Power to scan the entire compound.
"Fifty-seven martial artists," he counted silently. "Twenty Jin Gu Jing, five Nei Fu Jing, the rest Qi Xue Jing."
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
This was just a minor outpost—yet it housed so many martial artists. With such strength, it could crush any faction in Cang County—except the Wei Family.
The Qi Sha Lou truly was a top-tier sect. Their foundation ran deep.
"Then let’s start with you two," Lu Qing murmured.
His gaze settled on two figures standing atop a raised pavilion behind the main gate. On their heads, faint glowing tags clearly marked their identities as Qi Sha Lou members.
Hiss. Hiss.
Two fingers flicked. Two steel needles shot out with deadly precision, instantly piercing the skulls of the two Qi Xue Jing guards.
No hesitation. Lu Qing drew back and fired two more needles—this time targeting a shadowy corner of the fortress wall.
Though the area was pitch-black, his spiritual senses detected two hidden figures. Their breathing patterns matched those of the guards above—clearly, they shared the same combat technique.
The needles struck.
The two hidden assassins stiffened, their breaths cut short. No cry, no warning—just silence.
The faint whoosh of the needles through the air was drowned out by the raucous laughter and music from within the compound.
Four guards eliminated in an instant.
Lu Qing didn’t pause. He surged forward along the nearest spiritual trace, moving like a phantom.
Under the cover of Shen Hun Fu Lu, he appeared beside a Qi Xue Jing martial artist in an instant. Without a word, he twisted the man’s neck.
One by one, Lu Qing carved through the Qi Sha Lou members with ruthless efficiency.
In less than a dozen breaths, over ten assassins lay dead—three of them Jin Gu Jing.
To Lu Qing now, the difference between Qi Xue Jing and Jin Gu Jing was negligible. They were all one strike away from death.
But the slaughter couldn’t last forever.
The Qi Sha Lou outposts relied on a secret technique: every so often, the sentries—both visible and hidden—would exchange signals to confirm their awareness and safety.
When Lu Qing snapped the thirteenth neck, the alarm finally sounded.
A sudden, deafening bell rang out. Lights flared across the fortress, illuminating the entire compound in blinding brightness.
A wave of powerful auras surged toward the central, grandest tower.
Then, a deep voice boomed from above:
"Who dares come to play tricks on us at Yuan Yang Zhai? Come out and face me!"
Lu Qing no longer concealed himself. He tossed the corpse onto the ground and stepped into the open.
Thud.
The brocade-clad man narrowed his eyes at the fallen body, then locked onto Lu Qing.
"Who are you? Why invade our fortress and slaughter our people? If you don’t give us an explanation today, you won’t leave alive."
Lu Qing glanced upward.
The upper level teemed with figures. He scanned them quickly. Some were Qi Sha Lou members, but others—dressed in fine silks, lounging casually—were clearly patrons, here for pleasure.
Seeing Lu Qing wrapped in shadow, face hidden, not replying to the village leader's question but instead staring so boldly, one Jin Gu Jing middle-aged man barked:
"Scum! Our village leader is speaking to you—answer at once!"
Lu Qing remained silent. His Abilities swept over each person, identifying them one by one.
Then his gaze paused—on a young man in elegant robes, holding a jade fan.
His pupils narrowed.
At that moment, the youth closed his fan with a soft snap and smiled.
"Long Zhai Zhu," he said, "it seems your Yuan Yang Zhai is in trouble. Shall I lend a hand? Simple terms—just agree to my earlier request."
"No need," the brocade-clad man replied, his tone laced with disdain. "We can handle this ourselves. No need to trouble Zheng Er Gongzi."
He remembered the man’s earlier request—another indulgence, another reckless demand. The thought made him want to vomit.
"How unfortunate," the youth sighed, feigning disappointment. "But if you ever need help, I’m always happy to assist."
"Enough pleasantries," the brocade-clad man began, but before he could finish, Lu Qing spoke—cold, calm, and utterly final.
"Originally, I came here only to settle accounts with the Qi Sha Lou. But I’ve changed my mind. All of you—filth—must die."
The words Qi Sha Lou struck like lightning.
The man’s heart lurched. But before he could react, Lu Qing’s hand flashed.
A steel needle flew.
Hiss.
The needle screamed through the air, streaking toward the crowd on the balcony.
"Sir, watch out!"
"Ahh!"
"Lord, save me!"
A chorus of screams erupted.
Most of the figures on the platform tumbled to the ground like broken marionettes.
Some were merely pierced through the flesh—grazing wounds. Others were instantly killed, their heads shattered by the needle’s force.
What?!
The brocade-clad man stared in horror at the bloodied platform, at the steel needles still embedded in the walls—some still vibrating, their tips buried deep.
Even he had barely seen that shot coming.
This intruder… his throwing technique was terrifying.
Zheng Er Gongzi, meanwhile, stood frozen—his gaze locked on the front of his chest.
A steel shield—crafted from hundred-fold forged steel—stood between him and death. The needle had pierced through it completely, leaving only a sliver of the tip protruding, aimed directly at his face.
The cold metal, mere inches from his nose.
His face drained of color. A chill raced down his spine. Cold sweat poured from his skin.
He knew—had it not been for his guard, that needle would have ended him.
But terror gave way to fury.
Who was this filthy bastard? Who dared lay a finger on him?
Before he could shout, a voice—calm, detached—spoke beside him.
"Oh? Still alive? Your guard’s not bad."
Everyone froze.
No one had seen him move. No one had heard him approach.
Lu Qing stood on the railing, perfectly still, as if he had always been there.
"Sir, stay back!" the guard cried, shoving Zheng Er Gongzi behind him, shield raised, eyes locked on Lu Qing.
His mind reeled. His shield—crafted from the finest hundred-fold steel—had been pierced by a single steel needle.
No one, not even the masters of Zhou Fu, could match such precision.
Who… was this man?
But Lu Qing didn’t care. His gaze shifted back to the brocade-clad man.
"You’re the leader of this Qi Sha Lou outpost?"
The man’s heart skipped. His face twisted into a grimace.
"Qi Sha Lou? You must be mistaken. I run Yuan Yang Zhai. You burst in uninvited, kill my people with no cause, and now you accuse me? How will the world judge you?"
"Your performance is convincing," Lu Qing said, shaking his head slightly. "But it won’t work on me. Tonight… you all die."
"Attack!"
At that moment, the brocade-clad man roared.
From the darkness, a dozen figures surged forward—leaping at Lu Qing with deadly intent.
At the same time, he drew a black short sword. The blade flashed, a storm of slashes aimed straight at Lu Qing’s chest.
Zheng Er Gongzi’s eyes widened.
This attack—sudden, unexpected—had caught him completely off guard. He hadn’t sensed a single one of those assassins until they struck.
How…?
Then it hit him.
Could they really be Qi Sha Lou assassins?
But before he could process it, his attention was drawn to the fight.
The assassins and the brocade-clad man each radiated Nei Fu Jing-level power. Even if Lu Qing was strong, he couldn’t possibly survive a coordinated assault from so many elite fighters.
Yet, the moment the thought crossed the guard’s mind…
His eyes widened again.
A sudden, overwhelming aura exploded from the brocade-clad man.
In an instant, both the man and the assassins were thrown back—crashing through the air like ragdolls.
"Impossible!"
The guard could not contain his scream.
(End of Chapter)
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