Chapter 199: Night Rain, Hidden Danger

Chapter 199: Night Rain, Hidden Danger

At the Inspection Office.

In the main hall.

As Hong Minghu's aura erupted, the entire hall fell silent, and no one dared to make a sound.

Those before him seemed to face a terrifying storm, their bodies swaying as if about to fall.

Yet, one person remained unmoved, a gentle smile on his face.

This person was none other than the leader of the Yellow Heaven Sect, Liu Linmen.

Liu Linmen, the leader of the Yellow Heaven Sect.

After a few breaths.

The invisible oppression suddenly receded like a tide, vanishing without a trace.

"Well done, Lord Hong! Your Inner Core Nourishing Technique is indeed formidable. I heard from others that you had reached the Fifth Rank by relying on external objects and mastering Inner Core Nourishing Technique." Liu Linmen said calmly.

"Now it seems that this rumor might not be entirely true!"

At this moment.

Hong Minghu stared at the Yellow Heaven Sect's Incense Master before him, his heart filled with intense concentration.

His previous action was meant to intimidate Liu Linmen.

However, as his Inner Core Nourishing Technique's oppressive might subsided, he realized he couldn't discern Liu Linmen's true strength.

The unleashed Inner Core Nourishing Technique was primarily aimed at Liu Linmen.

As for the others, they were merely affected by the aftermath.

But even from the aftermath, one could sense the formidable Inner Core Nourishing Technique's oppressive might.

Those powerful individuals swayed, their faces flushed, barely holding on.

Yet, when the Inner Core Nourishing Technique's oppressive might landed on Liu Linmen, it was like a gentle breeze against a mountain, unable to move him an inch.

This display instantly filled Hong Minghu's heart with questions.

What level had Liu Linmen reached?

Was his Inner Core Nourishing Technique like a river?

Like a sea?

Like an ocean?

Like a deep abyss?

Like a mighty force?

Hong Minghu pondered for a moment, his thoughts racing.

Then, he spoke calmly, "The Yellow Heaven Sect can only preach in the Eastern District of the outer city. If any trouble arises, I will no longer show mercy!"

"Thank you, Lord Hong!" Liu Linmen bowed deeply, his kind smile growing warmer.

A moment later.

After Liu Linmen and his group exited the main hall and their figures gradually faded into the pouring rain outside.

"Sir, what do you think of Liu Linmen's strength?" Ye Qiu spoke up first, voicing his inner doubts.

Hong Minghu frowned slightly upon hearing this.

After a moment's contemplation, he replied, "According to the information, Liu Linmen is already a Fifth Rank Inner Fortitude Realm expert! I just tested him with my Inner Core Nourishing Technique's oppressive might, but he showed no reaction, so I couldn't gauge his depth."

"But I estimate that his Inner Core Nourishing Technique has reached the level of a sea."

"A sea?" Ye Qiu's eyebrows furrowed at this, "That powerful?"

"Indeed!" Hong Minghu nodded.

Just then.

Jiang Ning stood up.

"Lord, I have some personal matters at home and need to return for a while," he said, interrupting the conversation between the two.

Everyone's gaze naturally fell on Jiang Ning, their attention drawn to him.

Especially the commanders like Li Changkong, their eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Interrupting the conversation was impolite, especially when it involved interrupting one's superior.

But thinking of Jiang Ning's current strength and performance, the words they were about to say were swallowed back.

Hong Minghu's eyebrows furrowed slightly, then relaxed, a smile on his face.

"Personal matters?" He nodded, "Then Commander Jiang, you may return home first!"

"Thank you, Lord!" Jiang Ning bowed.

Hong Minghu said, "It's raining outside, do you need an umbrella?"

"No need!" Jiang Ning smiled, "What's a little rain to a martial artist?"

As his words fell.

Jiang Ning stepped out into the heavy rain, disappearing into the downpour in an instant.

After Jiang Ning left.

Someone said, "Lord, aren't you being too lenient? We haven't finished discussing, and he took the lead to leave."

Hong Minghu smiled, "Didn't Commander Jiang say he had urgent matters at home? It's normal for him to leave first!"

On the other side.

Jiang Ning exited the Inspection Office.

He instantly switched from walking to running.

With a leap, he darted across rooftops and eaves.

At this moment, heavy rain poured down, and with the moonlight blocked by dark clouds, only the faint candlelight from the low houses below provided illumination.

For ordinary people, most places were pitch-black.

Even for powerful martial artists with enhanced senses, most areas were visible for only a thousand li.

But in Jiang Ning's perception.

The surroundings within a few li were all within his awareness.

If he relied solely on his vision, he could see even further, up to three or four li away.

The rain-covered world was his domain.

Following the direction Liu Linmen had just left, Jiang Ning raced ahead.

Amidst the lightning and thunder, the rain and wind, he wasn't afraid of being discovered.

Crack!

A bolt of lightning tore through the sky.

Suddenly, the entire small county was illuminated, revealing a ghostly figure swiftly darting across the rooftops.

Boom—

As the lightning faded, a deafening roar followed.

"Found them!" Jiang Ning's gaze sharpened.

Two li ahead, at the end of the street, he suddenly spotted Liu Linmen and his group of seven.

Among them was a familiar face.

At that moment, the seven hurried along, occasionally wiping the rain from their faces, ensuring their vision wasn't too obstructed by the downpour.

Suddenly—

Liu Linmen raised his hand.

"Hold on!"

As his words fell, the other six halted in their tracks.

"What's wrong, Incense Master?" someone asked.

Liu Linmen's expression turned grave. "Something's not right!"

With these words, the remaining six became alert, glancing around warily.

However, under the heavy rain and dark clouds, they only saw endless darkness surrounding them, a darkness that seemed to devour everything in its path.

"Incense Master, could it be the Inspection Office?"

"I don't know!" Liu Linmen replied, scanning the surroundings as he spoke.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ning, having located this group, took out a longbow and an arrow from his Nalushimi Ring. He slowly drew the bowstring, aiming at the person he intended to kill.

As he did so, he observed the reactions of Liu Linmen and the other six, hearing their brief exchanges.

"What a formidable Liu Linmen!" Jiang Ning was inwardly startled.

At this moment, he was still two li away from Liu Linmen and his group.

Under the cover of the rain and night, he was confident he wouldn't be discovered by Liu Linmen.

But as he slowly drew the bow, aiming in Liu Linmen's direction, Liu Linmen immediately sensed something amiss.

It was as if he had sensed the wind before it moved.

After observing for a moment, Jiang Ning's tense heart relaxed.

Based on Liu Linmen's reaction, it seemed he had only vaguely sensed something rather than discovered Jiang Ning himself.

The next moment—

Boom—

Jiang Ning released the bowstring, and the arrow suddenly tore through the air.

Boom—

The sound of the arrow breaking through the air rang in Jiang Ning's ears.

As the arrow shattered the sound barrier, it left a distinctly visible trail in the air.

At the same time—

Liu Linmen's hair stood on end, and his heart was filled with vigilance.

"Not good!"

"Be careful, everyone!" he shouted.

He quickly scanned the surroundings.

Even though he had sensed something amiss, he still couldn't pinpoint the source of the danger.

The arrow that broke through the sound barrier moved faster than the speed of sound.

Relying solely on hearing, it was impossible to catch up.

Only visual perception could track its trajectory.

However, under the heavy rain and darkness, even Liu Linmen's vision was greatly reduced, allowing him to see only two or three zhang around him.

The next moment—

As the arrow that had broken through the sound barrier appeared in Liu Linmen's line of sight, his expression changed drastically.

In this environment, he suddenly realized the trouble he was in.

If it were any other time, facing an arrow that broke through the sound barrier, he wouldn't be afraid at all.

His inner energy erupted, easily swatting away the arrow.

Then, by closing the distance, he could directly kill the enemy.

But in this environment, with these few burdens by his side, the situation suddenly became extremely unfavorable.

The hidden enemy had clearly gained the advantage of time and place.

The next moment, facing the arrow that appeared in the blink of an eye—

Liu Linmen's right palm erupted with inner energy, and he slapped the arrow away.

Boom—

The arrow suddenly exploded, emitting a loud boom.

Thud—

Under the powerful explosive force, Liu Linmen couldn't help but take two steps back.

"So strong!" His expression changed once more.

Just then—

Two more arrows suddenly appeared before his eyes.

This time, having been prepared, he saw more clearly.

"You're not aiming at me, but at the person behind me?"

The thought arose, and Liu Linmen coldly smiled.

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"Since that's the case, I definitely won't let you have your way!"

He immediately continued to unleash his inner energy.

With the support of his inner energy, his palms were as powerful as divine weapons.

He continuously waved his palms.

Boom—

Boom—

The arrows were once again swatted away.

The powerful explosive force only caused his body to slightly sway.

Jiang Ning's eyebrows furrowed.

Witnessing this scene, his understanding of a true Fifth Rank Expert became more profound.

With his Seventh Stage Martial Dao cultivation, coupled with his mastery of middle-tier martial arts and Gale Thunder Archery, even though he had the advantage of stealth, with the enemy in the open and himself in the shadows, giving Liu Linmen less than a breath's time to react, the Fifth Rank Expert effortlessly intercepted the arrows Jiang Ning had shot.

Jiang Ning hesitated for a moment, then continued to draw and shoot arrows.

Boom—

Boom—

Boom—

Arrows rained down, their targets shifting to Liu Linmen.

After a breath—

The arrows reached Liu Linmen's front.

Boom—

Boom—

Boom—

With his preparation, he easily swatted away the arrows with his palms.

The powerful explosive force emitted a series of booms, but it only caused his current body to slightly sway, dissipating the impact.

(Chapter End)

After Liu Linmen got into the rhythm, he found it easier and easier to fight.

He immediately pondered the problem before him.

"The arrow that broke through the sound barrier, according to my understanding, should only be achievable by Cao Rong in Luoshui County!"

"But Cao Rong is currently in the military camp in Dongling City!"

"Moreover, Cao Rong is only at the peak of the seventh stage, how could he shoot such a formidable arrow?"

"This impact and blasting force is enough to kill most sixth-stage martial artists."

"Now, on this rainy night, how could they discover me without me noticing?"

"Strange! Too strange!!!"

As he thought about these questions, Liu Linmen suddenly became distracted.

At this moment.

In the place he had just glanced at.

The falling raindrops suddenly underwent some changes.

The next moment.

Ah—

Liu Linmen let out a painful cry, his eyes tightly shut as blood appeared at the corners.

Also at this moment.

An arrow brushed past him, breaking through the sound barrier and heading towards someone behind him.

At this moment.

The person behind him saw the arrow that had broken through the sound barrier, and only then did he realize that the hidden person's target was actually himself.

"Could it be him!!!"

The person's mind suddenly flashed with Jiang Ning's image from earlier.

In this fleeting moment, there was no time for further thought.

Roar—

A thundering roar erupted from his mouth.

Bone spikes protruded from his body, and his muscles began to rapidly swell, covered in black keratinization.

Boom—

But just as the transformation on his body had begun, the arrow had already pierced his brain.

With the outburst of wind and thunder force, his head was instantly smashed into pieces.

The transformation of his body abruptly came to a halt.

All of this was completed in the blink of an eye.

As the headless body slowly fell to the ground.

The person beside him wiped away the blood and white matter that had splattered on his face, and only then did he snap out of his daze, immediately looking at the corpse on the ground with a terrified expression.

"It's over!"

Jiang Ning, watching this scene from afar, muttered to himself, his heart that had been hanging now finally settling.

His entire being felt a great relief.

Less than a moment later.

Jiang Ning drew his bow once again.

Boom—

The arrow broke through the air, instantly stirring up a gust that formed a visible and extremely clear trail in the rain.

On the other side.

After experiencing the dramatic change, Liu Linmen immediately adjusted.

"Retreat, find cover!!!" He blinked, blinking away the blood in his eyes, barely able to see the blurry scene before him.

As his eyes were injured, Liu Linmen completely gave up on finding an opportunity to fight back.

At this moment, the people behind him heard his words and retreated.

However, just as the arrows had stopped, they appeared once again without a sound.

Wherever the arrows passed, they stirred up gusts, breaking through the rain and forming visible traces.

"Incense Master, ahead!!!"

Someone spoke up to warn him.

Liu Linmen took the lead in responding, even with his injured eyes and blurry vision, his powerful perception allowing him to still barely capture the arrows.

Boom—

Boom—

As he responded, the arrows were once again swatted away.

Just at this moment.

Ah—

Amidst the scream, there was a simultaneous booming sound.

The powerful blasting force instantly blew one person's body into pieces.

"Retreat!!!" Liu Linmen didn't have time to get angry, continuing to urge everyone to retreat.

At this time.

Jiang Ning continued to shoot arrows.

Boom—

Boom—

Boom—

With each sound, an arrow broke through the air.

Several breaths later.

Jiang Ning retrieved his arrows and turned to leave.

Because at this moment, the people in the distance had already hidden in houses.

Although this made no difference to him.

But since the target had been killed, there was no point in continuing the fight.

Most importantly, Liu Linmen also followed the trajectory of the arrows and came over.

At this moment, Jiang Ning still hadn't faced Liu Linmen.

A fifth-stage Inner Strength stage was far beyond what he could handle at this time.

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Ning disappeared into the vast rainy night.

Here, it was his home turf.

If he didn't want to be discovered, no one in Luoshui County could find him in the rain.

A moment later.

In the distance behind him, Liu Linmen let out a frustrated roar.

Tonight, he had suffered heavy losses.

Not only were his eyes injured, obstructing his vision.

The group of seven had now become four, the remaining three having perished in this rainy night.

Most critically, he still didn't know who the enemy was.

Moreover, one of the three who had perished was an Incense Master of the Idolatry Sect.

The Idolatry Sect was a sect that had recently been recruited by the Helmsman.

The Idolatry Sect's joining could further strengthen the Yellow Sky Sect's influence.

The Incense Master had come to Luoshui County with him to help the leaderless Idolatry Sect believers find a new guiding figure.

This person's death during this sensitive period would inevitably stir up waves.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end