Chapter 344: Speed, and the Interrogation

Half Mountain Small Courtyard, Lu Qing stood before the tray of rice seeds pulsing with vibrant life force, his expression filled with satisfaction.

This morning, he had used the 【Dian Ling Fa】 technique to awaken a batch of seeds. The results were promising—just half a day had passed, and the seeds were already showing clear signs of sprouting. By tomorrow, new shoots should emerge.

Once confirmed, if the transformation into spiritual seeds proved successful, he could begin preparing the rest.

As Lu Qing pondered whether to also attempt awakening the wheat seeds, a subtle ripple of spiritual array energy brushed across his mind.

"Hmm? Why does Wei Lao Qian Bei seem so urgent?"

Lu Qing’s thoughts stirred. He turned and stepped out of the inner chamber, only to see Wei Shanhai entering the courtyard with a visibly anxious expression.

"Lu Xiao Langjun!"

"Wei Lao Qian Bei, what’s happened?"

"A messenger just arrived from the residence—there were Wu Jian Lou assassins in the County Town, attempting to strike at Xinghe and the others."

"Wu Jian Lou assassins?" Lu Qing froze.

"Yes. Fortunately, Chen Ye was visiting at the time, and managed to subdue them. Now they’ve sent word, asking your guidance on how to deal with the captives."

"Master is in the County Town?" Lu Qing was stunned. The Master had been conducting free clinics in a nearby village—how had he ended up so far away?

"Yes. Had Chen Ye not been there, Xinghe and the others might not have survived. The message warned that these assassins were exceptionally powerful. Xinghe was utterly overwhelmed in a single glance—completely paralyzed with fear."

Wei Shanhai spoke with a shudder of dread.

"So they’re still alive?" Lu Qing asked.

"Indeed. Chen Ye only wounded them severely—did not kill. That’s why they’re seeking your judgment."

Lu Qing nodded calmly. This was entirely in character for Master. He would never act rashly without full understanding.

"Then I’ll go to the County Town myself. Wei Lao Qian Bei, please look after Xiao Yan and the others here."

With that, Lu Qing raised his hand and traced a spell seal. Instantly, Wei Shanhai felt an invisible aura envelop the entire mountain peak.

It wasn’t strong in outward power, yet it stirred an inexplicable sense of dread within him.

"I’ve activated the mountain’s spiritual array. Even a Xian Tian Jing cultivator couldn’t sneak in unnoticed. You need only remain here and guard the courtyard."

"Understood. Go with peace of mind," Wei Shanhai said, nodding solemnly.

Though he worried about the family’s situation, he knew how deeply Lu Qing valued Xiao Yan. Without someone firmly in charge at Jiu Li Village, Lu Qing wouldn’t dare leave.

"Then I’m off."

With a silent mental warning to Xiao Li, Lu Qing’s body shimmered with a faint yellow and green glow. In an instant, his figure transformed into a streak of radiant light, streaking down the mountain path at breathtaking speed.

Wei Shanhai’s eyes widened in disbelief. Lu Qing’s speed was more than ten times his own—far beyond anything he could comprehend.

"Little Langjun, your Talisman art is truly masterful," a voice echoed in Lu Qing’s mind.

It was Yan, marveling at the sight.

Lu Qing’s form was light and swift, dancing through the air like a bird. It was astonishing—by all rules, body cultivators were not supposed to master spiritual arts. Yet here, Lu Qing defied every expectation.

Whether it was 【Dian Ling Fa】 or this Talisman technique, he wielded them with effortless precision—more skillfully than most spirit cultivators.

"Your praise is too generous," Lu Qing replied humbly. "I merely inherited a fragment of the Divine Seal Sect’s legacy, which gave me some insight into Talisman techniques."

What he was using now were two Ling Fu—earth and wind. The earth element lightened his body, while the wind element enhanced his agility. Combined, they granted him extraordinary speed.

"Indeed, the legacy of the Divine Seal Sect is extraordinary," Yan murmured in awe. Even in the Ancient Cultivation Era, that sect had been shrouded in mystery. To think its inheritance could empower a body cultivator to wield spiritual arts so flawlessly—it was like having both body and spirit cultivation in perfect harmony.

With the Ling Fu amplifying his speed, Lu Qing flew like a bird through the night.

Soon, the County Town came into view beneath the moonlight.

The city gates were closed—but that posed no obstacle.

Reaching the wall, Lu Qing lightly pressed his foot against the stone, and with a fluid motion, he soared upward, landing gracefully atop the wall. A single flip, and he slipped into the city unnoticed.

But the County Town was already gripped by fear.

Though the battle between Old Doctor and the Wu Jian Lou assassins had been brief, the overwhelming aura of Xian Tian Jing cultivators had spread far and wide. The sheer pressure of multiple top-tier cultivators unleashing their presence at once had sent shockwaves through the city.

The people trembled. Many feared the end of days was upon them.

Even after the assassins were subdued, the city remained in a state of silent terror. No one dared to step out—such battles were too dangerous. One misstep, and they’d be caught in the crossfire, with no chance to survive.

On his way to the Wei Family Residence, Lu Qing sensed waves of fear radiating from the surrounding homes. His brow furrowed slightly.

But he didn’t stop. With a swift leap, he arrived at the residence.

Using Spirit Soul Sensing, he bypassed the outer halls and appeared directly in Old Doctor’s courtyard.

"Master."

"A Qing."

Old Doctor turned, his expression calm.

"Lu Xiao Langjun!" Wei Xinghe stiffened, eyes wide with shock.

He’d sent the Flying Eagle Message just moments ago—how could Lu Qing have arrived so fast?

"Wei Family Head," Lu Qing nodded briefly, then turned his gaze to the five black-clad figures lying unconscious on the ground.

"These are the Wu Jian Lou assassins?"

"I can’t be certain, but their spiritual signatures match those of the assassins who attacked us in Sheng Cheng. One of them, the strongest, managed to escape. He carried a Unique Treasure—something I couldn’t track. I don’t know if he’s still lurking in the city."

"Escaped?" Lu Qing’s eyes snapped shut. He began scanning the city’s spiritual aura.

The fallen assassins watched him too—each aware that this young man was their most dangerous target.

From Old Doctor and Wei Xinghe’s earlier conversation, they knew: this was the one who had caused chaos across Zhong Zhou, the one whose name made even Sheng Shan tremble.

Now, seeing Lu Qing’s face—so young, so calm—they felt their hearts sink. They’d prepared for a formidable enemy, but not for someone so young, so effortlessly powerful.

"Nothing," Lu Qing opened his eyes. "I sense no trace of the missing one."

With his Spirit Soul Power now comparable to that of a Zhu Ji Qi cultivator, only a master-level cultivator with profound Domain mastery—or one bearing a specialized concealment treasure—could evade his detection.

Given Master’s warning about the Unique Treasure, Lu Qing couldn’t be certain. But if the man had abandoned his comrades to flee, he couldn’t be that formidable.

Lu Qing’s eyes returned to the fallen assassins. A moment later, a mental data stream appeared in his mind. His expression cleared—understanding dawned.

The assassins, however, felt a chilling dread. They couldn’t explain it, but they sensed something in Lu Qing’s gaze—like a spell that stripped away all lies, revealing every secret.

"Master," Lu Qing said. "These men are indeed Wu Jian Lou assassins."

Old Doctor nodded. He knew Lu Qing possessed a mysterious Tui Suan Zhi Shu—some form of spiritual divination that could reveal the origin of anything.

If Lu Qing said they were from Wu Jian Lou, then it was undeniable.

"Then, A Qing, what should we do with them?"

"Let me ask them a few questions first."

Lu Qing turned to the nearest assassin. "Do you want to live or die?"

The assassins blinked. Before they could answer, Lu Qing continued:

"Want to die? I’ll end it now. Want to live? Answer my questions honestly. If I’m satisfied, I might spare your life."

They exchanged glances. After a tense silence, one finally spoke:

"Even insects cling to life. Of course we want to live. What do you wish to know?"

"Where is the entrance to Xuan Kong Shan’s Secret Realm?"

The question stunned them all.

They’d expected questions about their identities, or the purpose of their mission. Not this.

The one speaking forced a laugh. "You jest, young master. We’re just ordinary assassins. How could we possibly know about a place like Xuan Kong Shan?"

"Which assassin organization can afford to deploy five Xian Tian Jing assassins at once?" Lu Qing said coldly. "Don’t pretend with me. I know your origins. The Wu Jian Lou was exterminated by all major sects. But Xuan Kong Shan intervened—rescued you, hid you in their secret realm. That’s how you survived, crawled out of the shadows, and rebuilt your power. Now tell me—where is the entrance?"

The assassins stared, dumbfounded.

They had no idea Lu Qing knew their history—let alone the deepest, most hidden secrets, buried for over a thousand years.

Even the great sects—Sheng Shan and the other hidden sanctuaries—had been deceived.

Yet here, Lu Qing spoke as if he’d witnessed it all.

How could he know so much? Even they had only learned it from ancient clan records.

"Then you really don’t take my words seriously," Lu Qing sighed, shaking his head.

He flicked a single strand of Force Energy.

A sharp hiss—and the energy pierced the forehead of one assassin.

Even his Xian Tian Zhi Qu, forged through thousands of trials, offered no resistance. It was like paper.

The Brow Qi Cavity destroyed, the man’s life force and soul faded instantly.

His eyes bulged, his body locked in place, then collapsed.

"Cold-hearted!" The others cried out in grief.

"I’ll count to three. If no one answers, one of you will join him."

Lu Qing’s voice was ice.

"We truly don’t know!" one shouted. "Even if you kill us, it won’t help!"

"One."

"Are you really going to slaughter us all?"

"Two."

"There’s nothing to tell! How can we tell you something we don’t know?"

"Three."

Lu Qing spoke the last word without hesitation. Another flick—another strand of Force Energy, striking the second assassin’s forehead.

No resistance. No delay.

The man fell dead.

"Merciless!" The remaining two assassins roared, their eyes blazing with hatred.

"You’re just a child—but your heart is colder than any killer I’ve known. You’d make a better assassin than us!"

"You’re wrong," Lu Qing said, unmoved. "Before you came here, you slaughtered many. Denying it won’t help. The guilt aura clinging to you is unmistakable."

Their faces paled.

"Let’s be clear," Lu Qing continued. "Wu Jian Lou assassins are known for their cruelty, cunning, and total lack of mercy. Killing you would be a service to the world. I’m being merciful now—offering you a chance. But if you miss it, don’t blame me. And now, I’ve changed my mind. Only one of you will live. Whoever answers before I finish counting to three—survives. The other… joins your comrades in death."

The two assassins stared at each other, faces twisted with fear and fury.

Lu Qing began counting.

"One."

The hesitation broke.

One of them screamed, "I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you!"

The other, stunned, opened his mouth—too late.

Lu Qing’s Force Energy struck him in the forehead.

The assassin stiffened. His eyes widened—then slowly lost focus.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end