Chapter 691: The Capture
Chapter 691: The Capture
"Senior... do you think Barking Skyhound Gousan's true identity has been exposed?"
Xun Heihu suddenly thought of something.
"What? You think this is a test from the sect?"
Fang Xing sneered, "You're thinking too highly of yourself. Who are you? Do you even deserve to be tested for loyalty?"
"If the sect's higher-ups discovered Gousan's true identity, the first thing they'd do is take you down, then use you to lure Gousan out."
"Unless you show talent that rivals, no, surpasses that of a typical Martial Bone genius, and a high-ranking elder takes a liking to you, you might be tested for loyalty to see if you can join the Five Beasts Sect!"
For the sect's higher-ups, talent is important, but loyalty is even more crucial!
Once his identity is exposed, Xun Heihu would instantly transform from a respectable young man into the 'son of a thief.'
A legitimate sect would certainly be hesitant to take him as a disciple.
Unless it was a demonic or notorious criminal organization.
"That's good... Too bad we have to act tomorrow. My father must have slipped up while fencing the goods... Even if I send a letter home now, it won't arrive in time."
Xun Heihu was clearly anxious.
He had already made his choice. Compared to this academy that required payment, his family was undoubtedly more important.
Although many people claim to stand by righteousness rather than kinship, in reality, the opposite is the norm!
"Fine, I won't interfere with your choice, as long as you don't regret it."
Fang Xing smiled.
...
The next day.
Fengliancheng.
Beside an unremarkable inn.
"I've heard that this is the largest black market in the city... antiques, paintings, rare herbs, martial arts manuals... they accept almost everything."
Ye Fengchun leaned close to Xun Heihu's ear and whispered, "The coach only gave us the general area of Fengliancheng. I think Barking Skyhound is most likely to appear here!"
Xun Heihu nodded and turned to leave.
"What are you doing?"
Ye Fengchun was surprised.
"Window shopping, and scouting the area!"
Xun Heihu said calmly, "No need to follow me. Too many people might spook them!"
He blended in with the crowd, looking like an ordinary teenager, as he began to wander the streets.
'Right now, the coach must be observing me from the shadows... I can't do anything too out of the ordinary.'
'Therefore, I need to scout openly... but the moment they see my face, my father will know something is wrong.'
Xun Heihu deliberately didn't use the Disguise Technique, and he had a good reason.
The Disguise Technique isn't perfect, and he had no experience with it. It was best to play it straight.
As long as his father wasn't stupid, he would recognize that something was amiss when he saw his martial artist son wandering the streets.
'Senior... what do you think of this plan?'
Time ticked by, and Xun Heihu grew increasingly anxious.
'Do what I can, and leave the rest to fate.'
Fang Xing responded lazily.
While he had placed some hope in his host, he never put all his eggs in one basket.
Even if this host messed up, he would simply walk away and find another.
Thinking about the old grandfathers in novels who always seem to have grand plans for the protagonist, Fang Xing found it absurd.
'Those parasitic souls always hope the protagonist will become powerful enough to resurrect them or even elevate them to deities...'
'If it's to save the protagonist's life, sacrificing their soul might be reasonable—developing a bond is normal.'
'But if it's just for a contest or a few empty promises, burning their soul for nothing and abandoning their resurrection or godhood goals... that's just foolish, or they've been cursed with stupidity?'
In any case, Fang Xing would never do anything to save Xun Heihu.
...
Midday.
"How can this be?"
Xun Heihu was anxious, and it showed on his face.
This wasn't unusual; even Ye Fengchun thought Xun Heihu was just frustrated about not finding the target.
He moved closer and offered a donkey meat bun, "Have something to eat..."
"Thank you."
Xun Heihu took it and quickly ate it, feeling even hungrier.
Lower Third Rank martial artists specialized in Hard Techniques, which were very draining.
He looked around and chose a noodle stand, "I'll treat you to some noodles..."
The noodles, made from fine flour, were incredibly chewy, served in a rich broth, and topped with a flavorful sauce, emitting a tempting aroma.
Especially to someone who was hungry.
Ye Fengchun ate two bowls and was still craving more.
Just then!
Whoosh... Bang!
A firework exploded in the southern part of the city.
"Is this... the target appearing?"
Ye Fengchun stood up quickly and ran south.
Whoosh!
Xun Heihu moved, running almost twice as fast as Ye Fengchun.
As he ran, he casually flicked his finger.
Snap!
A silver bean landed in the bowl of soup, spinning but not bouncing out.
Outside a coffin shop in the southern part of the city.
Several figures were engaged in a fierce struggle.
"We've already sent the signal; you can't escape."
Wei Chigang and Situ Yanyan were working together to surround a gray-clad figure.
They moved swiftly, their punches and palm strikes wide and powerful.
Even a casual brush against a door frame or a wooden post would easily shatter them, or leave a deep mark on a boulder.
Next to the scene, several disciples lay sprawled out, their limbs broken, some unconscious, all gritting their teeth without a sound.
Jiang Yuyan was standing nearby, a discarded bamboo firecracker at her feet.
When Ye Fengchun and Xun Heihu arrived, they were greeted by this chaotic scene.
"What should we do? Should we join the fight?"
Ye Fengchun, watching the 'Barking Skyhound Gousan' who was easily overpowering two Seventh Rank Martial Artists, felt a strong urge to swallow.
"Hmm? It doesn't seem to be him..."
Xun Heihu naturally recognized his father. The gray-clad man, despite having the strength of a Seventh Rank Martial Artist and wearing a mask, had some subtle differences in his movements.
"I can join, but if you do, it might actually lower our score."
Xun Heihu seriously suggested to Ye Fengchun, "You're only a Ninth Rank Martial Artist. Rushing in would be suicide, and your score wouldn't be high. But if you can shoot an arrow or even just distract him from the sidelines, that would be enough to show you're a competent Ninth Rank Martial Artist!"
Ye Fengchun nodded vigorously. "That makes a lot of sense!"
He reached into his robe and pulled out a handful of flying stone pellets. "Hehe... I specifically learned how to use them! I've been waiting for today!"
Whoosh!
A flying stone pellet flew out and struck... Wei Chigang's back of the head!
Bang!
If it had hit an ordinary person, they would likely have been knocked out, or even killed if they were unlucky.
But Seventh Rank Martial Artists were at the peak of their hard techniques. Wei Chigang coldly turned around and glared at Ye Fengchun.
"Sorry... Your movements are too fast."
Ye Fengchun's legs went weak with fear.
'No matter how good a plan is, it needs someone to execute it... If the execution fails, the result is still a tragedy.'
Fang Xing's derisive laugh echoed in Xun Heihu's mind.
He sighed inwardly and kicked off with his right foot.
Bang!
Xun Heihu's form resembled a black tiger as he leaped into the fray. His fists, enveloped in a golden glow, hammered towards the gray-clad man.
The gray-clad man had been handling Situ Yanyan and Wei Chigang with ease.
After all, he was a seasoned martial artist with rich combat experience, not a pampered flower from a garden.
But things changed dramatically with Xun Heihu's entry!
Not only did it add the pressure of another Seventh Rank Martial Artist, but Xun Heihu's attacks were ruthless and deadly!
Bang!
Two fists were no match for four hands!
In a moment of carelessness, the gray-clad man was struck on the shoulder by Xun Heihu.
Crack!
A faint sound of bone breaking echoed.
'Not good... This person is on a completely different level from the other two.'
The gray-clad man's eyes darted around, considering a retreat.
...
Not far away, in the shadows, Coach Xiong and Coach Yu stood side by side, watching the scene.
"Huh? I didn't expect this Xun Heihu to have such outstanding combat talent!"
Coach Xiong marveled, "He might even join the Five Beasts Sect someday!"
He glanced at Coach Yu's expression and added with a smile, "Of course... Jiang Yuyan isn't bad either. She knows how to assess the situation and report timely. A passing grade is a must for her."
"Hmph, fools!"
Coach Yu sneered, her scarred face looking even more fearsome.
She looked at Jiang Yuyan, Wei Chigang, and Xun Heihu, and each time, she muttered "fool."
Finally, her gaze fixed on Coach Xiong. "That person... wasn't the real Barking Skyhound Gousan! A bunch of rookies, and they didn't even realize they fell for his Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell trick..."
"These are just children... We can't expect too much from them..."
Coach Xiong sighed.
Right then!
The battle below shifted!
Jiang Yuyan, noticing the gray-clad man's weakening strength, her eyes lit up as a short sword appeared in her hand.
The sword, as thin and short as a chopstick, glinted like a silver thread, darting out like a venomous snake!
Her timing was perfect.
"Ahh!"
A bloodstain appeared on the gray-clad man's back.
He screamed in pain, his right hand moving in a blur, and his form resembling a graceful crane.
Thud! Thud!
Wei Chigang and the others were thrown back, and Jiang Yuyan's short sword flew out of her hand.
Xun Heihu, however, pressed forward, throwing a punch with his right hand.
Bang!
Bang!
His punch struck the gray-clad man's chest, slamming him into the wall, bricks and stones falling around them.
Xun Heihu himself was also clawed, collapsing to the ground.
Whoosh!
Coach Xiong immediately dashed over and checked. "Hmm? Your Golden Thread Silver Net Jade Bone technique is quite well-developed. I thought you'd be seriously injured, but it looks like you just have a light injury. A few days of rest should do it..."
After checking Xun Heihu, he looked at the injuries of Wei Chigang and the others, finding they were not severe. "Go to the inn and rest. I need to help Coach Yu... Someone, carry Xun Heihu."
"Okay."
Ye Fengchun stepped forward.
"I... I'm fine." Xun Heihu struggled to get up, his movements clearly hindered. "What about Coach Yu?"
"She's going after the real Barking Skyhound."
Coach Xiong cleared away the rubble, looked at the gray-clad man's body, and suddenly pulled off the mask, revealing a pale face. It was indeed Gousan from the wanted poster, but his face was beginning to wrinkle!
Jiang Yuyan's expression changed as she examined the edge where the face met the scalp, noticing the anomaly. "This... is a human skin mask?!"
(End of Chapter)
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