Chapter 218
Chapter 218: I’ll Go Ahead First
In an instant, a furious gale swept through the hall like a tsunami. The Qi within the entire chamber surged, gathering powerfully and crashing down upon the group from Fallen God Peak. Tables, chairs, and even the landscape screen nearby shattered into fine dust, causing the entire Hundred Fragrance Pavilion to shudder violently.
Beside Zheng Zi, an elderly man narrowed his eyes and stepped forward immediately, delivering a powerful punch. Purple fist-light spread into a curved barrier of Qi, blocking all incoming attacks.
At that very moment, Zheng Zi, whose expression had remained calm until now, suddenly spoke in a deep voice: “They’re trying to escape! Stop them!”
Simultaneously, after delivering a palm strike, the Hemp Robed Elder quickly snatched up the little girl beside him and leaped swiftly through a window, escaping the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion.
Seeing this, the elder who had thrown the punch quickly agreed and chased after the fleeing figure without hesitation. But just as he took his first step, the bodies of several burly men who had previously been knocked unconscious by the Hemp Robed Elder began to stir under a hidden Qi current.
In the blink of an eye, a series of sharp, crackling sounds filled the air as bones collapsed inward. The men’s bodies shrank like deflated balloons, then exploded with terrifying force. Fragmented bones became deadly weapons, and blood instantly turned into crimson mist, forming a horrifying crimson spiderweb that enveloped Zheng Zi and his companions completely.
“Watch out!” cried the remaining elder, immediately moving to intercept this sudden and deadly strike. However, the Hemp Robed Elder’s hidden technique was too swift and unexpected. Caught off guard, the elder couldn’t fully block the spiderweb’s lethal force. The resulting shockwave slammed into Zheng Zi and Yu Wenfeng, sending them flying violently into the wooden wall behind them.
Coughing violently, Zheng Zi quickly emerged from the shattered wood debris. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he roared with ruthless fury: “After them!”
Yu Wenfeng, similarly injured, also burst forth angrily. He turned to the elder beside him, shouting urgently: “That old fart is strong! Elder Shen, you must go too! Capture him at all costs!”
Elder Shen hesitated slightly, responding with concern: “If I leave now, Young Master, your safety—”
Zheng Zi waved his hand dismissively, glancing briefly at another middle-aged man beside him, and said firmly: “With him here, that’s enough.” Then he cast a contemptuous glance at Scarface and Li Mu Sheng, adding, “Besides, do you really think these two can pose any threat to us?”
Coldly, he issued further orders: “Send my command! Launch the signal flare immediately and seal off Hundred Refinement City! That old fart must not escape!”
The two elders exchanged a glance, saying no more, before swiftly departing together, chasing after the fleeing Hemp Robed Elder.
Now, the ruined hall fell into tense silence. Left behind were Zheng Zi’s group, Li Mu Sheng, Scarface, and a cluster of frightened courtesans huddled fearfully in the corners, clearly terrified by the previous display of martial violence.
Scarface remained rigidly frozen in place, trembling uncontrollably. He struggled to look at Li Mu Sheng seated calmly in a soft chair beside him, lips quivering as he stammered: “That old man ran off alone… now there’s only us two left. Before I die, just tell me one thing… why did you drag me into this mess? If you don’t explain, I’ll never rest peacefully…”
Hearing this, Li Mu Sheng spared him only a brief glance, ignoring him entirely as he turned to observe Zheng Zi and his group.
At that moment, Zheng Zi advanced toward Li Mu Sheng, his expression darkening ominously. “It seems you two aren’t allies after all. Now that the old fart has fled, you have no one to protect you. Tell me, who gave you the courage to cause trouble in my territory?”
Scarface opened his mouth to reply, but Li Mu Sheng, undisturbed, spoke first: “I just heard you say you’re the young City Lord of Hundred Refinement City. Does that mean the lord of Hundred Refinement Peak is your father?”
Zheng Zi halted abruptly, narrowing his eyes to scrutinize Li Mu Sheng. Sensing no martial Qi from him, Zheng Zi burst into harsh laughter, sneering: “Even on the brink of death, you dare to act high and mighty? You’re unworthy of an answer!”
He casually waved his hand, releasing a surge of martial Qi directed toward Li Mu Sheng. This strike was strong enough to severely injure any ordinary martial artist. Yet, to Zheng Zi’s astonishment, Li Mu Sheng didn’t move at all, calmly reclining on the soft chair, completely unaffected by the powerful wave.
“What’s going on?” Zheng Zi frowned deeply, immediately sensing something amiss.
Just then, the middle-aged man who had remained quiet behind him suddenly appeared beside Zheng Zi, alert and solemnly warning him: “Young City Lord Zheng, be careful. Something’s strange about this man—there might be a hidden master behind him.”
He cast a wary glance at Li Mu Sheng, then scanned the surrounding hall, trying to detect any hidden martial presence.
Alarmed, Zheng Zi quickly retreated several steps, swiftly circulating martial Qi to protect himself. He commanded in a low voice: “Officer Miao, find that hidden expert immediately!”
Seeing the unfolding situation, Yu Wenfeng also became vigilant. With the two elders of Fallen God Peak gone, if Li Mu Sheng indeed had a concealed expert nearby, things could quickly turn dangerous.
“Your Excellency, hiding yourself is hardly dignified. Why not show yourself openly?” Officer Miao spoke sternly into the air after failing to detect any hidden Qi currents.
Meanwhile, Li Mu Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly, appearing thoughtful as he turned once more to Zheng Zi, saying: “An interesting thought just crossed my mind. If I were to send word back to Hundred Refinement Peak about your death, would your Peak Lord father personally come here, to Hundred Fragrance Pavilion, seeking revenge?”
The hall immediately fell silent.
Zheng Zi’s face turned deathly pale, radiating intense killing intent. Fixing his gaze firmly on Li Mu Sheng, he snapped urgently at Officer Miao: “Officer Miao, can you find that hidden expert or not?”
Officer Miao’s brow furrowed deeply, unable to give an immediate answer, having found no trace of a hidden presence. With determination flashing in his eyes, he finally said: “It appears we have no choice but to force them out.”
With those words, he suddenly sprang forward, his hand reaching aggressively toward Li Mu Sheng, seated calmly on the chair.