Chapter 219
Chapter 219: Something Is Amiss
Yet, just as the middle-aged man took a single step forward, he suddenly found all his acupoints sealed, freezing him helplessly in place.
“This…what’s going on?”
Shock filled the man’s eyes. He scanned around urgently, but apart from Li Mu Sheng before him, he saw no sign of anyone else having acted.
At that moment, Li Mu Sheng’s voice drifted softly into his ears: “Are you from Great Li’s Heavenly Brocade Guard?”
Hearing this, the middle-aged man stared intently at Li Mu Sheng. Meanwhile, Zheng Zi and Yu Wen Feng noticed him standing motionless, and their expressions turned strange as they quickly asked:
“Deputy Commissioner Miao, what happened to you?”
The middle-aged man did not answer. A chilling dread surged through him. Whoever attacked him had sealed his acupoints without the slightest sound, clearly indicating a martial prowess far beyond his own. He realized with grim certainty that all he could do now was wait for death.
Thinking this, he turned his gaze towards Li Mu Sheng and said:
“I am the Commanding Commissioner of Lan Province’s Heavenly Brocade Guard. This territory belongs to Fallen God Peak. I advise Young Master not to act rashly, or even if you have powerful support, you won’t escape the wrath of Fallen God Peak.”
Li Mu Sheng shook his head gently and replied, “As a servant of Great Li’s court, yet conspiring with Fallen God Peak amidst war—since fate placed you in my path, blame no one but yourself.”
As his words faded, the middle-aged man’s eyes instantly dimmed, the light vanishing from them as his vitality dissipated. Behind him, Zheng Zi and Yu Wen Feng turned pale with horror, clearly witnessing a bloody hole suddenly appear, piercing straight through Deputy Commissioner Miao’s head.
In the next instant, without any hesitation, Zheng Zi and Yu Wen Feng circulated their martial Qi, desperately attempting to flee from the hall.
Yet just as they moved, their acupoints were immediately sealed by Realm Sealing power, rendering them completely immobile.
Then, Li Mu Sheng’s voice echoed softly in Zheng Zi’s ear once again:
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
Fear filled Zheng Zi and Yu Wen Feng’s eyes as they stared at Li Mu Sheng, who reclined casually on a cushioned chair.
“You…who exactly are you?” Zheng Zi’s voice trembled slightly. With the strongest among them already killed, not even knowing who had acted, their lives were clearly now held in this mysterious youth’s hands.
Both now regretted their earlier arrogance, letting their two elders leave simultaneously and thus ending up helpless. But they knew their only chance was to stall, hoping the elders would return soon to save them.
“No matter who you are, you must be aware of Fallen God Peak’s influence in the martial world. If you kill us, our fathers will surely hunt you down relentlessly.” Zheng Zi pushed down her fear, trying desperately to buy time. Yu Wen Feng quickly added:
“My father is Yu Wen Cheng Qing, Lord of Fallen God Peak’s Ninth Peak. I can guarantee your safe departure from Hundred Refinement City if you spare us. Moreover, conflict breeds friendship. Brother, you look talented; perhaps we might even become close friends.”
Hearing these words, Li Mu Sheng nearly laughed aloud, doubting even Yu Wen Feng believed his own promises. Still, although Li Mu Sheng saw clearly through their delaying tactics, he wasn’t bothered.
Nearby stood the scar-faced man, frozen from beginning to end, silently watching everything unfold, his expression shifting dramatically from terror to disbelief and then awe. At first, he thought he’d meet Li Mu Sheng’s tragic fate, then he marveled at Li Mu Sheng’s survival, utterly shocked when the formidable middle-aged man was effortlessly slain. Now, seeing Zheng Zi and Yu Wen Feng immobilized and humbly pleading, he finally grasped the shift in power.
Relief flooded him as he moved his stiff neck and gave Li Mu Sheng an embarrassed smile: “If Young Master possessed such skill, why not say earlier? I worried myself half to death!”
Then, noticing Zheng Zi and Yu Wen Feng again, he quickly suppressed his smile, whispering gravely: “Don’t trust Fallen God Peak’s people. It would be wise if we escaped Hundred Refinement City before those two old farts return. For extra safety, perhaps we can take them as hostages.”
Li Mu Sheng glanced briefly at him, slightly impressed at how quickly the scar-faced man recovered from panic to calmly plotting escape routes. Still, he shook his head, refusing gently:
“You should leave on your own. I have other matters to handle and must stay behind.”
Initially, Li Mu Sheng had joined the Tin Mountain Saber Sect’s group merely for convenience. Now in Hundred Refinement City, close to Hundred Refinement Peak, he had no more use for them. Besides, with Zheng Zi and Yu Wen Feng in his hands, he could simply wait comfortably for Hundred Refinement Peak’s experts to arrive, making things even simpler.
Hearing this, the scar-faced man’s expression shifted uncertainly. He couldn’t fathom what Li Mu Sheng intended by staying. Still, he knew clearly that if he lingered until the two powerful Fallen God Peak lords returned, the situation would grow dangerously unpredictable.
Thinking swiftly, he cupped his fists respectfully: “Take care, Young Master.”
Turning to leave, he caught sight of Zheng Zi and Yu Wen Feng again. Gritting his teeth, he asked Li Mu Sheng once more:
“Young Master, could you spare me at least one hostage? With one in hand, if I meet any Fallen God Peak disciples, they’ll hesitate before acting. Even if my luck runs out, at least I’ll drag one down with me—then I won’t lose!”
Li Mu Sheng’s eyelids flickered slightly, but he firmly refused:
“I have use for both.”
With a disappointed sigh, the scar-faced man reluctantly picked up his bag of gold, no longer hesitating, and leaped swiftly through the window, escaping into the night.
Soon, only Zheng Zi, Yu Wen Feng, and the terrified courtesans remained in the silent third-floor hall.
Li Mu Sheng turned to the two immobilized youths, calmly asking once more: “Are you sure your fathers will come for you at this Hundred Fragrance Pavilion?”
Although unsure of Li Mu Sheng’s motives, survival was the only thing on their minds. They hastily assured him:
“We’re both our fathers’ favored children. Whatever you demand, as long as you spare us, our fathers will definitely agree.”
Li Mu Sheng nodded thoughtfully: “Then I will trust you this once.”
Yet, as soon as these words left his mouth, two invisible threads of Qi shot forth, piercing straight through Zheng Zi and Yu Wen Feng’s heads.