Chapter 147: Wariness (II)

When Lin Zheyu arrived at the next location, the culprits were already gone. The flood of distress signals across the city made everyone wary, unwilling to pursue too far.

Let's take a look at the Zhao Family.

Changing direction, Lin Zheyu abandoned the next rescue point and instead headed toward Zhao Guanbin's residence. Zhao Guanbin lived within the Zhao Family compound, which housed many powerful experts well-versed in the art of poison. Entering carelessly would mean dying without even knowing how. He didn't dare rush in recklessly and instead hid in the darkness outside, observing silently.

Strange. Didn't this place also send out a distress signal earlier? Why doesn't it look as chaotic as the others?

wondered Lin Zheyu.

Watching the orderly Zhao Family guards patrolling outside, Lin Zheyu grew suspicious. From the look of things, no one inside had died. Whoever attacked the Zhao Family seemed to have failed.

Zhao Guanbin is over there! He's too far away, however. It's not a good time to strike, and there's a powerful expert beside him.

Lin Zheyu looked toward the Zhao Family rooftop, where two figures stood. Under the clear moonlight, he could easily recognize one of them as Zhao Guanbin. The other resembled Zhao Guanbin closely; it was his elder brother, Zhao Guanhua, the current head of the Zhao Family, whose strength had reached the third transformation of blood qi.

The Zhao Family's martial strength was secondary; their true weapon was poison. If one got entangled with them, even a moment's carelessness could mean being poisoned. When dealing with the Zhao Family, one had to kill in a single strike.

Tap, tap, tap...

Patrol units marched past, and the disturbances throughout Songyi City gradually subsided. At first, the Feihong Gang had been caught off guard, but by now they had recovered and reorganized.

Whoosh.

Just then, two black shadows streaked through the night and slipped into the Zhao Family compound. Lin Zheyu's expression shifted slightly as he blended into the darkness.

Are those Zhao Family members?

Lin Zheyu found it rather interesting. Among those who had acted tonight, the Zhao Family had likely taken part as well. Perhaps one of the three he had killed earlier had belonged to them.

In the courtyard of the Zhao Family residence, Zhao Guanbin and Zhao Guanhua stood together, facing two men dressed in black. The two men had already removed their face coverings, revealing aged faces, both appearing to be in their sixties. All four of the Zhao members wore dark, unpleasant expressions.

"Zhao Chen met with trouble?" asked Zhao Guanhua grimly.

That night, the Nine Stars Gang had sent out three men: one from the Zhao Family and two experts from other allied families. Among the three, Zhao Chen possessed the greatest strength. Zhao Guanhua had considered many possibilities, yet he had never imagined that Zhao Chen would fall into trouble.

Zhao Chen was skilled in leg techniques, and his strength was at the second transformation of blood qi. Even if he encountered a formidable opponent, he should have been able to hold out until reinforcements arrived.

"Did that old man from the Xu Family make a move?" asked Zhao Guanbin with a frown.

If that old man from the Xu Family had acted together with other Blood Qi Realm martial artists, it was indeed possible for them to take Zhao Chen down in a short time. But it didn't make sense that Zhao Chen hadn't had the chance to send a distress signal.

"Impossible. The old man from the Xu Family is being watched by the Xing Family. If he made a move, Xing Rui would have stepped in to stop him," said one of the black-clad men.

"Could it be someone the Xu Family invited to assist them?" another suggested.

"That's possible. Were there any other casualties?" asked Zhao Guanhua.

"Yes. Four in total. Three died without a sound, and another was surrounded by several of the Xu Family's experts. He managed to send a distress signal but couldn't hold on until reinforcements arrived," the man reported.

"Three were killed without a sound? The Xu Family came prepared indeed, to have hired such powerful experts," said Zhao Guanbin gravely.

"Stay here and don't wander around. I'll go to the Xing Family to check things out," said Zhao Guanhua.

"Don't go. The Xu Family's plans run deep if they've hired such experts. Brother, you should stay here and guard the family. I'll go take a look instead," replied Zhao Guanbin after some thought. At a time like this, his elder brother couldn't be risked. It was better that he handle the matter himself.

"Fine. You three can go together," replied Zhao Guanhua, agreeing. After a brief pause, he took several bottles of medicinal pills and poison powder from his robes and handed them over.

"This poison powder is the Zhao Family's most valuable Earth Boron Poison. Take it with you and swallow the antidote first. If you encounter a powerful opponent, scatter it immediately. Even a Marrow Refining Realm martial artist, once poisoned, will suffer paralysis and sluggish blood flow, their strength reduced to a tenth," said Zhao Guanhua solemnly.

This was the Zhao Family's most prized poison powder, potent enough to affect even Marrow Refining Realm or Force Transformation Realm experts.

The two black-clad men accepted the poison, while Zhao Guanbin already carried his own. They took out the antidote for the Earth Boron Poison and swallowed it beforehand to avoid poisoning themselves during use. However, the antidote's medicinal properties were fierce and harmful in excess. Zhao Guanhua would never have resorted to it if the situation weren't dire.

After taking the antidote, the three vaulted over the courtyard wall and vanished into the night. Watching them depart, Zhao Guanhua's expression grew distant as he murmured, "Working with the Nine Nether Sect... I wonder whether it will be a blessing or a curse."

***

Hiding in the shadows, Lin Zheyu saw the three leap out from the residence, and a faint smile curved his lips. At last, he had found his chance. For nearly a month, he had been lurking in the dark, tracking Zhao Guanbin's movements and searching for an opportunity to strike. But no such chance had ever presented itself.

Tonight, with chaos engulfing Songyi City and Zhao Guanbin stepping out of the Zhao residence, the perfect opportunity had finally arrived.

Lin Zheyu followed quietly. The night was dark and windy, and the pale moonlight spilled faintly across the rooftops. He trailed behind Zhao Guanbin and his companions at a short distance.

Activating the Tortoise Breath Grand Method to its fullest, he suppressed his aura to the limit. Combined with the flawless Golden Goose Technique, his movements were as silent and elusive as a phantom. After following for about two kilometers from the Zhao estate, Lin Zheyu finally found the perfect moment to strike.

Boom!

A muffled roar resounded as blood qi surged into his legs. Channeling the blood qi burst technique, he shot forward like a cannonball toward Zhao Guanbin. Sensing movement from behind, the three immediately scattered the poison powder in their hands.

Zhao Guanbin reacted swiftly, channeling force into his feet to surge forward while throwing poison behind him. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a blur of darkness closing in at terrifying speed.

What incredible speed!

Zhao Guanbin's heart trembled in shock. Even a Marrow Refining Realm martial artist could hardly move this fast.

Bang!

Before the thought could fully form, a terrifying palm struck his body. A surge of overwhelming power exploded from the attacker's palm. Zhao Guanbin spat out a mouthful of blood with a wet sound as the immense force sent him hurtling through the air.

After landing the palm strike, Lin Zheyu didn't spare him a glance. He pushed off the ground and vanished swiftly into the night. The air was thick with the scent of poison, so he dared not linger a moment longer.

Chirp!

The two men in black reacted, quickly sent out a signal, and charged toward Zhao Guanbin. By the time they reached Zhao Guanbin, he was on his last breath. His eyes were wide open, refusing to close even in death.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Lin Zheyu saw the signal as well. He moved swiftly and raced toward the deserted outskirts. He did not return to his courtyard immediately, fearing someone would be watching and expose his identity.

Killing Zhao Guanbin will nearly settle everything in Songyi City. I can leave with peace of mind.

Once he left Songyi City, there was little for him to miss or care about aside from Senior Brother Han Mo.

Hm?

Lin Zheyu's expression shifted. He stopped and looked toward a dark corner ahead. Two figures emerged from the darkness and blocked his path.

"Such keen perception. You are indeed skilled to have slain so many of our experts in succession. But how many times can you unleash such a powerful attack?" said the elder in the lead, looking at Lin Zheyu.

That elder was none other than Xing Rui. He regarded Lin Zheyu with a calm, confident gaze that showed that he did not take him seriously. Ever since mastering the Origin Returning Art, his strength had undergone earthshaking changes, growing stronger by the day. He had not only returned to his former peak but had advanced even further.

"You have some skill to have found me," said Lin Zheyu with a slightly hoarse, aged voice and a smile.

"

Heh

, mere small tricks. Will you come with me of your own accord, or shall we invite you to come along?" asked Xing Rui calmly.

"And if I refuse?" Lin Zheyu sneered, fully releasing the suppression of the Tortoise Breath Grand Method. Blood qi surged through his body, roaring as it flowed through his veins.

The two before him were powerful. The elder was inscrutable; though his appearance was aged, the blood qi within him was terrifyingly strong. The other's aura had only reached the second transformation of blood qi, yet there was something about him that made Lin Zheyu wary. But it was mere caution.

If he fully unleashed his power, using the blood qi burst technique alongside the Golden Goose Technique, he was confident the two could not stop him.