Chapter 176: Might As Well Kill Them All (I)

"Father, has that scoundrel been caught yet?" asked Ge Bing expectantly, though his face was filled with irritation.

Anyone who had been ambushed without reason, poisoned, and bedridden for over ten days would be in a foul mood. Fortunately, he had been rescued in time; otherwise, his life would have been forfeit.

"Not yet, but soon," replied Ge Wuning calmly, his expression confident and assured.

Hearing this, Ge Bing finally relaxed. He had great faith in his father's abilities. If his father said it would be soon, then it would be soon.

"Father, who was that man, and why did he try to kill me?" asked Ge Bing in confusion.

He had always acted cautiously, and even when he made mortal enemies, he would eliminate them, leaving no loose ends. During his ten days of recovery in bed, he had pondered repeatedly but could not figure out when he had ever offended such a powerful enemy.

"This has nothing to do with you. It's an old grudge your father made years ago." Ge Wuning shook his head with a sigh.

More than ten years had passed, so he had almost forgotten about it. He never expected Liang Song to resurface. The man had fallen off a cliff back then, and by sheer luck, he survived and now returned for revenge.

But so what? According to Yong Kang's account, the man's strength was at most at the third transformation of blood qi, and he had even lost a leg back then, crippling most of his martial power. In a direct fight, he was no match for him at all. He could only hide in the shadows, relying on ambushes and assassinations.

"So that's how it is!"

Ge Bing's face darkened slightly, but he did not dare speak ill of his father. Even if his father was aging and he himself was in his prime, his father was still an expert at the third transformation of blood qi. To speak against him would only invite a beating.

"Do you really think Yan Jun will cooperate? That old man's known as a paragon of virtue. Would he really stoop to betraying a friend?" asked Yong Kang with a soft chuckle.

"He will. He's been stuck at the Marrow Refining Realm for ten years. He's already sixty-eight, and in two more years he'll be seventy. Even though Marrow Refining Realm martial artists live longer than ordinary ones, by seventy, even their blood qi begins to wane.

"If he can't break through to the Force Transformation Realm soon, he'll never have another chance.

Hah

. How much is being called a so-called paragon of virtue worth, really?" Ge Wuning chuckled with confidence as he spoke.

"Just wait. In a few days, he'll have that man bound and delivered," said Ge Wuning calmly.

"Father, your wisdom is unmatched!" Ge Bing flattered him with a smile. Once they caught the man, he would make sure that wretch suffered a fate worse than death and endured every torture imaginable.

***

While chatting with Xu Qinyi and the others, Lin Zheyu kept a watchful eye on the three members of Forest Net Temple. There were quite a few members of Forest Net Temple in Bafang City. However, most were ordinary disciples; it was rare to see three Blood Qi Realm experts appear together like today.

Lin Zheyu subtly moved his ears, trying to see if he could catch what they were saying. Unfortunately, the tavern was too noisy, and their voices were too low for him to hear a word. He had no choice but to give up.

After the meal and drinks were finished, Xu Qinyi suggested heading to the next venue, but Lin Zheyu declined as he had other matters to attend to.

Leaving the tavern, Lin Zheyu bought a plain blue robe from a street vendor. When he saw that no one was around, he slipped into a dark alley. By the time he came out, he had transformed into a completely different person. He then took up position in an inconspicuous corner beneath the tavern. After waiting for more than an hour, the three Forest Net Temple martial artists finally came out.

Could these three be here for Master Liang Song?

He had been searching for Liang Song for a long time without success. However, the errand-runner he had hired last time brought him news, informing him that the people of Forest Net Temple seemed to be looking for Liang Song as well.

If these three were indeed after Liang Song, following them might yield some useful clues.

"I'll head back first. There are still matters to handle at the temple. With Yan Jun helping here and Wu Shentao along as well, the two of you should be more than enough to deal with that fellow," said Yong Kang with a smile.

"Alright. Be careful on your way back." Ge Wuning nodded.

"Don't worry. He's no match for me," Yong Kang replied casually. He had fought Liang Song before; as long as he stayed cautious and avoided being poisoned, there would be no problem.

Seeing the group split into two, Lin Zheyu couldn't help but smile faintly. Had the three stayed together, it would have been far more troublesome for him to make his move. Bafang City was far more strictly governed than Songyi City, with constant patrols and powerful experts stationed to maintain order. If he failed to kill his target in a single strike or suppress him instantly, he would easily be discovered by the patrolling guards.

Lin Zheyu fully circulated the Tortoise Breath Grand Method to conceal his aura. He hid his figure in the darkness, and subtle changes began to appear on his face, making him look several years older. Under the bright moonlight, his altered features faintly resembled those of Liang Song.

Yong Kang walked toward the city gates, seemingly preparing to leave the city under the cover of night. Lin Zheyu followed quietly behind him. Once outside the city, they arrived at a secluded area.

Whoosh!

Lin Zheyu suddenly lunged out, unleashing the Golden Goose Technique as his whip-like leg lashed toward Yong Kang's head with a piercing howl.

"

Heh!

" Yong Kang let out a cold laugh. He seemed to have anticipated the sudden strike. He stepped sharply back, swinging his long blade in a swift arc that sliced toward Lin Zheyu's face.

"So it really is you! Bold of you—to dare ambush me again!"

By the pale moonlight, Yong Kang could vaguely make out Lin Zheyu's face. It was the middle of the night, so his view wasn't very clear. However, the man's martial techniques were identical to before, and his appearance was similar enough that Yong Kang was convinced it was the same person.

As I thought!

Lin Zheyu understood immediately. This man indeed knew his master, Liang Song. Judging from the man's reaction, Liang Song had not yet been captured and was still in hiding somewhere.

"Weren't you people trying to catch me? Where are the others? Why are you alone?"

Imitating Liang Song's tone, Lin Zheyu spoke in a slightly hoarse, aged voice. His imitation wasn't convincing, as the Tortoise Breath Grand Method lacked the ability to mimic voices.

After all, the Tortoise Breath Grand Method was a cultivation art focused on longevity and preservation of life. That it could produce such extraordinary effects was already remarkable; Lin Zheyu did not dare ask for more.

"

Heh

, I alone am enough to deal with you!" Yong Kang snorted coldly and said no more. He slammed his right foot forward, pivoted the long blade in his hand, and charged.

"

Sigh

. Why are you so eager to die...?" Lin Zheyu muttered helplessly as his figure vanished from the spot. He had intended to learn more by conversing with this Forest Net Temple martial artist, but unfortunately, the man would not give him the chance.

"He's gone!"

Yong Kang was terrified when he lost sight of his target. Lin Zheyu's speed was astonishingly fast.

This is not the same person from before!

A thought flashed through Yong Kang's mind. If the man had possessed such incredible speed back then, there would have been no need to flee; he could have defeated them one by one. Just as his thoughts turned, a figure suddenly appeared to his right.

Bang!

A massive fist thundered out and struck his temple. The terrifying force slammed him away, and his brain was stunned by the blow.

"

Ugh

... you... Who exactly... are you?" muttered Yong Kang with difficulty.

When he came to from the dizziness, he found a strong hand gripping his throat. His chest heaved, the pressure from the hand increased, and he could no longer breathe as his consciousness began to blur. When he regained full awareness, his body was bound with ropes. These were specially made ropes, exceedingly strong; no matter how hard he struggled, he could not break free.

"Who are you?" demanded Yong Kang with a sour expression. He did not know where he had been taken; the surroundings were desolate, seemingly some mountain forest.

"That is not something you need to know. Tell me everything you know related to Liang Song, and I will let you die quickly," said Lin Zheyu calmly.