Chapter 101: A Sword's Courage Draws Out the Corrupt

The helicopter left the city limits and flew into the mountainous region before quickly beginning its descent. Glancing outside, Wang Sheng saw a passenger jet parked nearby. The mistress and several key members of the Special Investigation Unit were already boarding the plane.

Wang Sheng's group immediately rushed over. Wang Sheng carried the sword case, while his senior sister carried him. Right now, neither had the luxury to dwell on anything else.

After boarding, Bulldozer went to the rear cabin, while Wang Sheng, Mu Wanxuan, and Fei Lianzi were led to the first-class section where Chi Ling was seated. Even the seven Daoist elders already on board did not receive such treatment.

Soon, they saw Chi Ling. She was in the middle of a video conference with several military officers, leaving them no opportunity to speak.

Mu Wanxuan helped Wang Sheng to a seat in the corner, carefully fastening his seatbelt before tending to his bone injuries again. The medicinal effects gradually seeped into the fractures, which were then fully activated by true essence. Though the itchiness around his injury was excruciatingly unbearable, Wang Sheng had no choice but to endure it.

"Do you need help? How about trying our sword sect's ointment?" Fei Lianzi whispered.

Wang Sheng inhaled sharply. "No need; it's almost healed. Thank you, Senior."

"No need to be polite. All sword cultivators are like family—huh? Is that the Luminiferous Black-Jade Ointment from Medicine God Valley?" Fei Lianzi took a bit of the remaining paste, rubbed it between his fingers, and then clicked his tongue in amazement.

Luminiferous Black-Jade Ointment?

Wang Sheng had never heard of it before. "Is it special?"

"Let's just say it's rare and expensive." Fei Lian smirked. "A while back, a disciple of my Daoist friend broke his leg while training in swordsmanship. He went to Medicine God Valley for treatment, and a small portion of this ointment cost him fifty thousand yuan. Its effects were remarkable, though."

Wang Sheng couldn't help but be surprised.

The aircraft soon took off. Around Chi Ling, several young women were busily setting up a simple command area. Busy gathering intelligence and providing recommendations, she didn't have direct authority at the moment.

Before long, Chi Ling noticed Wang Sheng. Once the plane stabilized, she walked over.

Still holding onto Wang Sheng's legs, Mu Wanxuan found it inconvenient to stand. Hence, she just respectfully performed the disciple's salute while seated. Fei Lianzi then greeted Chi Ling with cupped fists.

"Mistress, what's the situation?" Wang Sheng asked.

Chi Ling turned to him. "Bulldozer has already given you the basic rundown. The Special Warfare Unit has completely surrounded the island, cutting off all possible escape routes, and the navy is advancing toward the target sea area. They will set up a larger perimeter to prevent any foreign interference.

"Today, we have to annihilate those corrupt cultivators. No one should be allowed to escape. They have over six hundred hostages now, mostly elderly or children who had been left behind on the island. This attack was not a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was meticulously planned in advance.

"They've been killing hostages nonstop to prove their ruthlessness and to force the Special Warfare Unit to retreat. Nevertheless, the warfare unit cannot afford to back down under any circumstances, which is the most pressing issue right now. If you have any ideas or suggestions, feel free to share them."

Wang Sheng asked, "Would an expert assassination be feasible?"

"Even if we had a Golden Core Realm expert in our ranks, it would be nearly impossible to take down six Illusory Core Realm cultivators in one decisive strike," Fei Lian said gravely. "The bigger issue is that none of us can fly yet, and even if we could, we wouldn't be fast enough. It'll take time to get there.

"Besides, where can we even find a Golden Core Realm expert right now? Reaching that realm requires beyond-extraordinary Daoist comprehension."

Wang Sheng couldn't help but smile bitterly, refraining from mentioning his master's cultivation level. Qing Yanzi was in the far reaches of the northwest. Even if he could be summoned out of seclusion, he wouldn't reach the Yellow Sea on time.

Moreover, there were already seven Daoist elders on the plane and government experts converging on the location. Calling his master wouldn't make much of a difference.

Chi Ling added, "The closest elite team of the Special Warfare Unit will arrive in fifteen minutes. We have already formulated three plans. Our first plan is to launch a precision strike to minimize hostage casualties.

The second plan is to send the cultivators in a direct assault. The Special Warfare Unit's instructors have already begun assembling, but like us, they require an hour or two to reach the island. Before boarding, I had my team contact every righteous cultivator available. Every department is now working to transport nearby cultivators who are willing to help.

"The third plan is an extension of the second. Following their demands, you and I will go to the island to negotiate. While we distract their Illusory Core Realm experts, the experts we've gathered will launch a surprise attack from the flanks, taking control of the central area where the hostages are held.

"All three plans are being executed simultaneously. The first plan can be carried out at any moment. Less than twenty minutes have passed since the situation unfolded, which means we still have time to prepare different approaches. However, our policy is to resolve incidents like this within four hours. Once that time is up, the first plan will automatically be executed."

Chi Ling paused and looked at Wang Sheng with a hint of apology. "Fei Yu, you have the right to refuse this risk."

"If we can make it in time, let me go alone to buy us more time. You shouldn't go, Mistress," Wang Sheng said with a frown. "At the very least, I have my cultivation. As long as I have my sword, I can think of a way to delay them and divert the attention of their Illusory Core Realm experts."

"This is not the time for emotional decisions. If my life can be exchanged for even two more hostages, then sacrificing myself would be worthwhile," Chi Ling countered.

Her resolve is amazing...

Wang Sheng thought.

Just then, from the command area, someone shouted, "Captain! We have live feed from the scene!"

Chi Ling gave Wang Sheng a deep look before striding away and holding another brief video conference.

This time, Wang Sheng used his spiritual consciousness to listen in on the entire exchange between the mistress and the officers.

The warfare unit closest to the scene had arrived earlier than expected. Their forces comprised two early-stage Illusory Core Realm instructors and over a hundred elite Seed Formation Realm combatants.

Fei Lianzi couldn't help but mutter, "Where did the authorities even find so many Seed Formation Realm experts?"

Wang Sheng blinked but quickly recalled something that he had seen before: the Special Warfare Unit carried healing talismans and alchemy pills with them at all times.

Ma Zabin's research institute primarily focused on analyzing the structure of primal qi and the lifespan of cultivators. It was possible that some other division had already fully deciphered the composition of alchemy pills and was now mass-producing them.

Wang Sheng whispered, "It's probably related to alchemy pills."

Fei Lian blinked in confusion.

Meanwhile, in the video conference, a military officer brought up a proposal.

—The Special Warfare Unit now has the strength to engage the enemy directly. With support from the special forces, our numerical advantage, and precision firepower from the perimeter, we should be able to wipe out those corrupt cultivators.

Chi Ling firmly rejected the idea. "Doing that risks the safety of the hostages and our forces. I suggest we wait for more reinforcements."

—A minute ago, they executed another elderly hostage. Are we really going to loosen our encirclement on them? If we do, and their cultivators seize the opportunity to flee into the ocean, who will take responsibility for it?

Chi Ling paced back and forth. She then swiftly decided, "Broadcast a message to the island and airdrop several communication devices. They want to see me, don't they? Let's see if I can find a way to stall them.

"If they refuse to speak, or if my negotiations prove ineffective, I'll stop interfering with the decisions. All I ask is that you act only when you are absolutely certain of success."

Another officer joined the conversation.

—Captain Chi Ling, the corrupt cultivators' retaliation is directly linked to your past actions. You've arrested many of their sect members and even authorized heavy weaponry against cultivators.

"I investigate and prevent criminal activities among cultivators, not compromise with criminals," Chi Ling answered in an unwavering tone.

The officer could only salute in response. The video conference then ended, and Chi Ling immediately busied herself with preparations. Wang Sheng quietly observed her from behind.

Within just a few minutes, the corrupt cultivators agreed to Chi Ling's request for a call. Using the official communication devices that had been airdropped onto the island, they video-called her.

On the screen, two people appeared. One was the Flowing Water God, a petite, delicate woman resembling a young girl. She had a misty veil obscuring her face, making her exact features impossible to discern.

Beside her sat Daoist Iron Eagle, the sect master of the Tianlin Sect. The man had a half-face mask on, and his hands were clad in iron-colored gloves. He had been on the police's wanted list for over a decade and had rarely surfaced in the past two years.

When the Flowing Water God spoke, she sounded unexpectedly old and hoarse—a mismatch with her youthful looks.

—I'm glad you didn't try to deceive me with an impostor. I have already used soul-searching techniques on one of your subordinates. I've seen your face. If you weren't the one who answered the call, there would have been nothing more to discuss. We would simply slaughter everyone here and then make our escape.

Even Fei Lianzi, who had been standing off to the side, couldn't help but rise to his feet and stare at the screen.

"Let me be frank. Right now, over a hundred missiles are locked onto your location," Chi Ling replied. "No matter how powerful you are, I doubt you can withstand a full-on precision strike. If you continue executing hostages, we will deem them beyond saving. We'll eliminate a few Illusory Core Realm cultivators with no more than the push of a few buttons."

Flowing Water God sneered.

—Oh, is that so? Then why haven't you done it yet?

Chi Ling remained calm. "If you were truly confident in facing us, why bother taking so many innocent people hostage?"

—Innocent?

The corrupt cultivator chuckled lightly.

—You're mistaken. In this world, everyone bears sins. Those who die by my hand have merely reached the end of their fated path.

Chi Ling's lips twitched slightly, the Flowing Water God's twisted logic clearly irritating her. Nevertheless, she forced herself to suppress her emotions. She couldn't let the other side take control of the conversation—she had to steer it herself.

"You wanted to meet me, and now you have," Chi Ling said, glancing at her watch. "I'm currently on a plane heading there. I'll arrive in approximately three hours. You mentioned you wanted to discuss matters concerning the cultivation world. Why not have that talk with me face to face?"

—Very well. As expected of a high-ranking official.

"Then cease the senseless killing immediately!"

The Flowing Water God nodded slowly.

—Postpone the cleansing of their sins? I suppose I can agree to that, but only if you withdraw all your military forces from the surrounding waters. Do that, and I will give you three hours to get here. If you don't show up, I will execute the hostages one by one, right before your eyes, until I have fully rid them of their sins.

"I can guarantee our forces will not launch an assault before I arrive and that the missile lock on the island will be temporarily lifted. But withdrawing our troops is out of the question. You are free to refuse and continue massacring civilians, but if you do, I will personally take responsibility for the deaths of all six hundred hostages!"

The Flowing Water God quieted down for a while, seemingly looking for a way to back down without losing face. After a moment, she broke the silence.

—Fine, but I have another demand. I want to see the sword cultivator who killed my sworn fourth junior brother.

Wang Sheng raised his hand. "I'm right here!"

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Chi Ling turned her laptop to him.

Seated upright in his chair, Wang Sheng calmly smiled and waved at the camera. "That rapist? Yeah, I killed him. If you're looking for revenge, come after me. Don't take it out on the innocent."

—How bold!

The Flowing Water God sounded faintly authoritative, but Wang Sheng remained completely unaffected. His smile faded as he gazed steadily at her. At that moment, he was already preparing to draw all of her attention and make himself her hatred's primary target.

With an air of indifference, Wang Sheng replied, "Not only am I bold, but I'm also kind-hearted. Seeing as you are steeped in sin and weighed down by karmic debts, how about I perform a ritual for you free of charge later? My services aren't cheap, but I'm pretty experienced."