Chapter 25: Who Could It Be?

Those inside the cells stared at the fractured cell locks with stunned expressions, some appearing to be in disbelief.

Those imprisoned here were either wealthy or noble, implying that they could still be exploited for their worth. Their power was, for the most part, not weak. Several were martial virtuosos, and could still unleash a force of thousands of catties even with grievous injuries. Nearly all of them had tried to break their locks or bend the bars of their cell, but it was all in vain.

Meanwhile, the mysterious man in the bronze mask had managed to split open more than a dozen cell locks with just a few slashes without causing any damage to the bars. How strong was he? How precise was his control?

"The machete he wielded looks like the one Yang Long has," a voice croaked from one of the cells, "Martial artists treat their weapons like their own children, they will never abandon them. Perhaps, Yang Long is truly dead?"

"The prison guards are also nowhere to be seen."

"Some time back, there were sounds of battle outside. That was the first time the man in the bronze mask came here."

"Has the Vicious Tiger Gang really been annihilated?" Several of the prisoners with exceptional acumen quickly deduced part of the truth.

After a brief moment, a young man in a tattered purple robe pushed open his cell door and cautiously took a step outside, followed by a second step. Though he was injured, he walked faster and faster. He soon reached the entrance of the courtyard gate and heaved at the heavy iron gate. After a brief struggle, he opened it!

Outside, flames soared into the sky, casting a vivid glow on the courtyard's shattered walls. But there was no movement.

"They've all left, the Vicious Tiger Gang is gone!" The young man in the purple robe lowered his voice and turned back excitedly, "We're saved, we're saved." Immediately, he wasted no more time, heading out of the prison without looking back.

"Let's go."

"Quick, let’s flee." Having understood the situation, the prisoners in the various cells no longer hesitated. They threw open their cell doors, rushing outside of the prison despite the darkness of the night.

Among them was Wu Qiming, his body smeared with blood and wracked with injuries. He was among the strongest of those imprisoned, but he had also suffered the worst torture.

We’re saved?

Wu Qiming was somewhat dazed. But even though he knew there might be danger, he struggled to his feet. He walked unsteadily out of the cell, and then out of the prison. The days he spent in the prison were a nightmare, he didn't want to stay there a moment longer.

This way.

Wu Qiming bit down on the tip of his tongue, using the pain to keep himself awake. He visited the stronghold voluntarily, so he had a brief understanding of its layout.

After struggling towards the main gate, he saw the collapsed courtyard houses, the bodies strewn about, and flames still burning in the distance. The high walls surrounding the stronghold were barely damaged.

All the bodies I see belong to members of the Vicious Tiger Gang. Could it be that not a single attacker died? The Vicious Tiger Gang was defeated by powerful intruders?

Wu Qiming looked around in shock. He couldn't imagine how powerful the intruders were.

Finally, Wu Qiming exited the stronghold. By this time, most of the Vicious Tiger Gang and the prisoners had already evacuated the stronghold.

Out of nowhere, a shadowy figure darted through the darkness, materializing right in front of Wu Qiming. He jumped in fright.

"S...Senior?" Wu Qiming looked at the figure fearfully. It was none other than the mysterious, bronze-masked expert who had cleaved the prison door open. His power was far beyond Wu Qiming's imagination.

"Stay still," the bronze-masked man spoke with a raspy voice, "I will take you away from here."

Before Wu Qiming could react, a pair of strong arms had already secured him. The next thing he knew, he was soaring through the air.

Wu Qiming soon understood that he wasn't actually flying. The mysterious Adept was propelling himself through the air in a series of jumps and dashes! The night was so dark that he couldn’t see his hand before his face. Still, Wu Qiming could feel the wind rushing past him and hear intermittent ear-piercing beast howls, as well as the quivering of leaves.

So fast!

They were going far faster than Wu Qiming's top speed on flat ground. This mysterious expert seemed able to see through the darkness, effortlessly navigating around rocks, trees, and even cliff walls.

A second-rate Adept?

Wu Qiming was shocked. As a sixth-grade martial virtuoso, he had witnessed the abilities of many third-rate Adepts, but none of them could match up to this mysterious expert.

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Second-rate Adepts were all well-known figures within Li City. However, Wu Qiming felt that even the second-rate Adepts he had met before could not compare to this mysterious Adept.

As for first-rate Adepts? Wu Qiming dared not consider such a possibility! First-rate Adepts were rarely seen figures, there wasn't a single one in the entire Li City. Why would a first-rate Adept come to the humble headquarters of the Vicious Tiger Gang?

Besides being astounded at the strength of this mysterious expert, Wu Qiming was even more puzzled by why this Adept chose to take him along. What about the other prisoners? It was as though this expert had come here specifically to rescue him!

In just a quarter of an hour, the man in the bronze mask brought Wu Qiming over several mountains, and they arrived at the foot of Ninecloud Mountain.

Wu Qiming only felt a sudden weightlessness, then he landed on the grass. A muddy road was faintly visible in the distance.

"Do not reveal my existence. Otherwise, both you and your clan will be exterminated!” The man in the bronze mask said in a cold voice, "Fend for yourself." Without waiting for Wu Qiming to reply, the bronze-masked man disappeared into the endless darkness, leaving behind a bewildered Wu Qiming.

Both my clan and I will be exterminated?

It seems that this mysterious expert knows me. It's not a coincidence that he brought me down the mountain. He doesn't want me to leak his existence, does this mysterious expert have a powerful enemy?

Who helped me? Could it be an enemy of the Xu faction?

Wu Qiming pondered for a long time, but still couldn't figure out which friend or relative he knew could invite such a terrifying martial arts expert. Wu Yuan never crossed his mind. First of all, his height, figure, and voice were completely different. Moreover, in his mind, Wu Yuan was just a well-behaved kid in the clan, there was no way he would associate him with such a person.

I must heed this expert's instructions. Besides, the destruction of the Vicious Tiger Gang is a major event, it will definitely cause a huge uproar.

I just hope that the Xu faction will stop at this and not cause further trouble.

Wu Qiming recalled what the second family head had said to him. "Instead of proactively returning the money you took, you actually dare bargain! Since you're this oblivious, I'll have to teach you some manners."

There was no doubt. The one who instigated the Vicious Tiger Gang to attack the Wu Clan was the general’s faction!

I wonder how the clan is doing now. I pray nothing has happened.

Wu Qiming decided not to think about it anymore. Taking strenuous steps, he reached a section of the official route. With a brief glance confirming his direction, he set off for Li City.

By escorting the chieftain down the mountain, he should be able to avoid the scattered members of the Vicious Tiger Gang. This is as far as I can help him.

Under the cover of darkness, Wu Yuan watched as the chieftain hobbled away.

He was unwilling to reveal that his purpose was none other than to rescue the chieftain, nor did he wish for the chieftain to know his true identity. At least, not for now.

Having fused his predecessor's memories and emotions, along with the experiences of the previous months, Wu Yuan was grateful to Chieftain Wu Qiming and treasured the bond they had. However, this did not mean Wu Yuan was ready to divulge all his secrets to him.

Furthermore, whenever he thought of that jade vial which was most likely a natural treasure, as well as the strange token, Wu Yuan felt uneasy.

This matter will soon blow up. My current self lacks the strength to bear the consequences.

Moreover, even if I alone possess great strength, even if I were a Heavenly Ranker, how can I protect the entire clan at all times?

Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.

He suddenly understood why some powerhouses chose to join large forces or establish their own organizations: there was strength in numbers! Some mundane matters did not require one's direct involvement, and could be delegated to subordinates who could potentially do a better job.

I hope the chieftain heeds my advice and keeps a low profile.

Wu Yuan sighed softly, silently trailing behind Wu Qiming.

Four hours later.

He’s reached a town.

Wu Yuan watched from afar as Wu Qiming entered the large town. Only then was he completely at ease.

Let’s head back to Li City.

Barely holding back his fatigue, he quickly set off for Li City, a journey that stretched hundreds of li.

At the break of dawn, Wu Yuan finally beheld the majestic walls of Li City, towering approximately fifty zhang high. The city gates were already open.

Into the city.

Wu Yuan double-checked his silver notes and two treasures, adjusted his attire, and walked confidently through the city gates.

Yang Long's machete was indeed a fine blade. It was at minimum a fourth-grade superior weapon worth tens of thousands of silver taels, which stirred Wu Yuan's heart. But to avoid getting exposed, he didn't hesitate to abandon it.

...

Shortly after Wu Yuan entered the city, the news quickly spread from two municipalities and numerous towns near Ninecloud Mountain to Li City. The county mayor and the general of defense naturally received the information: the Vicious Tiger Gang had been annihilated. The news shook the upper echelons of Li City!

Deep within the Xu Manor, in a main hall that was designed like a military camp.

The Vicious Tiger Gang leader Yang Long is dead! The second family head, Li Ye, is dead... Wearing a bronze mask? Skilled in spear techniques, a single person wiped out the entire Vicious Tiger Gang?

General Xu stared in shock at the report in his hands.

Who could it be?