In the village.
The bonfires swayed, and large chunks of meat were skewered on each one, roasted to a golden brown, emitting bursts of savory aroma.
Around the bonfires were men in black clothes, drinking freely and occasionally erupting in rough laughter.
On the large trees on either side, figures swayed; they were clearly the corpses of villagers, hung up.
Black Bear came before a bonfire, and the bandits surrounding it immediately made way, calling out in unison.
"Leader!!"
Black Bear ignored them, walking straight to the roasted meat on the fire and tearing off large chunks to chew and swallow.
As he ate, he grabbed a wine jar nearby and drank from it.
However, after a short while, his movements paused. He put down the wine jar, wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth, and his gaze fell upon the eaves of a nearby house.
"Since you're here, why hide? Come out."
Only then did the surrounding bandits notice that a figure had appeared on the eaves at some point.
The next moment, the figure flickered and appeared beside the bonfire.
It was a pale-faced middle-aged man.
Black Bear didn't even look at him, continuing to eat the meat in his hand as if the other person didn't exist at all.
The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes, and finally couldn't help but speak first.
"Ouyang Shan, that old fellow, is being held back by my Father and Zhou Wantian. Even if that old fellow is stronger, he absolutely cannot leave the County Town in a short time. So, after so many days, what are you still waiting for?"
"Are you perhaps waiting until that old fellow enters Yangping Town? Waiting for him to call for reinforcements?"
The middle-aged man's tone was cold and hard, like he was questioning him.
Seeing Black Bear's calm and unhurried demeanor, he felt quite annoyed.
The middle-aged man was Chen Fengqing, the legitimate son of Chen Wantian, the head of the Chen Family in Lin'an County. He had successfully entered the Blood Transportation Realm several months ago.
This was one of the reasons why the Chen Family suddenly attacked Zhenshan Tower.
Black Bear in front of him was the helper his Father Chen Wantian had found, with the purpose of clipping Zhenshan Tower's wings one by one, to prevent them from having any hidden moves.
"What? Impatient already? What's in Yangping Town is unclear to you, and it's unclear to me. You want me to be the vanguard? Very simple, then show me something substantial."
Black Bear finished the meat in his hand, spat out a bone, and then looked at Chen Fengqing, speaking indifferently.
"Also, I have a cooperative relationship with you. Don't talk to me in that commanding tone."
"You..." Hearing this, a hint of anger appeared on Chen Fengqing's face.
However, feeling the strong threat emanating from Black Bear, he had no choice but to suppress his anger.
"My Father asked me to convey a message to you. As long as Ouyang Yuan can be captured, then one of the three Blood Mansion Treasure Pills that Ouyang Shan entrusted someone to refine will be yours."
Speaking of this, Chen Fengqing paused, then continued.
"Also, I will be here during this time. If you plan to act, I can also assist from the side."
Hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Black Bear's face. He stood up, walked forward heartily, and patted Chen Fengqing warmly.
"That's right, I've been waiting for you to say that. Since Old Man Chen Wantian has said this much, then tomorrow night... Tomorrow night, I will lead my brothers to charge into Yangping Town and see what they are relying on."
"That would be excellent."
Seeing the other party's attitude make a 180-degree turn, Chen Fengqing also forced a smile, responding with a fake smile.
...
The next day.
In the evening.
At Lin Sheng's residence.
"Lin Tou, you've arranged everything, so when are you leaving?"
Xiao Shi looked at Lin Sheng and asked.
"You guys go first. Compared to the current situation in Lin'an County, Tongzhi County is much better. This is your travel money. My Father and Mother are over there, so I'll temporarily entrust them to your care. If there's any trouble, you can go to Tongming Academy in the County Town and just tell the old man inside the words 'Three Corpses Severing Soul'."
Lin Sheng shook his head slightly and instructed.
Xiao Shi and Lao Zhou had decent temperaments after interacting with them during this time, and more importantly, they were quite obedient.
Therefore, he had the idea of training them to become his own people.
After all, if he had to handle many trivial matters himself, it would be too time-consuming. Having two helpers would undoubtedly greatly improve efficiency.
In Yangping Town, a few vendors wearing felt hats slowly pushed carts towards the outside of the town.
The carts were filled with cheap goods like Rock Sheep hides.
"Buying hides, buying hides... High price for hides..."
A series of hawking sounds came from outside the residence.
"Alright, it's time."
Hearing the hawking, Lin Sheng no longer hesitated.
He directly grabbed Xiao Shi and Lao Zhou, leaped up, and landed on the eaves of the house.
Similarly, Xie Guilan and Lin Hong were also there.
Then Lin Sheng sent the few people into an empty alley outside the residence.
In just a moment, the vendors pushing carts had arrived in front of the alley where the few people were.
Amidst the hawking, the few people had followed along, blending in with the vendors. Xie Guilan and Lin Hong were dressed like the vendors, wearing felt hats.
Xiao Shi and Lao Zhou buried themselves in the thick hides.
After all, they were under surveillance, so hiding in the hides was safer.
Lin Sheng didn't rush back, but followed the group from a distance behind.
After all, there were Zhenshan Tower guards stationed at the town entrance now, and he wouldn't feel at ease unless he saw them leave safely with his own eyes.
It was evening at this time, and some small vendors living outside the town were also heading out. Their group blended in without any sense of incongruity.
Yangping Town exit.
Meng Yu was wearing a dark light armor, meticulously wiping his precious saber.
Most of the Zhenshan Tower guard team practiced the most powerful saber techniques.
Although Zhenshan Tower had hand techniques and saber techniques in its martial arts, the main one was saber technique, as Zhenshan Tower had made a name for itself in Lin'an County with the Nine Bulls Two Tigers Saber technique.
With his perfected saber technique, Leader Ouyang Shan had almost no opponent in Lin'an County. Even Blood Transportation Warriors in the same Realm would never dare to clash head-on or confront him directly, which established Zhenshan Tower's prestige.
As the main external force of Zhenshan Tower, the guard team naturally focused on the most lethal saber techniques.
As the main leader of the guard team, Meng Yu's talent and strength were quite outstanding.
He not only practiced Zhenshan Tower's Vajra 12 Forms Saber Technique but also cultivated the Nine Bulls Two Tigers Saber.
In Zhenshan Tower, before Zhao Fang advanced further, he was the strongest besides Ouyang Shan.
"I wonder when this conflict will be settled, but with the Old Leader's strength, everything should just be a matter of time."
Meng Yu thought to himself.
Although he was somewhat surprised by the predicament Zhenshan Tower was facing, he had more faith in the Old Leader's strength.
"But who could the spy be?"
Figures flashed through his mind, but he couldn't make up his mind. Even if he had suspicions, he had no evidence. After all, this time the internal spy was a high-level member, and he didn't dare to make a conclusion easily.
While wiping the weapon in his hand, his gaze passed through the window, looking at the flow of people below.
The vendors on the street were lining up to leave. He wasn't concerned about these departing merchants; the strictness was for those entering Yangping Town.
Each person basically had to undergo a careful inspection before being allowed in.
Creak, creak, creak...
The vendor pushing the hides reached the town entrance. Facing the guards, Jia Qi, the leader, had a face full of smiles, skillfully pulling out a few copper coins from his pocket and handing them over.
The guards, however, ignored the offered coins. Instead, they looked at the hides on the cart, which emitted a foul, bloody smell. These hides were unprocessed, so the smell was very unpleasant.
In Yangping Town, these wild animal hides were commonplace goods, so the guards didn't pay much attention. After a brief inspection, they waved their hands and let them pass.
Seeing this, the vendors immediately bowed and scraped, quickly pushing their carts and leaving.
Just then, in the pavilion above the exit, a gray-black falcon beside Meng Yu suddenly opened its eyes, flew to the window, let out two cries towards the outside, and then shot out.
"Hmm!?"
Seeing this scene, Meng Yu's eyes narrowed slightly, and he quickly realized something.
He stood up abruptly, his gaze fixed on the few vendors who had already walked out of the town.
"Hmph, interesting."
With a cold snort, he immediately clapped his hands, and two guards instantly came in.
"Go and check for me, which of the survivors who returned last time are missing?"
"Yes, Captain."
Hearing this, the two guards immediately responded and ran out quickly.
Meng Yu, meanwhile, slowly stretched his neck, unhurriedly sheathed his precious saber, and then with a flash, leaped down.
"Let me see what tricks you're trying to pull."
After saying that, he was already walking leisurely towards the outside of the town.
Two or three hundred meters away from the exit, Lin Sheng watched the convoy leave safely without any incident and was about to go back. However, he soon stopped.
Because at the guard post at the town entrance, several guards were running out in a hurry, heading towards the inside of the town.
Seeing this, his brows slightly furrowed.
He felt a vague sense of unease in his heart. After a brief contemplation, he was still a little worried. He immediately bought a mask from a nearby stall and put it on his face.
"Hurry, go and see where the problem is!"
The few guards who came out of the town entrance walked quickly, exchanging brief words with each other, and then parted ways, each heading in a different direction.
Just as the guards had separated, Lin Sheng appeared behind one of them.
Before the guard could react, Lin Sheng directly grabbed his neck and dragged him into an empty narrow alley.
"Tell me, what are you going to do?"
Lin Sheng's slightly hoarse voice came from under the mask.
"Who are you? How dare you attack me in the street? Come..."
As soon as Lin Sheng released his hand, the guard immediately shouted. Just as he was about to open his mouth to call out loudly, his neck was grabbed again by a hand.
This time the force was much greater than before, squeezing the guard's face purple. He struggled with all his limbs, but the hand gripping his neck was like cast iron, remaining motionless no matter how he struggled.
"Your life is your own. I'm asking you again, if you don't tell the truth, you will die. Think about your family, your wife, your children..."
The slightly hoarse voice sounded again, this time much colder than before.
Just as the guard felt he was about to be choked to death, the large hand on his neck finally loosened a little, allowing him to barely catch his breath.
He was about to shout again, but he met the cold eyes under the mask. His eyes flickered, and he understood that the gap in strength between him and the person in front of him was too large. The threat of death ultimately gained the upper hand, and he said in a low voice.
"It's our Captain, who asked us... asked us to check which of the survivors who returned from the last mission are missing?"
"Hoo..."
Hearing this, Lin Sheng let out a sigh of relief, feeling somewhat helpless. It was clear that the disguise of those Star Apprentices had failed and they had been discovered.
With a sigh, he gently waved his hand, knocking the guard in front of him unconscious.
Then his agile figure disappeared into the narrow alley.
When he returned to the exit again, sure enough, some guards had already gathered, clearly preparing for some action.
Lin Sheng, wearing a mask, blended into the crowd and walked quickly towards the exit.
"Stop, who goes there!?"
Soon, the guards on duty noticed Lin Sheng's somewhat suspicious movements and immediately shouted sternly. Lin Sheng, however, suddenly accelerated and instantly rushed in front of the two, extending his palms and placing them on their lower jaws.
This action immediately attracted the other guards, who rushed towards him.
Lin Sheng, meanwhile, directly took out two small bags from his chest and threw them hard onto the ground, instantly releasing a large cloud of black mist.
This was plant ash mixed with chili powder that he had prepared beforehand, specifically to prevent this kind of situation, and he had also given a few bags to Xiao Shi and Lao Zhou.
As the large cloud of black mist spread, there were immediate sounds of violent coughing and cursing, and Lin Sheng's figure had already disappeared.
"Let's go quickly."
After the few Star Apprentices left Yangping Town and hadn't gone far, they discarded all the goods. Xiao Shi and Lao Zhou also came out from inside.
The few people helped Lin Hong and Xie Guilan onto the cart, and then led out the horses they had prepared earlier, before quickly driving towards Tongzhi County.
However, they had only gone for a short while.
The horses pulling the cart suddenly neighed in fright. Jia Qi and the other Star Apprentices struggled to calm the horses down, but a figure had already appeared on the road ahead.
The figure was wearing light armor, holding a large saber, and was looking at the few people indifferently.
"What are you doing sneaking out? Honestly confess, and maybe there's still a way out."
"Meng Yu!!?"
Seeing the figure holding the saber, Lao Zhou and Xiao Shi were greatly alarmed.
They hadn't expected that the other party had followed them out, and seemed to have discovered them long ago.
Jia Qi and the others were also clearly somewhat surprised. They exchanged glances and immediately said.
"Let's go together!"
The five of them immediately took out their weapons from the carriage and quickly went towards Meng Yu.
"Seeking death." Seeing this scene, Meng Yu just sneered. His large saber was drawn from its sheath, and he rushed in front of the few people, arriving later but striking first.
The large saber swept horizontally, releasing all its violent power.
Clang!
The powerful force instantly sent one Star Apprentice flying.
And this was just the beginning. The large saber spun nimbly in his hand, actually forcing Jia Qi and the other Star Apprentices to retreat repeatedly.
Although they were five in the Early Stage of Forging Tendons, two of them had only recently entered this Realm. Facing Meng Yu at this moment, they posed little threat.
Clang!
The large saber chopped down fiercely. Jia Qi raised the short blade in his hand to block upwards, but he was pressed to his knees, his face flushed, and a trace of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
As the main force, he undoubtedly bore the greatest pressure.
Whoosh—
A strong gust of wind suddenly sounded.
Meng Yu immediately drew his saber and swung it to the left, shattering a pebble that had shot towards him.
He stopped with his saber drawn and looked at the masked figure that had appeared at some point.