“Remember one thing: ensure your own survival before heavily injuring your opponent,” Mei Tianling said to Qin Chu.
Qin Chu stood up and bowed to Mei Tianling, understanding that he genuinely cared for him.
“Alas, you were born into a prominent family and had excellent conditions for growth, but unfortunately, circumstances change. However, this is also good. Without enduring bitter cold, how can plum blossoms be fragrant? Those who haven't experienced hardships are far inferior to you,” Mei Tianling sighed, which was also an affirmation of Qin Chu.
Mei Tianling left, and Qin Chu began to Cultivate. Not long after, Qin Longfeng arrived.
“Uncle Longfeng, gather some people in the evening. I'll take them out to have some fun, destroy some of the White Tiger Saint Clan's strongholds, kill some of their people, and show them what we're capable of. They're too arrogant now,” Qin Chu told Qin Longfeng his decision.
“Can this work? It's dangerous!” Qin Longfeng's face was full of worry.
Qin Chu shook his head, “From the day I picked up my long sword, I embarked on a path of blood and strife. Some things, after careful consideration, if not reckless or overly risky, can be done.”
“Alright! Then Uncle will go gather the people,” Qin Longfeng said.
Seeing Qin Longfeng agree, Qin Chu saw him out of the small courtyard, then continued to Cultivate. He was now waiting for news.
Qin Longfeng arrived at the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan's stronghold and gathered all the Fifth-Rank personnel. “Tonight, the Young Lord wants to fight, so you will accompany the Young Lord in battle. This Elder does not ask for great battle achievements from you; the only request is to protect the Young Lord's safety.”
“Please rest assured, Elder. Even if our blood splashes five steps, we will ensure the Young Lord's safety.” The Vermilion Bird Saint Clan warriors bowed and accepted the order. They had been suppressed for a long time; they weren't afraid of dying in battle, only of living in constant humiliation.
Afterward, Qin Longfeng made arrangements for this team, instructing them to stay near the Alchemist Guild. Once Qin Chu appeared, they were to rendezvous with him.
In the evening, Qin Chu changed out of his Alchemist robes and put on his usual coarse linen battle robe, then strapped on his Azure Spirit Sword.
At this moment, Qin Longfeng appeared, taking out a red silk embroidered with a Vermilion Bird and tying it to Qin Chu's shoulder.
“Qin Chu, this is the symbol of our Vermilion Bird Saint Clan. When our Vermilion Bird Saint Clan fights externally, we all wear this Vermilion Bird Feather,” Qin Longfeng said.
Qin Chu nodded, tightened his hair tie, then looked at Qin Longfeng.
Qin Longfeng took out a map and handed it to Qin Chu. The map was marked with red and black dots. “This is a map of Saint Martial City. The red dots are White Tiger Saint Clan strongholds with relatively weaker defenses, and the black dots are dangerous areas that you should not attack. Just look at this map; someone in our team will help you choose targets and lead the way,” Qin Longfeng explained.
After looking at the map, Qin Chu cupped his fists at Qin Longfeng, then left the Alchemist Guild.
As soon as Qin Chu left the Alchemist Guild, Mei Tianling knew about it. She interrupted Ji Xin's report, “Ji Xin, Saint Martial City is quite lively tonight. Are you interested in coming with this Elder to take a look?”
Ji Xin was surprised for a moment, “This subordinate is interested!”
Standing up, Mei Tianling took Ji Xin and left the Alchemist Guild.
As soon as Qin Chu left the Alchemist Guild, he was discovered by the White Tiger Saint Clan and Flame Thunder Saint Clan spies guarding the entrance. Some followed Qin Chu, while others went to report.
As Qin Chu moved forward, people began to gather behind him.
The people who gathered behind Qin Chu were all dressed in black battle attire, with a red Vermilion Bird Feather tied to their left shoulder, and all wore face veils. They usually had another identity, and now they tried not to expose themselves if possible.
“Is the person leading the way here?” Qin Chu asked as he walked.
“Reporting to the Young Lord, this subordinate Qin Mo is here. This subordinate will lead the way tonight.” A slender figure stepped forward.
“Your name is Qin Mo? Very good! Tonight, your main responsibility is to lead the way. After the battle, you will also determine the route for retreat,” Qin Chu said to Qin Mo.
“This subordinate understands,” Qin Mo replied, his voice filled with excitement, because the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan was going to launch an offensive tonight.
After advancing for a while, Qin Chu instructed Qin Mo to lead the team towards a hidden spot; he wanted to eliminate the tails behind them in a discreet location.
After Qin Mo led the team into an alley, Qin Chu raised his left hand, signaling everyone to disperse and hide in inconspicuous places.
When the White Tiger Saint Clan spies entered the alley, Qin Chu waved his left hand, issuing the attack command. Then, his Sixth-Rank Sword Intent erupted, pressing down on the opponents. Since they were going to fight, he would no longer hold back.
The few White Tiger Saint Clan spies were unlucky; they hadn't expected to be ambushed. The leader was directly slit in the throat by Qin Chu's sword, and the other two were directly killed by the Vermilion Bird Saint Clan members, without any power to fight back.
After killing the White Tiger Saint Clan spies, Qin Chu rushed out of the alley and also killed the Flame Thunder Saint Clan spies who were trailing behind.
“Qin Mo, lead the way to the target. We can officially begin the battle,” Qin Chu called out to Qin Mo.
Led by Qin Mo, Qin Chu took his people and began to fight.
The White Tiger Saint Clan's strongholds were guarded, but each stronghold only had two or three Fifth-Rank Heavenly Origin Realm Cultivators. How could they withstand the slaughter of Qin Chu and his group? One White Tiger Saint Clan stronghold after another was taken down by Qin Chu and his people, their people killed, and the strongholds plundered.
“Guild Leader, aren't they being too reckless doing this? If the White Tiger Saint Clan's forces surround them, they might not be able to hold on, and there are also people from the Flame Thunder Saint Clan!” Seeing Qin Chu and his group taking down one White Tiger Saint Clan stronghold after another, Ji Xin's face was full of worry.
“Just watch,” Mei Tianling said.
Qin Chu's battle robe was covered in blood, none of it his own, but all from the White Tiger Saint Clan's people.
After taking down eight strongholds, Qin Chu led his team to the ninth stronghold on the map.
This time, Qin Chu and his group encountered a tough challenge, because this stronghold had two Sixth-Rank King Realm members of the White Tiger Saint Clan.
“What audacity, you are courting death!” The White Tiger Saint Clan expert looked coldly at Qin Chu.
“Young Lord, retreat quickly, they are King Realm,” Qin Mo shouted to Qin Chu. He was a Seventh-Rank Heavenly Origin Realm Cultivator and couldn't discern the opponents' true strength, so he immediately understood that they were Sixth-Rank King Realm Cultivators.
“Want to leave? Can you even leave?” A White Tiger Saint Clan expert flashed, blocking Qin Chu and his group's retreat.
“Do you dare to disregard Saint Martial City's Martial Ban and make a move? Qin Mo, ignore the two of them, and slay the others.” Qin Chu frowned. He felt that he needed to take a gamble now, betting on whether the opponents dared to make a move. If they dared to make a move, then whether they fought or not, the opponents would not let them leave alive, so it was better to fight to the death.