When the three factions arrived at the State Office, they saw the entrance packed shoulder to shoulder, with people surging inside like madmen, and they knew this was where the source was found.
Flipping over the wall, they saw Liu Baiyun and others trying to hold back the crowd, seemingly protecting Little Four behind her.
Although Liu Baiyun had previously shown great power over the three factions on Mount Tai Sect, the few people later saw the note she left and understood that her actions that day were mostly a warning.
So the few people didn't say much and went straight to help Liu Baiyun and the others fight off the enemies.
As for Zhou Yingxue's strange remarks... actually, the two of them had never gotten along, it wasn't just these past few days. Liu Baiyun holding onto her so tightly that day actually had an element of personal revenge.
Since Zhou Yingxue was there to help, Liu Baiyun naturally couldn't refute her and simply remained silent.
Both were seasoned first-rate masters, among the top tier below the pinnacle, and had known each other for many years.
Even if they didn't like each other, their coordination at this moment was seamless.
Gao Ling loudly explained the key points for dealing with Gu Soldiers, and the several sect masters also understood immediately.
With the addition of the three factions, the crisis greatly eased, and Wang Hai finally had time to withdraw from the battle and recover his internal energy.
After all, he was not old, and his internal energy was limited, not comparable to Liu Baiyun and the others. Even if he was slightly better than Mei Qinghe, he was almost at his limit now.
Wang Hai walked to Little Four's side and asked in a low voice, "Fourth Sister, is it almost enough?"
"There's no need to aim for perfection; saving fifty or sixty percent is enough."
Little Four extended her wrist, tore open the bandage, and dripped some more blood into the basin.
This method of gathering Gu only worked with fresh blood. If Little Four didn't continuously drip blood into it, the effect of gathering Gu would become worse and worse.
If the gathered common people dispersed at that point, all their efforts would be in vain.
"Wait a little longer... Hai Gege, wait a little longer... it's almost enough..."
Little Four's face was getting paler at this point, making Wang Hai's heart ache.
But the two of them understood each other perfectly. Wang Hai knew that hidden beneath Little Four's delicate girl exterior was a heart as stubborn, almost to the point of obsession, as his own.
Wang Hai could only grit his teeth: "Alright, let's wait a little longer."
With that, he grabbed Mei Qinghe's left arm, his hand turning crimson and emitting wisps of white smoke.
Mei Qinghe's wound also slowly stopped bleeding.
Wang Hai was taught by Li Miao, and he also knew healing techniques, though not as profound as Li Miao's. But it was enough for emergencies.
Wang Hai released his grip, and while recovering his internal energy, he watched the life-and-death struggle before him.
He secretly judged in his heart that in about half an hour, he would have to forcibly take Little Four and escape.
——————
At the same time, the Hongshui Flag Master of the Ming Cult, along with his disciples, arrived outside the city gate.
These people were actually originally near the Mount Tai Sect, prepared for the plan on Mount Tai.
They received Mao Yingxia's message in a hurry and traveled at high speed, only just now reaching Tai'an City.
The soldiers and yamen runners inside Tai'an City had all been taken to Mount Tai by Cheng Yuanzhen to wreak havoc. Currently, only a dozen or so old, weak, sick, and disabled individuals were guarding the city gate.
The Hongshui Flag Master ignored them and was about to order his subordinates to kill the few people and open the city gate.
Just then, he heard the slow approach of horse hooves from not far away.
The Hongshui Flag Master turned his head to look, and his pupils constricted.
There was only one person, riding on a horse, clearly wearing the official uniform of a Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards)! He carried an embroidered spring blade!
And at his waist, a Jinyiwei Commander's waist token hung conspicuously.
That person rode his horse to the city gate, turned sideways to face the Ming Cult members, and looked disdainful, not saying a word.
Seeing this person's demeanor, the Hongshui Flag Master's heart pounded, and he dared not act rashly. His subordinates also stopped in their tracks.
Mao Yingxia had sent someone to inform him to come to Tai'an City after learning of Lan Lechuan's death.
The Hongshui Flag Master naturally also knew the news that Lan Lechuan had died at the hands of a Jinyiwei Commander named "Li Miao."
Who was Lan Lechuan? The Ming Cult's Left Emissary! Below the Cult Master, above ten thousand people!
Before Ji Tianrui's death, he had rarely appeared, and almost all internal affairs of the cult were decided by Lan Lechuan alone. After Ji Tianrui's death, Lan Lechuan took on the entire burden of the Ming Cult.
It could be said that in the hearts of the Ming Cult members, if they were to rank Ji Tianrui and Lan Lechuan, they would truly hesitate.
Not to mention Lan Lechuan's martial arts, which were above the pinnacle. Except for Yun Zelin, who was rarely seen, no one in the cult could match him.
How could such a figure die silently at the hands of a Jinyiwei Commander, even taking with him Zuo Lishan, who was half a step above the pinnacle?
How could the Hongshui Flag Master not be afraid, not hesitate?
He looked at that Jinyiwei Commander, who was small in stature, with loose clothing, weak limbs, and no spirit in his eyes, clearly resembling a scholar with no strength to bind a chicken.
But the more he was like this, the more he doubted: "Could this be returning to simplicity? Inner spirit restrained?"
But what he didn't know was that the palm of the "Jinyiwei Commander" opposite him, gripping the reins, was also full of sweat at this moment.
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He was certainly not Li Miao, but Jiao Qingfeng.
He was the Tai'an State Clerk whom Li Miao had temporarily chosen to manage affairs.
Li Miao had him put on the Jinyiwei official uniform and carry Li Miao's waist token to patrol the four city gates.
If he encountered someone derelict in duty, he would kill them. If he encountered martial artists causing trouble, he would use this attire to scare them away.
Jiao Qingfeng was naturally trembling with fear at first, but he was, after all, a native of Tai'an, and hearing the screams inside the city, he gradually understood how heavy the burden on his shoulders truly was.
So he also began to brace himself, trying hard to put on an air of official authority that didn't originally exist.
Jiao Qingfeng had just killed a soldier at another city gate who, in a moment of panic, was about to open the gate.
After seeing blood and throwing up, his temperament had also been somewhat tempered.
Arriving here, he saw the Hongshui Flag Master bringing people over from a distance, looking unfriendly.
He had a sudden flash of inspiration, told his subordinate soldiers to keep their distance, and rode his horse over slowly, feigning a relaxed and composed attitude.
By a fluke, he managed to intimidate the Hongshui Flag Master.
Now, wasn't it awkward?
Like a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot, both Jiao Qingfeng and the Hongshui Flag Master were afraid of making the first move.
The Hongshui Flag Master was waiting for "Li Miao" to speak, while Jiao Qingfeng was completely in the dark, knowing nothing about the martial arts world, unable even to exchange a secret code.
One side waited nervously, the other feigned composure, resulting in a strange silence.
However, not everyone present was clear-headed.
A trembling voice broke the silence: "Jiao... Lord Jiao, this..."
It was a gate-guarding soldier who, seeing the heavy atmosphere and no action from the other side, spoke softly, wanting to ask Jiao Qingfeng what the situation was.
He thought he was whispering, but with the Hongshui Flag Master's hearing, he heard it clearly.
"Jiao? Not Li?" He looked surprised.
Jiao Qingfeng's heart sank when he saw the Hongshui Flag Master's expression.
The few people outside the city gate certainly couldn't stop these martial artists opposite them.
His thoughts raced, but his face remained impassive. He didn't bother with the soldier but spoke loudly: "Who goes there? State your name!"