The sound of wind and snow grew heavier, the waning moon hung like a hook.
Chu Zheng's figure blended into the thin mist of the night. Under the effect of the Invisibility Technique, he silently glided across the icy snowfield, approaching the hundred-plus iron cavalry.
As he closed the distance, he could even sense the strong scent of the war horses and the coldness of the frost-laden iron armor.
Nevertheless, these iron cavalry were impeccably disciplined. Aside from the occasional snort of the war horses and the slight clashing of iron armor, not a single person engaged in casual conversation.
A moment later, the dozen armored warriors who forcefully broke into the courtyard gate and barged in emerged in single file. For original chapters go to noᴠelfire.net
One of the warriors jogged to the leader in front of the horse, knelt on one knee, and reported in a deep voice:
"Reporting to General Qin, the courtyard is empty, every nook and cranny has been searched, no hidden passage was found, nor any trace of the wanted criminal!"
Upon hearing this, General Qin tightened his grip on the reins in his hand, the gaze beneath the Mystic Iron Face Armor grew even colder and sharper. He scanned the surrounding hundred or so cavalry and spoke calmly, his tone slightly deep, clearly heard by every armored warrior and also reaching Chu Zheng's ears not far away:
"Spread out with this courtyard as the center, within a five-mile radius, leave no street, alley, or residential courtyard unchecked, dig three feet into the ground if necessary to find it!"
He paused, then his tone suddenly grew sterner, carrying a near-warning gravity:
"Everyone stay on high alert, this girl has roots unlike ordinary people, Innate Divine Strength, only eleven years old, yet capable of tearing apart tigers and leopards with bare hands, she is no ordinary person! If encountered, do not recklessly confront her alone, immediately signal with an arrow, anyone who disobeys shall face military law!"
At these words, a slight commotion arose among the warriors, evidently not everyone was aware of the target's specific situation.
Beside General Qin, a warrior couldn't help but speak, his voice tinged with incredulous hesitation: "Isn't this just a girl barely over ten years old, can she really be that powerful? Tearing apart tigers and leopards? That's too unbelievable..."
General Qin sneered coldly, his gaze like a blade, his voice suddenly rising:
"She broke into the government office barehanded to commit murder, under the eyes of dozens of guards, consecutively killed three top martial masters hired at great expense. If it weren't for a Superior Immortal who happened to be staying at the government office and intervened in time to repel her, Lord Feng's head would have been lost by now!"
He took a deep breath, looked around at the soldiers, his tone growing ever heavier:
"Remember this, all of you. We mortals are no different than chickens and dogs in front of such naturally wondrous beings. Don't think that numbers allow for underestimation; a moment of carelessness means a needless death. Remember firmly!"
He clearly had similar experiences, his words carrying evident gravity, sending a chill down the spine of every warrior, leaving no room for doubt.
Upon hearing this, Chu Zheng, hidden within the void, understood most things in his mind.
Xue Qing surely got into trouble, and she caused quite a stir.
For some unknown reason, she broke into the government office at night, killing three top martial masters. Such a shocking case naturally drew the elite iron cavalry to hunt her down overnight.
The Superior Immortal mentioned by Commander Qin probably was a true cultivator who had stepped onto the path of cultivation.
General Qin spoke no more, raised his hand again, giving the command.
Over a hundred cavalry immediately spread outwards from Xue Qing's small courtyard, the heavy sound of horse hooves echoed once again, iron armor clanged, murderous intent permeated, breaking the dead silence of the cold night.
Seizing the moment as the cavalry dispersed, Chu Zheng's figure flashed, silently returning to the small courtyard that was recently searched and was currently empty.
The courtyard gate stood open, a scene of chaos, showing the thoroughness of the recent search, sparing no corner.
Chu Zheng did not linger, his target was clear, and he went straight to the bedroom he had never visited.
Inside the room was even more chaotic than outside, with scattered objects scattered all over the place.
Chu Zheng quickly scanned the room, and soon his sights landed on the scattered clothing.
He quickly stepped forward, picking through the washed and faded old clothes, soon selecting two pieces closest to the body, a white inner shirt and a pair of close-fitting underpants.
The scent of Xue Qing still lingered on these garments.
He needed to use items most closely linked to the target to apply the Heavenly Divination Technique and attempt to deduce her whereabouts.
He already had a thorough understanding of this Divine Skill, using it should be second nature to him.
Chu Zheng sat cross-legged on the cold earthen bed, solemnly placing the two pieces of clothing in front of him, closed his eyes, and immersed his mind into his Dantian, exerting all his strength to mobilize the Yuan Qi around him.
A weak wave of Yuan Qi emanated from his body, he tried to focus his mind intensely to perceive the invisible aura, attempting to trace the owner's scent using the garment as a medium.
After trying for a long time, sweat beads started forming on Chu Zheng's forehead, and his brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
It wasn't due to insufficient Yuan Qi, nor was the medium ineffective but that he had forgotten how to perform the Heavenly Divination Technique!
The Divine Skill, once as natural as breathing, those deeply-engrained techniques and steps in the Divine Soul now seemed shrouded in an impenetrable fog.
No matter how hard he tried to recall the procedure, how he tried to guide the Yuan Qi, it was like scratching an itch through a boot, he couldn't find a breakthrough.
After much recollection, Chu Zheng finally figured out the problem: the Heavenly Divination Technique was from the Repair Panel he received, meaning it originated from the Dao Seed rather than the Qi-refining Technique.