The former allows the kidnapper to be fleet-footed and run fast; the latter ensures that the kidnapper runs without making a single sound.
The combination of these traits gives the kidnapper exceptional ambush capabilities.
"Shadow Third," true to his name, demonstrates his skills beautifully with the first two incense techniques, exuding an air of "come without a trace, leave without a footprint" whenever he strikes.
He frequently messes with Liu Qingguang, barging into places like Qingtian Cinema and the Grand Theater to ambush patrolling disciples of the Divine Stealer Hall.
One disciple gets a leg snapped today; another’s hands are rendered useless tomorrow, leaving Liu Qingguang’s disciples in a state of constant dread.
Yet Liu Qingguang can do nothing against Shadow Third. His gourd-eye dual pupils are naturally extraordinary; they can see highly mysterious things, even obsessions.
But his eyesight isn’t swift enough to keep up with Shadow Third’s "Shadow-like Divine Movement," leaving him helpless and bullied.
However, a few days ago, Zhou Xuan gifted him an "eye" tattoo, and everything changed.
For days, Liu Qingguang waited for Shadow Third to appear, and finally, last night, the latter showed up, crippling two disciples’ hands and feet again.
This time, Liu Qingguang ventured into an alley alone, using himself as bait to lure Shadow Third for a kill.
Shadow Third wasn’t afraid of Liu Qingguang. Given such an opportunity, he naturally wouldn’t miss it and boldly entered the alley.
But he didn’t know there was an "eye" tattoo in the alley.
With the third eye, Liu Qingguang had perfect clarity on Shadow Third’s whereabouts.
When Shadow Third displayed his speed, sneaking behind Liu Qingguang and delivering a mid-air downward kick,
Liu Qingguang suddenly turned, using the Divine Stealer’s third incense technique "Stealing," to seize Shadow Third’s right ankle bone in his hand.
Missing a foot, Shadow Third was flustered and couldn’t fathom how Liu Qingguang managed to spot his ambush.
"This Liu Qingguang, I’ve always treated him like a fool to toy with, but today, he suddenly got smart?"
Shadow Third wanted to run, but without one of his ankles, escaping wasn’t going to be easy.
Quickly, Liu Qingguang utilized "Talisman Fire Wall"—the Divine Stealer’s fourth incense technique—to temporarily sever the link between Shadow Third’s Secret Realm and body.
Seizing the moment, Liu Qingguang unleashed Stealing repeatedly, extracting the bones of Shadow Third’s two lower legs.
With no bones left in his legs, Shadow Third was nothing but a fish on a chopping board, ready to be butchered.
To release years of pent-up resentment, Liu Qingguang abandoned Tangkou techniques and directly sat atop Shadow Third, raining punch after punch onto his face...
"That Shadow Third dared to ambush me. The tattoo Young Master gave me revealed him completely. With one turn, I pinned him down like a dead dog."
Liu Qingguang regained his dignity and felt great. Empowered by liquor, he naturally began bragging.
"Brother Liu, I heard you’re working with Young Master now. That Young Master, I’ve heard, is treated like an honored guest by both Hall Master and Mrs. Duan. Looks like you’re on your way to fortune."
"That’s for sure. Your Brother Liu hit the jackpot this time."
After drinking and boasting cheerfully, Liu Qingguang left the restaurant with his disciples.
Planning to rest at home and get to work later at the cinema or theater, Liu Qingguang’s schedule was quite leisurely.
But as he walked, his relaxed mood evaporated. He noticed two people on the street, who, as they walked, slowly merged into one.
After merging, the "person" continued walking.
"Brother Liu, what are you staring at?"
"You guys carry on with whatever you’re doing. I’ve got something to take care of."
Liu Qingguang hadn’t forgotten how he acquired his tattoo—it was Zhou Xuan’s "advance payment."
Zhou Xuan had said that if Liu Qingguang ever encountered any "eerie person," he should notify him immediately.
And now, he’d encountered one.
"An eerie person—where is he headed?"
Liu Qingguang’s gourd-eye trembled as he tightly followed behind.
The "eerie person" had a spectral figure, gliding not just through streets but also through walls and houses. Ordinary tailing wouldn’t suffice; catching up would be impossible.
Fortunately, Liu Qingguang was a Divine Stealer. Using the second incense technique, "roof gentleman," he climbed a brick wall upon entering an alley.
With a few consecutive vaults,
Liu Qingguang was on the rooftops, running and leaping across the buildings to close the gap between him and the eerie figure.
The chase spanned almost half of Mingdong District, ending at Kai Sheng Garden, where the eerie figure approached a woman standing before the garden. The distance between them grew smaller and smaller until they completely overlapped.
The eerie figure seemed swallowed by the woman’s body.
Liu Qingguang remarked.
After merging, the woman stood in front of the garden, gazing toward a mansion.
"This woman is very suspicious. Better make a call to Young Master."
Liu Qingguang went to a nearby upscale restaurant, borrowed their phone, and called Zhou Xuan.
"Hello, Young Master, it’s Liu Qingguang."
"Lao Liu, what’s up?"
"I’ve seen a really strange woman..." Liu Qingguang detailed everything he’d witnessed to Zhou Xuan.
After listening to his account, Zhou Xuan instantly recognized the eerie figure as an obsession.
"Obsession" typically consists of the fusion of many individuals’ thoughts.
The "merging" Liu Qingguang described was actually the intermingling of thoughts.
"Where did you see this?" Zhou Xuan asked for the location.
"Kai Sheng Garden, Mansion Number One."
"I’ll be there shortly."
Zhou Xuan hung up the phone and summoned Lv Mingkun, who was basking in sunlight by the shop entrance: "Fifth Senior Brother, come with me."
Lv Mingkun straightened his hat and climbed into the waiting Mei Ken Sedan.
When Zhou Xuan parked the car in front of Mansion Number One, the Wash Away Injustice Talisman on his chest suddenly began vibrating intensely.