Wang Anfeng watched the scene before him in silence.
Suddenly, a familiar voice of Mr. Ying rang in his ears:
"Why not tell him the news about North Martial City?"
Wang Anfeng's expression didn't change, he knew that somehow Mr. Ying and his associates could observe some major events happening around him, but he had also asked before, and they couldn't intervene in such situations, the so-called 'beyond reach'.
Hearing his question, the voice simply said in a low tone:
"He would not believe it..."
In such a situation, if it were him, how could he believe a junior without any evidence offering clues, only to disperse the pursuit effort? Any slight error, and the price to pay would be unbearable.
The scholar's voice seemed to fall into silence, yet it also seemed like an illusion of Wang Anfeng's.
The voice then coldly said:
"But you have another identity."
Wang Anfeng's expression slightly changed, and then he thought of something, his pupils narrowed.
Inside North Martial City.
Gongsun Jing was reading in his room.
His cultivation had gradually stabilized at the Sixth Rank Realm since his last meeting with the Hall Master. He had fulfilled a longstanding wish in his heart. However, since last month, it had become quite difficult to collect new secret manuals, and although that so-called Lost Treasure wasn't extremely precious, obtaining it completely relied on chance, not simply through diligent searching.
Moreover, since he had relayed the news about White Tiger Hall.
That one person unexpectedly came to Dingwu City...
Thinking of the seemingly simple outcome and the complex balancing and power struggles hidden behind it, Gongsun Jing's expression became somewhat absent minded. Suddenly, he remembered being a military spy yet passing on the information to another secret organization. Strictly speaking, it'd be akin to betrayal, and he felt somewhat nervous in his heart.
Just then, the candle flame on the desk flickered.
A voice suddenly rang in Gongsun Jing's ear,
His heart was unnerved, and with this sudden voice without any forewarning, he was startled and leaped directly from the chair, his right hand already on the hilt of his combat saber at his waist. With the weapon in hand, his heart stabilized slightly, and then he remembered who owned the voice, his expression subtly shifted, and he ventured,
The voice with a hint of coldness rang out.
Gongsun Jing exhaled in relief and saluted with his fist,
"I did not know the Hall Master would come, and I failed to welcome you from afar; please forgive me."
Without the slightest fluctuation, the voice said:
"I haven't come here."
"I'm contacting you today only to tell you one piece of news."
The voice paused for a moment, then continued,
"Seven of White Tiger Hall are in Fufeng County City today. They slaughtered the Mi Family and took away the 'Heavenly Inquiry' chapters, now heading north."
Gongsun Jing's mind reeled, a myriad of thoughts flooding in, with the gravity of this news leading the charge.
This was clearly a direct slap on Great Qin's face.
If this news were true, after today, countless eyes, either open or hidden, would be watching over Great Qin, to see how it would deal with the matter, to see if Great Qin was still as strong as in the past. Should Great Qin show even a hint of weakness, the Jianghu would probably stir up many storms.
With these thoughts, his expression changed rapidly. At that moment, he suddenly heard a mocking tone in his ear, saying:
"Inform your Military Family backers."
Gongsun Jing's thoughts abruptly halted, his body stiffened, as if he were a corpse.
After a few breaths without hearing the voice again, his heart, which had been suspended, finally settled, and his body was drenched in cold sweat. Unspeakable horror rose from the depths of his heart as he dwelled on it. Yet, considering the detrimental impact of the situation, he set aside his terror, gritted his teeth, and regardless of the late hour, stepped out the door.
He did not notice the jade plaque hanging at his waist subtly lighting up.
Suddenly, a Jade Bead fell away.
Within Shaolin Temple.
A scholar in a green robe sneered, alone except for himself; at this moment, Wang Anfeng was still outside of Fufeng County City, above the Mi Family's residence. The one who had spoken into Gongsun Jing's ear was him.
By his side stood a wooden automaton.
Its limbs flowed with the same spirit as the Lost Treasures' engraving, clearly crafted with the limits of the Lost Treasures. With a flick of the scholar's right sleeve, the automaton's body suddenly changed, revealing a green robe like spring rain, with a stern face exuding an easy grace, identical to his own.
Then, with a casual flick, the automaton vanished from the peak.
In North Martial State City at the Giant Peng Gang's stronghold.
Suddenly, a stern-faced scholar in a green robe appeared inside the study. He slightly moved his palm, which held a bamboo stick, and casually exited. Within the vast Gang's stronghold, housing hundreds of people, not a single one noticed.
In a pawnshop within North Martial State City.
A man clad in white abruptly stood up, looking sharply at Gongsun Jing in front of him as if he were a sword freshly drawn from its scabbard, he said coldly:
"Are you certain of this news?"
Gongsun Jing, thinking of the unfathomable Hall Master of Dragon Head Hall and the murderous, ruthless spear technique of the old man, nodded firmly and said,
"I am willing to make a military pledge."
"If there is falsehood, I am ready to accept military punishment."
The man in white looked at him intently, then suddenly said,
"Where is the merchant who colludes with White Tiger Hall?"
Gongsun Jing had been secretly observing all this while; upon hearing the question, he replied,
"Reporting to the General, that merchant left this morning, transporting goods to the County City."