Chapter 56. Where the Wind Blows (6)

Ming Wenzhi recalled her conversation with her father before coming here.

"You won't be able to know."

"Is that so?"

"Even if Lian Jia managed to capture all the spies, none of them are related to our main family."

"What about the possibility that the head of the Murong family said something?"

"Impossible. The head of the Murong family is a man of his word. He has great ambition, but he also knows how to bow before a stronger opponent. He would never have told his subordinates about the connection to our main family."

"Then, even if Lian Jia's side captured and tortured the spies, our main family's name wouldn't come up, right?"

"Exactly."

"Then, there's no need to send the Dark Death Squad..."

"The Murong family won't show their fangs to us. They know it won't work with force. But do you think we can underestimate the Murong family?"

"No, we can't."

"The head of the Murong family is a capable man. They've already done us a favor, so it's our turn to step up this time."

"What reason should we give?"

"Business. Since the Murong family has already sent a letter to the head of the Lian family, let's use business as the reason for this meeting."

"What if the eldest son of the Lian family suspects us?"

"That won't happen. Jiangxi and Zhejiang are places where powerful martial arts forces are always eyeing. There's no reason to suspect. However..."

"..."

"Suspecting us is fine. Lian Jia will fall anyway."

That's right.

The Ming family has already completed many preparations for expanding their influence. The work on the Dabie Mountains is also finished.

Lian Jia will fall. It has no choice but to fall.

However, when she heard Lian Hozheng's aggressive words, Ming Wenzhi couldn't help but be taken aback.

'He knows?'

Yes, suspecting us is fine. Lian Jia will fall anyway.

But there's a world of difference between suspecting and knowing.

Suspecting someone isn't scary. Without certainty, it will take time to act, and they won't be able to use their strength at critical moments.

But if they are certain, it's a different story.

"What are you talking about?"

Ming Wenzhi tilted her head, looking genuinely puzzled.

"I don't understand what my brother is saying. Are you suggesting that our main family has made a deal with the Murong family?"

Lian Hozheng chuckled.

"You're putting on a ridiculous act when you know everything is exposed."

"Exposed... I really don't understand. Anyway, your family sent spies to the Murong family, and they were captured, right?"

"You're quite resourceful."

It couldn't be helped.

Ming Wenzhi realized that Lian Hozheng had read her thoughts. She was so surprised that she couldn't control her expression for a moment.

The problem wasn't with her as Ming Wenzhi, but with her as the leader of the Dark Death Squad.

'How should I handle this?'

If he was just suspecting, confirming that Lian Jia captured the spies and sending him away would be enough.

But he seemed to be certain, knowing something from someone.

He couldn't be left alone. If he knew, it meant the information had leaked, and if it had leaked, they needed to find out where.

In other words, Lian Hozheng needed to be captured and taken away.

'I'll deal with the aftermath later. Even if Hou Kai stirs things up, I'll just play it cool.'

In Henan, there are the Nine Great Families and Shaolin Temple.

However, in terms of actual influence, the Ming family is much stronger than Shaolin. Shaolin is a Buddhist temple, but the Ming family is a powerful clan that pursues worldly interests.

Even the Heaven's First Gang would find it difficult to uncover the Ming family's information manipulation in Henan Province.

'The problem is...'

Ming Wenzhi looked into Lian Hozheng's eyes.

His eyes were unwavering, giving off a chilling impression that was hard to read, and at the same time, they were difficult to see through.

'This guy knew we were coming. He at least suspected it. He knew about our deal with the Murong family.'

Then?

'Is he using himself as bait?'

What kind of solid backing does he have?

"You can hear my thoughts from here."

"..."

"What makes you so confident?"

Ming Wenzhi remained silent.

Talking about this matter now would be a loss. Both sides already know the truth. Once the truth is revealed, the best course of action is to remain silent.

Lian Hozheng sensed the strength of the Ming family from Ming Wenzhi's demeanor.

Whether in her twenties or thirties, she was too young to be the leader of an intelligence organization.

Her talent must have played a significant role in her becoming the leader of the intelligence organization. But the Ming family must have trained her in a very orthodox way.

The Ming family, which claims to be a righteous family, has trained their children to be professional spies. This alone shows that the Ming family is a difficult family to deal with.

That's right. They can be difficult if you don't know about them.

Lian Hozheng spoke.

"What else? In the end, the only thing a martial artist can rely on is their own strength."

"Strength?"

"You want to capture me, right? But I don't want to be captured."

"!"

"Let's see the power of the intelligence organization of the so-called 'First Family of the World.'"

Ming Wenzhi's eyes turned cold.

She slowly stood up.

"Right, since you know everything, there's no need to hide anymore."

Swoosh.

The warriors standing behind her exuded a killing aura. They had been suppressing their aura, but now they were letting it out.

Rustle!

Birds hidden in the forest flew away in surprise. The killing aura was that intense.

Ming Wenzhi spoke calmly.

"I heard you defeated Niaoxie Chusheng."

"That fool?"

"Right, that fool. In the martial world, even a child's dagger can be deadly. If you underestimate the eldest son of the Bishan Lian family, you deserve to be called a fool. But..."

Swoosh.

Ming Dao suddenly appeared behind Lian Hozheng.

In the dark forest, illuminated by the bonfire, Ming Dao's face looked terrifying, as if it were a ghost floating in the air.

"We are not such fools."

"Looks like it."

"The Dark Death Squad of the Ming family is an intelligence organization, not a combat unit. But there are times when we need to use force to suppress situations."

"Strong?"

"At least, capturing a peak expert isn't difficult. Besides, we don't let our guard down."

Ming Wenzhi smiled.

In the intense atmosphere, her bright smile was eerie.

"So, don't resist and come with us willingly."

Lian Hozheng chuckled.

Ming Wenzhi shook her head.

"I understand your skills are excellent. Your courage matches your skills. But once the fight starts, you won't last more than five moves."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. It's not for nothing that the Dark Death Squad is called..."

At that moment.

'Huh?'

Ming Wenzhi was momentarily puzzled.

'But how did he know we are an intelligence organization?'

The Dark Death Squad is not a publicly known organization. Those who know about it can't reveal it, either because they are dead or under the threat of the Ming family.

How did he know?

"How did you know we are an intelligence organization?"

"By looking."

Swoosh.

A strong aura emanated from Ming Wenzhi's body, stronger than anyone else present.

"You really can't be trusted. I have to capture you."

Crack!

Five warriors scattered into the forest, checking for any possible 'eyes' around.

'Too orthodox. Too much so.'

Only then did Lian Hozheng pick up his axe. He had chosen the moment when the Dark Death Squad sent the warriors to scout the surroundings.

Ming Wenzhi spoke coldly.

"Kneel."

Whoosh!

Ming Dao lunged from behind Lian Hozheng. Surprisingly, the other warriors didn't move.

It was a surprise attack from the start. Ming Wenzhi's words about not letting her guard down were true.

If the opponent wasn't Lian Hozheng, anyone would have been caught off guard by the ambush.

Thud!

Ming Dao's eyes wavered.

His punch hit the air. The attack aimed at the back failed.

'Where?'

Smack!

"Ugh!"

Struck by the staff on the back, Ming Dao staggered and stepped on the bonfire.

Ming Wenzhi shouted.

"Be careful!"

Bang!

Ming Dao groaned again and flew toward Ming Wenzhi.

Whoosh.

Ming Wenzhi caught Ming Dao's wrist and moved it gently. Ming Dao's body flew up and landed behind her.

It was a high-level technique called "Pear Blossom Grafting." A martial art so ingrained in her body that she could perform it unconsciously.

At that moment, a huge axe blade struck the bonfire.

Bang!

The powerful slash extinguished the bonfire in one go.

The surroundings instantly darkened. The eyes of the Dark Death Squad members, accustomed to the light, couldn't adapt to the darkness immediately.

'Oh no!'

Splat!

A terrifying sound was followed by a warm liquid splattering everywhere.

'Blood?'

Whirr!

Everyone instinctively gathered their inner energy. The enhanced vision allowed them to finally see clearly.

But Lian Hozheng was nowhere to be seen.

'What? Where did he go?'

Whoosh!

A cold wind blew from the north.

A cold and heavy wind, with a suffocating pressure.

Ming Wenzhi shouted.

"North! Capture him!"

Clang!

Fourteen warriors swiftly drew their swords. Fourteen sharp attacks aimed at a single point.

It was their mistake.

Bang!

"Ugh!"

"Aaah!"

Surprisingly, all fourteen warriors screamed and retreated. Half of them fell and landed on their butts.

Ming Wenzhi's eyes widened.

'What?'

Whoosh.

A transparent, blue aura rippled in the wind.

Roar!

A strange howl echoed from somewhere far away.

A howl of a monster never heard before, chilling the spines of everyone present.

It was the roar of a mythical beast that doesn't exist in reality.

The master of the Northern Heavens, Xuanwu, had awakened.

"If one of you escapes, I'll kill all of you."

"!"

"Kneel."

* * *

After securing the perimeter outside the forest, the Dark Death Squad members turned back.

At that moment.

Splat! Crack! Splat!

Three Dark Death Squad members fell instantly.

Blood flowed from their heads, cracked by the blows of clubs.

Fortunately, they were not dead.

"What the hell, you bastards!"

Two members who avoided the ambush looked around in panic.

'What?'

Suddenly, dozens of beggars with clubs surrounded them. A perfect encirclement.

"Kyaah! Spit! Damn, it's on my sleeve."

Gadeusang, wiping his chest casually, approached with a playful demeanor.

"Thinking about it, that guy's words make sense. The result is what matters, not the process. Don't you agree, guys?"

"Hou Kai?!"

"Wow, you recognized me right away? You guys really know everything, don't you?"

Despite his playful expression, Gadeusang's eyes were terrifyingly cold, even more so than Lian Hozheng's.

He was extremely angry.

"Take down the 'First Family of the World' sign and your balls too, you bastards."

Whoosh!

The beggars charged.