Chapter 26

Hearing a few people conversing and seeing them heading towards the room, Qi Xiang's expression changed slightly.

"This isn't a thief; they seem to be after me..." In a flash of thought, Qi Xiang held his breath, quietly crawled under the bed, and hid in the basement.

After a while, a few people entered the room, saw no sign of Qi Xiang, and relaxed their movements.

One person, experienced, analyzed: "The quilt is neatly folded and still cool; he indeed hasn't returned..."

"Strange, why is there a fragrance?" someone asked curiously.

"Normal..." another person replied casually: "When I go out, I also light a mosquito coil so I can sleep well when I return at night."

After a few quiet exchanges, the group dispersed, hiding in the room to wait for Qi Xiang to return.

After a few minutes, someone couldn't hold back and said: "I wonder why that kid offended Brother Dong. Last time, they chatted quite well and even drank together..."

"Is that your place to ask?" someone scolded: "Do what Brother Dong tells you to do, and don't talk too much."

"Right, are you living longer than others?" another person chimed in: "Talk less, do more."

The person nodded obediently and didn't dare to speak again.

After a moment, a phone rang, and one person quickly answered: "Brother Dong... that kid hasn't returned... We are hiding in his room, waiting for him to come back..."

"What? Don't alert him... Okay, okay, we'll be there soon..."

The person hung up and immediately signaled: "Let's go, Brother Dong is also here, waiting for us nearby. He wants us to go out first and meet up with him..."

Instantly, the group left the room, carefully climbing over the wall.

At the same time, Qi Xiang also emerged from the basement, his expression clear: "Wang Dong... no, it should be Yun Zhongwu..."

To speak of it, Yun Zhongwu's plot was ruined due to his interference. In a fit of rage, Yun Zhongwu sent Wang Dong to deal with him, which was a reasonable move.

"Troublesome."

Qi Xiang scratched his head, thought for a moment, and then walked out of the room, looking around the courtyard.

A faint fragrance drifted in the night breeze. It was the scent of incense. When the group entered the room, they also picked up the scent of the incense. Although the scent was very light, Qi Xiang could still detect it.

"Should I go meet Wang Dong?"

Qi Xiang's heart stirred, and he immediately ran a few steps, easily leaping onto the wall. Outside the wall was a quiet alley, with streetlights far away, making the environment very dark.

Qi Xiang lightly leaped down and followed the faint fragrance, wandering through the alley.

At this moment, he was observant and alert. After a few minutes, he stopped. On the other side of the wall, he heard Wang Dong's voice.

"Listen up, when he returns, you all rush in and block him..."

Wang Dong's tone was harsh and fierce: "Cover his mouth, dislocate his jaw, stuff a cloth in his mouth, and then pretend it's a friend gathering, and drag him into the car. You don't need me to teach you these methods, right?"

"Brother Dong, don't worry, we know the drill." Someone patted his chest, guaranteeing.

"Good..." Wang Dong seemed to nod: "Be thorough, and don't leave any traces."

"Understood..." the group responded in unison.

Suddenly, someone spoke: "Brother Dong, this small matter, we can handle it. Why did you come yourself?"

"Nonsense, if it weren't for... do you think I would come?" Wang Dong snorted: "If you blame anyone, blame that kid for not knowing his place and offending the wrong person."

"Oh..." the person realized, then asked in a low voice: "Brother Dong, after we tie him up, what's the next step? A light punishment or a severe one?"

"Right, Brother Dong, give us a standard, so we don't mess up your plans." The others nodded, already viewing Qi Xiang as a fish on the chopping block, ready to be cut.

Wang Dong was silent for a moment, then said lightly: "Break his limbs, throw him into a cement mixer, and when it solidifies, sink it in Xuanwu Lake..."

"Ah?" The others were taken aback, looking at each other in shock. Wasn't it just supposed to be a lesson? Why go to such extremes?

"What are you saying, get it done quickly." Wang Dong said coldly, dismissing the group. After the subordinates left, he lit a cigarette, puffing on it. His eyes glinted coldly in the smoke.

Who was he? A mountain tiger.

Although he was just a lapdog to some big shots, to others, he was a fierce tiger. Anyone who saw him would respectfully call him Brother Dong.

And Qi Xiang, on the rooftop, had severely embarrassed him.

At the time, for the sake of the bigger picture, he endured it. But he held a grudge, and today, for some reason, Qi Xiang had offended his backer, which was like asking for death.

Old grudges plus new ones, Wang Dong didn't hesitate and issued a death warrant.

He had already investigated thoroughly; Qi Xiang was just an ordinary person with no complicated background. If he died, as long as it was done cleanly, it would just be another missing person in the police records.

The only concern was Jiang Baiwan...

Wang Dong took a puff of his cigarette, the tip glowing. But it didn't matter; he had someone backing him up. Even if Jiang Baiwan investigated, someone would protect him.

Wang Dong considered everything, stubbed out his cigarette on the wall, and a fierce smile appeared on his face: "Little ant, go to your death obediently."

Just as he said this, someone called from the wall: "Wang Dong..."

"Huh?" Wang Dong was startled and instinctively looked up.

In that instant, a flash of light flew by, and Wang Dong's body swayed, involuntarily taking a few steps back. He suddenly felt a sharp pain on his forehead, reached up to touch it, and felt warm liquid.

The liquid gushed out, unstoppable...

Wang Dong was confused, not quite understanding the situation. Then his vision went dark, his pupils dilated, and his body fell heavily to the ground, unable to get up.

On the wall, Qi Xiang's eyes were clear, his mind calm. He coldly watched Wang Dong for a moment, then lightly leaped down and disappeared into the dark alley.

This was his territory, with complex, spider-web-like alleys that he knew like the back of his hand. He didn't need to exert much effort; after a few turns, he left Wang Dong's subordinates'包围圈, and left without a trace.

On the main street, he casually hailed a car and said calmly: "To the airport."

"Sure thing!" The driver smiled, and as soon as Qi Xiang was seated, he accelerated.

In the back seat, Qi Xiang was focused, gently rubbing a turtle shell, cleaning it on his clothes.

The turtle shell was as white as jade, clean and transparent like crystal, spotless.

Qi Xiang suddenly smiled, mocking Wang Dong's foolishness and lack of discernment.

His gentle and refined demeanor was for business, not a reflection of his true character. He was never a good person; someone who did business with tomb raiders couldn't be a law-abiding citizen.

The antiques market was a deep, turbulent sea, where pure good people were long gone.

Qi Xiang, after years in the market, understood that one had to be ruthless and thick-skinned to survive...

For minor issues, he could back down and resolve them without further complications.

But the problem was, Wang Dong wanted his life. How could he sit and wait to die!

"A cornered rabbit will kick and bite, let alone a human." Qi Xiang's hand holding the turtle shell was steady, and he felt no regret. Some things, once done, should not be regretted.

Qi Xiang focused on the turtle shell as the car arrived at the airport. He paid and got out, quickly entering the airport, buying a ticket, and patiently waiting for his flight.

Soon, Qi Xiang boarded the plane, which soared into the sky like a giant iron bird, disappearing from sight.

Ten steps to kill a man, a thousand miles without a trace.

After the deed, he left without a trace, hiding his achievements.

Qi Xiang left decisively, calmly, and gracefully, but the mess he left behind stirred up a storm.

To some, it was just a minor storm, not worth worrying about. But to others, it was a massive wave, a terrifying storm.

However, as the storm brewed, Qi Xiang had already reached his destination, the plane landing safely.

Taizhou...

At dawn, Qi Xiang checked into a hotel near Taizhou Airport, slept soundly, and didn't wake up until mid-morning. Even after waking, he lay lazily, unwilling to get up.

After much procrastination, he finally got up to wash and brush his teeth, feeling refreshed.

After tidying up, Qi Xiang checked out of the hotel and had breakfast... no, it should be lunch.

After eating, he went to the city, hired a car, and headed to Chicheng Mountain.

Yes, Chicheng Mountain.

Revisiting the place, Qi Xiang felt a bit nostalgic. Unlike last time, this time he was well-prepared, having thoroughly researched the mountain.

Chicheng Mountain is the southern gate of Tiantai Mountain. It is named for its red stone cliffs that resemble a city wall, looking like a rosy glow.

Historical records describe Chicheng Mountain as having red soil that looks like clouds and rosy glow, resembling a city wall. A poet in the Yuan Dynasty wrote: "The red glow of Chicheng Mountain rises high, with ten thousand feet of red light reflecting the clear sky. It's not a beauty's brocade, but a sage's spilt cinnabar."

The poem describes the unique Danxia landform of the entire Tiantai Mountain range.

The mountain, red like a city, stands alone, with three layers of cliffs and eighteen caves.

Qi Xiang's purpose in coming to Chicheng Mountain was clear, heading straight for the top. On the way, he passed the Purple Cloud Cave at the lower rock, the Jigong Temple at the middle rock, and finally reached the Yujing Cave at the upper rock.

Yujing Cave is the sixth heavenly cave in Daoist legend...

...

Starting a new book, I feel anxious and uneasy. I hope to get your support, please collect and recommend.

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