Chapter 84

Liu Hong was completely baffled, especially when she saw Dongfang Xiuzhe's serious expression, which only added to her confusion.

Looking around, everything was quiet; there was not even a rat to be seen, let alone a human figure.

Moreover, who would come to such a place for no reason at this time?

Dongfang Xiuzhe stared ahead, and with his extraordinary perception of energy fluctuations, he could clearly sense that someone was gradually approaching.

"What a strange aura of fighting spirit."

His curved eyebrows furrowed as Dongfang Xiuzhe realized that the fighting spirit of the person approaching was different from any warrior he had ever encountered, which piqued his curiosity.

In fact, Dongfang Xiuzhe did not know who this person was.

At the time, he was sitting in meditation in his room when he suddenly felt a very unfamiliar energy fluctuation. Out of curiosity, he extended his perception and indeed found someone lingering around the dormitory, behaving very suspiciously.

After a closer look, Dongfang Xiuzhe discovered that this sneaky person was hiding in the dark, peering through the window at him, exuding a faint but palpable hostility.

After deducing that this person was targeting him, to avoid involving the unconscious Wang Junqi and to lure the person out, Dongfang Xiuzhe chose this secluded place.

A dark and windy night, perfect for murder.

Such a secluded place was ideal for doing things that should not be seen in the light of day.

Initially, Dongfang Xiuzhe considered that if Teacher Liu Hong was with him, the person might be hesitant to come out. But then he thought that if he came to such a place alone, it would raise even more suspicion.

Fortunately, the person in the dark eventually followed him.

"He's here!"

Dongfang Xiuzhe muttered softly, then pretended to be unaware and shifted his gaze elsewhere.

Not long after, a faint sound of footsteps came from a distance, growing louder and clearer.

Liu Hong widened her eyes and looked in the direction of the sound. Soon, she saw a vague figure gradually approaching.

From the silhouette, it seemed somewhat familiar.

"Teacher Liu Hong, you're here too!"

A cheerful laugh echoed from the darkness, followed by the appearance of a man.

"Teacher Lüning?"

Liu Hong's expression changed, and she looked at the man in surprise.

At the same time, a hint of surprise flashed across Dongfang Xiuzhe's face. Clearly, he had not expected the man to be Lüning.

"No, he's not Teacher Lüning!" Dongfang Xiuzhe's brows furrowed tightly.

"Teacher Lüning's aura of fighting spirit is not this cold. This person is a fake!"

Dongfang Xiuzhe's eyes flashed with a cold light, and a meaningful smile gradually appeared on his lips.

He decided to play along with the plan.

"Teacher Liu Hong, I have some private matters to discuss with student Xiuzhe. Could you...?" Lüning chuckled.

How could Liu Hong not hear the underlying meaning? She glanced at Dongfang Xiuzhe beside her and quickly said, "Then... you two can talk!"

Seeing Liu Hong about to leave, the man disguised as Lüning's face lit up.

"Once this woman is deceived, the rest will be much easier!"

Ying Wu thought to himself, his peripheral vision subtly glancing at his target—Dongfang Xiuzhe.

Commissioned by the distant general of Xia Dan country, he had one month to kidnap the son of the Iron-faced General of Lan Yu country, Dongfang Long, to use as leverage.

Xia Dan and Lan Yu were two hostile countries, each wanting to annex the other. To gain territory and resources, they had engaged in five large-scale wars throughout history, with varying outcomes.

Later, due to the intervention and mediation of the Tie Qin Empire, the conflicts between the two countries had somewhat subsided in recent decades.

However, there were still frequent small-scale skirmishes along the borders, especially in recent times, which showed signs of escalating.

To avoid the massive casualties that would result from a full-scale war, kidnapping Dongfang Long's son for leverage was the best strategy. If successful, it might even be possible to occupy the border city of Tianbo without deploying a single soldier.

Just as Liu Hong had walked about five meters away, Dongfang Xiuzhe's voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Teacher Liu Hong, you dropped something!"

Dongfang Xiuzhe secretly gathered his true energy in his feet. As Ying Wu's attention was diverted by his words, Dongfang Xiuzhe suddenly leaped forward like a sharp arrow, aiming straight for the unprepared Ying Wu.

The sound of the air being split made Ying Wu's face change. He had no time to dodge and hurriedly summoned his "Hundred Transformations Fighting Spirit" to try to block the attack from behind.

"Bang!"

A dull sound echoed, and then Ying Wu's body flew into the air.

Liu Hong, who had witnessed the entire process, was stunned. What had just happened?

Coughing several times, Ying Wu climbed up from the ground, his face filled with shock.

Dongfang Xiuzhe's kick had almost taken his life. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and released his fighting spirit to protect himself.

Even so, his back still felt a burning pain.

Looking at the boy who was watching him with a mocking gaze, Ying Wu felt as if he had been kicked into a daze.

Is this really Dongfang Long's son?

"Could he, like me, have the ability to change his appearance, and is he disguised as someone else to lure me out?"

Ying Wu's thoughts were in chaos.

As a human weapon cultivated by the "Lixiao Organization," Ying Wu possessed unique "Hundred Transformations Fighting Spirit" and a special fighting technique, "Formless True Body." The perfect combination of these two abilities allowed him to mimic anyone's appearance, mannerisms, and speech.

He could disguise himself as Lüning and deceive Liu Hong's eyes precisely because of this complementary fighting spirit and technique.

"Who... who are you?" Ying Wu stared directly at Dongfang Xiuzhe.

"That's the question I want to ask you!" Dongfang Xiuzhe's lips curled, and he gestured for Liu Hong to come over.

"You... how did you... to Teacher Lüning..." Liu Hong's words were cut off.

"Look closely, he's not Teacher Lüning!" Dongfang Xiuzhe pointed at Ying Wu and said, "Shouldn't you show us your true face?"

"He's not Teacher Lüning? How... how is that possible?"

Liu Hong's eyes widened; she could not believe what Dongfang Xiuzhe said.

Although she was not very familiar with Lüning, and the light was not very good, she could not have mistaken him, especially since she could recognize Teacher Lüning's voice.

"Ha ha ha, I didn't think anyone could see through my 'Formless True Body'!"

A cold voice came from Ying Wu's mouth. He waved his hand, and a cloud of black smoke enveloped his body. When the smoke dissipated, he was gone.

"My appearance can only be seen by my master. You can't escape!"

Ying Wu's voice seemed to come from all directions, making it difficult to determine his location.

"Who are you?" Liu Hong was shocked and finally believed what Dongfang Xiuzhe said.

"Shadow Nine Assassins, I am Ying Wu!"

"Shadow Nine Assassins? The name sounds familiar," Liu Hong paused, then her face changed, "Are you from the 'Lixiao Organization'...?"

"It seems you've heard of my background!" Ying Wu's voice was smug.

A flash of light, and Liu Hong cast a magical protection on herself, stepping in front of Dongfang Xiuzhe.

Looking at the woman who was guarding him, Dongfang Xiuzhe felt a bit moved. Such a person with both beauty and strength, if he didn't take her, it would be a waste of his second chance at life!

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"Master!"

Ren Tianxing tightly held the wound on Ye Xingshou's chest, his voice filled with self-reproach.

Ye Xingshou's face was pale from blood loss.

"Tianxing, quickly leave here, don't worry about me!" Ye Xingshou coughed and ordered.

"Master, I can't leave you. Even if I die, I will die with you!"

Tears welled up in Ren Tianxing's eyes; this was the first time he felt such deep sorrow.

"Clap, clap, clap." Applause echoed.

"Truly a touching master-disciple bond, even I am moved!"

Qianzhisou clapped his hands, speaking sarcastically, fully embodying the word "shameless."

If not for his vicious attack, how could Ye Xingshou have ended up like this?

"Brother, you really have a good disciple! Thanks to your good disciple, I was able to severely injure you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been confident in keeping you! Ha ha!"

Qianzhisou laughed maniacally, completely ignoring Ren Tianxing's hateful gaze.

"Master, it's my fault!"

Tears streamed down Ren Tianxing's cheeks.

Men do not shed tears easily, but only when they are truly heartbroken!

Just now, Qianzhisou suddenly attacked Ren Tianxing with countless flying knives, as if trying to tear him to pieces. Fortunately, Ye Xingshou intervened at the critical moment; otherwise, Ren Tianxing would likely be a corpse now.

Although Ye Xingshou successfully saved Ren Tianxing, he himself was hit by over ten flying knives, three of which pierced through his legs.

"Go!"

Ye Xingshou pushed Ren Tianxing away.

"Go? Do you think he can still escape?"

Qianzhisou sneered, giving Ren Tianxing a contemptuous glance.

If he were dealing with the uninjured Ye Xingshou, it might be challenging. But against the inexperienced Ren Tianxing, Qianzhisou was confident that even half his strength would be more than enough.

Ren Tianxing calmed himself, his eyes becoming sharp as he stared at the culprit, gritting his teeth and saying:

"Today, not only will I leave, but I will also take my master with me!"

"Based on what?"

"Based on me!"

Ren Tianxing flipped his wrist, and three talismans appeared in his palm.