48: Outside Heishan Town

A figure carrying a cold aura swept into the main hall like a gust of wind; it was Li Qinghe! His breathing was slightly hurried, and his face bore a rare expression of urgency.

The three people in the room looked up simultaneously.

Li Qingfeng and Wang Tiezhu naturally recognized him, but it was Zhang Shitou's first time feeling Li Qinghe's unique aura from such a close distance—a cold, frosty presence that clearly did not belong to the Mortal world. A flash of surprise and doubt crossed his eyes.

Li Qinghe's gaze swept over Zhang Shitou, and he too was slightly taken aback. However, the situation was urgent, so he immediately turned to Li Qingfeng:

“Third Brother! There's an emergency!”

“Qinghe? Why are you in such a panic?” Li Qingfeng noticed something was wrong with Li Qinghe's expression and immediately stood up.

Li Qinghe's gaze scanned the room, lingering slightly on Wang Tiezhu before moving away, finally landing on Zhang Shitou with a questioning look:

“And this is?”

“Oh, this is Brother Zhang Shitou, also a fellow disciple of the Qingxuan Sect. He just brought back important news; he's one of us.”

Li Qingfeng quickly introduced them:

“Stone, this is my Fourth Brother, Li Qinghe.”

“Brother Qinghe!” Zhang Shitou hurriedly cupped his fists, thinking to himself: This Fourth Young Master is indeed extraordinary. This aura... is he also a Cultivator?

Li Qinghe also cupped his fists in return: “Brother Zhang.”

He then looked at Li Qingfeng with a solemn gaze and spoke rapidly:

“Third Brother, the situation is urgent! I've just received confirmed news: a Black Water Profound Python at the Early Stage of the Qi Refining Third Layer was defeated in a fight in the upper reaches of the Heishui River. It is heavily injured and is currently heading down a tributary of the Heishan River, aiming straight for Black Mountain Town! It has gone berserk and intends to slaughter Mortals to devour their blood and essence to heal its wounds! It’s estimated to arrive within a day!”

“A Qi Refining Third Layer Yao Python? Heavily injured?”

Upon hearing this, Wang Tiezhu's eyes brightened instantly. Instead of fear, he slapped his thigh hard and looked at Li Qingfeng with excitement:

“Brother Feng! This is a god-given opportunity! Just when we needed it! Isn't this a damn 'legitimate reason' delivered right to our doorstep?!”

A sharp light also burst from Li Qingfeng's eyes as he instantly understood Wang Tiezhu's meaning!

Their gazes met; everything was understood without words!

“You mean...”

“Exactly!” Wang Tiezhu clenched his fists, his voice firm and decisive. “When that Yao Python breaks into Black Mountain Town and begins its slaughter, while the Mortals are in a state of panic and despair, you, Brother Feng, will descend from the heavens. Under the watchful eyes of the masses, you will use thunderous methods to slay this beast!”

He became more excited as he spoke, as if he could already see the soul-stirring scene:

“Think about it! Disaster looms over Black Mountain Town, the wails of Mortals fill the air, and that Qi Refining Yao Python is displaying its terrifying might! At this life-or-death moment! You, Brother Feng! Clad in the robes of the Qingxuan Sect, piloting an immortal Flying Shuttle, and holding the cloud-splitting bow embryo, will be like a Heavenly God descending to earth!”

“In front of everyone, at the critical moment, above Black Mountain Town, you will—publicly!—slay that dying, rampaging Yao Python that was about to slaughter the Mortals!”

“With thunderous methods, you will save the people from fire and water! You will turn the tide!” Wang Tiezhu's voice held an inflammatory power:

“Then, holding the Qingxuan Jade Seal, you will announce it to the whole town! State clearly that the demon calamity arose from the Recovery of Spiritual Essence, and since Black Mountain Town is remote and lacks the protection of a Cultivator, it is ultimately difficult to defend itself. To protect the living beings of this area and prevent them from being devastated by Yao Beasts...”

“I, Li Qingfeng, by my responsibility as the Town Guardian of the New Town under the governance of qingxuan, shall also take charge of Black Mountain Town's defenses! From this day forward, Black Mountain Town is incorporated into the Qingxuan New Town joint defense system and is under the protection of my Jade Seal! If there are those who are unconvinced or questioning, just ask them if they can withstand the next Yao Beast attack?!”

“It’s perfectly justifiable! It’s what the people want! Who would dare to object?! That Town Guardian Lin and the local prominent families won't even have time to finish thanking you for saving their lives! If Zhao Tianbao dares to come and snatch it, he will be making an enemy of the 'hero' who saved the thousands of people in Black Mountain Town, and an enemy of the Qingxuan Sect's Jade Seal Town Guardian! Even if he complains to the Sect, they won't be able to find a single fault with us!”

Zhang Shitou also caught on and added excitedly:

“Right! Brother Pillar is absolutely right! But that giant python is at the Qi Refining Third Layer. Even if it's heavily injured, Brother Feng, you...”

He looked at Li Qingfeng (Qi Refining First Layer) with some concern.

Wang Tiezhu waved his hand with full confidence:

“No matter! According to what Brother Qinghe said, that beast is heavily injured, so its strength is definitely less than half of its peak! Brother Feng, you have a Magic Treasure embryo like the cloud-splitting bow embryo in your hands; your offensive power far exceeds those of the same rank! Plus, with me and Stone supporting you from the side, and Brother Qinghe...”

He glanced at the composed Li Qinghe:

“If he can also take action, our chances will be even greater! We can definitely slay it before it reaches Black Mountain Town!”

Li Qinghe immediately nodded:

“I will go with you! Although that Yao Python is heavily injured, it is still at the Qi Refining Third Layer after all. Its deathbed counterattack cannot be underestimated. I have recently mastered a sword move that might be able to lend Third Brother a hand!”

He didn't over-explain his Realm, but his confidence and sharp edge made both Wang Tiezhu and Zhang Shitou feel a chill in their hearts.

Li Qingfeng took a deep breath, all hesitation gone from his eyes. He stood up abruptly, and the pressure of a Qi Refining Cultivator's aura surged upward:

“Good! The plan is set! Pillar, Stone, prepare yourselves immediately and set out with me. We will head to the waters near Black Mountain Town in advance to lie in wait. We must intercept and kill it outside the town. If we can't, we must ensure it only reveals itself outside the town, and after creating enough panic, I will step in to slay it!”

“Qinghe, follow us in secret. If necessary, take action to help Pillar and Stone heavily wound the Yao Beast! This battle concerns the future landscape of the New Town; we only allow success, not failure!”

“Move out!”

The four men's gazes met, and their Battle Intent was instantly ignited. An ambush against the injured Yao Python, and a strategic operation to completely take control of Black Mountain Town through it, thus began!

...Downstream of the Heishan River tributary, at a bend in the river about five miles from the Black Mountain Town pier.

The current here was relatively gentle, and the banks were overgrown with reeds, making it an excellent spot for an ambush.

The green bamboo shuttle was suspended deep within the reed marshes, its spiritual light concealed by Wang Tiezhu using a simple sensory-obscuring Talisman.

Li Qingfeng, Wang Tiezhu, Li Qinghe, and Zhang Shitou stood on the shuttle, their expressions solemn.

“Let's clarify the plan one more time!” Li Qingfeng's voice was low and clear as his gaze swept over the three of them:

“Pillar, Stone, Qinghe—the three of you will take the Flying Shuttle, with Stone at the helm! Once the Yao Python appears and starts causing trouble, take to the air immediately to draw its attention and buy time for the people along the banks and on the boats to escape!”

“Pillar, you're responsible for using the basic attack Talismans (Fireball Talismans, Golden Needle Talismans, etc.) granted by the Sect for long-range harassment. Don't worry about wounding it; just provoke it and make it turn its anger toward us!”

He looked at Li Qinghe: “Fourth Brother, you're good at archery. Use this Refined Iron Black Bow.”

He unslung the stiff bow he used to use and handed it to Li Qinghe, while he himself gripped the stringless cloud-splitting bow embryo.

“Stone, your cultivation is slightly weaker, but your task is the heaviest! Control the Flying Shuttle, ensure you maintain a safe distance, stay maneuverable, and absolutely do not let it hit the shuttle! Ensure everyone's safety!”

Wang Tiezhu patted his chest: “Don't worry, Brother Feng! The 'Fireball Talismans' and 'Golden Blade Talismans' issued by the Sect will be enough to give that beast a run for its money!”

Li Qinghe took the Refined Iron Black Bow, tested the string, and nodded: “Understood.”

Zhang Shitou also nodded vigorously: “Leave it to me!”

“Good!” Li Qingfeng gave one final instruction, “Once that Yao Python is provoked and shows its terrifying power, causing panic to boil over in Black Mountain Town, that will be my time to act. I will look for the best opportunity from the shadows to deliver the fatal blow!”

“Move out!”

Li Qingfeng gave a low shout, his body turning into a faint shadow as he silently slipped off the Flying Shuttle, disappearing into the thick reed marshes and speeding toward the designated ambush point.

Wang Tiezhu, Li Qinghe, and Zhang Shitou looked at each other and took a deep breath.

Zhang Shitou sat at the front of the Flying Shuttle, his hands tightly gripping the control core, his forehead slightly beaded with sweat.

Wang Tiezhu took out several Talismans and held them in his hand, while Li Qinghe silently infused a trace of pure water spiritual energy into the stiff bow, causing the bow's body to glow with an inconspicuous layer of cold light.