130: Chapter 130 The Grand Master, The Hunt! (4k)

Chapter 130

Moonlight was blocked by thick, dark clouds.

Outside the city, the cold wind howled, and the shadows of the surrounding trees swayed and rattled.

Dozens of figures dressed in Flying Fish Robes and wearing bamboo hats sat on horseback, waiting for someone in the night.

Soon, the sound of hoofbeats echoed from a distance.

Amidst the thick night, a shadow drew closer and closer.

The woman on the horse was dressed in black martial attire, outlining a sharp and upright figure. Her dark hair was tied high in a ponytail, with only a few stray strands clinging to her cold, jade-like cheeks.

Her features were stunningly beautiful, yet her gaze was as cold as a wintry star, devoid of any softness. Her nose was straight, her lips were pale, and her face was as cold as if carved from ice and snow—a clear sign to stay away.

Upon seeing the newcomer, all the Constables were momentarily stunned, then began to whisper among themselves:

"Even Divine Constable Lin came this time?"

"Didn't they say that besides our team, other teams would also join this mission?"

...

Fragmented conversations drifted through the crowd, and soon a tall man slowly rode forward on his horse.

"Young Miss Lin, it has indeed been a long time."

The man looked to be in his early forties, with broad, sturdy shoulders and a square, resolute face. He carried the Aura of someone who had long held a high position.

The Capital's Silver Badge Constable, Zhou Cangshan.

He was also a veteran Constable who had been famous for a long time, with deep seniority. He was only one step away from being promoted to a Gold-Badge Constable.

"Brother Zhou."

Lin Wan cupped her hands as a greeting.

Zhou Cangshan looked at the icy woman before him and remarked with emotion:

"The last time I saw you, you were still a Bronze Badge Constable. I didn't expect that in such a short time, you would already surpass me. This world ultimately belongs to you young people..."

"Brother Zhou, you must be joking. Once this mission is over, it will be time for your promotion as well."

In truth, Zhou Cangshan's strength had already met the requirements; for years, all he lacked was a noteworthy achievement.

Once the mission to wipe out the Black Crow Cult's headquarters was completed, this veteran Constable could be considered to have moved up another level.

Zhou Cangshan shook his head: "I'm getting old, I don't have the drive anymore. This will be my last mission."

"Once this mission is finished, I'll retire and enjoy my old age."

Before Lin Wan could reply, Zhou Cangshan spoke up:

"The timing seems about right. Let's not keep Constable Li waiting."

The two rode side-by-side, and the Constables following them also caught up with their respective leaders.

Soon, a young man appeared in their line of sight.

This person was incredibly thin, with an indifferent expression, and spoke very little.

The Constables accompanying him were also mostly taciturn and serious, carrying an air of murderous intent.

The leader of this hunt against the Black Crow Cult's stronghold was the man before them.

The Capital's Gold-Badge Constable, Li Mochuan.

True to his name, the team Li Mochuan led was different from a regular Constable team.

Every person in the team was a retired member of the Demon-Slaying Squad, having once fought life-and-death battles with Yao Beasts daily.

Therefore, the members of this team could be considered one of the top elite squads in the capital.

Seeing Lin Wan and Zhou Cangshan approach, Li Mochuan gave a slow nod of acknowledgment.

"Is everyone ready?"

Li Mochuan's voice was flat. Seeing the two opposite him nod, he continued:

"Since you're ready, then let's set out. Let's finish this quickly!"

Having said that, he flipped onto his horse and made a gesture. The rest of his subordinates pulled on their reins.

Clatter, clatter, clatter.

Dozens of fine horses galloped, kicking up a large amount of dust in the night.

...

...

Within the Constable ranks.

Chen Ran rode a horse, following within the moving team, only a few meters away from Lin Wan.

During the journey, quite a few gazes were faintly focused on him.

Chen Ran's expression was calm as he looked at the man leading at the front.

Gold-Badge Constable Li Mochuan.

Under his perception, the entire team gathered a total of one Aperture Condensation Realm Martial Artist and two Meridian Opening Realm Martial Artists.

The rest of the Constables participating in the operation were mostly at the Inner Breath Realm.

Constables like him, who on the surface only had a Rank Seven cultivation, were in the minority.

This combat power was significant even within the capital.

After all, Martial Artists of the upper three ranks usually held high positions and rarely made public appearances.

So, those who were active on a large scale in the capital were mostly Martial Artists of the middle three ranks.

While traveling, Chen Ran recalled the intelligence in his mind.

The Black Crow Cult was not a major martial arts sect; many of its participating followers were common civilians.

Even the so-called Elders mostly had strengths only at the Rank Six Inner Breath Realm, so they could be said to be in constant retreat under the suppression of Six Doors.

Yet, to purge the enemy's headquarters this time, they had even dispatched an Aperture Condensation Realm Martial Artist, showing how much importance they attached to the opponent.

"But with so many people sent, I probably won't be able to help much."

Chen Ran thought to himself, finally scanning the other Rank Seven Constables.

Seeing that most of them also looked relaxed, he assumed these were the people within Six Doors who had come to piggyback on the achievements.

Among them, he also saw a man who bore some resemblance to Zhou Cangshan.

"It seems this mission is indeed a lucrative one; I expect catching a ride on this achievement will boost one's standing quite a bit."

This kind of back-door behavior had likely existed within Six Doors for a long time.

So, no one paid them any mind.

...

About half an hour later,

They were finally approaching their destination.

It was a pitch-black mountain range where the trees became increasingly dense. There were even giant trees over ten meters tall, their upright branches directly blocking the moonlight.

The location chosen by the Black Crow Cult was indeed remote; just looking at it from the outside felt eerie with Yin Qi.

No wonder it took until now to find the destination.

"Everyone be careful, we're almost at the destination."

Lin Wan pulled her horse to a stop, looking warily at the distant mountain forest.

Chen Ran also followed suit and stopped, standing in the distance.

Zhou Cangshan dismounted and drew the long sword from his person.

"Young Miss Lin, we've arrived. We'll switch to proceeding on foot now."

Lin Wan gave an 'en' in response, also dismounting and tethering her horse.

In these mountain forests, riding horses was not very convenient.

Moreover, it was easy to alert the enemy, so they changed their mode of operation upon arrival.

Li Mochuan first glanced at the mountain range, then spoke after a pause:

"Everyone, hear my orders. Those above Rank Six, follow the main force forward. Those below Rank Six, be responsible for cordoning off the mountain forest."

"I don't want a single rat to escape this time."

...

The outskirts of the mountain forest.

The night wind grew even colder.

Chen Ran leaned against a withered tree, arms crossed, boredly watching the pitch-black mountain path.

Not far away, several young Constables were huddled together, chatting in low voices.

As Constables whose strength was not yet at Rank Six, they were all gathered here to guard the key area.

"Brothers, once this job is done, we should be able to go up at least half a rank when we get back, right?"

"For sure, the Black Crow Cult is a major case. Although we're out here blowing in the cold wind, our names won't be missing from the merit books."

A round-faced Constable rubbed his hands and turned to look at Chen Ran.

"This brother here, you look like a new face. Which hall are you from?"

"Internal Affairs Group, just transferred to Six Doors."

The round-faced Constable was stunned for a moment, then came to a realization.

"Oh, so you're that new deputy Divine Constable Lin took in."

He sized Chen Ran up a few times, his tone carrying a bit of sentiment.

"I heard you were on duty at the Sky Prison before? To be favored by Divine Constable Lin, you must be a capable man, brother."

Chen Ran gave a perfunctory "en".

He was just about to find a comfortable position to continue slacking off.

Suddenly.

He felt the ground beneath his feet vibrate slightly.

This vibration was extremely faint; if one didn't pay close attention, they would likely miss it.

Chen Ran frowned.

He abruptly turned his head, looking toward the bottomless mountain forest.

From deep within the dense forest, where there had only been the sound of wind, a dull rumble faintly echoed.

Abnormal movements came from deep underground, the tree canopies shook violently, and a large flock of birds was startled into flight.

"What's going on?"

The round-faced Constable also sensed something was wrong and gripped his sword hilt.

Chen Ran ignored him.

He slightly closed his eyes.

[Heavenly Net], activate.

Buzz.

Mental Energy rippled out like water waves, spreading deep into the mountain forest.

Passing through trees, over rocks.

Immediately after.

Chen Ran snapped his eyes open, his expression changing slightly.

The Aura in the mountains was a bit off.

This encirclement might not be that simple.

...

The heart of the Black Crow Cult.

Firelight soared into the sky, and screams were heard incessantly.

Lin Wan swung her sword.

A sharp Sword Qi sliced two Black Crow cultists in half at the waist.

Blood gushed out.

She didn't even look at the corpses on the ground, stepping through the pools of blood as she continued her advance.

It was going too smoothly.

From the outskirts to the heart, they had encountered almost no decent resistance.

The so-called Black Crow Cult elites were simply vulnerable before the butchering blades of Six Doors.

"Constable Lin, the Great Hall of their general altar is just ahead!"

Zhou Cangshan, holding a dripping long blade, strode over a floor of severed limbs.

He was splattered with blood, yet his expression was exceptionally excited.

"It's been too smooth this time; forget about resistance, there hasn't even been a decent opponent."

Li Mochuan walked at the very front.

He felt something was amiss in his heart.

As a member who had worked in the Demon-Slaying Squad for several years,

He clearly realized that the more things were like this, the more one could not relax their guard.

Soon, the group reached the end.

They saw that within this mountain range, an eerie stone palace had actually been carved out.

This was also the location marked in the mission.

Li Mochuan said in a deep voice:

"Kill our way in."

His voice didn't have a hint of fluctuation.

The crowd roared their assent and charged into the Great Hall.

However.

There was no desperate resistance as imagined inside the Great Hall.

Instead, it was empty.

Rustle, rustle.

As the sound of everyone's footsteps echoed, countless crows flew out from the shadows.

They nearly blotted out the sky, enveloping the entire palace.

Only then did everyone see clearly that at the end of the Great Hall, on a high throne of white bones, sat a person.

A man.

Dressed in a dark gold robe, with long hair draped down.

He propped his chin with one hand, his posture languid.

On his pale face, he wore a half-mask of a smiling bird's beak.

The Great Hall was deathly silent.

Only the crackling of burning torches could be heard.

Whoosh—

A gust of Yin wind blew past.

Li Mochuan stopped his steps, staring intently at the man on the throne.

"Fall back."

Li Mochuan's voice was hoarse as his right hand slowly gripped his sword hilt.

"The intelligence was wrong."

Zhou Cangshan was stunned.

"Constable Li, he's just a..."

Before he could finish his sentence.

The man on the throne moved.

He simply lifted a finger gently.

Swish!

A black light, almost impossible to catch with the naked eye, tore through the air.

It was fast to the extreme.

"Puchi."

A soft sound.

Zhou Cangshan's voice came to an abrupt halt.

He lowered his head, staring blankly at his chest.

There, a blood hole the size of a fist had appeared.

His heart had already vanished.

"Clang."

His long blade hit the ground.

Zhou Cangshan's burly frame collapsed with a thud, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Instantly killed.

A Meridian Opening Realm expert about to be promoted to Golden Seal didn't even have time to react before dying on the spot.

A deathly silence filled the Great Hall.

All the Constables froze in place, their bodies turning ice-cold.

Lin Wan's hand gripping her sword tightened abruptly. She first flashed to the front of Zhou Cangshan.

Her face darkened; by now, Zhou Cangshan had completely lost all signs of life.

This kind of method was far beyond the Meridian Opening Realm level estimated in the intelligence.

Aperture Condensation Realm!

And, definitely not an ordinary Aperture Condensation Realm!

...

"Hahahaha."

The man on the throne began to laugh.

The laughter echoed in the empty Great Hall, piercingly harsh.

"The dogs of Six Doors are indeed as stupid as ever."

Ye Wuya stood up.

His dark gold robe moved without any wind.

A terrifying pressure enveloped the entire area.

"Do you really think my Black Crow Cult is a place where you can come and go as you please?"

Li Mochuan didn't waste words.

"Qiang!"

His long blade was unsheathed.

His own Aperture Condensation Realm cultivation erupted without reservation.

His whole being turned into a blood-colored afterimage, lunging straight at Ye Wuya, while he shouted:

"Form the array!"

Seeing this, Lin Wan gritted her teeth. Her long sword turned into a sky full of cold stars as she followed closely behind.

The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, blocked all of Ye Wuya's paths of retreat.

Ye Wuya gave a sneer.

"Overestimating yourselves."

He neither dodged nor avoided, turning his right hand into a palm and striking out nonchalantly.

Boom!

Violent True Qi exploded.

Li Mochuan's blood-colored blade glow shattered on the spot.

He let out a muffled groan, his figure stumbling back several steps before coming to a halt.

Lin Wan's sword net was also torn apart by this immense force.

She retreated over a dozen steps before barely stabilizing herself, a trace of blood leaking from the corner of her mouth.

Li Mochuan clutched his chest, a strange look flashing in his eyes.

"How is it possible? You're at the... Peak of the Aperture Condensation Realm!?"

Only one step away from entering the upper three ranks!

How could a monster of this level be holed up in a low-grade evil cult?

Ye Wuya looked down at the two of them. After seeing the uniforms they wore, he was slightly surprised:

"Oh, it's actually two Gold-Badge Constables. If I hang both of your heads over the city gates of the capital,"

"I wonder if those old fogies in the imperial court will be so angry they'll vomit blood?"

"Too much talk!" Lin Wan wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, her gaze turning cold.

She raised the long sword in her hand, the True Qi in her body circulating frantically, the sword's hum clear and high-pitched.

The "Lingxiao Sword Art"!

"Zheng!"

A brilliant sword light lit up.

Carrying a determination that knew no retreat, it stabbed toward Ye Wuya's throat.

The sword light split in the air, finally turning into countless sword shadows!

A hint of surprise flashed in Ye Wuya's eyes.

He slightly leaned to the side.

The sword light grazed past his neck.

"Sila."

However, the corner of his dark gold robe was torn by the Sword Qi and fluttered to the ground.

Ye Wuya looked down at the damaged corner of his robe and was stunned for a moment.

Soon, the playfulness on his face vanished, replaced by an extreme, icy chill.

"Very good."

He slowly raised his right hand, black light flickering at his fingertips.

"I was originally going to kill you directly, but now I've changed my mind. I must make you die in agony."

Swish!

In the next instant, a black light shot out from his fingertip.

Lin Wan's pupils contracted. She only felt a chill rise in her heart, a thick Aura of death lingering in her mind.

The gap in strength between the Aperture Condensation Realm and the Meridian Opening Realm was too large; this disparity could not be made up overnight.

Just at this moment,

Li Mochuan appeared before her at some unknown time, drawing his blade horizontally to block the black light.

Bang!

It took a full breath of time before Li Mochuan completely dispersed that black light.

In that brief exchange, the difference in strength had already been distinguished.

Drip, drop.

Li Mochuan glanced at his bleeding arm, his expression gloomy, as he ordered Lin Wan:

"I'll hold him off, you go for reinforcements."