45: Self-guided fishing bait

The night was pitch black.

Tonight's moonlight was very faint; in places without light, the darkness was thick, making it impossible to see one's hand in front of their face.

However, for Xiao Shi and Cen Qingci, both Night Watch members, their vision in the dark was even better than during the day.

The dimness of the sky did not affect their return journey.

At this moment, the two of them were already on their way back to Jin Yun City.

Each of them carried a human head.

The head Xiao Shi carried belonged to the wanted criminal, Wei Zhen.

The head Cen Qingci carried belonged to Zhuo Fu.

Along the way.

The two of them walked in silence, not speaking a word.

Xiao Shi looked at the talented girl beside him.

Exquisite features, a well-developed figure, and a classic baby face with a voluptuous body... but with her personality, this kind of quietness was rare for her.

Ever since she effortlessly obtained Zhuo Fu's head, she had spoken less, becoming silent, seemingly lost in thought.

Xiao Shi wasn't worried that she would suspect him.

This talented girl was inherently naive and not very bright.

He had always displayed an Entrance to Martial Realm Fifth Level cultivation and was a member of Team Ding.

No one would connect an ordinary Night Watch member at Entrance to Martial Realm Fifth Level with a mysterious powerhouse capable of killing someone at Entering Martial Realm Ninth Level.

What's more... the reason he wore a Night Watch uniform when he carried out the killing was precisely to divert suspicion to that Night Watch member who refused to reveal his name.

It must have been that Night Watch member who refused to reveal his name who did it.

It has nothing to do with me, Xiao Shi.

He looked at the silent Cen Qingci beside him.

“She wouldn’t fail to think of this, would she?”

Xiao Shi was still a little worried about her intelligence.

He felt it was necessary to remind her, lest she started thinking wildly about irrelevant things.

“Senior Sister, that…”

As Xiao Shi just opened his mouth.

Cen Qingci, who was deep in thought, suddenly stopped, looked at Xiao Shi with a serious expression, and said.

“Junior Brother… what do you think of that Night Watch member who refused to reveal his name?”

It seems she's not too stupid after all.

Although Xiao Shi was curious why she asked this, he also realized that she had most likely already assumed that the person who killed Zhuo Fu was that Night Watch member who refused to reveal his name.

Xiao Shi immediately exclaimed.

“He is a great Night Watch member…”

“Powerful, mysterious!”

“He does good deeds but never leaves his name.”

“Fame and fortune are like fleeting clouds in his eyes.”

“He is a role model for our generation! And an example every one of us Night Watch members should learn from!”

Regarding Xiao Shi's sentiments.

Cen Qingci nodded in agreement, repeatedly, as if she had found a kindred spirit, looking at him with bright eyes.

“So I’m not the only one who thinks that!!”

Her eyes were filled with admiration, and her pretty face was slightly flushed.

“Junior Brother, you said he saved me and helped me so many times. Is he… is he perhaps fond of me?”

“Huh?”

Xiao Shi, who was still immersed in his forced praise, was suddenly thrown off by her question.

But before Xiao Shi could answer.

Cen Qingci said with a look of certainty.

“It must be! The two Bounty Hunters he killed before were actually after me; he acted then for my sake. And this time, he clearly didn’t want to see me get hurt, so he acted again to help me kill this Zhuo Fu. He must like me, which is why he keeps doing these things for me. Junior Brother, don’t you think I’m right?”

I think you're really good at imagining things!

Wake up!

You're just bait!

Xiao Shi's mouth twitched.

So, she spent all that time thinking about this?

Xiao Shi was truly speechless.

In such a cruel chaotic world, to not think about how to improve one's strength, but instead to think about matters of love and affection, probably only someone who hasn't been battered by the chaotic world would have such leisurely elegance.

“Senior Sister is right.”

Xiao Shi agreed with a serious expression.

“As expected, Junior Brother, you understand me.”

Cen Qingci looked as if she had found a soulmate.

“Before, I told my captain my guess, and she scolded me severely. People like her, who only know cultivation and killing, wouldn't understand.”

“It’s truly wonderful to be liked by such an outstanding and excellent person!”

“It’s just that he’s too mysterious. I once thought about investigating to see who he was, but I didn’t have any leads.”

Oh, please.

With your intelligence.

And investigate.

Even if you had another brain, you wouldn't know who it was.

Xiao Shi ranted wildly in his heart.

Outwardly, he maintained a look of serious listening.

And advised.

“Since he chose not to reveal his name, he must have his reasons. I don’t think Senior Sister needs to insist on knowing who he is.”

“Mm-hmm, I think so too now.”

Cen Qingci increasingly felt that this junior brother was very much to her liking.

“I've thought it over. I won’t deliberately try to uncover his identity. When he is willing to appear before me one day, I will marry him!”

Alright then.

She had already self-hypnotized to this extent.

Xiao Shi didn't know how to complain anymore.

However, he continued to agree on the surface.

Maintaining his persona as a trusted younger brother.

This made Cen Qingci increasingly feel that this junior brother was a rare confidant, every word he spoke resonated with her heart.

The two chatted as they hurried back.

Although Xiao Shi was discussing these trivial topics with her, his thoughts had already returned to the Bounty Hunters in Jin Yun City.

Previously, he didn't know the Swamp Array had such power, so he hadn't chosen to act against the Bounty Hunters inside Jin Yun City.

But now… he was eager to go back and kill this shark.

However, before acting.

Xiao Shi planned to undergo his fourth body refinement first.

He thought of the item dropped after killing Zhuo Fu this time.

【Name: Qiluo Ghost Flower】

【Type: Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure】

【Grade: Entering Martial Rank】

【Description: In the Seven Absolutes Territory, there is a desolate land, with bones scattered for ten miles around. In its center grows an evil flower with thorny branches, obovate petals, purple and red intertwined, emitting a faint fragrance for a hundred miles. It grows by consuming flesh and blood, often releasing a scent to lure living beings before devouring them. It contains various blood essence purifications; if used skillfully, its uses are endless.】

【Note: Please use with caution!】

...This was another Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure.

And according to the information in the description, this Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure should bring an improvement in blood essence.

As long as he completed the fourth body refinement through this Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, his confidence in killing the Bounty Hunter in the city would also be greater.

The Bounty Hunter in the city was not the weakest type of Entering Martial Realm Ninth Level after all.

He still needed to be treated with caution.

At the same time, Xiao Shi also hoped that after killing this Bounty Hunter, he would continue to drop Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasures.

To allow himself to reach the fifth body refinement.

He was very much looking forward to the next stage of six body refinements.

Furthermore, the physical enhancement brought by body refinement would also accelerate the operation of the Crimson Tiger Art's ninth cycle, thereby reducing the time it took for him to break through to Entering Martial Realm Ninth Level.

In addition to this Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure.

Xiao Shi also acquired a bamboo tube.

This was an item dropped after he killed the wanted criminal Wei Zhen.

【Name: Misty Tube】

【Type: Hidden Weapon】

【Grade: Entering Martial Rank】

【Description: A bamboo tube storing a large amount of mist; after use, it can release mist.】

【Note: The released mist will not only obscure others' vision but also one's own vision.】

...Although this item was not a high-quality item.

However, in Xiao Shi's hands, it could play a huge role and effect!

One of the simplest applications was to use it in conjunction with the 【Swamp Array】!