27: Unrelenting ghost

Hundreds of miles outside Star South City, in a hidden mountain valley stronghold.

The campfire flickered, illuminating faces that were either sinister or fierce. At the head seat sat a middle-aged man wearing Dark Purple Robes. His appearance was ordinary, but his eyes shot out piercing light whenever they opened or closed. His aura was restrained, yet it caused the two Peak Grand Martial Masters present to feel their breathing constrict. He was the Special Envoy sent by the Yin Demon Sect for this operation—a true expert at the Martial King realm.

Below him sat the leaders of the Purple Robe Bandits and the Green Turban Bandits. Both were figures who commanded fear and respect in their respective territories, but now they huddled like quails, sweat beading on their foreheads.

"Trash!" The Yin Demon Sect Special Envoy’s voice was not loud, but it carried a bone-chilling coldness, like an ice pick stabbing into their hearts. "Even the simplest infiltration and rendezvous failed, and you lost thirty skilled Martial Masters I carefully arranged! How did you manage things?"

The leader of the Purple Robe Bandits, a sturdy man with a scar across his face, quickly bowed, his voice trembling, "Envoy, please calm your anger! It... it is because your subordinates were incompetent. However, however, Zhao Qianshan acted too secretly. We don't know why the news leaked. We heard... we heard it was reported by a mysterious person, which caused the whole plan to fail..."

"A mysterious person?" The Yin Demon Sect Special Envoy narrowed his eyes, dangerous light swirling within them. "Investigate! Dig three feet into the ground for me, and drag out this skulking fellow! I want him to know the consequences of ruining the Yin Demon Sect's affairs!"

"Yes! Yes! Your subordinate will definitely investigate with all his might!" The leader of the Green Turban Bandits, a thin man with cunning eyes, quickly expressed his compliance.

The Envoy snorted coldly, suppressing the killing intent in his heart. If not for the fact that these two local snakes still held some use, this single failure would have been enough reason for him to personally clean house. He shifted his tone, his voice chilling, "We will temporarily abandon a direct assault on Star South City. But the target must not be abandoned!"

The two bandit leaders looked up, confusion coloring their expressions.

The Envoy slowly said, "That item is crucial to us. The failure of the last operation proves that it is very likely still inside Star South City and has not been moved. Zhao Qianshan was exposed, and several other secret agents we planted have recently been rooted out... This precisely shows that the other side is also accelerating their investigation, which confirms our judgment!"

His gaze swept over the two men. "Next, abandon large-scale operations. Each of you select the most capable and inconspicuous personnel. Break up your forces, use different identities and channels, and sneak into Star South City again. You have only one mission—to gather intelligence! Use every means necessary to collect any news regarding 'abnormal items,' 'ancient legends,' and 'earth vein fluctuations.' Not a single clue can be missed!"

He stared intently at the two leaders, warning them word by word, "Remember, tell your people to keep their tails tucked in! If anyone dares to act rashly and startle the snake again, I will personally peel off their bones one by one!"

The chilling killing intent felt substantial, causing the two Peak Grand Martial Master bandit leaders to shiver violently. They quickly lowered their heads and repeatedly agreed, "Yes, yes, yes! We will strictly follow the Envoy’s orders! We absolutely dare not mess up again!"

...Star South City, Huichun Medical Hall, guest room.

Qin Feng, who had just achieved the Breakthrough to the Martial Master realm, was feeling the surging power within his body, his heart filled with anticipation for the future. He habitually refreshed the System intelligence at the zi hour, hoping to find information about the follow-up to the Earth Rank Cultivation Technique or other Opportunities.

However, when three pieces of new intelligence flashed into his mind, the ease and joy on his face instantly solidified, replaced by icy coldness and gravity.

[ (Yellow) Yin Demon Sect outer member 'Shadow Rat' (Late Stage Martial Artist), has infiltrated Star South City this evening by disguising himself as a fleeing medicinal herb merchant, lodging in Room D-3 of the 'Peace Inn' in the west of the city. His mission is to secretly investigate rumors in the city regarding 'ancient artifacts' and 'earth veins.' ]

[ (Yellow) Purple Robe Bandits elite scout 'Quick Blade' (Early Stage Martial Master), relying on his impressive blade skills and forged identity as a wandering swordsman, joined the 'Fierce Tiger Gang' in the west of the city this morning, intending to use the Gang's network to gather information. ]

[ (Yellow) Green Turban Bandits liaison 'Poison Widow' (Mid-stage Martial Master), disguised as a widowed relative, infiltrated the civilian area in the south of the city, using her beauty and methods to secretly approach people from all walks of life and establish new intelligence channels. ]

The three pieces of intelligence, like three cold poison darts, clearly revealed that the storm had not passed. Instead, it had enveloped Star South City once again in a more covert and dangerous manner!

"Damn it!" Even with Qin Feng's Heart-Nature, he couldn't help but curse inwardly.

Lingering Evil!

Moreover, those arriving this time were not reckless invasions by force, but infiltration and lurking that were much harder to guard against! A herb merchant, a Gang member, a widow... these people were mixed into the vast populace, extremely difficult to identify. They were like a virus, quietly spreading, weaving an invisible intelligence net until they found what they were looking for, or... until they coordinated from within and without to deliver a fatal blow to Star South City!

Qin Feng's brow was tightly furrowed. The joy of his recent Breakthrough had been completely washed away. While improving strength was cause for celebration, facing such omnipresent shadows, individual martial power sometimes seemed utterly passive.

He firmly memorized the codenames, identities, and locations of these three individuals. This time, he could not rely on reporting anonymously through his Master as he had before. These people held low positions, their targets were vague, and without concrete evidence of treason, rash reporting might easily startle the snake, or even lead to him being framed.

"I must think of a way..." Qin Feng paced in the room, his gaze sharp. "I need to eliminate these tumors without exposing myself or the System's existence."

He looked at the 'Middle Stage Martial Artist' disguise on his panel, then felt the true, magnificent power of an Early Stage Martial Master within his body. A vague plan began to brew in his mind.

Perhaps he could change tactics and take the initiative. Using the System's intelligence advantage, he could disguise himself as a 'concerned citizen' who 'accidentally' discovered clues, or... an 'innocent bystander' caught up in the events, sabotaging these infiltrators' actions under the guise of 'coincidence.'

The night deepened, but Qin Feng had no desire to sleep. The lights of Star South City twinkled outside the window; beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were surging again. And he, Qin Feng, holding the initiative, was destined not to remain uninvolved.

This time, he would engage those enemies lurking in the shadows in a silent contest from the darkness.