344: The Bad Guy Commander secretly laid a trap

Deep within the subterranean palace of Beyond Heaven, a dart order with black background and gold characters was spread out on a long table cast from cold jade.

The corners were embroidered with dark red silk thread in the shape of crossed short blades—this was the mark of a 'Death Dart,' the highest level in the black market.

Jun Xiaoyao's fingertips hovered over the three characters 'profound iron token' in the center of the dart order, his gaze darkening slightly.

'Young Lord, this dart order is interesting.' Zhao Gao stood bowed at the side of the table, holding the newly organized file in his hands.

'The employer is anonymous, offering three million taels of gold to retrieve a profound iron token from the 'Ghost Market' within three days. The escort target is a seven-year-old child.'

He paused, adding, 'The Ghost Market has not been peaceful lately. I heard that people from the 'Blood Shadow Gate' have set up checkpoints there, specifically to intercept and kill dart teams carrying children.'

Jun Xiaoyao raised his eyes, and the water mirror on the table suddenly lit up, reflecting a panoramic view of the Ghost Market.

It was a floating city built on a swamp, with wooden buildings squeezed crookedly together.

Lanterns swayed in the mist, and one could vaguely see figures flashing by at the street corners, all with blood-red belts tied around their waists—this was the mark of the Blood Shadow Gate.

'Blood Shadow Gate?' He chuckled, tapping his fingertips on the dart order. 'They actually dare to touch the business of The Net.'

'The Marshal of the Unruly has already taken people to investigate.' Zhao Gao opened the file and pointed to one of the pages.

'The Marshal of the Unruly sent back news that the Blood Shadow Gate's Sect Leader, 'Blood Rakshasa,' has just reached the Grandmaster Realm. It is said that he has practiced the 'Bone-Erosion Palm'; those struck by it will have blackened bones and are destined to die within three days.'

The image in the water mirror shifted. In a dilapidated temple on the edge of the Ghost Market, the Marshal of the Unruly was sitting on the incense table, his hat brim pressed very low, covering most of his face.

He was spinning a copper coin with his fingertips, listening to his subordinate's report: 'Sect Leader, the Blood Shadow Gate has set up twelve secret sentries at the southeast street corner. Each checkpoint is guarded by someone in the Grandmaster Realm, and the leader is the godson of Blood Rakshasa, at the peak of the Innate Realm.'

'Understood.' The voice of the Marshal of the Unruly was hoarse like sandpaper rubbing together. He tossed the copper coin up and caught it steadily.

'Notify the 'Shadow' group of The Net. At the third watch tonight, go and take out their checkpoints. Remember, leave one survivor.'

'Yes!' The subordinate accepted the order and retreated.

The drizzle from outside the dilapidated temple drifted in, wetting the hem of the Marshal of the Unruly's clothes, yet leaving no trace—the black cloak he wore was woven with profound iron thread mixed with shark silk, impervious to water and fire.

Over at the subterranean palace, Jun Xiaoyao watched the actions of the Marshal of the Unruly in the water mirror and said to Zhao Gao, 'Have the 'Kill' group ready. If the Marshal of the Unruly fails on his side, go to support immediately.'

'Rest assured, Young Lord,' Zhao Gao nodded. 'The leader of the 'Kill' group, Wu Song, is already waiting outside the Ghost Market with his men.' He said this while pulling up Wu Song's panel:

[Character Panel: Wu Song]

[From: water margin world]

[Realm: Early Stage Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: Jade Ring Step (Perfection), Mandarin Duck Kick (Major Achievement), Drunken Fist (Transcendent)]

[Current Status: Standby]

[Loyalty: 90%]

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly. He trusted Wu Song's combat power.

When he summoned this hero back then, the other party had just beaten a tiger to death on Jingyang Ridge, and his fierce spirit almost broke through the summoning array.

Now that he had been in The Net for half a year, his murderous aura had converged a bit, but he had added a bit of calmness.

At this moment, the water mirror suddenly switched scenes, and fighting sounds erupted simultaneously from the twelve checkpoints of the Ghost Market.

The figure of the Marshal of the Unruly shuttled through the alleys like a ghost.

Every time the iron ruler in his hand was swung, it carried the sound of tearing through the air. The sentries of the Blood Shadow Gate couldn't react at all before their wrists were smashed.

He deliberately avoided vital points, clearly obeying the order to 'leave a survivor.'

'Interesting.' Jun Xiaoyao watched the Marshal of the Unruly use the iron ruler to flick away a sentry's short blade, his fingertips lightly drawing circles on the table.

'The layout of the Blood Shadow Gate's checkpoints actually has some rules; it looks very much like the Formation of the 'Heavenly Net Sect' from ten years ago.'

Zhao Gao immediately pulled out an old file: 'Young Lord has a good memory! Blood Rakshasa was indeed a Protector of the Heavenly Net Sect in his early years. Later, after the Heavenly Net Sect was destroyed, he established the Blood Shadow Gate on his own.'

In the water mirror, the last checkpoint was broken. The Marshal of the Unruly stepped on the wailing sentries all over the floor.

He walked to the leader who was held by the iron ruler against his throat, lifted his hat brim by half an inch, revealing a pair of eyes as cold as ice: 'Speak, why does Blood Rakshasa want to intercept and kill dart teams carrying children?'

The leader was trembling all over, but he said stubbornly: 'I don't know... We are just following orders...'

'Not speaking?' The iron ruler of the Marshal of the Unruly pushed forward another half inch, cutting the opponent's skin.

'I heard that everyone in the Blood Shadow Gate is afraid of the 'Bone-Erosion Palm'? If your Sect Leader finds out you leaked the secret, do you think he will personally cripple you?'

This remark poked the leader's weak point, and his face instantly turned pale: 'I'll say! I'll say! That child... that child is the young Valley Master of the 'Medicine King Valley', and he has the antidote to the 'Bone-Erosion Palm' in his hand! The Sect Leader... he is poisoned by his own palm poison and urgently needs the antidote!'

A flash of realization crossed the eyes of the Marshal of the Unruly. He slammed the iron ruler on the back of the opponent's neck, knocking him unconscious: 'Take him back to the dungeon of The Net.'

Over at the subterranean palace, Jun Xiaoyao looked at the three words 'Medicine King Valley,' his gaze shifting slightly.

He remembered Yellow Pharmacist, whom he had summoned last month.

The Peach Blossom Island of that Eastern Heretic happened to have the 'seven star begonia' needed by Medicine King Valley, perhaps he could make a deal.

[Character Panel: Yellow Pharmacist]

[From: the legend of the condor heroes world]

[Realm: Late Stage Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: Finger Flicking Divine Skill (Perfection), Falling Blossom Sword Palm (Transcendent), Blue Sea Surging Tide Melody (Major Achievement)]

[Expertise: Medical Skills (Transcendent), Mystical Arts of Wondrous Gates and Hidden Staves (Perfection)]

[Current Status: Cultivating seven star begonia on Peach Blossom Island]

[Loyalty: 85%]

'Zhao Gao,' Jun Xiaoyao said, 'Have Yellow Pharmacist prepare ten seven star begonias and send them to the Ghost Market tomorrow.'

'Yes.' Zhao Gao immediately sent the message and pointed to the water mirror again, 'Young Lord, look, there is movement on Wu Song's side.'

The scene cut to the 'Soul-Bewitching Building' in the center of the Ghost Market, which was the headquarters of the Blood Shadow Gate.

Wu Song was guarding outside the building with the men of the 'Kill' group, holding two jars of strong liquor in his hands, taking a gulp from time to time.

The Luowang Assassins beside him were all wearing night-walking clothes, only he had his clothes open, revealing the strong muscles on his chest, looking exactly like a door god.

'Team Leader Wu,' a subordinate said in a low voice, 'Blood Rakshasa is upstairs, and just sent someone down to ask if it was the people from The Net who moved their checkpoints.'

Wu Song slammed the wine jar on the ground, and the wine splashed high: 'Tell him, it was your grandpa who did it! Tell that so-called Blood Rakshasa to get down here and die!' His roar made the window paper of the Soul-Bewitching Building buzz.

A sinister laugh suddenly came from upstairs: 'What an arrogant brute! This Venerable One wants to see what skills you have to dare to run wild in my Blood Shadow Gate!'

Before the voice fell, a blood-red figure broke through the window and landed in front of Wu Song.

The person was wearing a blood-red robe, and his palms were as black as ink; it was Blood Rakshasa.

As soon as he landed, blue smoke emerged from the surrounding stone slabs—the poison gas of the Bone-Erosion Palm had reached such a point.

'Your opponent is me.' Wu Song threw away the wine jar, his fists clenched, making a clattering sound. 'Your grandpa's hands are just itching, I'll play with you!'

The two fought instantly.

The palm wind of Blood Rakshasa carried a fishy smell, and where it passed, the grass and trees withered; Wu Song's fists and kicks were rigid and unparalleled, each punch carried the power of a thousand jun, shaking the palm wind to scatter.

The two fought from the east of the street to the west, knocking down three wooden buildings, shattering countless wine jars, causing the merchants in the Ghost Market to close their doors one after another.

Jun Xiaoyao in the subterranean palace watched the flying wood chips in the water mirror and suddenly said to Zhao Gao, 'Let Yellow Pharmacist bring some 'Miasma-Clearing Pills' along, to avoid Wu Song getting poisoned by the Bone-Erosion Palm's poison gas.'

'It has already been prepared.' Zhao Gao handed over another dart order, 'By the way, Young Lord, the black market just sent another order, offering five million taels, to go to the 'Myriad Gu Cave' to retrieve a 'golden silkworm gu egg', and the person to be escorted is a Saintess from the Miao Border.'

Jun Xiaoyao took the dart order, his fingertips sliding over the three words 'Myriad Gu Cave,' his gaze deepening.

The Gu King in the Myriad Gu Cave was an existence in the Land Immortal Realm.

For this dart order, he was afraid he would have to invite that character who 'fights poison with poison.'

He brought up the spiritual power value of the summoning array—80%, enough to summon another powerhouse.

[System Prompt: High-difficulty dart order detected, special summoning triggered]

[Summonable Character: Blue Phoenix]

[From: 'the smiling, proud wanderer' world]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skill: Five Poison Divine Palm (Perfection), Thousand Spider Ten Thousand Poison Hand (Major Achievement)]

[Expertise: Gu Control (Transcendent), Detoxification (Transcendent)]

[Summoning Cost: 70% Spiritual Power]

'It's her.' Jun Xiaoyao pointed, and the summoning array instantly lit up with green light.

Countless poisonous insect shadows surged out from the array and gathered in the center into a figure wearing Miao Border clothing.

Blue Phoenix wore silver ornaments on her head and a Gu bag hanging from her waist.

As soon as she landed, she bowed gracefully to Jun Xiaoyao, her voice as crisp as a silver bell: 'Blue Phoenix, greets the Young Lord.'

[Character Panel: Blue Phoenix]

[Current Status: Excited]

[Loyalty: 85%]

[Current Thought: Myriad Gu Cave? The golden silkworm gu there is good stuff~]

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the wriggling Gu bag on her waist and said to Zhao Gao, 'Let Blue Phoenix go to the Ghost Market with Yellow Pharmacist tomorrow. Once Wu Song is done, form a team to go to the Myriad Gu Cave.'

'Yes.'

In the water mirror, the fight between Wu Song and Blood Rakshasa had reached a fever pitch.

Wu Song kicked Blood Rakshasa's chest with a Mandarin Duck Kick.

The opponent grinned and slapped Wu Song's shoulder with the Bone-Erosion Palm—the clothes there instantly turned black, emitting bursts of black smoke.

'Struck by my palm poison, let's see how you can be arrogant!' Blood Rakshasa retreated while holding his chest, his eyes full of complacency.

Wu Song was completely unaware, instead laughing loudly: 'What is this bit of itching! Take this punch!'

The black air on his shoulder was actually forced to dissipate gradually by the Protective Aura in his body—it turned out that in the strong liquor he drank on Jingyang Ridge in his early years, an old Taoist had secretly added 'Poison-Repelling Pills,' so ordinary poisons could not hurt him at all.

'Impossible!' Blood Rakshasa widened his eyes, and before he could react, he was circled behind by Wu Song's Jade Ring Step, and a heavy punch hit his back, immediately spraying a mouthful of black blood.

'I concede.' Wu Song shook his fists, looked at Blood Rakshasa who fell to the ground, and said to his subordinate, 'Drag him to the dungeon to keep company with the survivor from earlier.'

Over at the subterranean palace, Jun Xiaoyao watched the black air on Wu Song's shoulder dissipate in the water mirror and said to Zhao Gao, 'Notify the Marshal of the Unruly to bring the profound iron token and the child back safely.'

'Additionally, let The Net release the news that it was us who took out the Blood Shadow Gate's checkpoints. From now on, The Net will take the dart orders of the black market.'

Zhao Gao accepted the order and left, and the subterranean palace returned to silence.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the green light slowly flowing in the summoning array, his fingertips rubbing the three-million-tael dart order, and a faint smile curled on his lips.

For Beyond Heaven to gain a foothold on this continent, relying on summoned powerhouses alone is not enough; he must let the entire Jianghu know—The Net's darts cannot be touched; the people of Beyond Heaven cannot be provoked.

In the water mirror, the Marshal of the Unruly had already walked out of the Ghost Market with the child holding the profound iron token.

The rain had stopped at some point, and the moonlight sprinkled on them, pulling their shadows very long.

And the Soul-Bewitching Building in the distance was burning with a raging fire—that was Wu Song destroying the poisonous items of the Blood Shadow Gate.

The firelight reddened half the sky, looking exactly like the rising momentum of Beyond Heaven.