Jiming Lane was a quiet and rather deserted street among the many alleys of Nanquan Lane. Most constables were unwilling to patrol it. Especially at night. Walking through the alley, even in pairs, one would feel an eerie wind at their back, a truly chilling sensation.

If that was the case for two, how much more so for Chen Ping’an, who was all alone?

However, he was now at the Qi Blood Third Layer. With his Qi Blood abundant and his courage bolstered, he had no fear of the mere darkness or any spooky tales.

This was the confidence his Martial Arts Realm afforded him!

Chen Ping’an walked down Jiming Lane with a blade at his waist, a sounding gong slung over his shoulder, and a lantern in his hand.

Normally, two constables would watch each other’s backs, one carrying the lantern and the other the sounding gong. If they discovered anything unusual, they would both spring into action. If the matter was too difficult and seemed insurmountable, they could strike the gong as a warning and a call for help.

Upon hearing the gong in the dead of night, the average petty thief would lose all courage, let alone think of resisting.

Walking along Jiming Lane, Chen Ping’an was in a good mood. He had slept soundly during the day, and before coming on duty, he had even practiced with his Flying Locust Stone.

Now, the Experience Points for his Flying Locust Stone on the panel had reached 12. This feeling of growing stronger, accumulating progress bit by bit, was truly wonderful.

The residences on either side of Jiming Lane were not continuous, but sparse. Walking on, he would pass by small patches of wasteland. According to a widely circulated story in the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, Jiming Lane was originally the ancestral cemetery of a great family. After the family fell into decline, it slowly transformed into the Jiming Lane of today.

Of course, this was all too long ago and merely a rumor.

The moonlight was somewhat dim tonight, but with the candlelight from his lantern, Chen Ping’an could see the path clearly enough. The chirping of insects occasionally broke the silence; he had no idea where they hid during the day.

Chen Ping’an patrolled energetically until midnight. Just as he was thinking of finding a place to rest, he suddenly froze.

"What was that sound?"

Chen Ping’an’s ears twitched. He seemed to have heard something.

He was now a skilled martial artist with sharp ears and keen eyes, so he could hear sounds that ordinary people couldn’t. His gaze grew wary as he looked in the direction of the sound.

It was pitch-black in the distance; he couldn’t see a thing.

’I’ll go take a look!’

Chen Ping’an raised his lantern and walked forward, following the sound.

...

In the dead of night, if one were to look down upon Weishui County City from a high vantage point, they would see a clear distinction between the Inner and Outer Cities. The Inner and Outer Cities were separated by a riverbank. Even late at night, many parts of the Inner City remained brightly lit. The Outer City, however, was a stretch of darkness and silence, with almost no lights to be seen.

A corner of Nanquan Lane in the Outer City.

At this very moment, an extremely fierce battle was raging. Four figures clashed under the faint, flickering moonlight.

Among them, three figures were coordinating seamlessly to besiege a single person.

"Just a casual move on my part, and I never expected to catch such a big fish."

Beneath the moonlight, a stooped figure in gray robes let out a series of strange laughs. As his figure moved, the dim moonlight occasionally revealed his scarred face.

The Grand Steward of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, Wu Haihua!

At his side were two other figures, one fat and one thin, who coordinated with his attacks, constantly pressuring the woman before them.

The woman wore Black-Striped Fish Scale Armor, revealing a cold and beautiful face. She wielded a Longsword, creating dazzling flurries of light with her blade. As her Sword Techniques shifted, Sword Qi surged.

"If the Garrison Commandant’s Office were to learn tomorrow that the Lord Chief of the South District had fallen here... I wonder what their reaction would be!? I’m truly curious!"

Wu Haihua wielded two Short Spikes, which he brandished in a frenzy, trying to break through the woman’s defense. With every flourish of the spikes, a burst of energy erupted.

Wu Haihua was ecstatic. He had thought it would be a success if he just managed to lure any fish. He never imagined he would catch such a big one. He had lured the Chief of the Patrol Office for the South District, Mu Wanjun!

Mu Wanjun, a direct descendant of the Mu Family! She had broken through to the Inner Qi Realm at a young age and held the seal of office as the Chief of the Patrol Office for the South City District Garrison. If he could kill her, the reward from the sect would be substantial.

At this thought, Wu Haihua couldn’t help but lick his lips, a bloodthirsty light glinting in his eyes.

’This Mu Wanjun might be talented, but she’s still too young and inexperienced. She fell for our trap so easily.’ His Martial Arts Cultivation was a level above Mu Wanjun’s, and with the help of two First-class Stewards, he was confident he could take her down.

Mu Wanjun brandished her Longsword, her Qiushui Sword Technique executed to perfection. But as she continued to defend, she gradually began to feel the pressure.

SWISH!

In a moment of carelessness, several gashes were torn in her Black-Striped Fish Scale Armor. Fortunately, she unleashed her Inner Qi just in time to barely parry the attack.

Mu Wanjun’s heart sank.

Earlier in the evening, she had spotted a shadowy figure bearing the mark of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect. The Ten Thousand Demons Sect appearing in the County City meant they must be plotting something. She had decided to follow the figure to uncover the stronghold behind it. But she never expected that by tracking it here, she would walk right into their trap.

Confident in her own strength and wanting to avoid alerting the enemy, she had told no one about her pursuit.

What she had thought would be a sure-fire pursuit and slaughter turned out to be an ambush where she encountered the Grand Steward of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, Wu Haihua.

Wu Haihua, at Qi Sea Realm Perfection, was a whole level above her. He was also assisted by two First-class Stewards at Qi Blood Perfection.

’I’m in big trouble!’

SWOOSH!

Wu Haihua’s form blurred into an afterimage. His two Short Spikes spat out shimmering light over a foot long as he suddenly erupted with an attack meant to kill Mu Wanjun.

He was certain the blow would land, but unexpectedly, the shadow of Mu Wanjun’s sword shifted as she executed a profound Sword Technique.

CLANG!

Wu Haihua’s Short Spikes were firmly parried.

However, while Mu Wanjun blocked his move, her divided attention allowed one of the First-class Stewards to seize the opportunity and leave a wound on her.

Mu Wanjun let out a muffled groan and retreated explosively.

The high-intensity battle had consumed a great deal of both her mental energy and Inner Qi. ’If this continues, my chances of survival are slim.’

"Where are the men from the Garrison Commandant’s Office? How has no one noticed such a huge commotion?"

Mu Wanjun’s expression was grim.

’This should be the Nanquan Lane area. What the hell is that Shen Shikang doing?! How does he normally manage his people?!’

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Under the moonlight, the figures flickered continuously—dazzling sword shadows, dancing Short Spikes, and bursts of Inner Qi.

Several more tears appeared on Mu Wanjun’s Fish Scale Armor.

’If this goes on, I’ll be finished here sooner or later! Once my Inner Qi is exhausted, I won’t have a single chance left!’

A harsh look flashed across Mu Wanjun’s face.

’There’s only one option left—I have to use that move!’