Chen Ping's Sword-Chapter 55: The Mantis Hunts the Cicada

The reputations of Black Wolf and Leopard were even higher than Chang Sansi’s within the Cyan Hall Incense Hall.

Chang Sansi was not fond of action; in recent years, he had been pursuing a life of health, managing three streets with great order, and basically never engaging in fights.

However, Black Wolf and Leopard went everywhere, establishing the reputation of the Cyan Hall Incense Hall almost single-handedly.

Zuo Duanshou had already gathered this intelligence.

He had specifically learned about the skills of the two, preparing for the day he might encounter them.

On that day in the wilderness, hanging behind the carriage, he saw corpses all along the way. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

He also witnessed their many ruthless and vicious attacks, opponents barely lasting a single round.

"Black Wolf is fierce, Leopard is poisonous, Fox is cunning; Seventh Brother must be particularly careful with these two."

Zuo Duanshou very well fulfilled his role as an informant...

His tracking skills were also quite good, not only keeping himself hidden but also providing insight into the identity and strength of the opponents.

Saying all this now gave Chen Ping a clear picture in his mind.

"The city gate is actually open."

"Weren’t they saying that at night, it’s impossible to leave the city?

Especially tonight, during the Lantern Festival, with patrolling soldiers deployed, it’s even more impossible for the gates to open at night; are they not worried about someone breaching the city?"

When Zuo Duanshou was a child, he followed his father guarding the border town.

That was tight security, with strict military discipline.

How is it like here?

Without any delay, the carriage arrived at the city gate... the city gate guard sensibly opened the half of the gate, allowing passage.

He could hardly believe his eyes.

"What’s impossible about it?"

Chen Ping shook his head with a chuckle.

For some, this isn’t an issue at all.

All rules and constraints are essentially for dealing with common people.

Rule-makers with vested interests can do as they please.

How could they be restrained?

This shows even more how impressive the backing of the Seven-Colored Hall truly is.

Even more formidable than he had imagined.

"Do we make a move here or keep pursuing?"

Zuo Duanshou sighed deeply.

His words were urgent.

At this point, it was a dilemma.

Continuing to follow the carriage meant the city gate itself posed a big problem.

Don’t underestimate the City Guard; while their strength isn’t high, they represent the authority of Xingqing Prefecture.

You can’t kill them...

Once the city gate is forcibly breached, it would cause chaos.

If seen by others, the alarm would be sounded, and the city would be on high alert.

Then, with the elite forces of Jinghai Guard intervening, and possibly a move from the overseeing Yingzhang of Six Gates.

Even experts from various martial halls and government offices might come out to watch.

If not chasing them, then these people will escape...

Once they leave the city, who knows where they might be taken? Free as a bird, swimming like a fish in the vast sea.

"Keep chasing! But don’t breach the city gate."

Chen Ping smirked coldly.

Even if it means pursuing to the ends of the earth, this time, they cannot escape.

As they say, the snake has its path, and the rat has its alley.

Although the gates are locked at night, without special privileges to use the main gates,

there’s not just one way out of the city.

It is then he realized the incredible potential of the "Trace Origin and Steal Fortune" talent...

Crossing the river of time to return directly to the past and experience the bygone days of others.

Not just to gain some skills and silver coins.

Each history actually harbors much experience and secrets.

Perhaps, in this precarious, tumultuous world, those experiences and secrets are the most precious.

Always anticipating the enemy, unraveling the complexities to emerge on a bright path.

This is the true intent of "Change Destiny."

It’s hard to see now.

When all secrets are no longer secrets one day...

When everything is as visible as palm lines, what can’t be accomplished?

Besides, the Spring and Autumn Silkworm is only at the Second Transformation, with the "Cocoon Rebirth" talent yet to be activated.

Will this little thing grow wings and become some sort of "Time Butterfly"?

By then, not only would the past be visible... but perhaps even the future of opponents.

Wouldn’t it enable one to seek fortune and avoid calamity, always making the best choices, with actions favoring oneself?

Omniscience doesn’t equate to omnipotence.

But at least, it allows maximum avoidance of danger and seizing of opportunities.

As long as one continues to live, the last laugh is assured.

It reminded Chen Ping of the first time he used "Trace Origin and Steal Fortune," floating in the air, watching as Boss Yat, Big-Beard Zhang, and others left the city for plundering.

Back then, Boss Yat first figured out the departure timing and route of Shopkeeper Shen and others; without alerting anyone, the five brothers slipped out through the city’s water outlet, cut through the barbed wire, and quickly caught up with the caravan.

After succeeding, they returned to the city by the same route at night, completely unseen.

Boss Yat and Big-Beard Zhang, the five of them, now rest in the Yellow Springs.

Their way out of the city, however, didn’t disappear with their death, quietly hidden in the past.

But was deeply embedded in Chen Ping’s mind.

"Follow me."

The last carriage left the city gate.

Watching as the guards skillfully closed the gate, dividing themselves into five per group, ten per team, diligently guarding the city entrance.

Chen Ping took a deep look, shook his head, and turned to leave.

Zuo Duanshou, puzzled, followed closely behind.

Didn’t ask much.

He was already very accustomed to following orders, no longer thinking more about it.

...

The outlet was easy to find, with piles of garbage here, sewage flowing everywhere, and seemingly no visible damage on the surface.

Chen Ping had a way.

He gently followed a certain sequence, removing over a dozen large blue bricks, revealing a not-so-big entrance ahead.

After fumbling around for a while, he pulled out two pieces of oilcloth from the grass at the top of the wall.

He handed one to Zuo Duanshou, kept one for himself... wrapped it around, tying with hemp rope.

Raincoat wrapped around the head, even covering the face, only leaving a pair of eyes to see the way.

When Zuo Duanshou was also dressed in the oilcloth, Chen Ping bent down and slipped into the entrance, stepping into the water, passing through.

Only struggling in the water a few times, following the water current, ahead he saw the wire mesh.

Chen Ping knew this net was already cut open by someone, now it was just loosely laid on top.

As expected, with a slight push, the wire netting created a big hole.

And exited the city...

"That simple?"

Zuo Duanshou stood on the shore, looking surprised.

The ground underfoot was overgrown with weeds, turning back to look at the high city fortress, feeling as if everything was pitch black around, only the moonlight shining like fog surrounding him.

The lights and the hustle of the city, separated by a single wall, felt like another world.

Outside the city, there would be no more legal restraints, nor moral suppression...

In the forest, the wolves and insects howled, the insects chirped and snakes hissed, making one feel inherently insecure.

But just seeing Seventh Brother’s broad solid shoulders ahead, inevitably filled his heart with a strong sense of security.

’It seems like he knows everything inside out, without anything that could trouble him.’

Zuo Duanshou marveled internally, staying silent, just arduously following along.

Watching the silhouette ahead jumping and running, uneven chaotic grass growing in the forest and valley, underfoot appeared a concealed narrow sheep path.

Crossing the ridge, passing a stone bridge, then through a bushy thorn-filled plain, winding left and right, traversing five miles...

The view ahead became clear.

The thin mist dissipated, dense moonlight spilled down.

A convoy of carts creaked and rattled, moving not fast nor slow.

The carts now numbered five.

The manpower doubled.

Probably after leaving the city, they probably gathered another group somewhere else.

Perhaps, there was another batch of "goods."

Both leaned forward, running faster and faster...

Weeds in front grew less dense, while trees became increasingly large.

In sight was the main road ahead, getting closer and closer to the carts.

Zuo Duanshou’s heart began pounding wildly as they approached.

Upon nearing, it was time for bloodshed.

Whether Zhuang Hongyi was present or not remained unknown?

With such a large setup, five carts mobilized, dozens of women transported out of the city, though not the entire Chizi Hall Incense Hall moved.

At least, many experts would accompany.

This battle would really be difficult to fight.

However, a secret ambush might still hold a chance.

...

At this moment, suddenly a bright light flared ahead, with a bell ringing, as two figures appeared left and right, beneath the torch light.

One wielding strangely shaped double blades, another loosely holding a long spear, stood lining the path.

Blocking the way.

"Sister Zhuang sure was right, indeed there are little mice following from behind to deliver themselves to death. My brother and I rested half the night, rejuvenating our vigor, body turn itchy just in time."

Black Wolf had a cruel smile on his face, lightly tapping the double blades in his hand, chuckling.

"Indeed, these two little brats, haven’t even grown their fur fully yet, learning to rob like others, wonder what they’re thinking?

Brother Lang, that slender face pale one on the left, eyes like paintings, I find rather charming, more handsome than a young lady... be careful when you strike later, don’t scar his pretty face."

Leopard’s face bore a strange smile, with faint sarcasm.

"Snake path, kill the crossbowmen first, ignore Black Wolf and Leopard."

Chen Ping disregarded the foul language from the two.

His gaze focused not on the opponents under the torch, but the big trees lining the path.

Two beneath the trees, two above the trees.

A total of four pairs of eyes, hiding among the foliage and grass, coldly watching, like ice piercing the bones.

This feeling was very familiar.

In his past life, when Chen Ping charged through a hail of bullets, being aimed at by stealth shots, his mind often sensed intuitively.

Some say it’s the instinct of a veteran.

Chen Ping preferred to call it "sixth sense."

He shouted sternly as a reminder to Zuo Duanshou.

In his dantian, Seven Stars Internal Power subtly trembled, rushing to both feet...

The body had already turned into seven lightly shadowed phantoms, pouncing in all directions.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh...

Several sharp fierce winds swept through, plunging into the ground.

The powerful crossbow, arrows penetrated into the soil, even the tail parts couldn’t be seen...

...

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