Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Memorial of Recommendation, Walking Upon Fallen Leaves

Han Chong had originally not intended to involve him, so as to avoid being constrained at every turn; however, since the man was so ungrateful, he would have to let him taste some hardship.

“Heh! How could I, a humble official, dare to be negligent toward Captain Chen? It’s just that these two recent cases are truly perilous. But since you, Captain, insist on leading the investigation in person, I have no objection.”

“Very well! Someone, send this memorial to the provincial authorities at once.

Sergeant Han, please brief us on the case!”

The man with the peach blossom eyes tossed the memorial to a subordinate, then ordered gleefully.

“Yes, sir! This major case began with a female ghost seeking justice for her father’s death, but the deeper I investigated, the more I realized it was far from simple.

Whether it was the deceased Black Lotus Right Envoy, Ding Xingxiu, the mountain bandit chief of Luoyan Gorge, or Yu Tianlong, the chief escort of the Wind and Fire Escort Agency—the clues all point toward Dean Duan Wenxuan of Egret Academy.

Just last night, I infiltrated the secret underground hall of the Egret Academy and discovered that Duan Wenxuan was indeed organizing the Black Lotus Cult with malicious intent.

However, he is extremely cunning and left no obvious evidence. Coincidentally, a man in black came to seek his aid, and I followed them.

I discovered that the man in black was none other than Luo, the deputy leader of the Northeastern Canal Gang in Peijun Prefecture. I suspect the old gang leader feigned illness to lure him into an ambush, but was wounded in the attempt.

Though Duan Wenxuan is biding his time for now, he will surely go to offer assistance.

We should proceed immediately to the Canal Gang, lie in wait, and when the two confront each other, we can finally unmask his true identity!”

“Excellent! Very good! Sergeant Han, you have done well. I now decide to act on your plan at once.”

The man with the peach blossom eyes clapped his hands and laughed, issuing orders with smug satisfaction, while the others looked on speechless.

“Sergeant Leng, this mission is dangerous. Stay close to me, and I’ll look after you.”

“No need for your concern,” the other replied frostily. Though publicly rebuffed, the former still forced a laugh, proving himself a glutton for punishment.

A plan immediately formed in Han Chong’s mind.

“Captain Chen, it’s best not to bring too many people for this covert operation. Just the two of us will infiltrate, while the others provide support from the perimeter—this will ensure nothing goes amiss.”

“Well...

Alright, then I’ll take the lead. This time, we must get to the bottom of the case! Let’s move out!”

Instinctively, he wanted to retreat at the prospect of danger, but seeing everyone watching him with amused expressions—especially Leng Yue, who also glanced his way—he had no choice but to steel himself.

“Tell me, Sergeant Han, we’ve been hiding here for a whole day and night. Why is there still no sign of movement?” whispered the man with the peach blossom eyes, nudging Han Chong with his elbow.

“Patience, or you’ll ruin the dish. Just wait—a visitor will come.” Since the previous day, Han Chong and his companion had been hiding in the crown of an elm tree, some eighty feet tall, within the Canal Gang leader’s residence.

From here, only a hundred paces separated them from the gang leader’s bedroom—they could observe every rustle of grass below.

At last, night fell. A shadowy figure scaled the wall and crept toward the gang leader’s bedchamber.

Before he could act, there was a thunderous crash—the door was blown apart!

Yet the shadow had anticipated this, narrowly dodged, and darted back over the wall.

Han Chong and his companion held their breath, watching as a solid wooden table had smashed the door, followed immediately by the old gang leader himself, who gave chase after the shadow.

With a look, Han Chong and the man with the peach blossom eyes dropped from the tree and followed stealthily from outside the courtyard.

The shadow twisted and turned, always seeking out the most secluded paths, finally arriving at the dense woods where Deputy Luo had previously circled.

The old gang leader’s shouts echoed as he finally blocked the man in black, while Han Chong and his comrade hid at a distance.

“Luo, there’s no need to hide. I know it’s you.

Last time you sacrificed your men to escape by the skin of your teeth, yet here you are again—this time, you won’t get away.”

“Heh, old man, your feigned illness was just a ploy to lure me out. You’re old—it’s time to step down and make way for someone better.”

The man in black pulled off his mask. It was indeed Deputy Luo, but he wore a calm expression, with no sign of the previous panic.

“Hmph, I admit the ruse was a bitter one, but it was meant for petty criminals. Before I die, I’ll rid the Canal Gang of its troubles.

I raised you from a second-rate fighter to deputy leader, but this past year you’ve embezzled shipping fees for your own gain.

Out of old affection, I turned a blind eye, but you’ve repaid kindness with betrayal, plotting against me.

Even now you remain unrepentant—you infuriate me!

And as for you, master in hiding, show yourself at once! I want to see what kind of deity Luo has invited!”

Though scolding Luo, the old man’s eyes swept the surroundings, yet he could detect nothing.

“Heh, old man, you’re surprisingly vigorous. Who would have thought you’d be lured here so easily? I can’t tell if you’re ignorant or just arrogant—how effortless for me.”

A peal of laughter rang out. A man in white, hands clasped behind his back, sped along the treetops from a hundred paces away, landing lightly on the ground.

The gang leader’s pupils contracted—this man’s lightness skill was even greater than his own!

Han Chong’s face darkened as well—it was indeed Duan Wenxuan, but he still couldn’t discern his true nature.

“I am Cang Hongfei, leader of the Qinghe Canal Gang. Who are you, and why meddle in our affairs?”

A glint flashed in the old man’s eyes as he cupped his fist and asked sternly.

“You don’t need to know.”

With that, the newcomer formed his fingers into a sword, from which a black sword-light flickered, thrusting at the old man’s vital points.

“A sword cultivator!” the old man gasped in shock.

[Ding! Host has completed the Black Lotus Calamity investigation, permanently gaining ten points of critical strike attribute!]

[Ding! System has detected host encountering the Black Lotus Cult Master, whose realm far exceeds your own! Bounty mission triggered.

Slay the Black Lotus Cult Master for an additional permanent ten points of attack speed!]

Attack speed!

This was the dream of every martial artist—the ability to strike first in every exchange, a crucial advantage against swift monsters and ghosts, greatly reducing one’s disadvantages!

“So, Duan Wenxuan is indeed no ordinary man! Now there’s no doubt—he is the Black Lotus Cult Master, and can no longer deny it.”

Han Chong muttered. The old gang leader, too, had keen insight; innate masters could indeed unleash energy, but the aura and spiritual power were utterly different.

Yet Duan Wenxuan was truly arrogant. A cultivator’s greatest advantage over an innate master was in ranged spells, not close combat—yet here he was, pressing the attack at close quarters.

“Sergeant Han, what should we do?” The man with the peach blossom eyes was agitated, his eyes ablaze, eager to intervene.

“Wait—their skills are formidable, neither is an easy opponent!”

Facing Duan Wenxuan’s flurry of sword strikes, the old man steadily retreated, but his stance was as solid as a mountain. Every punch and kick was as if honed a thousand times, always avoiding the sword’s edge.

A layer of bright white energy covered his palms, and even when it met Duan Wenxuan’s sword aura, he was not at a disadvantage.

Suddenly, Duan Wenxuan feinted, no longer aiming for vital points but striking seemingly into empty air.

Yet the black sword energy, following some mysterious trajectory, did not dissipate. Gradually, in his hand, it coalesced into a black lotus of sword aura!

As he wielded it, the black lotus slowly spun, and every few breaths, it would suddenly unleash several sword rays at the old man from all angles—there was no way to defend against it!

In the blink of an eye, the old leader was on the defensive. Though he dodged desperately, more and more sword wounds appeared on his body.

If this continued, the old leader would be worn down and slain!

No, this old man was the only one present capable of standing against Duan Wenxuan—he must not be allowed to fall!

But with both masters unleashing rapid, stormy attacks, even Han Chong, blessed with several superior attributes, could hardly intervene without knowing their techniques.

Moreover, if he revealed himself too soon, Duan Wenxuan would surely be on guard and flee at the first sign of trouble.

The man with the peach blossom eyes was about to angrily demand if Han Chong would act, when he saw Han suddenly extend his right hand, a faint white radiance emanating from his palm.