Having reached the third level of the Acquired Realm, Ming Qi's strength and speed had increased significantly. However, since he was out to kill someone this time, conserving his energy was crucial, so he chose to use Dabai as a guide.
Roar…
Dabai roared twice with high morale, then spread his claws and sped away.
Ming Qi considered himself a master of tracking. Even on Earth, with its technological advancements, he could swiftly snag his prey, let alone in this era.
Dabai led Ming Qi across the wilderness, searching for the traces of the fat man and his companions by scent.
In less than two hours, Ming Qi had already covered every village within a hundred miles and had precisely determined the route of the fat man and his men.
As expected, they were heading back to Xiandu City!
It seemed these lackeys had returned home after their plunder had been satisfying.
Having chosen a direction, Ming Qi's eyes flashed with murderous intent. He slapped Dabai's neck and followed the trail.
A gentle breeze blew, the sky was filled with stars, and the early summer air was refreshing, ruffling Ming Qi's hair.
In his previous life, Ming Qi was the only one who took things from others, never giving up his own things against his will. Although Ming Qi no longer worked as a killer in this life, the aura he cultivated in his bones remained undiminished.
The fat man had taken his things through extortion, and this time, he would certainly demand double the repayment.
After speeding along for nearly a hundred miles, Ming Qi spotted a campsite ahead, illuminated by lights. Patrolmen, horses, and several carts were faintly visible.
This, of course, was where the fat man and his troops were resting. Ming Qi could tell for sure from the smell in the air alone.
"Dabai, hide over there for now. Don't show yourself!"
Ming Qi jumped to the ground and whispered to Dabai.
Dabai now fully understood Ming Qi's words. He roared twice, expressing his strong disapproval, and bared his massive head towards the distant camp.
Ming Qi was startled, then smiled and patted Dabai's head. Without waiting for Dabai to protest, he thrust his legs into action, his steps intertwined, and he sped like a tiger or leopard descending a mountain, swiftly swooping towards the camp.
At that moment, inside the largest tent in the center of the camp, the chubby Master Yuan was sitting around a small round table with a few others, chatting and drinking. They were enjoying the finest alcohol and delicious dishes, and two glamorously dressed beauties were nearby, accompanying them with their drinks and flirting.
Looking at this scene, it was indeed a truly pleasant experience.
Besides the chubby man and the two glamorously dressed women, there were three other men with proud faces. All three were in their twenties, neatly dressed in dark green robes of similar style and fabric. A dark red flame was embroidered on the right side of the chest.
One of them had sharp eyebrows and fierce eyes, a square face, and looked quite heroic. To his left was a slightly overweight, chubby man with slicked-back hair and powdered face. To his right was a thin, gloomy young man with eagle-like eyes, but he kept his head down and said little.
The chubby man was stroking the buttocks of the woman next to him with one hand, occasionally letting out a sly laugh.
Though Master Yuan Wenlie appeared to be beaming, he was gritting his teeth in anger. However, he dared not show any anger and diligently urged them to drink.
These three were disciples of the Lihuo Sect. Even if it meant offending their parents, they could not.
However, the three men seemed intimidated by the pressure from the Bai Mansion and didn't act recklessly. They simply took some of the Yuan Crystals and alchemy herbs from him indirectly. Even so, the plump man felt as if they were cutting into his flesh.
While urging him to drink, Yuan Wenlie's gaze flickered between the three men.
"Qi Wenyue, Wei Chen, Yue Zihe, disciples of the Lihuo Sect—yes, I'll remember this," Yuan Wenlie thought to himself.
This time, not only was his flesh being cut, but the flesh of the Xiandu City Lord was also being cut. He doubted that the Xiandu City Lord would willingly allow his possessions to be taken away. These Lihuo Sect members were clearly out to profit.
"Yuan Wenlie, this time our Lihuo Sect is about to undertake a major undertaking. The Sect Master has issued a directive, urging you to cooperate carefully and make sure nothing goes wrong."
The square-faced Wei Chen, sitting in the middle, said expressionlessly.
"Yes, yes, of course. After all, we all work for the Bai Mansion," Yuan Wenlie said respectfully.
But it was clear that his smile was fake; even the chubby Qi Wenyue and the grim Yue Zihe could see it.
Whoosh!
Just then, a slender figure, hiding in the shadows not far from the tent, darted out. Like a ghost, it vanished in an instant, its speed truly extraordinary.
Ming Qi was startled. Could someone else be plotting against these minions?
The reason Ming Qi had been observing carefully from the sidelines and not immediately taking action was because he saw that this group was significantly larger than a few days ago. The private army from Xiandu City alone numbered over a hundred, and they were fully armed. While killing them was a no-brainer, he couldn't afford to sacrifice them.
However, the situation didn't allow Ming Qi to dwell on it. Shortly after the shadow slipped past, a loud shout erupted from the large tent in the middle, and a figure flashed out. This person was thin, and his features were barely visible.
As the man appeared, several sword beams whizzed out, flying in one direction, clearly having spotted the black shadow.
"Lihuo Sect!"
Ming Qi could clearly see that the man was wearing the garb of the Lihuo Sect, a monastic sect.
The fact that a disciple of a monastic sect was among them was beyond Ming Qi's expectations; a master was indeed lurking.
In the large tent.
Yuan Wenlie's brow furrowed like a walnut. "Young Master Wei, this..."
Wei Chen, on the other hand, remained as steady as a rock, unmoved.
"No problem, Zihe can handle it alone."
Bang!
Meanwhile, Yue Zihe had already engaged the mysterious black shadow. A ball of flame erupted in the air, and Ming Qi finally saw that the shadow was a slender figure clad in black, with a black scarf covering his face.
Swish!
Ming Qi, now a third-level warrior, couldn't afford to be so timid. He immediately drew his boning knife from his waist and charged forward with powerful strides.
The eruption of flames immediately alerted the two patrolling private soldiers. These heavily armed warriors immediately gathered around, shouting and brandishing their weapons.
Ming Qi, without hesitation, slashed with his blade, piercing through the armor of one private soldier with a swift, unerring strike.
At the same time, he launched a powerful right kick at the groin of another former private soldier.
Bang!
Two dull thuds echoed, and Ming Qi instantly neutralized the two private soldiers.
At this moment, more private soldiers gathered around, brandishing their short knives, spears, and swords, shouting and shouting.
Ming Qi was accustomed to killing, and he presented no resistance. His attacks were brutal, and he delivered a flurry of deaths. In just a few minutes, over twenty of the private soldiers had been killed by Ming Qi's blows or completely crippled by his kicks to the vitals.
The black figure who had attacked him seemed to be on par with Yue Zihe in strength. The two were locked in a fierce battle, blades flashing and sword energy surging.
After slaughtering dozens of private soldiers, Ming Qi's hands and feet were numb. However, his physical strength was strong, his blood was vigorous, and his fighting spirit was high. Just then, an angry cry reached his ears. He glanced over and saw that it was the black figure who had attacked him, and his sword skills were faltering.
"No, I have to save her. Otherwise, if she dies, I'll be dead."
A ruthless look flashed in Ming Qi's eyes. His body moved like lightning, and with a few leaps using the mysterious Void Steps, he was behind Yue Zihe, thrusting his boning knife desperately.
The location of his strike was precise and insidious.
The eyes, throat, and genitals are among the most vulnerable areas of a person. Even the most powerful couldn't perfect these areas, let alone a skilled warrior.
Ming Qi's ruthless strike struck Yue Zihe from behind, aiming for his family heirloom.
Yue Zihe was no fool. Feeling the gust of wind from behind, he immediately sensed something was wrong. He swung his sword in mid-air, forcing him back from the front, where he was facing the man in black. At the same time, he slid to the side, attempting to avoid the blow from behind while simultaneously turning and striking the attacker with a single strike.
Although Yue Zihe had also reached the realm of perfected third-level acquired mind communication, his strength and speed were no match for Ming Qi's.
So, while Yue Zihe's reaction was quick, Ming Qi's blade was even faster!
When the blade struck Yue Zihe, it missed by less than half an inch. Ming Qi's strike, with uncanny accuracy, pierced Yue Zihe's thigh, carrying a force exceeding two thousand, instantly pinning him to the ground.
"Looking for death!"
Yue Zihe's strike failed, and he was instead wounded by Ming Qi. Furious, he flung his sword open again, and a burst of flame erupted from its tip.
Seeing his move hadn't killed him, Ming Qi quickly leaned back, rolling to avoid Yue Zihe's blade, then leaped up and swung his blade again.
A flash of blade light flashed, aiming for Yue Zihe's throat.
As he swung his blade, Ming Qi raised his leg and stabbed Yue Zihe's eyes.
"Where did this kid come from? He's so ruthless!"
Yue Zihe's face paled instantly. He was about to scream for help, but Ming Qi's blade had already sliced through his throat unimpeded.
A stream of blood gushed out, splattering Ming Qi's body and face.
With a single blow to his throat, Yue Zihe didn't even have time to cry out for help before he fell straight to the ground, not even flinching.
"Although this move utilized 70% to 80% of the assassination technique, it was unfortunately just an ordinary boning knife."
After chopping Yue Zihe down, Ming Qi looked at the nondescript boning knife in his hand and shook his head.
Just then, he saw the sword in the hands of the fallen Yue Zihe.