A figure leaped from a high wall with the agility of a startled bird, landing silently. Su Mu watched the retreating backs of the two with murderous intent in his eyes.
"As expected, they're from the Black Tiger Gang."
With his Five Animals Qigong mastered to perfection, Su Mu's senses far exceeded ordinary people. He had already heard the sneaky footsteps and whispers of the two outside the workshop as he stepped out.
Earlier, he had intentionally turned into this alleyway, and the conversation between the two did not miss Su Mu's ears.
"Wu Heng, I haven't come for you yet, but you've sought me out... Why do you insist on courting death?"
The tree desires calm but the wind won't cease. After forging that long saber, Su Mu wished to leave. Before departing, he planned to kill Wu Heng, as one last thing to do for the shop.
In the dim twilight, the young man took out a piece of burlap he had prepared and covered his face, leaving only a pair of bright eyes exposed. Then he silently followed the two Black Tiger Gang members from the alley.
Wu Heng had sent people to follow him with ill intentions; now Su Mu intended to turn the tables and follow them back to deal with Wu Heng.
Now, with nearly perfect control of his body and his Startled Sparrow Step nearing great success, tracking two ungraded martial artists was easy, even concealing himself from Ninth-Grade Refining Power Martial Artists.
The two went south, through the streets, arriving at a rather luxurious courtyard. They went to the back door, first 'cautiously' looking around to ensure no one followed, then knocked in a pattern of two long, two short taps.
Squeak!
Soon, the back door of the courtyard opened a crack, and the two quietly pushed it open and entered, closing it behind them.
The two inside the courtyard removed their masks and headed towards the inner courtyard, all watched by the trailing Su Mu.
In a study within the inner courtyard.
The plump Wu Heng was currently delightedly using a jade spoon to scoop a bit from a box of ointment resembling suet white jade, then smoothed it onto his right arm.
Shortly after applying the ointment, Wu Heng felt a slight warmth on his skin, and the effects penetrated into the muscles, reaching the bones of his right arm, also warming them.
Earlier that morning, Wu Heng had led people to seize the Thirty-Refined Long Saber from Li's Iron Shop, and then sent it to Gang Leader Zhao Xuan. Pleased with the saber, Zhao Xuan sent back a box of White Jade Barbarian Bone Ointment in return.
Though the box didn't seem much, its value was considerable, being an ointment for Bone Forger Martial Artists to refine their bones. Even Refining Power Martial Artists seeking to advance to the Eighth Grade Bone Forging Realm would need it.
Wu Heng had reached the Hidden Energy Realm years ago, second only in strength to the Gang Leader within the Black Tiger Gang. He and Zhao Xuan were brothers-in-law, as Wu Heng's wife of the Sun Clan was the sister of Zhao Xuan's wife, making their relationship excellent.
However, for years the Black Tiger Gang barely had enough plundered resources for Zhao Xuan alone to break into the Eighth Grade, struggling through his second attempt to reach Bone Forging just last year. Now Zhao Xuan started funneling resources to Wu Heng.
But Wu Heng couldn't wait. That's why he ordered Su Mu abducted, hoping to use Su Mu's forging art to earn money to exchange for Bone-Forger Ointment.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside, and the door was knocked.
"Hall Master, it's us."
Wu Heng quickly put away the ointment before answering, "Come in."
"Yes."
The two Black Tiger Gang members entered the room, somewhat apprehensively.
"Where's that kid?"
Seeing them return empty-handed, Wu Heng's face darkened. How could two stout men fail to capture a mere boy?
One of them swallowed nervously, speaking up with difficulty, "Hall Master, that kid is too slippery. He took an alley when he went home; it was busy with people, and we lost track of him."
"Useless, truly useless!"
Wu Heng slammed the table and stood, turning away to not see these incompetents.
Just then.
Whoosh whoosh.
Suddenly, three rapid swishing sounds came from outside.
"What's that noise?"
Wu Heng turned alert, only seeing three black shadows rip through the window. With his vision, he could barely make out they were three pebbles the size of a baby's fist.
Bang bang!
Wu Heng could react in time, but the two Black Tiger Gang members lacked the skill. Before they could react, two pebbles struck the back of their heads precisely.
Instantly, they felt as if their heads were hit by a heavy hammer, bodies spasmed, pupils dilated, as they fell bleeding from the orifices.
Bang.
In contrast to the fallen Black Tiger Gang members, Wu Heng reacted swiftly, his power surging into his palm as he struck the incoming stone.
His power clashed, shattering the stone into dust in Wu Heng's palm.
"Who goes there?"
Wu Heng yelled in anger. His opponent was hidden in darkness; staying in the room would invite disaster. Immediately, he channeled his power into his feet, striding towards the door.
Whoosh!
Under the remaining moonlight at night, a masked figure leaped from a nearly ten feet high wall, landing silently. As the figure landed, its shadow stretched long under the moonlight, exuding a murderous aura.
Hearing the commotion inside the courtyard, several Black Tiger Gang disciples rushed over from the outer courtyard. Four or five muscular men, wielding weapons, filed in through the gate, surrounding Su Mu.
Drawn blades gleamed with chilling flashes.
Seeing the intruder remain unfazed, Wu Heng recalled the pebbles that killed his men with infused power, realizing the individual before him was also a Grade-Entering Martial Artist.
Wu Heng raised a hand, signaling his men to stay put, "Who are you? If there are grievances between us, state your name, perhaps we can resolve our differences."
A Ninth-Grade Refining Power Martial Artist in Qingshui Town would be well-known, yet Wu Heng couldn't discern the intruder's identity.
Unsure of Su Mu's identity, Wu Heng was reluctant to engage a Grade-Entering Martial Artist lightly. It would be better if he could keep the person here tonight, but if they escaped, the consequences would be dire.
Resolve differences?
Only by death.
Su Mu wasted no words. Utilizing the Five Animals Qigong Deer Run, his form swayed, leaving a trail of afterimages as he lunged at the nearest Black Tiger Gang member, aiming to clear out the small fry first.
Seeing Su Mu attack without hesitation, Wu Heng was infuriated. He was second to none except the Gang Leader in the Black Tiger Gang, and even the local government in Qingshui Town dared not provoke him casually.
This person had infiltrated his estate, killed his men without a word, and now attacked head-on. Wu Heng immediately waved his hand.
"Brothers, get him! Kill this guy!"
Wu Heng was eager to see what kind of audacious person dared act so recklessly.
"Hmph, you've chosen the wrong opponent!"
Zhang San, seeing Su Mu targeting him first, sneered. Among the four, he was the strongest. Though he failed at Refining Power, his saber technique was nearly perfected. He immediately channeled his power into his saber.
The next second.
The saber cleaved through the air, bringing its force swiftly down towards Su Mu.
Zhang San's saber strike was skilled; even a Ninth-Grade Martial Artist would be wary. A nearly perfected saber technique, bolstered by power, could cleave rocks.
Yet, to Su Mu, Zhang San's confident strike was unbearably slow.
Quick resolution.
Su Mu took a deep breath, his muscles and bones vibrating. His body bulked up slightly.
Instantly, Su Mu entered a Limit-Breaking State.
The saber descended.
"I hit him!"
Zhang San's face lit with joy, but just as the blade seemed to touch Su Mu, a sudden wind whipped up.
A figure flickered like a startled sparrow in a flash.
Startled Sparrow Step, Sparrow Jump!
The seemingly successful strike missed instantly; Su Mu closed in.
"So fast, what kind of body technique... No, I must retreat!"
Zhang San's pupils contracted, his joy froze, and he tried to recover his blade in defense but was too late.
Roar!
A sudden, powerful tiger roar erupted as Su Mu struck with a casual punch.
Boom!
A dull sound echoed as the punch landed, followed by another muffled sound within Zhang San's head. Blood flowed from his seven orifices, and his head exploded on the spot.