In a dark and silent alley, Chen Cheng stood in the shadow of a courtyard wall, his hand resting on the hilt of the long saber at his waist.
He had already prepared for the worst. If he was outmatched, he could break through the courtyard wall at any mont and use the nearby houses as cover to make his escape.
After all, the strange disappearances of Yan Jian and Zhou Hongjun proved that a powerful, unknown figure might be lurking in the shadows of Linji City, causing trouble. If he were to encounter such an expert, Chen Cheng’s first choice would naturally be to flee.
But upon hearing the black-clad man’s voice, Chen Cheng changed his mind.
This man was none other than Zhou Xu—the stray dog hunted city-wide, who had been hiding ever since his family’s downfall.
Although Zhou Xu was dressed in black with his face covered by a black cloth, he made no attempt to disguise his voice. Thus, Chen Cheng identified him by sound alone.
"You’re Zhou Xu?" Chen Cheng asked in a low voice.
Zhou Xu had always been ticulous. Seeing Chen Cheng so calm, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of suspicion. He quickly scanned the surroundings and only relaxed after confirming that Chen Cheng was alone in the alley.
They were less than ten feet apart. Even if Chen Cheng was a Small Success Martial Artist of the Muscle Strengthening Realm, before him, he was no better than a clay chicken or a ceramic dog—unable to withstand a single blow. He wouldn’t even have the chance to fire a Whistling Arrow for help.
At this thought, Zhou Xu couldn’t help but sneer. "Chen Cheng, you really are sothing else. To remain so composed when death is at your door... I’m impressed."
Chen Cheng asked doubtfully, "Zhou Xu, are you here to kill ?"
Zhou Xu laughed, exasperated. "How stupid can you be? I followed you all the way here from Dongyue District. Did you think I ca for a friendly chat over drinks?"
Chen Cheng’s expression was indifferent. "Then why haven’t you made your move?"
Zhou Xu said coldly, "You’re just a tiny ant, yet you used the Shen Family’s power to ruin my Zhou Family’s plans ti and ti again. How could I bear to let you die so easily?"
As he spoke, his face suddenly twisted into a vicious snarl, and he ground out his words, "That bitch Shen Qingshuang destroyed my family. I will never rest until she’s dead.
"I can’t do anything to Shen Qingshuang, but I can take care of you dogs of the Shen Family!
"I did originally plan to cut you down with a single strike, as an offering to the dead souls of the Zhou Family, but now I’ve changed my mind.
"Aren’t you a supposed Martial Dao genius with extrely high talent? There’s a certain place that loves turning geniuses like you into nourishnt. Taking you there would make you the perfect fuel for to increase my Martial Arts Power.
"Don’t worry, I won’t let you disappear without a trace. I’ll make sure Shen Qingshuang finds out.
"I can’t wait to see the look on her face—that mix of fury and helplessness—when she learns that the Martial Dao genius she so carefully cultivated has been turned into nourishnt!"
"You joined the Black Lotus Sect?" Chen Cheng frowned. Only the fiends of the Black Lotus Sect would constantly refer to Martial Artists as "nourishnt."
"Hmph. It’s better for you not to know right now. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’d be scared to death." Zhou Xu snorted and was about to lunge forward to subdue Chen Cheng in a single move.
Chen Cheng quickly held up a hand. "Wait. Do you want to know where Zhou Hongjun is?"
"You know where my father is?" Zhou Xu was startled. Imdiately, his expression turned savage, his killing intent overflowing. "Of course. The only ones who could have touched my father are the Shen Family. You’re one of Shen Qingshuang’s confidants, so you must know sothing.
"In that case, I’ll just capture you first and take my ti interrogating you."
Of course, Chen Cheng didn’t know anything. He had only brought up Zhou Hongjun to bluff him.
"Don’t co any closer. I have a poison capsule in my mouth. If you try to capture , I’ll die before I let you succeed," Chen Cheng said, his expression resolute.
Zhou Xu hesitated. In the end, he didn’t make a move. Zhou Hongjun was, after all, a Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist. If he could find him, the Zhou Family might still have a chance to make a coback.
Besides, seeing Chen Cheng remain so calm, it was clear he knew sothing and wanted to use it as a bargaining chip to save his own life.
"Speak. What do you know? If I can find my father, I’ll spare your life for now."
As if afraid Chen Cheng wouldn’t believe him, Zhou Xu added, "Don’t worry. You’re just an insignificant nobody. I don’t give a damn about you."
Chen Cheng seed tempted. "You really won’t kill ?" he asked.
Zhou Xu nodded, his expression serious. "If I can find my father, what’s the harm in letting you live?"
Chen Cheng thought for a mont, then said, "Zhou Hongjun is indeed alive, but he’s been imprisoned. The ones who captured him weren’t the Shen Family, but the Inner City Wang Family."
Zhou Xu frowned and said coldly, "You dare lie to ? My Zhou Family was able to establish itself in Linji City because we’ve always been under the Wang Family’s protection. Why would the Wang Family capture my father?"
"It’s the truth. If you don’t believe , there’s nothing I can do." Chen Cheng spread his hands in a ’take it or leave it’ gesture. "This information is highly confidential. It was discovered by a Shen Family spy planted in the Wang Family. It’s absolutely true."
Zhou Xu was filled with shock and suspicion. His mind raced as he considered the possibility of the Wang Family capturing Zhou Hongjun.
But Chen Cheng didn’t give him ti to think, imdiately asking, "Did the Wang Family order you to co kill tonight?"
Zhou Xu’s mind was in turmoil, and he didn’t think much of the question. He snorted coldly. "I, Zhou Xu, want to kill an ant like you. Do I need the Wang Family’s permission?"
"So the Wang Family doesn’t know where you are tonight?" Chen Cheng’s eyes lit up. He had gone to all this trouble, talking so much, just to find out the answer to this one question.
Zhou Xu seed to realize that Chen Cheng was tricking him. ’How could I be so stupid?’ he thought. ’Who in this world isn’t afraid of death? Chen Cheng might not actually dare to commit suicide by poison. And even if he did, I’ve already learned most of what I need to know.’
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