Night Ascent of West Ridge Mountain

The Cao Gang's influence in Yangzhou City was once again proven.

In just a single day, the Flower Picking Bandit's whereabouts had been found.

"A passing hunter said he might have seen this man's face."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure, some brothers already took the Flower Picking Bandit's portrait to confirm with the hunter. The hunter was very certain he saw this man on the mountain around dusk today!"

Li Xian said, "Which mountain?"

Brother Xin pointed toward the opposite bank of the dock and said, "West Ridge Mountain. Ten li in that direction."

Without delay, Li Xian made the call. "Let's go. We're heading over now."

By the time the moon rose above the treetops, Li Xian and his group finally reached West Ridge Mountain.

West Ridge Mountain was bustling with activity.

Because of the Cao Gang's bounty, many stewards and hall masters within the gang had taken on the mission and rushed over.

After all, it was a thousand Merit Points and a hundred taels of gold.

On top of that, there were also constables from Yangzhou City.

But these people were mediocre in combat strength, just showing up to go through the motions.

"Anyone below the Mid-grade Martial Artist Realm, step back. This isn't something you can meddle in."

"Why?"

"The one who kidnapped Miss Huang is Bai Shaofei of the Flying Flower Sect."

"Flying Flower Sect? Isn't that the Evil Dao Sect that specializes in ruining girls' innocence?"

"That's right. The Flying Flower Sect's main practice is Dual Cultivation techniques."

"Oh, I have a friend who wants to ask how to join the Flying Flower Sect."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. I mean, what's Bai Shaofei's cultivation level?"

"Mid-sixth Grade Martial Artist Realm. Anyone below the mid-grade realm, don't come to die."

Even so, many people below the mid-grade realm were unwilling to leave.

What if they happened to run into a heavily wounded Bai Shaofei trying to escape? Wouldn't that be like picking up a free merit?

Looking at the torches scattered all over the mountain, Li Xian also had a headache.

"Boss Li, with so many people, where should we go?"

That question was too well-asked, leaving Li Xian at a loss for an answer.

When they learned that Bai Shaofei was hiding on West Ridge Mountain, the Cao Gang had already sent countless disciples to blockade the mountain, sealing it off completely.

People streamed into the mountain endlessly. Finding traces of Bai Shaofei was only a matter of time.

Sure enough, in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, someone shouted from the darkness.

"Bai Shaofei is here!"

"Ah!"

Then came a short, sharp scream, followed by silence.

When the crowd arrived at the scene, they only found a corpse with its throat slit, eyes wide open in death.

"Does Bai Shaofei use a sword?"

"Daring to touch our people, we'll dig three feet into the ground to find him."

"Did anyone see which direction he fled?"

"By the time we got here, the man was already dead. Didn't see anything."

Just then, another cry came from afar.

"Bai Shaofei, where do you think you're running!"

"Over there!"

The crowd rushed over in a flurry again.

When they reached this scene, they found another corpse, its heart pierced through by a palm strike.

"What's going on? Bai Shaofei knows sword techniques and palm techniques?"

"Not just that. His movement technique is also excellent. In such a short time, he got over here, killed someone, and vanished instantly. He's fast."

"Is he really Mid-sixth Grade?"

"I don't think so!"

After the crowd analyzed Bai Shaofei's strength in a few scattered words, the situation began to feel like Something is Wrong.

Some people's eyes had already begun to waver.

"Ah!"

Another scream rang out in the night of West Ridge Mountain.

This time, half the people retreated down the mountain, while a third hesitated on the spot.

Only a very few plunged headlong into the darkness without looking back.

"Brother Xin, Wan Cai, you two go back. This matter is beyond your involvement."

Li Xian left these words behind and chased after them.

"Boss Li, you..."

Brother Xin wanted to say more, but in the darkness, Li Xian's figure had already vanished.

With no other choice, the two followed the main group back down the mountain.

"Is Bai Shaofei really that strong? He's just a Mid-sixth Grade Martialist."

"Evil path techniques cultivate quickly to begin with, and on top of that, he specializes in Dual Cultivation, the most sinister of them all."

"True, evil path techniques are simple in the early stages, but their ceiling is low—at most, they reach Mid-fourth Grade, with no chance of ever touching the threshold of the Upper Three Ranks."

"Bai Shaofei must be cultivating several techniques at once, which is why he's so troublesome."

"In a bit, we Hall Masters shouldn't scatter. We'll go together and make sure that bastard dies without a burial."

"Just what I was thinking."

In the darkness, Li Xian's ears caught the sound of conversation.

He followed unhurriedly behind these men, his mind focused and his guard up.

It seemed the Cao Gang's higher-ups had underestimated Bai Shaofei's strength. The highest-ranking participants in tonight's mission were only Hall Masters for now.

After all, those above the rank of External Affairs Envoy couldn't be bothered with this paltry gold and Merit Points.

Before long, they finally spotted their target on a hillside.

Under the moonlight, Bai Shaofei wore a white robe stained with specks of crimson, his features handsome, his skin fair.

And beside him, bound and tied, was a disheveled maiden with tearful eyes.

Presumably, this was the golden heiress, Huang Xiuxiu.

Bai Shaofei looked down at the Cao Gang's Hall Masters from his vantage point and said with a smile.

"Gentlemen, Bai has been waiting here for quite some time!"

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