Sudden Attack

"You're right, Young Master Zheng!"

Despite his simple and honest appearance, Tu Yanghao harbored a venomous heart. However, towards Zheng Qian, he was always respectful and polite.

"I never imagined this world... would have true gods, and even the Black Mountain Divine Lord... Since the divine decree exists, we must manage it well. If our fortune is deep enough, perhaps we too will have a chance to become true gods one day... Boss Tu, you've truly made a great contribution, I will definitely speak to my elder brother about it..."

Zheng Qian said.

"Thank you, Young Master!"

Tu Yanghao was also secretly excited.

He didn't have the same grand ambitions as Wu Ming. To become a god after death, with his spirit intact, was already a blessing in three lifetimes.

Not to mention, if he obtained the divine decree and became a true god of a region, he could protect his family's hidden virtues, accumulate fortune, and it would be the beginning of a family's rise. It could even guarantee their prosperity for thousands of years to come!

With this generous reward offered, not only Tu Yanghao, but even Ma Lao San, and even the few newcomers felt their blood surge, wishing they could shout out loud to express their loyalty.

"Heh heh!"

Just then, a dark shadow flashed past the window, followed by a cold laugh.

"Who is it?"

Tu Yanghao's expression darkened. He moved instantly, lunging forward two zhang. He was like a flood dragon emerging from the sea or a fierce tiger descending from the mountain. With a powerful gust of wind, he struck out with his palm. Crack! The window shattered into several pieces, the mulberry bark paper pasted on it fluttered away, and an outer robe slowly drifted down.

"Not good! Feint!"

Tu Yanghao's face turned grim. He heard a loud bang from behind him as Wu Ming rushed in with a cold expression. Without even looking, a dark light flew from his hand.

"You!"

Ma Lao San only managed to cry out before the dark light struck his neck. A gaping wound appeared, and blood gushed out like a fountain, uncontrollably. He collapsed to the ground, convulsing.

"Ah!"

The other newcomers, having never experienced real combat, screamed upon witnessing this scene. Tu Yanghao cursed them, "What are you screaming for? Do you want to attract the constables?"

They were currently within the county town. If they caused trouble, the gates would be sealed, and a city-wide search would commence. Even he felt apprehensive.

After all, he wasn't an immortal who could fly through the heavens and burrow through the earth. Faced with city walls several zhang high guarded by soldiers, he was still powerless.

However, in the next moment, he wouldn't have time to ponder this.

Because Wu Ming, with a stern face, had already attacked him with his hands formed into claws.

Swish swish!

The sound of wind exploded as his fingernails sprang out, carrying a piercing sound through the air.

Amidst this clamor, Wu Ming's right arm muscles bulged, veins crisscrossing. His skin, originally as clear as jade, turned a dark, iron-blue color, as if cast from steel.

Anyone, no matter how indestructible, would lose several pounds of flesh if caught by such a claw.

"Adamantine Great Strength Eagle Claw Hand?"

Seeing the fierce claw wind, Tu Yanghao didn't dare to be careless. His hands also turned black. "Take this! Iron Sand Palm!"

Bang!

Two palms, not resembling those of mortals but rather of deities, collided. Both Wu Ming and Tu Yanghao took a step back.

"Innate?!"

Wu Ming's heart stirred. Feeling the force in his hands, he knew his opponent had already entered the Innate realm. His entire body's strength was condensed into one point, returning from the acquired to the innate. Both the total amount and quality of True Qi were beyond his comparison.

However, at this moment, a slight disadvantage led to a continuous one. He had lost the initiative, but he attacked fiercely, exploiting the opponent's mental vulnerability. Combined with his peak True Qi cultivation, half-step Innate, he was evenly matched.

"Take this! Thirteen Eagle Claw Strikes!"

After one exchange, Wu Ming pressed his advantage. Seizing the moment when Tu Yanghao hadn't fully recovered his breath, he leaped into the air. His hands transformed into sharp claws, striking down.

In the history of martial arts, attacks launched from a height were always perilous.

This was because although one had the advantage of height and could leverage it, they also exposed their weaknesses to the enemy. If they couldn't defeat their opponent in one go, they would be in a desperate situation when facing counterattacks, possibly leading to defeat and death!

Therefore, when Feng Han taught Wu Ming, he had earnestly instructed him that these thirteen consecutive strikes must render the opponent incapable of fighting back!

"Hah!"

Claw shadows crisscrossed the air!

At this moment, Wu Ming suppressed his opponent with an unstoppable momentum. The thirteen Eagle Claw Strikes were executed in one seamless flow, raining down like a torrential storm.

"You..."

Tu Yanghao felt as if countless claw shadows, like a mighty river, were surging towards him with immense force. Although he tried his best to resist, his courage had already waned. Coupled with his worry about external reinforcements, his mind faltered for a moment, and the claw wind bypassed his defenses.

Boom!

The figures separated instantly. Tu Yanghao let out a muffled groan and fell to the ground. His arm was covered in bloody gashes, a piece of flesh completely gone.

These few moves happened in the blink of an eye, incredibly swift. Wu Ming broke through the door, threw a hidden weapon, killed someone, and fought Tu Yanghao. In just three moves, it was so fast that others couldn't even process what was happening!

And by leveraging the timing and advantage of position, he, a fifth-level Body Refinement realm cultivator with True Qi, had defeated a sixth-level Innate expert!

If this battle were to be told, it would surely shock many. Even Feng Han would surely be pleased, declaring that Wu Ming was ready to graduate.

"Kill!"

With a surprise attack, he unleashed his martial arts and defeated Tu Yanghao. Wu Ming's eyes flashed with coldness as he prepared to press his advantage and finish Tu Yanghao off.

Since this man had sent people to assassinate him, he couldn't be allowed to live.

Furthermore, the fact that he could injure Tu Yanghao this time was entirely due to the element of surprise and catching him off guard, gaining the initial advantage.

If he had to do it again, Wu Ming wouldn't be completely confident. Moreover, letting this man live would undoubtedly bring many troubles to the completion of the mission, so he had to kill him!

A cold glint appeared in Wu Ming's eyes, and his figure moved like lightning, lunging forward. His right hand spread its five fingers like claws, reaching for Tu Yanghao's head.

If this claw strike landed, Tu Yanghao's skull would surely be crushed, killing him instantly.

"Lin!"

Just then, a soft shout, carrying the essence of the Dao, was heard. Suddenly, several dark shadows whipped out, like poisonous snakes or whips, their power winding and twisting.

Crack! Crack!

Wu Ming transformed his claw into a grasping hand, catching the dark shadows. A sharp pain shot through his palm, and with another flick, he saw several vines that had appeared on the ground without anyone noticing. They were dark green, with small thorns along the edges.

"Daoist magic?"

Wu Ming shook his right hand, which returned to its lustrous, jade-like state, without a single scratch.

After all, when he made his move, his True Qi had been infused into his palm and the back of his hand, making his skin thick and his muscles hard, no less than Iron Sand Palm.

"It seems... you are the one truly in charge of this Blood Oath Alliance this time!"

He lowered his hand and focused on Zheng Qian in front of him, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Zheng Qian looked at the terrified newcomers, at Ma Lao San lying dead on the ground with a pool of blood, and at Tu Yanghao slumped on the ground, seemingly severely injured. Zheng Qian's expression was not good either.

After all, it only took a moment of distraction for the opponent to charge in, kill one person, injure another, and cripple two major combatants. No one would be in a good mood.

"Nine Heavens Spring Wind, transform into sweet rain, Hiss!"

However, at this moment, Zheng Qian's face was as dark as water. He formed a Daoist hand seal and pointed at Tu Yanghao.

A gentle breeze blew, and a cluster of green light appeared on Tu Yanghao, carrying mist, which began to stop the bleeding and heal the wounds.

At the same time, several vines, like poisonous snakes, coiled around Wu Ming, moving unpredictably, as if wanting to bite him at any moment.

"Thank you, Young Master Zheng!"

Tu Yanghao scrambled to his feet, a sinister grin on his face. "Kid... you're dead!"

Wu Ming had previously confirmed that this man was severely injured, with damaged meridians, but now he could barely move, and the wound on his hand was gradually stopping bleeding. Wu Ming couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

Zheng Qian also said, "To come here alone, you are indeed skilled and bold. Unfortunately, you seem to not take us seriously at all..."

He moved his fingers, and the vines and Tu Yanghao were about to pounce.

"Is that so? The one who dies might not be me..."

Wu Ming smiled. "Did you think I would come alone without any preparation?"

"What?"

Zheng Qian's expression changed, but before he could say anything, noisy sounds came from outside: "Catch the thief!"

"Someone's setting a fire!"

"Quick, call the constables!"

For a moment, the outside was filled with clamor, from far to near, bustling and noisy. Faintly, torches could be seen, along with strong men holding hoes and cudgels, and some night watchmen, surrounding them with hatred on their faces.

"This is your residence, hehe... Plus, you appeared out of nowhere and can't withstand investigation, so you'll be implicated..."

Wu Ming smiled. After all, he wasn't a fool. He had made preparations before attempting to charge in alone.

If he could defeat them in one fell swoop and raze their stronghold, that would be ideal. If not, these incited, angry citizens would be his capital for escape.

"How about it? I wonder how much of your Spiritual Power and magical techniques will remain when facing military and official energy?"

Wu Ming asked with a smile.

Zheng Qian hesitated, glaring at Wu Ming with hatred. Seeing Tu Yanghao's unsteady gait, he knew his Daoist skills were not profound enough. The minor rejuvenation technique could only temporarily suppress the injuries. While it was enough to deal with Wu Ming now, facing so many people, he was no match. He couldn't help but resent even more: "Let's go!"

"We saw him! The thief who stole and set the fire ran into this courtyard!"

A roar came from outside. Four torches converged, and even a stern voice declared, "The government's swift patrol is on duty, civilians, step aside!"

"Damn it! What exactly did this brat do? He's managed to incur such widespread wrath!"

The government's swift patrol naturally referred to the constables. Although they were low-ranking officials, when performing their duties, they possessed the aura of the government. It wasn't impossible for Daoist cultivators to resist them, but their Daoist magic would inevitably be discounted, making it even more disadvantageous.

Zheng Qian no longer hesitated and quickly retreated to the backyard with Tu Yanghao.

"Sir... wait for us!"

At the same time, the other newcomers were trembling and hastily followed.

"Leave one behind for me!"

Wu Ming sneered, put on a face mask, and pursued them...

"What is this..."

The next day, as the morning light was still faint, Shan Lan and the others stared blankly as Wu Ming entered, throwing a person down.

"Huh? Isn't this Brother Wang Xia? Weren't you with Tu Yanghao? How come..."

Lin Qizhi rubbed his eyes, then looked at Wu Ming, and suddenly understood, his face filled with indignation. "How could this happen? How could this happen?"

Shan Lan, however, cast a meaningful glance at Wu Ming, then smiled and crouched down, looking at the trembling person. "Your name is Wang Xia, isn't it? I have a few questions for you, and I hope you'll answer truthfully. Otherwise..."

"Hmph!"

Ling Guhong let out a cold snort and, quite cooperatively, drew his long sword.