Message Talisman

It was evening, still before dinner time.

In Sheng Fuwu's courtyard, Tang Long and Fei Shan wore grim expressions.

Last night, the patrol team lost ten men at once, leaving them severely understaffed.

No matter what, Sheng Fuwu had to be informed, and the Patrol Mountain Hall notified to recruit new members promptly.

But, an accident occurred.

The two arrived at Sheng Fuwu's door and knocked.

Receiving no answer, they opened the door.

After waiting for a while, they pushed the door open and found no one inside.

The room was dim, and the uneaten food on the table had spoiled, emitting a foul odor.

This indicated that Sheng Fuwu hadn't returned at all.

So where was he?

Yesterday, Jiang Yan had returned, both of them had returned. Therefore, besides Jiang Yan, no one would have thought that Sheng Fuwu, a Body Refining realm martial artist, had died in the wilderness.

His entire body had become food for monsters.

"You mean, Chief Sheng might..."

"Not have returned?"

Tang Long, mustering his courage, voiced the most likely guess.

The wilderness was vast, and encountering a monster was highly probable.

"There's a possibility. We're judging by our own standards. If we can return, Chief Sheng can also survive."

Fei Shan analyzed calmly, "But it seems we've overlooked something. Chief Sheng abandoned us and fled, even designing us to be his cannon fodder."

"So, how serious were his injuries?"

Indeed, Sheng Fuwu had designed the other three to resist monsters for him. This meant he couldn't even kill a Shepherd Monster at that time.

It was highly possible that his Body Refining realm Inner Qi was completely depleted, and he was at the end of his rope.

Tang Long's face was grim. The patrol team had just lost ten men, and now their chief was missing, presumed dead. It was truly...

The two discussed other possibilities for a while longer. Seeing the sky darken, they returned to the plaza to assign tasks.

"You're saying Chief Sheng might not have returned from yesterday until now?"

Jiang Yan listened calmly as Tang Long and Fei Shan spoke about Sheng Fuwu's disappearance.

"Yes, perhaps his injuries were too severe, or maybe he encountered other monsters. Anything can happen in the wilderness."

"Yes, anything can happen."

Jiang Yan repeated the sentence. "Then the most likely scenario now is that Sheng Fuwu is already dead. Otherwise, with such serious injuries, he's too afraid of death."

Speaking of which, Jiang Yan let out a cold laugh. "Unless he died in the wilderness, how would Sheng Fuwu dare to spend a night out there?"

To Tang Long and Fei Shan, Jiang Yan made no secret of his attitude towards Sheng Fuwu.

This was also the greatest form of concealment.

If one didn't hate someone who had framed them to the point of grinding their teeth, it would be strange.

As expected, Tang Long and Fei Shan didn't find Jiang Yan's attitude strange at all.

"Alas, troubled times."

Fei Shan said, "Send a message to the hall. It won't do for our Dahe Gang to have no Body Refining realm martial artists in the village."

Body Refining realm martial artists were the highest combat power in the village, the anchor of the village.

Although Tang Long and Fei Shan usually handled the day-to-day affairs, when a major event occurred, it was still up to a Body Refining realm martial artist to make the decision.

For no other reason than in this world where all power returned to oneself, strength was everything.

"Alright."

Tang Long took out a yellow talisman from a pouch on his waist. With a clap of his hand, the Yellow Talisman emitted a clear light. Tang Long simply explained Sheng Fuwu's disappearance.

He then detached the Yellow Talisman from his body.

"This is a message talisman, used for transmitting messages. It can only be used three times,"

Tang Long briefly explained to Jiang Yan.

"Talismans like this are sometimes more important than other talismans."

At this moment, Jiang Yan saw Shan Renhu eating with a large bowl, slurping loudly.

He shook his head and walked over.

Let Tang Long handle this matter. In any case, Sheng Fuwu was already dead, not even a speck of dust remaining.

Dahe Gang Mining Area, Patrol Mountain Hall.

A young man sat at the head of the hall, idly playing with a fan.

Just then, a low-level gang member burst in, his voice grating, "Hall Master, I have something to report."

Smack!

The gang member's sudden entrance startled the young man, causing him to drop the fan he was holding.

The fan was adorned with a piece of green jade, which shattered when it hit the ground.

As the low-level gang member was about to speak, a white streak whipped out like a giant python, striking him fiercely.

Crack, crack.

The low-level gang member was sent flying instantly, an unknown number of his ribs broken.

Bang!

The hall door was smashed open, and the low-level gang member fell to the ground, his life uncertain. Blood spread beneath him.

The young man slowly retracted his left hand, Inner Qi swirling around it before dissipating.

He sat down. Several minor and major leaders still in the hall kept their eyes on their noses and their noses on their eyes, as if they hadn't seen a thing.

Soon, two low-level gang members dragged the man away, and others came to wash the floor.

"He doesn't understand the rules."

Feng Xinwu spoke indifferently. "I am a person who values rules above all else, and I detest those who break them."

"Ren Yuan."

"Yes." A person emerged from below and cupped his fists towards Feng Xinwu.

"Go and investigate what happened. If it's a minor matter, don't bother me."

"Yes." The man left and returned after a while.

"Sir."

"Yuyang Village sent word that the chief leader Sheng Fuwu is suspected of being missing..."

"Missing?" Feng Xinwu's lips curled with amusement at the word. "Did they say why Sheng Fuwu went missing?"

"Or perhaps he's dead."

Ren Yuan shook his head. "The message token only said chief leader Sheng is missing. As you know, message tokens are used for a limited time, and even minor leaders treasure them. They wouldn't be so extravagant as to explain everything clearly."

"However..." Ren Yuan chose his words carefully. "Since the minor leaders in the village dared to send a message, it suggests that chief leader Sheng is likely beyond saving."

"Hmm... Five villages are responsible for the mining area's food and supplies. This cannot be a major issue."

Tap, tap, tap. Feng Xinwu lightly tapped the armrest of his chair. "How about this, Ren Yuan, you make a trip tomorrow to investigate the circumstances, especially Sheng Fuwu's safety. It must be clarified."

"Tsk tsk, if Sheng Fuwu is dead, then this piece of meat that is the Sheng family..." Thinking of this, Feng Xinwu couldn't help but laugh.

"Your subordinate understands." Ren Yuan understood Feng Xinwu's meaning and was about to withdraw after cupping his fists.

He had always been responsible for the communication from the five villages and knew that Yuyang Village had a young genius who had already broken through to Martial Apprentice. The decree and rewards also needed to be brought over for processing.

"Oh, right," Feng Xinwu called out to him, asking another question. "Ren Yuan, if Sheng Fuwu is truly gone, who do you think would be a good replacement to send to Yuyang Village?"

Ren Yuan's expression was calm. "For such an important matter, the Hall Master naturally makes the decision."

Feng Xinwu chuckled and waved his hand. "Go. Although your answer is rather dull, I do like people like you who understand the rules."

"If Sheng Fuwu is truly nowhere to be found, you will stay in Yuyang Village for a while, and I will send someone to replace you later!"

PS: Although I have Fa La Li and Bie Shu, I just don't have any recommendation tickets.

Dear readers, I am asking for your votes again. ^▽^, Thank you!