A figure slowly stepped in from outside the door.
The man was about twenty-three or four years old, tall and thin, with a handsome face.
But that face was abnormally white.
It is not the kind of pampered whiteness, but a kind of sickly paleness, as if she has lost too much blood, or has been living in a dark room for a long time without seeing the light of day.
What concerned him more was those eyes.
Those eyes were long and narrow, with the ends of the eyes slightly raised, giving him a charming and suave appearance.
But deep in those eyes, there is an indescribable sinisterness, like a poisonous snake lurking in the dark, ready to bite anyone at any time.
Zhang Muchen.
The eldest son of the Zhang Family and the leader among the younger generation of Lineage, a subordinate of the Xingyi Sect. It is said that he joined Initiation of Gang Force three years ago.
Shi Ming The name I introduced just now overlaps with the face in front of me.
Zhang Muchen stepped into the hall and glanced at everyone present.
When his eyes passed over Chen Jianghe, he paused slightly.
A strange color flashed in those sinister eyes.
Not surprise, not contempt, but a kind of... examination.
It was as if he was looking at an object that suddenly appeared and was unexpected.
But that moment of strange color was fleeting, so fast that people almost thought it was an illusion.
The next moment, Zhang Muchen had a gentle smile on his face, and he clasped his fists together.
"Brothers, Mu Chen came late, and I am rude and rude. I was just doing some trivial matters in the house, and I wasted some time. I hope you will forgive me."
When he spoke, his voice was clear, his demeanor was calm, and his every move showed the upbringing and demeanor of a member of a noble family.
The slightly embarrassing atmosphere caused by Zhao Lie's embarrassing appearance was greatly diluted by his words.
Everyone stood up and returned the greeting, smiling and exchanging greetings.
"Brother Zhang, you're welcome, please take a seat!"
"Brother Zhang came just in time. Just now, Brother Zhao from the Blazing Sun Sect was competing with Brother Chen from the Xingyi Sect. It was really exciting!"
Someone mentioned the scene just now with a smile, with a tone that meant they were just watching the fun and not taking it too seriously.
Zhang Muchen raised his eyebrows slightly and turned his gaze to Chen Jianghe, his smile still warm, "Oh? This is Brother Chen from the Xingyi Sect Soaring Wood Court? I have admired him for a long time. Mu Chen came late just now and couldn't see Brother Chen's style. It's really a pity."
He said, slowly walked up to Chen Jianghe, clasped his fists and bowed his hands.
Chen Jianghe stood up and returned the greeting, with a calm expression on his face. "Brother Zhang, you're welcome. Chen is new here, it's just a fluke."
"Lucky?" Zhang Muchen smiled. The smile was as gentle as jade, but the light in those eyes made Chen Jianghe feel a little chilled in his heart.
"Brother Chen is so humble. Brother Zhao's Blazing Sun Palm is also ranked high among his peers. Brother Chen can restrain him with three moves. This ability is really a role model for us."
As he spoke, his eyes stayed on Chen Jianghe for a moment, and there seemed to be an undercurrent surging in those sinister eyes.
Chen Jianghe met his gaze, his expression unchanged.
Their eyes met for just one breath.
But in that moment, Chen Jianghe clearly felt that the aura around the person in front of him fluctuated slightly for a moment.
The fluctuation was extremely slight, so slight that if he didn't have a keen sense, he would hardly be able to detect it.
But the nature of that breath made his heart skip a beat.
It's cold and obscure, with a faint hint of blood.
Chen Jianghe looked calm on the face, but alarm bells were ringing in his heart.
Zhang Muchen had already withdrawn his gaze, turned around and sat down, chatting and laughing with others, as if the strange moment just now had never happened.
It was already dusk when we dispersed.
Everyone stood up to say goodbye and left in twos and threes.
Chen Jianghe followed Shi Ming out of the Rain Listening Pavilion, walking towards the inn in the dusk.
The two walked side by side through several streets and alleys. When the pedestrians around them gradually became thinner, Shi Ming lowered his voice and spoke.
"Junior Brother Chen, during the dinner just now, did you see any clues?"
Chen Jianghe kept walking, his expression unchanged. "What is Senior Brother Shi referring to?"
Shi Ming glanced around and lowered his voice. "Zhang Muchen."
Chen Jianghe didn't speak, just looked at him sideways.
Shi Ming sighed and said slowly, "Zhang Family is our Xingyi Sect's subordinate Lineage. He has been attached to the sect for generations and manages several medicinal materials businesses and mines for the sect. Speaking of which, he can be considered one of our own."
He paused and then changed the subject. "But in recent years, something has been wrong with the Zhang Family."
"Something's wrong?" Chen Jianghe asked.
Shi Ming nodded. "The power has expanded too fast. Three years ago, Zhang Family was just an inconspicuous one among the dozen or so small Lineage subordinates of our Xingyi Sect. It only had two small mines and a few medicinal fields, which could barely survive. But in the past three years, they have successively annexed the territory of three surrounding small Lineage, and the number of mines in their hands has increased from two to five. The number of medicinal fields has tripled, and they have also taken over two trade routes to the north."
He looked at Chen Jianghe with some profound meaning in his eyes. "Think about it, how could a little Lineage with no foundation have grown like this in three years?"
Chen Jianghe was silent for a moment and said slowly, "Is there anyone who can support me?"
"Support is a given." Shi Ming nodded, "But the question is who is supporting them. On the sect side, I haven't heard of any elders taking special care of the Zhang Family. So who are the people behind them?"
He paused and his voice became deeper. "What's even more troublesome is that someone saw Zhang Family walking very close to Blood Hand Gang.
Blood Hand Gang.
Chen Jianghe Have heard of this name.
Changxi Prefecture City is a top-ranked gang among the underground forces. They are engaged in some shady business - smuggling, lending,
He collects protection fees and occasionally takes on murder jobs.
There are hundreds of gang members, and the most important one is the gang leader Blood Hand Li Gang, who is said to be the ruthless character of Grandmastery of Gang Force.
It is not normal for a subordinate Lineage who is attached to the Xingyi Sect to get mixed up with Blood Hand Gang.
"The sect has been deliberately beating Zhang Family for a long time." Shi Ming sighed, "But there has been no evidence, so it's not easy to take action rashly. After all, Zhang Family is still one of our people on the surface. It depends on the owner to beat the dog. If we can't provide real evidence, other subordinates Lineage will feel cold."
Chen Jianghe nodded and did not answer the call.
The two walked for a while and separated at a fork in the road.
Shi Ming went east and returned to Thick Earth Court's stronghold in the city;
Chen Jianghe went west alone, toward the inn where he was staying.
The dusk is getting darker, and there are fewer and fewer pedestrians in the streets.
Chen Jianghe walked through two streets and turned into a quiet alley.
The moment he stepped into the alley, his steps paused slightly.
Someone is following.
The aura was so light and obscure that if he didn't have a keen sense, he would hardly be able to detect it.
And at least three of them, coming from different directions, vaguely surrounded him.
Chen Jianghe's expression remained unchanged, and his feet remained calm and steady.
Walking to the middle of the alley, there are tall brick walls on both sides, and there is no one in front or behind.
He suddenly exerted force with one step, Phantom Shadow Steps spread out with all his strength!
The figure turned into an afterimage, and instantly swept away ten feet!
Behind him, the three auras were obviously panicked for a moment, and then they all accelerated to catch up!
But what Phantom Shadow Steps is best at is bursting and turning within short distances.
Chen Jianghe moved around in the alley, making full use of the terrain every time he changed directions. In just ten breaths, he completely got rid of those three auras.
He landed on a roof, leaned down and hid in the shadows, and waited quietly for half a stick of incense.
Those three breaths did not appear again.
Chen Jianghe straightened up, his face calm, but a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.
Zhang Family.
Does the person following you have anything to do with Zhang Muchen?
Chen Jianghe returned to the inn, closed the door with his backhand, and thought for a moment.
Regardless of whether it is Zhang Family or not, it is an affiliated Lineage that needs to be beaten anyway. If you report it yourself, it will be a meritorious service if it colludes with the Demonic Sect.
If not, you can also beat Zhang Family. Anyway, they are colluding with Blood Hand Gang.
There's no harm in doing it for yourself. Besides, the world is dangerous, and people's hearts are even more dangerous, so there's nothing wrong with being careful.
He took out a Message Transmission Talisman from his pocket.
He bit his fingertips, used the blood as ink, and wrote a few words on the talisman, "Disciple met Zhang Family Zhang Muchen today at the Rain Listening Pavilion. This person's aura was strange. After leaving the meeting, he was followed on the way back, and he got away. Disciple suspects that there is something wrong with the Zhang Family, please give me some advice from Court Master."
After writing, he injected a wisp of Gang Qi, and the Message Transmission Talisman spontaneously ignited without fire, turned into a wisp of smoke, and dissipated outside the window lattice.
About a moment after burning the incense, a very slight sound of breaking through the air suddenly came from outside the window.
Chen Jianghe suddenly opened his eyes, stretched out his hand to explore, and found a small paper roll falling into the palm of his hand.
He unfolded it and looked through the moonlight, and it was the vigorous handwriting of Han Shuitian: "Elder Meng is in the city, he will answer you. Go ahead and check, don't worry."
In just three lines, Chen Jianghe reads something unusual.
Go ahead and check it out.
This means that the sect has already made plans to take action against the Zhang Family. It just lacks an opportunity and a legitimate reason.
And he, Chen Jianghe, is the introduction.
Early the next morning, the innkeeper knocked on the door.
"Mr. Chen, I have your greetings."
Chen Jianghe pushed out the door, took the gilded letter of greeting, and opened it.
The handwriting on the post was neat and respectful. "I have heard about Brother Chen for a long time. Yesterday Rain Listening Pavilion had a quick visit and was unable to talk in depth, which is a pity. Today at the time of application, Zhang Mansion prepared some wine and invited Brother Chen and several colleagues to come to the house for a chat, discuss ideas, and talk about the world. I hope that Brother Chen will take the time to come. Mu Chen swept the couch to wait."
The signature is "Zhang Muchen" with a vermilion private seal underneath.
Chen Jianghe looked at this greeting note, the corners of his lips raised slightly, revealing a very faint smile.
Discussion?
We just met at the Rain Listening Pavilion yesterday, so I'll post an invitation today.
The words were respectful and the etiquette was thorough, but there was clearly a sense of impatience between the lines.
I can't wait to test him.
In other words, I can't wait to get rid of him.
Chen Jianghe put the greeting card in his arms, turned around and went back to the house to start preparations.
Abyss Settler Spear is still wrapped in coarse cloth and placed on the bedside within easy reach.
He took out the Octagonal Flying Star from his arms, checked the mechanism carefully, and after confirming that it was correct, put it into the secret pocket of his left sleeve.
Those three Willow Leaf Dart should be hidden close to your body.
Then, he sat cross-legged on the couch, closed his eyes and adjusted his breath to adjust his state to its peak.
Shenshi, Zhang Mansion.
Zhang Mansion is located in the east of Changxi Prefecture City, covering an area of dozens of acres, with blue bricks and black tiles, cornices and brackets, making it an extraordinary building.
Chen Jianghe reported his name in front of the mansion, and a young man in green led him through the many courtyards to a wide Martial Arts Arena.
There are seven or eight people waiting in Martial Arts Arena.
There are familiar faces that I saw at the Rain Listening Pavilion yesterday, and there are also a few unfamiliar young people. They are all dressed up in fancy clothes, with weapons hanging from their waists, and their auras range from peak to Initiation of Gang Force.
Zhang Muchen stood in the middle of the field, wearing a moon-white outfit, which made his pale face look even more bloodless.
Seeing Chen Jianghe arriving, he put a smile on his face and hurried to greet him.
"Brother Chen really keeps his word. Mu Chen has been waiting for you for a long time!"
He was very respectful, leading Chen Jianghe to chat with everyone, and his attitude was as warm as if he were an old friend for many years.
Chen Jianghe looked calm and returned the greetings one by one, but his eyes swept over everyone present calmly.
In addition to these young disciples, Martial Arts Arena also had more than a dozen gray-clothed guards standing around him. All of them had strong auras, and they all had the ability to transform energy.
And in the shadows outside the venue, there are still several stronger auras hidden.
Initiation of Gang Force. At least three.
Chen Jianghe looked away, his expression unchanged.
Zhang Muchen clapped his hands at this time and said with a smile, "It's rare for you all to gather together Zhang Mansion. Mu Chen has prepared a few glasses of wine. Let's drink a few glasses first and then discuss it. What do you think?"
Everyone praised him for his kindness.
The group of people entered the flower hall next to Martial Arts Arena, and the guests and hosts took their seats.
After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere became warmer and the content of the conversation shifted from romance to martial arts experiences.
Some people talk about the new boxing skills they have recently practiced, and some people ask for tips on how Gang Qi operates. Zhang Muchen always responds with a smile and interjects a few words from time to time, appearing to be both humble and knowledgeable.
Chen Jianghe was sitting at the table, not talking much, just listening quietly.
When he was half drunk, Zhang Muchen suddenly stood up and said with a smile, "Everyone, please wait and drink. Mu Chen has a private matter and wants to talk to Brother Chen alone. Don't be surprised if I can't accompany you for a moment."
Everyone smiled and waved their hands, indicating that he could help himself.
Zhang Muchen turned to Chen Jianghe and made a "please" gesture. "Brother Chen, please take a step to speak."
The secret room in the back hall.
Zhang Muchen stepped back to the left and right, personally led Chen Jianghe inside, and closed the door with his backhand.
The secret room is not big, and the furnishings are simple. There is only a rosewood table, a few Taishi chairs, and a shelf in the corner with a few pieces of porcelain.
Zhang Muchen sat down at the table and raised his hand to signal. "Young Hero Chen, please sit down."
Chen Jianghe sat down and glanced across the secret room.
The surrounding walls are all made of bluestone, which is thick and solid. Rune marks can be faintly seen, which is obviously specially reinforced.
There were no windows in the secret room, only a vent above the head, which let in a weak light.
It's a good place to kill people.
Chen Jianghe withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhang Muchen, his face as calm as water.
Zhang Muchen poured two cups of tea, pushed one cup in front of him, and said with a smile, "Young Hero Chen, to be honest, Mu Chen invited you here today because of a great opportunity."
Chen Jianghe picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and said nothing.
Zhang Muchen looked at him, a strange color flashed in his eyes, and then he smiled and said, "Young Hero Chen Have you ever heard that there is a kind of skill in this world that can make a person's cultivation soar by leaps and bounds, far beyond his peers?"
Chen Jianghe put down the tea cup and said calmly, "Brother Zhang is talking about magic power?"
Zhang Muchen's smile froze slightly, then returned to normal.
He looked at Chen Jianghe, and a strange light gradually filled his sinister eyes.
"Young Hero Chen is really smart." He spoke slowly, his voice a little deeper, "In that case, Mu Chen won't beat around the bush anymore."
He stood up, and the atmosphere around him suddenly changed!
A stream of rich blood burst out from his body!
The bloody light was blazing and strange, with a pungent smell of blood. It was completely different from the gentle and jade-like image he had just now of a young man from an aristocratic family!
Sun-Moon Demonic Art, Minor Mastery of Gang Force!
Zhang Muchen laughed evilly and looked at Chen Jianghe condescendingly, "I entered Sun-Moon Divine Cult three years ago. Xingyi Sect wants to operate on me Zhang Family? Ridiculous!"
He raised his hand and pointed at Chen Jianghe, his eyes full of teasing and murderous intent. "I invite you here today to give you a way to survive. If you know your identity, just surrender and follow me to see the protector. If you don't know your identity----"
Before he finished speaking, two secret doors suddenly opened in the walls on both sides of the secret room!
Five figures emerged at the same time!
Three Initiation of Gang Force, two at the peak of their strength, all dressed up in powerful costumes, filled with murderous aura, instantly surrounded Chen Jianghe!
The man at the head was tall and tall, wearing a dark red outfit, with a blood-colored palm embroidered on his chest - the logo of Blood Hand Gang.
He laughed evilly, stared at Chen Jianghe, and licked his lips. "Young Master Zhang, is this the Xingyi Sect genius you mentioned?
Minor Mastery of Gang Force? Tsk tsk, the blood must be very fragrant if it has fine skin and tender flesh."
The other four people also followed suit and laughed ferociously, their eyes full of bloodthirsty desire.
Zhang Muchen stood with his hands behind his hands, looking at Chen Jianghe who was surrounded, his eyes full of pride.
"Chen Jianghe, yesterday you were quite capable of subduing Zhao Lie with three moves from the Rain Listening Pavilion. Unfortunately, you are too confident. You actually dared to break in alone."
He shook his head and sighed, his tone full of regret. "Those who know the current affairs are heroes. If you are willing to join my religion, with your qualifications, your future achievements will be higher than mine. What do you think? Think about it?"
Chen Jianghe looked at him and smiled faintly, "Brother Zhang's kindness, Mr. Chen appreciates it."
He stood up slowly, reached into his arms with his left hand, and took out the Octagonal Flying Star.
"It's a pity that Chen has something wrong with him."
Zhang Muchen frowned. "What's wrong?"
Chen Jianghe raised his eyes to look at him and said calmly, "I don't believe in evil."
Before he finished speaking, he moved!