Chen Jiu of the Canal Gang, Shenxiao of the Dragon-Subduing Sect (Third update-please subscribe!)

During the few days Hong Yuan stayed at the Unfixed Sword Sect, seeking martial instruction from Qingsongzi and Qinglingzi, news of his appearance in Qingping County had already sprouted legs and spread like a raging gale.

Linjiang Prefecture seethed with excitement. Great and small powers from Qingping County and the neighboring counties, whether renowned sects and gangs or bandits and outlaws, stirred into action alongside unaffiliated martial artists and hurried over.

Many speculated that the vicious Hong Yuan had been forced by the astronomical bounty to flee far from home and was about to make his way into Xingqing Prefecture.

The shrewder ones did not search for his whereabouts. Instead, they blocked the major routes to Xingqing Prefecture and stationed lookouts on high ground, waiting by the stump for the rabbit to come along, ready for him to throw himself into their net.

Martial artists from Xingqing Prefecture also came upon hearing the news, salivating over that hundred-thousand-tael windfall and sharpening their blades.

Splash! Splash!

River waves tossed up clear spray as fierce winds swept across the water. A cargo boat cleaved through the waves on the Yudai River, speeding along.

A young man with an angular face and bronze skin stood tall at the bow, his whole body radiating lean ferocity as he gazed into the distance.

His eyes and brows were sharp as a hawk's. Beside him, a Hooked Sickle Spear adorned with red-gold dragon patterns stood embedded in the deck, within easy reach.

Screee!

A shrill, piercing eagle cry split the sky. A dark shape circled above the large boat, then suddenly plunged toward the mast.

Up on the mast.

In the lookout basket several dozen feet above the deck, a sturdy, bare-chested man had already raised his head, allowing the eagle's sharp talons to settle on