The Soul-Calming Office's Traitor

"Um?

Lin Qing raised his hand and threw out a Long Nail, which was imbued with the Tathagata Astral Force. It turned into a golden stream of light and suddenly pierced through his brow, causing his head to explode.

But this still couldn't stop it from self-destructing. Its torso below the head expanded rapidly like an inflating balloon before exploding with a deafening roar, and a shower of blood seemed to fall around it.

Lin Qing acted quickly, grabbing the clothes of the two youths and pulling them back more than twenty steps, taking them away from the area covered by the blood rain.

However, the explosion came too suddenly, and the two were still affected. Their hands, chests, shoulders, and other parts of their bodies were stained with splattered blood, and their clothes were quickly corroded, forming holes of varying sizes.

Fortunately, the two acted quickly and removed their clothes; otherwise, the blood would have further corroded their flesh.

Those who were standing at a distance, such as Song Chuanxin, were not affected, but they were all filled with fear.

Wei Dong couldn't help but complain, "These freaks have too many tricks up their sleeves; they can even self-destruct. It's impossible to guard against them."

"I've heard that the Yinyuan Sect has many Flesh-and-Blood Forbidden Arts, and self-destruction is one of them. These people are crazy. After being implanted with Evil Seed, their thinking becomes more and more different from ordinary people. Especially when their martial arts realm hits a bottleneck, but the Evil Spirits in their bodies continue to grow and gradually break through the control of qi and blood pressure, the Martial Artist's thoughts will be subtly interfered with and replaced by the Evil Spirits."

"For such people to survive, they must find a way to break through the bottleneck, or accept the Evil Spirit’s Blessing," Song Chuanxin explained from the side. Since the Corpse Collection Team generally does not go out on missions, he knows more than Lin Qing and the other two.

"I've often heard the term 'blessing,' but what exactly does it mean?" Wei Dong couldn't help but ask.

"The power of Evil Spirit can enhance or reclaim the Evil Spirits Seed within believers, greatly increasing the strength of the Yinyuan Sect religion followers, or freeing them from the danger of being controlled by thought. Every Yinyuan Sect religion follower is risking their life for blessings," Song Chuanxin explained.

"I think this guy was mentally unstable just now. I reckon he'll be completely controlled by Evil Spirits soon," Wei Dong remarked.

"This person's eyes are red and he is emotionally agitated. He is indeed on the verge of madness. However, most of the Yinyuan Sect's assassins are like this. Before they take action, they are already determined to die. They will absorb a large amount of blood and qi in a short period of time, and then use forbidden techniques to make their strength leap temporarily. But the price is that the strength of the Evil Spirits in their bodies will also leap. Once the blood and qi they have absorbed are exhausted, they will fall into a state of madness."

I estimate that all four assassins are in the same situation; although they are True Astral Force, their lives are numbered.

"If Martial Artist truly breaks through to the True Gang Realm on their own, they are a valuable asset within the Yinyuan Sect and will not easily make a move," Song Chuanxin added.

Lin Qing nodded slightly. Everything comes at a price. Although Yinyuan Sect Martial Artist can become stronger quickly, the external power is ultimately not their own and they will be devoured at any time.

"Lord Lin, I suggest you two return to the Soul-Calming Office immediately, as there might still be members of the Yinyuan Sect nearby," Song Chuanxin reminded him again.

"So what should we do with this?" Lin Qing asked.

"Don't worry about this place. Their target isn't us. I'll lead the investigation here," Song Chuanxin said hastily.

He was also afraid that if he continued to act with Lin Qing and the others, he didn't know what kind of trouble he would encounter in the future, and that Assassination attempts like this would become more and more frequent.

"Constable Chief Song is right, Brother Lin, let's go quickly," Wei Dong said, feeling very uneasy.

"Let's split up; they're after me," Lin Qing suddenly said.

Just now, while Song Chuanxin and Wei Dong were talking, he had secretly absorbed the remnant soul of one of the assassins and obtained a lot of key information from his memories.

First, these four people came for him; Wei Dong was just an afterthought.

Secondly, there is indeed a traitor within the Netherworld Pacification Bureau, namely its Office Chief, Ao Xiong.

This person has been stuck in the True Essence Realm for many years, and now that his lifespan is nearing its end, he secretly joined the Yinyuan Sect in order to prolong his life.

This is an extremely terrifying matter. Ao Xiong wields great power and holds a very high position. He is one of the Eight Executives and participates in the core decisions of the Soul-Calming Office. The fact that such a person is a spy for the Yinyuan Sect Yuan Sect is unimaginable.

"If this person cannot be eliminated, there will be countless more Assassination like today."

"This time, the Yinyuan Sect's intelligence was outdated, leading them to misjudge my strength."

"But I can't always rely on the enemy making a mistake."

"Therefore, Ao Xiong must die, the sooner the better!"

Many thoughts flashed through Lin Qing's mind. He even considered reporting to the Soul-Calming Office immediately and pointing out that Ao Xiong was the mole.

However, without sufficient evidence, Yang Chenglu would never take action against Ao Xiong based on just one sentence. Even if an investigation were to be conducted, it would take a long time, and most likely, it would come to nothing.

"Instead of relying on others, I should rely on myself. With my current strength, I may be able to kill Ao Xiong."

Although this person is True Essence Realm Martial Artist, he is very old, his blood and qi are declining, and his strength has greatly decreased. I am at least 90% confident in facing him."Lin Qing thought to himself.

"Brother Lin, let's go together. If there are any assassins, I'll help you," Wei Dong said, patting his chest.

"Wei Dong, don't be stubborn. We'll go our separate ways. It's settled then." Lin Qing's tone was resolute.

"Alright then, Brother Lin, I'll listen to you. Be careful." Wei Dong didn't insist anymore.

He also understood that his own strength was too weak, and if there were another Assassination, he would not be able to help at all, but would only be a hindrance and distract Lin Qing.

Before long, the two left the mansion one after the other, returning to the town of Soul-Calming Office along different routes.

Lin Qing was walking down a long street when suddenly a light rain began to fall, and the number of pedestrians on the street immediately decreased by more than half, making it deserted.

Lin Qing also went into a teahouse on the street to take shelter from the rain, and in the process absorbed three other souls and saw three chaotic memories. He obtained a very important piece of information from them: Ao Xiong was drinking and carousing at the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion on Spring Orchid Street.

It is said that a new courtesan has recently emerged at the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, known as the Fragrant Consort. She is said to have an exquisite face, a hot figure, and a unique fragrance that is intoxicating.

While drinking with Fragrant Consort, Ao Xiong waited for the four assassins to report back to him after completing their mission.

Lin Qing suddenly felt murderous intent. The dark sky made it the perfect opportunity to strike.

"No more waiting, let's wipe him out today!"

Lin Qing picked up his teacup, drank it all in one gulp, got up and left the teahouse, disappearing into the misty rain.

Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion.

In a private room, Ao Xiong and Ao Ziyi each had a beautiful woman in their arms, groping her and enjoying her voluptuous figure while drinking and eating fruit.

In front of the two of them, a woman in a long gold dress was dancing. She had a hot figure and graceful dance moves. As her long sleeves fluttered, a fragrant breeze wafted over, causing Ao Ziyi's lower abdomen to burn with lust.

"As expected of the new courtesan of the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, she is truly alluring. Grandpa, we won't go back tonight; we must savor this unparalleled beauty." Ao Ziyi stared at Fragrant Consort, his eyes gleaming.

"Young Master Ao, this young lady sells her art, not her body!" Fragrant Consort said softly as she finished her dance.

Ao Ziyi frowned, his face darkening.

"What? You're not giving me any face?"

Ao Xiong suddenly said in a deep voice, "Even the master of your Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion has to respectfully address me as 'Sir.' What? You dare disobey my grandson's words?"