Ambush

For the next while, the two chatted as they enjoyed the food, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Their seats happened to give them a clear view of the center of the hall.

Just then, an elegant melody drifted over from nearby, exceptionally pleasing to the ear.

Following it, a charming woman in a scarlet robe descended from midair toward the central stage, gripping silk ribbons in her hands. Her posture was exceedingly graceful.

Arriving on the stage, the woman sat cross-legged and began to gently play the zither.

The stirring music spread in every direction.

This woman was none other than Zhao Yuanjing, the leading courtesan of the Mandarin Duck Pavilion.

Countless guests below were utterly entranced, staring heatedly at the woman onstage. Their burning gazes seemed as though they could melt her away.

Even some of the women wore looks of intoxicated fascination.

Yue Shulan too was immersed in the music, her face full of enjoyment.

"Warning, warning... The host has been affected by unknown energy. Please move away as soon as possible..."

At that moment, the panel deep in his mind frantically sounded warnings, instantly jolting Lu Changsheng's entranced mind awake.

What a terrifying influence. Just who is this woman?

His heart plunged into an icy abyss, yet he did not dare reveal the slightest abnormality.

His face remained as intoxicated as before.

Before long, the piece ended, and only then did the guests on the floor come back to their senses with regretful expressions.

Most terrifying of all, no one felt that they had been influenced, as though this was how things ought to be.

"Madam Jing's skill has grown ever more refined. It makes one's heart feel utterly clear and serene."

Yue Shulan looked deeply satisfied.

Lu Changsheng smiled, saying nothing.

Yet inwardly, he was extremely vigilant.

Zhao Yuanjing had been at the Mandarin Duck Pavilion for several years already. He knew nothing whatsoever about her identity or her purpose.

It was like a dark cloud hanging over all of Changping County.

Lu Changsheng decided that until his strength was sufficient, he would never go near the Mandarin Duck Pavilion again.

The other party clearly harbored an enormous scheme.

But reporting this now was not very realistic either.

He was insignificant and his words carried little weight; it would be difficult to convince anyone. Besides, the other party would certainly be prepared. By the time investigators arrived, she might already have changed her skin, and once he exposed himself, he would likely be in even greater danger.

Lu Changsheng decided not to reveal this matter for the time being.

Afterward, Lu Changsheng and Yue Shulan conversed for a little longer before he rose to take his leave.

Watching Lu Changsheng's receding figure, the woman dressed as a maid looked puzzled.

"Why did Miss pay such a great price to befriend an ordinary martial artist? And he did not even give a definite answer."

Yue Shulan smiled faintly. "An ordinary martial artist? He is anything but ordinary. The fact that he escaped from the Scent Worship Cult is enough to prove his capabilities."

"It is only that his will is resolute, impervious to both soft and hard tactics. We can only move him with sincerity."

"Ordinary beauty will only make him more wary."

For the first time, Yue Shulan began to doubt her own appearance.

After returning to his residence, Lu Changsheng absorbed that spiritual herb.

Seeing the additional 8 Source Energy Points on the panel, he was quite satisfied.

That ginseng was nearly one hundred and fifty years old, and the Source Energy Points it provided were quite considerable.

Over the next few days, Lu Changsheng did not rashly make a move. Instead, he cautiously gathered all kinds of information on the Three Rivers Gang.

After investigating through various channels, he uncovered quite a bit of useful information.

The Three Rivers Gang was a large gang with a history of several decades in Changping County.

Over the past few years, its influence had grown ever stronger.

The main reason was that its old rival, the Sea Shark Gang, had fallen into decline. In addition, some of the Sea Shark Gang's upper ranks had defected to the Three Rivers Gang, allowing it to expand even more recklessly.

The entire gang already had more than two thousand members.

If not for their fear of the authorities' strength, they would likely have long since moved to swallow the Sea Shark Gang whole.

Naturally, to maintain the balance among the various forces, the Three Rivers Gang had quite a few powerful martial artists as well.

It had six major halls under its command, including Wind Thunder Hall, Blazing Fire Hall, and Shadow Hall, and there was no shortage of Bone Forging experts among them.

As for Gang Leader Huang Tianba and the two deputy gang leaders, their strength was even more astonishing.

Night fell, and all was quiet.

Lu Changsheng lay on his bed, thinking carefully.

He had already roughly mapped out his next plan.

With his current strength, going directly to cause trouble at their stronghold would undoubtedly be like striking a stone with an egg.

Naturally, he would not be so foolish.

If he chose to ambush their trade routes instead, he would achieve twice the result with half the effort.

As a large gang, the Three Rivers Gang did not rely solely on protection fees for profit. It also operated various brothels, gambling dens, and medicinal herb businesses, and maintained close ties with the prefectural city.

Large amounts of silver and medicinal herbs were sent by them to the prefectural city to grease the palms of the various powers.

Otherwise, the authorities would never permit such a large gang to exist.

Of course, their trade routes would certainly be escorted by martial artists, but most of them were Skin Refining or Muscle Refining martial artists.

With his strength, as long as he acted carefully, there would naturally be no major problem.

Having thought through his plans, Lu Changsheng fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, at dawn.

The morning sun rose.

After washing up briefly, Lu Changsheng took the Pig-Slaughtering Blade and headed out of the courtyard.

Before leaving, he did not forget to remind Fang Qing and the other person not to leave the Demon Suppression Department's family compound.

After leaving his courtyard, he made his way unhurriedly toward the city gate.

The streets teemed with people and were extremely noisy.

Several furtive figures kept watching him as well.

Lu Changsheng ignored them and headed straight out of the city.

He knew these were all scouts from the Three Rivers Gang, specifically tasked with gathering information.

Before long, Lu Changsheng left the city.

Then he pushed off hard with both legs, activated the Fleeting Light and Shadow movement technique, and sped down the official road ahead.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished from the area.

Three Rivers Gang, Wind Thunder Hall stronghold.

"Reporting to Hall Master, that brat has left the city. Should we send men to hunt him down?"

A man in blue knelt on one knee, making a throat-slitting gesture with his right hand.

"Hmph... He truly seeks death. He killed one of my men, yet still dares leave the city. He simply does not put me in his eyes."

Wang Yong snorted coldly, killing intent bursting from his eyes.

"Go find several martial artists outside the gang and have them lie in ambush on his route back to the city..."

"This subordinate obeys."

Wang Shouren nodded respectfully.

He naturally understood what his Hall Master meant. Even if this matter were exposed, it could not be traced back to them.

With their network of influence, finding a few unfamiliar martial artists would not be difficult.

Several hours later.

Northeast of Changping County, several dozen li away, within a dense forest.

Lu Changsheng leaned quietly against a branch of a large tree, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

This was an official road leading to Qingning Prefecture City, and merchants frequently traveled along it.

"Crack, crack, crack..."

Lu Changsheng activated the Bone Shrinking Art, and his entire body began to change rapidly.

The bones throughout his body rearranged themselves.

Before long, he had turned into a tall man, his features becoming much rougher as well.

He took out a mirror and examined himself, greatly satisfied.

This Bone Shrinking Art was indeed quite formidable. It had completely given him a new identity.

Even if he encountered someone familiar, it would be difficult for them to recognize him.

Afterward, Lu Changsheng began to wait like an old hunter.

That wait lasted three days.

Whenever he was thirsty, he drank spring water. Whenever he was hungry, he ate the dry provisions he had brought with him.

Fortunately, his martial cultivation was not weak, so he could naturally endure for a long time.

Though the Three Rivers Gang's merchant caravans had yet to pass by, he was not anxious.

As a hunter, he never lacked patience.

Merchant caravans passed along the official road every few hours, but Lu Changsheng ignored every one of them.