Chapter 48: Two-Faced

Besides the Black Sand River, Ye Kuang, Lin You, Zhang Ta, and several others stood in awe, gazing at the ceaseless flow of the expansive river. Its source and endpoint were nowhere in sight. It was a sight so breathtakingly vast that they had never witnessed anything like it before. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least.

“Let’s move. We still have business to do,” said the group leaders, Ye Ruohuo and Zhang Si.

In years past, Hongyuan City had only engaged in trade with merchant caravans passing through neighboring towns, a costly affair. But a few years ago, they made a thrilling discovery. The number of spiritual beasts roaming between Hongyuan City and human territories had significantly dwindled.

Elated by the news, they dispatched capable individuals to verify it.

Since then, they had been sending their best to conduct trades in towns situated on the fringes of human-occupied lands each year.

Deep in the Endless Wilderness surrounding Hongyuan City, resources might be scarce, but its unique geography birthed an array of rare and precious materials. These were highly coveted by martial artists.

Though the materials produced in Hongyuan City were of lower grade, eliminating middlemen had effectively doubled their direct profits.

On this journey, Zhang Si and his party aimed for Heijiao City. Their transactions with the Iron Banner Gang, who controlled Heijiao City, had consistently been amicable.

Along the way, they passed Yousha Town.

Choosing to skirt around the town’s gates, they opted to avoid any unnecessary complications. But beside the turbulent waters of the Black Sand River, a life-and-death struggle was taking place.

“Li Zhi, just accept your fate. It’s your good fortune that this young master has taken an interest in you,” said Qin Lang. 

Brandishing his silver spear to subdue Li Zhi, his eyes roved lasciviously over her figure. He had a particular fondness for youthful blossoms like her—petite yet robust enough to endure his ardor.

“You loathsome scam, I’ll see you dead.”

Li Zhi’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. She had merely ventured out for a casual glimpse of the Black Sand River when this pervert accosted her.

The man was none other than Qin Lang, the son of Qin Fang, one of the two Innate masters residing in Yousha Town. Elegant and armed with a silver spear, he exuded an air of gallantry and distinction.

Li Zhi had crossed paths with Qin Lang before within the town walls, where he had appeared entirely different from the loathsome figure he now revealed himself to be.

Unexpectedly, in this secluded area, he showed his true, abhorrent colors.

“Li Zhi, you can’t escape. I’ve followed you, waiting for a moment when we were alone. Just submit to me, and I assure you, you won’t be mistreated,” Qin Lang proclaimed, clearly relishing his shamelessness.

It was as if the constant pretense had worn him out. Now, unburdened by the need to maintain appearances, the inner demon within him erupted uncontrollably, like a volcano finally unleashed.

Li Zhi stood no chance against Qin Lang. She had only recently advanced to the fourth layer of the Acquired stage, while Qin Lang had been at the sixth layer for some time. They were leagues apart in terms of strength. Furthermore, he wielded a top Acquired-stage silver spear, while she had nothing more than a mid-grade jade folding fan.

Had it not been for Qin Lang’s hesitance to severely injure the object of his infatuation, Li Zhi wouldn’t have been able to hold out this long.

Zhang Si and Ye Ruohuo, both Innate masters with acute senses and a modicum of spiritual perception, sensed the disturbance. They remained disinterested, as scenes like this had long stopped to stir their emotions.

Their main focus was their trading mission to Hongyuan City, they couldn’t afford any distractions.

Yet, the following exchange between the increasingly twisted Qin Lang and the now coldly furious Li Zhi gave them pause.

Li Zhi discreetly retrieved a jade amulet from her sleeve and crushed it.

Unperturbed, Qin Lang sneered, “Ah, a Mother-Son Alarm Charm. Do you really think your so-called loyal uncle can save you? I only dare to act because I’ve thoroughly investigated your background. A mere martial artist at the ninth layer of the Acquired stage, think you can defy me?”

“Your boundless arrogance is eclipsed only by your ignorance,” retorted Li Zhi, her gaze turning icy.

Her internal energy was rapidly depleting, leaving her unable to fend off Qin Lang any longer.

Li Zhi, however, remained undeterred. She reached into her storage pouch and pulled out a circular shield. After lightly tapping it a few times, the shield floated above her head and unfurled a radiant barrier around her.

No matter how relentless Qin Lang’s attacks were, the luminescent shield didn’t budge an inch.

“Save your strength. This is an Innate protective artifact gifted to me by my master. It’s imbued with Innate True Qi. You stand no chance of breaking it,” Li Zhi taunted, her normally calm demeanor overpowered by her rising anger.

Qin Lang hesitated, clearly disturbed. 

Wasn’t Li Zhi’s only support a martial artist at the Acquired ninth layer? Where had this Innate artifact come from? 

The unease settled in, the Innate True Qi within the shield was unmistakable.

Black Iron City was far removed from Yousha Town, and its news wasn’t something he could easily acquire. Therefore, he was oblivious to Li Zhi’s actual background.

“Who’s your master?” Qin Lang muttered, trying to mask his anxiety, though his previous arrogance had already dissipated.

This abrupt change only heightened Li Zhi’s contempt.

“My master is Zhang Shen. Qin Lang, prepare your neck. You’re done for.”

Li Zhi harbored no thoughts of sparing Qin Lang. As she had emphatically stated, he was doomed.

Having been under her master’s guidance for some time, she understood his nature. He was cautious, but when crossed, he would act decisively and without mercy–eliminating any threats root and branch.

Both Qin Lang and his father were marked for death.

A sense of dread began to envelop Qin Lang. Provoking an Innate master was undeniably foolish, a death sentence without the possibility of vindication.

Realizing this, he steeled his gaze. He resolved to call upon his father to shatter this annoying protective shield and eliminate Li Zhi. And he needed to act quickly. The jade amulet that had been crushed earlier left him with a sense of impending doom.

Before Qin Lang could make a move, Ye Ruohuo appeared behind him, seizing his neck as effortlessly as snatching a chicken. Just because Ye Ruohuo had held back earlier didn’t mean she lacked the intent to kill.

With a swift flick of her wrist, she dispelled Qin Lang’s internal energy, then hurled him to the ground and shattered his limbs with a decisive stomp.

All this transpired in a mere heartbeat, leaving neither Li Zhi nor Qin Lang any time to react.

Snapping back to his senses, Qin Lang let out a blood-curdling, agonized scream.

A bewildered Li Zhi looked on as Zhang Si approached her, his expression friendly.

“Young lady, is the Master Zhang Shen you spoke of earlier a distinguished young man?” Zhang Si asked. 

After expanding their reach to the human territories’ fringes, they searched for any information on Zhang Shen but came up empty-handed. They didn’t know if they were searching in the wrong places or if Zhang Shen was using an assumed name. This had been a source of great concern for their elders.

Hearing Zhang Shen’s name now filled Zhang Si’s heart with cautious optimism. He hoped it was the Zhang Shen he knew, rather than a coincidence.

Faced with this unexpected turn of events, Li Zhi maintained her composure but remained silent, her face adopting a guarded expression.

How should she react when someone abruptly asks about her master? 

She had no way of knowing whether these individuals were allies or enemies. After her recent encounter with the duplicitous Qin Lang, she was wary and untrusting.

Reading Li Zhi’s cautious demeanor, the perceptive Zhang Si wasn’t in a hurry. His vast experience allowed him to conjure up several ways to probe further in an instant.

But before he could say anything, a distant whooshing noise filled the air.

Dressed in a flowing robe, Zhang Shen arrived, propelled by the wind.

From a distance, he sensed the presence of Zhang Si, Ye Ruohuo, and others. Taken aback, he immediately focused his attention on Li Zhi.

Only after ensuring that she was safe and sound did Zhang Shen shift his attention to the pitiable state of Qin Lang.

Making an entrance like a shooting star and alighting as gracefully as a feather, both Zhang Si and Ye Ruohuo were initially stunned but soon overwhelmed with joy.

“It’s been some time, esteemed Elders. You both look as radiant as ever,” Zhang Shen greeted, bowing respectfully. “If you’ll excuse me for a moment, there are urgent matters I must attend to.”

At this point, Li Zhi had already stowed away her round shield. She stood nervously off to the side, feeling somewhat embarrassed for having been on guard against her own allies.

“What happened?” 

After Li Zhi briefed him on the situation, Zhang Shen’s eyes grew icier.

“Zhi’er, these people are close friends of mine. Take them to Sanli Shop and await my return. Elders, this is my disciple, you may accompany her into Yousha Town. We will have time to catch up later.”

With that, Zhang Shen released a surge of his True Qi, enveloping Qin Lang, and soared toward Yousha Town. He disappeared from view within seconds.

For a long moment, Zhang Si, Ye Kuang, Lin You, and the others were rooted to the spot, staring at the direction Zhang Shen had taken, as if in a trance. Zhang Si, in particular, had contemplated following but found that Zhang Shen had vanished before he could even make a move.

Zhang Shen’s extraordinary level of cultivation was not what surprised him, rather, it was the degree of mastery, which seemed too advanced for someone recently ascended to this stage.

“In just a few years, could he have surpassed me so significantly?” 

A momentary shock gave way to exhilaration for Zhang Si.

Hongyuan City was on the brink of a golden era.

Ye Ruohuo remained composed. She was among the few privy to Zhang Shen’s true capabilities.

Anger simmered within Zhang Shen. He had been peacefully engrossed in secluded cultivation in Luoshui Ravine. To think that someone dared to harm his disciple.

“Perhaps I’ve been too inconspicuous,” he mused.

Although he had the maturity to endure solitude, the same could not be said for Li Zhi and the others. They were still green, in need of worldly experience to mature. However, their current cultivation levels made them vulnerable, easy targets unless they had strong backing.

“Not everyone is cut out to thrive amid adversity, nor is everyone suited for the storied life of a hero,” he thought to himself.

Zhang Shen’s thoughts raced as he soared over Yousha Town.

Although he had never met Qin Fang, it didn’t matter, he had Qin Lang in his grasp.

After consuming a blood orb, the guidance of the bloodline magic instantly revealed Qin Fang’s location to him.

“Qin Fang, come out and face your fate!”

The roar echoed thunderously across the entire Yousha City.

Qin Fang, engrossed in his cultivation at home, frowned.

Who was this audacious person daring to call for his death?

Following the voice, he looked up to find Zhang Shen floating high above, radiating an overwhelming aura. His cultivation level, at the Innate ninth layer, was unmistakable.

Qin Fang’s eyes narrowed when he spotted his son, who looked like a beaten dog, hanging from Zhang Shen’s grasp.

Cold sweat immediately broke out.

He knew his son better than anyone. But the thought of rescuing him didn’t even cross his mind.

Was this an opponent he could really match?

He was only at the fourth tier of the Innate stage.

“This bastard is trying to send me to my grave!” Cursing internally, Qin Fang turned to flee.

The next moment, he felt his hair stand on end. A massive palm of True Qi descended upon him.

“Damn it!” Qin Fang gritted his teeth and mustered all his strength to resist.

Unleashing his Nine-Fire Silver Spear, he sent out nine fire dragons, majestic and fearsome. But they disintegrated instantly when touched by the immense palm of True Qi.

The vast gap in their cultivation levels left Qin Fang with no room to maneuver.

With a deafening crash, he was smashed into the ground. Blood spewed from his mouth, his bones shattered. Half of the Qin Mansion crumbled.

With a flick of his hand, Zhang Shen drew the barely alive Qin Fang toward him.

“Mis… misunderstanding… it’s a…” Qin Fang’s voice trailed off as Zhang Shen unceremoniously crushed him.

A gruesome explosion of blood and flesh ensued.

Zhang Shen had no interest in hearing more. He had come here for one reason only–to kill.