Chapter 52 - 51: Eye Contact

During his days of seclusion, Xu Guang studied his enemies, whether it was the Han Family or the Yellow Heaven Sect’s Jade Elephant Canon Seat Qian Cheng.

He even secretly infiltrated the East Shore and observed Qian Cheng several times. In another close encounter, he discovered that although this man’s Cultivation was at the Refining Viscera Realm, he could actually see through it.

[Qian Cheng (Human), Combat Power: Deterioration Level Refining Viscera Realm]

In his mind, this man would be even easier to kill than Han Qing.

Although this man was a Refining Viscera expert, he relied heavily on the Jade Elephant he rode and disliked being protected by others. The fact that his Cultivation could be seen by someone at the Bone Forging Realm meant his vitality had inexplicably declined to an unbelievable extent. This man’s Bloodline Power was focused on cultivating Alien Species, which likely provided no enhancement to his personal strength. As long as the Jade Elephant was lured away, Xu Guang didn’t think he would be much stronger than an ordinary Refining Viscera Martial Artist.

Of course, this was also an assessment Xu Guang made based on his current strength. Over the past two months, during his frantic slaughter of mountain bandits for Blood Refining, it wasn’t as if he hadn’t encountered Refining Viscera experts. Before his Flying Dragon Skill reached Great Success, he could already hold his own for a few exchanges. Now that his Flying Dragon Skill had achieved Great Success, he was naturally much stronger!

As long as Qian Cheng was alone—even with the Jade Elephant by his side—he could still be killed! A beast was just a beast, after all. It could never be as smart as a human.

Xu Guang thought calmly to himself.

Unfortunately, compared to those around Qian Cheng, the Han Family acted far too cautiously. He had considered infiltrating the Han Family’s satellite city, but he was discovered shortly after entering. To achieve a perfect infiltration, he had no choice but to beat those people to death. Alas, he didn’t even get to see Han Qing’s face. The Han Family’s control over the satellite city was so strict it was infuriating!

After the Han Family realized someone had infiltrated, their security became even tighter, and he no longer dared to act rashly. If he wanted revenge, his strength would need to reach a much higher level, or he would have to rely on certain factions, such as the top-tier forces backing Feiyun City’s Three Guards.

***

East of the Wei River was a massive plain, which had now become a gathering place for millions of refugees from the Central Plains. Five months ago, the Yellow Heaven Sect’s Great Mage Zhang Qing had publicly and loudly announced plans to build the city of Yellow Heaven here. The Jade Elephant Canon Seat was in charge of constructing one of its satellite cities.

Even in disguise, Xu Guang still appeared much taller and sturdier than the average refugee. After all, he didn’t know any miraculous Cultivation Technique like Bone Shrinking. The difference in physique was truly a bit too obvious.

"Little brother, heading across the river?"

As soon as he arrived at the Wei River docks, someone stopped Xu Guang to ask his intentions. It was a man in his thirties with a sharp mouth and sunken cheeks, possessing the typical look of a sleazy merchant.

Xu Guang clutched the bundle in his arms tightly and shrank back as if nervous, but his gaze imperceptibly swept toward the boat Skinny Monkey had just stepped off. Standing there was a tall and sturdy man.

"My mother told me to go across the river and find a wife."

"Alright, good eye! Let me tell you, don’t mind how those women look right now. Once you take one home and feed her for a few days, she’ll definitely surprise you. Come on, let’s go."

The Skinny Monkey-like man grabbed Xu Guang and led him toward a large boat. Xu Guang followed in silence. He wasn’t the only one being dragged along; there were many others on the dock just like him, carrying bundles and hoping to cross over to find a cheap wife.

"Listen up, everyone! Once you’re on the boat, don’t move around. Sit in your designated spots. The river crossing fee is five pieces of silver per person."

Xu Guang followed the crowd and stood on the bow’s deck. The Wei River was wide—unbelievably wide. As the largest river in Qing State, it naturally had its majestic aspects, spanning nearly ten miles between the east and west shores.

Skinny Monkey paced back and forth on the deck as if on patrol. Behind him stood a man with a tattooed face, frowning and glaring at Skinny Monkey. "You brought another bunch of ordinary people on board. Careful you don’t lose your life over this bit of money. If something goes wrong, see how your brother-in-law deals with you!"

Skinny Monkey chuckled slyly but replied dismissively, "They’re just a bunch of piglets. What can they possibly do? I’m just making a little extra where I can. Juanzi, don’t be so tense."

Laughing and joking, the two men walked up to the people on the deck. Skinny Monkey reached out toward one person’s bundle. "Let me see what treasures you brought. Later, your big brother here will help you find a good wife."

The man was reluctant, but when Skinny Monkey glared at him, he unconsciously let go of the bundle. Skinny Monkey tossed the random junk from the bundle onto the deck, cursing, "Poor bastard!"

"You, bring it here!" Soon, it was Xu Guang’s turn. "Kid, step out. I’ve been watching you for a while. Out of everyone here, your bundle is the most bulging. What do you have in there? Take it out and let me have a look."

Skinny Monkey stared intently at Xu Guang. He had been keeping an eye on him for quite some time. This kid was different from the others looking for a wife; his physique didn’t look like he had starved at all. He might just be a fat sheep ready for shearing.

"My bundle is just full of clothes. There’s nothing else."

"Bring it here and let me take a good look," Skinny Monkey shouted.

Xu Guang remained silent for a moment before placing the bundle in his arms onto the ground. Seeing Xu Guang’s demeanor, Skinny Monkey grew even more curious about the contents and stepped forward.

Xu Guang’s expression remained placid. There truly was nothing in his bundle.

"You little shit, you’re playing me!" Skinny Monkey rummaged through Xu Guang’s bundle, only to find it stuffed full of thatch.

He reached out to grab Xu Guang’s clothes, but Xu Guang stepped back. He didn’t want to be touched.

The only reason he had boarded the boat was that, while on the shore earlier, he had spotted a man on deck who had hijacked the Cheng Family’s goods. Now, this group seemed to be heading across the river. He guessed they were all subordinates of the Jade Elephant Canon Seat and wanted to follow them. Originally, he hadn’t wanted to cause any unnecessary trouble; he merely wanted to tail them to see if he could find any weaknesses in the Jade Elephant Canon Seat...

Even now, he had no intention of making a move. He wasn’t sure if there was an Expert in Refining Viscera Martial Arts among this group.

"I really don’t have anything on me. Big brother, please have mercy and let me go."

Skinny Monkey was furious and lunged forward. This guy definitely had a problem, and even if he didn’t, Skinny Monkey would make one for him. "Juanzi, hold him down. I want to see exactly what treasures he’s hiding on him."

At that moment, the commotion on the deck attracted several people from the cabin. The leader was none other than the wanted man Xu Guang had spotted earlier. The man had been drinking and stumbled slightly as he walked over to the crowd. "What’s going on? What’s all the racket?"

"Brother-in-law, this kid has treasures on him. You came at the perfect time. Why don’t you search him?"

A sly grin appeared on the man’s face as he patted Skinny Monkey’s cheek. "Good boy, you’ve got a sharp eye!" He looked at Xu Guang and increasingly felt that Skinny Monkey was right, so he reached out.

A strange glint flashed in Xu Guang’s eyes.

[XXX (Human), Combat Power: Elite Level Bone Forging Realm]

"Are you the boss of this boat?" Xu Guang asked, sounding somewhat naive.

The man burst into laughter, feeling that Xu Guang’s fear was giving him a lot of face. His expression immediately brightened. "What, do I not look like it?"

A smile also graced Xu Guang’s lips. "You do. You look exactly like it."

"Then take out your treasures."

Xu Guang’s smile grew even brighter. "Why don’t you see for yourself, Boss? I really don’t have any treasures."

The smile on the boat boss’s face turned cold and sinister. He suddenly stepped forward and ripped open Xu Guang’s clothes. "If I say you do, then you must..."

He stared at the long blade, dagger, two-piece staff, and various Hidden Weapons concealed beneath Xu Guang’s clothes, the words catching in his throat. The smile slowly vanished from his face as he looked up at Xu Guang.

Xu Guang looked back at him, a smile lingering on his face.

"You..." the boat boss tried to speak.

"You made the first move."

With a flicker of his body, a long blade was unsheathed from Xu Guang’s waist. Heaven’s Edge, one of the Flying Dragon Thirteen Blades, slashed out seamlessly.

SLASH!

A perfectly good head was instantly sent flying into the sky. A towering pillar of blood sprayed across almost the entire deck, as if washing the floor. Seeing this, everyone turned pale with fright.

Immediately after, a white shadow dashed out. The long blade in his hand gleamed with a chilling light, making the entire boat feel a few degrees colder. With the great sun on the horizon as a witness, agonizing screams echoed across the boat.

Aside from the boat boss, there were three others at the Bone Forging Realm. Xu Guang charged out from the crowd. The long blade in his hand was like a flying dragon in the sky—dazzling and extraordinary. Before two of them could even react, he had already taken their lives.

The last man was rather quick-witted. When the three of them had rushed out together, he had hung back a step. Seeing this bloody scene, he was utterly terrified and scrambled toward the edge of the deck, desperately trying to jump into the water for a chance at survival. Even though the Wei River was teeming with endless Alien Species and Exotic Beasts, it was still far better than dying at the hands of this God of Slaughter.

Xu Guang’s expression didn’t change as he forcefully hurled his long blade. It turned into a streak of white in the air. The immense force sent the man’s body flying backward, pinning him to the deck several meters away.

A smile lingered on his lips as he looked at the few surviving bandits, which included Skinny Monkey. "I will ask, and you will answer. If I am satisfied, I will let you go."

The bandit named Juanzi was the first to agree.

Xu Guang’s smile became even more radiant. "That’s great. It saves a lot of trouble. Can you tell me why you dared to hijack the Cheng Family’s goods?"

Juanzi shook his head. "I don’t know. It was the boss’s idea."

SWISH.

A head rolled and landed right next to Skinny Monkey. As luck would have it, Juanzi’s wide, unblinking eyes stared straight at him.

Then came Xu Guang’s still-calm voice: "Someone who knows nothing has no value in living."

Skinny Monkey’s psychological defenses collapsed completely. "I know! My brother-in-law is the adopted son of the Jade Elephant Canon Seat. The Jade Elephant Canon Seat ordered him to do it!"

Xu Guang smiled in satisfaction as his long blade sliced through the necks of the remaining three men. "Since you know everything, that’s wonderful. Where are the goods?"

"They’re... they’re hanging under the boat!"

"Once you go ashore, who are you handing them over to?"

"The Jade Elephant Canon Seat is coming personally! My brother-in-law said so. He meets the Canon Seat alone every time." Skinny Monkey racked his brains to recall what the boat boss had said. "Right! He also said he would use this opportunity to get the Jade Elephant Canon Seat to take me in as an adopted son too."

"Where is the meeting taking place?"

"In the small woods thirty miles outside the Jade Elephant Satellite City!"

"Does the Jade Elephant Canon Seat know you?"

"No," Skinny Monkey hurriedly shook his head.

Having finished his questions, Xu Guang let out a soft chuckle. "Very good. You are very honest. Now, just do one last thing, and you can live."

A hint of excitement stirred in his heart. His original plan was to infiltrate and wait for an opportunity. But now, from the mouths of the bandits on this boat, he had learned of a much better and more perfect plan. The probability of killing Qian Cheng had just greatly increased!

Overjoyed, Skinny Monkey quickly asked, "May I ask what My Lord needs me to do?"

Xu Guang glanced at the men on the deck who had hoped to cross the river for wives. They were now utterly terrified by the sudden slaughter on the boat, all pale-faced and huddled together. Xu Guang sighed. For this trip to investigate the Jade Elephant Canon Seat, he needed to keep his tracks hidden. However, he had never advocated for killing randomly. If he killed indiscriminately, would he be any different from the bandits he had killed in the past?

"Go and scuttle the boat."

"Huh!?" Skinny Monkey was shocked.

"Scuttle the boat, and once you swim across, you’ll be able to live." After saying this, Xu Guang ignored Skinny Monkey, crouched down, and began Blood Refining.