Chapter 127 - 112: Following the Clues and Catching Them All (Two-in-One)

Upon seeing Ning Qi fully prepared, Taoist Longshan felt relieved and sternly said:

"That’s good. Then you and I, master and disciple, will go down the mountain together, unite our efforts, and strive to eradicate these scourges once and for all!"

But Ning Qi slowly shook his head and said:

"No, I am enough on my own. Master, you should stay on True Martial Mountain."

Taoist Longshan was startled.

Ning Qi explained with a smile:

"If you and I go together, won’t True Martial Mountain be without someone to guard it? Although the Demon Sect is quiet now, just in case, it would be better to have a Celestial Human Realm expert guarding True Martial Mountain. Moreover, we don’t know if those Southern Border forces will dare to venture up the mountain again."

"Besides, going after the gold-tier assassin ’Lei’ does not require a large number of people; it’s mainly about tracking and understanding the traces. I know some tracking and transformation techniques, and being alone will be more flexible."

He didn’t mention another thing.

With Ning Qi’s current strength, if he couldn’t complete it, adding Taoist Longshan wouldn’t help either.

If they really encounter some unbeatable enemy, Ning Qi could escape using various methods, but if Taoist Longshan were there, it might lead to a deadly confrontation, so going alone is actually the best choice.

Taoist Longshan hesitated slightly; Ning Qi’s reasoning had some merit, but long ago, he had promised Ning Qi to help him eradicate the Blood Rain Tower together.

Of course, his foremost concern was Ning Qi’s safety alone.

"Although, Jiu, your strength now surpasses mine, if I go together, there will be some mutual support. Behind these Southern Border forces, there’s almost certainly a Celestial Human Realm expert." He was still somewhat uneasy.

Ning Qi just smiled.

The next moment.

Inside, the Jade Liquid Sea trembled, strands of Gang Qi vibrating and surrounding them.

Taoist Longshan’s expression changed slightly, quickly mobilized the Power of Heaven and Earth to resist the pressure, but no matter how hard he tried, the terrifying Gang Qi remained overwhelmingly strong, with an unfathomable feeling.

Even when he exerted himself fully, Ning Qi remained calm.

Taoist Longshan finally chuckled and waved:

"Alright, alright, Jiu, be careful yourself."

His heart was a mix of bitterness and pride.

Just last year, he measured Ning Qi’s strength using the Power of Heaven and Earth; now it was Ning Qi measuring his Power of Heaven and Earth strength with Gang Qi, their roles switched so quickly, catching him off guard.

He understood.

With his disciple’s current strength, forcing himself to accompany would not be helpful and might even hinder.

Thinking this way.

Taoist Longshan no longer insisted, as Ning Qi said, staying on True Martial Mountain would ensure its safety further.

Ning Qi nodded with a smile:

"Rest assured, Master, I cherish my life more than anyone."

Taoist Longshan added:

"If convenient, kill the perpetrator who exterminated the Divine Sword Sect as well; consider it a solace for Brother Divine Sword’s spirit in heaven."

Ning Qi nodded solemnly.

He intended to do just that.

...

The next day.

Ning Qi announced he was secluding himself, but secretly, he went down the mountain. No one knew except Taoist Longshan.

At this moment.

Ning Qi transformed into a middle-aged man in black, walking along the bluestone streets, feeling the bustling crowd and the lively atmosphere, he couldn’t help but reflect.

He had traveled to this world for nine years.

Strictly speaking, this was the first time he ventured so far from True Martial Mountain; the furthest he had been before was True Martial City.

Though initially fresh,

after several more rounds around the area, Ning Qi felt it was just so; he wouldn’t let the worldly splendor shake his path. This journey down the mountain was merely to settle old matters from nine years ago.

Determining the direction of Canghe Prefecture City, Ning Qi took to the air unnoticed.

...

Canghe Prefecture City.

A famed prefecture city within Qing State, its prosperity ranks among the top five in Qing State, with intertwined forces inside. Besides the government, there are several top-tier forces, among which is the Iron Fist Gang.

Ning Qi found an inn and sat down. Now a seemingly ordinary man, his presence was not strong and barely attracted attention.

After casually ordering some small dishes, Ning Qi sensed the surroundings, gathering information he desired.

"Hey, have you heard? The Grand Elder’s son of Iron Fist Sect was kidnapped by the Black Wind Thieves, and that old man’s beloved son was humiliated to death..."

"Such a thing happened? Aren’t the two forces set to clash?"

"Indeed, I heard they’ve tried to negotiate several times, but each ended in failure, eventually heating up the conflict. Iron Fist Sect already declared they would annihilate the Black Wind Thieves completely!"

"With Black Wind Mountain’s perilous location, it might not be so easy to eliminate them, right?"

...

Ning Qi listened, somewhat surprised.

In just two or three days, the confrontation between two top-tier forces was evidently brought to light.

Clearly.

Someone was stirring up the trouble.

It might involve some forces’ overt and covert struggles, possibly involving Demon Sect and the government’s influence.

But Ning Qi was indifferent; with his current strength, struggles among Gang Essence Realm rivals were child’s play.

The Great Yan is vast.

Celestial Human Realm experts don’t appear easily.

"Since ’Lei’s target is the leader of the Black Wind Thieves, I’ll wait at the Black Wind Thieves in advance."

Ning Qi’s plan was simple.