Chapter 92: I Can Safely Say

Chapter 92: I Can Safely Say

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Huang Shing and Liu Jin run at top speed. Now that they no longer have to worry about accidentally damaging the crates, nothing stops them from using movement techniques. Multiple miles go by in seconds.

I cant believe Brother Jin foresaw this!

Liu Jin snorts.

Foresaw is a pretty strong word. Considered is a better alternative. Feared may be closer to the truth. In the end, it doesnt matter. The herbs were still stolen.

Even though it had been a possibility, his impatience had gotten the better of him. He had left Huang Shing alone with the crates, a foolish decision to be sure. He should have waited until they had safely delivered the herbs, then found some way to excuse himself for a few minutes. With the benefit of hindsight, it is plain to see that would have been the better choice.

Of course, in its own way, that thought is fairly arrogant. It means Liu Jin is thinking, If I had been there, the herbs would have never been stolen.

That is not right.

Regardless of the method the thieves used, there is no guarantee Liu Jin would have been able to stop them. He might have, or he might not have. Taking it for granted that he could have is nothing but vanity.

I still think its amazing! To think we have a chance to recover the herbs because Brother Jin made sure to put a Lovers Crimson Blossom inside one of the crates!

Lovers Crimson Blossom.

Rather than calling it a special type of plant, it would be more accurate to say it is an unusual phenomenon that happens to a fairly mundane tree.

Crimson Blossom Trees are known for their beauty and little else. Their color is a vivid crimson from their roots all the way to their leaves and flowers. Good for making ornaments and dye, but little else. However, there are times when a flower of a darker shade of red will grow from such trees. This flower has no exceptional medical properties, but it does have a curious quirk.

The petals of this flower will always point towards each other.

Upon receiving the herbs, Liu Jin had placed a few of these petals inside the crates and kept one for himself. When the thieves had taken the herbs, they had also taken the petals. All Liu Jin and Huang Shing have to do now is follow the direction the petal in Liu Jins hand is pointing at.

It is nothing much. By the way, I am sure you have already noticed this, but the direction were going right now is

The Summer Forest, Huang Shing finishes for him, frowning.

It means their suspicions are right. The ones who stole the herbs are doubtlessly disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan.

In a way, this was inevitable. Even though the group of resentful disciples kept trying to challenge Huang Shing and Bei Hong, their efforts were for naught. Those two may be brash and headstrong, but no one can deny their strength. Some people had tried to challenge Lu Mei and Liu Jin instead, thinking them easier targets. Those efforts had been met with failure as well.

If the older Inner Disciples had gotten involved, things would have been quite different, but they all seem concerned with their own training.

They were unable to defeat you in the sparring ring, so now they seek to attack your reputation. That is what this is.

Our reputation, Huang Shing corrects him. Dont worry, Brother Jin! On this matter, we will be as one fist!

Liu Jin chuckles. I guess a fist would be the right tool for this job. Very well, do you have anything in mind?

At this speed, well be in the Ash Road in seconds. Ill use the transfer circle to go get Brother Hong and Sister Mei.

Unlike outsiders who must run the length of the Ash Road to reach the Eternal Flame Clans compound, disciples can simply activate the transfer circles near the entrance to skip the whole thing. Because of that, Huang Shings idea has merit. It would be extremely easy for him to get Bei Hong and Lu Mei.

There is just one problem.

I suppose while you do that, Ill keep following after the herbs. He cannot afford not to. The thieves could destroy the herbs at any moment. The slightest delay could be crucial. How do you expect to find me? Keep in mind I will have to disguise my Qi to avoid detection.

I am confident I can pick up Brother Jins Qi easily enough, but I was wondering if maybe I didnt have to. That petal is it possible for Brother Jin to cut it in half? Can that be done?

Liu Jin slows down as he spares Huang Shing a glance out of the corner of his eyes. He considers his words for a moment, his gaze flicking back to the red petal in his hand.

The Summer Forest is now within sight. Liu Jin holds up the petal. Unfortunately, it does not point towards the Ash Road, but rather insistently aims itself at the dense foliage and the many dangers that lurk there.

With a swipe of his hand, the petal is cut in half.

Very well, Liu Jin says, handing one half to Huang Shing. Well follow Brother Shings plan. Be warned, it will lose power in about two hours now that its cut in half. I trust youll be able to find me by then.

Brother Jin wont regret this! I definitely, definitely wont let you down! Huang Shing says, pushing more Qi into his legs, his body exploding forward at speeds far beyond sound. It does not take him even a second to reach the feet of the Ash Round and step right over the transfer circle.

You dont understand! Pan Qiu shouts, his foot stomping on the ground. You were not there. None of you were! His hands are balled up into trembling fists. This this was a mistake. We should burn the herbs right now.

Do you even listen to yourself?

However, Pan Qiu is not listening. His hands are alight with flame as he looks at the crates. Hes really going to do it.

Art of the Roaming Thief - Second Step.

In less than a thousandth of a second, Liu Jin dashes down from the trees and reaches the crates before Pan Qius fire does. Instead of being burned by Pan Qiu, the crates go into Liu Jins spatial pouch. His feet skid across the dirt as he comes to a stop before the stunned disciples.

For a moment, no one moves. The disciples are shocked, and Liu Jin Liu Jin fears doing anything may prompt them to take action. Liu Jin is one person against six, and all six are in the Spirit Realm. Two are in the Second Level of it, one is in the Third, and three are in the Fourth.

The situation is decidedly not in his favor.

How did you find this place? One of the disciples cries out, immediately pointing a sword at him. His words break the spell that had been hanging over everyone. They all quickly assume combat stances around Liu Jin. Pan Qiu is the only exception. He takes a few steps back instead. Dont tell me it was Khong Hu who showed you!

I wonder why a thief thinks he has a right to demand any answers from me, Liu Jin counters, also assuming a combat stance. Yet, for the sake of sparing Brother Khong future trouble, Ill say he has nothing to do with my being here. Youre just lousy thieves.

Youd do well to mind your words, junior. Youre surrounded. Coming here alone was undoubtedly the worst mistake you could have made.

I can safely say this is far from my worst mistake, Liu Jin notes, seemingly unconcerned. On the inside, his mind is furiously at work, trying to find a way out of here.

Luckily, as soon as he starts, he realizes all he has to do is wait.

Also, senior brother may wish to look up.

He doesnt. None of them do. None of them but Pan Qiu, whose eyes quickly widen before opening his mouth to shout out a warning.

Hes far too late.

Third Dragon Slaying Palm!

Huang Shing crashes down from the heavens, his palms glowing with green Qi. Even before he makes contact with the ground, it breaks from the force of his blow. Multiple trees are brought down, and the earth rumbles.

I told you Id find Brother Jin! Huang Shing calls out to him, grinning from ear to ear. Liu Jin finds a smile tugging at his lips.

You idiot! The disciple from earlier shouts. We cannot fight here! If we do, it could-

He doesnt get to say more. Bei Hongs fist, now coated in gold, slams into the side of his face.

What follows is a blur of violence as a fight of four against six begins. These are not mere teens fighting. Almost all of them are in the Spirit Realm, and the power unleashed reflects that. The earth is torn asunder. Craters dozen yards wide are formed with every impact. Trees that are a hundred yards tall are brought low in the blink of an eye.

Liu Jins spear clashes against a blade. A fraction of a second later, hes dodging large gouts of flame. Then hes attacking someone before they can strike at Huang Shings back. A shout of pain coming from behind him informs him he has been similarly saved as well.

Bei Hong fights with powerful blows. He uses no ranged attacks of any kind. He breaks people with nothing but his fists. Beside him, Lu Mei grins, moving with impossible grace. She does not bother with Charm Techniques. There is blood on her face that isnt hers, and her golden eyes brim with joy.

The fight does not even last six seconds.

In six seconds, a hundred square yards are completely destroyed by ten people.

In six seconds, every single one of them stops fighting.

What is the meaning of this?!

The shout rips through the forest. It grabs hold of the haze of battle and rips it apart. A heavy, oppressive force bears down on every single person present there.

Earth Realm, First Level.

He steps into the ruined field. His hair, like flame; his eyes, like gold. He stands tall and strong, adorned by red and black robes. His Qi, his presence, it demands their attention. It burns like fire and shines like the sun.

Oddly enough, it is Huang Shing who puts a name to him.

Feng Zhi, he whispers, angrily staring at the newcomer.

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