Chapter 132: Spies Hidden Within the Inner Academy!
In the eastern part of the Inner Academy, inside a pavilion, several people sat in a room. Zong Zhengcai, usually arrogant and overbearing, now wore a gloomy expression. A faint green glow emanated from his forearms as he used Dou Qi to nurture his broken bones.
On the other side, Bai Cheng's face was pale. Though his broken leg had been healed thanks to a pill, it had come at a high cost. For some time, he wouldn't be able to perform at full strength.
Sitting silently in the main seat was a figure as imposing as an iron tower, with a massive black iron hammer resting by his feet. This man was none other than Yan Hao, ranked fourth on the Strongest Ranking. Within the Inner Academy, except for Zi Yan, no one could claim to defeat him easily not even Lin Xiuya or Liu Qing.
In another seat, Han Xian was quietly recounting his conflicts with the Holy Gate, including everything that had happened the night before.
After listening, Yan Hao remained silent for a long time. He had grasped the situation: his side had provoked the Holy Gate first, so they were at fault. However, the other party was not lenient either, refusing to let the matter go and demanding that their factions disband entirely.
Yan Hao was not someone unreasonable. If they were at fault, he was willing to compromise. But to dissolve his faction entirely because of a single demand? Where would that leave his reputation? How could he continue to operate within the Inner Academy?
"Zong, tell me about the other party's strength," Yan Hao said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Bai Cheng and Han Xian's eyes lit up. As expected, this powerhouse had decided to intervene!
Zong Zhengcai's eyes flashed with a touch of gratitude, though there was also bitterness. Even if this ordeal ended safely, it would cost him dearly. That… that guy was not someone easy to deal with!
"Very strong. I lost in a single exchange," Zong Zhengcai said bitterly after a moment. "His speed rivals Lin Xiuya's, his strength matches Liu Qing's, and… he didn't even use Dou Qi."
"It felt like facing a brute force king," he added grimly.
Bai Cheng's face twitched. He had the same feeling when he first encountered Lu Bu, though he'd instinctively ignored it at the time, focusing instead on how Yao Sheng had injured him. Looking back now…
Bai Cheng pursed his lips. If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have listened to Bai Shan or Han Xian!
"What did you say?" Yan Hao's expression changed as he abruptly stood up.
He had faced Zi Yan before and knew exactly how terrifying that seemingly innocent little girl was she wasn't human at all but a magical beast in disguise!
"It's true. He defeated me completely in just three moves," Zong Zhengcai admitted, his face filled with bitterness. It was his fault for not recognizing Lu Bu's strength, but… who could have expected there would be a second brute force king in this world?
"Big Brother, I know nothing about him. He's only shown his strength twice in front of me," Zong Zhengcai added solemnly. If a fight broke out, his contribution would be minimal just slightly better than Bai Cheng's.
"Boss, something's happened!"
At that moment, a Jade Gate member rushed in, panic written all over his face. "Everyone in the Inner Academy is heading to the Medicine Gang!"
"What's going on?" Han Xian jumped up as though his chair had caught fire, his face filled with panic.
"Heh… isn't it because you sold fake pills?" The Jade Gate member sneered, not bothering to spare Han Xian's dignity. "The entire Inner Academy is in chaos!"
"Because of your fake pills, everyone is furious. Now, everyone wants to destroy the Medicine Gang!"
"Impossible!" Han Xian shrieked. "The Holy Gate doesn't have enough people to rally the entire Inner Academy's students!"
"It seems Qi Jing has gotten involved…" Yan Hao muttered darkly, his fists clenching as veins bulged on his forearms. Qi Jing's influence wasn't strong, but her reach was extensive, and she was unmatched in spreading information quickly.
"That woman…" Han Xian gritted his teeth. "Why is she opposing me? When did I ever offend her?"
"She's close to Liu Fei. It's natural for her to take a side in this situation," Bai Cheng said in a low voice, though his expression flickered as though recalling something. He said no more.
"Big Brother Yan Hao, please come with me to the Medicine Gang!" Han Xian pleaded desperately. "If the Medicine Gang falls, Jade Gate won't be able to remain unscathed either!"
Yan Hao's eyes flickered as he pondered for a moment before replying, "I'll go, but I won't go against the entire Inner Academy for you. I'll only deal with the Holy Gate nothing else."
"Also, you must swear to the entire Inner Academy that your pills will no longer be subpar or fraudulent," Yan Hao added coldly.
Han Xian's face twitched. How much Fire Energy would that cost him?
But under Yan Hao's piercing gaze, Han Xian could only grit his teeth and nod. At this point, it was a matter of survival. He had no choice but to agree, even if he planned to renege later.
"Zong, come with me. The rest of you, stay behind," Yan Hao ordered.
Just then, another person ran in hurriedly, shouting, "Boss, the Holy Gate didn't go to the Medicine Gang they went to the White Gang! They're targeting them first!"
Hearing this, joy flashed across Han Xian's face.
"What?! Shouldn't they be attacking the Medicine Gang first?" Bai Cheng jumped to his feet, his face pale with terror as he turned to Yan Hao with pleading eyes.
Going back alone was pointless. He wasn't a match for Lu Bu. Returning would only result in the White Gang being destroyed.
"Cough… Bai Cheng, Big Brother Yan Hao has his hands full. Good luck, brother. Sorry," Han Xian said with a feigned cough, clenching his fist as he spoke.
Yan Hao cast a glance at Bai Cheng before silently stepping forward, taking Zong Zhengcai and Han Xian with him.
Left behind, Bai Cheng clenched his fists tightly, his teeth grinding together. His lowered eyes gleamed with resentment and malice.
…
At the White Gang headquarters, the 31 members of the Holy Gate stood before the gate. Seeing the plaque above, they cracked their knuckles and prepared themselves.
The gatekeepers, pale faced and bitter, hesitated. They were supposed to be part of the Holy Gate but had been swayed by Bai Shan to defect. They had thought they'd gain an advantage over their peers, but now…
"Lu Bu, what are you doing?" Fu Ao, leading the White Gang members, ran out, shouting angrily, though his voice betrayed his fear. He knew he wasn't Lu Bu's match he had learned that long before the Holy Gate was even founded.
"Attack! Tear the White Gang apart and avenge Brother Ah Tai and the others!" Lu Bu roared.
"Revenge!"
The Holy Gate members shouted as they stormed inside.
"Who dares " Fu Ao's words were cut off as Lu Bu slapped him into the wall. The new recruits roared as they charged in, punching anyone in sight and slapping faces with abandon.
Lu Bu pulled Lin Yan aside. "Keep an eye on them. Make sure they don't go overboard. Don't let anyone get carried away and hit too hard."
"Why aren't you going?" Lin Yan asked with a dark expression.
"You owe me a favor," Lu Bu replied seriously. "It's time to collect."
My life saving debt is only worth this?! Lin Yan cursed inwardly, grumbling as he went inside.
Not long after, the White Gang members were dragged out, bound tightly. There weren't many only about ten. Though their strength was slightly superior to the Holy Gate members, Lin Yan's menacing glare ensured none dared resist. Meanwhile, the Holy Gate members, brimming with momentum, had subdued them in no time.
Lu Bu glanced at the people tied up tightly before him. With a slight movement of his toe, he stepped down with a crisp crack, sending a stone fragment flying into the air.
The fragment shot out like a sharp blade and struck the plaque inscribed with "White Gang." With a loud smash, the plaque shattered into pieces, scattering in all directions.
"From today onward, the White Gang is disbanded. Does anyone object?" Lu Bu asked coldly.
The members of the White Gang remained silent. With their leader absent, they had no idea what to do. Even if he were present, there was no guarantee he could stop the Holy Gate.
"Let's go. To the Medicine Gang!" Lu Bu commanded.
…
Elsewhere in the Inner Academy, a grand mansion stood at the center of attention. A massive crowd had gathered in front of its gates, their expressions filled with hostility as they glared at the building and its guards.
The guards standing at the gates turned pale. Though their strength wasn't weak, they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of people present. The tension in the air made it feel as though the crowd was ready to storm the place at any moment.
Just then, the mansion doors opened, and Han Xian and Bai Cheng walked out. Under the furious, hateful gazes of the crowd, Han Xian instinctively swallowed nervously. Only now did he realize how many people he had offended.
Bai Cheng, standing silently behind him like a loyal bodyguard, didn't say a word.
"Han Xian, today your Medicine Gang is finished!"
"After all the harm you've caused us, how could you not pay the price?"
"You won't escape today, Han Xian!"
Han Xian opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, the crowd suddenly quieted down and parted to the sides. Lu Bu and the members of the Holy Gate walked forward.
Though the Holy Gate wasn't a particularly strong faction, Lu Bu's bold declaration to disband Yan Hao's Jade Gate had earned him a degree of respect. Not everyone had the guts to make such a statement.
"Han Xian, do you want me to beat you half to death and then disband your gang, or will you disband it yourself?" Lu Bu asked calmly, his gaze fixed on Han Xian and Bai Cheng.
"Don't get too cocky, Lu Bu!" Han Xian shouted, his voice tinged with fear. "There are plenty of people in the Inner Academy stronger than you! Don't think you can act like a tyrant!"
Then, in desperation, he cried out, "Big Brother Yan Hao, help me!"
With those words, two towering figures stepped forward.
The crowd instantly fell silent. The appearance of the fourth and eighth ranked powerhouses on the Strongest Ranking was enough to freeze everyone in place.
A trace of smugness flickered across Han Xian's face, but his expression quickly stiffened as Yan Hao said in a cold voice, "I'm here only because of the Holy Gate. As for the Medicine Gang… handle it yourselves."
Han Xian's face turned ashen. If that was the case, why had he even called Yan Hao here?
Suddenly, the shadow of a stick swung through the air, accompanied by a sharp whistle.
Bang!
Han Xian let out a miserable scream as he fell face first to the ground. "Ah… Bai Cheng, what are you doing?"
Holding the broken spear shaft Lu Bu had left behind, Bai Cheng looked at him expressionlessly. "The White Gang is gone. The Medicine Gang won't survive either."
Then, he raised his voice and shouted to the crowd:
"Fellow students of the Inner Academy, all the pills sold by the Medicine Gang are nothing but scraps crudely mashed together from materials! I've seen it with my own eyes. None of them can refine pills themselves. They just buy good pills from the alchemy department, crush them, and dilute them into multiple inferior pills to scam us!"
"I swear on my own name that this is true!"
"You… you're lying!" Han Xian screamed, his face twisting in rage. But it was too late. The crowd's expressions had already shifted.
When an ally exposed such damning information, even if it wasn't entirely true, the damage was done. The Medicine Gang was doomed.
Han Xian's face turned deathly pale. Whether the accusations were true or not didn't matter anymore. The Medicine Gang's fate was sealed.
"Now it's just your Jade Gate," Lu Bu said, tilting his chin toward Yan Hao. "What's it going to be, Yan Hao? Are you disbanding it yourself, or should I help you?"
"What arrogance!" Yan Hao's expression darkened as the black hammer in his hand began to glow faintly. "Even Liu Qing wouldn't dare talk to me like that!"
Zong Zhengcai said nothing, his face grim. A long black staff materialized in his hand as he prepared to strike.
Lu Bu, clearly uninterested in wasting time, tilted his head back and shouted, "Zi Yan, get down here!"
Yan Hao's stern expression froze, and the black glow on his hammer flickered and then extinguished.
Zong Zhengcai reacted similarly. His face turned pale, and his black staff began to tremble in his hands.
The sound of rushing wind filled the air as a small girl in a white dress, her back adorned with faintly glowing purple wings, descended. Her calm gaze swept over the scene.
The crowd gasped, their mouths hanging open as they stared at the adorable figure in disbelief. She was so small… but why did she have Dou Qi wings? Why was she already a Dou King?
Lu Bu raised a finger and pointed at Yan Hao and Zong Zhengcai. "Beat them up."
"Wait, Lu Bu, I have something to say " Yan Hao began in panic.
"Yay! This looks fun!" Zi Yan giggled as her wings flapped and she dove downward. Her tiny fists clenched as she swung them toward Yan Hao and Zong Zhengcai, whose eyes widened in terror.
Bang! Crash!
Clang! Boom!
In the shadows, a man in a green robe hesitated mid step and retreated silently. Brother, it's not that I don't have your back, but there's no way I'm getting involved in this.
Nearby, Lin Yan covered his eyes with his hand, sighing deeply. His face twisted in pity as he murmured, "Poor bastards."
"Lin Yan, you can spread your fingers and watch properly," Lu Bu said calmly, waving his hand as he signaled the Holy Gate members to storm the Medicine Gang.
Lin Yan lowered his hand awkwardly and scratched his head. "Lu Bu, with your strength, you could have settled this easily. Why make things so messy?"
"The more chaotic things get, the more some people will lose their footing," Lu Bu said with a smile.
"Huh?" Lin Yan looked utterly baffled.
Lu Bu simply smiled and didn't elaborate. His gaze shifted toward the crowd, where a figure silently observed him.
Lin Yan followed his gaze and frowned. It was Bai Cheng, his face pale and his expression weak, yet there was a strange satisfaction in his eyes almost as if he had achieved vengeance.
What's he up to now?
…
In a tall building, a pair of slender, jade white hands delicately held a brush, gliding it across the surface of a blank sheet of paper. A neat line of small script appeared:
"Initial contact with the target has been made. Awaiting further instructions."
Knock knock.
A faint tapping sound echoed as a small, grayish yellow sparrow landed nearby. It was tiny, no larger than a palm, its beady black eyes darting around alertly.
The jade like hands rolled up the written note into a small scroll and tucked it into the sparrow's beak, gently stroking its head twice.
The sparrow flapped its wings, hopped a few times, and then took off, flying into the vast forest.
Not long after it entered the forest, a hawk swooped down, its powerful talons clutching the sparrow tightly. With a strong flap of its wings, the hawk carried its catch far away.
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