The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 152 - 146: Aftermath of the Assassination

Chapter 152: Chapter 146: Aftermath of the Assassination

Seeing that pursuit was hopeless, Qing Yu began to examine the scene for any traces or clues.

"Meteor Darts?" Qing Yu picked up the hidden weapon previously used by the black-clothed man and sniffed it, "A very strong numbing poison, and it can even be absorbed through touch on the skin."

These black-clothed men had quite a few tricks up their sleeves, even coating their hidden weapons with a transdermal numbing poison. If Qing Yu had not constantly protected his fingers with "Innate Gang Qi," he might have actually been caught off guard by them.

One could say it was a clash of equals; they were cunning, but Qing Yu was even more so. He had considered using such methods himself.

Thus, when he caught the flying Meteor Darts earlier, Qing Yu had wrapped his fingers in "Innate Gang Qi" to protect himself from being poisoned, just as he did now.

"Sir, all of these men have poison-filled teeth in their mouths, they are Death Soldiers."

"Oh?" Qing Yu, lost in thought, was startled by Pharmacist’s shout and looked at him with a touch of surprise.

It wasn’t the fact that these people were Death Soldiers that surprised him; when Qing Yu remained unscathed after catching a sky-full of hidden weapons and they still charged fearlessly towards him, he had already guessed that these six were very likely Death Soldiers.

What surprised Qing Yu was that the Pharmacist now dared to examine the corpses. Just moments ago, this former prodigal son was petrified with fear, standing as still as a telephone pole. Now, he had regained his composure enough to dare to check the bodies.

However, this meant that Qing Yu hadn’t saved him in vain just then. Initially, it was because the Pharmacist was an important pawn planted within the Sixth Prince’s ranks, leaving Qing Yu no choice but to save him, but now Qing Yu saw some merit in saving the Pharmacist that justified the action.

It was understandable that this was probably the Pharmacist’s first brush with life and death. As long as he didn’t react like that in the future. That the Pharmacist could recover his composure so quickly was already commendable.

The Pharmacist had inspected the mouths of all six corpses, and each person’s molar contained a deadly poison; there was no doubt they were Death Soldiers.

"Sir, these people must have been sent by Feng Yixian..." said the Pharmacist.

"They are certainly connected to Feng Yixian, but they must not be his men," Qing Yu shook his head.

In Linchuan Prefecture, Qing Yu and the Pharmacist had so far only encountered Feng Yixian, Tian Pingzhi, and Zheng Tu. The attack had happened right after they left Feng Yixian’s banquet, so it was natural for Qing Yu to be suspicious.

But to say that these six Death Soldiers were Feng Yixian’s men was perhaps giving him too much credit.

Raising Death Soldiers was not as simple as it sounded—it required a significant investment of both human and material resources. The most crucial qualities of Death Soldiers were absolute loyalty and a willingness to embrace death, both of which required substantial time to cultivate.

And these costly Death Soldiers, by nature, were like expensive one-time-use items. Often, Death Soldiers were used for suicidal missions.

As a Squad Leader of the Cao Gang, it was not surprising for Feng Yixian to have loyal subordinates ready to face death, but loyal Death Soldiers, especially ones from the Innate Realm? Feng Yixian couldn’t afford that.

"Then who do you think it is, Sir?"

"Either East Sea Commerce or the Zheng Family. The Zheng Family, having been rooted in Linchuan Prefecture for years, could have a few Death Soldiers, but it is unlikely they would extravagantly use one just to probe. Tian Pingzhi of East Sea Commerce is very strange; I think it’s him..." Qing Yu recalled the peculiarity and the Young Master who didn’t fit in with Central Plains people; something was amiss with his identity.

If it was indeed Death Soldiers sent by Tian Pingzhi, the sole reason must be that Qing Yu had indirectly probed him earlier today. If such a small probe could prompt the sending of Death Soldiers, his identity must be seriously questionable.

Qing Yu suddenly felt a bit wronged – was a little probing of someone so suspicious warrant such an overreaction?

Besides... Qing Yu looked towards the Pharmacist, who was still examining the corpses. The Pharmacist’s own abilities were too weak; with only Postnatal Realm strength, he couldn’t protect himself. But it was too late for him to start practicing martial arts now, and Qing Yu didn’t have any technique like the "Nine Yin Scripture Bone Forging Chapter" that could improve one’s constitution.

However, he did have a technique that didn’t rely on one’s innate constitution: the "Kuihua Treasure". The only requirement was whether the Pharmacist was willing to end the lineage of the Zhang Family. Sigh, what a dilemma. The importance of the Pharmacist and his self-preservation abilities were inversely proportional.

"Pharmacist, order some people to carry the Death Soldiers’ bodies back."

"Yes, Sir."

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By the time Qing Yu and the Pharmacist, along with the corpse movers, returned to the manor, night had fallen. Moonlight scattered across the fields, lighting their way back.

And at the end of this road, someone was waiting in anticipation.

"Han Wenxin, what brings you here?" the Pharmacist asked, pointing at a smiling Han Wenxin standing in front of their residence.

"Zhong Biao was killed, and the Sixth Prince is concerned for Senior Brother Yao’s safety. I took the initiative to come and offer assistance," Han Wenxin said with a light smile.

"And this gentleman is..."

Qing Yu stepped forward and bowed with his hands clasped in front of him, "I am Mr. Liu Xuande, newly employed as the Pharmacist’s bodyguard. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir."

"Is that so?" Han Wenxin’s smile was enigmatic as he pointed to the six corpses being carried by the subordinates, "To be able to kill six men and remain unharmed... I wonder where such a bodyguard is hired from. Senior Brother Yao, please tell Han where I could find one too."

"Heh," the Pharmacist’s face showed a mocking smile, "Even someone who graduated from Mountain River Academy ahead of schedule has shown up; is it so strange that I hired a strong bodyguard?"

The hurtful remarks immediately made the person targeted turn grim.

After the Pharmacist spoke, he called out, "Brother Xuande, let’s go," and, ignoring the steely-faced Han Wenxin, he walked away with Qing Yu.

They went directly to the secret room in the study.

The Pharmacist said with frustration, "Ahead are Feng Yixian and the others with unclear intentions, and now Han Wenxin with his ulterior motives has appeared; the problems are mounting."

Unlike the Pharmacist, Qing Yu was leisurely as he plopped down on the Taishi Chair, "No, Han Wenxin showing up now is actually timely rain. Feng Yixian is troublesome, as is Han Wenxin, but the two men are destined to be adversaries due to their respective goals and interests.

If Han Wenxin is willing to offer help, then let him. We’ll let him handle the skirmish with Feng Yixian. It’s a good chance to see how many of Han Wenxin’s people are among your men and to clean house a bit."

"Let Han Wenxin take the lead against the unpredictable Tian Pingzhi for us..."

··················

Meanwhile, by the banks of Luoshui at Rain Pavilion, a soaking wet, black figure clumsily climbed ashore. He removed his hood and face cloth, collapsing onto the ground and gasping for air.

Bright moonlight shone on his face, filled with fear – it was none other than Tian Pingzhi.