Chapter 8, Triggering New Tasks

It was not Ning Yue's intention to show off; in fact, from the very beginning, he could have revealed his identity and used Xie Yun's name to intimidate the Shennong Gang into silence. However, he was momentarily reluctant to lose face by pretending to be powerful and did not want to be seen as a turtle hiding behind Xie Yun. Therefore, he thought of using the laws of the Great Zhou to suppress the Shennong Gang.

Ning Yue felt a sudden panic in his heart, unable to believe that even invoking the laws of the Great Zhou could not subdue them. Ning Yue could easily defeat the disciples of the Shennong Gang with a single move, but he had no confidence at all against the elders of the Shennong Gang. It was not just a lack of confidence; he was currently only physically strong, while the elders of the Shennong Gang undoubtedly possessed internal power.

From a young age, they have been taught to use their hands as much as possible and to refrain from speaking. In terms of verbal disputes, even the entire Shennong Gang bound together would hardly be a match for Ning Yue. Therefore, after seeing Elder Qi rendered speechless, the two disciples rolled up their sleeves in unison and charged at Ning Yue.

Taking advantage of the standoff between the two, Ning Yue quietly approached the outer sect disciple who was said to have been killed by Zhou Cuicui. The disciples of the Shennong Gang were about to intervene but were intimidated by Ning Yue's gaze. Although Ning Yue could not defeat Elder Qi, dealing with you insignificant ones was still a trivial matter.

"Fart! What qualifications do you have to dare to decide life and death? Killing requires paying with one's life, this is the great law of the Zhou Dynasty, but it also requires the personal judgment of the county magistrate and the governor. What is the Shennong Gang to dare to replace the laws of the Zhou Dynasty?" Ning Yue interrupted angrily before Elder Qi could finish speaking.

A life for a life, a debt repaid with payment

A sharp sound echoed, and countless water vapor rose as if soaring through a sea of clouds. Ning Yue was just about to brace herself against this move when, all of a sudden, she felt the flames around her completely vanish

"Looking at my attire, what kind of person do you think I am? In broad daylight, to forcibly seize a woman from the people, let alone you, an unranked gang, even a ninth-level sect would have to consider whether the laws of the Great Zhou would permit such actions!" Ning Yue, undeterred, stepped closer to Elder Qi, one step at a time.

Indeed! The brilliance in Ning Yue's eyes shone brightly

"How dare a mere lackey speak to Elder Qi in such a manner?" At this moment, the two disciples who had been forced back by Ning Yue finally regained their senses from the earlier shock, and upon hearing Ning Yue's words, their faces instantly turned ashen.

However, he did not expect that the Shennong Gang would disregard the law entirely. Even more despicable was the fact that these ordinary yamen runners were seen as mere ants to a second-rate sect in the martial world, to be killed at will.

Elder Qi's expression fluctuated between dark and light. They had always considered themselves a gang in the martial world, even establishing a stronghold in the outskirts of Wu County. However, this martial world is not something one can simply claim to be part of. All sects in the world must register with the Tianmu Mansion, and only those that meet the criteria can be considered legitimate sects. A gang like the Shennong Gang, which has only about one hundred members, with the strongest expert merely at the fifth level of the acquired realm, cannot even be rated as a first-tier sect.

Although it is currently unknown to which category Elder Qi belongs, his martial arts are undoubtedly of the fire attribute. Among the various attributes, fire attribute martial arts possess the greatest lethality. After continuously evading more than ten strikes of the Fiery Palm, Ning Yue's stamina has already been exhausted

With a loud roar, another flame brushed past Ning Yue's clothing. By the time Elder Qi made his move, the onlookers had already scattered like birds and beasts. Otherwise, in such a confined space, it would have been impossible to evade Elder Qi's formidable assault.

Hmph, a mere constable has managed to evade ten of my strikes; you have indeed made a name for yourself in Tongli Town. Unfortunately... in your next life, remember to keep your eyes wide open. Do not think that just because you are dressed in official attire, you can consider yourself a person of significance!" As Elder Qi spoke, the murderous intent in his eyes surged, and he launched the next move, "Double Dragons Playing with Pearls," towards Ning Yue.

"Bai Li Yun? What brings you here?" Elder Qi's expression changed upon seeing the visitor, and in the next moment, he gritted his teeth and asked.

The deceased has a darkened complexion, indicating death by poisoning. The body is unusually robust, and the age is no more than thirty. The clothing of the Shennong Gang appears somewhat ill-fitting, and the palms are covered with calluses and wounds

"Brother Moon, save me, save me, they have wronged me, I did not... really did not..." Seeing Ning Yue in a blue uniform, Zhou Cuicui seemed to have grasped a lifeline, her eyes radiating with eager light

Crossing over the two Shennong Gang disciples who were groaning in pain while holding their arms, Ning Yue approached Elder Qi with a beaming smile. "If your Shennong Gang has registered with the Tianmu Mansion, then I really shouldn't meddle too much. However, although you claim to be a force in the Jianghu, you are still under my jurisdiction in Wuxian. Therefore, I cannot shirk my responsibility for your actions. Since it is said that the Zhouji Pharmacy has caused someone's death, you should file a formal complaint against Zhouji Pharmacy in court. Is it not a violation of my authority to impose private punishment here?"

In the blink of an eye, the first disciple of the Shennong Gang to reach Ning Yue was knocked down to the ground, and with the application of the Bone-Splitting Technique, he was rendered incapable of further resistance. Ning Yue's expression remained calm as her figure flickered, and in an instant, she arrived beside the second disciple of the Shennong Gang, employing the same technique to bring him down to the ground.

Hmph! An outer disciple? He is probably just a servant! Ning Yue thought to herself, having just touched the bones of the deceased. The joints had already deformed, and such deformation was not caused by martial arts training, but rather by years of hard labor. From this deduction, it was clear that the deceased was not an outer disciple of the Shennong Gang, and furthermore, he likely did not possess any martial skills.

Hehehe... Elder Qi, do not forget what Baicao Hall is for. More than half of the pharmacies in Wuxian obtain their medicines from Baicao Hall, and the Zhouji Pharmacy is no exception. As the saying goes, even when beating a dog, one must look at its owner. Have you consulted Baicao Hall before shouting and threatening Zhouji Pharmacy?

Bai Li Yun is very thin, and even the loose blue robe worn on him cannot conceal his emaciation. His eye sockets are deeply sunken, yet the eyes within them are exceptionally bright

I am ... ... I rely on! '' Ning Yue was just about to reveal her name, but the flame in the opponent's hand was faster than she had imagined. Before she could utter a word, the hand formed of flames had already approached her chest.

They claim it is to take back lives, but deep down they know it is nothing more than kidnapping for ransom followed by execution... Of course, according to custom, before the execution, they must let their fellow brothers enjoy themselves, and now, consider it as collecting some interest

Regardless of strength or speed, Ning Yue was considerably inferior to Elder Qi. Furthermore, Elder Qi unleashed the lethal move from the Fiery Palm. In an instant, a scorching wave of heat rushed towards her, with flames surrounding her from all directions, as if there were no way to escape to the heavens or the earth.

With a crisp sound of "ka—", the two disciples of the Shennong Gang felt a flash before their eyes, followed by a sharp pain in their palms. Not only were their hands, which reached for Zhou Cuicui, struck away to another place, but they were also forced back several steps.

Ding, is it time to receive a new task? After a month of silence, the system in my mind finally has a new task prompt again

Whether it is the Heavenly Pavilion or the county office, my Shennong Gang indeed cannot afford to offend. However, as a mere constable, I can still easily deal with you!" With that, he leaped forward, delivering a palm imbued with searing flames towards Ning Yue's chest.

Oh? Ning Yue's eyes brightened as she noticed the two black moles on the deceased's tiger mouth. After a moment's thought, she drew a small knife from her waist and cut open the deceased's arm

Seizing the moral high ground with a preemptive strike, such a tactic is beyond the comprehension of this group of simpletons. Thus, with Ning Yue's sharp retort, Elder Qi of the Shennong Gang was directly cornered, left speechless.

The situation has progressed to the point where the Shennong Gang and the Baicao Hall are vying for the formula of the Chiyan Dan. As for the corpse of the outer sect disciple, which served as an excuse, it has already lost its significance. Therefore, Elder Qi merely cast a glance and did not stop Ning Yue from continuing to confront Baili Yun.

Amidst the hazy sea of clouds, a blue figure appears intermittently through the mist. As the fog gradually disperses, a middle-aged man, around forty years of age, stands before Ning Yue. With his hands clasped behind his back, he presents an air of a reclusive sage.

As long as he mentioned the names, with the well-known relationship between Ning Yue and Xie Yunren, Elder Qi should not dare to take lethal action. However, unfortunately, he did not even have the chance to speak before being beaten to a state of utter disarray by Elder Qi. He narrowly avoided the blood-red flames and secretly regretted it deep down.

Elder Qi's expression was gloomy as he looked at Ning Yue, and a flash of murderous intent flickered in his eyes. Although this change was fleeting, Ning Yue was still able to capture it precisely. Having been a police officer, she was experienced in reading others' psychological states through their facial expressions and eyes, so in that instant, Ning Yue deduced that Elder Qi harbored intentions to kill her

Ning Yue had just practiced the minor grappling technique to a small level of proficiency and felt a sense of excitement upon seeing her two disciples reach out to strike. The Shennong Gang is an unremarkable faction, with even their leader and elders merely at the acquired realm. As for the disciples under them, having one or two who have stepped into the acquired realm is already quite remarkable; most of them possess only slightly more martial skills than ordinary people.

Facing a punch aimed at her face, Ning Yue did not flinch or evade. Just as a smile began to form on the face of the Shennong Gang disciple, Ning Yue calmly seized his fist and forcefully twisted it.

All martial arts possess their unique attributes, with the seven attributes of water, wood, metal, fire, earth, yin, and yang each having their own merits. Similarly, the human body has its specific attributes; when a technique aligns with the body's attributes, progress is rapid, whereas misalignment results in diminished returns.

Elder Qi, do you require the intervention of the Tianmu Mansion... or shall we go to the county office for the magistrate to make a judgment?" Ning Yue deliberately emphasized the words "Tianmu Mansion" to remind Elder Qi not to act recklessly. Killing someone in the street, especially a public official, would not go unnoticed by the Tianmu Mansion, and they would certainly take action.

"Who is it?" Elder Qi's eyes narrowed slightly, fixing on Ning Yue's eyes, revealing a hint of faint killing intent.

Zhou Ji and his daughter were even more excited to see the leader of the Baicao Hall, Baili Yun, arrive, but Ning Yue's heart couldn't help but skip a beat. Baili Yun had come, and he had come in person. Based on her understanding of Baili Yun, he was someone who would never act without benefit. The purpose of his visit today was naturally self-evident; it was likely that the Baicao Hall had also set its sights on the Chiyan Dan.

The smile of the Shennong Gang disciple was still blooming on his face, but in the next moment, his expression turned pale with fear. It was not terrifying to have his fist caught by Ning Yue; what was truly frightening was that Ning Yue practiced the small joint lock technique, and even more terrifying was the moment she applied the bone dislocation technique while subduing his fist

A lewd smile appeared on her face, and the disciples of the Shennong Gang watched as Zhou Cuicui's bosom drew closer, their hearts racing with excitement. Although Zhou Cuicui could not be described as beautiful, her ample bosom was undeniably alluring, certainly much larger than that of the girls in the Lichun Courtyard in town