Chapter 58

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Chapter 58: One on One

On a broad avenue, four fine horses were galloping side by side. The riders were three men and one woman, who were Lou Yun, Han Tianxiao, and the other four.

The place where they were to carry out their mission this time was quite far away. Magical weapons masters could only fly through the air by controlling a magical weapon if their cultivation reached the Mystery Rank. None of the four had such ability, so to save time, they had no choice but to ride horses.

During the galloping journey, Han Tianxiao recounted the detailed content of this mission to Lou Yun and the others.

In Tianrang City, there was a wealthy man named rich man Liu, who owned a fortune, but he was an ordinary person. For some reason—whether he offended someone or otherwise—several masked men broke into his manor a few nights earlier.

Although rich man Liu also kept a few magical weapons masters to guard his home, it stood to reason that magical weapons masters who were willing to protect an ordinary person like this would obviously have low cultivation levels and little room for improvement. Thus, they were no match for the masked men. Not only was much of rich man Liu’s property stolen, but even his six-year-old precious son was abducted.

Helpless, rich man Liu could only seek help from the Ancient Weapon Academy, promising a hefty reward in hopes that the Ancient Weapon Academy would retrieve his son.

The Ancient Weapon Academy grew so wealthy not only because they enjoyed salaries from the Gu Feng Nation’s royal family, but also because a large part of their income came from completing various commissioned tasks.

After receiving rich man Liu’s plea, the academy immediately sent people to track down the masked men. Once they confirmed the mask wearers’ cultivation levels and whereabouts, the mission was graded and assigned to Lou Yun and his team.

Although this action was completely unnecessary, it had to be done to train the students’ combat skills.

There were three masked men in total. The leader had the highest cultivation as a two-star magical weapons master at the intermediate level, while the other two were intermediate one-star magical weapons masters. They were currently staying temporarily in a small town five hundred li away with rich man Liu’s son.

After finishing the explanation of the mission content, Han Tianxiao spoke not another word. Clearly, the rest lay entirely on Lou Yun and his three companions to figure out.

The cultivation levels of these three masked men made Lou Yun frown inwardly. Besides himself, Nie Jiu and Xia Zhilan were no match for any of the three. That is, this mission was genuinely challenging and came with considerable risk.

Even though Teacher Han was present, sparing them any life-or-death worries, if Teacher Han had to step in help on the first mission, not only would it count as a failure, but they also wouldn’t get higher-level missions in the future. So no matter what, this mission had to be completed successfully.

But how exactly should they do it?

Not just Lou Yun, but even Xia Zhilan and even Nie Jiu, who usually only thought about eating, frowned throughout the journey, pondering how to accomplish the task.

After a day’s journey, the four finally arrived at Pingdu County by evening. About ten li from the county entrance, Lou Yun had everyone stop.

Lou Yun looked at Xia Zhilan and Nie Jiu and said, "Since Pingdu County is a small town, it probably doesn’t have too many magical weapons masters. Our attire is quite conspicuous, and entering the city would easily get us recognized. If the three masked men hear about it, they’ll know we’re here to deal with them. So to avoid alerting the snake, I suggest we first find a place to rest nearby, then send someone into town to scout the situation and confirm the exact location of those three before making plans. What do you think?"

Although Lou Yun was seeking their opinion, in the hearts of Xia Zhilan and Nie Jiu, they had long regarded Lou Yun as the leader of their team. Naturally, they followed his suggestion.

Lou Yun continued, "Since you have no objections, I’ll go into town to scout first. You rest here."

After saying this, he looked at Teacher Han and said, "Teacher Han, this isn’t me showing off or trying to be the hero! Because I truly am the most suitable candidate!"

Indeed, Nie Jiu was a simple-minded person, while Xia Zhilan was female and rather timid. Only Lou Yun could handle this job well.

Teacher Han smiled and shook his head, saying, "It doesn’t count! It doesn’t count!"

Lou Yun nodded, reminded Xia Zhilan and Nie Jiu twice, then turned to leave. Just then, Xia Zhilan suddenly blushed and whispered, "Senior Lou, be careful!"

Lou Yun grinned and nodded to her, saying, "Don’t worry, I’ll be fine!"

So Lou Yun gave his horse to Nie Jiu, stored the Stone Sword in a spatial storage ring, and walked alone toward Pingdu County. By the time Lou Yun reached inside the county town, the sky was completely dark. This was exactly what Lou Yun wanted, as under the cover of night, actions would be easier.

For safety, Lou Yun even had Chang Xiang help fully conceal his spiritual energy. That way, in anyone’s eyes, he merely looked like an ordinary young man.

Although the Ancient Weapon Academy had sent people earlier to investigate, they hadn’t revealed the exact location of the three bandits. So what Lou Yun had to do was find out exactly where they were.

After casually asking a few passersby on the road, Lou Yun gained a rough understanding of Pingdu County. He quickly located the inn where the three bandits were staying.

Upon entering the inn, an attendant immediately approached. With a little money, Lou Yun easily learned the rooms where the three bandits resided and smoothly booked the room next door to them.

After getting to the room, Lou Yun dismissed the attendant, immediately closed the door, and pressed his ear against the wall. Relying on his innate senses, he began to probe the situation in the next room.

This probe made Lou Yun inwardly rejoice, for he discovered that next door, there were only two bandits—specifically the two intermediate one-star magical weapons masters. The one with the highest cultivation was not in the room.

Those two bandits were drinking and eating, and their conversation naturally and clearly reached Lou Yun’s ears.

"Yu Ping, do you think what that man said is true or false? Don’t tell me we’ll put in so much effort only to be tricked by him in the end!"

"Rest assured, Yue Qing. Even if you don’t trust that man, don’t you trust Boss Zhao? He has always been flawless in his actions. Since he dared to accept this job, he must have it all under control."

The one called Yue Qing took a sip of wine and said, "That’s true, but I still feel uneasy. For some reason, seeing that man sends a shiver through me. Damn, it’s really weird!"

"Who says it isn’t? That man gives off an evil aura inside and out. If it weren’t for the extremely tempting terms he offered, I wouldn’t do this kidnapping a child business!"

Hearing this, Lou Yun stirred inwardly. These three bandits weren’t the masterminds but were hired by someone else, and this person exuded an evil aura!

For some unknown reason, upon hearing the phrase "evil aura," a figure suddenly popped into Lou Yun’s mind—that black-robed man wearing an evil ghost mask who had wanted to kill Xia Zhilan.

"By the way, Yu Ping, what does he want with a six-year-old child? Could he have some sick preference?"

"You care what he wants with a six-year-old child? We do our job; whatever he does is his problem. It’s definitely not good, I tell you. With things like this, the less we know, the better."

"I was just asking casually. I don’t dare meddle in his affairs. Hey, Boss Zhao has been gone for two hours, hasn’t he? Why isn’t he back yet?"

"What are you worrying about? That man set it within five days. Only four days have passed; there’s still one day left!"

After that, the two’s conversation didn’t reveal anything else useful, so Lou Yun didn’t bother listening anymore. His mind started racing with thoughts.

On his way to get here, he had thought of a plan to complete the task: take them down one by one!

He just didn’t know how to separate the three. But now, here was a perfect chance!

The strongest of them, Boss Zhao, was missing. The other two were watching the child. If he made a commotion to draw their attention, they’d likely send one after him while the other stayed behind to guard the child.

Whoever he faced, as long as it was one-on-one, he had complete confidence of winning!

Only, he had to act fast and finish before Boss Zhao returned!

Once decided, Lou Yun took out the Stone Sword and slung it on his back. Then he pushed open the window, crouched low, leaped up onto the roof, walked over to the neighboring roof, and deliberately stomped hard, breaking several tiles. Instantly, he heard the two inside notice it. The one named Yue Qing gasped in shock, "Someone’s on the roof!"

"Could it be him?"

"Quick, go check!"

Clearly, Yue Qing was more timid. Yu Ping didn’t rush out immediately but just opened the window and stood by it, whispering, "Senior, is it you?"

Lou Yun first had Chang Xiang help release his spiritual energy, so any spiritual sense probing him would show he was only a primary three-star magical weapons master.

Then he deliberately sneered coldly and said, "You’ve got nerve, kidnapping a child from an ordinary family! I’m here to capture you today!"

Yu Ping’s voice abruptly changed tone, saying, "Bad news, we’ve been spotted!"

Right then, Lou Yun felt a pulse of energy sweep through him. Yu Ping was checking his cultivation level. Sure enough, after seeing Lou Yun was just a primary three-star magical weapons master, Yu Ping snickered and said, "Kid, you’ve got guts. With your pathetic cultivation, you dare butt into our business? But since you’ve spotted us, we can’t let you off. Prepare to die!"

Then he shouted at Yue Qing, "You watch the child here. I’ll go handle him. Wait for me to get back, and we’ll bolt immediately!"

Yue Qing responded, "Be careful, finish it fast!"

"Don’t worry, it’s just a little guy!"

Watching Yu Ping actually fall for the trick, jumping out the window and landing on the roof, Lou Yun internally sneered but outwardly wore a look of righteous fury. He summoned the Dream Emperor Sword in his hand and swung it as he charged.

To put his opponent off guard, Lou Yun didn’t use any sword techniques. He just raised the sword clumsily for a stab, his movements awkward and the blade trembling slightly, as if he were very nervous.

Yu Ping, seeing the sword coming toward him, also sneered coldly. He immediately drew a magical weapon sword shaped like a trident, its head split into three prongs, and with a light swish, batted the Dream Emperor Sword aside.

Since this was an act, Lou Yun played it full. He intentionally staggered sideways with the force of the blow, barely catching himself to avoid falling.

By now, Yu Ping fully believed Lou Yun really was only a primary three-star magical weapons master. So he stepped forward with a sinister smirk and said, "Kid, who are you? How did you know we’re here?"

Lou Yun’s face twisted in panic as he said, "You care who I am? I won’t tell you!"

"Your cultivation’s lacking, but your mouth’s tough!" Yu Ping brandished the magical weapon sword and snorted, "Fine, then don’t blame me for being ruthless! Die now!"

Yu Ping lifted the magical weapon sword high and stabbed fiercely at Lou Yun, forcing Lou Yun to hastily raise his Dream Emperor Sword to parry.

A clang rang out. The Dream Emperor Sword not only blocked the attack but slid perfectly through the prongs.

At that moment, Yu Ping suddenly noticed the panic on the boy’s face vanish in an instant, replaced by icy resolve. Simultaneously, Lou Yun opened his mouth and spat coldly, "Mid-tier moon-grade weapon techniques, Heavengun Spear’s Heavenly Warrior Rainbow!"

Before Yu Ping could react, the Dream Emperor Sword he’d just blocked suddenly expanded, transforming into a silver spear. It flashed like a rainbow and drove its sharp tip straight through his heart, bursting out the other side!