Chapter 980: Wanted

The Mortal Realm

He felt the imposing aura of the sword wheel and the Nine Nether Demonic Flames.

Manager Liu’s face was filled with terror. Only then did he realize the caliber of opponent he was facing. Frantically, he channeled his spiritual power into his natal magic treasure.

The square mirror emitted a dazzling light, forming a protective barrier. Under its shelter, Manager Liu desperately rushed outward. He no longer harbored any intention of resisting, wishing only to escape, the farther the better!

Boom!

The sword wheel struck the square mirror. The square mirror trembled, and the protective barrier was covered in cracks. Manager Liu let out a muffled groan, his face turning pale.

Before he could stabilize the mirror, the Nine Nether Demonic Flames arrived. Whoosh... The demonic flames were even more powerful than the sword wheel. A hissing sound filled the air as black flames instantly covered the entire barrier, seeping inward through the cracks. Manager Liu frantically tried to reinforce the barrier.

Just then, another booming sound echoed.

Boom!

A fist slammed hard onto the square mirror as Qin Sang’s figure materialized out of thin air. Overwhelmed by the immense force, Manager Liu screamed, his knees slamming hard onto the ground as he spat out blood. He still tried to resist stubbornly, but there was no longer any opportunity.

The Nine Nether Demonic Flames seized the chance, breaking through the barrier and transforming into several chains. Manager Liu felt his consciousness blur for a moment. When he came to, he found himself bound tightly by the flaming chains, unable to move. His Qi Sea felt like stagnant water, and all his spiritual power was sealed.

His face was filled with despair. He never imagined Qin Sang would suddenly attack, and that he would be utterly powerless to resist, without even a chance to escape. The battle ended incredibly quickly, with victory decided in a flash. The maids on the first floor remained oblivious, still playfully chatting.

Thud!

Qin Sang landed beside Manager Liu, his wings retracting, and watched him coldly. Bai also appeared in the quiet room. He had secretly acted to conceal the fluctuations of the battle. Looking at Qin Sang, he remarked, “You really have a lot of enemies. You can just stumble upon one anywhere.”

Manager Liu opened his mouth, his voice bitter. “Where exactly did I give myself away?” At that moment, he harbored no hope of escaping, knowing he had been exposed long ago.

“You shouldn’t have used Elder Zou to deceive me,” Qin Sang scoffed, his voice flat. “You should know what I want to know. Will you confess voluntarily, or shall I make you speak?”

Manager Liu was silent for a moment before sighing deeply. “I’ll talk. I only hope Fellow Daoist will grant me a swift end... Actually, it wasn’t my intention to harm you. It’s just that some time ago, Vice Envoy Zuo suddenly sent a message. The Guild has secretly put a bounty on you, Daoist Master. Any manager who encounters you must immediately report it. The reward is extremely generous. As for the reason, I know nothing, but Vice Envoy Zuo mentioned that this order came from the Guild itself, and I dared not disobey...”

“The Guild has secretly put a bounty on me?” Upon hearing this astonishing news, Qin Sang’s expression changed drastically. He had always maintained a distant relationship with the Qiongyu Merchant Guild, with only Elder Zou acting as an intermediary. He had never had any conflict with the Guild; on the contrary, he had even performed several meritorious deeds. Why would the Guild put a bounty on him?

“Vice Envoy Zuo has already learned of your appearance, Daoist Master, and is on his way here...” Having resigned himself to his fate, Manager Liu held nothing back. Without Qin Sang needing to perform a soul search, he divulged everything.

After hearing the full story, Qin Sang’s thoughts raced. The Guild’s bounty on him was a recent development, occurring after the Seven Killings Hall had closed. Before entering the Seven Killings Hall, everything was fine. But upon his return from there, after Elder Zou’s death, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. Trouble erupted, and he suddenly became a wanted criminal of the Guild.

“Has the Guild confirmed Elder Zou’s death, and someone is targeting Elder Zou’s faction, or...” Qin Sang’s eyes flashed as a terrifying possibility suddenly occurred to him. “Could it be him?”

Qin Sang and Bai exchanged glances; both had arrived at the same possibility. The timing was too coincidental. They had just thwarted the opponent’s conspiracy in the Seven Killings Hall, and now the opponent was coming after them.

“Our plan then was perfect; we left no flaws. And we later left the Seven Killings Hall with the help of King Nine Phoenix. Logically, he shouldn’t have been able to find you so quickly... Can you think of any other enemies? To make the Guild yield, their background must be significant, most likely a Nascent Soul master!” Bai said gravely.

Qin Sang pondered in silence. “King Nine Phoenix and Mo Qingzhu are unlikely. As for the Landou Gate and Black Snake Mountain, they certainly have the power, but I dealt with them in my true identity, not as Qingfeng. Unless the incident where I killed Black Snake Mountain’s junior brother was accidentally leaked...”

Seeing Qin Sang remain silent for a long time, Bai couldn’t help but quip, “Just how many Nascent Soul cultivators have you offended?” Qin Sang sighed deeply. He had always acted discreetly, adhering to the principle of ‘I won’t offend unless provoked.’ Getting entangled with these enemies was truly not his intention.

“What do you want to do? That Vice Envoy Zuo should know something. Although he’s a late-stage Core Formation expert, with our strength, even if he brings a few subordinates, we have a good chance of taking him down.” Bai’s tone shifted.

Qin Sang looked hesitant. “I’m afraid he might have already reported the news to the mastermind. Then, instead of him, we’ll be waiting for a Nascent Soul old devil, and we’ll be playing with fire.”

“Then let’s go!” Bai said, “As long as the green mountains remain, there will always be wood to burn. We’ll find out the reason sooner or later.”

Qin Sang looked down at Manager Liu, who lay on the ground, eyes closed, quietly waiting for death.

“You are heartless; don’t blame me for being unjust! I can’t leave empty-handed. Let’s collect some interest first.” Qin Sang said with resentment. Bai’s eyes immediately lit up.

There weren’t many experts in the branch. With Manager Liu captured, their actions would be much easier. Qin Sang didn’t want to alert other forces and invite trouble, so he prepared to discreetly loot the branch. Just as he and Bai were about to split up and act, they suddenly sensed a Core Formation cultivator entering the shop.

“Welcome, honored guest!” It was the first esteemed guest of the early morning, and the maid was full of enthusiasm.

The newcomer was a thin young man, not tall, appearing rather frail and weak. He arrived in a hurry, and before entering the shop, seemed to have an urgent matter, his eyes anxious and uneasy, occasionally glancing back. Finally, the young man gritted his teeth and stepped into the shop.

Upon seeing the maid, the young man quickly composed himself. His gaze became steady, gaining a touch of authority. Silently, he took out a token and waved it at the maid. “I want to see Manager Liu.”

The maid recognized the token, her heart startled, and quickly bowed. “Reporting to Senior, Manager Liu is currently meeting an esteemed guest in the quiet room upstairs.”

Upstairs.

Qin Sang and Bai exchanged glances.

“Someone from the Qiongyu Merchant Guild.” Bai transmitted his voice.

Qin Sang nodded, his lips moving slightly as he imitated Manager Liu’s voice. “Fellow Daoist, please come upstairs.” The young man looked up, then strode up the stairs. The maid dared not stop him.

Creak!

The young man pushed the door open and entered. Qin Sang had already set up an ambush. The young man was only at the early Core Formation stage; taking him down would be effortless. Qin Sang was about to make his move.

Unexpectedly, the moment the young man saw Qin Sang, who was wearing a cloak, a look of profound surprise appeared on his face, and he blurted out, “Senior, are you Daoist Master Qingfeng?”