Chapter 413: Black-clothed Guard

Xu Qing got to work.

The "big mission" Kong Xianglong mentioned was a secret order given to him by his Expedition Office. Originally, this secret mission was not supposed to involve other divisions. However, Kong Xianglong knew Xu Qing needed military merits, as did their other companions. After persistent effort, he managed to secure an opportunity for Sword Holders from other divisions to participate as assistants. He was also willing to vouch for them.

Besides some Sword Holders from the Expedition Office itself, those participating included Xu Qing, Shanhezi, Wang Chen, and Yeling.

As for the mission...

"This is a rendezvous mission."

Deep in the night, within the Expedition Office of the Sword Holder Palace, Xu Qing and his group arrived. All seventeen Sword Holders gathered there, looking at Kong Xianglong, who stood in the center with a solemn expression.

"We'll depart first. On the way, I'll explain the mission details to you. However, as per regulations, all communication jades on your person must be sealed. Until the mission is complete and we return, you will be unable to transmit any messages externally via communication jades. Only I, as the person in charge of this mission, am permitted to do so."

Kong Xianglong's expression was serious. After speaking, he waved his hand, and immediately, a Sword Holder from the Expedition Office, specifically responsible for this task, stepped forward. He bowed to everyone and then proceeded with the sealing. The sealing method was simple: using a ban to seal. As the person performed hand seals, various restrictions descended upon everyone. Xu Qing looked at the others and saw that no one objected. He also knew this was standard procedure for missions. After carefully inspecting the restrictions, he tacitly allowed his external communication jade to become inactive. Indeed, this restriction had only this one function, nothing more.

Before coming here, he had already sent a message to Immortal Zixuan, informing her that he might be away. He had also requested leave from the Penal Affairs Division. With the sealing complete, Kong Xianglong waved his hand, and the group set off for the Sword Holder Palace's Teleportation Hall. They stepped onto the array one after another and teleported together. As the array's light flashed, the figures of the seventeen individuals vanished.

When they reappeared, they were in a place very far from the commandery capital, at the border between the commandery capital and Tianyun Prefecture.

"In three days, we will reach another teleportation point. But from now on, we must conceal our tracks all the way. Everyone, change out of your Sword Holder attire. Let's depart." Under the pitch-black night sky, Kong Xianglong looked at those around him and spoke in a low voice.

Xu Qing's expression was solemn. He had already discerned that this mission was extraordinary; the generous military merits naturally implied a certain degree of danger, so he changed out of his Sword Holder robe. No one in the group spoke. After swiftly changing, they sped off into the night, led by Kong Xianglong.

"Now, I'll tell you about the mission. This mission is to rendezvous with an undercover agent from our Sword Holder Palace who has been deep within the Saintly Spirit Race! This agent has been undercover in the Saintly Spirit Race for many years and is recently returning. Our task is to meet them at the border and protect them all the way back to the Sword Holder Palace." Kong Xianglong spoke to those around him while rapidly flying forward.

"As for whether they've been exposed, or if they've found any unusual clues, or why they can't transmit information through other means and must escape back personally – these are questions you might be pondering. But let me tell you explicitly: don't dwell on them. This is not information we are privy to." Kong Xianglong looked at Xu Qing, Shanhezi, and the others. These words were clearly not directed at the Expedition Office Sword Holders but rather served as a reminder to Xu Qing's group. Xu Qing nodded. As a seasoned captain of the Bounty Division, he naturally understood this principle. Shanhezi and the others also indicated their understanding.

"However, there's one thing I firmly believe: the identity of this agent, who willingly infiltrated the Saintly Spirit Race, is beyond question. They would absolutely never betray the Sword Holders. Furthermore, my personal analysis is that this agent's return likely involves their own cover-up. We might not be rendezvousing with the agent themselves, but rather something less substantial, perhaps even a feint. It's highly probable that other teams are also carrying out this mission, but their direction should be different from ours. The Palace has undoubtedly arranged for powerful individuals, but whether they are with us, I do not know," Kong Xianglong said in a low voice, looking at Xu Qing and the others.

"Brother Kong, why are you being so detailed this time?" Shanhezi's gaze swept over Xu Qing. Yeling frowned and also glanced at Xu Qing. In truth, they felt a degree of reluctance about having Xu Qing join this mission. It wasn't annoyance, but rather unfamiliarity. After all, as a team, they had never allowed anyone else to join them. Xu Qing was the only exception in all these years. Wang Chen, meanwhile, looked indifferent, yawning as he sat on his coffin. Xu Qing's expression remained normal; he said nothing.

"Since this is Xu Qing's first mission with us, it's only natural to explain things clearly beforehand to avoid misunderstandings," Kong Xianglong said with a smile. Seeing Kong Xianglong explain, Yeling and Shanhezi stopped speaking. The other Sword Holders from the Expedition Office pretended not to notice any of this. In reality, they were quite familiar with Shanhezi and the others, as these three were usually present on Kong Xianglong's expedition missions.

Thus, the group sped through the night as time slowly passed. Xu Qing's speed was neither the fastest nor the slowest. As he traveled, he analyzed the mission in his mind and simultaneously recalled the history of the myriad races that the Prefecture Governor had explained during the previous secret training.

The Saintly Spirit Race was formed when the Grand Duke Saintly Spirit rebelled against humanity. As traitors to the human race, they were irreconcilable, mortal enemies. They were dependent on the Dark Sky Race, even receiving blood bestowed by the Dark Sky Race which was integrated into their own kin. For generations, this had caused a trace of black blood to appear in the red blood of the Saintly Spirit Race members. Moreover, in past conflicts, the Saintly Spirit Race was even more brutal than the Dark Sky Race in their battles against humans. It seemed the more cruel they were to humans, the more they could prove themselves. At the same time, they coveted Feng Hai Commandery, the only area within the Saintly Spirit Great Domain that had not been unified by them. If not for their ultimate apprehension of the human imperial domain, they would likely have devoured Feng Hai Commandery long ago. But humanity understood, and Feng Hai Commandery understood even better, that a battle between the two sides was inevitable in the future. The current balance was extremely fragile; even a minor incident could shatter it. In fact, it wasn't just Feng Hai Commandery; Xu Qing learned in the secret training that the other six commanderies were in similar situations, with some having even lost several prefectures.

"Precariously swaying in the wind and rain, the edifice is on the verge of collapse." These were the helpless words the Prefecture Governor had uttered in a weary voice that day.

As Xu Qing pondered, three days passed in a flash. During this time, Kong Xianglong also spoke to him about codenames. For each external mission, everyone would use temporary codenames instead of their real names.

"Kid," Xu Qing said softly. This was his codename for this mission, and he intended to continue using it.

"Alright, this time I'll be Brother Long, haha, just call me that," Kong Xianglong said with a laugh.

Soon, the group reached the second teleportation point. From there, they moved to another location and, after several more days of travel, finally arrived at Linlan Prefecture. This was one of the borders between Feng Hai Commandery and the Saintly Spirit Race.

"There's one last teleportation, and then we'll reach the border region." Upon arriving here, everyone's vigilance intensified greatly. Although this area was still within Feng Hai Commandery, it bordered the Saintly Spirit Race. Even though there was a rule between the two races that any Nascent Soul cultivator who dared to step half a pace beyond their respective borders would immediately be obliterated by forbidden magical treasures, they still had to be cautious. Furthermore, high-level Heavenly Palace Golden Core cultivators, equipped with powerful destructive items, could wield equally astonishing power.

It was deep night, the moon hidden by dark clouds. Only streaks of lightning flickered across the sky, accompanied by booming thunder, as rain began to pour down. In the heavy rain, the seventeen figures moved without pause, heading straight for the teleportation array.

Shortly after, as the rain intensified, a simple stone fortress appeared in the distance before them. A cold glint appeared in Xu Qing's eyes; he smelled blood. At the same time, Shanhezi, Wang Chen, and Yeling also showed slight shifts in their expressions. Kong Xianglong had already narrowed his eyes. The moment he raised his right hand, everyone immediately stopped and crouched down, their expressions turning solemn.

"The teleportation site didn't release the Sword Holder-only signal at the designated time. Something... is wrong inside."

"Kid, Demoness, Sun Spirit, River Path, each of you lead three people. I can go alone. We'll split into five directions and enter simultaneously. Kill all non-humans you encounter! If you encounter a high-palace cultivator, delay them and wait for me." Kong Xianglong, a decisive man, immediately ordered.

After speaking, he suddenly rushed out, heading straight for the fortress ahead. Xu Qing looked back at the Sword Holders from the Expedition Office. These individuals instantly split, with the first choice for everyone being Shanhezi's trio. The remaining three, having chosen later, looked at Xu Qing.

"Fellow Daoists, don't follow too closely." Xu Qing threw out three pill bottles containing specialized antidotes. After Xu Qing joined the Sword Holders, to prevent a repeat of the incident at the Hall of Knowledge, he had equipped himself with some antidotes that could simply neutralize poisons other than his specific forbidden poisons. However, his poisons were severely mixed. While the antidotes had some effect, they were insufficient if directly inhaled. But if the distance was greater, and the poison had mostly dispersed, it would work. Then Xu Qing charged forward, and the others followed suit. The three remaining Sword Holders exchanged glances and followed behind Xu Qing.

Soon, the seventeen Sword Holders, divided into five directions, approached the fortress. Xu Qing charged without hesitation, his body rushing forward instantly. The poison-forbidden pill within him vibrated, and toxic energy permeated his entire body without spreading outwards, acting as a layer of protection. Simultaneously, he raised his right hand and waved it, immediately dispersing a large amount of poison powder.

Having done this, he stepped inside the fortress. As soon as he entered, he heard the roar of spells in the distance. At the same time, a cold snort came from in front of him, and in the next instant, a figure approached with extreme speed, launching an ambush. The opponent was a middle-aged man in black robes, indistinguishable from a human except for a black line on his forehead. His Five Palace Golden Core cultivation erupted, but before he could even get close to Xu Qing, his expression changed, horror flashed in his eyes, and he spat out a large mouthful of black blood.

"What kind of poison is this!" He wasn't surprised by poison, but he was shocked by its potency. Just by getting close and inhaling a breath, he felt his internal organs burning and his vision blurring. In the next instant, he no longer had the right to be horrified. Xu Qing was too fast. As he closed in, the dagger gifted by his captain appeared in Xu Qing's hand. Gripping its shroud-wrapped hilt, Xu Qing flashed past the middle-aged man. The dagger slashed across his neck, and his head flew off.

Xu Qing's expression remained normal. He crouched low and melted into the night, transforming from hunted to hunter. Moving through the dark corners, he suddenly accelerated, swinging his dagger forward. A figure that suddenly rushed out didn't even have time to attack before its head, wide-eyed with disbelief, soared high into the air as if delivered to Xu Qing. Xu Qing didn't even glance at it, vanishing again in a flash.

Soon, a Saintly Spirit Race cultivator, hidden in the shadows, was observing his surroundings, preparing to ambush anyone who arrived. His gaze was fixed on the distance when his expression suddenly shifted. He was about to counterattack, but it was too late. Xu Qing's figure mysteriously appeared behind him, and the dagger, without the slightest pause, slashed across his neck.

Then, Xu Qing frowned as a whistling sound came from behind him. But as the red lightning and the shadow's eyes opened, the person who had ambushed Xu Qing from behind trembled, and an iron skewer pierced directly through their glabella.

At this moment, spells roared within the fortress, and sounds of continuous combat echoed. In mid-air, Kong Xianglong's low roar could be heard as he ascended, surrounded by four Saintly Spirit Race members, each possessing Eight Palace combat strength. Possessing Eight Palace combat strength indicated that these four were not ordinary individuals within the Saintly Spirit Race; each of them possessed imperial-grade cultivation techniques. Their imperial-grade cultivation techniques were clearly standardized. Each manifested a monstrous black hand, which combined to unleash astonishing power. They also formed a battle array among themselves and even deployed four fragments of magical treasures. All of this was not meant for killing, as killing Kong Xianglong was too difficult. Their purpose was merely to form a confinement array to trap him. At the same time, thunder permeated the sky, seemingly attracted and continuously gathering, about to descend, targeting Kong Xianglong.

Xu Qing saw all of this, his eyes growing even colder. But instead of rushing over, he turned his head to look at the dark spot ahead. A figure was slowly walking towards him from there.

"Interesting. These human Sword Holders are a bit different from what our Blackguard usually encounters." The Saintly Spirit Race also had a department similar to the Sword Holder Palace, named the Blackguard.

At this moment, a whistling sound came from behind Xu Qing as the three Sword Holders from the Expedition Office arrived. Having experienced the poison along the way, they had consumed many antidotes. This was only because Xu Qing had partially reined in his poison after killing, otherwise, the antidotes would have been useless. Along the way, they had also seen numerous headless Saintly Spirit Race corpses, killed with a single blow. Each of these individuals possessed Five Palace combat strength, just like them. Their hearts had already been shaken by Xu Qing. They had heard that this batch of new Sword Holders was unusually different, producing several prodigious talents, Xu Qing among them. However, they had never actually witnessed him in action. Now, seeing Xu Qing's terrifying abilities firsthand, they felt it deeply. In reality, they themselves were formidable individuals, each capable of impressive achievements when performing missions alone. But in comparison, they were still inferior.

"Three more have arrived." As the three Sword Holders from the Expedition Office appeared, the figure from the shadows also stepped out. He wore a black Daoist robe embroidered with golden flames, which seemed to burn with sacred fire in the darkness, emitting a remarkable aura. Behind him, a massive black handprint formed from an imperial-grade cultivation technique ascended, supporting six Heavenly Palaces. As its immense pressure spread, it also revealed the individual's Seven Palace combat strength.