Chapter 33: Killer Appears

"Excellent, excellent palm technique!"

Zhuo Qingfeng, who was watching from not far away, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Lin Buqi, struggling to stand up from the ground, turned pale with embarrassment. Zhuo Qingfeng's praise made his already awkward situation even more uncomfortable.

Gu Mo looked in the direction of the voice, heard a rush of wind, and then sensed someone appearing beside him.

"Hero Gu, I've long admired you. I am Zhuo Qingfeng of the Six Gates." Zhuo Qingfeng cupped his hands in greeting.

"So it's Commander Zhuo. I've also long admired you."

Before arriving, Gu Mo already knew that Zhuo Qingfeng, the Chief Constable of the Six Gates, was leading the current operation. He understood he would inevitably interact with him, so he had intentionally learned about him.

Zhuo Qingfeng was not the absolute head of the Six Gates, but he was the foremost constable. This was because the Six Gates' responsibilities were divided into two types: civil and martial. Civil roles handled internal affairs and administration, while martial roles involved apprehending criminals and capturing culprits.

Therefore, despite not being the top leader, Zhuo Qingfeng held the greatest prestige and reputation within the Six Gates. From a martial arts world perspective, he was the public face of the organization. The primary reason the Six Gates in Linjiang City could suppress the martial arts factions and maintain order was due to Zhuo Qingfeng.

Ten years ago,

The martial arts world in Linjiang City was very chaotic. At that time, the Six Gates lacked sufficient prestige and authority; gangs and sects across the region scoffed at them. The Linjiang Prefecture was a mess in terms of martial arts affairs. Not only was public order poor, with rogue martial artists running rampant, but even righteous factions frequently engaged in bloody conflicts, often leading to full-scale sect wars that caused widespread complaints among ordinary citizens.

This continued until Zhuo Qingfeng appeared.

At that time, Zhuo Qingfeng was barely over thirty, but his martial arts prowess was extraordinary. Alone with his sword, he challenged major sects and influential figures across Linjiang Prefecture, subduing them all, and then began to enforce rules and order.

From then on, the Six Gates established its authority, attracting many skilled martial artists. The various martial arts factions in Linjiang Prefecture began to abide by the rules honestly. Large-scale sect wars became rare, and even when they occurred, they no longer dared to engage in unrestrained battles anywhere they pleased. Instead, they would choose secluded locations as much as possible to avoid affecting ordinary citizens.

As for the rogue factions, it became extremely rare for them to commit random killings in the streets and then brazenly walk away. This was because Zhuo Qingfeng was truly relentless; when pursuing criminals, he often went sleepless, chasing them for thousands of li until his objective was achieved.

Also under Zhuo Qingfeng's influence, the number of bounty hunters in Linjiang Prefecture significantly increased. He was truly generous with money, paying exactly what he promised without delay, unlike officials in other regions who would subject claimants to lengthy reviews and postpone reward payments.

Gu Mo held deep respect for Zhuo Qingfeng.

"A while ago, while I was working elsewhere, I heard that a remarkable young bounty hunter had emerged in our Linjiang Prefecture. I had been planning to meet you when I had the chance, and today, here you are," Zhuo Qingfeng said. "You've come at just the right time. The day after tomorrow is when Silver Fox has set his assassination attempt. This scoundrel is not simple; his Qinggong is particularly exceptional. I plan to set up an inescapable trap within the Wang Family Manor. Given your high martial arts skill, I can assign you a crucial position. How does that sound? If you agree, shall we go over it now?"

"No problem," Gu Mo replied.

Zhuo Qingfeng said, "Let's go now. I'll explain my overall deployment plan to you on the way..."

And so, Zhuo Qingfeng led Gu Mo and Gu Chudong away.

Lin Buqi was left alone, mortified, on the spot.

He had lost with a single palm strike, a thorough defeat. What made it even more unbearable was Gu Mo's complete disregard for him after the loss. Lin Buqi would have felt better if Gu Mo had graciously offered him a way out, or even mocked him a little. But instead, Gu Mo utterly ignored him, and that feeling was the most agonizing.

Lin Buqi stood rooted to the spot, clutching his chest, unsure whether to stay or leave.

"Hero Lin..."

Wang Yuanbao hurried forward and asked, "I have a doctor at home. Would you like to see him?"

"No," Lin Buqi replied, his face still a mix of green and white, but he forced himself to maintain his dignity. Cupping his hands, he said, "My skills are inferior. I have no face to remain here. I shall take my leave now, Master Wang. Please take care!"

"Alas, Hero Lin, why must you..."

"No more words. Farewell!"

Lin Buqi slunk away as if fleeing, running directly out of the Wang Family Manor.

At this moment,

Gu Mo, who was conversing with Zhuo Qingfeng, also heard the commotion behind him.

Hearing Lin Buqi's footsteps as he ran off, Gu Mo slightly frowned. He couldn't shake the feeling that Lin Buqi's provocation had been very sudden and deliberately orchestrated.

Zhuo Qingfeng, thinking something might be wrong with his explanation, asked, "Hero Gu, is there something amiss with my arrangements?"

"No, no," Gu Mo replied. "I was just wondering why Lin Buqi would seek trouble with me when we've never met before."

Zhuo Qingfeng chuckled lightly. "The reason is simple. He thought you were an easy target to manipulate. By defeating you, he could gain a reputation as a righteous individual who tolerates no wrongdoing, and also demonstrate his strength to Wang Yuanbao, thereby earning his respect. It would have been a win-win situation for him."

"So that's how it is."

Gu Mo nodded. Although he said that, he still felt that Zhuo Qingfeng's explanation, while seemingly plausible, had an illogical element he couldn't quite pinpoint.

However, after some thought,

Gu Mo decided not to dwell on it. After all, regardless of Lin Buqi's intentions, he had already lost face and fled.

***

Although the small incident with Lin Buqi occurred, it also allowed Gu Mo to showcase his strength and earn the recognition of many skilled martial artists, including Zhuo Qingfeng.

Zhuo Qingfeng even personally explained to Gu Mo the meticulous deployment plan he had orchestrated within the Wang family estate in anticipation of Silver Fox.

The Six Gates would have two first-rate masters, along with over a dozen skilled individuals, providing close protection for Wang Yuanbao. An inescapable net would be spread around Wang Yuanbao as the center; Silver Fox would be apprehended before even having a chance to approach him. Even if Silver Fox miraculously broke through the layers of security to reach Wang Yuanbao's location, numerous Six Gates masters would be there to resist, allowing others time to provide backup.

Unless Silver Fox could single-handedly fight his way in from the outside, he would not only be unable to approach Wang Yuanbao, but he would also be surrounded upon his appearance with no chance of escape.

The deployment was not only for protecting Wang Yuanbao but also for preventing Silver Fox's escape.

***

Afterward, Zhuo Qingfeng personally introduced Gu Mo to six other masters.

Three of them were Wang Yuanbao's friends from the martial arts world, all renowned masters. The other three were the top-tier Golden Medal Bounty Hunters from the three major Chasing Wind Towers, each representing the face of their respective organizations.

In addition, the Six Gates contributed their foremost master, Zhuo Qingfeng, over thirty skilled martial artists from their ranks, and numerous guards from the Wang family.

Under Zhuo Qingfeng's arrangements, the Wang Family Manor was practically an impregnable fortress. Entering meant facing an inescapable net, and exiting meant encountering an unyielding barrier. With such a setup, it would be utterly impossible for Silver Fox to assassinate Wang Yuanbao, unless he were a martial arts grandmaster.

Time flowed quickly.

Gu Mo and Gu Chudong stayed at the Wang family estate for a day and two nights, until the date Silver Fox had set for the assassination arrived.

As this day dawned,

The already suppressed and tense Wang family became even more anxious, with a palpable sense of impending storm.

However,

Night fell, yet Silver Fox still failed to appear.

Then, at a certain moment, a loud shout suddenly echoed through the quiet manor: "Stop, villain! Silver Fox has appeared!"