Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques-Chapter 136 - 132: Departure

Having received Liehong Mountain's promise, Zhou Yuanjue paid the matter no further attention. After all, to him, it was a trivial affair. Since a figure like Liehong Mountain had personally agreed, it was practically a sure thing.

He simply packed his belongings, closed his eyes, and sat on the bed to rest and meditate. The Nirvana Fire burned slowly, keeping his body in a constant state of peak health.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

About an hour and a half later, the phone he had set aside began to ring.

Zhou Yuanjue picked it up and saw it was a call from Li Qingxuan. 'Liehong Mountain moves quickly.'

"Hello."

Zhou Yuanjue answered the call.

"Thank you. And congratulations. You've finally reached the state you were pursuing."

Li Qingxuan's voice came from the other end of the line.

"This is far from the limit of my pursuit."

"Since you already know about my situation, our collaboration is coming to an end. I have my own things to do. I'll remember what I promised you. If you need anything, find someone from the Secret Inspection Bureau. They'll know how to reach me," Zhou Yuanjue said calmly.

"Fine. Men are all the same. They're all over you when you're useful, but as cold as ice when you're not."

Li Qingxuan's sigh came through the phone.

"Alright, that's all for now."

Without another word, Zhou Yuanjue hung up.

He had his own path to walk and would not stay in one place. Even someone like Li Qingxuan could only be a familiar passerby on his journey. On this path, only those who were willing to risk life and limb could become his true companions.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

On the other end, Li Qingxuan listened to the dial tone, an unconscious smile gracing her lips. 'Still as cold as ever.'

'Where to next?'

Li Qingxuan seemed to be talking to herself, or perhaps asking some unseen presence. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

...

...

「Two hours later」

Zhou Yuanjue had changed into the black combat uniform of the Secret Inspection Bureau. He, along with Lu Zhen and three other Bureau investigators, boarded a military plane and began the journey of several thousand kilometers from Guangpu City to Beiwei in the Northwest.

The journey was silent. Half a day later, night had fallen. The military plane carrying Zhou Yuanjue's party of five finally arrived at the Beiwei Kenna Military Airport.

After disembarking, and after consulting with Zhou Yuanjue for his opinion, Lu Zhen requested a military SUV. Without stopping, they hurried toward Duoka City, the city closest to the Sealing Realm Image.

Duoka City was in a remote area, surrounded by the vast, sparsely populated Gobi Desert. Driving there from the nearest city, Kekanai, would take at least three to five hours.

And during this process, their group gained three uninvited guests: one old and two young.

"Are you... the 'relevant departments' from the legends?"

From the back seat, sitting diagonally behind Zhou Yuanjue, a curious girl who looked to be about twenty-four or twenty-five with thick glasses on her face asked in a low voice.

Chen Hanhan, a graduate student in the history department at Shangjing University.

"Han Han, don't talk nonsense," another young man quickly tugged on Chen Hanhan's sleeve. He smiled at Zhou Yuanjue's group, clearly intimidated by their powerful physiques and the immense, intangible pressure they emanated. "Sorry, everyone," he said with some trepidation. "My junior is a bit impulsive. Please bear with her."

Wang Jiawang, a doctoral student in the history department at Shangjing University.

"Everyone, we're already here, and we've all signed non-disclosure agreements. Can you tell us what exactly was discovered in Duoka City?"

From the other side, an old man with a slightly stooped figure, also sitting in the back, asked with a smile.

Zhou Yuanjue actually recognized this old man.

Qian Hengbin, a history professor at Shangjing University and an expert on ancient artifacts. He was highly respected in the field of Chinese history, a big shot on the same level as Zhou Yuanjue's own teacher, Liu Chengzhi. Zhou Yuanjue had met him once before when he attended an academic forum with Liu Chengzhi, but the professor didn't seem to have any memory of a mere student trailing behind his teacher.

Professor Qian had been specially invited to Beiwei by the Secret Inspection Bureau. Apparently, during the exploration of the Relic and the Kunlun Mountain Range, some ancient artifacts that were difficult to identify had been discovered. Professor Qian and his students were therefore invited to conduct an on-site investigation and appraisal. The hope was that they could learn something from these excavated artifacts and trace their era and origins.

Since Zhou Yuanjue's group was also heading to Duoka, the Secret Inspection Bureau personnel in Kekanai had asked them to escort Professor Qian's party and ensure their safety along the way.

"Professor Qian, we honestly don't know the details. We were also temporarily dispatched here. You should get a full briefing once we arrive in Duoka City."

Lu Zhen said with a hint of helplessness. The old man seemed to be an academic fanatic, relentlessly asking them about the excavated artifacts throughout the journey.

"I've worked with you guys a few times, so I know a little about the nature of your work. I heard you were transferred from the Southern region, right? To have to bring people in from so far away... it seems the situation in Duoka City is anything but simple," Professor Qian said with a sigh.

"Professor, to be honest with you, the situation in Duoka City is indeed a bit complicated. So we hope you'll follow all of our arrangements and remain vigilant," Lu Zhen said grimly.

"We're just here to appraise artifacts. Why does it feel like we're heading into a warzone...?" Chen Hanhan gulped after hearing Lu Zhen's words.

"In a sense, we are head—"

Before Lu Zhen could finish, Zhou Yuanjue's half-closed eyes snapped wide open. He roared:

"Get down!!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!!

Several gunshots rang out from the rocky cliffs of the Gobi on either side. The instant they heard Zhou Yuanjue's shout, Lu Zhen and the others reacted, immediately pulling down the people next to them and ducking their heads.

SHATTER!!

The SUV's windows shattered instantly, showering the car's interior with glass shards. Chen Hanhan let out a terrified scream.

Startled by the sudden need to duck, Lu Zhen jerked the steering wheel. The entire vehicle skidded on the road and began to spin. Thankfully, he reacted quickly, slowly pressing the brake and bringing the car to a gradual stop.

'Snipers in ambush on the road?!'

"Stay in the car. Don't move. I'll be right back."

Zhou Yuanjue's expression was calm. He yanked open the car door and shot out like a black shadow.

"Don't go out there! It's open ground, and we don't know how many enemies there are—"

Before Lu Zhen's voice could even carry, Zhou Yuanjue's figure had already vanished from the vicinity of the SUV.

'They dodged it?'

Several assassins hidden in different directions in the Gobi frowned, seemingly surprised that such a sudden attack had failed.

'Oh? Someone's coming out on their own? Looking to die?'

Then, the assassins were momentarily stunned.

The surrounding hundred meters were all open terrain, with their gunmen positioned on all sides. Even one of those monstrously strong freaks would be instantly killed by gunfire in a situation like this.

Within ten, or maybe even twenty meters, those freaks might be invincible. But at a distance of a hundred meters, guns and cannons reigned supreme. Besides, they were holding far more than just one gun!