’They even sent someone of his caliber? It seems this incident has truly enraged the Military Commander.’

The moment he saw Feng Zheng, Tao Jingxuan understood the gravity of the situation. He immediately stood and saluted Feng Zheng. "Yes, I understand!"

Feng Zheng nodded, pulled out a chair, and sat down. Without wasting a word, as if he were devoid of emotion, he said directly to Tao Jingxuan, "Tell me what specific intelligence you have, and your proposed countermeasures."

"This Zhao Qi is very strong. According to our current intelligence, his power has most likely reached the level of Qi Circulation Throughout the Body and All-Body Extreme Breakthrough. Because of his connection to Su Hongyun, a remnant of the Su Family, we initially suspected he possessed the Secret Transmission of the Doumu Primordial Soul Needle. However, after the Guangdong Martial Arts Hall incident, we suspect the Secret Transmission he holds is not the Doumu Primordial Soul Needle, but another mysterious and powerful one."

"According to the descriptions from the Martial Artists present at the scene, when he uses his techniques, he is fierce and full of overbearing fury. The wind from his fists roars like a beast. Observing his Form and momentum, it seems to be the shape of some ancient Rare Beast. It’s highly likely he has inherited a Secret Transmission of a Beast Form Fist from the Ancient Times. However, one thing is certain: he has not yet reached the realm of Inner Cultivation."

Tao Jingxuan said to Feng Zheng.

To reach his position, simple flattery was certainly not enough; one had to possess genuine competence.

The incident had occurred less than two hours ago, yet he had already gathered a significant amount of information from the various reports submitted by his subordinates.

"A Beast Form Fist from the Ancient Times?"

Hearing this, Feng Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Beast Form Fist was hailed as the ancestor of all fist techniques. It was said that the first Secret Transmissions of Fist Techniques in the Ancient Times were born from humans imitating the hunting postures of ferocious beasts.

Of those passed down from the Ancient Times to the present day, the strongest surviving Beast Form Fist school was likely the Four Saints Sect. He had never heard of any other powerful Beast Form Boxing Technique.

Furthermore, the level of Cross-Training to achieve both Qi Circulation Throughout the Body and an All-Body Extreme Breakthrough was also somewhat surprising to him.

With such strength, he could be considered a major figure among all the Cross-Training practitioners in the entire Divine Land. No wonder Zhou Lie lost.

’But to me, it’s all the same.’

"His strength isn’t bad, but to pull off this series of acts alone deep in the heartland of my Giant Spirit Army, even at his level, wouldn’t be easy, right? Are you people in the Intelligence Department completely useless?"

"It is indeed a failure on my subordinates’ part. However, it now seems there may be other reasons for this."

"Originally, I thought this man was just extremely skilled at hiding. But I later realized that superior hiding skills alone couldn’t explain this. Just a short while ago, I received a report. The master of the Taihe Tiger Form Boxing Martial Arts Hall, Xu Gu Hall, along with five of his True Disciples, were all found dead in one of his private residences. Very few people knew about this private residence; it wasn’t even on file with our Intelligence Department. We only learned of it after a disciple of the Taihe Tiger Form Fist went to deliver a late-night meal, discovered the scene, and reported it."

"Back during the operation to capture Weng Xiaolin, the Taihe Tiger Form Boxing Hall Master, Xu Gu Hall, launched a sneak attack and severely injured Weng Xiaolin. And the elders from the Four Great Sects who died tonight were the very ones who led that capture. This Zhao Qi is clearly seeking revenge. Committing such a fierce and unyielding act, we can be almost certain he knows that Weng Xiaolin is already dead."

"The secrecy surrounding Weng Xiaolin’s situation was handled very well; few people even within the military knew about it. Yet, this Zhao Qi somehow learned this information. Combining this with his ability to escape and hide without a trace, evade a city-wide manhunt, know the specific details and individuals of the capture operation, and track the movements of the Taihe Tiger Form Fist group... I suspect he is not acting alone. There must be another power supporting him from behind. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to achieve all this by himself."

Tao Jingxuan said with a grave expression.

"Who do you think is behind him?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Feng Zheng asked, his expression calm.

"I’m not entirely sure about that either. But based on the power of the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, their influence in Guangdong is quite limited. I suspect it might be some remaining partisan forces of the Su Family remnants. After all, although the main Su Family was wiped out and the forces that followed them were absorbed, it’s not impossible that some factions still harbor loyalty to the Su Family."

"The other possibility, and the most likely suspect, is the National Salvation Association’s underground intelligence network. Only their intelligence web could be this effective. Regardless of which side it is, by my estimation, the current security measures in the city won’t be able to stop him. He may have already left Guangdong."

"However, based on his actions, he is seeking revenge—a blood debt to be paid in blood. Whether it was the elders of the Four Great Sects or the Taihe Tiger Form Boxing Hall Master, they were all people who had moved against his master. Zhou Lie, who also fought him, is now dead as well. The next target is likely the Celestial Sea Prefecture’s Military Officer. That man received orders to lead his troops to annihilate the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, and the Hall’s second True Disciple, Liu Changfeng, died at his hands. According to our intelligence, Liu Changfeng and Zhao Qi were very close. You could say Liu Changfeng was the one who personally mentored him."

Tao Jingxuan said.

"I understand what you mean."

Feng Zheng narrowed his eyes and slowly rose to his feet. "Assign two of your most trusted subordinates to follow me and report on the situation at all times," he said to Tao Jingxuan. "I will depart for the Celestial Sea Prefecture immediately."

"How many men will you be taking, sir?"

Tao Jingxuan also stood up and asked.

"Against a character like this, numbers are useless. Besides, as you said, he likely has the remnants of the Su Family or the National Salvation Association backing him. Both of those groups might have spies in the military. If we mobilize too many people, they might receive intelligence in advance."

"Me going personally is more than enough."

Feng Zheng said coolly.

...

...

「Half a day later, Celestial Sea Prefecture, City Defense Army Garrison.」

Two green off-road vehicles stopped outside the City Defense Army garrison.

Inside one of the vehicles, Feng Zheng sat in the back, his large frame almost filling the entire rear seat.

"Sir, should we notify the Celestial Sea Military Officer?"

The driver, one of Feng Zheng’s trusted subordinates, turned his head and asked.

"No need. The Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall has deep roots in the Celestial Sea Prefecture. I don’t know if the forces behind them, or behind Zhao Qi, have intelligence assets within the City Defense Army. Just find an excuse—a routine inspection from the Military Department, a stopover for maintenance, whatever. The point is not to reveal my presence. As long as I am in this garrison, no disturbance, anywhere, will escape my eyes. If he dares to make a move, he won’t be getting away."

Feng Zheng said coolly.

"What if the Celestial Sea Prefecture’s Military Officer can’t withstand Zhao Qi’s surprise attack and is killed instantly, just like the elders of the Four Great Sects?"

his subordinate asked.

"If he can’t even hold out for a short while, then having such a useless person in the military is just a waste of food. If he dies, he dies. Our primary mission this time is to capture Zhao Qi. The Military Commander is very curious about this man; he wants him brought in alive, or his corpse if he’s dead. If we fail this time, Zhao Qi will likely leave Yuehai in secret. That would be like letting the tiger return to the mountain, creating an even greater threat down the line. Don’t be so indecisive. It’s just a few deaths. What does that matter?"

Feng Zheng said calmly.