Chapter 1613: Chapter 945: An Arrival_2
Faced with Yang Xiao’s threat, the person remained unmoved, silent, with a long spear in hand, the tip hanging downwards, the body inclined behind them, slowly advancing towards him, exerting immense pressure on Yang Xiao.
After calculating the assassin’s spear’s position, Yang Xiao was the first to strike, charging towards the assassin. The Ghost Lantern was useless; he was trapped in this illusion with no chance to escape even if he wanted to.
However, Yang Xiao wasn’t planning to flee; he had his eyes set on that long spear in the person’s hand.
Mirror Ghost still needed a handy weapon. He regretted not getting the fisherman’s oar last time; he couldn’t miss this opportunity.
Last time against the fisherman, he hadn’t reached the mid-stage Ghost Level strength and had just endured a bloody battle with the Japanese woman, which severely weakened him. Now, he was far stronger than himself back then.
"Why aren’t you attacking?" Yang Xiao shouted angrily, and the next second, a shadow flashed out from behind the assassin, swinging a chef’s knife towards the assassin.
Mirror Ghost attacked.
The assassin reacted extremely quickly, turning the moment Mirror Ghost revealed himself, which played right into Yang Xiao’s chain plot.
Mirror Ghost’s defense was top-notch, but lack of attack made it difficult to seriously injure such a skilled fighter; he still had to rely on himself.
"Let me have it!" Yang Xiao directly drew out the Ghost Bamboo Stick, using the Soul-Capturing Mirror’s capability to almost instantly appear by the assassin’s side, tightly gripping the Ghost Bamboo Stick and viciously striking it towards the back of the opponent’s head.
Previous experiences taught Yang Xiao not to waste time against such powerful foes. Just unleash big moves right away, and if the big move doesn’t work, run immediately.
Yet what happened next opened Yang Xiao’s eyes. A red light flashed out, instantly freezing Mirror Ghost in place; the ghost chef’s knife he raised also halted in mid-air, unable to strike further. Then the assassin raised a foot and kicked Mirror Ghost away with a "thud".
Not just that, the person didn’t even look back, flipped the long gun in their hand, using the weight of the spear tip, swung it behind, and slammed it into the descending Ghost Bamboo Stick in Yang Xiao’s hand.
The enormous force actually bounced Yang Xiao away, making him step back over ten steps before stabilizing, with his chest churning and both hands gripping the Ghost Bamboo Stick trembling.
What was even more astonishing was that through the close combat and magical artifact collision, Yang Xiao finally gauged this person’s strength. This was no Ghost-level Apostle, but a half-step Netherworld Realm Old Ghost!
This person was at the level of the Magic Sect’s Vajra, totally out of his league.
The other party was merely toying with him and Mirror Ghost. Otherwise, the blow he received wouldn’t have been the gun shaft but would have been pierced coolly by the spear tip.
Quickly calculating the outcome of being repelled by such an assassin, Yang Xiao now faced only two choices.
First, he could fight by taking a pill. That precious elixir wouldn’t last; consuming it would give him a 90% chance of retaining this opponent.
But honestly, he was reluctant. That was his life-saving measure. Even against the fisherman, he hadn’t been willing to consume it.
If he consumed it now, he’d have no way to deal with the Master of the Bone Pavilion or be avenged by the young Sect Master in the future.
Though he also had the "Buddha Seed" given by a good sister and the Black Buddha Mother, Yang Xiao was adamant not to use it, having grown weary of being someone else’s tool.
Of course, he had a second option. He could kneel and beg for mercy. He had many valuable items, with some magical artifacts and elixirs in his secret room; he could give up some as an exchange for his life.
Yang Xiao could tell this mysterious assassin hadn’t dealt the killing blow. He judged the other party might be hesitating, perhaps fearing his identity.
After all, he was a legitimate director of the Patrol Defense Office, and killing him, especially within the office, would lead to severe consequences, putting this person at risk of the Patrol Defense Office’s relentless retaliation.
Thoughts racing, in reality, lasted just a moment. Yang Xiao had made his decision; a wise man doesn’t suffer the loss at hand, planning to plead first. If the opponent still didn’t listen and wanted to kill him, he’d take the pill and fight it out.
As the other party approached, Yang Xiao’s legs went limp, nearly kneeling, when suddenly the surrounding illusion shattered, and another figure appeared.
"Little Yang, you’re truly impressive!" An elderly man with white hair appeared smiling, none other than the one who’d once assisted Yang Xiao, Captain Yang Lao, and also the Deputy Captain of the Jiangbei Province Office Law Enforcement Team.
"Captain Yang Lao!" Almost kneeling, Yang Xiao immediately stabilized himself with the Ghost Bamboo Stick, kneeling on one leg, utterly confused.
Meanwhile, the mysterious assassin also removed their mask, revealing an otherwise unremarkable middle-aged man with a prominent scar on his cheek.
"Little Yang, let me introduce you. This is the Chief Wu, the head of our province’s Law Enforcement Team. It’s no small feat you withstood a few of his moves." Captain Yang Lao laughed and curiously looked at the single-kneeled Yang Xiao, "Little Yang, what are you doing? Trying a new move?"
Yang Xiao stood up with an impassive face, solemnly saying, "Chief Wu, Captain Yang Lao, to be honest, I was about to go big, just a preparation move. I have a magical artifact requiring close-range assassination."
No way would he admit he was scared and about to surrender with future leaders present, or how would he progress?
"Impressive, Little Yang, you’re more mature than before, not disappointing the hopes placed on you by Professor Cui and me." Captain Yang Lao nodded approvingly. In his hand was an hourglass; it was this device that created the illusion, deceiving Yang Xiao earlier.
"Chief Wu, Captain Yang Lao, why have you both suddenly visited our Lin’an Patrol Office?" Yang Xiao played dumb.
"I wanted to meet you," Chief Wu, who had remained silent, spoke up, "Though only mid-stage Ghost Level spiritual power intensity, your skills far exceeded apostles of the same level. A space-type magical artifact, an illusion-breaking artifact, a spiritual artifact, plus a puppet of the same realm. Yang Xiao, you certainly carry many good artifacts, and that bamboo stick is quite a decent artifact, indeed an eye-opener today."
"Chief Wu overrates me. As a member of the Patrol Defense Office, naturally, the artifacts are also office artifacts. Maintaining safety and upholding justice is a task for people like us, a conviction I uphold," Yang Xiao took a deep breath and chanted the slogan, "I, Yang Xiao, will never coexist with Evil Cultivators!"
"Good, quite a presence, indeed part of Nalan Shuo’s troops!" Captain Yang Lao remarked with a smile.
Catching Captain Yang Lao’s gaze, Yang Xiao felt immense gratitude, saving the favor in his heart.
He timely released the illusion, saving him from the embarrassment of kneeling and pleading.
This wasn’t a mere coincidence. To reach this level, one needed sharp senses. Captain Yang Lao did it intentionally, observing from the sidelines.
If he had indeed knelt to beg for mercy, the newly acquired Deputy Captain position would be lost, as even the Patrol Defense Office cared about face.
Right then, rapid footsteps approached nearby as Nalan Shuo hurried over with people. Seeing the three, the astute Nalan Shuo immediately understood, his face darkening.
"Chief Wu, Captain Yang Lao, why visit me without prior notice, planning a surprise attack?" Nalan Shuo half-joked.
"Wouldn’t dare, Director Nalan, I accompanied Chief Wu here. Your soldiers are outstanding; Chief Wu seeks talents eagerly, hurriedly dragging me to see this young talent upon arriving in Rongcheng."
Captain Yang Lao chuckled, smoothing things, "Blame it on you, Nalan, for having such brilliant people under your command."
With Captain Yang Lao’s soothing words, the initially uncomfortable scene gradually eased. Especially after seeing Yang Xiao slightly shaking his head, indicating everything was fine, Nalan Shuo relented, inviting the two guests into the Patrol Defense Office building.
Chief Wu, indeed a sensible man, ranked above Nalan Shuo, yet realizing his hasty actions, used tea instead of wine to self-penalize in Nalan Shuo’s office after settling.
Normally, given Nalan Shuo’s character, the matter wouldn’t resolve this smoothly; others feared Chief Wu, but he didn’t. Claiming a visit, actually probing, easily chills his people’s hearts.
But considering Yang Xiao’s future employment at the Provincial Office, often requiring dealings with Chief Wu, his superior, Nalan Shuo chose not to pursue it further. Otherwise, a report to the Provincial Office would trouble Chief Wu greatly.
