Chapter Fifty-Six: Encircled and Hunted

If he could possess a seventh-level martial art, regardless of whether it would enhance his own strength, even if it were merely passed down to future generations, it would be a priceless treasure! This was a first-rate martial art! Had he owned such a skill when he first began learning martial arts, his strength would surely surpass his current seventh-level standing!

"Is this just a promise, or will it truly be given?" Qin Yi's heart stirred slightly.

"Move out, search immediately in the direction where the signal was last sent!" He Xiongjian's eyes were bloodshot as he spoke, wealth must be sought amid danger.

Previously, he had no desire to confront the fugitive, for the man was far too powerful! Even the deputy chief constable, an eighth-level master, was no match; he, a mere seventh-level, would only be courting disaster.

But now things were different—the fugitive was grievously wounded. If he took a gamble, perhaps fortune would favor him, and the ugly duckling might become a swan!

"Chief He, are we really going? That man injured Deputy Chief Liang in just a few moves. If we go..." Captain Liu of Team Eleven hesitated.

Even with the man seriously injured, could they really stop him? He himself was only at the fifth level! Hadn’t even the eighth-level deputy chief failed to hold his own?

Not only Captain Liu, but most of the ordinary constables shared this thought. Everyone knew their own limitations well—seizing a first-rate martial art was no easy feat.

"What, do you intend to defy the chief constable’s orders?" He Xiongjian stared at Captain Liu with bloodshot eyes. The latter’s face flushed, and he dared not speak further.

"Go, move out! If anyone dares take a step back, don’t blame me for showing no mercy!"

Qin Yi followed at the rear of the group, thinking to himself that Chief He seemed to be coveting that seventh-level martial art, his attitude completely changed from before.

...

Within an alley.

Zhang Daoxuan, covered in blood, was fleeing at full speed. Multiple wounds marred his body, fresh blood slowly seeping forth.

As the stinging pain and fatigue grew ever more intense, Zhang Daoxuan realized that tonight, he might truly be unable to escape.

Half an hour earlier, he had been surrounded by two inspectors from the Forbidden Martial Hall, along with Huo Boru and Di Long.

Had he not relied on his peak ninth-level speed, he would have been killed long ago.

In the end, he fought his way out, but not without suffering many injuries.

"Zhang Daoxuan, your speed is slowing down! You should surrender now, hahaha!" Behind him, Tang Mingwu’s cold laughter echoed.

Zhang Daoxuan didn’t turn his head, continuing his desperate flight.

"You used to escape right under my nose thanks to your speed, but now you’re slowing—there’s no shaking me off." Tang Mingwu was in no rush to fight Zhang Daoxuan to the death; he intended to wear him down slowly.

Facing someone whose speed was top-notch even among ninth-level masters, he was deeply wary.

Especially given Zhang Daoxuan’s abnormal speed combined with that mysterious and unpredictable short sword technique—one careless move, and he might suffer a devastating defeat!

His ability to escape from a siege by four ninth-level experts was proof enough.

This was the terror of prodigious talent: able to train multiple movement techniques to a high level, comprehending secret skills, achieving such abnormal speed that one could kill above one’s station, and inspire dread among peers!

Unless one wore heavy armor!

"You’ve used your secret skills so many times tonight; I believe your body must be overtaxed by now. Let me guess how many more times you can use them!" Tang Mingwu pursued closely, not forgetting to employ psychological tactics.

He knew Zhang Daoxuan had trained in numerous second-rate martial arts, his body already suffering. Now, pushing his secret skills beyond their limits, he was nothing but a grasshopper after autumn—unable to last much longer. Thus, Tang Mingwu would use the safest and most effective method to kill him!

One chasing, one fleeing, they crossed an alley and entered another street.

A squad of constables, seeing the two men rushing toward them, became instantly alert.

"Stop him! He’s severely injured; his strength is greatly diminished!" Tang Mingwu shouted from behind.

The squad leader, seeing Zhang Daoxuan charging straight at him, had greed gleaming in his eyes.

"Attack!"

The opportunity to obtain a seventh-level martial art was right before him!

He saw that Zhang Daoxuan was covered in blood, his state far worse than before.

"The encirclement is shrinking," Zhang Daoxuan thought, his heart sinking as he faced the blocking squad.

"Kill!" The squad leader led the charge.

His steel blade whirled, forming an impenetrable wall. He didn’t need to fight head-on—just slow the fugitive’s escape.

"Hmph!" Zhang Daoxuan snorted coldly.

"Distant Horizon!"

His figure vanished amid the dense blade light rushing toward him.

In the next instant.

A short sword flashed with cold brilliance.

Thud!

Blood sprayed from the squad leader’s neck.

"Ahh..." The leader’s eyes widened in shock, wanting to speak, but his airway was instantly filled with blood.

Several more screams erupted. Zhang Daoxuan stepped on a man’s head for leverage, leaping onto a rooftop. With a few agile moves, he disappeared into the night.

...

"Haha, Zhang Daoxuan, let’s see where you run!" Tang Mingwu unleashed a secret skill, closely pursuing him.

Zhang Daoxuan crossed three more streets, feeling the pain inside growing ever more severe, his condition worsening from overtaxed movement and bodily wounds.

"Even if I’m not worn down, in my current state, I won’t live more than a few days," he thought, his heart filled with sorrow.

"Time waits for no one, time waits for no one!"

Fireworks rose again behind him.

Zhang Daoxuan glanced eastward at the commotion—without looking, he knew the main force was there.

He turned and sped west.

"My reinforcements are nearly here—you won’t escape even with wings!"

Still, Zhang Daoxuan kept his head down, fleeing.

Across rooftop after rooftop, he ran as if walking on flat ground.

As he landed atop a courtyard wall and vaulted into the air...

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Suddenly, three fierce arrows whistled toward him from behind.

Suspended in midair, unable to borrow force, Zhang Daoxuan twisted his body in a bizarre motion, dropping swiftly to avoid the arrows.

Crash!

He was forced down into a large courtyard, the stone slabs beneath cracking from the impact.

At that moment.

He Xiongjian’s squad happened to be searching this mansion.

Just as they entered the courtyard, they saw Zhang Daoxuan land before them.

For an instant, their eyes met—tension thickened unexpectedly.

"That man looks like the fugitive!" He Xiongjian’s eyes gleamed.

"Go! Stop him!"

At his command, the constables exchanged anxious glances, none daring to intercept.

"Anyone who refuses is defying the governor’s orders! Disobey and die!" He Xiongjian, eyes bloodshot, slashed at a constable beside him.