Chen Ping watched the conclusion of the battle from afar, seeing the black, emaciated figure with a severed arm break into a residence, pulling out someone to suck their blood and recover on the spot. He didn't hesitate any longer and darted back along the rooftops.
The shadows along the way were vague, with the sound of clothes whipping in the wind reaching his ears.
Clearly, these were men of the night…
They too were frightened by the battle by the river, not daring to deal in businesses without capital.
Fleeing quickly, hiding back in their dens was the legitimate choice.
As he traveled, the entire street showed no signs of any light being lit up by households.
This district instantly fell into silence.
Even the faint sound of silk and bamboo music from afar was considerably less.
"Hurry, what are you crouching for? It's dangerous outside. If nothing else goes wrong, the constables will also be dispatched."
After walking a distance, Chen Ping suddenly stopped, looking at a shadow beneath the continuous shade of trees, he whispered.
It was Zuo Duanshou.
He was currently bending his rear, focused on pretending to be a tree root protruding from the ground.
But he couldn't fool Chen Ping, who was already very familiar with him.
Besides, when they first got out, Zuo Duanshou was following from behind; he actually knew and was mentally prepared.
The battle by the river stirred such immense waves, the sound of Qi Force clashing echoed unanimously.
Especially, Liang Qi from the Brocade Guard shouting loudly, his voice shockingly huge, disrupting peaceful dreams.
As long as the Xingqing Prefecture Government Office wasn't entirely filled with dead people, they must take action at this moment.
The most likely thing is that Six Gates will be dispatched.
They might not necessarily want to assist the Brocade Guard in capturing the "Demoness," nor do they have the ability; but appearances should still be maintained.
This way, the ones "committing crimes and breaking laws" along the street, the ones staying out overnight, will all suffer misfortune.
"Was that a Brocade Guard Deputy Commander earlier? He actually lost, even the two Purple Ribbon Honored Guests with him couldn't detain the opponent, Black Soul seems to have lost an arm?"
Zuo Duanshou stood up, unable to care about how Chen Ping found him, looking towards the river with lingering fear, breath still uneven.
"Who exactly is that woman, who appeared like a fleeting glimpse?"
I know.
But won't tell you.
Chen Ping thought back to the brief conversation in the Locust Tree Courtyard earlier.
Undoubtedly, regardless of the woman's identity, she cared about his original self. Not only did she gift medicine for healing, but she also gave earnest advice.
Therefore, no matter how incomprehensible her words were, they must be treated with caution.
Her whereabouts mustn't be revealed, nor should he tell anyone he had met her, nor should he seek her out.
Chen Ping had some guesses about the hidden meaning in it.
Yet didn't wish to explore further.
Seeing Zuo Duanshou's odd expression intrigued him, but it was not the time for questions.
At present, both remained silent, quickly hurrying back.
Back to the small courtyard, into the house, and shutting the door.
He found Hua Lian'er, Little Table, and Little Stool all awake, tacitly keeping the lights off, all nervously guarding the entrance.
Seeing the two return safely, everyone let out a long breath.
Hua Lian'er's eyes seemed to speak, even under the dim moonlight, her worries and questions were evident.
She apparently wanted to ask but didn't.
"It's Big-Beard Zhang and the group under Boss Yan's command… When we got back in the daytime, I saw them secretly following us, probably with bad intentions, so…"
Now with matters settled, Chen Ping felt it was necessary to let them know some things.
If kept in the dark, once interrogated and accidentally slipped, it might reveal flaws to others.
It was proper to agree that no matter who asks, they'll say that no one went out tonight.
"No repercussions, right?"
Hua Lian'er raised an eyebrow, stealthily moved to Chen Ping's side, scrutinizing him closely. Her little nose twitched, not smelling blood, she eased her mind.
"Didn't leave any survivors." Chen Ping laughed.
"Next time there's action, you can let us go together, even if we can't be of help, we can scout, run errands, and assist."
Zuo Duanshou looked slightly ashamed.
He truly wanted to help, but lacked the strength.
Couldn't keep up, talking now felt particularly unconfident.
"It's alright, next time together, we'll advance and retreat as one."
Chen Ping said solemnly.
Their expressions simultaneously relaxed, and they smiled: "Yes, advance and retreat together."
Supporting one another, banding together, it isn't really about one's personal capabilities.
If hearts think alike, if efforts unify, that is sufficient.
After laughing, the small house seemed to gain some warmth.
"By the way, do you know those Brocade Guard individuals?"
Recalling Zuo Duanshou's expression on the road, Chen Ping directly asked now.
An uncanny feeling arose.
He felt he would inevitably encounter Brocade Guard experts; some of the woman's words were indeed right, but some not quite.
Life's encounters are strange, the less you want to meet a situation, the more it seems to come.
Hiding identity, continually evading isn't a solution.
It can be hidden, but one must have the skills to protect oneself, otherwise, if misfortune strikes, one can only blame bad luck.
Furthermore, he didn't know what exactly to hide.
Is it hiding this face from being seen, or hiding some birthmark, martial arts?
Well, while bathing, he didn't notice any birthmarks except for some parts on the back that were indeed unseen; the front wasn't displaying any.
So, he couldn't avoid going out and seeing people; that would arouse suspicion even more.
"They are figures high above; how would I know them."
Zuo Duanshou smiled bitterly, "I only heard from my father before, that Brocade Guard Commander Xu Jing'an, his Soul Cutting Saber shocks heaven and earth, cries to ghost god, his strength immeasurable, instills fear in petty criminals."
Under his command, there are the Left and Right Deputy Magistrates… Right Deputy Commander Liang Qi, adept at the Dragon Roar Spear, once broke through thousands on the North Territory, beheading commanders and seizing flags, effortlessly."
He recalled past scenes, seemingly mimicking some middle-aged man speaking, "As for Left Deputy Commander Cao Lie, renowned as the [Purple Flame Hammer], heard his reputation surpasses Liang Qi, but my father didn't say any specific deeds."
"Cao Lie's martial arts are indeed above Liang Qi, wielding the [Purple Flame True Gang Hammer] across Jiangbei, rarely meeting a match. Ming Family's ancestor, along with the Thirteen Grand Protectors under him, were defeated by him alone. The name of Brocade Guard could stop children from crying, a small portion of the fame comes from him… Ranked ninth on the Earth List, known for unyielding Hard Skills, universally acknowledged as tough.
"Earth List?"
Chen Ping now heard this term for the second time tonight.
For a moment, he forgot his surprise at Hua Lian'er's extensive knowledge.
For you, a little girl so knowledgeable, to be a beggar, do you have any misunderstanding about the beggar profession?
"Its full name is the Wind and Cloud List, divided into Celestial List, Earth List, and Hidden Dragon List. On the latter two lists, occasionally posted by Six Gates in major cities, martial enthusiasts across the world take pride in being listed. However, common folk busy with daily livelihood don't pay much attention, it's normal that no one mentioned it before."
"Isn't this just asking for chaos? Who is behind arranging the list? Any news on the Celestial List members, how powerful are they?"
Chen Ping's mind flashed myriad conspiracy tactics, thinking there must be some secret behind this, the strength of those on the Earth List was truly daunting.
Those above on the Celestial List, are unknown.
Could this not merely be a Martial World, could it be an Immortal World, that would be truly marvelous.
Indeed, this time, Hua Lian'er didn't know, she shook her head: "Celestial List is said to have nine people, but no one dares to announce them publicly; unknown if there's any taboo. Who arranged the list? Great Li Chengping these three hundred years, there hasn't been clarity. Some say it's Revelation, some say it's man-made… Anyway, everyone has their say, real situation, I'm unaware."