Chapter 143: I Am a Hero, My Name Is Zhang Ze
Zhang Ze’s sudden return before her eyes left Jiang Haixin stunned for quite some time. She thought to herself, how on earth did this guy survive wandering around for so long? Only Zhang Ze was oblivious to her thoughts; otherwise, he might have turned on his heel and left immediately.
...
After dealing with the guards for Jiang Haixin, Zhang Ze quickly led her out of the cell. Given everything that had happened, he dared not delay any longer! Whether it was the corpses in the dungeon or the ransacked warehouse, if the enemy discovered even a trace of them, both of them would be doomed.
Jiang Haixin furrowed her brows; she too sensed that something was off about Zhang Ze. There was no trace of his presence! If Zhang Ze hadn’t been right in front of her, even standing behind her, she wouldn’t have noticed him. Yet, out of respect for his secret, she refrained from probing further.
Instead, she asked with concern, “What about the others?”
Zhang Ze was silently exasperated. Did she really think a fourth-rank martial artist like herself wouldn’t realize that he couldn’t save everyone?
He sighed, “Do you think we could escape together?”
“Then why did you come back to save me?” Jiang Haixin’s heart stirred.
But Zhang Ze didn’t dwell on such matters and bluntly replied, “I need you to take me back to Anqing City; otherwise, I can’t return.”
“Alright then,” Jiang Haixin nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation and asking no more questions.
They kept a distance of over ten meters, with Zhang Ze scouting ahead. Soon, they reached the city gate. Just as they were about to leave, a powerful aura suddenly swept over from nearby.
Zhang Ze was shocked. Had they been discovered? Why was the threat coming from outside?
His mind raced, but he reacted swiftly, signaling to Jiang Haixin behind him. She moved quickly, suppressing her aura as much as possible, then fled away from the city gate.
...
“Hmm?”
The Yun Revered One, a seventh-rank strongman, clearly sensed something. However, with a mission at hand, he didn’t bother investigating further and headed straight toward the city guard’s main tower.
Watching the figure disappear, Zhang Ze finally exhaled in relief, marveling at the power of his new skill. The man who had just passed by must truly be a seventh-rank cultivator.
Though still shaken, Zhang Ze reacted quickly. After finding Jiang Haixin, they swiftly exited the city gate.
Afterward, Jiang Haixin’s gaze toward Zhang Ze became even more enigmatic. That was clearly a seventh-rank expert, yet Zhang Ze had been so close and remained undetected! Inwardly amazed, she still chose not to question him.
...
Zhang Ze led her to a hill beneath which they dug out four large bags of “spoils.” But instead of asking Jiang Haixin to help carry them, he urged, “You lead the way. We’re heading back now!”
Jiang Haixin nodded slightly.
Just as they were about to set off, they suddenly noticed two figures ascending into the air within the small city. Seventh-rank cultivators were on the move!
Zhang Ze’s heart tightened. Could they be here to capture him? After all, he had just cleared out the warehouse for that sixth-rank strongman from Blood Moon City. Had he committed some offense?
He murmured doubts in his mind, only to be interrupted by Jiang Haixin’s warning.
“Those two are the Yun Revered One of Blood Moon City and Ming Xin, the city guard captain!”
Before Zhang Ze could respond, she added, “We must return immediately. Blood Moon City is likely making a major move!”
Though Zhang Ze wanted to argue that Blood Moon City’s affairs had nothing to do with him, considering the treasures he carried, it was best to hurry back. Only after securing them would he be truly safe.
Understanding this, Zhang Ze nodded at Jiang Haixin.
Without further hesitation, they sped southward. With Jiang Haixin leading, they avoided many troubles along the way. As one of the ambush team members on the front line for the Anqing Martial Bureau, she was undoubtedly familiar with the geography between Anqing City and Blood Moon City.
...
After three days of relentless travel on all fours, they finally caught sight of Anqing City’s outline. During the journey, Zhang Ze had twice used his wealth to restore his vitality, a testament to the worth of the treasures he carried.
Yet, as he neared Anqing City, he could no longer stay calm. Spending his wealth and restoring his peak vitality once more, Zhang Ze dashed ahead, already dozens of meters in front before Jiang Haixin could catch up.
Watching him, she could only sigh internally. After running for three days straight, this guy still showed no signs of fatigue!
Still, she quickly followed.
...
Upon reaching the foot of Anqing City, Zhang Ze cleared his throat and loudly proclaimed within the city walls:
“Zhang Ze, a fourth-rank disciple of the Anqing Martial Bureau, has fulfilled the command of his teacher Woody, venturing deep behind enemy lines to gather vital intelligence and returning triumphant!”
“Zhang Ze, fourth-rank disciple of the Anqing Martial Bureau, has seized the lifetime savings of a sixth-rank strongman from Blood Moon City’s city guard and returned in glory!”
Good heavens! As if afraid no one would know!
Zhang Ze’s name instantly spread throughout Anqing City.
Zhou Yonghao, stationed in the outer city camp of Anqing, heard the proclamation and widened his eyes, fixating on the young man not far away.
Meanwhile, Jiang Haixin’s face flushed with embarrassment upon hearing Zhang Ze’s boastful cries. She hadn’t expected this side of him.
Being a girl herself, Jiang Haixin had always held a lofty image of Zhang Ze, especially after he had risked entering the city guard’s dungeon multiple times to rescue her.
But now, with his loud proclamations, that image was completely shattered.
Her only thought was: I definitely don’t know him!
...
In the Anqing City affairs building, Woody sat with a deeply somber expression.
“Heh heh~”
“Still thinking about that kid?”
Without warning, Elder Wu appeared with a smile.
Seeing Woody ignore him, the elder chuckled, “I was about to share good news with you, but it seems you’re ungrateful.”
“Hmph.”
Woody retorted sharply, “What good news could you possibly have for me?”
“That kid is back!”
“What?”
Woody was momentarily stunned. Before his voice faded, his figure vanished from the chair.
The elder chuckled softly, shaking his head as he slowly sat, muttering, “Ah, does the old man’s chair come easily?”
...
“Zhang Ze, disciple of the Anqing Martial Bureau, sent by mentor Woody to infiltrate enemy lines and gather vital intelligence—”
Woody, standing at the city gate, heard Zhang Ze’s voice nearby.
The young man bore four large bags of spoils on his back. It was impressive that he had managed to carry them for three whole days.
“Smack!”
Woody suddenly appeared before Zhang Ze, showing no respect to the “triumphant hero,” and slapped him on the head sharply.
“Who told you to go to Blood Moon City?”
Zhang Ze froze for a moment but, sensing Woody’s concern, felt warmth in his heart.
He then protested plaintively, “I didn’t want to go!”
“Is it because you’re too handsome that they want to capture you as a son-in-law?”
...
Inside Anqing City, two young men exchanged wicked grins as they looked at Zhang Ze.
“What do you think about recruiting him?”
“With him?”
The other young man sneered.
“Heh heh—”
“Don’t forget, he’s the one who defeated Shi Jin!”