A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 183 - 150: Setting Up a Trap for Feng

"The name Jing Wuming is quite good."

Ninghai Zen nodded, expressing his satisfaction.

After finishing this task, he planned to wash his hands of the matter.

As a Cultivation Grandmaster with a gentle and refined demeanor, how could he wear a mask and assassinate people every day?

It's too degrading!

If word got out, it would indeed tarnish the reputation of Tongwen Hall!

If not for the four fallen families hiring the Hidden Pavilion, offering a bounty of a thousand taels of gold to take Ah Qi's life.

Old Knife Master, Tian Changqiu, Dragon Aspect, Snake Aspect... they should all remain hidden, eventually forgotten.

No chance of returning to the Jianghu.

"Master, are we returning to Black River County tomorrow?"

Bai Qi, carrying a few freshly-made breakfast items, placed them on the table and took out bowls and chopsticks.

"You've been fishing for so long, don't you know that to catch a big catch, you need to go to deep waters?

If I'm always by your side, how can those restless assassins and surviving enemies dare to show up?"

Ninghai Zen seemed genuinely hungry, devouring the food like a whirlwind, quickly finishing two large trays of meat buns.

Watching this made Bai Qi's eye twitch; did his master really subsist on air and morning dew while on a trip?

It felt like he had run several laps around the eight hundred li of Black Water River, consuming quite a bit of energy.

"Master, take a moment to rest and try my cooking."

Seeing that Ninghai Zen wasn't even half full, Bai Qi immediately stepped into the kitchen, took out the remaining Spirit Monster Flesh and Blood, and began to cook.

With his culinary skills, capturing his master's culinary desires and winning his favor was a sure bet!

Being a disciple, the key is to be perceptive and clever.

When a master is present, it's never a bad thing to do more work.

In a short time, several good dishes were ready, and Bai Qi had Ah Di, Bai Ming, buy two jars of heated wine.

With meat, wine, and someone to chat with, it was truly top-notch service!

"So being a master and being served is this comfortable; why didn't I realize it before?"

Ninghai Zen, feeling carefree, eagerly served himself food, thinking that the efforts of the previous night were not in vain.

The Wei Brothers of Toothless Cave, Boss Song of Yellow Smoke Mountain, were truly insignificant.

However, highly skilled martial artists with keen insight, like the Dharma Eye, can often deduce the level of skill from injuries or even terrain damage.

Ninghai Zen conducted matters with extreme caution and naturally wouldn't overlook this point.

He deliberately suppressed his Qi Blood strength at Third Training Great Success and attacked those meddling Hidden Pavilion assassins overnight.

Finding the way, locating people, killing, and looting, it took quite some effort.

Even if someone were to investigate later, facing the seamless scene, they would find no clues.

"Ah Qi's culinary skills are quite impressive."

After eating and drinking to his satisfaction, Ninghai Zen was greatly satisfied.

He felt that if this time he didn't eliminate the wandering spirits of the Su, Mao, Han, and Fang clans, it would be a disservice to his disciple.

"Master, to play a role fully and lure the fish to the hook, I pondered last night: I've always stayed in Black River County, rarely going out, and never go far without reason."

Bai Qi seriously analyzed the situation; since he was involved, he had to act convincingly enough to clean it all up, leaving no troubles behind.

"We need to find a reasonable pretext, so those assassins lying in wait for me, hoping to take my head, truly believe I am alone.

Once they've all gathered, we hold on patiently before catching the big fish and accomplishing a sweep!"

Ninghai Zen agreed profoundly, his eyes showing a sign of appreciation.

Ah Qi, worthy of being Tongwen Hall's direct disciple, possesses such intuitive insight without need for reminders.

Reflecting on the many losses he suffered in the past, Ninghai Zen finally understood the key importance of the phrase "uproot and exterminate."

His disciple's words were right; such a baiting and trapping method works best the first time and becomes less effective with repeated use.

Thus, even the fishlings cannot be spared, completely eradicated!

"Do you have a plan in mind?"

Ninghai Zen asked.

He had already infiltrated the Hidden Pavilion and was close to becoming the leader among the Twelve Star Signs.

The movements and ambushes of the assassins were clearly visible to him.

"I've thought of some ideas but need to refine them a bit."

In Bai Qi's mind appeared the He Family's Seventh Young Master, someone he instantly felt a connection with; this situation still required He Jingfeng's assistance.

...

...

The next day.

He Family Mansion.

As soon as Bai Qi arrived, He Jingfeng eagerly asked:

"Brother Bai, have you received the letter I sent you?"

Bai Qi nodded:

"Thank you, Young Master He, for the warning; otherwise, I would still be in the dark, completely unaware of the threat to my life."

He smiled, walking in with large strides, as if the Hidden Pavilion's bounty on him was just a trivial matter, nothing to mind.

So calm?

Brother Bai, aren't you the least bit afraid!

He Jingfeng was stunned, quickly catching up and scrutinizing Bai Qi carefully, his eyes filled with doubt.

"Brother Bai, you might not yet realize the gravity of the situation. While your master's presence in Black River County guarantees safety,

the vastness of the five hundred li mountain road and the eight hundred li of Black Water River means that Master Ning cannot protect you comprehensively at all times.

As long as your bounty remains on the Hidden Pavilion for a day, those assassins who value money over life will lurk, waiting for their opportunity.

This is no joke... do you know about the Meridian Sword Sect's true successor, Qiu Qianchuan?"

Bai Qi sat in the main hall, leisurely pouring himself a cup of hot tea, with a more relaxed demeanor than He Jingfeng, the host.

"Go ahead, Young Master He, I am all ears."

He Jingfeng felt somewhat helpless; if Bai Qi solely relied on Ninghai Zen for protection, without any caution, he was bound for a major setback.

He patiently explained:

"Five years ago, when the Hidden Pavilion first began to make a name for itself, becoming prominent, someone posted a bounty on the Meridian Sword Sect's current true successor, Qiu Qianchuan!