Chapter 128: Blade-Wielding Weapon Company

When Zhang Ze arrived at the entrance of the Jinsheng Hotel, a wave of despair washed over him.

Duan Qingkuang and his two companions were hot on his heels, yet there was no sign of Ma Junguo in front. As a third-rank martial artist, Zhang Ze possessed a keen sense for the presence of powerful experts. He didn't need to search; he simply could not detect that heart-palpitating aura of a master. Unless Ma Junguo was deliberately concealing his presence—but was that even possible?

...

Less than a minute later, Duan Qingkuang caught up to Zhang Ze and sneered, "Why don't you keep running?"

"My Jiuhua Sect wanted to integrate into the Martial Arts Bureau and become a part of society, but look at you."

"A mere second-rank martial artist, and you dared to humiliate the Jiuhua Sect in public!" Duan Qingkuang growled, his voice thick with resentment.

"Hmph." At this point, Zhang Ze was no longer afraid. "That old geezer Wen Ran was put up to this by you, wasn't he? I thought as much. It was just a beating for his grandson Wen Song—to think he’d actually want me dead for that."

Beside them, Wen Qing remained silent, as he had been ever since the day he joined the Jiuhua Sect.

"Enough talk." The voice was chillingly cold. For a fourth-rank martial artist, Duan Qingkuang possessed an intimidating aura that was truly one of a kind.

*Bang!*

With a dull thud against the ground, Duan Qingkuang lunged at Zhang Ze. Despite the massive gap in their cultivation, Zhang Ze didn't believe a fourth-ranker could kill him in a single blow. He tensed every muscle in his body, holding nothing back.

*Fight—there is still a glimmer of hope!*

*Boom!*

When his fist met Duan Qingkuang’s, the air between them exploded in a series of sharp cracks. Once cellular strength breaks through 1000S, human physiological functions reach an incredible level. As both men fought with everything they had, their figures blurred, exchanging blow after blow.

*Bang!*

Zhang Ze was, ultimately, too green. If Shi Jin, with his 999S strength, couldn't crush Zhang Ze instantly, allowing Zhang Ze to wear him down using the system, then Duan Qingkuang, with his terrifying cellular strength of nearly 2000S, certainly had the power to finish him off—especially since Duan Qingkuang had been training in martial arts since childhood.

Zhang Ze collapsed heavily, blood spilling from his mouth. His jacket was shredded in the fray, revealing the crimson inner armor he wore beneath. Seeing this, Duan Qingkuang’s eyes blazed with fury.

...

"Get lost!"

"This kid is mine!"

Just as Duan Qingkuang charged forward to finish Zhang Ze off, a middle-aged man suddenly appeared. Seeing Ma Junguo’s back, Zhang Ze’s spirits lifted instantly.

*Good man! I knew I wouldn't die today!*

But he soon realized he had thought too highly of himself. After knocking Duan Qingkuang back, Ma Junguo didn't bother engaging them further; he grabbed Zhang Ze by the collar and vanished from sight the next moment.

Having dispatched Zhang San and Li Si in a few moves previously, Ma Junguo naturally didn't care about a minor fourth-ranker like Duan Qingkuang. However, since the man wasn't a member of the cult, Ma Junguo held back from delivering a killing blow.

...

A moment later, Ma Junguo stopped and casually tossed Zhang Ze aside.

"Hmph."

"Hehe." Seeing Ma Junguo’s icy expression and hearing the grunt in his throat, Zhang Ze quickly offered a flattering smile. "Senior Ma, please don't mind me. I was being hunted, and in my desperation, I had to resort to such measures..."

"Oh, really?" Ma Junguo smirked, teasing him. "According to what you said earlier, should I marry off my daughter, who is still in high school, to you?"

"No, no, no!" Zhang Ze didn't dare to be cheeky now. He behaved as obediently as a grandson in front of Ma Junguo.

Ma Junguo had no intention of crippling the boy, so he asked with a smile, "That was someone from the Jiuhua Sect, right? Tell me, why were they hunting you?"

Zhang Ze didn't hesitate. "The Jiuhua Sect is colluding with cultists. In the name of justice, I confiscated a batch of their mid-grade equipment..."

"Justice? You filled your own pockets, didn't you?" Ma Junguo knew Zhang Ze too well and retorted sharply. Before Zhang Ze could argue, he added, "My people found that a portion of the cult funds controlled by Chen Hao was intercepted mid-way. That was your doing, too, wasn't it?"

"Hehe." Zhang Ze decided to stick to his guns, flashing a goofy grin.

...

They hadn't been talking long when Wu Di appeared with Zhang Yue. Zhang Ze was genuinely surprised to see her. He quickly scurried over to Wu Di and asked, "Teacher, why are you here?"

"Hmph. Do I have a choice?" Wu Di didn't tell him she had been following him the whole time.

Seeing Wu Di, Ma Junguo chuckled. "I’ve brought him to you. Remember this favor..." Seeing Wu Di’s expression turn cold, Ma Junguo quickly shut his mouth. Without another word to Zhang Ze, he vanished from the spot.

Watching this, Zhang Ze frowned slightly. He realized that Ma Junguo probably hadn't come to save him because of that phone call after all. He had been smug about his own cleverness, but now, he felt rather deflated.

Wu Di glanced at Zhang Ze but said nothing. "Come back to the Martial Arts Bureau with me!"

...

Elsewhere, at the Heyue City Detective Bureau, Xie Xun and Qin Feng, two instructors from the Anqing Martial Arts Bureau, were also in the conference room.

Before Lin Feng or Xu Ziqiang could speak, Xie Xun said in a deep voice, "We just received a call from Minister Zhao. He says we’ve identified the person."

"Furthermore, Zhu Wu, whom we’ve been watching for a long time, seems to have started making his move to escape."

Lin Feng was energized by this crucial news. "Then there’s no need to wait. The two of you, go with Xu Ziqiang and take down Zhu Wu and his crew!"

Xu Ziqiang asked, "If we strike now, will it affect what comes after..."

Lin Feng interrupted him. "Don't worry. Since those big rats want to bite me, they won't give up so easily. As for you, take out Zhu Wu and his core members as quickly as possible, then lead your teams to investigate the other suspected factions!"

"Understood!"

With that, the group moved without hesitation. Ultimately, only Xu Ziqiang, Xie Xun, and Qin Feng set out for the operation.

...

This was the first time Zhang Ze had felt the true power of a martial artist so directly. Wu Di, a sixth-rank expert, was carrying him and Zhang Yue. While it wasn't quite the exaggeration of flying through the air, it was effectively skimming across the ground. Watching the traffic retreat behind them, Zhang Ze’s hunger for martial arts intensified.

He couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, at what level can a martial artist walk on air?"

Wu Di smiled. "At my level, it’s only half a step away."

She spoke with great confidence, and Zhang Ze guessed what she meant. *Seventh rank, then?* he mused to himself.

...

Half an hour later, the three of them returned to Heyue City. Wu Di told the two, "Return to the Bureau as quickly as you can. I have other business." With that, she left on her own.

Zhang Ze watched the direction she disappeared in, muttering to himself. Instead of returning to the Bureau with Zhang Yue, he gave a quick excuse and hurried off to follow her. Zhang Yue watched them go, hesitated for a moment, but did not follow.

...

*Rumble!*

In the fields on the outskirts of Heyue City, several figures were locked in a chaotic clash. Every collision caused the surrounding space to tremble violently.

Two sixth-rank cultists—this was something Xu Ziqiang and his team hadn't expected. Despite keeping an eye on Zhu Wu for over half a year, the latter had still managed to spring a surprise on them. Lin Feng had brought Xie Xun and Qin Feng specifically to control Zhu Wu quickly, as the destructive power of a sixth-rank martial artist was simply too terrifying.

They had assumed that three sixth-rankers would easily handle Zhu Wu, but the sudden appearance of a second sixth-rank cultist had exceeded their plans. While three against two still held a significant advantage, they were worried that their battle would affect the innocent civilians nearby.

Xu Ziqiang and the others tightly surrounded Zhu Wu and the other cultist, fighting with everything they had from the start. Xu Ziqiang shouted to Xie Xun and Qin Feng, "We must not let these two escape! It is rare to see such powerful figures appear from the cult!"

"Don't worry—"

Before Xie Xun could finish, a graceful figure suddenly appeared, mocking them, "Three of you working together to deal with two rats, and you're still this slow? Truly pathetic!"

Despite her sharp tongue, Wu Di moved with incredible speed. She instantly intercepted Zhu Wu and shouted to Xu Ziqiang, "I’ll take him down; you go help the others!"