Meanwhile, Qin Feiyang and the others also silently departed Yan City, entered a jungle, and stopped by a river. The river was over a dozen meters wide, its currents swift and strong. On both banks stretched a boundless jungle, home to powerful beasts. However, the moment they sensed the Lion Headed Hawk's aura, they fled in panic. Even the Water Beasts lurking in the river retreated far away.

Yan Nanshan glanced around. "Qin Feiyang, what's the next step in our plan?"

"Lure Zuo An out!" Qin Feiyang's eyes glinted sharply. Zuo An's strength was too great; a single killing blow was certainly impossible. If they were to fight within the city, many innocent people would inevitably suffer. Therefore, they had to deceive him and draw him out of the city first.

But suddenly, Qin Feiyang's eyebrow twitched. He turned to Ma Cheng and said, "Senior, do you remember what happened at Black Bear Mountain? I don't want history to repeat itself."

Bringing up the old incident made Ma Cheng visibly uncomfortable.

Qin Feiyang continued, "Let me be clear upfront: if Zuo An escapes later because someone interferes, I will ensure my sister immediately informs the state office. At that time, you will bear the consequences!"

"I agree," Yan Nanshan was the first to nod. If Ma Cheng hadn't interfered at Black Bear Mountain last time, Zuo An wouldn't have escaped, and none of today's troubles would have occurred. Ultimately, it was Ma Cheng's fault.

Yan King stated, "I also agree. We must eliminate Zuo An tonight. Otherwise, the situation will worsen, and the punishment we face will be even greater."

Ma Cheng raised his eyebrows and nodded. "I will do my best to cooperate."

"Alright then," Qin Feiyang said. "You three step aside for now."

The three of them retreated as instructed.

"Luring Zuo An out won't be easy, I'm afraid," Yan Nanshan said, slightly worried.

Qin Feiyang retrieved an Image Crystal Stone, channeled True Qi into it, and quickly activated it. Soon, the phantom image of Chief Li materialized.

"How is the cleanup operation progressing?" Chief Li asked.

Qin Feiyang replied, "All of Zuo An's support has been cut off; only a few minor underlings remain. The Hall Master, the others, and I are now outside the city, preparing to deliver the final blow to Zuo An."

Chief Li frowned. "Then how do you plan to lure Zuo An out?"

Qin Feiyang smiled. "That will depend on your abilities."

"Me?" Chief Li was taken aback.

"I cannot show my face," Qin Feiyang said. "This crucial task can only be accomplished by you."

"Alright, I'll do my best," Chief Li nodded, feeling somewhat helpless.

"However, I can offer you an idea," Qin Feiyang added.

"What idea?" Chief Li asked.

"Tell him this..." Qin Feiyang briefly explained.

Chief Li deactivated the Image Crystal Stone, his brow furrowed. He muttered, "Will this even work? But for now, it's like trying to revive a dead horse as if it were alive—a desperate measure. I can only hope for success!" He took several deep breaths and hurried towards the underground secret chamber.

Soon, he arrived at the entrance of the secret chamber. Composing himself, he called out loudly, "Pavilion Master, I have urgent business with you! Please come out quickly!"

BOOM!

The stone door rumbled open. Zuo An strode out, eyed Chief Li suspiciously, and frowned. "What's so urgent?"

Chief Li said, "Yan King, Ma Cheng, and Yan Nanshan have asked to see you to discuss something."

"They want to see me?" Zuo An frowned. "Where are they?"

"Outside the city," Chief Li replied.

Zuo An was growing suspicious. It seemed he should ask Jia Hei and his men first. "Why would they go outside the city?"

Chief Li explained, "They've discovered a very strange place outside the city and want you to take a look. They also repeatedly warned me not to disclose this to any third party."

"A strange place?" Zuo An was startled.

Chief Li added, "According to Yan King and the others, it might be an ancient historical site."

"An ancient historical site!" Zuo An's body trembled. Places referred to as ancient historical sites often concealed peerless treasures!

Chief Li urged, "Pavilion Master, they're already waiting. We're just missing you. I'll take you there right now." He knew that the ever-cautious Zuo An would definitely want to verify this with Jia Hei and the others first. Therefore, he couldn't give Zuo An that chance! Otherwise, the plan would be exposed.

A glint flashed in Zuo An's eyes. He said to Chief Li, "Wait for me a moment."

Chief Li frowned. "Pavilion Master, you're usually so decisive. Why are you dragging your feet today?"

Zuo An snapped, "Just wait when I tell you to! Why all the nonsense?"

Chief Li's heart sank. Was their plan really going to be exposed?

Seeing Zuo An enter the secret chamber and about to close the stone door, Chief Li suddenly had an idea. He grabbed the stone door and said anxiously, "Pavilion Master, it's not that I'm talking nonsense! It's because at that place... there's a wolf's paw print!"

"A wolf's paw?" Zuo An paused, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"'Yan Nanshan said that the wolf paw print was left by the wolf accompanying Qin Feiyang, which means Qin Feiyang and the Wolf King have been there before,' Chief Li began, his voice then taking on a tone of feigned solemn excitement. 'It's very likely they obtained the Elixir Formula for the Potential Elixir there! And Pavilion Master, you surely know the value of the Potential Elixir!'"

Hearing this, Zuo An also grew excited. But then, he calmed down and questioned, "How can a mere wolf's paw print prove it was left by that specific wolf?"

Chief Li was burning with anxiety. Zuo An's vigilance far exceeded his expectations. He was at his wit's end. If he failed now, not only would the extermination plan be ruined, but Zuo An would undoubtedly kill him. Under no circumstances could he allow Zuo An to contact Jia Hei and the others!

「At the same time!」

Qin Feiyang stood by the river, his brows tightly furrowed. Why aren't they here yet? The Treasure Pavilion is in the West City district, not far from here at all. Given Zuo An's and Chief Li's speed, they should have arrived within moments. Could something have gone wrong?

Qin Feiyang's gaze flickered, and he took out the Image Crystal Stone again.

This won't do! Chief Li should be with Zuo An right now. If I send a message to Chief Li, my identity will be revealed!

He quickly turned his head and said to Yan King and the other two, "I'm worried Chief Li might be in trouble. You should contact him immediately."

Yan Nanshan promptly retrieved an Image Crystal Stone from his Qiankun Bag.

「Outside the secret room's stone door!」

Zuo An looked at Chief Li with suspicion. Beads of sweat were faintly visible on Chief Li's forehead.

BUZZ!

Just then, the Image Crystal Stone in his robes began to vibrate.

Could it be Qin Feiyang? Please, don't let it be that brat... Chief Li's heart trembled. Steeling himself, he took it out, and as his Battle Intent flowed into it, three phantom images quickly materialized.

It wasn't Qin Feiyang. It was Yan Nanshan, Yan King, and Ma Cheng! Chief Li inwardly sighed with relief.

Yan King said angrily, "Jiang Zhengyi, what in the world are you doing? Why are you still at the Treasure Pavilion?"

Yan Nanshan added, "It seems to me that ever since you returned from Pan County, you've become a different person."

Zuo An's heart chilled. He forced a smile and said, "My apologies, something delayed me. I'll head over immediately."

Ma Cheng said impatiently, "Hurry up! I, Yan Nanshan, and Yan King all suspect it's definitely an ancient historical site."

Zuo An nodded. "Alright, I'll come find you now."

"If you're not here within five breaths, we'll come looking for you at the Treasure Pavilion," Yan Nanshan said unhappily before deactivating the Image Crystal Stone.

He doesn't seem to be lying. Zuo An mused for a moment, then smiled at Chief Li and said, "Let's go. If we keep them waiting any longer, they might actually get angry."

Chief Li muttered, "Their timing was impeccable." If Yan Nanshan and the others hadn't messaged them so suddenly, he truly wouldn't have known what to do.

WHOOSH!!

The two of them transformed into streaks of light, soaring side by side towards the city's outskirts.

「At the riverside!」

Qin Feiyang gave Yan Nanshan and the other two a thumbs-up. They were all natural-born actors! He seemed to recall something and said, "Master, Seniors, this disciple has a question."

"Jiang Zhengyi is dead, so his Image Crystal Stone should be useless. And you all had established a contract bridge with Jiang Zhengyi. This is a very obvious flaw. How did you not realize back then that this 'Jiang Zhengyi' was Zuo An in disguise?" He looked at the three of them skeptically.

"Of course, we were aware of that," the three replied. "We all questioned him about it at the time. He claimed he had accidentally destroyed his Image Crystal Stone en route. Jia Hei and the others were also there to provide false testimony, so naturally, we didn't suspect him."

Qin Feiyang finally understood.

It all happened in an instant! Two powerful auras surged from the direction of Yan City.

"I'll hide first. You three act according to the situation," Qin Feiyang said before entering the ancient castle.

Having listened for so long, Lo Qianxue had pieced together most of what was happening. An unshakeable sadness was etched on her face. The killing intent in Qin Feiyang's heart intensified.

「Outside!」

Yan King soared into the sky, his Battle Intent flaring, illuminating the surroundings. Zuo An and Chief Li spotted him immediately. The two landed before Yan King with lightning speed.

Chief Li promptly asked, "Yan King, where is the ancient historical site?"

"Let's go down and talk," Yan King said, leading the two to land before Yan Nanshan and Ma Cheng.

Zuo An scanned the surroundings and asked, puzzled, "Why is it only the three of you? Where are Jia Hei and the others?"

Ma Cheng replied, "We haven't notified them yet. Once we confirm things, we'll call them for assistance. Chief Li, you should head back first as well!" Chief Li staying here would be of no help.

Chief Li hesitated. "Well, I'd like to see it too."

Zuo An smiled and said, "Go back for now. This Pavilion Master will inform you if there's any news."

"Alright then!" Chief Li nodded, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, then turned and sped away through the air.

"Where exactly is this ancient historical site?" Zuo An retracted his gaze and asked, looking at Yan Nanshan and the other two.

Yan Nanshan cautiously scanned the area, walked up to Zuo An, and whispered, "The ancient historical site is right..."

As Yan Nanshan spoke, Ma Cheng and Yan King also took a step closer, subtly surrounding Zuo An in the center. The distance between the four of them was now less than half a meter.

Seeing the moment was ripe, Yan Nanshan's words abruptly ceased!

The three powerhouses struck simultaneously, unleashing their full power in a palm strike against Zuo An. Killing intent, Battle Intent, and the terrifying might of a War Emperor erupted at that instant!

It was too fast! The distance was too close! Even the cunning and slippery Zuo An couldn't evade the surprise attack from the three of them!

BOOM!

Instantly, he coughed up a violent spray of blood. His skin was split and flesh torn, bones were broken, and in a flash, he resembled a man made of blood!

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