Inner City Streets.
Xu Yunfeng stopped the carriage, holding a long sword.
His gaze was focused as he looked ahead, his tone steady.
"I am Xu Yunfeng, a constable of the yamen, acting under the orders of Chief Constable Cao Bin to search for a fugitive! Please dismount and submit to inspection!"
Inside the carriage, Cheng Ran was the first to react upon hearing this.
He pressed Jiang Ning's shoulder and then swept aside the carriage curtain, stepping out.
"Xu Yunfeng, have you lost your mind?" Cheng Ran said. "A mere constable dares to stop my carriage?"
Xu Yunfeng's eyes remained fixed on the carriage as if he could see through the thick curtain and the carriage itself.
Then, his gaze shifted to Cheng Ran.
"So it's Young Master Cheng!"
"You know it's me, yet you still dare to stop me?"
Xu Yunfeng gave a slight bow. "My apologies, but I am carrying out official duties. Acting under Chief Constable Cao Bin's orders to search for a fugitive, for the safety of all the citizens of Luoshui County, I must fulfill my duty."
"I suspect that Young Master Cheng's carriage is harboring a fugitive."
"Please, Young Master Cheng, cooperate and allow me to inspect it."
Cheng Ran's face flushed with anger. "A mere constable like you dares to oppose me? If Cao Bin were here, it might be a different story!"
As he spoke, Cheng Ran slowly put on a pair of black gloves.
Seeing Cheng Ran's actions, Xu Yunfeng smiled.
"Young Master Cheng, it's true that you've reached the peak of vital energy and are on the verge of entering the martial ranks. But please recognize your limits and don't step forward."
As he spoke, Xu Yunfeng took a step forward, his long sword trembling slightly in his hand.
His vital energy surged through his body, and the sword in his hand emitted a faint hum.
At this moment, a voice came from inside the carriage.
"Martial rank achieved! He's a skilled fighter!"
"Young Master, step back. You're no match for him."
As the voice fell, Old Zheng swept aside the curtain and appeared beside Cheng Ran.
Cheng Ran, hearing Old Zheng's words, looked at Xu Yunfeng with a grave expression.
Martial rank achieved!
These four words sent shockwaves through his heart.
Although there was only a thin line between achieving the martial rank and not, the difference in strength might not seem significant.
Having skin as tough as cowhide didn't bring a qualitative change in strength, and an increase of one or two layers of vital energy or an extra hundred pounds of force wasn't an insurmountable gap.
But when combined, the improvement in strength was substantial.
Against someone who had achieved the martial rank, even if one had reached the peak of vital energy, the odds of winning in a life-or-death fight were less than one in ten.
At this moment, Jiang Ning also heard Old Zheng's assessment.
Martial rank achieved. This Xu Yunfeng was indeed no ordinary opponent.
Then, he clenched his fist, and his vital energy surged through one arm. The other arm was nearly fully connected, on the verge of achieving full connectivity in both arms.
At the same time, a powerful force flowed through his body.
Under the guidance of this force, his vital energy surged like a volcano about to erupt.
"My single arm has about 350 pounds of force. With the enhancement from the Firewood Chopping Sword Technique and the explosive power of the Ninefold Force, if I catch him off guard, I should be able to kill Xu Yunfeng with a single strike, right?"
He recalled the power of the strike he had unleashed during the day.
He thought to himself, "I should be able to, right? After all, achieving the initial martial rank hasn't brought a qualitative change yet. He's still just flesh and blood."
He tightened his grip on the long sword, feeling a sense of security with the weapon in hand.
Meanwhile, Xu Yunfeng, seeing Old Zheng's appearance, narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on the sword, his veins bulging.
Under the bright moonlight, Old Zheng, who had just stepped out of the carriage, noticed this.
He placed his hand on Cheng Ran's shoulder and exerted a slight force.
Instantly, Cheng Ran felt as if a mountain were pressing down on him.
"Old Zheng!" Cheng Ran turned his head.
Xu Yunfeng spoke at this moment. "Old Zheng, I respect your loyalty and righteousness and have no desire to clash with you. You may take your young master and leave. I will not stop you."
"No!" Cheng Ran said to the old man beside him. "Old Zheng, since I brought Junior Brother Jiang out, I must ensure he returns safely."
At this moment, Old Zheng did not speak but instead focused his gaze on Xu Yunfeng.
Seeing this, Xu Yunfeng sneered. "Old Zheng, it's been years since that battle. At your age, how much of your peak strength do you think you can still maintain? You know better than I do."
"I must take Jiang Ning, who is hiding in the carriage. This is the task Chief Cao has given me. Even if it costs me my life, I must complete it."
"You're only repaying a debt to the Cheng family. Is it worth risking your life for an outsider?"
Hearing Xu Yunfeng's words, Old Zheng's expression darkened.
"Old Zheng!!!" Cheng Ran called out again.
Huff
Old Zheng slowly exhaled, seemingly having made a decision.
The force on Cheng Ran's shoulder increased, his fingers like eagle claws, firmly gripping Cheng Ran's collarbone.
The carriage sank slightly, and the horse pulling it let out a long whinny that echoed through several streets in the inner city.
Old Zheng's voice whispered in Cheng Ran's ear, "Young Master, I'm sorry! The old fear the young! If it were a couple of years ago, I would have helped you without hesitation. But these past two years, my physical condition has been declining."
Although Old Zheng spoke softly, Jiang Ning was less than two feet away from them.
At such a close distance, how could he not hear?
"Indeed, in the end, one can only rely on oneself!"
Jiang Ning chuckled to himself.
Then, he tightened his grip on the long sword and stood up.
He thought to himself again, "My single arm has about 350 pounds of force. My Five Animals Fist is at the proficient level, and my speed is no weaker than Cheng Ran's. My agility surpasses Cheng Ran's, and my footwork is almost at the micro level. In terms of skill, even someone who has achieved the martial rank might not match me."
"Now, with the Firewood Chopping Sword Technique broken through, my explosive power is 80-90% higher than an ordinary person's, and my sword speed is also 80-90% faster."
"Even with the risk of tearing my muscles from using the Ninefold Force, I should be able to deliver three strikes at my limit. I refuse to believe that three strikes won't be enough to kill Xu Yunfeng!!"
Thinking this, and recalling how Xu Yunfeng had repeatedly acted as if he had Jiang Ning at his mercy, a surge of anger rose in Jiang Ning's heart.
"This is so frustrating!"
"Today, I'll kill him!!"
"I refuse to believe that with such a feat, my master won't protect me!"
He lifted the carriage curtain and stepped out.
At this moment, Old Zheng, seeing Jiang Ning step out of the carriage, couldn't help but show a look of surprise.
"This kid has killing intent! Does he think he can kill a constable who has already achieved the martial rank?"
On the other side, Xu Yunfeng also saw Jiang Ning step out of the carriage. He couldn't help but smile.
If he could take Jiang Ning back today, it would count as merit in Chief Cao's eyes.
Yesterday, after discussing with Chief Cao, he immediately took action.
All the evidence had been fabricated today, and Jiang Li had been framed as colluding with a heretical cult!
The failed operation half a month ago, according to the fabricated evidence, was due to Jiang Li leaking information.
Today, he could conveniently take Jiang Ning away. With Jiang Ning in hand, he could force Jiang Li to confess more quickly, bringing the matter to a swift conclusion.
If he captured Jiang Ning tonight, he could arrest Jiang Li's entire family tomorrow.
Moreover, capturing Jiang Ning on the road was much simpler than trying to take him from the Canglang Martial Arts School!
In Xu Yunfeng's view, if he could take Jiang Ning away tonight, it would be of great merit.
He would gain more favor from Cao Bin and the Cao family.
This was why, even with Old Zheng, a ninth-rank martial artist, standing in his way, he was determined to take Jiang Ning.
By accomplishing this, he would earn Cao Bin's approval and gain the qualification to join the Inspection Bureau.
This was Xu Yunfeng's true goal.
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