Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

  Although it was three in the morning, the lights were bright at the Lingzhou City Martial Arts Department (MAD).

  Duan Tianhe himself was sitting in his office with a somber look on his face.

  Outside, Cheng Dongfeng was yawning as he entered.

  He strode in casually, sat on the sofa opposite Duan Tianhe’s desk and complained, “Old Duan, what are you thinking? What time is it? I fell asleep just a moment ago.”


  Duan Tianhe merely smiled in return. “Old Cheng, how’s your cultivation? Is it stable now?”


  Then, as he saw Cheng Dongfeng nod, his voice turned serious. “I’ve just received news of a major explosion over at the Ningdong Mines. Witness has seen a towering pillar of flames that rises into the air even from dozens of miles away.”


  “Oh?”


  Cheng Dongfeng’s gaze changed and he promptly lost all drowsiness. “Has the cause been determined? Could something had triggered a gas explosion in a mine?”


  “Not likely.”


  Duan Tianhe said, rising to his feet. “Sure, it could be a gas explosion if it occurred inside a mine. But according to the feedback from the areas nearby Ningdong Mines, there had been a total of nine explosions, meaning that at least nine detonations occurred.”


  “Moreover, the ninth explosion was so frightening in magnitude that witnesses could see the fire and light rushing over the horizon.”


  “Could it be a military operation?”


  “I’ve already contacted them. The Ningdong Mines is still a no man’s land and had been categorized as a wildland. Why would there be any operation in an area without a garrison?”


  Duan Tianhe suddenly rose to his feet and bowed towards Cheng Dongfeng with utmost respect. “Master Cheng, I hope you could take a trip to Ningdong Mines to determine the situation.”


  Cheng Dongfeng walked up, helped Duan Tianhe up and smiled, “What are you doing, Old Duan?”


  That was when Duan Tianhe caught both of Cheng Dongfeng’s upper arms and said seriously, “I should be seeing to this personally, but you know how things are at Lingzhou City, and I really have a hard time leaving recently.”


  “Moreover, there is a good chance the Tranquil Heavenly General and the Earth Demon Heavenly General are hiding near the Ningdong Mines. I suspect the explosions have something to do with them, and having you go is to send you into danger.”


  Duan Tianhe’s tone changed and he chuckled bitterly, “But the mines are just around sixty kilometers away from Lingzhou City. I’m uncomfortable if the incident was not investigated.”


  “Moreover……”


  Pausing for a moment, Duan Tianhe added, “You have received personal instruction by Master Dong in your posture—the Wandering Dragon of the Eight Trigrams. I would never be a match for you in that respect, and there is a higher chance you would survive if you went.”


  Cheng Dongfeng laughed out loud at that, and was rather smug.

  What was more—that last part was really music to his ears.

  Of course, he knew how serious this matter was. If the Sky Demon Cult was really up to something big over at the Ningdong Mines, and the MAD did not investigate the truth, how could they be stopped when they attacked in the future?

  Given the cult’s usual style, there would be countless dead when that happened.

  “Master Cheng, please!”


  With a flick of his wrist, Duan Tianhe took out a paper box.

  It must have been a shoebox and had nothing really special about it, aside from what was placed inside: ten bottles of qi pellets.

  He pushed the paper box towards Duan Tianhe.

  Cheng Dongfeng glared and barked angrily, “Who do you take me for, Duan Tianhe?”


  Then……

  He held the paper box tightly in his arms, pointing a finger at Duan Tianhe’s nose as he cursed, “I’m a gentleman who loves fortune, and it is reasonable that I take this. Also, I’m going to Ningdong for the sake of Lingzhou City, and not for wretches of the likes of you.”


  Duan Tianhe smiled but said nothing.

  He understood Cheng Dongfeng’s behavior best, and that he would definitely go to Ningdong to check out what had happened. In fact, Duan Tianhe only offered those ten boxes of qi pellets because he felt a little guilty…… after all, the incident was an unknown!

  There was a chance of death for anyone going there!

  Meanwhile, Cheng Dongfeng had already turned and was heading outside. “I’m getting a weapon. Dispatch a car for my ride, Old Duan—running over sixty kilometers would take a toll on my stamina.”


  “Alright!”


  Duan Tianhe replied, and followed Cheng Dongfeng out of the office, smiling, “Be careful, Old Cheng.”


  “Don’t worry.”


  Cheng Dongfeng laughed. “You’ve even said that I’m stronger than you in postures. I would definitely return alive.”


  That was when Duan Tianhe’s mobile phone rang.

  Jiang He’s voice spoke from the other end. “Were you sleeping, Chief Duan?”


  Cheng Dongfeng, who was standing just outside the elevator paused too.

  Jiang He?

  As a grandmaster and possessing sharp hearing, Cheng Dongfeng could hear Jiang He’s voice even if Duan Tianhe did not put him on loudspeaker.

  Meanwhile, after being at a loss for words for a moment, Duan Tianhe answered impatiently, “Could I answer you call if I was asleep?”


  “Yo?”


  Jiang He was promptly displeased. “You’re throwing your temper around too?”


  “Sir Jiang!”


  Duan Tianhe exclaimed between laughter and tears. “Sir Jiang He, is addressing you like this enough? Just say what you need to say—there’s a situation over at Ningdong Mines and the MAD is in a mess right now. I’m hanging up if there’s nothing important.”


  ***

  Meanwhile, over at the Ningdong Mines.

  Jiang He, who was sitting cross-legged beside the Tranquil Heavenly General’s corpse was caught by surprised, and exclaimed, “A situation at Ningdong Mines?” What happened? Surely it’s nothing important? Isn’t everything just fine here right now?”


  “I don’t know the specifics……”


  Duan Tianhe said, without withholding the truth. “There’s been explosions over at the Ningdong Mines, and I suspect it was the Sky Demon Cult’s doing……”


  But before he finished, Duan Tianhe suddenly noticed it.

  What did Jiang He mean just now?

  He was talking as if he was at the Ningdong Mines……

  “Oh, that?”


  Jiang He chuckled then. “It’s just fine. I was bored and couldn’t sleep, and remembered then that the Tranquil Heavenly General and the Earth Demon Heavenly General were hiding at the Ningdong Mines. I was worried that they would ambush me, so I came here looking for them…… I did accidentally start some fireworks; I’m sorry if I startled you guys.”


  “What?”


  Duan Tianhe quivered just then, his voice lifting by several decibels. He must be hearing things!

  You were bored and couldn’t sleep, and worried that they would ambush you……

  So, a rank-five advanced like you ran off, looking trouble with two Heavenly Generals?

  Outside the elevator, Cheng Dongfeng’s expression changed slightly too.

  Meanwhile, over at the other end of the call, Jiang He continued, “Well, the thing is, Chief Duan…… I called to ask this: how many merit points do I earn for slaying Heavenly Generals?”


  “Considering that they died quite horribly, it’s a little disgusting carrying their corpses back. Should I send you a few photos as proof?”


  Duan Tianhe: “.……”


  “Chief Duan?

  “Chief Duan…… are you listening?

  “Damn it, why is there no voice?”


  Beep-beep-beep-beep!!!

  Jiang He hung up then.

  ***

  Back at the corridor in the MAD, the silence was heavy.

  Duan Tianhe was silent for over a dozen seconds before abruptly looking up at Cheng Dongfeng.

  Cheng Dongfeng himself recovered from his shock too.

  He kept a vice grip over the paper box in his hand, mumbling, “What?”


  “Why are you looking at me like that for?”


  “Fine, I’ll go to the Ningdong Mines. Don’t think about taking back my qi pellets!”