Martial Arts Longevity Begins with the Equipment Slot

Chapter 49: Interception of Secret Letters Changes the Tide of War

Twelve riders galloped from the end of the official road.

The horses they rode were all specially made "black hooves" by the City Guard.

Horseshoes encased in soft leather, galloping silently.

Only the white vapor exhaled from the horse's nostrils condensed like smoke in the cold air.

Duan Yufeng's handsome face trembled slightly from the bumpy ride.

He lightly pressed his right hand on the hilt of his sword, while his left hand tightly gripped a scroll of urgent news soaked in sweat.

"Faster!"

Duan Yufeng gave a low shout, lightly tapping the horse's belly with the heel of his boot.

The twelve riders accelerated simultaneously, and the silhouette of Luoya Ferry appeared in the moonlight.

"Rein in your horse!"

"hiss--!"

Twelve black horses stood upright at the same time, their iron hooves kicking wildly in the air.

The horses were trembling.

It wasn't because the mudflats were slippery, but because of the smell.

The smell of blood, the stench of decay, and the pungent odor of some kind of animal.

Duan Yufeng forcefully reined in the horse, his gaze passing over the horse's ears and landing on the highest point of the rocky beach.

There was a person standing there.

No, standing there is... a beast?

His body was hunched over, and he was covered in blood.

At his feet lay the black-robed corpse spread out like a tattered rag.

His chest was sunken, and his eyes were staring straight up at the sky.

"Xu...Xu Lingyan? The leader of the Cold Crow Cult!"

The young constable behind Duan Yufeng's voice trembled as the reins slipped from his hand.

No one answered.

Because the person standing there slowly raised their head.

As their eyes swept across the area, the twelve black hooves retreated simultaneously, their iron hooves scraping against the rocks with a harsh sound.

"The City Guard is handling matters; do not act rashly!"

Duan Yufeng shouted sternly.

He was the first to roll onto the ground, his boots sinking into the shallow water.

The constables dismounted one after another, and looked around at the scene, all of them dumbfounded.

On the rocky beach, there are seven ravines, each half a foot deep.

Like being torn apart by the claws of a giant beast, stretching from the heights to the waterline.

Three willow trees.

A tree was broken in half, the cut was jagged and uneven.

A tree with a human-shaped indentation remains, and Han Feilong's corpse is still stuck in it, his eyes wide open.

A tree was uprooted, its roots stretching towards the sky like countless withered arms.

Three wooden crates, two of which were open.

Iron scimitars and crossbows were scattered all over the ground.

"Brother Chen Yu?"

Duan Yufeng recognized Chen Yu.

His hand rested on the hilt of the sword at his waist, but he did not draw it.

Chen Yu straightened up and glanced at the twelve constables.

"Brother Duan, you used to work in the City Guard?"

"You killed Xu Lingyan?"

Duan Yufeng forced himself to keep his voice steady, his gaze falling on the black-robed corpse.

"You...aren't you at the Body Refinement Realm? How did you do that?"

Chen Yu smiled slightly, revealing his bloodstained teeth.

"have no idea."

"But Xu Lingyan is dead."

That's enough.

Suddenly, the black hooves simultaneously raised their forehooves and let out a sharp neigh.

The tide was rising, washing over the rocky beach, over the bloodstains, and over Xu Lingyan's corpse.

The black, oily water, like some kind of living thing, was engulfing the scene.

"Go and clean up the scene!"

Duan Yufeng gave the order.

The constables sprang into action and stopped approaching Chen Yu.

They wrapped Xu Lingyan's body in black cloth and laid it across the horse's back.

"Boss, what should we do with these weapons?"

"Drag it away with horses!"

Duan Yufeng gave the order.

The officers bound the three wooden chests together with chains and then fastened them to the saddles of the six strongest black hooves.

"Mount up! You guys head back to the city first, I still have things to do!"

Upon receiving the order, the officers quickly mounted their horses.

The black hooves made a crisp sound on the rocks and quickly ran away.

Duan Yufeng turned his head and looked at the figure still standing on the reef.

"Brother Chen, now that we're all alone, could you tell me the truth about what happened tonight?"

Chen Yu nodded and explained everything that needed to be said to Duan Yufeng.

This includes the weapons deal between Han Feilong and Xu Lingyan, the Iron Anchor Society's covert support for the Cold Crow Cult, and the Cold Crow Cult's plan to sacrifice living souls, among other things.

"I see."

Duan Yufeng seemed to be deep in thought.

"So, how exactly did you kill Xu Lingyan...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Yu interrupted him.

"Brother Duan, I'd like to ask about the strength of the Cold Crow Sect?"

Are you afraid they'll retaliate against you?

Duan Yufeng was experienced; in situations where someone was asked about his strength, it was either a matter of revenge or an attempt to avoid trouble.

"Brother Chen, there's no need to worry. In Sunset City, the Raven Crow Cult can't cause any trouble."

"A bunch of cowardly rats hiding in the shadows. If they dare to show themselves, our city guard will wipe them out immediately!"

"Just how strong is the Raven Cult? Brother Duan, do you have any intelligence on their higher-ups?"

Chen Yu continued to ask questions.

Having just fought Xu Lingyan, he knew that the Cold Crow Sect was not as simple as Duan Yufeng had said.

"The main altar of the Cold Crow Sect is in Yunzhou Prefecture, while this one in Sunset City is just a branch altar."

"The strongest among them is the sect leader, Lu Tianzhong, whose martial arts level is around the first level of internal energy."

"Secondly, there is the deputy altar master, Wen Chenyu, who has reached the level of mastering bone refining."

"Next are the six incense masters, whose strength ranges from the Flesh Refining Realm to the Bone Refining Realm."

"Xu Lingyan, whom you killed today, was a master of the initial stage of the Tendon Refining technique."

Chen Yu was a little confused.

Xu Lingyan's strength is quite terrifying, so why is he only at the beginner level of tendon refining?

Seemingly sensing his confusion, Duan Yufeng continued his story.

"In terms of martial arts skills, the Raven Crow Sect is not considered top-tier; in fact, it is relatively weak among the major forces in Sunset City."

"The Crow Cult is not known for its martial arts; they specialize in practicing a kind of blood sacrifice evil magic, gaining strange abilities by making offerings to evil gods."

"Therefore, the assessment of their strength should not only look at their martial arts level, but also take into account their actual combat record."

"As things stand, the Raven Cult's record isn't great so far, so Brother Chen doesn't need to worry too much."

"That's good."

After hearing Duan Yufeng's explanation, Chen Yu felt much more at ease.

"By the way, Brother Chen."

Duan Yufeng stared straight at Chen Yu, his tone somewhat hesitant.

"Well, my men just searched the bodies and found them to be very clean, with no items or clues found..."

"Did you... take some precautions beforehand, Brother Chen?"

Duan Yufeng's words were tactful, but the meaning was very clear.

He stared intently at Chen Yu, his eyes clearly saying, "Did you swallow everything?"

Chen Yu pretended not to know anything.

Duan Yufeng moved even closer.

"Brother Chen, this matter is of utmost importance. I can't explain myself without physical evidence! Help me this time, and I promise I will reward you handsomely!"

Chen Yu slapped his forehead, as if he had suddenly realized something.

"Oh, right, I was just about to show you this."

As he spoke, he took a parchment scroll out of his bundle.

"Brother Duan, this is what I found on Xu Lingyan. Take a look at what's written on it."

Duan Yufeng took the parchment scroll with suspicion and found that it was a letter written in the language of the grasslands.

The letter included a small piece of charred raven feather, and the handwriting was crooked and messy, seemingly written in sheep's blood on tattered parchment.

Duan Yufeng read aloud while Chen Yu listened.

To His Excellency Lu Tianzhong, Master of the Cold Crow Sect:

Agula Hachidun, leader of the Canglang tribe.

Since the last blood oath, I have sent envoys to infiltrate the border army and bribe the guards along the supply route with cattle, sheep, gold, and silver, as agreed.

Ten days later, when the north wind rises, I will lead 5,000 iron cavalry in a feigned attack on Guiyan City, drawing the main force of the border army out of the pass.

At that time, we hope your esteemed sect will use "crow poison" to pollute the water source and instigate an inside agent in the army to administer "soul-dispelling powder" during the banquet.

Once the border troops are weak and disoriented, our army can break through their camp and take the head of their commander.

After the deed was done, the grasslands west of Guiyan City were all given to Canglang, and the gold and silver looted from within the pass were sold to your religion to worship the "Crow God".

Also included is a poison recipe, which must be made from rotten bones and night raven blood. Do not let this secret be revealed.

This letter will be burned immediately after reading; a crow's feather serves as proof.

The 15th of the Autumn Moon in the Year of the Wolf

Handwritten by Agula Hachi of the Canglang Tribe