Chapter 62: Lacking a Display of Authority

It is said that Kong Donghua arrived at the outskirts of the Qingyun Valley at midnight; upon reaching the periphery, Kong Donghua did not recklessly enter but instead circled around several times, carefully observing the situation and also assessing the layout of the factory. Only after confirming that there were no Golden Core experts did he cautiously sneak in.

Inside the courtyard walls, the world was brightly lit, as bright as day. Colorful lanterns worth several taels, even over a dozen taels of gold in the market, were everywhere. Various animal-shaped lanterns, exquisitely dreamy shapes, endearing forms, fantastical flower designs, and even fairy-shaped lanterns were lined up one after another.

At first glance, it seemed as if he had arrived at a celestial palace.

Kong Donghua marveled for a long time before discovering a smelting factory filled with ore. The technology of stainless steel was what Kong Donghua cared about most.

Just as he approached, Kong Donghua spotted the patrolling Liu Leigang and his team. He immediately cast an illusion spell to conceal himself.

However, Kong Donghua forgot that the invisibility spell could not truly render him invisible; it was merely an illusion! A real spell that could achieve complete invisibility could only be performed by experts at the Transformation Stage.

Since it was an illusion, there were flaws; the light from behind illuminated a gap that the keen-eyed guards noticed.

Kong Donghua was preparing to wait for Liu Leigang and his team to pass when an inexplicable fear crept into his heart. He saw Liu Leigang and his 17 men holding strange iron rods aimed at him, with sparks flashing.

“I’ve been discovered!” In a panic, Kong Donghua didn’t even think and prepared to rise and eliminate them; a few Foundation Stage and several Qi Refining Stage opponents could be wiped out with just a few swords.

At that moment, Kong Donghua felt something hit him; then he heard the sounds of “bang, bang, bang.”

Not feeling any pain, Kong Donghua intended to continue attacking; unexpectedly, he suddenly felt weak all over.

“What’s going on?” Kong Donghua was startled and looked down to see a hole in his abdomen, blood flowing profusely; it seemed there was also a hole in his thigh.

Before Kong Donghua could react, he vaguely saw a flash of cold light, and the next moment, he saw another fist-sized hole appear in his chest, blood pouring out. Then, he heard the “bang, bang, bang” sound again.

It was that strange iron rod! Kong Donghua understood. Gritting his teeth, he abruptly gathered his Golden Core true energy to staunch the wound. A Golden Core expert was indeed formidable; bullets that could penetrate two centimeters of steel plate surprisingly did not cause a fatal injury.

Then, his top-tier magical sword flew out from behind Kong Donghua, gleaming coldly as it flew toward Liu Leigang and the others. Even though resources were scarce now and Golden Core experts could only use magical artifacts, a Golden Core expert was still a Golden Core expert, and a flying sword was no trivial matter.

“Flying sword? Golden Core?! Spread the net!” At Liu Leigang’s command, a large net woven from spiritual silk threads descended from above; the lightning-fast flying sword struck into the net. The material of this net was made from higher-grade spiritual silk threads obtained from trading with the sea tribe, perfectly restraining the flying sword.

Nearby, a guard immediately shouted, tightening the net. The poor flying sword darted left and right but could not break free, finally becoming ensnared.

Kong Donghua was immediately stunned. The most excellent attack method of a Golden Core expert had failed like this? It had failed!

Bang, bang, bang…

Another round of gunfire erupted. At this moment, Kong Donghua could hardly evade the fierce bullets, and several blood blossoms appeared on his body. After being hit eight or nine times in succession, he lost a significant amount of blood; the areas like his chest’s Shan Zhong point and Dantian were even shot by the sniper rifle, causing his true energy to nearly collapse and almost shattering his Golden Core.

It was then that the pain from the gunshots surged to the forefront of his mind. Kong Donghua let out a tragic cry and fell backward.

“Tsk, tsk, Golden Core experts are indeed formidable; just from the sniper rifle, he took three shots, and it made such a loud noise.” Liu Leigang mocked as he stood by without approaching. Only after seeing the other party’s voice gradually fade away to silence did he step forward and bind him with the woven spiritual silk.

Then, the old soldier Liu Leigang committed a very cruel act by actually severing the tendons in the arms and legs of this Golden Core expert.

After a while, Li Xian, Xu Ren, and others gathered again, looking at the now-awakened Golden Core expert.

“Truly powerful!” As he looked at the Golden Core expert who still hadn’t died despite all this, Li Xian couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat. Having endured eight gunshots, including three powerful sniper bullets, this Golden Core expert was merely severely injured.

Taking advantage of the moment, Xu Ren advised, “Young master, industry is good, but cultivation is fundamental.”

“Alright, sir, I understand. This person will be left to you for interrogation. Furthermore, all guards tonight will be rewarded with 500 taels of gold.”

Xu Ren slowly squatted down beside Kong Donghua and observed for a long time before speaking, “Your injuries are severe but not fatal. For a Golden Core expert, as long as the limbs are intact, broken bones and tendons can still recover. 

How about it? Do you want to live? Golden Core experts have a lifespan of 500 years.”

“Hmph!” Kong Donghua let out a cold snort, though he was already softening a bit.

Xu Ren remained unhurried, “What? Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?”

Kong Donghua’s voice was somewhat weak: “You’d better let me go, or you’ll suffer severe consequences.”

“Let you go?” Xu Ren shook his head, “That depends on whether you cooperate. You might as well introduce yourself first; otherwise, I really don’t mind using torture. For example…”

Xu Ren’s expression suddenly turned cold: “For example, crippling your Golden Core and destroying your meridians!”

Kong Donghua’s expression changed drastically.

“Say it again, introduce yourself.”

“Yuan Jijiang, a general of the Yuan family.”

Xu Ren sneered, “It seems you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin.”

As he spoke, Xu Ren pulled out a somewhat rough pistol from his body and shot Kong Donghua in the shoulder. “Speak!”

“Yun Jijiang!”

Xu Ren coldly stood up, “Liu Leigang, what do you think we should do?”

Liu Leigang let out a strange laugh, “Broken bones and tendons can recover, but if we cut off your hands and feet, there’s no way to recover from that.”

Kong Donghua finally witnessed the ruthlessness of these bastards and softened. “Kong Donghua, a member of the Kong family from Nanyang County.”

Xu Ren smiled, “If you had said that earlier, it would have been easier. Look, after suffering a bit, you’re still going to talk.”

Kong Donghua was filled with rage: “Hurry up and let me go, or the Kong family won’t let this go easily.”

“Let you go?” Xu Ren chuckled, “Sorry, I don’t recall ever promising to let you leave. I only asked if you want to live; that’s all. Someone, kill him!”

“You… the Kong family won’t spare you!” Kong Donghua was genuinely terrified. As a Golden Core expert with over four hundred years of lifespan, he still wanted to break through to the Nascent Soul stage!

Xu Ren turned to Li Xian.

Li Xian smiled slightly, his voice a bit cold: “You’ve already been bullied to this extent, and you still wish for forgiveness from others? That would be truly asking for trouble! Coincidentally, we’re in need of a target to establish our authority.

Kill him and hang the corpse. Remember, destroy the Golden Core, ruin the meridians, and annihilate the soul!

Also, remove the bullets and mimic the wounds of a siege crossbow to cover up the gunshot wounds.

By the way, announce a message: tomorrow afternoon, we will hold a bidding for agents.”

“Li Xian, may you die a miserable death! You executioner! The Kong family won’t let the Li family off!” Kong Donghua exclaimed in anger, but was grabbed by Liu Leigang by the neck and dragged away.

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