Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 23 Mid-Journey Ambush, Martial Arts Master is Inhuman

The main hall of the Tong family compound.

The air seemed to freeze, and the atmosphere was terrifyingly oppressive.

The Tong father and son had gloomy faces and were breathing heavily, clearly in a fit of anger.

Chen Ji and Lao Xu, the two beast hunters, each took their seats, but their eyes were fixed on their noses, their expressions subtle.

“Sir, some villagers said they saw the two families leaving in a cart a couple of days ago.”

At this moment, Cheng Er rushed over, his expression grim:
"They're heading towards the county..."

The Tong family wielded immense power in Baishui Village, and a thorough investigation revealed the movements of Liu Sheng and his associates.

"They went to the city a couple of days ago? A bunch of peasants, where would they get the money to settle down in the city..."

Tong Li (Master Tong) was stunned upon hearing this, his face turning as black as an iron pot:

"Master Cheng's money..."

"Father, let's report it to the authorities."

At this moment, Tong Hao, who was sitting to his left, opened his folding fan, a mocking expression on his face:

"A country bumpkin, ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, dares to hide in the city."

"Once the authorities file a case, even if they hide in the ground, I will find them."

Tong Hao was in his early twenties, of medium height, with a fair complexion, no beard, and delicate features. He wore a plain white round-neck shirt and hexagonal boots, giving him a somewhat noble air.

Because of his merit in presenting the baby tiger, he is now a favorite of Young Master Zheng and has some influence over the six departments and three shifts of yamen runners in the county government.

Dealing with a few country folk is a piece of cake.
Looking at his tall, composed son, who seemed like a wealthy young master…

Tong Lifeng's face showed a look of relief. He hesitated for a moment and then said tentatively:
"Won't this... displease Young Master Zheng? After all, you've only just established yourself in his presence..."

Don't like it?

At most, the dry road will be breached one more time.

Tong Hao subconsciously clenched his buttocks, then shook his head:
"Don't worry, Young Master Zheng is kind and considerate to his subordinates, and besides, our Tong family is in the right..."

"But we are only speculating and have no concrete evidence. Based on the smell of the eggplant alone, it is probably not enough to convict him."

Tong Li glanced at Lao Xu. All of these guesses were based on Lao Xu's treasure-hunting snake.

Previously, the guards and servants had searched the Liu and Zhao families thoroughly, but they couldn't find any evidence.

"What kind of evidence does the government need to adjudicate a case?"

Tong Hao chuckled and shook his fan, thinking that his own father was a bit old-fashioned.

Sure enough, living in the countryside for too long makes you not only unsophisticated, but also stupid.

"Once you enter the yamen, whether you are guilty or not is up to the judge. Under the three pillars, even an iron man would have to speak up. What can't you ask for?"

Even if we take a step back and assume that both families... truly refuse to yield to the death, we can simply kill them, pay them some money, and report it as a 'sudden death' to wipe the slate clean.

After Tong Hao finished speaking, he closed his fan, glanced at the dumbfounded Chen and Xu, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

He did this intentionally to intimidate Chen and Xu, so that they would do their best to help the Tong family eliminate the tiger threat.

My son has made something of himself!
Taking that risky gamble of stealing the baby tiger and presenting it to Young Master Zheng was definitely the right thing to do!
Tong Li regained his senses, and a smile like that of Maitreya Buddha returned to his face:
"So, Father doesn't have to do anything?"

"Young Master Zheng is already aware of the tiger's calamity; it must be handled flawlessly."

Tong Hao bowed to Chen Ji and Lao Xu, and they exchanged greetings.

"I would like to trouble you two masters to discuss a plan with my father. Once that tiger demon is eliminated, the Tong family will surely reward us handsomely."

Chen and Xu both said they dared not, and patted their chests to guarantee that they would quell the tiger calamity within three days.

“Father, gentlemen, I will go to the county to report to the authorities.”

Tong Hao said something and then left the main hall, heading straight for the stables.

Behind him came Chen Ji's flattering voices, such as "a prodigy in the Tong family," "the wealthy man has done a good job educating his son," and "he will surely become a pillar of the nation in the future."

He paused for a moment, then quickened his pace again, his eyes filled with smugness. Even his newly healed anus was no longer so painful.

Above his head, a bluebird looked down, its gaze icy, its tail feathers like knives…

He didn't notice anything.

A moment later, Tong Hao spurred his horse and left home, galloping along the mountain road.

Baishui Village is located more than ten miles west of the county seat, requiring one to cross a small hill.

It was summer, and the roadside was lush with vegetation and shrubs, filled with the sounds of insects and birds.

After noon, the sun was blazing, and there were no pedestrians for miles around.

Riding on his yellow horse, Tong Hao was in high spirits, feeling as if the scenery on both sides was rushing past.

This precious horse, bestowed upon him by Young Master Zheng, is said to have the blood of a spirit, making it an extraordinary breed among horses, capable of fighting tigers and leopards and traveling a thousand miles a day.

He didn't care about the Liu and Zhao families. For country bumpkins, facing the crushing power of authority, there was no other possibility than being reduced to blood and flesh.

However… if I can seize this opportunity to handle things well and demonstrate my abilities to Young Master Zheng…

Perhaps then I could become his confidant, rather than... a toy.

"Chirp~ Chirp~"

As he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard birdsong...

The first one was still far away, and the next one was almost touching the back of my neck!

The sharp airflow swept across his skin like needles, making his hairs stand on end.

"not good!"

In a flash, Tong Hao swiftly ducked and tumbled off his horse, avoiding the sneak attack from behind...

It was just a hair's breadth off!

"puff-!"

The next moment, a streak of green light flashed past from the horse's back, incredibly fast.

The yellow horse neighed in fright and charged forward with all its might, but its head suddenly flew off...

The horse continued to gallop for over a hundred feet before collapsing to the ground with a thud, blood gushing out like a fountain.

"Damn it!"

Amidst the mud and dust, Tong Hao rolled over and stood up, looking at the dismembered yellow horse with a mixture of shock and anger.

And the murderer…

It was in mid-air, stumbling and falling, as if drunk, flying towards the dense forest beside it.

"...The Bladetail Bluebird is just an unusual species. It can easily deal with ordinary beasts, or common wood and stone, cutting melons and vegetables."

Dealing with strange beasts is rather difficult. As for spirits and monsters, they're just easy prey...

Liu Sheng felt dizzy and disoriented, seeing stars before his eyes.

That yellow horse was a rare breed, with thick, tough skin, like it was wearing iron armor; its tail feathers were almost cut through...

The force of the rebound almost shattered his head.

It felt so much like a past life…

Suicide drones.

But I never intended to die together with him!

This original creation is no longer keeping up with demand.

We need to upgrade it as soon as possible, otherwise it will only be used as a tool for investigation and detection.

Moreover, the detection range is quite limited…

As Liu Sheng pondered, he flew into the dense forest.

Just then, a strong wind suddenly howled behind them, and a scorching heat swept through the air...

It was Tong Hao who had come after them.

At this moment, his body had swelled up to almost a full size, his muscles bulged out, almost tearing his clothes, and his skin had turned light brown and was covered with black spots.

It resembles leopard print.

His face was ferocious, with bulging jaw muscles, dark yellow vertical pupils, and leopard-like markings on his forehead…

The palms are spread wide like fans, and the nails become long and sharp, extending two inches forward, like daggers.

This is not a human, it is clearly a leopard demon dressed in human clothes!

"Is this... the true face of a second-realm physique martial artist?"
That's terrifying!

Liu Sheng has a talent for "sparrow eyes," with vision covering almost 360 degrees. Upon seeing Tong Hao's appearance, he instantly lost his composure and slowed down a bit.

At that moment, Tong Hao had already spotted an opportunity. He pounced in a gust of wind, his hands swiping and scooping, and he caught the little blue sparrow in his palms...

Squeeze it really hard!
Instantly, bones shattered and flesh tore apart, and blue feathers flew everywhere.

"Bang—!"

The next moment, white mist suddenly rose, and the blue sparrow's corpse vanished like a bubble...

Amidst the shadows, a soft rustling sound echoed through the woods.

Like a snake or python moving around...

Creepy.

(End of this chapter)