The Wild Doctor and the Fair Beauty

The two left the small courtyard.

Jiang Xinghai waved his hand, and a vast wave of True Qi surged forth.

With a deafening crash, the two-story building collapsed.

Fortunately, this was located in an urban village.

Most of the residents had already moved out, leaving only a few dozen households who were holding out for a better price.

However, these remaining residents were scattered far apart, so they wouldn’t think much of a building collapsing here.

Jiang Xinghai drove away with Leng Ning. As they drove along the banks of the city moat, neither of them spoke.

Suddenly, Leng Ning was the first to speak. "Strike me. It has to look like I’m half-dead, otherwise Black Cloak will hunt me down."

"I understand the reasoning, but I’m still trying to think of a foolproof plan. There’s no rush," Jiang Xinghai said, looking at Leng Ning tenderly.

Now, one of Black Cloak’s three founders, Mr. Hu, was dead.

Mr. Long, far away in the Imperial City, would surely send people to Shanhe Province to investigate when he received no response from Mr. Hu.

And in Shanhe Province, the only Black Cloak members were Maitreya Buddha and Leng Ning.

Maitreya Buddha was also dead.

That made Leng Ning the sole survivor, which was completely illogical and suspicious.

Of course, Leng Ning could just leave Black Cloak entirely.

However, her unauthorized departure would have repercussions for the Leng Family in Central State, so she couldn’t just quit Black Cloak on her own terms yet.

Therefore, they had to create a deception!

Leng Ning had to be injured, and seriously so.

Only then could she report Mr. Hu’s death to the Imperial City and avoid being implicated.

But how could Jiang Xinghai bring himself to strike Leng Ning?

He was trying to think of a way to have it both ways.

"Unless we can kill Mr. Long right now, you have to injure me badly. Don’t hesitate," Leng Ning said, shaking Jiang Xinghai’s arm.

"No rush."

Jiang Xinghai shook his head. "How about this: for now, you report Mr. Hu’s death to the Imperial City. Sound like you’re seriously injured. Hide my identity and use Little Chef’s... no, use Xiao Chunan’s identity. Let’s see how they react."

"That makes sense." Leng Ning was instantly relieved.

Right then, she called her contact in the Imperial City.

The contact’s name was—Big Ears.

"Sir, this is Leng Ning, under Maitreya Buddha in Shanhe Province. Just half an hour ago..."

Leng Ning recounted all the recent events in meticulous detail.

However, she replaced Jiang Xinghai’s name with Xiao Chunan’s.

"Mr. Hu was killed by Xiao Chunan, and his body is gone!"

After she finished speaking, the line went dead silent.

After a long pause, his voice came through the phone. "This Xiao Chunan, is he the one who made a name for himself in the battle atop Luolin Mountain not long ago?"

Leng Ning, maintaining her weak tone, replied, "Yes, Sir. He’s very strong. I was seriously injured too..."

Before she could finish, Big Ears cut her off. "Shut up for a moment!"

He covered the phone’s receiver and looked at the man with a buzz cut beside him.

The man had a dignified and imposing bearing, with the air of a king about him.

It was none other than the head of Black Cloak, Mr. Long! Who was also Jiang Xinghai’s maternal uncle, Ji Xiao!

Big Ears relayed Leng Ning’s report.

Mr. Long’s brow furrowed, and his expression changed abruptly.

He knew Mr. Hu’s strength better than anyone.

A Middle Stage Celestial Destiny Realm expert had actually been killed in Shanhe Province!

He stood stunned for a full three minutes before whispering something to Big Ears.

"Understood."

Big Ears nodded and spoke into the phone, "Mr. Long says that Black Cloak will forever remember Mr. Hu’s great contributions. His sacrifice will not be in vain. You are to recover quickly and return within three days."

"You’re not... not investigating Xiao Chunan?" Leng Ning asked, slightly taken aback.

Big Ears’ voice came from the phone again. "All matters, whether concerning Xiao Chunan or Jiang Xinghai, are to be put on hold."

Leng Ning said in a low voice, "But my body is very weak. There’s no way I can travel that far within three days..."

"Leng Ning, are you trying to disobey a direct order?!"

Big Ears said bluntly, "I might as well tell you. Our Black Cloak headquarters in the Imperial City was recently sabotaged. It’s currently being rebuilt. Mr. Long has ordered all Black Cloak members currently in the field to return to the Imperial City to assemble within three days. No exceptions!"

Leng Ning’s expression changed slightly. "Alright, I’ll find a way to get back as soon as possible."

The call then ended.

Leng Ning immediately looked at Jiang Xinghai. "Mr. Long isn’t pursuing Mr. Hu’s death for now. As for why he’s no longer investigating you, or the identity of Xiao Chunan..."

"It’s simple."

Jiang Xinghai smiled. "Neither I nor the identity of Xiao Chunan is more important than the destruction of Black Cloak’s Imperial City headquarters."

"That makes sense. Something big must have happened at the Black Cloak headquarters in the Imperial City, so they don’t have the time to continue with their previous missions... In that case, I’ll go back right away to investigate. If I find anything out, I can contact you immediately so you can prepare," Leng Ning said with a nod.

Jiang Xinghai sighed. "But he’s forcing you to return within three days. You’ll have to go back injured to avoid suspicion..."

"It’s best if you’re the one to injure me. You’d be saving me. Just hit me. Try to make it look as miserable as possible," Leng Ning said, trying to reassure Jiang Xinghai.

If she returned to the Imperial City without serious injuries, her death would be certain.