On the road outside Tongguan Town.
The ruffian led the way at the front, with Qin Zheng following behind.
When they reached a large tree, the ruffian stopped, turned around with a mournful face, and said to Qin Zheng, "Sir, I really can't go any further."
"The few people inside that dilapidated temple are from the Green Forest, tough and strong. If they see me taking you there, they will definitely draw their swords and chop me first."
"If you follow this road and walk about another li, you'll arrive at the dilapidated temple, Sir, please graciously let me go!"
Qin Zheng stared intently at him and finally parted his lips slightly to utter one word, "Leave."
Upon hearing this, the ruffian's face immediately brightened, and he turned and ran back the way they came.
However, he hadn't run a few steps before he hesitated, turned around, and looked at Qin Zheng, warning, "Sir, those people in the temple are not simple."
"If it isn't some major feud or grudge, I advise you not to go."
Qin Zheng turned his head, looked at the ruffian, and asked, "What is your name?"
The ruffian was startled by the question, apparently not expecting Qin Zheng to ask his name.
After hesitating for a moment, he said, "I've been orphaned since childhood, and I named myself Fa Cai."
Qin Zheng nodded and then said, "Go on, find some honest work in the future and support yourself instead of loitering around."
The ruffian replied a bit dazedly, then hesitatingly turned and left.
Qin Zheng also turned around.
The fifty meat buns from that old stall owner wouldn't cost a single silver piece.
This thought was fleeting. Qin Zheng immediately directed his gaze again to the road ahead.
His visit this time was originally intended as bait to lure Shi Dian out.
But the old man did not show up; instead, Qin Zheng had found his hiding place.
This was actually quite normal.
Being an Executioner, living alone in Black Goose City, he had no relatives in Tongguan Town either.
Offending the Cicada Gang, and leaving Black Goose City for such a remote place was definitely suspicious.
Indeed, even if Shi Dian became aware of him, he would sense the deception and not come out recklessly.
What made Qin Zheng uneasy was that finding the adversary's hiding place seemed too easy.
Merely walking around Tongguan Town and casually obtaining crucial information from a stall owner.
Then getting the exact location from a ruffian.
If it had been this simple, Ji Changyin and Inspector Xu from the government office would have acted long ago.
They wouldn't have needed his role as bait.
These thoughts made Qin Zheng frown slightly, then a sudden thought emerged in his mind.
All of this was intentional!
After his arrival in Tongguan Town, Shi Dian's men might have already noticed him.
Then, using someone else's hand, they might lead him, or Ji Changyin and Inspector Xu behind him, right into the dilapidated temple!
Therefore, continuing to the temple about a li away could likely lead to an ambush!
Realizing this, Qin Zheng's eyes narrowed, and he immediately looked around, trying to find Ji Changyin hidden in the shadows.
Regardless of the real situation, it was best to share his suspicions with Ji Changyin first.
Moreover, Shi Dian might have already anticipated their arrival, preparing for an ambush.
Staying hidden wouldn't be much help at this point.
Just as he was about to call out, a voice suddenly rang out from the distance.
"Sir! Don't go there!!"
Qin Zheng focused his eyes to see it was Fa Cai, the ruffian who had led him here.
"There's a trap! They asked me to lead you there, and they gave me..."
The ruffian had not yet run up to him when suddenly, Qin Zheng felt countless arrows shooting sharply from the hillside beside him.
Swish! Swish! Swish!...
The arrows cut through the air, emitting a sharp tearing sound.
Simultaneously, the sound of weapons clashing and fighting erupted from the hill.
Not good!!
Qin Zheng's pupils suddenly contracted
He then quickly pulled off the coarse cloth from his back, grasping the Ghost Head Greatsword in his hands.
"Get down!!!"
With several swings, Qin Zheng deflected the arrows shooting toward him.
With all his might, he executed his Qinggong and darted towards Fa Cai, shouting loudly.
However, Fa Cai seemed to be petrified by the sudden turn of events and didn't move.
Qin Zheng's eyes hardened, and he exerted force on his legs once again, turning himself into a fleeting shadow as he instantly rushed in front of Fa Cai.
Following that, the Ghost Head Greatsword swayed like a shadow and blocked all the arrows that were shot.
"Master... Master, thank you!"
Only then did Fa Cai come back to his senses, thanking Qin Zheng with a trembling voice.
"Run! Don't look back!"
Qin Zheng shouted at him sternly.
Then Fa Cai quickly nodded and hurried toward the direction of Tongguan Town.
At this time, the arrows shooting from the mountains had ceased, and only the loud clash of weapons could be heard.
It must be the remnants of the Cicada Gang and Ji Changyin, along with Inspector Xu from the government office, who were fighting.
Qin Zheng didn't leave immediately, as these remnants of the Cicada Gang, including Shi Dian, were perfect targets for harvesting merit.
Ordinary prisoners could, at most, grant him a few qian of merit.
Yet, the two members of the Cicada Gang Qin Zheng had just killed, Shi Yan and Wei Feng, had provided more than one tael each—a bounty much higher than the others!
Those who managed to stay uncaught until now and were still with Shi Dian were bound to offer even more, not less!
Thinking of this, Qin Zheng's gaze hardened and he stepped forward, employing his Qinggong to quickly leap into the mountain.
Following the sounds of combat, it wasn't long before Qin Zheng saw Ji Changyin's figure, with a man dressed in an inspector's uniform beside him.
Both armed with long sabers, they were dealing with around five or six remnants of the Cicada Gang. Several corpses of the gang members were already on the ground.
Seeing this, Qin Zheng quickly hid his presence and moved close to the battlefield, targeting his victims.
His figure suddenly burst forth!
The Ghost Head Greatsword cut through the air, leaving a white streak.
Then, while his adversaries were still unresponsive, he sliced someone's neck.
In an instant, blood spurted from the neck, sending a head flying.
"Be mindful! Always watch for arrow attacks!"
Upon seeing Qin Zheng join the battle, Ji Changyin shouted.
Whoosh!
Right after his words fell, an arrow was loosed.
Qin Zheng flung the body of a fallen adversary forward and then turned his blade to deflect the arrow.
These adversaries were not weak, all being accomplished martial artists.
Coupled with archers hiding and launching surprise attacks, it's no wonder Ji Changyin and the inspector hadn't quickly subdued these few men.
At this moment, Qin Zheng intentionally hid his true strength and didn't launch any powerful, sweeping blows against his enemies.
Nevertheless, these foes couldn't withstand the concerted attacks of the three men for long and were soon all slain.
During the brief lull, Qin Zheng stole a moment to check his Merit Scroll.
He had slain three antagonists, gaining a total of four taels and three qian of merit.
This filled Qin Zheng with joy.
This brief episode had offered him more rewards than several days of effort!
"Why didn't you run?"
Once he confirmed that all the remnants were dead, Ji Changyin turned to Qin Zheng and asked.
"My lord, I too wished to help eliminate the remnants of the Cicada Gang," Qin Zheng responded with a commanding air.
"Is this the Executioner you spoke of?"
On the other side, the tall Inspector Xu looked towards Qin Zheng.
He then nodded and continued, "Not bad, his saber technique is sharp. He is a promising young man."
"Thank you for the compliment, Inspector Xu!"
Qin Zheng responded, bowing with his fist clasped.
"Let's go, Shi Dian dared to lure us here; he must be close to a breakthrough!"
"We need to be more cautious from now on!"
Ji Changyin spoke, and then the two of them led the way. They did not search the bodies and returned to the road, preparing to head to the ruined temple.
This made Qin Zheng feel slightly regretful.
However, just as the three of them had walked a few steps, a familiar figure came walking from the opposite direction.
It was the leader of the Cicada Gang, Shi Dian!