Chapter 70: Turning the Tables

Jiang Changkong walked through the crowded streets of the Martial City, spotting several familiar faces.

Two senior sisters had also arrived, having already stepped into the Star Sea.

Leading the group was Chu Jun, his expression grim.

Fang Chenggong and the others had vanished without a trace; all they saw was the massive crater left by the Starlight Force Bomb.

Unable to reach Jiang Changkong, Chu Jun, as their teacher, grew restless.

Upon learning that Ji Ziling and the others had emerged from seclusion, he brought them along.

Besides them, Teacher Xiao Jiang had also come, constantly reassuring them and urging them not to worry.

Although the Martial Arts School had little property in the Martial City, they still had a small residence.

The four entered the room, and after confirming his surroundings, Jiang Changkong lingered nearby.

After waiting for two hours, Jiang Changkong ensured no one was around before knocking on the stone door.

“Who is it?” came a cautious voice.

Jiang Changkong replied softly, “Senior sister, it’s me.”

“Changkong.”

The stone door opened immediately, and Ji Ziling pulled him inside, quickly locking it behind them.

“Changkong? It really is you!”

Seeing Changkong remove his black cloak, Chu Jun exclaimed excitedly.

Chen Sanyan, the top student, had disappeared, but Jiang Changkong, an even better replacement, was now his treasure.

Unable to contact Jiang Changkong these past few days, Chu Jun had nearly gone mad with worry.

“Where have you been these past few days?” Ying Yanxue frowned.

“You brat, you really worried us to death. If you were fine, why didn’t you return to the school or contact us?”

Teacher Xiao Jiang scolded, “Do you have any idea how worried your teacher and the two senior sisters have been?”

“Teachers, senior sisters, I was severely injured and have only just recovered.”

Before they could say more, Jiang Changkong took out his phone and opened a video. “Take a look at this first.”

The four gathered around the phone to watch. At first, Cao Ye and the others transporting the discarded Star Stones didn’t seem unusual.

But when they saw the Starlight Force Bomb, all four of them erupted in anger.

Jiang Changkong quickly calmed them down, urging them to stay composed and continue watching.

By the time Fang Chenggong pressed the remote, Chu Jun’s entire body was already ablaze.

Xiao Jiang hurriedly used Star Power to suppress the flames before his clothes burned away.

“Where is Fang Chenggong? I trusted him so much, and this is how he treats my students?”

Chu Jun was furious, his teeth clenched in anger.

“I don’t know. Although I was prepared and avoided the bomb, I was no match for Fang Chenggong and was injured by him.”

Jiang Changkong said gravely, “These past few days, I’ve been recovering from my injuries, not daring to show myself until today when I saw you teachers and senior sisters.”

“Changkong, don’t worry. Your teacher will definitely seek justice for you.”

Chu Jun said bitterly, “No matter where he’s hiding, I’ll find him.”

He wouldn’t be able to find him, though. If he could recognize him even as ashes, he could try looking for the remains.

“Changkong, don’t worry. We’ll help you too,” Ji Ziling and Ying Yanxue said.

Although Xiao Jiang didn’t say anything, his face was filled with anger.

“During the explosion, I heard Cao Ye say a few things.”

Jiang Changkong whispered, “He said, ‘We can’t keep Senior Brother Lu Wuhai waiting too long. The bomb Li Mingde sent works perfectly.'”

Chu Jun and Xiao Jiang widened their eyes in shock—was Kexiang involved in this too?

Ji Ziling and Ying Yanxue were also stunned. Lu Wuhai and Li Mingde?

How did those two end up together?

Jiang Changkong continued, “Teachers, senior sisters, Lu Wuhai might also be in the Martial City now, so I won’t stay with you.”

After a moment of thought, Chu Jun nodded. “Very well. Protect yourself, and if anything happens, come to us immediately.”

Jiang Changkong nodded, draped on a black robe, and left the stone house.

As for Li Mingde, Chu Jun and the others should have ways to investigate.

What he needed to do was keep an eye on Lu Wuhai and obtain Star Stones.

Lu Wuhai was hard to find, but He Long was easy.

This big shot hadn’t hidden at all—with his status, position, and strength, there was no need to hide.

At the Star Sea Peak stage, he could walk sideways in Jiangcheng.

Besides him, the other big shots also appeared one after another, none of them hiding themselves.

Jiang Changkong saw several big shots enter a stone house, discussing something unknown.

Outside the stone house, there were black-clad men surrounding it, and some who didn’t hide either.

Li Qing from the Victory and Defeat Arena was also there. Jiang Changkong kept watch in secret.

It wasn’t until evening that the six big shots emerged, each going their separate ways.

Li Qing followed Liang Zhe away—the Victory and Defeat Arena clearly belonged to Liang Zhe.

He Long left with a group of black-clad men but didn’t leave the Martial Market. Instead, he found a stone house to stay in.

Night gradually fell, and the crowded Martial Market emptied out as people left their houses due to the military’s arrival.

The vendors had long packed up their stalls—the things they sold were all of dubious origin.

The Enforcement Bureau also arrived, led by Captain Wang, who had processed Jiang Changkong’s Professional Martial Artist Certificate.

Captain Wang also went to have a chat about life with He Long, emerging only after two hours.

Time passed bit by bit until midnight, when the streets of the Martial Market were completely empty.

Jiang Changkong watched the Starlight Monitoring Instrument. The military and the Enforcement Bureau had already moved far away, and the fastest they could return was a quarter of an hour.

But Jiang Changkong felt that wasn’t enough, so he called Liu Feng again, telling him that there were clues at a certain location outside the Martial Market.

He also mentioned that the people who had robbed the goods might be there too, and they were very strong—even those at the late Star Sea stage wouldn’t be able to handle them.

After saying this, Jiang Changkong hung up.

With a hundred Star Stones at stake, the military and the Enforcement Bureau would definitely go and try.

If the late Star Sea stage couldn’t handle it, Commander Cheng alone wouldn’t be enough. Besides mobilizing troops, they’d have to bring the Enforcement Bureau along too.

Jiang Changkong continued monitoring the surveillance, making sure everyone had left before stepping out.

In front of the stone house, over a dozen black-clad men stood guard strictly, constantly watching their surroundings.

The weakest among them were at the early Star Cloud stage, while the strongest were at the Mid Star Sea Stage—only two of them.

“Who goes there?”

Seeing Jiang Changkong approach, the dozen or so men shouted in unison.

Jiang Changkong remained silent. His blade flashed, and his figure moved instantly—the blade made no sound, his movements left no trace.

Thud.

One body after another collapsed softly, showing no injuries yet devoid of life.

Three Blades Without Trace—death without a wound!

One step, one blade; one blade, one life.

Whether at Star Cloud Peak or the Mid Star Sea Stage, none could withstand a single blow.

As over a dozen bodies fell, Jiang Changkong arrived before the stone door and channeled his Star Power.

Boom.

The stone door exploded directly, sending shattered rocks flying into the stone house.

Swoosh, swoosh.

The sound of slicing air echoed as seven sword energies converged, stacking together to form a watery sword that shot toward him.

Jiang Changkong’s expression remained unchanged. His long blade moved silently, cleaving through the watery sword as a blade aura erupted.

Boom.

Splat.

Blood sprayed as the black-clad man was sent flying backward. The fierce Blade Qi tore through his black clothes, revealing a young face.

It was none other than Lu Wuhai from the Martial Arts School!

“So it’s you, Lu Wuhai from the Martial Arts School? No wonder you were angry that night.”

Jiang Changkong altered his voice with Star Power, feigning shock. He glanced at Lu Wuhai before turning his gaze to He Long, who remained seated calmly. “Boss He.”

“Boss He.” Lu Wuhai wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, quickly stood up, and positioned himself beside He Long.

He Long raised a hand, signaling for him to quiet down. “You still dare to show your face now, even killing my men. Brother, you really have guts.”

With his long blade tilted toward the ground, Jiang Changkong said calmly, “I’ve long heard of Boss He’s formidable strength. I’ve come specifically to seek some advice.”

“Fine.”

He Long sneered, his figure moving instantly as a sword radiance shot forth. A scorching high temperature swept through, filling the entire stone hut with waves of heat.

Jiang Changkong’s blade cut through the Void, its trajectory elusive, showing no fluctuations and completely restrained.

Clang!

Boom!

Blade and sword collided, violent Star Power surged, and Jiang Changkong was forced back several meters, directly out of the stone hut.

He Long also retreated two or three meters, his eyes showing surprise. “Impressive strength. Which esteemed figure from Jiangcheng might you be?”

With such strength, even compared to him at the Star Sea Peak, it was only slightly weaker.

Yet the person before him was only at the Mid Star Sea Stage. If he advanced to the Late Star Sea Stage, wouldn’t he surpass him?

When did Jiangcheng produce such a figure?

He Long’s mind raced through the Star Sea Martial Artists of Jiangcheng, but none matched the one in his memory.

“A passerby who just wants to earn some Star Stones.”

Jiang Changkong said coldly, “But Boss He, you really have a clever plan. Sending me to rob the military’s Star Stones, and then having your people lead the military there—are you treating me like a fool?”

He Long: “…”

Lu Wuhai: “…”

I’d also like to know who led them there.

If I said it wasn’t us, would you believe me?