Chapter 74: Hidden Star

“What a treasure, truly a treasure.”

Jiang Changkong toyed with the ring and took out both pieces of black cloth.

One was a Starlight Force Bomb, while the other concealed several contracts.

Contracts between He Long, Lu Wuhai, Ma Jinwu, Qin Hai, Nie Shan, and this person.

And the items traded were these firearms. The fifty-five top-tier third-grade Star Stones were the funds.

Looking at the contracts, Jiang Changkong turned his gaze to He Long: “You’ve prepared all the evidence for me. Now tell me, who exactly is this person?”

He Long closed his eyes: “I never imagined that Jiangcheng, this shallow pond, would produce a giant python.”

Having seen the Taiji Diagram and this terrifying defense, how could He Long not guess Jiang Changkong’s identity.

“A giant python?”

Jiang Changkong neither confirmed nor denied: “Speak honestly, and you can die more painlessly.”

He Long suddenly opened his eyes, his expression fierce:

“Since death is certain either way, why should I speak? I’ve suffered more hardships than you’ve eaten meals.”

“You’re just like this guy, still clinging to that last shred of hope.

If he had truly been willing to perish together earlier and used a few more bombs, I would definitely be more severely injured now.”

Jiang Changkong sighed softly: “These contracts alone are enough to get you killed several times over. I just want to know the process.”

The earlier Starlight Force Bomb was clearly intended to blow Jiang Changkong to pieces.

While they, protected by the shield, though more severely injured, could survive.

They simply hadn’t expected him to have the Taiji Diagram and the Bronze Skin Iron Bone Technique for protection.

He Long remained silent.

“Unwilling to confess? The source of these bombs—Kexiang’s Li Mingde.”

Jiang Changkong continued on his own: “I already know all this. My patience is limited. If you don’t talk, there are still Ma Jinwu and the others. Someone will eventually break.”

“Heh.”

He Long grinned, another mouthful of blood gushing out: “It’s truly ironic when you think about it.

The top student from your Martial Arts School, involved in shady dealings, ended up being resolved by another top student from the Martial Arts School.”

“How did Lu Wuhai get in touch with you? With his meager strength, how could you possibly value him?”

Jiang Changkong frowned.

He Long fell silent again.

“If you won’t speak, then forget it. I can’t be bothered to threaten you with your family or brothers.”

Jiang Changkong sighed softly, golden flames swirling in his palm.

He Long’s eyes widened: “Now you’re threatening me.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t touch them. They pose no threat to me, and no one will ever know about this identity of mine.”

Jiang Changkong’s golden flames flickered as they slowly descended.

He Long had a son, but his talent was average. He didn’t attend school and instead followed He Long’s subordinates, hunting Star Demons outside.

In his twenties, he only possessed Star Cloud-level strength.

Moreover, his son couldn’t escape involvement in this matter either.

Firearms were a serious issue. How could He Long’s own son not know about it?

Even if he didn’t know, the Federation would thoroughly investigate, and certain people wouldn’t let it slide.

He Long’s subordinates had plenty of dirty dealings; there would naturally be those seeking revenge later.

He Long sighed weakly: “You win. I don’t ask you to protect my son. Just don’t take action yourself, and don’t let anyone around you target my family.”

Jiang Changkong sat down: “Go ahead.”

“This matter starts from when Lu Wuhai went to Jiangshui City to participate in the Martial Arts School exchange…”

He Long’s gaze grew nostalgic as he recounted the events of those years.

Lu Wuhai had glimpsed the dazzling outside world and encountered even more formidable geniuses.

For example, a twenty-year-old Star Sea Peak, a twenty-one-year-old Star Gate expert.

Besides geniuses, he also witnessed power—those people who held immense influence within their own cities.

After Lu Wuhai returned, the best job assigned by the school was a centurion in the military.

A centurion was already quite powerful; a chiliarch required the Late Star Sea Stage to qualify.

A myriarch needed Star Sea Peak, while a minor commander required the Star Gate realm.

As for a centurion, it demanded the Mid Star Sea Stage. At that time, Lu Wuhai was only at the Early Star Sea Stage, but with the recommendation from the Martial Arts School, he was granted an exception.

Under normal circumstances, anyone else would have been overjoyed.

However, surprisingly, Lu Wuhai looked down on the position of centurion. In a major city, he would just be an ordinary member.

Thus, he thought of Jiangcheng and influential figures like He Long.

Of course, he also looked down on He Long and the others. A small city like Jiangcheng actually had six major figures.

Wasn’t that ridiculous?

He wanted to be number one, and he also had connections.

In Jiangshui City, he had met a genius who had power, wealth, and manpower.

This person expressed support for him, as long as he could procure firearms.

So, Lu Wuhai took action.

Returning to Jiangcheng, he leveraged the reputation of the Martial Arts School to approach He Long and the others, then hinted that he had powerful backing.

If they cooperated well, he would secure fourth-tier potions and fourth-tier cultivation resources for them.

He promised they would break through the Star Sea and achieve the Star Gate realm.

Over the years, they had supplied many firearms and received considerable benefits in return.

However, not a single potion for breakthrough had been delivered.

“That little brat Lu Wuhai is worried we might achieve the Star Gate realm. How could I not see through it?”

He Long sneered, “Unfortunately, he hid it well, and his superiors trusted him. Only he knows the identities of those people.”

Jiang Changkong frowned, “In Jiangshui City, do you know nothing about those people at all?”

“Of course not. No matter how well hidden, there are always slip-ups. After dealing with them for so long, I’ve kept my guard up.”

He Long sighed, “In Jiangshui City, it’s the Qingyun Demon-Hunting Team. But I have no proof. I only know they have Star Gate experts.”

Jiang Changkong nodded and glanced at the ring in his hand, “Does the Qingyun Demon-Hunting Team have larger versions of this kind of ring?”

He felt the space was a bit small. In the stories from his previous life, they were thousands or even tens of thousands of cubic meters, while his was only three cubic meters.

“The Hidden Star Ring—the Qingyun Demon-Hunting Team has larger ones. In the entire Jiangcheng, there’s only one ten-cubic-meter ring, worn by the principal of Kexiang.”

He Long glanced at the ring and said, “It also has another function: concealing Star Power fluctuations. This is a low-tier one; Star Gate experts can see through it.”

Concealing Star Power fluctuations?

Jiang Changkong’s eyes lit up. What a good item—he hadn’t even noticed this feature.

Right now, this was exactly what he lacked!

Jiangcheng had no Star Gate experts. If he wore it, no one would be able to discern his strength.

“Is there anything else?” Jiang Changkong asked.

He Long hesitated for a moment and said, “Lu Wuhai has recruited someone from the military. The reason he dared to tamper with the military’s Star Stones is that he can cover it up. I don’t know who it is, but their rank is not low.”

“What about Commander Cheng?” Jiang Changkong frowned. Lu Wuhai even had connections in the military—he had done well over the years.

“It’s not Cheng Huai,” He Long stated firmly.

“Where did you hide your Star Stones?” Jiang Changkong asked again. This was the key point, and he casually stopped the recording.

Of course, such matters had to be recorded, but asking about Star Stones didn’t require recording.

He Long looked at him; this was practically skinning him alive, stripping him bare, but he did not conceal anything and spoke out.

“Good. Now, I’d like to borrow your head.” Jiang Changkong’s expression was indifferent, showing no trace of ferocity.

He Long’s mouth twitched, tugging at his wounds, causing him to grimace once more. “Help me up.”

Jiang Changkong reached out and lifted him. “Any last words?”

“Sitting up makes it easier for you to cut, less painful.” He Long murmured, then closed his eyes.

“You won’t feel a thing.”

The traceless blade swept across his neck, severing his head, which Jiang Changkong caught in his hand.

In Jiangcheng, a big shot had fallen. Soon, the others would follow suit.

Carrying He Long’s head, Jiang Changkong turned and left.

Finding a secluded spot, he began to enhance himself.