Chapter 237 - 236: Ongoing Surveillance, the Venerable Alliance Arrives

’Well, I’ll be. They actually sent Xia He to watch me?’

In his office, Qin Yang stared at the message on his phone, feeling rather puzzled.

And confused, in more ways than one.

The first thing that struck him was this surveillance mission from the Police Chief.

’...They’re actually sending people to watch me?’

’When did I get on the Police Chief’s list???’

’And fine, surveillance is one thing, but why send Xia He?’

Qin Yang stroked his chin, pondering the connection. He could faintly grasp a clue. Just take the decision to send Xia He, for example.

’This is definitely not a coincidence!’

’Inside the Star Martial Police Bureau...’

’Is someone trying to help me?’

’The only one who could assign Xia He... could it be the Chief Commander?’

Qin Yang pondered this as he released his Spiritual Power, continuing to investigate the situation outside the library.

With the Jianghai Library as the center.

Hundreds of meters out, surveillance personnel from the Bureau were everywhere. More and more of them were gathering, their lookouts blanketing most of the area. They came fully equipped with all kinds of surveillance-type Spiritual Artifacts.

From a nearby loft, Xia He’s aura drifted over... The kid was in a corner, smoking and slacking off.

Although it was still early.

They had only just begun, still in the deployment phase, and hadn’t officially started the mission yet.

But there was no doubt.

’I’ve already become a bird in a cage!’

’Once this surveillance and detection network is up and running, I’m afraid my every word and deed will be under their control...’

’This is a bit troublesome.’

Qin Yang sat back down in his office chair.

What really concerned him now was the motive behind all this.

’Judging by the token Liu Wushuang gave me before, the Venerable Alliance is powerful enough to mobilize the entire Star Martial Police Bureau directly.’

Qin Yang surmised.

’This whole thing with the Venerable Alliance getting involved... they’re probably trying to use me to find the other members of the Sword God and Arrow God’s sect.’

After all, back then...

’The "Arrow God" himself said that the Sword God was his senior brother!’

’A sect capable of producing two Venerable Powerhouses... it has such a deep foundation. It’d be stranger if it *didn’t* attract some curiosity.’

’Looks like this surveillance operation was arranged by the Venerable Alliance, ten to one.’

Having come to this conclusion.

Qin Yang rubbed the bridge of his nose, having more or less sorted out his thoughts.

Now, while the surveillance mission had yet to officially begin, he sent another message to Xia He, preparing to seize the opportunity to gather as much information as possible.

[What’s the situation?]

The moment he sent the message, his phone rang. It was Xia He.

The sound of wind in the background was loud; he seemed to be on a rooftop.

"Hey, hey? You saw my message, right?"

Xia He sounded troubled over the phone. Cupping his hand over the mouthpiece, he spoke in a helpless tone:

"I don’t know either. Just be careful, okay? The whole area outside is swarming with our guys. The Commander just gave the order last night."

"These surveillance teams... besides you guys, are there any other squads?"

Qin Yang asked in a low voice, his senses locked onto all the surveillance personnel:

"How long is the surveillance supposed to last?"

"For now, it should be just us."

Xia He lowered his voice. "The duration is uncertain. The Commander called last night and told me to... Ugh, never mind. The whole thing is just weird. You be careful. I’m just doing my job impartially, brother, but I’ve helped where I could."

Then, he added:

"But don’t worry. No matter what, I’ll always have your back, Old Qin. There has to be some kind of misunderstanding. You’re not some vicious monster."

As his voice faded.

Qin Yang frowned, lost in thought, then nodded and replied, "Alright. You be careful too. I’ll handle things on my end."

...

...

On a nearby rooftop.

White smoke curled into the air.

Dawn gradually broke on the horizon, the sun climbing high into the sky.

Xia He squatted in a corner. With a troubled sigh, he crushed his cigarette butt on the ground, put away his phone, and walked slowly toward the nearby loft.

The loft here had been temporarily converted into an exclusive surveillance zone for the Star Martial Police Bureau, just to monitor Qin Yang’s every move.

He pushed the door open and entered.

Inside the loft, morning light drifted through motes of dust.

Bureau personnel were bustling about everywhere. Various surveillance-type Star Force Spiritual Artifacts floated and spun, the operation steadily getting on track.

Just then.

An officer in uniform approached.

"Captain Xia! All units are deployed. Two officers have already entered the library and are preparing to approach the high-risk target."

He asked softly, "When are we making our move?"

"Don’t be hasty. Wait for now and don’t make any sudden moves. Continue observing him."

Xia He coughed twice into his Hollow Fist and instructed, "If anything unusual happens, it comes through me first before you report it to anyone else. The mission from above is to observe who he meets with these next few days."

"Without my permission, no one is to act rashly... Understood?"

"Sir!"

The officer nodded, straightening his posture. "Rest assured, Captain. We will complete the mission."

"Alright. Dismissed."

Hearing this, Xia He let out a long sigh, dismissed the officer, and found a spot to start slacking off...

To be honest.

’I’m not very confident about this whole affair.’

’The Commander has my back for now, but that’s not a permanent solution.’

’This is the calm before the storm. There’s a bigger crisis ahead, for sure!’

’I don’t know if Old Qin will make it through this unscathed...’

’It’s just one thing after another.’

...

「Meanwhile.」

Back at the Jianghai Library.

Qin Yang had also put down his phone. Leaning back in his office chair, he tapped a rhythm on the desk, trying to piece everything together.

"So, Master? Do you want your servant to make a move?"

Xiaobai hopped onto the desk, nuzzling affectionately against Qin Yang’s hand. "As long as I, the great Fairy, make a move," she transmitted mentally, "I’ll be sure to take care of them cleanly for you."

She had heard their conversation clearly and had been eager to show off.

"No rush. Let’s play with them a bit first."

Qin Yang shook his head and continued to ponder the information he had just received.

’Even Xia He doesn’t know the whole story. The secrets behind this run deep.’

But regardless.

One thing was certain.

’The Venerable Alliance is most likely involved. They’ve come with ill intent, and they’re probably right here in Jianghai City!’

’Might as well have a little look...’

With that decided, Qin Yang sent out his Spiritual Power with a single thought, taking in all the activity in the outside world.

The next moment.

HUM!

The sound of the wind around him fell silent.

Time itself seemed to freeze in that instant.

His Spiritual Power, focused to its absolute limit, captured every single aura.

A sea of information flooded his mind. The auras of the entire city poured in and were swiftly processed by Qin Yang as he searched for those of the Venerable Realm.

Soon!

Two powerful auras registered in his mind.

Stirring up waves of ripples.

Coming from the southeast!

’Huh, there’s even someone I know?’

Qin Yang was taken aback for a moment.

One of the auras was very familiar.

It was none other than...

...Liu Wushuang, the one he had dueled with before!

The aura next to him, however, was one he had never encountered. He could only feel a sharp burst of Sword Intent, containing an extraordinary power, its edge completely unconcealed.

’If I probe any deeper... I risk them detecting me.’

So Qin Yang retracted his spiritual senses and slowly opened his eyes.

He mulled over the information he had just gathered.

’A Venerable Realm expert who specializes in Swordsmanship, it seems?’

However.

’If they want to investigate, let them.’

’It’s only for a few days, anyway.’

’I’ll just have to act like an ordinary person...’

Qin Yang sent another message to Xia He, telling him to relax and not feel burdened by it; just monitor him as he was supposed to.

After seeing the message, Xia He replied instantly.

[Got it, Old Qin. Don’t worry, I’ll give you a heads-up if anything comes up. But you should avoid contact with people for a while.]

[I reckon this whole thing should blow over in a few days.]

...

...

「Meanwhile.」

「Ten kilometers away.」

Atop a skyscraper.

Sunlight struck the glass, reflecting a dazzling white glare. Two figures stood on the roof, looking down at the bustling crowds moving through the city below.

They moved about, busy with their own lives.

"Wushuang... Do you think the Alliance Leader made a mistake?"

A middle-aged man stood on the rooftop, an Ancient Sword at his back and his green robes rustling in the wind. He stared impassively at the crowds below. "How could a Venerable possibly exist in this tiny coastal city?

"I can’t sense a single trace..."

"Heh... Qi Qingshan, just because you can’t sense it doesn’t mean it isn’t there."

With the Profound Bow slung across his back and arms crossed, Liu Wushuang retorted, "There are always heavens beyond the heavens. Jianghai City is filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers; it’s not as simple as you think."

"Good! A fine ’heavens beyond the heavens’!"

Qi Qingshan smiled coolly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he glanced sideways at Liu Wushuang:

"Speaking of there always being someone better, I recall you lost quite badly to the Jianghai Arrow God last time, didn’t you? Losing so pathetically in front of everyone was quite embarrassing."

"..."

Hearing this, the corner of Liu Wushuang’s mouth twitched.

Ever since losing to the Jianghai Arrow God,

news had spread like wildfire within the Venerable Alliance. His allies all used it to make fun of him, teasing him constantly.

To personally pay a visit only to be defeated by his opponent’s Archery was, to some extent, absurdly ironic.

"Hmph, don’t get too cocky."

Liu Wushuang said with a dark expression:

"If that Arrow God could defeat me, he could naturally defeat you too... He is the most talented person I have ever met in my life, and his Archery is unparalleled in all of history..."

As his voice fell.

"What’s the use of being that good?"

Qi Qingshan shook his head, cutting him off. He looked down at the citizens of Jianghai and said coldly, "The man is already dead.

"What threat can a dead genius pose to us?"

As his words fell.

"Sigh."

Liu Wushuang’s eyes dimmed. He recalled the scene and suddenly felt a pang of grief. After all, the Arrow God’s death was not unrelated to him.

"..."

Qi Qingshan noticed the change in Liu Wushuang’s demeanor, realized he had misspoken, and quickly changed the subject:

"A pity. I heard he had a senior brother who used a sword. That one also passed away too soon, otherwise I would have liked to exchange a few pointers with him."

Saying this, Qi Qingshan stroked the hilt of his sword and said nonchalantly, "I wonder if we’ll be able to root out their sect this time..."

"I’m telling you... you’d better watch it. Don’t push their sect too far."

Liu Wushuang glanced at Qi Qingshan, noting his sharp eagerness, and said coldly, "Don’t blame me for not warning you. If you piss them off, you won’t be able to handle the consequences.

"That Qin is a fierce one, no less than his junior uncle."

"Yes... I know that. You don’t need to remind me."

The corner of Qi Qingshan’s mouth twitched. He recalled the intelligence from the Alliance, then looked toward the library, a deep sense of dread in his eyes.

’A sect that uses self-detonation as its main tactic...’

’Blowing people up at the slightest provocation!’

’Who wouldn’t be scared of that?’

"There’s definitely something wrong with that sect!"

Qi Qingshan said with a sigh, "Self-detonating at the drop of a hat is a real headache. But what if I took him out with my Flying Sword? Could that be a counter?"

"Don’t you dare do anything reckless! This operation may be the Alliance Leader’s idea, but you are not to draw your sword without cause!"

Liu Wushuang frowned slightly. He looked toward the distant library, then at the eager Qi Qingshan beside him, and sighed helplessly in his heart.

’Qin, I hope this time...’

’...you manage to stay alive.’

...