Chapter 30: Jianghu's Eight Prominent Gates: Leaders

Li Dong rushed relentlessly, striving to minimize the severity of the situation as much as possible. An City could not afford any further turmoil. The previous Little Peak Mountain incident had already triggered widespread panic-buying of food and medicines. After considerable effort, things had only just stabilized slightly. If another large-scale mystical resurgence occurred now, it would not merely be his responsibility at stake.

The police car sped ahead like lightning, clearing the way swiftly.

“How did we stop?!” After some time, sensing the police car slowing down, Li Dong instinctively yelled out loud. His irritable temperament was well-known, but those around him didn’t get upset. Instead, they looked forward, took a deep breath, and said, “Captain Li, I…would like to request leave. I need to go home and ensure my parents, wife, and children are safe.”

They were now on the outskirts of An City, with two well-maintained roads stretching far into the distance. On both sides of these roads lay cultivated fields, while scattered amidst higher ground were occasional self-built houses.

Originally, this area boasted picturesque landscapes, but now it was different.

In the vast azure sky above, Li Dong could even spot a few leisurely drifting white clouds—a rare day of splendid weather. However, this serene scene abruptly split apart. Just a hundred meters away, darkness encroached, accompanied by swirling black smoke that enveloped the entire cultivated area.

The crops shrouded in the black mist withered entirely, as if the underlying soil had been scorched and drained of all moisture, leaving it cracked open with deep fissures. The self-built houses seemed placed amidst hell itself, exuding an eerie sense of terror and absurdity under such circumstances.

Encountering this spectacle, no one could remain unshaken.

”…Go ahead.” After a long pause, Li Dong managed only these words.

The nearby officer thanked him, not waiting for Li Dong to step out of his car, and immediately dialed home on his cell phone.

Li Dong had arrived promptly, and soon after, a large number of police cars and armed personnel followed suit. They established a strict cordon around the xenomenon from a distance of about a hundred meters. Simultaneously, numerous helicopters and drones were deployed, sealing off the airspace as well.

Zhao Mingcai reached the scene twenty minutes later, bringing along Mao Qisheng and Liao Yangsu. As An City’s foremost mystic wielders, they were now the only ones capable of handling critical situations like this.

“Captain Li.” Zhao Mingcai, panting for breath, glanced around, “Where’s the person who reported this?”

Li Dong resumed smoking, and this time, Zhao Mingcai refrained from mentioning his earlier intention to quit.

Shortly after, a middle-aged man wearing a leather jacket approached, appearing somewhat anxious yet relieved—a sentiment indicative of having narrowly escaped catastrophe.

“Let him explain himself,” Li Dong’s voice carried tones of exhaustion and resignation.

The middle-aged man was named He Guohui, a local native. The land had been allocated to him long ago, and he used it to cultivate fresh pickled mustard greens, eventually selling them to processing plants.

It was initially an ordinary affair until a week ago when things took a peculiar turn.

While inspecting his fields, He Guohui discovered that some of the mustard greens had abnormally grown to excessive sizes. Originally, they would be about the size of an adult male’s fist, but several had swollen as large as human heads. Furthermore, whenever such oversized mustard greens appeared, nearby plants typically became stunted and sickly, exhibiting signs of malnutrition.

Initially, He Guohui found it intriguing and shared the oddity with many people as a topic of conversation. However, as more and more excessively large mustard greens emerged, it led to a significant die-off of regular-sized plants.

At this point, He Guohui became anxious but had little recourse. Even spraying ordinary plant remedies proved ineffective. Then, after three or four days, some of the pickled mustard greens began vaguely resembling human facial features.

He Guohui knew that some growers would use molds on pears to make them appear like ginseng fruits. However, these were primarily sold for novelty and didn’t significantly improve their taste. The issue was that he dealt with pickled mustard greens, which would eventually be sliced and processed at the factory; there was no reason to use molds on them.

Worried for a day, inspiration struck him one evening. If the pickled mustard greens continued growing uncontrollably, similar to those molded pears, could he treat them as curiosities and attract journalists to report on them?

If it turned out to be a new variety, he might even capitalize by selling them at higher prices. And if they posed problems, having journalists involved could help find plant experts to address the situation.

It sounded promising, but reality often falls short of expectations.

Today, if not for his son bringing a friend who woke him up and rescued him from the house, he would have been unconscious inside just like everyone else.

“In that case, the abnormal situation here can be traced back at least a week. Last night’s major mutation caused everyone within the black mist range to fall unconscious?” Mao Qisheng furrowed his brow, showing signs of concern.

The previous incident with parasitic vines had terrified him; he narrowly escaped rescue and faced a horrifying death. If not for Zhao Mingcai’s persuasion, promising to find him a rare collectible figure, Mao Qisheng would have never agreed to come this time.

“What about the friend your son brought?” Zhao Mingcai focused on a different aspect than Mao Qisheng.

Hesitating briefly but unable to refuse, He Guohui replied, ”…Over there. The officer saved our entire family, he’s a good person.”

“Call him over.”

Feeling somewhat apprehensive, He Guohui obediently left to fetch the young man.

Shortly after, Zhao Mingcai observed two youths leisurely approaching, but his attention immediately zeroed in on the one on the left. A strange sensation told him that this was truly the friend of He Guohui’s son.

Mao Qisheng and Liao Yangsu also directed their gaze towards the youth on the left. Approximately seventeen or eighteen years old, he wore a simple white t-shirt, yet it did nothing to diminish the subtle arrogance and indescribable air of nobility emanating from him.

Someone like this could not possibly be raised by He Guohui’s family.

“You’re looking for me?” The young man noticed the scrutinizing gaze from across the room and casually twirled his phone between his fingers, exuding a nonchalant and carefree demeanor.

In fact, before Zhao Mingcai arrived, Li Dong had already spotted him. However, due to his past disciplinary issues regarding temperament, he refrained from approaching hastily and waited for Zhao Mingcai’s presence.

Zhao Mingcai quickly put on his amiable smile, “We just need some information. May I ask your name? My name is Zhao Mingcai. Given what happened here, the police have sealed off the area, but we still must address the situation. Assisting the police is every citizen’s social responsibility, don’t you agree?”

He deliberately ignored He Guohui’s son; there was no time to waste on insignificant pleasantries.

“Duan Yuanhui.” The young man slightly lifted his head, revealing strikingly sharp eyebrows that added to his exceptional attractiveness.

“What?!,” exclaimed Li Dong, Zhao Mingcai, and Liao Yangsu in unison, as they could never forget this name. “Is Mr. Gongsun, the esteemed scholar, your teacher?”

Upon hearing ‘Gongsun’, Duan Yuanhui glanced around furtively. Seeing no sign of Gongsun Wulong, his expression visibly relaxed.

Zhao Mingcai noted this reaction; indeed, Duan Yuanhui was still quite young.

“My teacher actually emerged from that minor blessed land? It seems I really can’t avoid going back now, even though I thought I had shaken him off last time,” Duan Yuanhui muttered, sounding somewhat disgruntled.

With Duan Yuanhui’s confirmation, Zhao Mingcai felt assured.

Continuing to probe indirectly, Zhao Mingcai learned just how fortunate He Guohui’s family had been.

A couple of days ago, Duan Yuanhui had spent all the money he brought with him. When he went to a barber shop to cut off his traditional topknot hairstyle, he realized he couldn’t afford the service. Fortunately, He Jia happened to be there and covered the cost for him.

Their unexpected meeting led to an acquaintance. Wanting to avoid crowded places due to fear of encountering Gongsun Wulong, Duan Yuanhui decided to spend a few days at He Jia’s home during her vacation break, only to run into trouble shortly after.

Observing Young Master Duan’s proud yet easily deceived demeanor, Zhao Mingcai smiled even wider. “Old Mr. Gongsun has been searching for you for quite some time. At least you should let him know you’re safe.”

Duan Yuanhui grew impatient, as teenagers often resist being advised by others at this age.

Zhao Mingcai was about to continue his deception when he received a message on his specialized satellite phone. To his surprise, it reported that Gongsun Wulong had arrived nearby. Although Gongsun Wulong’s portrait was well-known throughout the police department and special forces, it didn’t mean he could freely infiltrate any secured area, especially given how suspicious this black fog incident seemed.

However… despite Gongsun Wulong’s prowess, Zhao Mingcai wasn’t immediately inclined to focus his attention on him. Gongsun Wulong clearly appeared as a cunning old fox, reminiscent of those depicted in folktales like Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio. Recognizing this, Zhao Mingcai wisely chose to cultivate a good relationship with Duan Yuanhui instead.

A touch of arrogance in young people wasn’t necessarily bad; it made them easier to understand and control.

“Young Master Duan, Mr. Gongsun has arrived, just outside. Without using firearms, he’s already taken down seven or eight individuals.”

“He came for me?!” Duan Yuanhui panicked.

“It seems coincidental. The police blocking the area said Mr. Gongsun saw the news and noticed something peculiar here, so he decided to investigate.”

The special forces had set up a blockade, but relentless journalists employed every technological means available. Several videos depicting scenes half resembling hell and half like paradise had already circulated, causing widespread unease among An City’s residents.

To prevent the spread of apocalyptic theories that could lead to increased crime rates, Li Dong instructed officers to deploy patrol cars throughout the streets and alleys, aiming to deter any rise in criminal activities.

“That’s good, but I can’t stay any longer. Thanks for these past few days,” said Duan Yuanhui before swiftly using his qinggong, effortlessly leaping away at great distance. “Don’t mention you’ve seen me.”

Zhao Mingcai didn’t expect Duan Yuanhui to leave so quickly, but his speed with qinggong was indeed remarkable. In a blink, he had jumped onto another road and rapidly disappeared from sight.

Having evaded Gongsun Wulong, Duan Yuanhui now could only rely on Old Mr. Gongsun.

Feeling helpless, Zhao Mingcai also allowed Gongsun Wulong inside. A junior officer nervously escorted him over, but Gongsun Wulong’s expression appeared rather grim.

Times have changed, and the presence of firearms and explosives still posed significant pressure for cultivators like them, unless they reached the pinnacle of martial arts mastery, transcending form through the Dao.

In the second personality state, due to having independent consciousness, the character’s damage immunity buff no longer applied. It seemed there were always trade-offs.

Gongsun Wulong was never particularly broad-minded, and upon being let in, he glanced at Zhao Mingcai before gently tapping him on the shoulder.

Zhao Mingcai instinctively took two steps back, silently marveling at Gongsun Wulong’s immense strength. Despite appearing effortless, it had nearly knocked him off balance.

“Gongsun old gentleman…”

Gongsun Wulong’s temperament was unpredictable; last time they had conversed amicably, but now he seemed displeased with Zhao Mingcai and his group. Without responding, he prepared to leap into the distant black mist using his agile qinggong. Just as he was about to enter, he heard a sudden movement from behind - the junior officer swiftly shifted position, displaying remarkably advanced qinggong skills.

“Who are you?” Gongsun Wulong halted abruptly.

The junior officer chuckled lightly, though his facial expression appeared somewhat stiff, likely due to wearing a disguise mask. Ignoring Gongsun Wulong, he grabbed Zhao Mingcai’s wrist, pressing his index finger against his pulse with raised eyebrows and a mocking smile. “He’s merely doing his duty, yet Senior secretly injured his internal organs. For now, he might only feel slightly discomfort, but any strenuous activity could lead to immediate death.”

Instantly covered in cold sweat, Zhao Mingcai felt inclined to believe this ‘junior officer’. Ever since Gongsun Wulong pushed him, he had experienced a sense of unease and tightness in his chest.

“Not going to reveal yourself?” Gongsun Wulong’s face darkened gradually as his hands lifted, skin turning reddish. His mastery of the Gongsun Palm Technique was profound; a single strike from him meant certain death.

The junior officer released Zhao Mingcai and stepped back two paces, then pulled off his mask.

Revealed beneath was a young man in his twenties, with sharp brows and bright eyes. His demeanor exuded both chivalry and a hint of weary jianghu spirit, creating a unique blend that set him apart.

“Why wouldn’t I speak? Although my Eight Gates belong to the jianghu, we are not secretive scoundrels,” the junior officer said, making a gesture by clasping his hands together, crossing them, and pressing downward.

“Choosing virtue for all, no malice without cause (1). Bai Yunyan, current leader of the paramount gate within the Eight Gates.”

Gongsun Wulong finally took a closer look at the young man and calmly remarked, “Ah, so you’re from the Beggar Gate. What happened, have all the seasoned beggars died off, leaving it to youngsters like you to wade through murky waters?”