Chapter 27 Midnight Murder, Who is the Target?

Late in the night.

The moonlight in the sky was dull and gloomy.

The howling wind picked up dark clouds, making the bamboo leaves rustle with a light whistling sound.

Zhou Ping'an had been cultivating for quite some time and had made a breakthrough in strength, stepping into the Energy Refinement Stage... Satisfied, he felt a bit tired, so he lay down with his clothes on.

He remembered an article from a science and technology weekly that had pointed out—the best way for the human mind and body to recover was actually to sleep.

For minor illnesses and discomforts, adverse conditions.

Just sleep it off.

Although Zhou Ping'an had now transformed twice, making him almost superhuman compared to his past self,

Sometimes, he felt that his spirit was indeed excessively vigorous, and his body did not feel tired, but years of habit still compelled him to get some sleep.

He had just closed his eyes for a moment.

A red light flashed before his eyes.

A piercing whistle sounded in his ears.

He suddenly opened his eyes...

and leaped up.

"Clang clang clang..."

Someone was madly ringing a bronze gong.

Someone yelled loudly, "Kill them all, spare no one,"

The stench of blood drifted over with the wind...

Amidst the flickering firelight, the sound of footsteps was noisy and chaotic, quickly followed by the sound of weapons clashing and sharp blades piercing flesh.

"It's the Black Mountain Bandits, the Black Mountain Bandits are attacking."

"What is the city gate official doing, letting these murderous thugs into the city?"

Shouts of alarm and anger erupted all around.

Zhou Ping'an had just leaped out of the window and immediately noticed the attackers in the night.

One was a lean and fierce-looking man with a tall figure, tattooed with snakes and insects on his left face and neck... Holding a Nine Section Large Steel Whip, he brandished it with a silvery brightness like a dragon wreaking havoc in the ocean.

The Protector guarding the front was caught by his whip technique and instantly suffered broken bones and torn sinews.

It was also this man who was charging forward while laughing wildly and shouting.

His imposing aura was fierce and intimidating.

The one almost side by side with him was a short, stocky, bald man whose neck was thicker than his head, waving a Fine Iron Spear thick as a goose egg in his hand.

The spear moved in circles, buzzing through the air...

As he thrust forward with the spear, he was unstoppable, radiating the fierce momentum of a thousand troops.

With Zhou Ping'an's current eyesight,

the vitality and energy of these two were overwhelming, unmatched in strength; any Protector that touched them would be sent flying or fall upon impact.

Their martial prowess was no less than that of the Fiery Flame Messenger he had first encountered.

Since they dared to lead with rockets and with only about twenty people, they were bold enough to shout the phrase "spare no one," they obviously had confidence in their plan.

Furthermore, the Lin Family Pharmacy had suffered repeated attacks in recent days, and the Herb Gathering Team along with the Precious Pharmacy had to spread out to guard different locations, leaving the Lin Residence unusually vulnerable.

If nothing unexpected happened.

The Lin Residence was in danger tonight.

"Lin Ziqi can't hold them off."

After just three moves, he was struck in the back by that painted-faced man's Nine Section Whip, spitting blood while fighting desperately, covered in sweat.

Fortunately, from the backyard, a clear whistle was heard from afar.

A shadow flashed through the halls and courtyards amidst the firelight, rapidly approaching.

Before the figure arrived, the intense sword light swept across like a raging tide.

Thud...

First, the Fine Iron Spear in the stout man's hand trembled and broke in half, his body flung backward.

Then, that Nine Section Whip was grazed by the sword light and hung limply like a dead snake.

Although the two had their forward momentum curbed, they didn't lose heart.

They both retreated at the same time, their backs touching before quickly separating... and then they both attacked in unison, battling the blue figure.

The sword light was like a waterfall, like fog.

The clinking and clanging sounds were endless.

"Something's not right."

Zhou Ping'an, who was halfway there, immediately changed direction and headed straight for the Herbal Garden.

The clamor created by the painted-faced man and the stout one was immense, with shouting, laughing, rockets, and frenzied killing.

Was this really the act of a night raid?

It seemed more like a distraction.

"Could it be a feint to draw attention elsewhere."

He had just rushed to the herbal garden.

There, he saw three figures already holding long swords, their bodies trembling slightly, struggling with whether to head to the central hall to assist.

"Is there trouble here?"

Zhou Ping'an glanced around and saw that under the faint glow of the firelight, all was quiet.

Apart from Qian Sanliang and a few others, there was also an old man with a hunched back who had been startled awake and was now staggering out the door to check.

"No movement, Big Brother Zhou, should we go and lend the Third Miss a helping hand?"

"Yes, those two have distinctive appearances. I've seen them before on the wanted notices at the Yamen...

The one with the Nine Section Whip is Qing Jiao, third boss of the Black Mountain Bandits, and the short, stocky spear-wielder is the fourth boss, Du Long; I've heard both of them are strong thieves at the Blood Exchange Realm.

The Official Government has attempted to exterminate the Black Wind Mountain several times, but each time they've been repelled by these ruthless villains."

It must be said, Qian Sanliang and the other Protectors showed some loyalty to the Lin Residence.

These days, no matter which power one joined, it was difficult to find a master who offered good pay and treated their subordinates with kindness.

They too did not wish for the Lin family to come to any harm.

"You're saying they are experts of the Blood Exchange Realm, that of the Mortal Rank's Fifth Level, you want to throw your lives away blocking them?

This herbal garden must not be compromised, watch carefully..."

Zhou Ping'an lightly scolded them, then turned and sprinted towards the back courtyard.

Qian Sanliang and the others sighed in relief.

Now, they gripped their long swords and guarded the herbal garden, feeling somewhat more at ease.

Moving from the front yard to the central hall, Lin Ziqi was injured from the fierce battle, even Fang Tielin's iron mace in his hand was broken, three bloody holes appeared on his body, and his Energy Refinement Stage Flowing Sand Body technique was almost breached, leaving him with barely any combat power.

However, the Third Miss Lin alone could stand against thousands of troops.

With her blade in hand, the area around the central hall instantly became a prison of swords.

The mountain bandits charged several times, but in addition to losing seven or eight lives, they couldn't break through at all.

As for the bandit leaders Qing Jiao and Du Long, their rallying cries echoed powerfully, and their strength was immense, yet they could only just fend for themselves.

Enwrapped by the Third Miss Lin's fury of the Wave Subduing Blade Technique, they had already sustained injuries.

The back courtyard remained silent.

But it was precisely this abnormal silence that was especially troubling.

This was also exactly why Zhou Ping'an had turned and run towards the back courtyard.

By this time, he was certain.

The enemy's purpose was definitely not some nonsense about "not sparing the dogs and chickens".

It had another motive.

With the Third Miss Lin in the mansion, as long as no one could truly deal with her, no matter what happened afterward, they would have to face her tempestuous pursuit.

Who would dare take this risk?

Therefore, there was only one way...

Only by making Lin Huaiyu hesitant to act, the only way was to compromise and not dare to retaliate recklessly.

The real target then became clear.

Within the Qingyang Lin Mansion, there was only one person that could render the Third Miss Lin powerless.

"Xiao Jiu."

After his mind was fueled by the Red Lotus Heart Flame, Zhou Ping'an felt his thinking was getting sharper.

In just a few breaths, he figured out the cause and effect, the critical relationship.

Hopping walls and crossing roofs, he quickly arrived at the east wing of the back courtyard.

For the first time, he felt that the mansion was too big, and it was not necessarily a good thing.

When real trouble arose, just getting to the scene took up too much time.

"The enemy attacks..."

Before he even arrived, sounds of weapon clashes and a sharp cry from a woman came from the back courtyard.

At the central hall, the Third Miss Lin's swordplay faltered, but not turning back, her offensive grew even more fierce, carrying a trace of chilling savagery.

"Send a few men to the back courtyard, protect Xiao Jiu. You are not needed here."

The voice of the Third Miss Lin was icy cold, filled with murderous intent.

"Yes..."

Lin Ziqi's face changed drastically, and he turned to rush towards the back.

After Lin Huaiyu arrived at the central hall, he was unable to join the fight; he could only duck to one side, clearing up the lesser thugs.

Now reminded, he suddenly realized that the enemy might have sent a separate force.

Faster than Lin Ziqi was Wang Jizu.

This middle-aged man, a stick fighter, hadn't recklessly charged forward to confront the enemy before.

Now, upon hearing the Third Miss Lin's order, he immediately responded, "I'm going to save them."

And with that, he dashed towards the back courtyard.