Chinese martial arts! Grandmaster

Chapter 343 The Deadly Intent of the Torrential Rain!
Hoshino Kozo did not answer Li Ben, the Prince of Han.

He took out his pocket watch and checked the time.
Then,

He looked up at the sky, took a deep breath, and said:
"It's going to pour rain. Judging by the time, we should act quickly!"

"According to our Black Dragon Society's investigation, the reason why Ximen Hall has become so powerful is all because of Chen Jie!"

"As long as Chen Jie is eliminated, Ximentang will be no threat."

"All the industrial technologies they developed in Qingzhou, Shandong, including arsenals, textile mills, steel mills, and shipyards, were created by Chen Jie."

"Unfortunately, within Shandong province, our Black Dragon Society members cannot get close to Qingzhou."

"But since Chen Jie has come to Xianning Prefecture, this will be his burial place."

The people around them lowered their heads and fell silent.

After hearing what Hoshino Kozo said, no one expressed their own opinions or views.

Unfortunately, including Prince Li Ben of Han, no one knew much about Ximentang.

Although I feel that what Kozo Hoshino said makes some sense.

but,

Who could possibly know the specific details of the Ximen Hall's internal affairs, except perhaps someone like the Japanese Black Dragon Society who would infiltrate and investigate it?

So we can only wait for Kozo Hoshino to continue.

Kozo Hoshino continued:

"To take down Chen Jie, the right timing, the right location, and the right people are all indispensable."

"Judging from the current deployment of Ximen Hall, they only have 15,000 men inside the city and 20,000 men stationed on the outskirts."

"The Daqian army is dozens of miles away and is not a concern."

“Our Kwantung Army has already kept a close eye on the 20,000 elite troops outside Ximentang. As long as they make a move, we will hold them back.”

"What Your Highness the Prince of Han needs to do is to take advantage of the impending downpour and launch wave after wave of attacks on Xianning Prefecture to tie down their defending forces."

"There's no need to charge all the way to the walls of Xianning Prefecture. Just use a six-kilometer defensive line as a boundary, and let the Japanese artillery pose a threat to the city wall's fortifications."

“Our Black Dragon Society’s Lords Yuan Feizuki and Kirigakure Jubei led their men to infiltrate Xianning Prefecture three days ago!”

"Only through coordinated efforts from within and without can the decapitation strike be successfully carried out!"

"Believe me, as long as Chen Jie is beheaded, all difficulties will be resolved."

After listening, Li Ben, the Prince of Han, thought for a moment.

He looked up at Kozo Hoshino and nodded, saying:

"Alright! I will now order my men to launch a second assault on Xianning Prefecture."

"This time, I will disperse the people, using the second line of defense outside the city walls as the boundary."

"Once the decapitation is successfully carried out in the city, my 200,000 troops will charge with all their might and take Xianning Prefecture in one fell swoop."

Boom——!
Just then, a clap of thunder rang out in the sky, illuminating the world.

-

The sky darkened, and dark clouds loomed overhead!
Looking up at the sky, it was a dark, oppressive expanse.

A storm was about to break, and the sky appeared unusually gloomy.

Taking advantage of the approaching storm, the rebels launched a second assault.

They were scattered and wore heavy armor.

but,

Under the barrage of artillery fire from Ximentang, no matter how hard they charged, they couldn't break through the second line of defense.

The north gate of Xianning Prefecture.

There is only a drawbridge across the moat leading into Xianning City; there are no city walls or fortifications.

at this time,

An old man wearing a straw hat led a group of people into Xianning Prefecture through the drawbridge.

The old man looked up at the sky, leaped off his warhorse, and said:
"The weather was fine just now, but I didn't expect it to suddenly start pouring rain!"

"The weather is really bad; I've come at the worst possible time!"

Upon seeing the old man, Chen Jie smiled and said:
"You're wrong! You've come at the perfect time!"

"Even the heavens are drumming and gonging to welcome you!"

"Senior Linghu, what brings you to Xianning Prefecture?"

This old man was none other than Linghu Qiannian, the steward of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Linghu Qiannian looked up at Chen Jie, smiled, and said:

"Didn't Eunuch Cao send me to protect you? He and another chief steward of the Imperial Palace are tied up by Yokoyama Sora and Nanzo Mitsuko of the Japanese Black Dragon Society and can't leave!"

"According to the latest information obtained by the Military Intelligence Bureau, the elite forces of the Japanese Black Dragon Society have arrived in the Hanzhong area!"

"They might target you!"

After receiving the order, Linghu Qiannian set off from the capital and hurried to Xianning Prefecture.

They had been traveling for two days and two nights without resting.

only,
To his surprise, upon arriving in Xianning Prefecture, he found Ximentang engaged in a fierce battle with the rebel army of Prince Li Ben of Han.

The weather was fine this morning, but when we entered Xianning Prefecture, dark clouds gathered, and it looked like a downpour was coming.

Chen Jie laughed and didn't say anything more.

Although his current martial arts level is lower than Linghu Qiannian's, his 'Refining Spirit Realm' has surpassed Linghu Qiannian's.

Therefore,
In terms of combat strength, Linghu Qiannian is no longer his match.

but,

He naturally wouldn't refuse Emperor Li Zheng's kind offer.

Perhaps—this wasn't Emperor Li Zheng's intention, but rather Li Lingyue sent Linghu Qiannian with the hidden guards.

After all, Li Lingyue was the commander of the Imperial Guards, and without her orders, no one could mobilize the elite of the Imperial Guards.

"That's how the weather is in Hanzhong, so unpredictable, and it just so happens to be the rainy season now!"

Chen Jie smiled and said to Linghu Qiannian, "Let's go! Let's have lunch first. I'll treat you to a welcome meal!"

Since King Li Ben of Han withdrew his troops, no further large-scale offensives were launched.

Chen Jie ignored the sporadic, harassing attacks.

He handed over command of the battlefield directly to Liu Ergou and stepped down to rest.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he returned to the government office, he heard that Linghu Qiannian had arrived from the capital with his troops.

"Young master! Shall we have lunch at the military camp's mess hall or at a restaurant?"

"Ahead is the largest restaurant in Xianning Prefecture—Zuijianglou, but unfortunately it's closed today due to the fighting!"

"How about we go to the restaurant next door? I just checked and it looks like there are still people there."

Captain Meng Hu of the Imperial Guard leaned closer to Chen Jie and asked in a low voice.

Since Tang Feng was injured in Songjiang Prefecture, Meng Hu has been in charge of the guards.

Chen Jie nodded and pondered for a moment, then said:

"Let's skip the mess hall at the military camp and just eat at a restaurant!"

Although Chen Jie is now the Governor-General of Shandong and the son-in-law of the emperor.

In terms of status and position, he has far surpassed Linghu Qiannian.

but,

Deep down, Chen Jie greatly respects Linghu Qiannian.

"Yes! Son!"

Meng Hu bowed and nodded in agreement, then turned and led his men to make the arrangements.

After a few minutes.

Chen Jie, along with Linghu Qiannian and the others, finally entered the streets of the northern district of Xianning Prefecture before the torrential rain began.

at this time,

Inside the restaurant, there were already more than twenty people sitting and eating.

These men were tall and imposing, and they all carried weapons.

It's obvious that these people are all江湖人 (jianghu people, people from the martial arts world).

Although Ximentang had been stationed in Xianning Prefecture for quite some time, it was merely a military garrison.

Ximentang did not interfere much with the internal management of Xianning Prefecture.

Wow——!
These martial arts figures gripped their weapons tightly and appeared extremely nervous upon seeing Ximen Tang's personal guards and the more than twenty hidden guards surrounding Linghu Qiannian.

The two burly men at the head of the group were deathly pale.

They were all experts in the Iron Bone Dark Force realm and were the leaders of two major gangs in Xianning Prefecture.

Originally, today, taking advantage of the great battle between the rebel forces of Ximentang and Prince Li Ben of Han, the two major gangs were supposed to gather together to discuss forming an alliance.

at this time,

Upon seeing the Ximen Hall personal guards and the Great Qian Dynasty's inner guards.

They were terrified, thinking they were about to be wiped out from their gang.

Meng Hu, accompanied by his personal guards, was the first to enter the restaurant.

He looked up and glanced around, taking in the surrounding scene.

This restaurant is quite large and can accommodate many people.

However, it was far inferior to "Zuijianglou" in terms of quality, and the surrounding walls were dark and dilapidated.

Five large tables were set up in the restaurant's main hall, seating a maximum of fifty people.

Because these martial arts practitioners were sitting in the hall.

Therefore,
The Imperial Guards led by Linghu Qiannian couldn't find enough seats to eat.

Without wasting words, Meng Hu entered the restaurant hall, his gaze sharpened, and he exuded an aura of dominance.

Although his martial arts skill level was only at the Copper Skin Bright Strength stage, it was considered utterly inferior in the eyes of Chen Jie and Linghu Qiannian.

but,

After all, he was the captain of Ximentang's personal guard, armed with a gun, exuding an aura of dominance.

Click——!
Then, his other bodyguards raised their replica AK47 assault rifles.

For a while,
The martial arts figures sitting in the restaurant were so frightened that their faces turned pale.

Bang!

Meng Hu waved his hand, and a token landed on the table in the center.

This is the token of the 'Grand Commander of the Righteous Army' of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Any martial arts force that sees the token must bow down and submit.

As the token appeared, the expressions of the two gang leaders grew increasingly grim. Although Meng Hu's martial arts skills were not high, the moment he threw out the token, he represented the Ximen Hall.

not to mention,
His personal guards were heavily armed; if they were to go on a killing spree, none of these martial arts figures would be able to escape.

Meng Hu said coldly:

"Everyone, we have business to attend to at Ximen Hall, please excuse us. We've paid for the meal, please leave!"

Ximentang's army was stationed in Xianning Prefecture.

That is,

Within the entire Xianning Prefecture, Ximen Tang is now in charge.

All the martial arts factions are under the control of Ximen Hall.

However, people from the martial arts world have one distinct characteristic: they are unruly and rebellious.

After hearing Meng Hu's words, although no one spoke, they all secretly gripped their weapons, determined not to sit idly by and wait for their deaths.

Everyone is risking their lives to make a living. If Ximen Tang wants to wipe them out, he might as well fight to the death.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

The restaurant waiter, seeing the tense atmosphere, trembled with fear.

Meng Hu snorted coldly and waved his hand!
Click——!
Several men stepped out from the guards, their replica AK47 assault rifles cocked and pointed at the two gang leaders.

this moment,
The two gang leaders felt a deadly threat, and their expressions changed drastically.

call--!
They took a deep breath and looked at each other.

Next,
The two men stood up from their seats, clasped their hands in a fist salute to Meng Hu, and then turned to the others and called out:
"let's go!"

finished,

These martial arts figures all stood up, remained silent, and followed the two gang leaders out of the restaurant.

but,

A torrential downpour was imminent; dark clouds loomed overhead, accompanied by lightning and thunder.

Therefore,
After leaving the restaurant with their gang members, the two gang leaders hesitated for a moment, then stood under the eaves of a building across the street to take shelter from the rain.

Chen Jie led Linghu Qiannian into the restaurant and chose to sit at the table in the middle.

Linghu Qiannian led the Imperial Guards to Xianning Prefecture to protect himself.

To be honest, Chen Jie was really touched.

Linghu Qiannian had helped him a lot.

Chen Jie broke through to the Ming Jin realm because Linghu Qiannian performed the 'Golden Needle Acupuncture Technique' on him.

Boom——!
A bolt of lightning ripped through the sky, as if it had exploded right next to my ear.

Immediately afterwards, the rain poured down, cascading onto the ground like bullets.

A water curtain was quickly hung under the eaves, and the sound of rushing water filled the air.

The entire street became hazy; it was difficult to see people beyond thirty meters.

Outside the restaurant, two rows of elite guards stood ramrod straight, on guard.

They stood under the eaves, gripping their guns tightly, their eyes scanning their surroundings with sharp intensity.

The Royal Guard will not hesitate to open fire at the slightest sign of trouble.

Linghu Qiannian and the guards' warhorses were led into the restaurant's backyard to take shelter from the rain.

Although Ximen Tang's personal guards seemed somewhat domineering in driving these martial arts figures out of the restaurant,
However, Meng Hu did not make things difficult for these martial arts figures.

Chen Jie didn't say much.

Although the guards of Ximen Hall acted in a very domineering manner, Chen Jie would never have any intention of criticizing Meng Hu.

The way things are done in the martial arts world is completely different from that in the imperial court.

The bigger the fist, the more powerful the truth!
These江湖人 (jianghu people) only fall for this kind of thing; it's useless to say nice things to them!
honestly,
Given Meng Hu's personality, if these江湖人 (jianghu people) dared to provoke Ximen Tang, he would definitely order them to open fire.

Now, Ximentang is in charge of Xianning Prefecture.

He had just shown the token of the Ximentang Righteous Group, which was enough to give them face.

At this point, anyone who provokes Ximen Tang is practically courting death.
"Waiter, bring five tables of your restaurant's signature dishes!"

After saying this, he took a can of tea from one of his bodyguards and calmly gave the order:
"This is the young master's favorite Cloud Mist Tea, go and brew it!"

Although Chen Jie doesn't care much about food, he is very particular about tea.

This is his habit.

Whether outside, in the government office, or at the Ximen Hall headquarters.

He only drinks one type of tea – Yunwu tea!

Obviously, restaurants wouldn't serve 'Yunwu Tea'.

Therefore,
Meng Hu took out the tea leaves he carried with him and asked the waiter to brew them.

The waiter forced himself to remain calm, took the tea leaves from Meng Hu, and carefully sprinkled them into the boiling water for brewing tea.

Perhaps it was because the atmosphere inside the restaurant was very oppressive.

The waiter was terrified, and his hands were trembling.

After doing all this, he went to the kitchen and asked someone to prepare the meal.

After a few minutes.

The waiter brought the brewed tea to Chen Jie and the others.

Although Linghu Qiannian did not feel thirsty, he still picked up the teapot and began to pour tea for himself.

Although Chen Jie was very polite to him, Linghu Qiannian would never put on airs in front of Chen Jie and make Chen Jie personally pour him tea.

To know,
Chen Jie's current status and position are completely different from before.

If he actually let Chen Jie pour him tea, then he would be being rather ungrateful.

but,

Just then, Chen Jie's gaze sharpened.

His sixth sense suddenly detected a sense of crisis, and his expression changed slightly. He calmly said:
"Wait a moment!"

Linghu Qiannian was taken aback upon hearing this, and looked at Chen Jie with surprise.

Chen Jie then took the teapot from Linghu Qiannian's hand and filled the teacup in front of him.

next moment,
He carefully observed the water in the teacup, as if searching for something within the tea.

Chen Jie's actions immediately alerted Linghu Qiannian, the Hidden Guards, and all of Ximen Tang's personal guards.

Everyone's expression turned serious.

Meng Hu and his bodyguards stared at the waiter with grim expressions.

Click——!
More than ten guns were pointed at the waiter.

If the other party makes any rash move, they will be riddled with bullets.

at this time,

The entire restaurant was filled with a suffocating sense of oppression.

Puff-!
The waiter was so frightened that his legs went weak and he knelt on the ground.

His face turned deathly pale with fright, and he stammered, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

From beginning to end, he had no idea what had happened.

Chen Jie stared at the tea for a moment, then looked up at Meng Hu and Linghu Qiannian, and said calmly:

"This has nothing to do with the tea, nothing to do with the waiter, you've got the wrong target!"

Meng Hu and Linghu Qiannian were taken aback upon hearing this.

No one around knew what had happened.

Linghu Qiannian couldn't help but sigh, feeling secretly ashamed.

He was a mid-stage expert in the Yi Sui Hua Jin realm, only one step away from the late-stage Hua Jin realm.

Given his position as the chief steward, he was originally there to protect Chen Jie.

But now, he found himself doubting a waiter who couldn't even kill a chicken.

I'm so ashamed!
at this time,

He vaguely sensed a murderous intent permeating the entire restaurant.

at this time,

Chen Jie looked up and smiled calmly:

"My friends under the eaves, aren't you tired of hiding for so long?"

"Come in, have a seat, and have a cup of tea!"

The martial arts figures across the street changed their expressions completely upon hearing Chen Jie's voice.

What has been hidden for so long?

No one was actually hiding; they were just staying put because of the heavy rain.

Whoosh-!
While these martial arts figures were completely bewildered.

Suddenly, one of them threw something onto the ground.

boom--!
An explosion was heard, followed by a burst of flames.

The man rushed into the heavy rain and disappeared instantly!

Rain Release Technique!
Whoosh—whoosh—!
Just then, a barrage of hidden weapons, like locusts, swarmed down upon the restaurant.

at the same time.

The windows of the restaurant shattered instantly on all four sides!

Several dark figures darted in through the window.

The moment they appeared, hidden weapons flew down from all directions.

Cough cough—cough cough—!
Meng Hu and his personal guards opened fire instantly with their assault rifles!
The entire restaurant was in complete chaos.

have to say,

Under the firepower of assault rifles, concealed weapons are simply no match.

In less than ten seconds, the men in black who rushed in through the window were riddled with bullets.

These assassins clearly had a premeditated plan; the hidden weapons they used were coated with potent poison.

Once it's applied, the surrounding area is quickly enveloped in a cloud of mist.

The key is,
They were prepared to die, and their actions were extremely decisive, ruthless, and vicious.

All the hidden weapons were aimed at the Imperial Guards and Personal Guards.

Ninja!
Another ninja!
Chen Jie and Linghu Qiannian exchanged a glance and looked at the street in the pouring rain.

(End of this chapter)