inspire-indiana Chapter 39 My Will is Heaven's Will, Eradicate the Weeds at the Root
Chapter 39 My Will is Heaven's Will, Eradicate the Weeds at the Root
Zhou Tong was slightly taken aback, not because he recognized the person in front of him.
The shadowy figure wore a mask, concealing its face; how could he possibly recognize it?
It was only because this person was also wearing a monkey king mask that he couldn't help but recall the time he had taught his cousin a lesson.
Just then, a hurried voice came from deep within the alley:
"Brother Zhou, quick, stop him for me!"
The sound was somewhat distorted due to the compression in the narrow alley, but Zhou Tong still recognized it.
It was Zhao Han, the squad leader of the same squadron as him.
The alley was pitch black at its depths, like a bottomless mouth.
Zhou Tong stood where the moonlight shone; those inside could see him clearly, but he couldn't see what was happening inside.
"Get out of here!"
The dark figure saw Zhou Tong blocking the alley entrance and let out a low shout.
His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against sheet metal.
Before he finished speaking, the black figure suddenly accelerated, its two iron claws drawing two chilling arcs in the moonlight, sweeping straight towards Zhou Tong's chest!
The claws flashed with a cold light, and the resulting gust of wind even caused Zhou Tong's bangs to flutter backward.
Zhou Tong remained calm, his feet still, and with a flick of his wrist, he achieved his goal.
A fine steel dagger had appeared in his hand.
The blade was only a little over a foot long, and it was a personal weapon that he had specially crafted at great expense.
"clang--!"
The first clash between the iron claw and the short sword produced a series of ear-piercing metallic clangs!
Sparks flew in the darkness, illuminating the eyes hidden behind the Monkey King mask—eyes as fierce as a wolf's.
Zhou Tong's arm suddenly jerked!
That's some serious strength!
Upon their first encounter, he immediately recognized that his opponent possessed the strength of the Iron Muscle Realm, and was even stronger than his senior brother Li Jin, whom he had fought before!
The instant their weapons clashed, Zhou Tong could clearly feel the immense force emanating from the blade, which made his hands go numb.
He twisted his waist and hips sharply, taking three steps back, each step making a dull thud on the bluestone slab, before he could dissipate most of the force.
Even so, the arm holding the knife still felt faintly numb.
"That's interesting."
The dark figure let out a muffled sneer and pounced again like a ghost!
This time, the iron claws no longer swept horizontally, but transformed into two lightning bolts, one above and one below, targeting Zhou Tong's throat and abdomen!
His moves were ruthless and cunning, completely disregarding his own defense, revealing the desperate fighting spirit of a suicidal criminal.
Zhou Tong's pupils constricted slightly.
He shifted his feet, slid half a step to the left, and slashed his short sword upwards, precisely parrying a claw aimed at his throat. At the same time, he tucked his waist and abdomen back, narrowly avoiding the attack from below.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Three more lightning-fast exchanges!
After just a few moves, Zhou Tong felt his entire right arm begin to ache.
Each of his opponent's blows was powerful and heavy, causing his blood and qi to surge.
If it weren't for the force-dissipating skills honed through practicing the perfect version of the Dragon Tiger Ruyi Blade, the weapon would probably have slipped from his hand long ago.
The two figures clashed and fought in the narrow alley, their flashing blades and claws shattering the moonlight.
Chen Yan and Li Kang, who were standing to the side, were extremely anxious, but they couldn't do anything about it.
The two were moving too fast and their moves were dangerous. Rushing in would not only be of no help, but could also become a burden.
Fortunately, just then—
"Surround him!"
Zhao Han's shout came from deep within the alley.
Immediately afterwards, two figures rushed over, the one in the lead being Zhao Han.
His police uniform was somewhat disheveled, and he had a scratch on his forehead, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.
Following closely behind Zhao Han was Chang Xuan, the captain of the third squad under the second squadron.
Chang Xuan was pale, his clothes were torn on his left shoulder, and blood soaked through half of his sleeve. He was tightly binding the wound with a strip of cloth, his face full of shock and anger.
Upon seeing this, a ruthless glint flashed in the shadowy figure's eyes!
He knew that once he was completely surrounded, he might really be doomed here tonight.
"Get the hell out of here—!"
He let out a roar, and his movements suddenly became even faster!
The iron claws sliced through the air with a piercing shriek, and without regard for anything else, they slashed down at Zhou Tong!
This strike concentrated all his strength, and the fierceness of his claws was so great that even Chen Yan, who was watching from the sidelines, felt a stinging pain in his cheek.
Zhao Han and Chang Xuan both changed color at the same time.
The two were still five steps apart, and there was no time to help!
however--
This was exactly what Zhou Tong had been waiting for.
He had long anticipated that once the enemy was surrounded, they would inevitably resort to desperate measures and choose him, the weakest of the three, as their point of attack.
Therefore, he remained cautious and vigilant, always keeping a bit of extra strength in his steps.
Seeing the iron claws coming at him, he leaned back sharply, stomped his heels on the ground, and drifted backward like a reed blown by the wind!
This retreat was perfectly timed.
The tips of the iron claws grazed past the front of his clothes.
A flicker of surprise crossed the shadowy figure's eyes, which quickly turned to ecstatic joy—
Interval!
That kid retreated too hastily, leaving him an opening to break through!
With just one leap, he could burst through the gap Zhou Tong had created and escape using his agility.
Seeing this, Zhao Han and Chang Xuan, who were in hot pursuit, both looked regretful.
That's all it takes!
But in that split second—
Zhou Tong, who was leaning back, calmly raised his hand.
He had something in his left hand that he had somehow acquired, and now he raised it up and straightened his arm.
The ecstasy in the shadowy figure's eyes froze instantly.
A jet-black, gleaming Browning M1900 was pointed directly at his chest.
The gun gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen under the moonlight, its dark muzzle resembling a door to another world.
"???"
The shadowy figure was completely stunned.
He's been in the underworld for years; what kind of situation hasn't he seen?
They have been ambushed by gunmen, ambushed by crossbowmen, and trapped in traps.
This was the first time he had ever seen someone suddenly pull out a gun during a fierce battle with a martial artist!
This is utterly ridiculous...and dangerous!
"Bang! Bang!"
Two gunshots rang out in the narrow alley, the echoes making people's eardrums ache!
The flash of light from the gun muzzle disappeared in the darkness.
The dark figure's forward momentum suddenly stopped!
At the critical moment, his muscles unleashed an astonishing reaction force, and his body twisted sharply to the side in an almost contorted posture, like a boneless snake!
"puff!"
The first bullet grazed his side and struck the brick wall behind him, sending up a shower of sparks and stone chips.
"laugh--"
The second bullet, however, could not be completely avoided.
The bullet grazed the outside of his left scapula, spraying a cloud of blood!
The skin and flesh were torn open, revealing the bone!
"Ugh—!"
The shadowy figure let out a suppressed roar of pain, and cold sweat instantly broke out on its forehead.
"Brother Zhou, well done!"
Zhao Han shouted excitedly and pounced forward with Chang Xuan, wielding an iron ruler and a long sword, pulling the wounded figure back into the fray!
Upon seeing the two men arrive, Zhou Tong, having finished his business, turned and left. He silently took two steps back, sheathed his gun, and gently shook his numb right arm.
Without using the "Shadowless" secret technique, he cannot participate in this level of combat.
The few exchanges he had just had made him clearly realize the gap between himself and the shadowy figure—not just in strength, but also in that fearless and ruthless spirit.
It's just a job; you can get things done, but there's no need to risk your life.
He retreated to the alley entrance and stood with Chen Yan and Li Kang, waiting quietly.
The sounds of fighting from deep within the alley grew increasingly intense.
The sounds of clashing metal, angry shouts, muffled thuds, and shattering bricks mingled together, carrying far and wide through the silent night.
Occasionally, nearby residents would be awakened and peek out of their windows, but upon seeing the flashing blades in the alley, they would quickly close their windows, not daring to meddle.
Just five minutes later.
The sounds of fighting gradually subsided.
Footsteps came from deep within the alley, heavy and weary.
Zhao Han and Chang Xuan appeared at the alley entrance.
Both of them looked furious and had several new injuries on their bodies.
Zhao Han's uniform sleeve was torn open, revealing a bloody scratch on her arm.
Chang Xuan was in an even worse state; the strip of cloth on his shoulder was already soaked with blood.
"This damn thing is so slippery!" Zhao Han kicked the wall hard, causing dust to fall from the wall.
"He still got away." Chang Xuan gasped for breath, his voice filled with resentment.
Zhou Tong walked over.
He hadn't expected that even after all that, the person would still get away.
However, at this time, he certainly couldn't say anything more.
Upon seeing Zhou Tong approach, Zhao Han looked ashamed and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "Brother Zhou, we owe you a lot just now. It's a pity we weren't capable enough to stop that guy."
As Chang Xuan rewrapped his shoulder with freshly torn strips of cloth, he also said:
"Brother Zhou is no ordinary man. With his Stone Skin Realm cultivation, he was able to temporarily hold off that 'Flying Fox.' If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it."
Zhou Tong glanced at the wound on Chang Xuan's shoulder and replied:
"You two are too kind. I only restrained them a little, using some minor tricks, it's nothing."
As he spoke, he raised the gun in his hand.
Zhao Han and Chang Xuan exchanged a glance, their lips twitching slightly.
For serious martial artists, guns are rarely used—not because they look down on firearms, but because they are difficult to use in intense close combat.
Of course, some traditional martial artists also believe that firearms are external objects, and that it is not honorable to win by using such things.
They were both police captains, and while they weren't averse to firearms, they only used them to suppress riots and eliminate gangs.
Like Zhou Tong, who suddenly pulls out a gun and fires a sniper shot halfway through a close-quarters fight...
This was truly the first time the two of them had met.
However, on the surface, the two praised it in unison:
"Brother Zhou, the timing of your shot just now was truly brilliant!"
"Yes, Brother Zhou is young, quick-witted, and good at making use of resources. He's much better than me."
Zhou Tong could naturally tell that these two were not being sincere.
He smiled, unconcerned, and was about to ask about the origins of the "Flying Fox"—
Just then!
A hoarse, venomous voice came from a distant rooftop:
"Kid, you're despicable... I'll remember your face, you just wait!"
Zhou Tong suddenly turned his head.
On the roof of a tiled house across the street, a dark figure was standing.
He stood ramrod straight, his eyes fixed intently on Zhou Tong.
That look in his eyes seemed to want to carve that face into his bones.
After uttering this harsh remark, the dark figure turned and leaped across the rooftops like a night owl, disappearing behind the rows of tiled houses in a few bounds, leaving no trace.
"You bastard! How dare you spout such threats!"
Zhao Han cursed loudly, and Chang Xuan's face turned ashen.
Neither of them gave chase. The flying fox was extremely fast, and once it created distance, they couldn't catch up even if they wanted to.
Zhou Tong remained expressionless, withdrew his gaze, and looked at the two of them:
"You two just mentioned that this person is called 'Flying Fox,' may I ask who he is? He seems... to be more troublesome than ordinary Iron-Skin Realm cultivators."
Zhao Han sighed and replied:
"Brother Zhou just fought him and saw it too. That's right, this person's strength is indeed superior to that of an ordinary Iron Muscle Realm cultivator. However, that strength was earned with his life, and it's not something to envy."
Zhou Tong was slightly taken aback, then cupped his hands and said, "Please explain in detail?"
"Brother Zhou is a highly accomplished disciple of the Dragon Tiger Martial Arts School. He follows the orthodox path, has a solid foundation, and a bright future."
Zhao Han explained:
"But what is unknown is that there are a very few strange sects in this world whose cultivation methods are... extremely vicious."
From childhood, their bodies were modified using special secret methods, a process that was extremely painful, and seven or eight out of ten people would die.
Taking this path does indeed allow one to surpass others at the same level in strength, but breakthroughs are difficult, and the lifespan is short. This Flying Fox follows this path.
Chang Xuan spat and said:
"Brother Zhao is right. How could an ordinary Iron Muscle Realm cultivator possibly injure someone and escape when the two of us join forces? This guy's combat strength, agility, and ruthlessness are far beyond what ordinary Iron Muscle Realm cultivators can match."
Zhao Han nodded in agreement and continued:
"It's not easy to make a name for yourself in the martial arts world."
This person's title of "Flying Fox" was earned by exchanging the corpses of eight martial artists of the same level.
This is just what's on the surface; who knows how much more is happening in secret.
Zhou Tong nodded slowly, which resolved his doubts.
"Did you two come here specifically to capture this person today?" he asked, turning to ask.
"That's right."
Zhao Han sighed, "This man roams around Cangzhou, stealing everywhere and often taking lives."
But he's incredibly elusive and possesses exceptional agility, making it impossible to catch him. Not long ago, he committed a heinous act in the city, but despite his meticulous planning, he made a mistake and left behind some clues, allowing us to discover his hiding place.
He paused, his tone becoming even more frustrated:
"We thought we could crack a big case this time and make our Second Squadron look good... but we didn't expect him to get away. Now it will be as difficult as climbing to heaven to catch him again."
Chang Xuan added, unwilling to give up:
"During the fight just now, I risked getting injured to tear off his mask. I didn't expect this guy to be wearing a mask!"
After all that trouble, I didn't even get to see what he actually looked like. It's infuriating!
At this point, Chang Xuan seemed to remember something, looked at Zhou Tong, and said with a hint of apology:
"Brother Zhou, it's not that I didn't include you in the operation to capture the Flying Fox...
Zhou Tong interrupted him directly, laughing:
"Brother Chang, there's no need to explain, I understand. I'm new here and haven't worked with you before."
Catching a murderer, especially someone as agile as Flying Fox, isn't something that can be done simply by numbers. The fact that you two were able to plan ahead is already quite remarkable.
Chang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "It's wonderful that Brother Zhou understands."
All three of them were Qin Lie's subordinates. They were well aware of the relationship between Qin Lie and Zhou Tong, and they didn't want to create any unnecessary misunderstandings or offend anyone.
After a brief exchange, Zhao Han and Chang Xuan took their leave.
They needed to quickly treat their wounds and report the results of tonight's operation to their superiors.
Zhou Tong, along with Chen Yan and Li Kang, continued their patrol for the last stretch.
The night was darker.
There were hardly any pedestrians on the long street, with only a few shops that stayed open late still having their lights on.
The night watchman walked by in the distance, striking his clapper. The sound of "bang—bang—" echoed through the empty street, carrying an indescribable loneliness.
As they walked, Zhou Tong noticed that Chen Yan kept glancing at him, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
He stopped in his tracks and looked at Chen Yan: "What's wrong?"
Chen Yan opened his mouth, then closed it again, hesitated for a long while, and then lowered his voice to say:
"Captain... Old Chen, I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should."
Zhou Tong glanced at him and said calmly, "If you can't grasp it, then don't talk about it."
Chen Yan: "???"
He stood there, stunned, watching Zhou Tong's retreating figure as he continued walking forward. He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
But after walking only a few steps, he couldn't resist and quickly caught up, blocking Zhou Tong's path:
"Captain! I... I'll tell you!"
He stopped, took a deep breath, looked at Zhou Tong, and said seriously:
"Captain, fights between martial artists are about skill, hand-to-hand combat, and weaponry! How... how can you use a gun?"
He raised his fist, shook it, and looked serious.
"This is heretical! We martial artists value our own skills! Suddenly pulling out a gun and firing a sneak attack? This... this is utterly disrespectful!"
Zhou Tong: "???"
He calmly raised his hand, flexed his fingers, and said in a flat tone, "Say it again?"
Chen Yan looked at the hand, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
I suddenly felt a slight pain in my face.
There was a three-breath silence.
Chen Yan lowered his head, his voice so low it was barely audible: "Captain's marksmanship is divine... I admire you."
Zhou Tong put his hand down and glanced at him: "There's no need to repeat things that everyone already knows."
Having said that, he continued walking forward.
Li Kang watched from the side, wanting to laugh but daring not to, and could only desperately hold it in, his shoulders shrugging.
Chen Yan followed behind with his head drooping, muttering under his breath, "That's how it is... How can you use guns in a martial arts duel? What kind of nonsense is that..."
The last stretch of road was covered quickly.
The three returned to the police station, handed over their patrol badges, and finished their shift.
As they walked out of the police station, Chen Yan, Li Kang, and Zhou Tong said goodbye and left first.
Zhou Tong stood in the middle of the long street.
A cold wind blew across the empty streets, swirling up scraps of paper and dust as it drifted away.
There has been no action for a long time.
His brow furrowed, and the harsh words Flying Fox had uttered before leaving echoed repeatedly in his mind:
"Kid, I've got your face. You just wait."
After thinking for a moment, Zhou Tong shook his head slightly: "Forget it, I shot him once and made him bleed. It's normal for people in the martial arts world to utter a few harsh words after suffering a loss; don't take it seriously."
With that thought in mind, he returned to the police station, found a small bundle in his locker, tucked it under his arm, and walked out, turning into a dark and deserted alleyway with practiced ease.
The alley was piled with junk and smelled musty.
The moonlight was blocked by the high walls on both sides, and only a few scattered spots of light fell on the ground.
Zhou Tong squatted down, opened the bundle, and inside was a slightly worn indigo coarse cotton coat.
He reached into his robes and pulled out a mask as thin as a cicada's wing—the very one that Manager Hu had given him.
"That guy managed to escape from two captains and even injure one of them; he's no ordinary character."
His agility is especially remarkable; even if we chased after him, we might not be able to catch him, so there's no need.
With these thoughts in mind, he quickly changed his clothes, put on a mask, and then took out a small medicine bottle from his pocket, poured out a brown pill, and put it under his tongue.
When he stood up again, he was a completely different person.
His sallow complexion, drooping eyes, and deep nasolabial folds gave him the look of a distressed middle-aged man.
At the same time, their bodies became slightly hunched, and their steps became heavy.
"Besides, I didn't even run into that guy, and I don't have anything he used. Even if I had shadow worms, I wouldn't be able to find him."
Zhou Tong sighed, sat down on the bluestone steps at the entrance of a dilapidated courtyard, took off his shoes, and turned the soles inside out.
Then, his movements suddenly froze.
Moonlight slanted in from the alley entrance, falling on the sole of the shoe in his hand.
The soles of the shoes were covered in mud and... a little bit of crimson.
Zhou Tong stared at the bloodstain, momentarily stunned.
"Huh? When did blood get on the soles of my shoes?"
He frowned, thinking carefully.
When Flying Fox was shot, blood splattered everywhere.
Later, after escaping, Flying Fox made some harsh remarks to himself.
So, while he was chatting with the two captains, he accidentally stepped on the splattered blood.
Because of the tread pattern on the sole, the bloodstains stuck to the grooves.
Everything is arranged by fate.
Zhou Tong was silent for two seconds. He slowly put down his shoes and took out the light blue jade box that he kept close to his body from his pocket.
Open the latch.
The shadow insect lay quietly on the blue velvet background, its blood-red eyes gleaming faintly in the darkness.
Zhou Tong glanced at the shadow insect, then at the bloodstain on the sole of his shoe.
then.
He sighed softly, his voice carrying an indescribable meaning:
"Why……"
"It is the will of Heaven."
"Then... don't blame me."