Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 309: Chapter 175: Going Alone with a Blade, Instant Kill_2

”Gut-wrenching poison is expensive?”

The stall owner nodded, ”Of course! This Gut-Wrenching Poison is renowned even among the many poisons of the Thousand Poison Sect. If it enters the body of someone at the Bronze Bone Realm, they won’t last a quarter of an hour before dying in agony! Just this small bottle costs ten thousand silver taels! How about it? Considering buying a bottle?”

As he spoke, the stall owner picked up a purple porcelain bottle and handed it to Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng, having been scammed once before, certainly wouldn’t fall for a second trick. He responded with a disdainful glance at the stall owner and walked away without pause.

After Mu Qinghe finished his purchase, he didn’t linger in the black market and left directly. Gu Sheng followed closely behind.

Mu Qinghe returned to the Bright Moon Pavilion, and Gu Sheng, as always, stationed himself at the opposite tavern, attentively observing Mu Qinghe’s every move.

Fortunately, there were storytellers in the tavern, providing some distraction to pass the time.

As night deepened, after the tavern closed, Gu Sheng left the city and found a hidden spot outside to fully activate the Snake Breath Skill, concealing himself as he waited for Mu Qinghe.

Around 9 p.m., three figures stealthily exited Holy Pill City, melting into the darkness.

Gu Sheng had been monitoring everyone leaving the city. With the Snake Breath Skill’s heightened perception, he locked onto Mu Qinghe’s aura and promptly trailed the trio from a safe distance.

After traveling more than ten miles, Mu Qinghe and his party arrived at a desolate hillside. The area was vast and empty, offering little room for concealment. Mu Qinghe had deliberately chosen this location to prevent Gu Sheng from bringing reinforcements.

Once they arrived, Gu Sheng didn’t reveal himself immediately. He continued hiding in the shadows, taking advantage of the night’s cover while Mu Qinghe and the other two remained oblivious to his presence.

Approaching midnight, with no sign of Gu Sheng, Mu Qingyuan grew impatient and grumbled, ”Why hasn’t this brat shown up yet? Could he be scared?”

Mu Qinghe shook his head, ”That’s unlikely. The brat has a bit of cunning and probably thinks he can outwit us! Ha, but he never expected that at such a critical moment, as long as our actions are clean, we can shift the blame outward. Let the Holy Pill Sect investigate all they want; they’ll never trace it back to us!”

”Let’s hope that’s the case. Otherwise, this thorn in our side will remain. Once this is over, we must act fast and have Old Huang refine the thing. That damn bastard Huang Chengyun has gone crazy lately, pulling every string to investigate. We mustn’t let this drag on any longer!”

Gu Sheng had already inferred their scheme after spotting Mu Qinghe purchasing items from the Thousand Poison Sect in the black market. He hadn’t revealed himself yet to confirm whether Mu Qinghe and the others had truly come alone.

After all, as members of the Mu family’s main household, it wasn’t impossible for them to enlist experts from Holy Pill City.

Gu Sheng continued to bide his time in the shadows, steadily eroding the trio’s patience.

”It’s almost 1 a.m., and he still hasn’t shown up! If you ask me, we should head back and reassess the situation, perhaps pay a price to hire someone from the Holy Pill Sect to deal with him!”

Having waited so long, Mu Qingyuan’s frustration spilled over.

Mu Qingwen and Mu Qinghe also began to lose their patience. ”It seems he won’t come tonight! Let’s head back first and figure out how to silence him for good!”

Just as the three prepared to leave, Gu Sheng suddenly appeared. ”I just arrived, and you’re already in a hurry to go? Did you bring money?”

Emerging from the shadows, Gu Sheng stepped forward. Under the moonlight, Mu Qinghe caught sight of him and sneered, ”Ha, brat, you’re certainly bold! Coming here alone—what, are you not afraid we’ll slit your throat here and now?”

Gu Sheng responded with a nonchalant chuckle, ”If I didn’t have this level of courage, how would I get you to pay up? The money, please. Don’t worry—once I take your silver, I’ll be solidly on your side and won’t betray you!”

By this time, it was deep into the night, and this forsaken hillside was desolate by day, let alone now. Mu Qinghe unsheathed the saber at his waist, smiling coldly, ”Why waste words with him? Take him down—that’s the key!” With that, he charged forward alone.

”Heh! This guy’s even more impatient than I am. Fine, he’s just a Perfect Blood Refining Realm cultivator—leave him to handle it,” Mu Qingyuan remarked casually.

Mu Qingyuan and Mu Qingwen exchanged smirks, folding their arms in amusement, expecting a good show.

Gu Sheng hadn’t brought his Thirst Blood Axe tonight, but his hands bore the Shattering Star Crossbow!

Facing Mu Qinghe’s aggressive charge, Gu Sheng remained calm and composed, his face showing not a trace of panic.

Seeing Gu Sheng’s unwavering demeanor, Mu Qinghe felt an inexplicable uncertainty. ”Why isn’t he afraid?” Muttering to himself, he decided to double down, his saber emitting a violent aura—it was clear he had initiated a martial technique.

In response, Gu Sheng raised his right hand, presenting the Shattering Star Crossbow. A sly grin stretched across his lips, ”Let me show you my treasure.”

Pressing the trigger, a soft ”thud” echoed as the arrow transformed into a silver streak of light.

Between Gu Sheng and Mu Qinghe, there were initially about a hundred meters. With Mu Qinghe’s charge, the distance had now closed to less than fifty meters.

At this range, it was practically impossible for Gu Sheng to miss, even with his eyes closed!

Mu Qinghe was merely at the Bronze Bone Realm. At this distance, the Stone-breaking Crossbow paired with Gu Sheng’s custom-crafted arrows could easily kill him, let alone with the Shattering Star Crossbow, which surpassed the former in power by leagues!

Such close range would be a challenge even for someone at the Silver Bone Realm.

The arrow pierced straight through Mu Qinghe’s heart, exploding it with such force that it shattered entirely in an instant.

Disbelief painted Mu Qinghe’s face as he reflexively glanced down at his chest, his body still in a charging posture. He managed to stagger forward another ten meters before collapsing lifelessly.

From Mu Qinghe’s attack to his demise, scarcely a moment had passed, so swift that Mu Qingyuan and Mu Qingwen couldn’t even react.

”Damn it! He was playing dumb to bait us!”

Mu Qingyuan’s expression twisted in fury, his face filled with rage. Mu Qingwen, however, maintained some composure. Sensing Gu Sheng’s aura still at Perfect Blood Refining Realm, his gaze settled on the Shattering Star Crossbow in Gu Sheng’s hand.

”That crossbow of his isn’t ordinary! Attack together—don’t give him time to reload!”

Mu Qingwen quickly deduced that Gu Sheng’s ability to achieve a one-hit kill stemmed entirely from the power of the Shattering Star Crossbow. With Gu Sheng’s cultivation level, as long as the two closed in swiftly and denied him a chance to reload, victory was theirs!

The twins unsheathed their sabers and launched their movement techniques, rushing toward Gu Sheng.

Their sibling bond meant that they operated with seamless coordination, even without verbal communication. Mu Qingyuan led the charge while Mu Qingwen covertly retrieved the hidden weapons Mu Qinghe had purchased at the black market, flinging them at Gu Sheng to disrupt him.

Mu Qingwen, however, lacked training in hidden weapon techniques, his aim woefully poor. Gu Sheng easily evaded the attacks without needing to put forth much effort.

Nonetheless, the pair was fast, closing the distance to thirty meters within a single breath.

Gu Sheng reloaded as he activated the Flying Thunder Leg technique to create distance.

”Die!”

Mu Qingyuan’s blood aura erupted violently, causing his speed to soar dramatically. He lunged at Gu Sheng, his saber slashing downward with formidable force.

Mu Qingyuan’s saber techniques were exceptional—his strikes quick, powerful, and precise. The wind whipped around the blade, cutting Gu Sheng’s face like the biting chill of mid-winter, almost painful.

Seeing no way to dodge, and with the Shattering Star Crossbow still incomplete in its reload, Gu Sheng decisively activated First-level Strong Body.

His physique instantly enlarged, enabling him to narrowly shift and dodge the saber before swinging an earth-shattering punch.

Faint yellow light gleamed around Gu Sheng’s fist. A staggering force surged forward; even before the punch landed, the sheer power distorted Mu Qingyuan’s face from the surrounding shockwave!

Bang!

With the Iron Stone Fist amplified by First-level strength, Gu Sheng’s punch carried overwhelming might.

The force smashed into Mu Qingyuan’s head, causing it to burst like a watermelon, scattering blood and brain matter everywhere!

”Brother!”

Mu Qingwen screamed, his chest tight with anguish at the sight of his sibling’s gruesome death. The realization hit hard that Gu Sheng had indeed baited them by feigning weakness! Despite his shouts of grief, Mu Qingwen’s instincts betrayed no hesitation. Stopping in his tracks, he spun around and fled!

Without a moment spared for even a glance at his brother’s corpse.

This open, obstacle-free expanse was the ideal battlefield for bow and crossbow wielders.

With half-reloaded arrows in place, Gu Sheng raised his weapon and aimed at Mu Qingwen.