Urban Martial Saint

”Blockade Beimang Mountain? How do we blockade it?” Ye Qing asked curiously, ”If we block it like this, won’t it arouse suspicion from others?”

”A direct blockade would certainly arouse suspicion. For matters like this, some special means of blockade need to be used,” Yin Xianzi said, ”For instance, planting trees on the roads leading to the mountain to block the way. Or destroy the original roads so people cannot pass. Moreover, when constructing new roads, do not extend them into the mountain, preventing people from entering. Additionally, occasionally spread rumors of dangerous beasts hurting people inside to instill fear. Over time, people will automatically avoid the deep woods and won’t go in anymore!”

The methods Yin Xianzi mentioned were quite familiar to Ye Qing, like those employed at the border to prevent the public from getting too close. Only, who could imagine what might be inside these undeveloped places?

No wonder the Devouring Demon Flower inside Beimang Mountain remained unknown for so long. After all, very few people went in, and even fewer could return alive. Even if they did miraculously survive, the information was sealed off, so how could the matter of the Devouring Demon Flower spread?

”But hasn’t anyone ever entered Beimang Mountain?” Ye Qing asked.

”That’s not the case,” Yin Xianzi shook her head and said, ”After all, the Life-Extending Secret Technique left by the Great Demon King is buried inside, and from ancient times to the present, many have sought longevity. So, although not many know about this, those who do have entered Beimang Mountain, hoping to find the Great Demon King’s Life-Extending Secret Technique to increase their lifespan. After all, when one’s power reaches a certain level, the greatest fear is often death!”

Ye Qing nodded in agreement with Yin Xianzi’s last statement. From ancient to modern times, how many emperors and royal nobles have sought the Art of Longevity? How many people have devoted their lives just to extend their lifespan a bit? After all, no fame, fortune, or power can resist the ravages of time. A hundred years later, all becomes void, and who wouldn’t cling to all they have in this world?

”Did anyone who went in come back out?” Ye Qing asked again.

”Of course, some did,” Yin Xianzi said, ”From ancient to modern times, countless people have entered this Beimang Mountain. Out of every thousand, perhaps one can leave Beimang Mountain, but the odds are quite slim. Many gifted talents and Peak Masters have entered Beimang Mountain and may never return!”

Ye Qing frowned slightly and said, ”Then why would the Sorcerer even enter Beimang Mountain? With his abilities, entering Beimang Mountain would be certain death!”

”He hasn’t necessarily entered Beimang Mountain,” Yin Xianzi replied in a deep voice, ”But he has very likely arrived near Beimang Mountain, wanting to lure us in. We don’t necessarily have to enter Beimang Mountain to find him; if we can find him outside, there’s no need to go in!”

Ye Qing had other thoughts; he felt something particularly peculiar about the whole matter. If that Sorcerer truly wanted to confront them, why not set other traps to deal with them, why specifically lure them to Beimang Mountain? Inside Beimang Mountain, Ye Qing knew their chances of survival were slim. But wouldn’t it be the same for the Sorcerer if he entered? Could it be that he planned to go down together with them?

This strange thought led Ye Qing to some ideas. Upon getting off the plane, he immediately contacted people from North Hong, asking them to use surveillance to locate the Sorcerer.

Although no one had seen the Sorcerer, there were surveillance cameras on the highway leading out of the village. Moreover, the Sorcerer must have taken a flight to Beimang Mountain, and the airport has cameras too. By using these to track the child abducted by the Sorcerer, they could easily find him.

Da Fei Hou San and his team had already arrived in North Hong, and Su Kaicheng used his connections to contact the military and police departments there to fully assist Ye Qing. So, the military personnel there were making every effort to save Ding Lianshun, without regard to cost or consequences. With Da Fei Hou San and his team in charge, Ye Qing felt somewhat reassured, as they could ensure the rescue operation wouldn’t be delayed.

When the police department received Ye Qing’s call, they immediately mobilized all surveillance to assist in the investigation. Surprisingly, the cameras captured the face of the person who abducted the child, and by following the trail, they discovered the man indeed took a flight to the area near Beimang Mountain.

Undoubtedly, this man must be the Sorcerer, as the surveillance showed him abducting the child right in front of several police officers, who seemed oblivious to his presence. Such occurrences, Ye Qing had only seen at the border before. Back then, it was Ning Qianshu’s disciple and Sai Hua Tuo Baili Xi who used a mesmerizing medicine on the gate soldiers. It was likely the Sorcerer also employed a similar tactic.

Upon learning the Sorcerer had reached Beimang Mountain, Ye Qing immediately informed Yin Xianzi and said, ”Yin Xianzi, I’ll first contact the police department near Beimang Mountain to locate the Sorcerer. If he hasn’t gone into Beimang Mountain, that’s best, and we can find him outside. If he has, let’s discuss going into Beimang Mountain later. What do you think?”

Yin Xianzi slowly shook her head and said, ”Let’s not waste time. We should split up. You contact the police department near Beimang Mountain to track the Sorcerer’s whereabouts, while I head to the outskirts of Beimang Mountain to scout the terrain and attempt to locate the Sorcerer. If he’s outside, we can intercept him directly.”

Ye Qing thought Yin Xianzi had a point; intercepting the Sorcerer outside Beimang Mountain would indeed be better. At least they wouldn’t have to risk going into the mountain.

”Alright, let’s split up then!” Ye Qing said, ”Contact me immediately if you find anything.”

”Okay!” Yin Xianzi nodded, parting ways with Ye Qing at the airport. This was her first time splitting with Ye Qing after being assigned with Ding Lianshun to protect him, prompted by the intense impact of Ding Lianshun’s incident. In their hearts, though neither wished to believe it, they had to admit Ding Lianshun most likely perished in the cave, which drove them to Bei Mang Mountain to seek revenge on the Sorcerer!

With the credentials from Su Kaicheng, coupled with Su Kaicheng’s coordination from the Capital with military and police departments near Beimang Mountain, Ye Qing found it easy to operate there. Arriving at the police department, he was immediately received.

After explaining his purpose, the police did not dare to be indifferent, promptly retrieving video footage from the airport to track the Sorcerer’s location.

The police from North Hong had already sent a photo of the Sorcerer, making it easy for them to locate him. Ye Qing saw the Sorcerer for the first time: a man in his fifties with an ordinary appearance, but with eyes flashing with an indescribable sinister light.

He had abducted a child who sat quietly beside him, entirely still, lacking any usual child-like liveliness. Clearly, he had used some sorcery on the child, rendering him like this.

Using roadside surveillance, the police continuously tracked the Sorcerer. Ye Qing observed from the side for over half an hour before the Sorcerer turned into a small path, leaving the monitoring officers perplexed.

”What’s wrong?” Ye Qing promptly asked.

”The surveillance ends there,” a policeman replied, ”The area they entered is the mountainous region of Beimang, which is vast and lacks roads, hence, no cameras are installed. If he truly chooses to remain in the mountains, finding him will be no easy task!”

Ye Qing frowned immediately. He had thought the Sorcerer was merely tricking them into coming and entering Beimang Mountain. Unexpectedly, the Sorcerer had actually gone in, surprising Ye Qing. Didn’t the Sorcerer know about the dangers inside? Entering like this was tantamount to courting death. Could he truly be planning on mutual destruction just to kill Ye Qing and Yin Xianzi?

After a moment of silence, Ye Qing checked the surveillance timestamp, noting it was from about two hours prior. This meant the Sorcerer had entered Beimang Mountain around two hours ago.

”Is it possible to gather surveillance from the roads outside Beimang Mountain?” Ye Qing asked, ”Since he entered from here, he might exit from somewhere else.”

”That makes sense,” the officer nodded, ”The Beimang Mountain area is massive, and checking all the external cameras is a significant task. Mr. Ye, shall we gather more personnel to handle this matter?”

Ye Qing nodded and said, ”Please do!”

”Of course!” the policeman acknowledged, knowing full well the importance of the task. After all, the Provincial Police Department had specifically ordered full cooperation with Mr. Ye. Consequently, in his eyes, Ye Qing’s presence indicated significant backing, and any requests from him were to be met with the utmost diligence.