MMB Chapter 75 The Undercurrents of Jincheng
Chapter 75 The Undercurrents of Jincheng
Just as Ma Cong announced the establishment of the Martial Sect at Longhu Mountain, shaking the entire martial arts world.
A thousand miles away in Jincheng, an undercurrent is quietly surging.
Ma Cong's home is a top-floor duplex in an upscale residential complex.
His parents, Ma Jianguo and Liu Fen, were both ordinary retired workers.
Since learning that their son had become an important figure, the elderly couple's lives have been filled with both pride and worry.
They didn't understand anything about immortals who had attained the elixir of immortality or martial arts sects; they only knew that what their son was doing was dangerous and that he had many enemies.
"Old Ma, do you think Cong'er will be alright?" Liu Fen asked worriedly while picking vegetables.
"What could possibly happen?" Ma Jianguo said, holding the newspaper and feigning composure. "Didn't you see the news? It said our son is a great hero who has brought glory to the country. The nation has even awarded him a certificate. Who would dare to touch him?"
That's what he said, but the slight trembling of his hand holding the newspaper betrayed his inner nervousness.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Who is it?" Liu Fen wiped her hands and went to open the door.
Several staff members dressed in gas company uniforms were standing outside the door.
The leader was a gaunt-faced man who looked to be in his fifties. He was none other than Xuan Ku, the former head of the Disciplinary Academy in Jincheng, who had come on Xuan Kong's orders.
"Hello, Auntie, we're from the gas company. We received a notification that the pipes in your area are a bit old and we need to come and conduct a safety inspection." Xuan Ku had a kind smile on his face, making it impossible to detect any flaws.
"Oh, okay, please come in." Liu Fen, without any suspicion, warmly welcomed the group in.
"Master, thank you for your trouble. Please have some water."
"You're welcome, it's my pleasure."
Xuanku and several other monks, disguised as staff, discreetly surveyed the interior of the room.
Their divine senses had already enveloped the entire room.
Apart from Ma Cong's parents, there was no one else in the house.
There was no trace of any expert among them.
A barely perceptible glint of cold light flashed in Xuan Ku's eyes.
It seems the intelligence was correct; Ma Cong's closest people are these two ordinary people with no cultivation whatsoever.
That's really... too easy to do.
"Uncle and Aunt, we checked it out, and there is indeed a problem with the main pipe. We need to replace a valve," Xuan Ku said with a smile as he walked up to Ma Jianguo.
"Then hurry up and change it, safety first," Ma Jianguo said.
"Here's the thing, to replace this valve, we need to turn off the main switch first. The main switch is on the rooftop. We'll go up and take care of it; it should only take about ten minutes," Xuan Ku explained.
"Okay, no problem, you guys go ahead."
Xuan Ku led his two "colleagues" toward the door. As he brushed past Liu Fen, his fingertip seemingly unintentionally touched the back of Liu Fen's neck.
Liu Fen's body stiffened, and then she slumped down.
"My dear wife!"
Ma Jianguo was shocked and was about to rush over when another monk struck with lightning speed, delivering a chop to his neck.
Ma Jianguo groaned and also fainted.
The entire process was smooth and seamless, without making a single unnecessary sound.
"take away."
Xuan Ku gave a brief instruction.
Two monks immediately stepped forward, one on each of Ma Cong's parents, and carried them on their shoulders, preparing to leave through the window.
They planned it very well.
They kidnapped the man without anyone noticing, then fled a great distance to blackmail Ma Cong.
Even if Ma Cong realized it later, he would only think that it was an ordinary worker from the gas company who was greedy for money, and he would never suspect the Shaolin Temple.
However, just as they were about to climb out of the window...
A cold voice rang out behind them.
"Put the person down."
Xuan Ku's pupils suddenly contracted, and he abruptly turned around.
There was another person on the sofa in the living room.
A woman wearing a black trench coat with a cold and aloof expression.
Dong Yue!
"Who are you people?" Xuan Ku was shocked, but he remained calm on the surface.
He had no idea when the woman had come in!
This shows that the opponent's strength is at least no less than his!
"National Security Bureau, Ninth Division." Dong Yueliang showed her identification. "I'm under orders to protect the safety of Master Ma's family."
"I don't care if you're bald monks from Shaolin or just some random nobody. Now, immediately, put the person down and surrender. Otherwise, kill them without mercy!"
Dong Yue's voice was filled with an undeniable air of ruthlessness.
She received a direct order from her superiors to ensure the absolute safety of Ma Cong's family at all costs.
This is the highest level of goodwill the country has shown to Ma Cong.
They knew very well that the family of a martial arts legend who could suppress the fate of the nation was the bottom line of the country, and no one was allowed to touch it.
"The Ninth Division of the National Security Bureau?" Xuan Ku's expression changed completely.
He never expected that the government would be so deeply involved, even sending such a high-level expert to act as Ma Cong's bodyguard.
This is a big problem.
"Let's do it!"
Xuan Ku acted decisively, abandoning any wishful thinking.
With a low shout, he transformed into a blur and pounced straight at Dong Yue.
Meanwhile, two other monks, carrying Ma Cong's parents, smashed through the window and jumped from the 30-plus-story building!
They seemed to possess some kind of secret treasure, for their descent was not fast; they drifted towards the ground like two leaves.
On the ground, a vehicle was already waiting to pick them up.
"Trying to leave?"
Dong Yue snorted coldly, not even glancing at Xuan Ku who was lunging at her, and simply spoke a single word into a communicator on her wrist.
"Close the net."
next second.
All the entrances and exits around the residential area suddenly lowered their heavy alloy gates.
On the ground, the black van that was supposed to be there to pick them up was suddenly covered by a high-voltage electric fence that descended from the sky before it could even start.
The monks inside the vehicle didn't even have time to scream before they were reduced to charred remains in the blinding flash of electricity.
The two monks who jumped from the sky were immediately surrounded by dozens of black-clad warriors armed with special weapons as soon as they landed.
The dark muzzles of guns were pointed at them.
These firearms were clearly specially modified, with strange runes engraved on them, exuding a dangerous aura.
"Put down the hostages! Or open fire!"
The lead soldier issued a final warning.
On top of a tall building.
Xuan Ku's figure, lunging towards Dong Yue, abruptly stopped in mid-air.
He was horrified to discover that the space around him seemed to have become viscous, and an invisible force was binding him tightly.
"Domain..." For the first time, fear appeared in Xuan Ku's eyes.
This is a technique that can only be initially mastered by a Celestial Immortal who has refined their four bones!
This woman is actually a master of this level!
"Now, can we talk?"
Dong Yue slowly stood up and walked step by step toward Xuan Ku.
"Speak, who sent you?"
……
Meanwhile, Mount Tai.
Ma Cong's figure had already appeared at the South Heavenly Gate.
Without alerting anyone, he continued upwards, heading straight for the Jade Emperor Peak.
It was the dead of night, and the summit of Mount Tai was deserted except for the biting mountain wind.
He sat cross-legged on a huge rock, waiting quietly.
He was waiting for the summer solstice to arrive.
According to the system, only at noon on the summer solstice, when heaven and earth are in harmony and the essence of the sun and moon is at its peak, is it possible for "rootless water" to condense on Jade Emperor Peak.
Although there is still some time before the summer solstice, he decided to wait here.
One reason is to ensure that nothing goes wrong.
On the other hand, he also needs time to process the impact of his trip to Longhu Mountain and to plan for the future development of the Wuzong sect.
He closed his eyes and immersed his mind in the martial arts space.
Before him, the phantom image of Zhang Sanfeng slowly appeared.
"Your mind is in turmoil," Zhang Sanfeng said slowly, looking at him.
"I...I'm sorry you had to see this," Ma Cong said in a low voice.
The matter of Zhou Tianyi, the arrogance of Shaolin Temple, and the various pressures of establishing a sect did indeed cause a slight fluctuation in his state of mind.
"Anger is the source of power, but it can also destroy reason," Zhang Sanfeng said. "By crippling the two abbots of Shaolin in front of the whole world, you have certainly established your authority, but you have also completely eliminated any room for maneuver between you and Shaolin."
"This disciple has no regrets." Ma Cong raised his head, his eyes resolute. "They harmed my people, and they must pay the price."
"Hmm." Zhang Sanfeng nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer. "Avenging wrongs and fearlessly defying power—that is the true nature of a martial artist."
"However, with your current strength, you have little chance of winning against Xuan Kong. And against the old monster who may be behind Shaolin, you have absolutely no chance."
"You need to become stronger in the shortest amount of time."
With a wave of his hand, Zhang Sanfeng instantly transformed the surrounding scenery.
They arrived at a martial arts training ground.
"After embracing the elixir, the next step is 'refining the four bones'."
"Hand bones, leg bones, body bones, skull."
"Today, I will teach you the method of tempering your hand bones under the true meaning of Tai Chi."