189: Yunmeng City Attacked

After traveling south for several days, at the end of the crimson wasteland, a massive greyish-white city shrouded in misty vapor came into view—Yunmeng City. It was a mandatory stop on the way to the Molten Core Secret Realm and the last major city where one could thoroughly restock supplies.

However, upon entering the city, Qin Feng and his three companions immediately sensed an abnormality permeating the air. The streets appeared bustling with an endless stream of pedestrians and merchants, but the presence of women was pitifully scarce. Even when they were seen, most were strictly covered with veils, walking hurriedly with fear hidden in their eyes, always closely accompanied by male relatives. The entire city was enveloped in a sense of oppression and unease beneath its prosperity.

“Why are there... so few women in this city?” Xia Ya pulled down the carriage curtain, her brow furrowed.

Xiao Chun also felt a wave of inexplicable anxiety and unconsciously leaned closer to Ji Ruxue. Ji Ruxue's gaze was as cold as ice as she scanned several veiled women outside the window who were walking quickly with heads bowed behind their fathers or brothers. She whispered to Qin Feng, “Something is strange. Stay alert.”

They stayed at a rather large establishment in the city called the “Yunlai Inn.” Almost ninety percent of those dining in the lobby were men. The only two tables with female guests sat silently in the corners, their veils never removed.

While ordering, Qin Feng stopped the clever-looking waiter and asked casually, “Brother Waiter, we have just arrived in your esteemed city. Seeing the women here all walking with their faces covered, I wonder if there is some local custom we should know about?”

Hearing this, the waiter's smile stiffened. His eyes quickly swept over Ji Ruxue, Xia Ya, and Xiao Chun, lingering for a moment longer on Xiao Chun's delicate face and Xia Ya's healthy, heroic features. He then lowered his voice and spoke rapidly, “Guests, you are outsiders, especially these three ladies... Sigh, take a word of advice from me: absolutely do not go out at night, and make sure to lock your doors tight! For the past year, Yunmeng City hasn't been peaceful. Quite a few beautiful girls have disappeared—not a trace of them left, dead or alive! The City Lord's Manor has investigated for a long time without any leads. People are panicking! You all... should probably set out early tomorrow!” After saying this, as if afraid of causing trouble, he hurried away to rush the kitchen.”

Qin Feng and the three women exchanged looks, seeing the gravity in each other's eyes. A serial disappearance case specifically targeting young women was definitely not ordinary.

“It seems we've been ‘noticed.’” Ji Ruxue's voice was cold. She had keenly caught the waiter's rapid, scrutinizing gaze just now; it wasn't ordinary curiosity, but more like... an evaluation. She took out three plain veils. “Put these on; when in Rome, do as the Romans do. After nightfall, Qin Feng and I will stand guard.”

Xia Ya grabbed a veil and put it on, snorting coldly, “Playing ghosts! They'd better not come and mess with us!”

Xiao Chun also obediently put hers on, clenching her fists nervously.

Qin Feng nodded. “According to the plan, Ruxue and I will take the night watch. Everyone stay alert. This place isn't suitable for a long stay. We leave immediately tomorrow morning after finishing our shopping.”

As the night deepened, Yunmeng City was shrouded in thin mist, adding a touch of mystery. Qin Feng and Ji Ruxue did not sleep. They sat quietly in their respective rooms, regulating their breathing and projecting their spiritual perception like precise radar, covering every inch of space inside and outside the rooms.

Just after the zi hour, all was silent.

Refreshing Intelligence

【White Intelligence】: Deep within the “Reed Marsh” at the southeast corner of Yunmeng Lake, three red painted pleasure boats are permanently moored. They are silent and deserted during the day, but after the zi hour, there are often lights and the sound of string and wind instruments. This is the surface business location of the “Red Lantern Workshop” and also a major hub for transporting kidnapped women.

【Green Intelligence】: Unidentified lighted pleasure boats appear in the center of Yunmeng Lake late at night, coinciding with the times of the disappearances. The boats belong to the secret brothel “Red Lantern Workshop.” The F Fang Master is an evil cultivator who specifically searches for and cultivates special Cauldrons for the “Sect Master” behind the scenes.

【Yellow Intelligence】: Those who act for the Red Lantern Workshop are “Protectors” with Martial King cultivation. They are skilled in using “Soul-Crisping Miasma” and joint capture techniques. Their actions are secretive. They will even evaluate Early Stage Martial King targets; if the target's appearance and Aptitude are excellent (meeting the standards of a high-grade Cauldron), they will risk acting even if there is a Martial King companion, prioritizing the kidnapping of those with lower cultivation (Grand Martial Master realm).

The three pieces of intelligence, especially the latter two, made Qin Feng's heart tighten instantly!

Red Lantern Workshop! Cauldrons! Protectors! The targets were Xia Ya (Half-Step Martial King) and Xiao Chun (Late-stage Grand Martial Master) in their rooms!

“Watch out for the miasma! Red Lantern Workshop Protectors might attack; the targets are you and Xiao Chun!” Qin Feng immediately sent a voice transmission to the next room.

Before his voice could fade, a sudden change occurred!

A wisp of thin, almost colorless light smoke with a sweet, cloying scent quietly seeped into both rooms through the door cracks and window gaps! The mist spread extremely fast.

“Hold your breath!” Qin Feng shouted low, using his Hunyuan True Qi to protect his body and stop breathing.

In the next room, Ji Ruxue had already sensed it when the mist first appeared. Circulating her Moon Shadow Divine Art, her figure flickered as she held her breath and vanished into the shadows, her fingertips shooting cold light toward the window where the mist was thickest. Xia Ya's reaction was slightly slower; although she immediately held her breath and grabbed her sword, she still inhaled a little, instantly feeling dizzy and weak. Xiao Chun, possessing the Myriad Medicine Body, naturally didn't need to worry about the toxic smoke. She opened her yan luo umbrella, ready to counterattack at any moment.

Bang! Crash!

The window and the roof were smashed open by a powerful force simultaneously! Amidst the flying wood chips, two figures lunged in like ghosts! Both were dressed in dark red combat suits with expressionless pure black masks, and their auras were clearly both at the Early Stage Martial King! They were the Protectors of the Red Lantern Workshop!

One went straight for Xia Ya, who appeared to be swaying from the hit, while the other swung a specialized hook-and-claw lasso weapon, covering Ji Ruxue from mid-air to restrain her. Their movements were ruthless and swift, cooperating perfectly with the sole intent of capturing people rather than fighting to the death.

“Courting death!” Ji Ruxue's killing intent surged. The opponent's dirty methods clearly and thoroughly enraged this assassin. Her figure suddenly blurred in the mist, splitting into several Incarnations. Her purple moon dagger emitted a cold, desolate light, stabbing directly at the interceptor's throat and heart with extreme speed.

The Protector hadn't expected the target to be so powerful and resistant. He blocked in horror. With a series of “ding-ding” explosions and flying sparks, a surge of cold and sharp energy pierced through. His arm went numb and his blood churned as he was actually forced back. However, the other Protector's lasso had already snaked toward Ji Ruxue's lower body like a venomous serpent to restrict her movement.

That Protector was greatly shocked; he hadn't expected the target's Martial King reaction to be so swift and her attack so cunning and ruthless! In his panic, he pulled back his rope to block while simultaneously retreating rapidly. Two “ding” sounds rang out as the dagger collided with the barbs on the rope, sparks flying. A bone-chilling cold energy traveled down the rope, making his arm feel numb. It seemed they had truly encountered a tough nut to crack this time.