29: Breast protector and venomous snake

Over the next three days, the gates of Star South City seemed to become an invisible sieve. The infiltrators dispatched by the Purple Robe Bandits and the Green Turban Bandits, like moths drawn to a flame, advanced wave after wave, yet most never returned.

Scouts at the Martial Artist level or Mid-stage Martial Masters, even if they managed to slip past the detection of the gate's Sensing Stone through ingenious disguises, would often mysteriously vanish shortly after infiltration, leaving no trace of the living or the dead, as if silently swallowed by the city. As for the few leaders who had reached the level of Mid-stage Martial Master or above, their auras were far more condensed compared to Martial Artists. When they approached the faintly glowing Sensing Stone, its surface would visibly brighten, immediately drawing the focused attention of experts from the City Guard. After a few brief but intense clashes, a few more corpses or prisoners bound in chains would appear at the city gate.

All of this was thanks to Qin Feng's precise, covert clean-up and the City Guard's increasingly stringent vigilance. He also grew clearer in his understanding that the Sensing Stone at the gate was indeed the key to blocking the infiltration of mid to high-level Martial Artists. Those at Mid-stage Martial Master or above possessed thick Internal Energy, like fireflies in the night, difficult to conceal completely. This also explained why Zhao Qianshan had to risk opening the gate at night back then—only that way could he bypass this strictest checkpoint.

As for experts at the Grand Martial Master Realm or even higher? The Evil Qi and immense life energy condensed around their bodies had long surpassed what disguise techniques could conceal. Unless they possessed legendary top-tier secret treasures or Cultivation Techniques capable of completely altering their aura, approaching the city gate would be no different from walking into a trap, inevitably inviting a thunderous strike from the Martial King-level experts within the City Lord's residence.

However, just as Qin Feng thought the situation had eased slightly and he could catch his breath, the System intelligence refreshed tonight dropped another bombshell.

The first two entries were still inconsequential white gossip and one yellow piece of intelligence pointing to a certain treasure:

【(Yellow) The shopkeeper of the 'Bogu Zhai' in the east city yesterday acquired a damaged Profound Rank Low Grade 'Black Tortoise Heart-Protecting Mirror' at a low price. Due to its dim spiritual light, it was treated as an ordinary ancient bronze mirror and is priced at only five gold coins.】

Qin Feng noted this information; it might be useful. But when he saw the third piece of intelligence emanating with a green halo, his heart sank heavily.

【(Green) The Purple Robe Bandits' Deputy Commander 'Ghost Net' (Early Stage Grand Martial Master), after taking a 'Qi-Concealing Pill' (Profound Rank Low Grade), suppressed her own aura to below the Mid-stage Martial Master level. Disguised as an ordinary-looking maidservant, she infiltrated the city this evening mixed in with a vegetable delivery team heading to the Li Estate. She is currently hiding in the residence of the wealthy merchant, Squire Li, in the south city. On her person, she carries some of the Purple Robe Bandits' assets, several types of deadly poisons, and a flexible sword named 'Snake's Kiss'.】

Female! Early Stage Grand Martial Master! Disguised as a maidservant!

Qin Feng's pupils constricted sharply. This 'Ghost Net' was more troublesome than the previously mentioned 'Blood Butcher' Feng Lie! Not only was she powerful, but her chosen method of infiltration was also extremely cunning. The wealthy Squire Li's estate had complex personnel, with many maidservants and servants. Blending in among them, she was like a drop of water in the ocean, extremely difficult to detect. Moreover, her female identity and role as a maidservant could greatly lower others' guard.

Deputy Commander level, at least a Grand Martial Master! This was no longer an opponent he could handle alone. Even if she suppressed her aura to the Late Martial Master stage, her real combat awareness, foundation in Cultivation Techniques, and application of power absolutely far surpassed that of an ordinary Martial Master. In a direct confrontation, his chances of winning were slim.

'I must leverage external forces... I must tell Master.' This thought surfaced again.

But following it came deeper entanglement and doubt.

Last time, regarding the intelligence on Zhao Qianshan, he could still use a low-probability event like 'overhearing in the latrine' as an excuse. This time? Should he say he accidentally heard that a newly arrived maidservant at Squire Li's estate was actually the Deputy Commander of the Purple Robe Bandits, carrying Qi-Concealing Pills and deadly poisons? This was even more absurd than last time!

Master Chu Yunhe was no fool; on the contrary, he was meticulous and experienced. Providing such precise, such internal, such unbelievable intelligence twice in a row would inevitably arouse deep suspicion in anyone. How would Master interrogate him then? And how should he explain? The System was the foundation of his survival, the ultimate secret that absolutely must not be exposed.

But if he didn't tell Master, should he act alone?

Qin Feng's mind rapidly simulated plans for dealing with 'Ghost Net' alone. Ambush? The opponent was a Grand Martial Master, with sharp spiritual senses, and an expert in disguise and infiltration; the probability of a successful ambush was extremely low. Poison? The intelligence showed she was skilled in using poison herself, so her defenses would be strict. Relying on the City Guard? Without solid evidence, how could he, based solely on his own word, get the City Guard to search for a maidservant in a wealthy merchant's estate? Not only would it alert the enemy, but he might also be falsely accused in return.

The risk was too great! Once he failed, not only would his own life be in danger, but it might also force 'Ghost Net' to act prematurely, causing unpredictable damage.

Entanglement, like vines, twisted around Qin Feng's heart. He walked to the window, looked out at the silent night, and unconsciously tapped his fingers on the windowsill.

After a long while, he took a deep breath, a glint of resolve flashing in his eyes.

First, following the yellow intelligence's guidance, he went to Bogu Zhai early the next morning and, with hardly any haggling, bought that seemingly old and spiritually dim Black Tortoise Heart-Protecting Mirror for five gold coins. This item might save his life at a critical moment.

Placing the Heart-Protecting Mirror against his chest, Qin Feng felt the faint, cool sensation coming from it, and his heart settled slightly.

'I can't tell Master everything directly...' he murmured, 'but I also can't do nothing.'

He needed a more ingenious method, one that could draw the attention of his Master and the City Lord's residence without overly exposing himself. Perhaps he could start with the location 'Squire Li's estate' and the vague description of a 'newly arrived, abnormally behaving maidservant'? Or, find a way to make 'Ghost Net' reveal herself?

Qin Feng's brain worked rapidly, generating and rejecting plans one after another. He knew time was running out. This Viper that had infiltrated must be removed as soon as possible, and he was the only one in this shadow war who knew where the Viper was hiding.