30: Lure the snake out of its hole

With the plan set, Qin Feng no longer hesitated. He knew well that this matter had to be resolved quickly; the longer it dragged on, the more variables would arise.

First, he found Doctor Chu. He didn't mention any words regarding "Ghost Net" or "Grand Martial Master," but instead phrased it differently.

"Master," Qin Feng said with a solemn expression, "while staking out Member Li's manor in the south of the city today, I discovered a newly arrived maidservant whose behavior is extremely suspicious. Her steps are steady, her gaze is sharp, and she is definitely no ordinary person. Moreover, the aura she occasionally reveals... seems more complex than it appears on the surface. I suspect she might be related to the bandits lurking in the city recently."

Upon hearing this, a sharp light flickered in Doctor Chu's eyes. He didn't press Qin Feng on why he went to "stake out" the place, nor did he question where this judgment came from. He simply asked in a low voice, "What do you intend to do?"

"I want to take a gamble," Qin Feng lowered his voice. "I plan to go in disguise to test her and provoke her into attacking. As long as she uses martial power beyond that of an ordinary person, she will inevitably trigger a Qi response. At that time, I need you, Master, to immediately notify the experts from the Six Fan School and the City Lord's Manor to rush to the alleyway on the east side of the Li Manor to capture the thief! This is a strategy of 'beating the grass to startle the snake,' but it's also the fastest way to force her to reveal herself!"

Doctor Chu took a deep look at Qin Feng, seeing the determination and certainty in his eyes. He remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding. "The risk is not small, but since you have decided... go. Leave things here to me." He didn't ask why Qin Feng was so certain, nor did he ask who the maidservant was. This unconditional trust warmed Qin Feng's heart.

"Thank you, Master!"

Qin Feng moved quickly. He once again performed that crude but practical Disguise Technique, transforming himself into a sallow-faced, lecherous-looking young hoodlum dressed in a flashy manner. He intentionally messed up his hair, rubbed some dust onto his clothes, and then swaggered toward the relatively secluded alleyway on the east side of the Li Manor. This was the mandatory path Ghost Net took to go out for supplies or to deliver messages.

He waited patiently, like a lurking leopard.

Sure enough, about half an hour later, a figure dressed in coarse maidservant's clothing appeared at the mouth of the alley, head lowered, her steps seemingly hurried but actually steady. It was indeed "Ghost Net" in disguise! Her appearance was ordinary and unremarkable, but Qin Feng recognized her at a glance thanks to the System's information lock.

The opportunity had come!

Qin Feng wobbled forward to meet her, intentionally stumbling and appearing to accidentally crash into Ghost Net.

"Ouch! Who's the blind one..." he cursed in a gravelly voice, while one hand reached out extremely frivolously toward Ghost Net's cheek. "Little lady, aren't you looking where you're going? You bumped into me; how are you going to compensate me?"

Ghost Net's body stiffened slightly, and a flash of almost imperceptible ferocity crossed her eyes, but she endured it, stepping aside to avoid him and whispering, "I'm sorry, it was this servant's carelessness." Her voice was feigned weakness as she tried to bypass him.

How could Qin Feng let her go? He pushed his luck, grabbing her wrist; the touch felt cold and powerful, definitely not that of an ordinary maidservant. "Hehe, a simple 'I'm sorry' and that's it? Come have a few drinks with me, and we'll call it even!" He spewed foul language, and his other hand boldly reached for her waist in an extremely brazen and lewd motion.

"Let go!" Ghost Net's voice turned cold. With a flick of her wrist, a surge of hidden force traveled through, making Qin Feng's palm go numb. Yet, she still restrained herself, not using her true martial power.

Qin Feng felt a secret chill in his heart, knowing he had to use stronger measures. The lewd grin on his face widened as he leaned close to her ear and said in a very low but clear voice, "Why pretend to be so pure? A maidservant with thick calluses between her thumb and forefinger and the scent of blood on her... Tsk tsk, Deputy Commander 'Ghost Net' of the Purple Robe Bandits, you've really gotten addicted to playing a maidservant, haven't you?"

These words were like a clap of thunder, striking hard against Ghost Net's heart!

Her disguised identity, her deepest secret, had actually been exposed in a single sentence by a street hoodlum!

At this moment, all thoughts of infiltration or missions were thrown to the wind! An uncontrollable rage—at being profaned and having her secrets seen through by an ant—erupted in her chest like a volcano!

"You—are—seeking—death!!"

Ghost Net snapped her head up, her previously unremarkable eyes instantly becoming bone-chillingly cold and filled with bloodthirsty killing intent! Her long-suppressed aura erupted violently; although it was still controlled around the Late Martial Master stage by the Breath-Concealing Pill, that sharp killing intent and combat consciousness belonging to a Grand Martial Master spread out like a tangible shockwave!

She didn't even bother using her soft sword, instead thrusting her fingers like a blade, accompanied by a whistle that tore through the air, straight toward Qin Feng's heart! This strike was fast, ruthless, and precise, containing the power of her entire life, vowing to kill this "hoodlum" who knew her secret instantly!

Qin Feng had long been on full alert. The moment Ghost Net's aura erupted, he pushed the Primordial Unity Qi Art to its limit while simultaneously retreating at high speed! However, he still underestimated the speed of a Grand Martial Master's strike delivered in fury!

"Pfft!"

The fingertips couldn't be entirely avoided and stabbed fiercely into his chest!

"Crack!"

A clear sound of shattering rang out! The Black Tortoise Heart-Protecting Mirror hidden in his robes, which he had just obtained, flashed wildly with spiritual light the moment it contacted the finger force, then shattered into pieces! Yet, it was precisely this Profound Rank Low Grade heart-protecting mirror that offset over seventy percent of the lethal finger force for him!

The remaining force still sent Qin Feng's blood and Qi churning, a sweet taste rising in his throat as he was sent flying backward, slamming heavily against the alley wall.

But at this very moment when Ghost Net's aura erupted completely and her finger force shattered the heart-protecting mirror—

"Buzz!"

In the distance, several incomparably powerful auras rose into the sky like beacon fire, racing toward this location at an astonishing speed! The auras of the two leading them were like mountains and vast seas—they were none other than the City Lord and Vice City Lord of Star South City, two Martial King experts!

"Ghost Net! Surrender now!" The City Lord's angry roar was like rolling thunder, echoing through the air.

Ghost Net's face changed drastically; she instantly realized she had fallen into a trap! She glared with extreme venom at Qin Feng, who had just struggled to his feet, and without hesitation, she threw up her hands. A large cloud of dark green poison mist instantly spread, enveloping the entire alley entrance, blocking vision, and carrying strong corrosive and neurotoxic properties.

However, before two Martial Kings, such methods were merely futile.

"Hmph! Mere child's play!"

With a cold snort, a majestic wave of air swept through, instantly dispersing the poison mist completely. As for Ghost Net's figure, just as she leaped onto the wall, she was struck in an acupoint by a finger wind that arrived later but struck first. Her whole body stiffened, and she tumbled straight down from the wall, easily captured by the Six Fan School experts following close behind.

The entire process, from the eruption to the conclusion, took only a brief ten breaths of time.

The City Lord's gaze swept over the messy alleyway, finally landing on the "hoodlum" who was struggling to stand up, blood at the corner of his mouth and a "startled" expression on his face. A hint of inquiry flashed in his eyes. He said loudly, "Friend, thank you for your help in drawing out this scoundrel. Please accompany us back to the manor; the City Lord's Manor will surely reward you handsomely, and it will allow this old man to fulfill his duties as a host."

However, when his voice fell and he looked again, where was the "hoodlum" in the alley? Only some shattered mirror pieces and a few spots of blood were found in the corner. That person had somehow slipped away silently right under the noses of two Martial Kings and numerous experts.

The City Lord and Vice City Lord looked at each other, both seeing the surprise and solemnity in the other's eyes.

"Investigate! Find out who helped us so significantly," the City Lord ordered in a low voice, then looked at the restrained Ghost Net with cold eyes. "Take her back and interrogate her thoroughly!"

Meanwhile, Qin Feng had already used the Flying Leaf Art and his familiarity with the terrain to wind through the streets and erase his tracks. Having changed back into his original attire, he clutched his still-aching chest and walked quickly toward the Huichun Medical Hall.

His face was pale, and he still felt a lingering fear, but his eyes held a hint of relief at the plan's success.

"A Grand Martial Master... is truly terrifying. Fortunately, I had the heart-protecting mirror, and fortunately, Master notified them in time..."

Once again, from the shadows, he had averted a potential major crisis for Star South City.