At one o’clock in the morning, He Jiaqing entered Xiao Zhenggong’s villa.
There were more than a dozen bodyguards on the first floor, but not a single one noticed He Jiaqing.
He Jiaqing first went to the second floor, which held guest rooms and a study. After making the rounds, he found nothing of value.
Then he moved to the third floor, which consisted of two bedrooms. After searching them, he still didn’t find what he was looking for.
He Jiaqing entered the basement. The First Layer was a wine cellar and a movie theater, but he did not find the object there.
There was also a Second Layer.
The Second Layer was a garage and a pump room. As he passed through the pump room, He Jiaqing halted in his tracks.
He Jiaqing felt around on the wall for a moment before finding a brick.
This brick was special. Through the tips of his fingers, He Jiaqing could feel its unique patterns, and he knew it contained a special mechanism.
He Jiaqing caressed the brick for a moment, and the mechanism was quickly unlocked.
The secret door slowly opened, revealing a securely wrapped Long Spear standing in the center of the hidden chamber.
He Jiaqing cautiously approached the Long Spear. He knew of Zhao Xiaowan’s capabilities; without careful attention, he could easily be badly injured.
"Desolate child under the cloud dwelling, who comes to inquire?" suddenly uttered the Long Spear.
He Jiaqing broke out in a cold sweat.
"Don’t worry, I mean no harm," he said.
According to the information he had gathered, Zhao Xiaowan, transformed into a long spear, was both deaf and blind. Knowing full well she couldn’t hear him, He Jiaqing still spoke soothingly.
"Yesterday we met over a cup of wine, today my tongue commands a thousand armies. With no crack in the ground or path in the sky, who are you and who am I?" the Long Spear spoke again, its might growing even stronger.
He Jiaqing took half a step back. It wasn’t just because of its oppressive might; he also noticed a powerful seal around the Long Spear.
"I only want to borrow a bit of your technique, just a bit."
"I want to borrow the ’Wind Rises on Flat Ground’ Technique, and I won’t touch any other techniques."
"Of course, if you’re willing to lend me the ’Thousand Mile In A Step Technique,’ I’d be very grateful."
"Your technique will be slightly weakened, but it’s a loan, and it will naturally recover in the future."
He Jiaqing touched the Long Spear gently, and its might surged once again.
He Jiaqing had no time to verify it. He immediately withdrew his hand, turned, and started to leave, only to see more than a dozen bodyguards rushing into the basement.
He Jiaqing didn’t want to confront the bodyguards. His form flashed, and in an instant, he disappeared.
By the time the bodyguards came to their senses, He Jiaqing was already outside the villa’s gate.
Just as he thought he could escape smoothly, Xiao Zhenggong suddenly rushed at him with a kick.
He Jiaqing sidestepped the kick, and Xiao Zhenggong’s shoe flew off his foot.
He Jiaqing also dodged the flying shoe, which crashed into the marble steps, shattering them.
The shoelace flew from the shoe of its own accord, striking He Jiaqing’s back like a whip.
The blow was painful, causing He Jiaqing to stumble as his figure disappeared into the night.
Xiao Zhenggong gave chase for a few steps but couldn’t catch up with He Jiaqing. He then turned and hurried back into the basement.
Xiao Zhenggong looked at the group of bodyguards and cursed, "Useless!"
The bodyguards didn’t dare speak. They weren’t frightened by Xiao Zhenggong, but by the overwhelming presence of the Long Spear.
The dreadful might, like a horde of charging soldiers confronting them, left them unable to open their mouths.
Xiao Zhenggong eyed the Long Spear but dared not approach it carelessly.
「...」
As He Jiaqing ran along the road, he felt his speed had not increased from before.
「...」
「Yue State City, Chengyun Road.」
Qin Minghui rushed to the Ruirong Textile Factory.
The factory had been abandoned for many years, with wild grass growing all around the walls.
The parents of the two children were crying their hearts out in front of the gate, desperately trying to rush into the factory, but the police were holding them back at the entrance.
Qin Minghui presented his credentials, learned of the situation, and found out that the two children were still inside the factory compound, their lives hanging in the balance.
The roads surrounding the area had been cordoned off, but no one was sure whether the unidentified creature inside would emerge.
Witnesses claimed the creature was a snake lying on the ground. It was taller than a person, with fangs bigger than kitchen knives.
Qin Minghui visualized the shape of a kitchen knife. It seemed rather different from the shape of snake fangs.
The witness was a beggar who had originally planned to sleep in the factory for the night. Later, two children came into the factory to play, and they got into a disagreement.