Chapter 142: Chapter 105: Scapegoat, Part 3

“How did you…”

“It’s simple.”

Chen Qing stood and casually set his fishing rod on a stone. “The previous steward’s departure was suspicious. The account books looked perfect, but they were *too* clean, reeking of forgery. As the saying goes, ’When the water is too clear, there are no fish.’ Besides, I’ve been fishing here every day. I have a rough idea of how many fish are in this pond. Those pretty numbers in the ledger can’t fool the pond, and they certainly can’t fool me.”

“Most importantly, the Fishery Steward is a plum position. Why would it fall to a disciple like me, who has no backing?”

He looked at the ashen-faced Zhang Wei and said slowly, “Speak. Who was this crate of fish for? Who else is behind you?”

Zhang Wei watched Chen Qing approach, and the coldness hidden beneath that calm gaze made the hairs on his arms stand on end.

’So Chen Qing’s daily fishing wasn’t just a leisurely pastime—it was all part of a plan!’

’He knew all along!’

’And his seemingly casual glances at the ledgers… that was all an act!’

Zhang Wei knew in his heart that he was no match for Chen Qing!p>

’Run!!’

The instinct for survival overrode everything. He spun around and sprinted desperately into the depths of the reed marsh!

’If I can just escape into the complex waterways of Qianchuan Marsh, I might have a chance to live!’

However, he had barely run a hundred feet.

A fierce gust of power rushed up from behind, moving with unimaginable speed!

Chen Qing’s figure appeared behind and to his side. With a simple punch, he struck second but landed first, blasting toward the center of Zhang Wei’s back!

The punch carried the force of a collapsing mountain!

THUD!

A sickeningly dull sound rang out!

Zhang Wei felt as if he’d been struck by a heavy hammer. He clearly heard the sound of his own ribs breaking as a mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips.

Like a broken kite with its string cut, the force of the unrivaled punch sent him flying. He crashed heavily onto the muddy bank, rolling several times before coming to a stop.

“Tell me everything you know, and I’ll give you a quick death.”

Chen Qing walked over to Zhang Wei and said coldly, “Who gave you the orders? Where did the Fishery’s losses go? What did you discuss at the No. 6 Fishery yesterday?”

Zhang Wei coughed violently, each spasm sending a tearing pain through his body.

Since Chen Qing already knew something was wrong with Zhang Wei, he had naturally been keeping a close eye on him, and was fully aware that Zhang Wei had gone to find Wang Hai and Zhao Kang.

Chen Qing wasn’t just fishing tonight; he had been fishing every night for some time.

Zhang Wei knew he was finished.

“It was Wang…”

Zhang Wei struggled to open his mouth, his voice weak.

But just as that crucial word was about to leave his lips!

Something unexpected happened!

WHOOSH—!

A sharp, ear-piercing whistle tore through the silent night.

It wasn’t aimed at Chen Qing, but with incredible precision at the heavily injured Zhang Wei on the ground!

The object was extremely fast, leaving only a blurry afterimage in the moonlight as it carried a chilling gust of power!

Chen Qing’s pupils shrank. His reaction was instantaneous!

With a shift of his feet, he instantly moved half a foot to the side, his right hand shooting out like lightning to grab the incoming black shadow!

PFFT!

However, the black shadow wasn’t a physical arrow, but an extremely condensed blue Water Arrow!

Chen Qing’s palm barely brushed the edge of the Water Arrow. It twisted bizarrely, evading his grasp, and its speed, rather than decreasing, actually increased.

“Ah—!”

The blue Water Arrow pierced through Zhang Wei’s throat with perfect accuracy!

Zhang Wei’s eyes flew wide with terror and despair. A bloody hole instantly appeared in his throat, and he couldn’t even let out a final, agonized scream. His body convulsed violently a few times before falling silent forever.

Chen Qing looked up, his gaze as sharp as a blade, and stared in the direction the Water Arrow had come from.

At almost the same instant!

BOOM!

From the right, a figure charged forward, bringing with him a ferocious blast of air and water. With the power to sunder mountains and crack stone, he threw a punch straight at Chen Qing’s ribs.

Before the fist even arrived, the suffocating, mountain-like pressure was already overwhelming!

It was a Superior Martial Arts technique from the Geng Metal Institute! The Vajra Armor-Breaking Fist!

The attacker was none other than Wang Hai.

A sneak attack with a Water Arrow from the left, a crushing punch from the right!

The two coordinated with impeccable teamwork. Their timing was ingenious, designed to launch a fatal blow the very instant Chen Qing was distracted by Zhang Wei and the Water Arrow.

Chen Qing had yet to fully steady himself after intercepting the Water Arrow when Wang Hai’s heavy punch, infused with Embracing Pill Power, was already upon him.

To the left, deep within the reed marsh, the other figure seemed to be gathering power, ready to strike!

In an instant, Chen Qing was attacked from both sides.

In a flash, the Cyan Wood True Qi in Chen Qing’s body surged. He chose not to retreat or block Wang Hai’s fist, as that would only put him in a passive, defensive position.

Pivoting on his left foot, he twisted his waist sharply, his entire body spinning like a top. By a hair’s breadth, Wang Hai’s powerful, heavy fist brushed past his side.

Using the centrifugal force of the spin, the muscles on Chen Qing’s right arm bulged, veins coiling over them like Qiu Dragons. His tightly gripped Cold Chiyi Spear let out a clear, sonorous hum.

Radiating a bone-chilling cold and immense Power, the spear transformed into a streak of cyan lightning that tore through the night. In a backhanded, upward-arcing strike—Mountain-Breaking Rainbow Piercing—it shot toward the vital spot under Wang Hai’s arm, exposed by his full-powered punch!

The spear strike was subtle and ingenious.

It was a perfect example of using offense as defense, forcing the enemy into a defensive move!

A look of horror appeared on Wang Hai’s fat face. He never expected that Chen Qing, caught in a pincer attack, could react so quickly with such a fierce and venomous counterattack.

It was too late for him to retract his fist. With an angry roar, his fat body displayed an agility that defied his size as he threw himself backward, simultaneously bringing his left arm across to block the vital point under his armpit.

SHHNNK—!

The sharp spear tip scraped across Wang Hai’s left arm, which was covered in Golden True Qi, kicking up a shower of blinding sparks and shredded flesh.

If not for his True Qi Body Protection, that strike would have crippled his arm!

Wang Hai grunted in pain and used the momentum to retreat several steps, creating distance between them.

At the same time, a figure flashed out from the reeds on the left.

It was Zhao Kang.

“Steward Chen, what a move!”

He looked at Chen Qing and chuckled. “Even among Early-stage Embracing Pill experts, your strength is likely at the very top.”

Chen Qing stood with his spear, not responding. He just watched the two of them coldly, the blood on the tip of his Cold Chiyi Spear glinting eerily in the moonlight.

Wang Hai took a deep breath, suppressing the searing pain in his arm and the shocked fury in his heart. Forcing a smile, he chimed in, “Younger Brother Chen, we’re all from the same Sect. There’s no need for this hostility. The waters of this Nanzhe Fishery run deep. Some things aren’t so black and white. That punk Zhang Wei was a traitor. Now that he’s dead, he’s dead. It saves us the trouble. But you… you’re young and have a boundless future. Why risk it all over some trivial assets?”

Zhao Kang took a step forward. “Steward Chen, you’re a smart man. The discrepancies in the Fishery’s books are just petty cash. Do you have any idea how profitable our entire operation is? Just give us the nod, turn a blind eye, and when Elder Zhao comes at the end of the year, we’ll naturally cook the books to be seamless. We’ll guarantee you’re in the clear. We can even cut you in for a share!”

Wang Hai immediately followed up with his own bait. “That’s right! Younger Brother Chen, you’re a talented man, but you’re of humble birth. You need resources! Elixirs, Cultivation Techniques, Treasure Soldiers—which of these doesn’t require massive amounts of silver? Work with us, and all of it will be within your grasp! It’s a hundred times better than guarding this crappy Fishery and catching a few small fish! Think about it. With enough resources, you could easily become the True Inheritor Chief, and maybe even compete for an Elder’s position in the future!”

The two played off each other, a perfect carrot-and-stick routine.

Chen Qing scoffed. “And what if I refuse?”

He raised the Cold Chiyi Spear in his hand slightly, its tip pointing at Wang Hai and Zhao Kang.

’Asking me to join them?’

’The moment the Sect’s higher-ups start investigating, I’d be the first one they’d throw out as a scapegoat.’

How could Chen Qing not understand the intricacies of their scheme?

The smile vanished from Wang Hai’s face. “You shameless bastard! Junior Brother Zhao, it looks like this brat is dead set on dying! Then let’s grant him his wish! Send him to keep Zhang Wei company!”

He shook his injured left arm, the fat on his face trembling. A murderous light glinted in his narrow eyes as he stared intently at Chen Qing.

The last trace of hypocrisy vanished from Zhao Kang’s eyes, leaving only icy killing intent. “Chen Qing, since you insist on dying, don’t blame us for what happens next! This place will be your grave tonight!”

One on the left and one on the right, they formed a pincer, trapping Chen Qing securely between them.

A cold killing intent, like a tangible tide, filled the deathly silent reed marsh, so oppressive it felt as if the very air had frozen solid.

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep