Unbridled. This man was the target of the recent manhunt by the Kangyang District Spirit Realm walker teams, one of Hei Wuchang's confidants, and a Level 3 Witch Doctor. On the way to the meeting location in the business van, Li Dongze warned in a solemn voice:
"Judging by the information we extracted from the spirit body of the Witch Doctor we killed earlier, Unbridled is a Level 3 Witch Doctor whose experience value is very likely above ninety percent. He stands at the absolute peak of the Transcendent stage."
Zhang Yuanqing nodded with a grave expression.
Evil professions possessed greater combat prowess than ordinary orthodox professions. For Unbridled to possess an experience value of ninety percent meant that even a fellow Level 3 Night Wanderer would likely get thrashed if their own experience was not high enough.
Guan Ya smiled. "Don't worry, we have numbers on our side."
The number of walkers in the orthodox faction was massive. In comparison, while evil professions were formidable, their overall numbers fell far short of the orthodox ranks.
Before long, they arrived at their destination: a private club tucked away in a quiet corner of the bustling city.
Named "Qingteng Health Club," it specialized in beauty care, wellness, and leisure. The interior was pleasant and filled with lush greenery. Cute pet cats and dogs strolled and frolicked amidst the vibrant emerald lawn.
The decor followed a classic Chinese style—quaint and elegant, featuring rattan chairs, round tables, wood carvings, and ink wash paintings.
Entering the club and walking along the stone-paved path across the lawn, Zhang Yuanqing admired the pleasant scenery as Guan Ya said beside him, "This is one of Baihui's properties. Usually, it serves as a team stronghold. The person in charge is Captain Qingteng."
Seeing his bewildered expression, she explained helplessly, "You know, the woman with the big breasts and rounded hips who wears an ink-wash qipao."
Zhang Yuanqing came to a sudden realization. "Oh, her..."
*Typical Scorpio!* Guan Ya grumbled inwardly.
After a few minutes' walk, a sunroom spanning a full thirty square meters appeared ahead.
In the center of the room sat a rustic, long log table, around which sat over a dozen Spirit Realm walkers.
Zhang Yuanqing followed the Decurion in, pushing open the sunroom's door. Looking around, he recognized several familiar faces: Bailong, the big sister in a racing suit; Qingteng, the beautiful mature woman in a qipao; Da Jiba, the burly man in form-fitting clothes; and Tang Guoqiang, the middle-aged man wearing a miner's hardhat.
As for the rest, he did not know them.
*Is that hardhat an item? What does it do—make your skull as hard as iron?* Zhang Yuanqing took another look at Tang Guoqiang. This construction company boss had changed his clothes, yet stubbornly kept the hardhat on.
He had not found it strange before, but now it seemed that anything a Spirit Realm walker carried on them constantly was most likely an item.
"Yo, our Night Wanderer is here." Big Sister Bailong raised an eyebrow. "How's it going? Rolling with Li Dongze treating you well? If it's not working out, you can come over to my team. Good wine and good meat every day, plus pretty girls to boot."
Da Jiba laughed heartily. "I'd say rolling with Li Dongze has no future—unless he hands you a girlfriend."
The official walkers around the long table all turned their gazes toward him—some curious, some scrutinizing, and some friendly—instantly making Zhang Yuanqing the center of attention.
His ordeal in the Sheling Tunnel had merely brought him modest fame, but after clearing the Jinshui Amusement Park, the handle 'Yuanshi Tianzun' had skyrocketed into a high-profile star within the Songhai Branch.
Li Dongze parted his lips, instinctively intending to deflect the attention for his subordinate so he would not feel awkward or constrained. But on second thought, he realized it was unnecessary.
With a straight face, Zhang Yuanqing said solemnly, "Who knows, in a few more months, the Decurion might have to roll with me."
Everyone paused in surprise, then burst into laughter, turning to tease Li Dongze.
Li Dongze led his two subordinates to their seats and cleared his throat. "Let's get down to business."
The walkers around the table put away their smiles. As the host, Qingteng spoke up:
"Our lookouts spotted Unbridled appearing at a villa community beside Runmin Plaza in the early hours of this morning. However, we cannot yet determine whether that is his hideout or where an accomplice resides."
"Baihui's lookouts are stray animals scattered all across Songhai," Guan Ya leaned close to Zhang Yuanqing's ear and whispered.
*Stray animals? Oh right, a Wood Demon in the Saint stage is also called a Beast King...* Zhang Yuanqing nodded slightly.
Tang Guoqiang frowned. "I know that community. It's populated by wealthy people. If we want to make an arrest, we'll need to clear the area."
Da Jiba immediately objected. "No way! Clearing the area would make too much commotion, and Unbridled would definitely run. We have to strike like lightning and catch him completely off guard."
He disliked excessive advance preparation; just charging in and doing the deed was his style.
Li Dongze pondered for a moment. "Clearing the area is indeed inappropriate, as it could easily startle the snake. I have two plans. First, request Centurion Fu to step in, aiming for a swift and decisive takedown. Second, use an item to sever the villa where Unbridled is staying from the outside world, so we can shut the dog in and beat it."
A man with a gloomy demeanor frowned and said, "Centurion Fu is currently tracking Hei Wuchang and might not have the bandwidth to focus on our end. We must deploy our forces first and work out an arrest plan. We can't just blindly count on his help..."
Zhang Yuanqing listened quietly from the side. There were fifteen official walkers gathered here: five captains and ten elite members, forming the special task force in Kangyang District dedicated to the Hei Wuchang case.
In theory, such a force should be more than enough to deal with a single Level 3 Witch Doctor.
"I have a question..." Zhang Yuanqing raised a hand.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"What if Unbridled is like Ou Xiangrong—an evil profession controlled by the Fallen Holy Grail?" Zhang Yuanqing asked.
Back then, Ou Xiangrong had escaped the dragnet precisely because the power of the Fallen Holy Grail had erupted; what was meant to be fatal evil energy had instead turned into a trump card.
Da Jiba chuckled. "Rest easy. We've prepared items that counter evil power."
Zhang Yuanqing nodded, relieved.
Qingteng, dressed today in a moon-white qipao, looked at Zhang Yuanqing and asked with a smile, "Do you have any other thoughts?"
*First bring out the red dancing shoes, then turn on the Cat King Speaker to stun him, then toss out Little Doubi to swap vision, and finally summon the Ghost Bride. After running through that full sequence, even if that Level 3 Witch Doctor didn't die, he'd be crippled. As for me, the master, all I'd need to do is pull the strings from behind the scenes...*
Zhang Yuanqing shook his head. "I will follow the captains' arrangements."
Although he offered no concrete suggestions, the captains were very pleased with his humble attitude.
Captain Qingteng said, "First notify Centurion Fu to confirm whether we proceed with Plan A or Plan B. But whichever it is, an operation at night would be best. That way, the collateral damage and public fallout can be kept to a minimum.
"In addition, try to replace the property management staff in that villa community with our people. No, not entirely replaced—just slip our people in..."
***
On the second floor of a villa, Fu Qingyang, dressed in a crisp white suit with a dashing short ponytail, knocked on Ling Jun's bedroom door with a cold expression.
"What is it?"
Ling Jun, whose dress style was the complete opposite of Fu Qingyang's, yawned and complained, "I was playing cards till dawn with a girl I like. Can't you let me get some more sleep? Oh, don't worry, it wasn't one of the bunny girls in your villa. I don't graze on my own doorstep."
"The Deacon of Fenghua District said they found traces of Hei Wuchang and are currently deploying forces. They asked for my backup," Fu Qingyang said. "You're coming too."
"They found Hei Wuchang?" Ling Jun's eyes lit up, instantly re-energized. Shuffling in his slippers, he headed straight for the stairs. After a couple of steps, he suddenly stopped.
Just as Fu Qingyang thought he was going to say, *Let me change clothes,* Ling Jun said:
"Wait, I have a date with a girl tonight. I need to text her first that we'll have to raincheck."
Fu Qingyang's face grew even colder...
***
At midnight, three black business vans drove into the villa community and parked in a secluded spot.
The doors slid open, and the task force's official walkers stepped out in a quiet, orderly fashion.
Zhang Yuanqing gazed toward the villa in the distance. Since Centurion Fu was occupied with other matters and unable to attend, the task force had full authority over this arrest operation.
A young man dressed in a security uniform stepped out from the shadows, walked up to Qingteng, and whispered, "Captain, Unbridled is inside. I saw him go in with my own eyes."
Qingteng's charming face grew solemn as she gently stroked an orange cat in her arms. "You weren't spotted, were you?"
The young man shook his head. "I was wearing a mask and only glanced at him once without paying extra attention. The subsequent tailing was done by Little Q."
Little Q was a sparrow he kept.
Qingteng nodded, opened her inventory, and drew a piece of withered wood—two fingers thick and half a foot long—from the void.
In her vision, the item's information materialized:
[Name: Secret Garden]
[Type: Support]
[Function: Barrier, Seal]
[Description: A piece of wood brimming with vast vitality. Most of the time it remains dormant, but upon coming into contact with soil, it awakens, transforming the area within a hundred-meter radius into a garden. This garden is completely cut off from the outside world; one can only enter, but cannot leave. Duration: 30 minutes.]
[Remarks: The description already explains the cost quite clearly—what more is there to say!]
Qingteng looked around at her companions and warned, "We only have half an hour."
She briefly explained the item's cost, then took out a red cord, tied it to the orange cat, and stroked its head.
"Go!"
The orange cat darted out gracefully, heading straight toward the villa standing silently in the darkness.
Chapter 73