Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 94 - 90: Capturing Zuo Qianhu in One Move!

Chapter 94: Chapter 90: Capturing Zuo Qianhu in One Move!

The gang wind mixed with flames made popping sounds, shattering the main hall’s doors, roof tiles, and pillars into powder and burning them clean.

"Now is the moment!"

Li Ping’an immediately tightened his grip on the Hundred Plays Steel Rod, timed it perfectly, and aimed at the undefended waist of Zuo Qianhu, hurling it with fifty percent of his strength.

To everyone’s eyes, a yellow streak shot straight towards Zuo Qianhu’s waist, and only then did they hear a whoosh, indicating just how fast Li Ping’an’s throw was.

After a clang, there was a thump, and the Bright Armor on the unsuspecting Zuo Qianhu, who was focused solely on combating Yiye Zhiqiu, shattered in response, followed by a painful grunt from his waist. He spat blood, bore the intense pain, withdrew his moves to prevent his hands from being chopped off by the gang wind, and then groaned and fell to the ground.

"Sneaking an attack, such an act is not honorable and upright!"

Zuo Qianhu, lying on the ground, glared resentfully into the dark recesses of the hall.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Li Ping’an explained to the stunned Xiao Wangba and the Xiao Family Sisters:

"I am but a scholar; surely you didn’t expect me to engage in a fight with Zuo Qianhu? Without an ambush, I couldn’t defeat him! If you think my methods are despicable, why don’t you step forward? They aren’t here to catch me, and if you refuse to exert yourselves or ambush yet still want to live, it really puts me in a difficult position!"

"No, no, no, Advisor, you misunderstand!"

Xiao Wangba hurriedly explained:

"Although we are short-sighted, we could tell that your strike just now had the force of a thousand juns, and that Zuo Qianhu’s Bright Armor is not ordinary quality but personally forged by the State Preceptor, so strong that even a thousand-pound boulder could leave no mark, but you..."

"Exactly, exactly, elders can’t even tell you’re a scholar; what great strength you have!"

"Ah, it’s a small matter, I was just born with Divine Power, I usually refrain from using it on people, that’s all. Danger averted, follow me!"

Li Ping’an, with his face covered, led Xiao Wangba and his daughter out, walking towards Zuo Qianhu. While Zuo wasn’t paying attention, he swiftly collected his weapon to prevent it from being recognized later.

"Yiye Zhiqiu, release the Members of the Xiao Family!"

"Yes, elder."

Yiye Zhiqiu acted accordingly, removing the spells binding the Members of the Xiao Family one by one. Once freed, they grabbed long swords, wanting to kill Zuo Qianhu and his men, but Li Ping’an immediately stopped them:

"Initially, they thought to spare your lives; although the situation has turned now, you must not repay kindness with enmity. Tie up Zuo Qianhu, and hide his men in the woods nearby."

"Yes, elder."

The Members of the Xiao Family followed orders.

As two of the Xiao Family tied Zuo Qianhu with ropes, he stared intensely at the masked Li Ping’an:

"Although you ambushed me, I am utterly convinced of my defeat; I can see your techniques are extraordinary. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to break my Bright Armor. Both the Xiao Family Rebels and the Kunlun Taoist follow your commands; may I ask who exactly are you? It would help me, Zuo Qianhu, understand my defeat clearly!"

Xiao Qingfeng proudly poked her head out and said:

"He is..."

Li Ping’an quickly elbowed Xiao Qingfeng, causing her to change her expression and say haughtily:

"The elder is an esteemed hermit, and as for his identity, we won’t tell you—just to infuriate you!"

Li Ping’an crossed his arms and looked down, saying:

"Who I am is not important; what matters is that I respect you as a straightforward and clear-minded man. If you comply obediently, I will spare your life!"

"What a joke! We don’t know each other, how can you claim to know me?"

Zuo Qianhu turned away, scoffing in disdain.

"Do you know why Yiye Zhiqiu’s Immobilization Spell did not work on you?"

As soon as Li Ping’an spoke, Yiye Zhiqiu and Zuo Qianhu listened attentively.

"It’s because you possess a trace of Strong Qi. This Strong Qi is related to your status as a Martial Cultivator, but more so because your heart is righteous. Those with dishonorable intentions definitely do not possess Strong Qi."

"So that’s how it is."

Yiye Zhiqiu suddenly realized and his admiration for Li Ping’an grew even more.

"Remarkable, remarkable! I finally understand why these people are so obedient to you. Tell me, how do I need to behave to spare my life?"

Zuo Qianhu was completely shocked by Li Ping’an’s explanation, a huge symbol of respect forming in his heart, and his tone became increasingly gentle.

"Are there any followers of the State Preceptor nearby?"

"No more, just over fifty of us defeated men..."

Zuo Qianhu replied with shame.

"So apart from your group, there won’t be anyone else coming after us tonight, right?"

"There won’t be."

"Good!"

Li Ping’an was very satisfied with Zuo Qianhu’s answer and turned to Xiao Qingfeng to command:

"You’re traveling, you should have brought some golden sore medicine, right? Those hit by my One-Finger Divine Power are in for a rough time. Hurry up and treat him."

"But just now, didn’t you use..."

Li Ping’an quickly winked at Xiao Qingfeng, who then realized that Li Ping’an had said this on purpose. Although he wasn’t sure why, he ultimately followed through.

"Zuo Qianhu, there is something I do not understand and wish to learn from you!"

Xiao Wangba, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke up, to which Zuo Qianhu replied with Resentment:

"The Imperial Censor, born of a noble family, learned and of the highest official rank, actually seeks to learn from me, a Warrior of common birth—how intriguing."

"I know your character and have no desire to quarrel with you. Just tell me, how did the State Preceptor find out about my whereabouts?"

Xiao Wangba looked towards Chang’an and continued:

"Initially, after my failed attempt to assassinate the State Preceptor, the entire family fled, considering his vast influence spanning the world. Thinking I was smart and that under the light is the darkest, I’ve been hiding here since escaping Chang’an, attempting to sneak through unnoticed. Recently, I even sneaked back to Chang’an unnoticed. Just now, I thought carefully, unless someone betrayed my whereabouts, there’s no way you could have found me! Speak, who betrayed me?"

"Imperial Censor, you’re cunning indeed; no wonder I couldn’t find you for so long. I thought you might have fled back to Lanling or headed south. It turns out you’ve been hiding near Chang’an all along, brilliant!"

After realizing the reason, Zuo Qianhu assuredly replied:

"To be honest, I also don’t know how the State Preceptor found out. I was about to go to Qi County when, upon arriving, I received orders from an envoy sent by the State Preceptor, saying you were hiding near Chang’an. It was merely a coincidence."

"Just a coincidence?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wangba’s expression darkened instantly and he muttered:

"Let’s hope it’s just a coincidence. If he betrayed me, then I truly have wronged Qingfeng."

After the inquiry, Li Ping’an, Xiao Wangba, Yiye Zhiqiu, and the others considered Zhengqi Villa to be relatively safe for now, so they planned to rest there for the night and leave early the next morning.

The Xiao Family Sisters treated the Members of the Xiao Family, while Xiao Wangba paced back and forth alone in the main hall, filled with worry and pondering what to do next.