Full-Level Fierce Person
Chapter 122 - 100 Fireflies

Chapter 122: 100 Fireflies

The golden crow set in the west, and the jade rabbit rose in the east.

News about the two inns suddenly catching fire, and Xu Xiaodao being shot dead in the street, spread like wildfire through every street and alley.

"Haha, the Xiaodao Gang is finally finished!"

"Yes, the Xiaodao Gang bullied and dominated the market, collecting so much protection money, stall fees, festival fees..."

"Xu Xiaodao deserved to die. I heard they not only extorted and were arrogant in the city, but outside the city, they were even more unscrupulous, abducting women, forcing the virtuous into prostitution, and even slaughtering many refugees."

"How come I heard that Xu Xiaodao was killed because he messed with someone else’s wife, and that’s what led to his killing disaster?"

"Tsk, from ancient times, illicit affairs have led to death!"

...

On a cold winter evening, the common folk had found their gossip after dinner, and the discussions were varied and many.

However, the two inns that were burnt to the ground didn’t attract much attention.

After all, they didn’t often stay at inns.

But Xu Xiaodao was different.

He was the most notorious gangster in the county town, a typical representative of a bully, deeply affecting every aspect of the common people’s lives.

After his death, some people felt jubilant, some felt like heaven had finally opened its eyes, and others plotted to take over his turf.

"Xu Xiaodao is dead..."

Liang Buqing looked haggard, his eyes red, muttering to himself.

Since he left Hanxiang Building this morning to go home, he had been restless and anxious.

He was constantly on edge, feeling that something was off, possibly a big event was going to happen.

He never thought what he feared could happen so quickly.

"If Xu Xiaodao was shot by an arrow, then the murderer must be..."

Liang Buqing was terrified and dared not think further.

After realizing that he had leaked information, he had thought about going to see Fang Zhixing to report to him immediately.

But he hesitated, clinging to a sliver of hope.

Only at this moment did he realize that it was all too late.

Bang bang~

Someone was knocking on the door.

Liang Buqing hurried to open it, only to see the receptionist from the Internal Affairs Office, Chen Ping, standing outside.

Liang Buqing hurriedly welcomed the visitor, exclaiming with surprise, "Brother Chen, why have you come?"

Chen Ping, expressionless and with a cold face, said flatly, "Liang, the Incense Master has told me to inform you that you’re fired. He will no longer employ you."

At that statement!

Liang Buqing felt as if struck by lightning. Instantly, cold sweat poured like rain, and he collapsed to the ground, his face ashen, utterly devasted.

Seeing this, Chen Ping disdainfully shook his head, said no more, turned, and left with a flick of his sleeve.

...

...

At dawn the next day, it was still dark.

Fang Zhixing woke up especially early, had a quick breakfast, grabbed his luggage, and quietly rode his horse out of the Government Office.

This trip was naturally to head for the Third Level Restricted Area.

Whether he could advance to the One Beast Realm depended on how much he gained from this journey.

However, he kept this journey secret, not telling anyone.

He did not inform anyone in advance.

He only left a letter in his house.

If he didn’t return for a long time and was considered missing, those investigating his whereabouts would surely come to his other residence, and they would quickly find that letter.

Xigou curled up in Fang Zhixing’s arms, showing only his dog head, continuously yawning, utterly exhausted.

He muttered, asking, "Without Liang Buqing as a guide, can it be done?"

Fang Zhixing replied, "No worries. With the experience from last time, I’ve figured out how to navigate the Restricted Area. We can manage without Liang Buqing."

Xigou said no more.

Fang Zhixing’s capabilities were indisputable. If he said it could be done, then it definitely would be.

Since Fang Zhixing could manage, it meant that Liang Buqing was dispensable.

Moreover, Liang Buqing had betrayed Fang Zhixing. Even if it wasn’t intentional, he had angered Fang Zhixing.

Fang Zhixing would naturally discard him like an old shoe.

Another point was Fang Zhixing harbored many secrets and was highly suspicious. He was unlikely to let someone stay by his side for too long.

Liang Buqing, when it came time to dispose of him, there was nothing more to say.

Even if Liang Buqing was retained for this trip, next time, Fang Zhixing would still dispose of him.

"Alone by the chilly river, the old friends of Jianghu, why bother to have known each other at all!"

Fang Zhixing was not just talking; he was serious.

If that’s how he treated Duan Caiyan with whom he had fond relations, what more for someone like Liang Buqing?

Clatter clatter clatter!

He left the city and headed west at a gallop, spurring his horse to a swift pace.

On the road...

Less than ten miles out of town, Fang Zhixing’s eyes flickered, and he involuntarily grew stern.

Along the way, he saw over a dozen corpses.

All were refugees frozen to death!

Two of them were even babies in swaddling clothes.

"Alas, frozen bones on the road..."

Fang Zhixing sighed softly.

Even though he had read thousands of famous poems and verses, seeing this firsthand was far more shocking and touching.

Human tragedies, truly lamentable!

"Giddyup~"

Fang Zhixing pulled himself together and galloped on.

The Third Level Restricted Area was located on the edge of the Firefly Forest.

The forest was vast, spanning three or four counties.

Because of the high number of fireflies in the forest, at night, the glowing lights, twinkling and densely packed like the stars fallen to earth, giving the forest its name.

It was about four hundred eighty miles from Qinglin County to the Firefly Forest.

Riding a white horse, Fang Zhixing hurried along and reached around two-thirty in the afternoon.

He first climbed a dirt mound about a hundred meters high to survey the land from a high point.

Looking out, he saw an ancient forest with no visible end, with thick trees towering up into the clouds.