The Mo Family showed up quickly, just as expected.
Mo Qin said his goodbyes to the two of them, then got into the car without looking back.
Bai Maomao watched the car drive away, his expression gradually darkening.
Lang Junxian gently ruffled his hair in silent comfort.
“We should go too. They didn’t return to school. If what Mo Qin said was true, the Gong Family’s influence at school wouldn’t be small. Thinking back to the incident when we were comprehending the Xuanjing Silica, it might have been connected to the Gong Family as well.”
The two headed straight home to pack their things.
They hadn’t lived in this apartment long after buying it, but the place was filled with familiar memories and attachments.
After packing, Bai Maomao sent a message to his mother: I have some business in Shangjing with Xiao Hei and won’t be returning to school for a while.
You can come find us directly in Shangjing.
“Do you think Mother won’t come back here?”
Bai Maomao asked.
“Yeah,” Lang Junxian lifted the suitcase.
“Once we settle down in Shangjing, we’ll contact her. Telling her now would only worry her unnecessarily.”
Dragging their luggage, Bai Maomao carefully double-locked the door before heading toward the train station.
They took a taxi to the train station but found a large crowd gathered at the entrance.
Police armed with guns were checking IDs one by one.
Bai Maomao wanted to go investigate, but Lang Junxian held him back cautiously and led him toward the outskirts.
“Something’s off here,” Lang Junxian frowned, wrinkling his nose.
“There are a lot of cultivators mixed in.”
Bai Maomao was confused.
“Why are there so many cultivators here all of a sudden?”
Lang Junxian’s heart sank.
“Maybe they’re people from the Gong Family.”
“How could the Gong Family act this fast?”
Bai Maomao was incredulous.
It had only been one night.
They hurried home, packed, and rushed to the station, spending some time only with Mo Qin.
Yet the Gong Family had already discovered and moved so quickly, as if they’d been prepared all along.
Lang Junxian shook his head.
He didn’t understand the Gong Family’s speed either, but dwelling on it now was pointless.
“We should head to the bus station.”
Bus tickets didn’t require ID checks, and the place was chaotic with all kinds of people, even more so than the train station.
Bai Maomao kept watch over their luggage while Lang Junxian went to buy the tickets.
Passengers came and went, and Bai Maomao remained tense, wary of any Gong Family members who might be searching for them.
Suddenly, a hand reached out to tap him on the shoulder.
“Bai Maomao?”
Bai Maomao swiftly dodged and looked back cautiously, relaxing only when he saw it was Meng Qu.
“What are you doing here?”
Meng Qu smiled.
“I’m here to send off a relative.”
“And you? Why are you here?”
Bai Maomao lowered his lashes, replying coolly, “I have some business elsewhere.”
Meng Qu nodded understandingly and winked.
“Did you get permission to leave, or are you skipping class?”
Bai Maomao didn’t even blink.
“Got permission.”
Lang Junxian returned with tickets for the earliest bus, and greeted Meng Qu with a neutral nod.
Meng Qu winked at Bai Maomao again and waved before leaving.
“Got the tickets?”
Bai Maomao asked.
“Yep. The earliest bus isn’t until 3 PM.”
Bai Maomao shrugged.
“Then we wait. Let’s grab something to eat first.”
They found a nearby McDonald’s to have a meal.
Meanwhile, Meng Qu, who had just parted ways with Bai Maomao, wore a troubled expression.
He stared at the anonymous Wanted Poster uploaded on the school forum, fingers tracing the screen before finally dialing the bounty phone number listed.
“Hello?”
Meng Qu lowered his voice.
“I know where Bai Hongyuan is.”
“Where?”
“Is the bounty on the Wanted Poster real?”
Meng Qu swallowed nervously.
“Yes. If you catch them, we’ll double the reward.”
“Okay, they’re at the Western Suburb Bus Station.”
The wait dragged on painfully.
Having just endured the loss of a comrade, neither of them felt like celebrating.
Bai Maomao rested his head on Lang Junxian’s shoulder in a sluggish daze.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
He pulled it out to see Meng Qu’s name flashing on the screen.
Sliding to answer, Meng Qu’s anxious voice came through.
“Maomao, where are you guys?”
“What’s wrong?”
Bai Maomao asked curiously.
Meng Qu urged, “I saw your Wanted Poster on the school forum. Where are you now? Hide well and don’t come out. I’m coming to get you.”
Bai Maomao gave him the address.
Within minutes, Meng Qu appeared, panting heavily from running.
Bai Maomao handed him a cup of water, and Meng Qu gulped it down, then passed his phone to him.
Bai Maomao read the message; his face darkened, and Lang Junxian’s expression turned grim too.
It was clear the Gong Family wouldn’t give up until they caught them.
Meng Qu, however, seemed less fazed and cautiously asked, “You really killed Gong Shaotian?”
“Yeah,” Bai Maomao nodded.
“He kidnapped Yan Miao.”
Meng Qu fell silent for a moment, then said, “Gong Shaotian’s father is the vice president of Xuan Huang University, and his uncle is the head of Wuji Yuan.”
He looked at Bai Maomao with concern.
“You have to be careful. The Gong Family’s connections run deep. The forum says police are checking IDs at several bus stations in Guangshi City.”
Bai Maomao frowned deeply, and Lang Junxian remained silent.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
After a moment, Meng Qu clapped his hands excitedly as if he’d just thought of something.
“I remember! I have a distant uncle who works in poultry transport, right around the Western Suburb. I can take you to him, and you can hide in his transport truck. You’ll definitely be able to get out safely.”
Bai Maomao hesitated, unwilling to drag his classmate into trouble.
“If the Gong Family finds out you helped us…” he trailed off.
Meng Qu shook his head.
“We’ve been roommates for nearly a year now. Brothers in trouble—I can’t just stand by.”
Bai Maomao glanced at Lang Junxian, who looked resigned.
This was their only option.
Time was of the essence.
Meng Qu led them out, saying his uncle’s farm wasn’t far, so they walked for safety.
After nearly half an hour, the road grew emptier and more desolate.
Bai Maomao frowned. “Meng Qu, are you sure we’re going the right way?”
Meng Qu walked a few more steps, then slowly turned back, a sly smile creeping across his face.
“Maomao, we’re classmates, but this time…I’m sorry to betray you.”
Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure surged toward them.
Lang Junxian reacted quickly, grabbing Bai Maomao and retreating fast, eyes sharp as they watched the people emerging behind Meng Qu.
Meng Qu smiled ingratiatingly at the newcomers, then stepped aside.
The leader was a stern-looking man in his forties who resembled Gong Shaotian—definitely a member of the Gong Family.
Behind him followed four or five others, each at least at the Foundation Establishment level.
Lang Junxian squeezed Bai Maomao’s hand, signaling him.
They were outnumbered and outmatched; if they couldn’t win, the best option was to run.
Bai Maomao understood, setting his stance as they faced their opponents.
Gong Yifeng’s gaze was cold and emotionless, as if looking at corpses.
He waved his hand, and his men immediately charged without a word.
Back to back, Lang Junxian and Bai Maomao protected each other’s backs.
Both cultivated to the Fan Jing Hua Qi level, they weren’t weak, but the four attackers clearly had been tempered through countless battles.
Every strike aimed for vital points.
At first, the two were struggling, but their solid cultivation prevented them from taking serious damage.
After fighting for a while, Bai Maomao found his rhythm and his attacks became sharper.
Four men against two still couldn’t easily defeat them.
One man broke off and approached Gong Yifeng to speak.
Gong Yifeng nodded.
The man took out a Little Bowl and placed a gleaming Crystal Stone into its hollow.
The bowl swelled against the wind and slowly rose above Bai Maomao and Lang Junxian.
Chanting softly, the man manipulated the bowl.
Suddenly, Bai Maomao and Lang Junxian felt a heavy resistance hindering their movements.
Meanwhile, the three attackers encircling them moved freely without impediment.
This bowl was clearly targeting only them.
Annoyed, Bai Maomao quickened his assault, trying to break free from the bowl’s influence.
Lang Junxian grew agitated too, his fury nearly uncontrollable.
Already outnumbered, now restricted in movement, Lang Junxian was caught off guard while blocking an attack to Bai Maomao’s back.
A long cut opened across his shoulder, blood gushing out, staining Bai Maomao’s eyes red.
“You’re courting death.”
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