Chapter 441 - 264: Black Wind Hall, Part 2

Chapter 441: Chapter 264: Black Wind Hall, Part 2

When the beggar heard Fang Yue, he was stunned for a moment. A flash of panic crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He lowered his head and said in a trembling voice, "S... sir, I’m just hungry. I was just hoping for a bite to eat, nothing more."

Fang Yue smiled faintly, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. He gave the beggar a long look, then said, "If that’s the case, then come with me."

He turned and headed into a secluded alley. The beggar hesitated for a moment but ultimately followed him.

As he walked, Fang Yue observed his surroundings while secretly circulating his Inner Strength in case of trouble.

The two walked deep into the alley, one behind the other. Fang Yue suddenly stopped, turned to face the beggar, and asked coldly, "Alright, talk. Who are you really?"

Just then, a cold glint of light flashed from the side, aiming straight for Fang Yue’s back.

The beggar was just about to answer when he saw Fang Yue suddenly spin around to face the cold glint attacking from the side.

It turned out the beggar was just a decoy. The real threat was hidden in the shadows.

Fang Yue was already on guard. With a flicker of his body, he deftly dodged the fatal blow.

His gaze sharpened as he struck back with his palm. A torrent of powerful Inner Strength surged forth, aimed straight at the ambusher’s vital points.

With a dull THUD, the ambusher was struck by Fang Yue’s palm. He flew backward like a kite with a severed string, slammed heavily against the alley wall, and slid to the ground, where he lay unconscious, spitting up blood.

Fang Yue shot the ambusher a cold glance, then turned back to stare at the beggar. "Now, what do you have to say for yourself?"

The beggar’s face was now ashen. He knew he had been exposed, and Fang Yue’s strength was far beyond what he had imagined.

He stammered, his voice trembling, "I... I’m from the Black Wind Hall. I was ordered to test your strength. But... I didn’t think you’d be this powerful..."

"Black Wind Hall?" Fang Yue frowned. The name was unfamiliar.

’A local gang in Gongzhou Prefecture?’

’He couldn’t recall any intelligence directly related to that name, but that didn’t necessarily mean it was some insignificant little gang.’

He sneered and continued, "Test my strength? Your Black Wind Hall has some nerve! Daring to make a move on the Observatory... are you planning a rebellion?!"

What?

’The Observatory?’

In Gongzhou Prefecture, and indeed across the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, the Observatory was an extremely mysterious and powerful entity.

They didn’t just control the flow of intelligence throughout the land; they also possessed an unfathomable background and strength.

"Mercy, sir! Have mercy!"

The beggar kowtowed repeatedly. "I really didn’t know you were a gentleman from the Observatory, sir!" he said, his voice trembling. "We were just following orders! Please be merciful and spare my life!"

Fang Yue stared coldly at the beggar, but inside, his mind was in turmoil.

’This beggar doesn’t know anything, but the one who sent him might.’

’And the fact that they could send a Martial Master Level beggar to test me shows how seriously they’re taking this.’

At this thought, Fang Yue became even more vigilant.

The beggar swallowed hard and continued, "It was our Hall Master who sent us. He said a big shot had recently arrived in Gongzhou Prefecture, and he wanted us to test his strength."

"Oh? A big shot?" Fang Yue raised an eyebrow. ’I have a pretty good idea of what’s going on. This so-called ’big shot’ must be me. News of my arrival in Gongzhou Prefecture must have reached the Black Wind Hall, and they’re obviously plotting something.’

Fang Yue took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. He knew the most important thing now was to find out what the Black Wind Hall was after and what their relationship was with the Observatory.

"What else did your Hall Master say?" he pressed.

The beggar shook his head. "The Hall Master never tells subordinates like us about his affairs. We’re just responsible for carrying out missions. Truly, sir, I’ve told you everything I know."

Fang Yue looked at the beggar. ’It’s clear this man is just a pawn,’ he thought. ’He probably doesn’t know the Black Wind Hall’s true objective either.’

"Then take me to your Hall Master."

At Fang Yue’s words, the beggar’s face instantly turned deathly pale.

He stared at Fang Yue in terror, as if looking upon the grim reaper himself.

"S... sir, I... I’m just a lowly beggar. How could I possibly know where the Hall Master is?" he stammered.

Fang Yue watched him coldly, a frigid glint in his eyes. He knew the beggar wasn’t telling the truth.

’Since he’s a member of the Black Wind Hall, there’s no way he doesn’t know the Hall Master’s whereabouts.’

"Don’t try to pull any tricks on me!"

Fang Yue said sharply. "I know you’re from the Black Wind Hall, and I know your Hall Master must be somewhere in Gongzhou Prefecture. If you don’t want a world of hurt, you’ll obediently take me to him!"

The beggar trembled at Fang Yue’s words. He knew he had no way out.

’If I refuse his demand, the only thing waiting for me is death.’

’But if I really take him to the Hall Master, will the Hall Master let me live?’

He hesitated, but one look at Fang Yue’s frigid, stern gaze told him he had no other choice.

"F... fine," the beggar said, defeated. "I’ll take you to the Hall Master."

Fang Yue nodded in satisfaction and followed the beggar deeper into the alley.

’He knew that while this beggar was just a minor player, he was the key to finding the Hall Master of the Black Wind Hall.’

’If I can just find their Hall Master, I can finally uncover the true face of this mysterious organization.’

One walking behind the other, they soon arrived in front of a secluded courtyard. The beggar stopped and pointed. "Sir, the Hall Master is inside."

Fang Yue glanced at the dilapidated courtyard, his guard raised.

’The mighty Hall Master of the Black Wind Hall, staying in a seemingly insignificant courtyard like this?’

Though he was doubtful, his expression betrayed nothing. He simply gave a slight nod, gesturing for the beggar to lead on.

The beggar swallowed, braced himself, and walked forward to push open the courtyard gate.

Fang Yue followed close behind, stepping into the courtyard.

The courtyard was overgrown with weeds and looked quite desolate. A few dilapidated houses stood silently, looking as if they hadn’t been inhabited for a long time.

However, Fang Yue keenly sensed something unusual in the air.

His gaze sharpened. He circulated his Inner Strength and vigilantly scanned his surroundings.

Just then, the faint sound of footsteps came from inside one of the houses.

Fang Yue’s focus snapped to the source of the sound.

A figure emerged from the house and walked to the center of the courtyard.

The man was dressed in black robes, his face covered by a black cloth that revealed only a pair of sharp eyes. His gaze was like a dagger, fixed coldly on Fang Yue and the beggar.

"H-Hall Master..."

Seeing the man, the beggar began to tremble, his voice quivering with fear.

’So, this man in black must be the Hall Master of the Black Wind Hall,’ Fang Yue realized.

"You actually dared to come. You’ve got guts!"

The man in black said coldly, a hint of admiration in his voice.

Fang Yue smiled faintly. "You flatter me, Hall Master. Since I dared to come, it stands to reason that I’m not afraid."

A cold glint flashed in the man’s eyes. He stared intently at Fang Yue, as if trying to peer into his very soul.

"Oh? Not afraid?" the man in black said mockingly. "Let’s hope you’re not begging for mercy later."

Fang Yue shook his head. "Beg for mercy? It’s not yet certain who will be doing the begging. As for you, hiding your face and skulking in the shadows... it’s a bit disappointing."

A flash of anger crossed the man’s eyes. "You want to see my true face?" he said coldly. "Then we’ll see if you have what it takes!"

The moment he finished speaking, the man’s figure blurred, transforming into a black shadow as he lunged at Fang Yue.