Chapter 931: Killing Trap

Zhang Shi Tou was an outsider, belonging to the minority of villagers with different surnames in Kao Mountain Village.

According to the old village chief, he had been orphaned since childhood and had made a living through hunting. His fierce temperament often led to conflicts with the villagers, not just with Zhang Xiao Qi’s family.

This was why the old village chief hadn’t thought of him immediately.

Zhang Shi Tou’s home was not within the village but deep in the mountains, isolated, with no other homes within hundreds of steps—just a solitary wooden house.

Due to being ostracized by the villagers, Zhang Shi Tou rarely interacted with them. He traded the pelts and cured meat he hunted through traveling merchants for various supplies.

Although his registered residence was in Kao Mountain Village, he essentially lived a life of solitude.

When Wang Chen and the old village chief arrived at Zhang Shi Tou’s home, the wooden house was tightly shut, with no signs of activity.

Wang Chen effortlessly broke the copper lock on the door and stepped inside.

Zhang Shi Tou’s home was not much different from those of most villagers; it was furnished simply, with cured meat hanging from the beams.

However, the moment he entered the room, Wang Chen felt his Demon Identification Talisman slightly warm up.

He discreetly searched the room.

Nothing unusual was found.

At that moment, a member of the village protection team said, “Zhang Shi Tou must have gone hunting at Tiger Head Mountain. He often goes there and has even built a Small House. Sometimes he stays there overnight!”

Wang Chen asked in a deep voice, “Where is Tiger Head Mountain?”

The team member quickly went outside to point the way for Wang Chen, saying, “It’s over there, visible from here, about ten miles into the mountains.”

Wang Chen looked in the direction he pointed and indeed saw a mountain ridge shaped like a tiger’s head.

“Sir, it’s almost dark.”

Seeing Wang Chen’s intent to proceed, the old village chief hurriedly said, “The mountains are very dangerous at night!”

He feared that Wang Chen, being young and impulsive, might recklessly venture into the perilous depths of the mountains in search of Zhang Shi Tou.

If anything unfortunate were to happen to Wang Chen, the village chief would also be implicated!

“It’s nothing.”

Wang Chen replied lightly, “We shouldn’t delay; I’ll go take a look. If I can’t find him, I’ll return.”

The old village chief quickly said, “Let Tie Zhu accompany you!”

But as soon as he finished speaking, Wang Chen shot forward like an arrow, disappearing into the vast forest in the blink of an eye.

The old village chief and a few villagers exchanged glances, left speechless!

Wang Chen’s realm had already ascended to that of a fifth level martial sect master, and his power had increased tenfold compared to before. Once his movement techniques were activated, the Life energy within him surged, enabling him to dart through the woods with incredible speed.

Before long, Wang Chen reached Tiger Head Mountain.

He immediately began his search and soon discovered a hunter’s Small House in the dense forest.

To his surprise, in front of the Small House, a muscular man was chopping wood with an axe!

“Zhang Shi Tou?”

Upon hearing Wang Chen’s voice, the muscular man shuddered, gripping his axe and turning around.

His appearance was rugged and imposing, with a pair of tiger-like eyes that gleamed fiercely and intensely: “Who are you?”

“Linjiang Wei Hall, Xiaoqi Ling Zhiyuan.”

From thirty paces away, Wang Chen spoke in a deep voice, “Zhang Shi Tou, your deeds have been uncovered!”

At this moment, the sky darkened as night approached, and the Demon Identification Talisman in Wang Chen’s arms grew searingly hot.

This talisman had unmistakably detected a powerful surge of demonic energy!

Humans possess Life energy, while demons exude demonic energy—this is the principle that allows the talisman to identify monsters.

Normally, demons inhabiting human bodies would suppress their energy, so the talisman must be used at close range to be effective.

Yet, the demonic energy emanating from Zhang Shi Tou was so potent that it triggered the talisman even from thirty paces away!

No more pretenses?

Clang!

Wang Chen unsheathed the Yan Feather Blade he always carried.

“Heh heh!”

Zhang Shi Tou chuckled, his laughter low and raspy. His gaze toward Wang Chen turned sinister, with a crimson glow piercing through his pupils.

“Ling Zhiyuan, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!”

Before Zhang Shi Tou’s words faded, two shadowy figures silently emerged on either side of Wang Chen, perfectly encircling him!

Wang Chen’s heart sank: “Qianlong Society!”

Without a doubt, this was a killing trap set by the Qianlong Society for him.

But how did they know he was coming to Kao Mountain Village to investigate the family massacre? How could they be certain he would come here?

Wang Chen suspected there were likely multiple traps, depending on where he ended up!

Moreover, within Linjiang Wei Hall, there was a nine out of ten chance that spies from the Qianlong Society or Blood Guards were leaking information to them.

“You’re quite clever!”

A masked man in black hissed, “Pity we’ve taken the contract to kill you; otherwise, recruiting you into the Qianlong Society wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

Wang Chen smirked, “Those who skulk in shadows and engage in petty thievery think they can recruit me?”

“Bold words!”

Another black-clad man erupted in anger, tearing off his cloth wrap and snarling, “Ling Zhiyuan, don’t worry; I’ll take my time to make your death a slow and painful one!”

Wang Chen glanced at him. The man’s face was unfamiliar, but his aura unmistakably matched that of a martial general!

His companion was likely also a martial general, and with the addition of a Blood-sucking Beast of unknown strength, they held a crushing advantage over the sixteen-year-old Wang Chen!

However, this was merely the Qianlong Society’s assumption.

Wang Chen chuckled and said, “How much silver did Ling Hongfeng offer? I’ll double it!”

Wang Chen’s words took both men by surprise. One of them hesitated before replying, “Even if you offer ten times the amount, it won’t matter. We must complete the task we’ve accepted, but you can pay for Ling Hongfeng’s life instead!”

The Qianlong Society had never shied away from profiting from both sides, amassing wealth from accuser and accused alike.

“I’m curious…”

Wang Chen remained noncommittal, his gaze fixed on Zhang Shi Tou: “Since when has the Qianlong Society been colluding with demons?”

Zhang Shi Tou grinned, “There’s much you don’t know!”

As he spoke, two sharp fangs protruded from his lips, his muscles swelled and contorted, and bulging veins writhed beneath his skin like serpents. His eyes, nose, and ears began to show signs of grotesque transformation.

Poof!

The Demon Identification Talisman in Wang Chen’s arms disintegrated into ashes in an instant!

At the same moment, Zhang Shi Tou lunged forward, crawling on all fours as he charged at Wang Chen.

In a flash, the distance between them narrowed to within ten paces!

This was perilously close—Wang Chen could even smell the foul, bloody stench emanating from Zhang Shi Tou’s mouth.

“Die!”

Zhang Shi Tou leaped high into the air, his massive hand swinging down toward Wang Chen’s head, sharp claws extending from his fingertips.