activa-t 005 A Dark and Windy Night of Murder
005 A Dark and Windy Night of Murder
The candlelight flickered eerily, its light and shadow casting shadows that seemed to give rise to evil.
Inside the side hall of the Ding family mansion, which oversaw the canal transport, fish market, and wharf business of the entire Yugu County, monstrous, twisted black shadows covered the bluestone slabs.
The entire area was enveloped by the burly, bearded man kneeling on the ground, trembling incessantly.
After a long, oppressive silence, the indistinct figure seated in the main seat finally uttered a question.
His voice was hoarse, as if he had phlegm stuck in his throat.
"So you mean that good-for-nothing Li Dalang not only failed to get the five hundred taels of reward money, but also disappeared without a trace the fees collected from the two fish market stalls on East Street?"
"Yes! Yes! Master, it's all that greedy scoundrel's fault! He caused you to lose two hundred taels of silver!"
The burly man with a thick beard answered hastily, as if he had a hot potato in his mouth, speaking rapidly.
Old Master Ding let out a few sinister laughs, and the sound of blowing his nose came from his mouth.
"Ridiculous! That Li Dalang is your subordinate. What does it have to do with me if he loses his money?"
"Aren't you right, Zhao Hu?"
"Yes... you're right, sir. I will definitely hand over all the stall fees from the two fish markets on East Street by noon tomorrow!"
As Zhao Hu spoke, he crawled forward on his knees. When he reached the shadowy figure, he raised his hands high, cupping them above his head.
"Ha, te."
Old Master Ding's lips twitched, then he spat out a mouthful of green phlegm, which landed steadily in Zhao Hu's palm. Only then did he nod in satisfaction: "Hmm, go and take care of your business."
The candlelight flickered out, leaving only Zhao Hu raising his head fiercely in the dimly lit side hall, his eyes revealing a chillingly malevolent light.
Old pig and dog...
Furthermore, even for him, two hundred taels would be a huge loss!
Do they really think that his position as the head of the fish market is as glamorous as outsiders perceive?
Practicing martial arts doesn't cost money? Buying a house doesn't cost money? Keeping five concubines and nine sons doesn't cost money?
"Ning...Kui? Don't blame your Tiger Lord for being ruthless, it's just that you weren't destined to have this windfall."
If you take it, you'll die!
--------
In the sixth month of the lunar calendar, the night sky in Yugu County is ablaze with stars, stretching like a pure gold ribbon across the dark blue sky from south to north, a truly magnificent sight.
Ning Kui saw the doctor from Huichuntang off, fed the six ghost fish some more fish, and then went to bed early.
Now that I have money and connections, I should seriously consider which path to take in the future.
Just after midnight, four ghostly, pitch-black figures swiftly moved through the darkness.
Looking in the direction, it was Wumin Lane in the north of the city, where Ning Kui's family lived.
Judging from their movement, the three figures in front seemed unaware that they were being followed by a tail.
The last black image was a yellow oriole.
His movements were light and free, exuding a calm and composed air of complete control.
Before long, the three dark figures had stealthily reached Ning Kui's door.
The area around the hut was eerily silent, without even the chirping of insects.
Only a large water vat in front of the door, which requires three or four people to hug, occasionally emits the crisp sound of rushing water.
A short, stout man in black curiously peered over and saw several strange fish, each about the size of a palm, swimming rapidly in the dim water.
"This fish looks small, but it's so strong. Could it be some kind of treasure fish? It should make a really delicious soup when I take it home!"
At the same time, Ning Kui, who was sleeping soundly on the floor, suddenly opened his eyes, a murderous aura unconsciously spreading across them.
The ghost fish has given a warning!
He could even see a blurry, lewd, fat head peeking around the edge of the tank through a mysterious spiritual connection with the ghost fish.
"Stop looking around like that! When we get inside, remember to find out where the silver is hidden before you kill anyone!"
Zhao Hu lowered his voice and shouted to his underlings, "These killers don't know their own strength. If they kill Ning Kui directly, we'll have to go through all the trouble of finding money."
Upon hearing this, the short, stout man in black turned around and gave Zhao Hu a reassuring gesture: "I'll handle things, Tiger, you can rest assured..."
Before he could finish speaking, there was a loud "whoosh" and countless water droplets shot up into the air from the mouth of the tank.
Amidst the splashing water, the terrifying white-spotted ghost fish swelled in the wind.
In the blink of an eye, it swelled to over ten feet in size, and the huge, tooth-filled maw split open, instantly biting off half of the man in black's body!
"boom!"
The fully grown white-spotted ghost fish is on all fours and has a huge body that resembles a giant elephant!
Its slick, bluish-gray body rippled with fat like waves as it tilted its head back and chewed and swallowed with a "crunch crunch" sound, leaving bright red blood flowing all over the ground.
Zhao Hu and the other man in black stared in disbelief at what was going on.
Brother, are you trying to put our minds at ease or are you going to add some spice to the fish demon's mood? Finish what you have to say before you die!
What terrified them even more was that, amidst the spilled water, five enormous creatures were rapidly expanding under the moonlight!
"That despicable fishmonger, he can actually raise demons?!"
Zhao Hu's heart felt as cold as if it had fallen into an ice cellar in the sweltering June heat.
How many people must a fish demon have to feed to grow to this size?!
In an instant, Ning Kui's image changed from a fishmonger who could be easily crushed to a mysterious and ruthless one.
"I'll hold off the fish demon, you go inside and kill that brat!"
At the critical moment, Zhao Hu made a decision immediately.
These strange fish were enormous, with astonishing bite force. A martial artist at the Skin Refining Realm facing an attack from all sides would be no better off than an ordinary person facing six jackals.
He has already crossed the Skin Refining Realm and entered the Flesh Refining Realm.
His muscles were as firm as whips, intertwined and connected, greatly increasing his defense and strength to an astonishing 8,000 jin.
Perhaps I can hold out against the six ghost fish for a little longer.
"Tiger, hang in there, I'm going to kill that little beast!"
The man in black cautiously watched the approaching school of ghost fish, his steps slowly sliding backward.
Once they were a foot behind Zhao Hu, they turned and fled into the darkness without looking back!
"You bastard, I'll fuck your ancestors!"
Zhao Hu's eyes were bloodshot with rage; he never expected to be outmaneuvered by his subordinates at such a crucial moment.
No matter how much scoundrels talk about loyalty, they can't change their scum nature.
Fortunately, his anger did not last long.
In the pitch-black darkness, a large amount of water suddenly gushed out.
Giant streams of water, as thick as buckets, blocked the escape routes of the men in black from every corner.
"Now that you're here, you think you can just leave?"
Ning Kui's tall figure emerged from the shadows, his five fingers spread wide, and he gripped the man in black tightly!
In an instant, the water burst forth, crashing heavily onto the thin body of the man in black like a python pouncing on its prey.
The moment the waters met, they were drawn together and rapidly merged into a giant water sphere, enveloping the man in black and suspending him in mid-air!
"Gurgle! Glug gurgle! Glug!!"
Inside the transparent water sphere, the man in black was in excruciating pain from the impact of the water on his internal organs. He coughed up large amounts of oxygen, and his expression visibly turned panicked and desperate.
Unfortunately, no matter how much he struggled, he was unable to escape by using the air.
Ning Kui's face was cold and stern; his handsome features appeared indifferent and ruthless under the cover of night.
"Gurgle."
Zhao Hu swallowed subconsciously, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid. He finally realized he had been fooled this time.
The boy before them was no pushover, but a dragon in sheep's clothing!
Tonight, he might die here...
It's such a pity that the five beautiful concubines were wasted.
However, this also triggered his bloodthirsty nature.
From a local thug to his current position as the head of the fish market and a martial arts master at the second level, how many battles has he not fought?
"kill!!!"
A surge of courage and fervor erupted from the depths of their hearts; only the battle would tell who would live and who would die!
Six white-spotted ghost fish swarmed forward in an instant!
Ignoring the attack from the ghost fish, Zhao Hu turned and charged towards Ning Kui, aiming to capture the leader first!
However, just as his fist reached Ning Kui, the strong gust of wind only had time to ruffle the stray hairs on Ning Kui's forehead before a ghost fish bit his ankle and dragged him back into the school of fish.
"Want to kill me? Did you ask my fish?" Ning Kui's expression was calm and composed, seemingly extremely confident.
However, his hands were trembling slightly; that punch had almost suffocated him.
"I am still too weak. Relying solely on the [Water Control] supernatural power, I am simply unable to survive an attack from a martial arts expert."
Perhaps after I cure my mother, I should also enroll in a martial arts school to learn martial arts.
I've heard that the Tiger Python Martial Arts School's "White Tiger Black Python Skill" is quite good, combining both strength and gentleness...
Of course, supernatural powers are also essential; they are my greatest asset for survival!
He turned his attention back to the battlefield between Zhao Hu and the ghost fish, and soon realized that the outcome was decided.
Minor success in the Flesh Refining Realm? Muscles like whips? Flesh and blood vitality greatly increased?
Faced with the sheer number of ghost fish, they were merely dying a little slower and in a little more pain.
However, after only a hundred breaths, the two rotten ghost fish corpses lay on the muddy ground, and as the ghostly energy dissipated, they gradually turned into two skeletons.
Zhao Hu was covered in tatters, his right arm was missing, and his two thighs were only connected to his body by tendons.
The remaining ghost fish were still tearing at his flesh and blood, devouring him alive.
He stared intently at Ning Kui, who remained calm and composed in the distance. His beard was covered in blood and foam, and his eyes were filled with venom, as if he wanted to remember Ning Kui's face forever and take revenge even in hell.
Ning Kui ignored his gaze and turned his attention to the ghost fish.
After consuming Zhao Hu, the newly appearing white spots on these ghost fish were noticeably more lively and vivid.
As these ghost fish breathed, the white-spotted human face seemed to still be howling in pain.
"Cough, cough..."
On his deathbed, Zhao Hu seemed to have lost the ability to feel pain. He seemed to be imagining some scene, and he revealed a ferocious and joyful laugh.
"You little beast, you've messed with someone you absolutely cannot afford to offend..."
You will die, your whole family will die, much worse than me, hahaha!
Ning Kui ignored him and waved his hand, manipulating a ball of water to envelop Zhao Hu's head.
"Stop barking, I'll kill anyone who comes near!"