Hearing this news, Chen Yuan actually felt a sense of elation. Nie Qiyun and Chen Yuan were like oil and water, constantly at odds, and he wished he would die sooner rather than later.

However, he was hampered by the rules within the Sky Patrol Department and couldn't find any opportunity to act. Otherwise, he would have killed this brat long ago. After all, news of killing a colleague, even if it was just hearsay, would be enough to greatly reduce his superiors' opinion of him.

"What mission was Patrol Envoy Nie carrying out that he was beaten so badly?"

Chen Yuan asked, watching Tao Qingyuan's gloomy face, remaining expressionless.

The missions within the Sky Patrol Department are confidential and difficult to leak. Chen Yuan wasn't particularly interested in this aspect, so he never put much thought into it.

Tao Qingyuan glanced at Chen Yuan:

"It was a pursuit mission. I thought Nie Qiyun wouldn't make any mistakes, but I didn't expect..."

The mission Nie Qiyun was carrying out was to pursue a martial artist from the Jianghu (Martial World) who had recently entered Nanling Prefecture. The Sky Patrol Department's informants learned that his cultivation was only at the Ning Sha (Gathering of Evil) stage.

Nie Qiyun should have been able to handle it with ease, but unfortunately, something went wrong. He was accidentally drawn into another mission and severely injured by the other party, who, due to his status, did not deliver a fatal blow.

However, the guy Nie Qiyun was chasing before seemed intent on killing him, which is why he sent back a message requesting assistance,

hoping that Tao Qingyuan could send reinforcements to escort him back.

"I originally intended to send Lu Yang and others, but they all have cases on hand and are currently unavailable. You've been resting at home for so long, so this envoy thought of you."

Tao Qingyuan turned his gaze to Chen Yuan.

A martial artist capable of severely injuring Nie Qiyun was definitely not someone an ordinary Tiangang (Celestial Dipper) realm martial artist could handle. And as the Nanling Patrol Envoy, he couldn't leave the prefectural city without a very good reason.

This was the center of Nanling Prefecture, and it was essential to have a Tong Xuan (Mysterious Connection) expert stationed here.

Otherwise, who would take responsibility if a powerful expert caused trouble?

Not to mention the significant blow they had dealt to the demonic followers of the Wusheng Sect (Unborn Sect) before, almost completely eradicating the Wusheng Sect branch within Nanling Prefecture. Who could guarantee they wouldn't retaliate?

Therefore, Tao Qingyuan's first thought was of Chen Yuan.

Through the previous few incidents, whether he admitted it or not, Chen Yuan was the strongest Ninggang (Essence Gathering) realm martial artist under his command. Only he had the strength to bring Nie Qiyun back.

But there was also a problem. The rivalry between Chen Yuan and Nie Qiyun was almost an unwritten rule, something Tao Qingyuan was well aware of and had never interfered with.

Because infighting among subordinates was very common.

Now, he was actually somewhat worried about sending Chen Yuan to handle Nie Qiyun's matter, as he was very familiar with Chen Yuan's personality.

"It is my honor to be remembered by you, sir."

Chen Yuan cupped his fists.

"Can you bring him back?"

Tao Qingyuan looked directly at Chen Yuan, wanting him to make a promise.

"I can only say that I will do my best. The Jianghu is dangerous. If the expert who injured Patrol Envoy Nie is determined to kill him, I can't possibly trade my life for his, can I?"

Chen Yuan said with a smile.

"Hmm..." Tao Qingyuan pondered for a moment:

"Alright, then do your best. If you can bring him back, this envoy will credit you with a meritorious service."

He didn't have any better options at the moment. Although he could force Chen Yuan to make a statement, that would undoubtedly make Chen Yuan uncomfortable. If he were just an ordinary Patrol Envoy, it would be fine.

But now he greatly valued Chen Yuan and wanted to bestow favors upon him.

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

Chen Yuan's expression turned serious.

......

......

This time, with Tao Qingyuan's approval, Chen Yuan brought Yue Shan with him, a group of nearly ten people, all elites within the Sky Patrol Department. The Four Devils of Yunjiang were left behind by Chen Yuan to continue their previous mission.

The place where Tao Qingyuan was currently located was not far from Nanling Prefectural City, within a small county relatively close to Nanling Prefecture, which was also the designated meeting point left by Nie Qiyun when he communicated with the Sky Patrol Department.

If nothing unexpected happened, he should be heading towards the designated location.

However, given the animosity between the two, how could Chen Yuan comply so readily? At a normal pace, Chen Yuan could have arrived in two days.

But this trip was anything but normal.

Under Chen Yuan's subtle instructions, Yue Shan deliberately created several minor troubles, delaying them considerably. By the time Chen Yuan was about to reach the previously agreed-upon location, three days had already passed.

If he was lucky, Nie Qiyun should still be alive. If he wasn't so lucky, he couldn't be blamed for dying.

Of course, Chen Yuan was also vigilant. Even as he approached the agreed-upon location, Chen Yuan didn't rashly enter. Instead, he disguised himself before entering the county.

The agreed-upon meeting point was within a well-known inn in the county. Chen Yuan and his men split up, with only him and Yan Qing entering.

In a guest room on the second floor.

Nie Qiyun, with a pale face and bloodshot eyes, clenched his fists tightly. This mission was a disgrace to him. All the Sky Patrol Guards he had brought with him had died in battle.

Only he had escaped from that expert with all his might. And because of his serious injuries, the guy he had been chasing before even wanted to keep him there forever.

Helpless, Nie Qiyun had no choice but to find a hidden informant of the Sky Patrol Department and order them to send a message to the prefectural city as quickly as possible.

As for why he didn't seek help from the county government nearby, one reason was that Nie Qiyun couldn't bring himself to do it. How could a dignified Tiangang realm martial artist be chased like a stray dog by a guy with only Ning Sha cultivation?

The second reason was that he had a bad feeling. He suspected that the expert who had severely injured him before might still be watching him. After all, he was the only one who had seen his face.

And attacking court officials was a capital offense. He felt that the other party might kill to silence him.

Therefore, since arriving at the designated meeting point the day before yesterday, Nie Qiyun had changed his identity and hidden here, not wanting anyone to discover his existence.

At the same time, he could recuperate from his injuries.

However, what was strange was why the Sky Patrol Department hadn't sent anyone after his urgent request for assistance?

He had been waiting for almost two days!

Did they not know what a life-or-death situation was?

Or could it be that the reinforcements sent had all been...

Impossible! How could anyone dare to do such a thing? That would be treason!

Alas...

He shouldn't have provoked that expert because of some greed.

His chest throbbed faintly, and Nie Qiyun's expression became even gloomier. That expert's force had directly penetrated his right chest, damaging his internal organs.

It would be impossible to recover without more than a month of recuperation.

"I can't wait any longer!"

Nie Qiyun clenched his fists. His chest ached, and he felt that his current location was no longer safe if the reinforcements were really intercepted.

He had to leave...

As for whether they were just delayed, there was nothing he could do. In fact, Nie Qiyun hoped that the other party would attract that expert's attention for him. In the future, he would be willing to avenge them.

Acting on his thoughts, Nie Qiyun twisted his face. After a few rubs, his appearance changed drastically. Unless someone was very familiar with him, they wouldn't be able to recognize his true identity.

Pushing open the door, Nie Qiyun lowered his head slightly, his hands hanging down, and calmly checked out and left the inn.

But he didn't see that as he left the inn, Chen Yuan and Yan Qing, who had also changed their appearances, were looking intently at his back from the top of the stairs.

"This guy is cautious!"

Yan Qing snorted softly. He and Chen Yuan had lightened their footsteps and found the room mentioned in the request for assistance, but it was empty. As they were searching, Nie Qiyun had come out of a room that wasn't even connected to the one they were looking for.

If Chen Yuan hadn't been able to recognize his body shape and gait, he might have really been able to deceive them this time.

"Nie Qiyun has been in the Sky Patrol Department for so many years. He's not that simple. Let's go, follow him..." Chen Yuan said indifferently, and led Yan Qing after him.

Yan Qing walked silently to Chen Yuan's side and whispered:

"Sir, this Nie Qiyun has repeatedly opposed you before. Do you want to take this opportunity to..."

As he spoke, Yan Qing made a gesture on his neck.

"Nie Qiyun is a court official, a colleague of Chen. How can Chen commit such a dark deed?" Chen Yuan smirked and whispered:

"Even if he dies, Patrol Envoy Nie should die at the hands of the guy he was chasing before. And we... were one step too late."

Even if this would still make Tao Qingyuan feel suspicious, who could prove that Chen Yuan hadn't tried his best to rescue Nie Qiyun without evidence? It was clearly he who had changed rooms, and they had just brushed past each other...

Nie Qiyun walked alone, leading a skinny yellow horse. His steps were slightly unsteady. Chen Yuan, with Yan Qing, followed slowly behind him at a relatively far distance.

It wasn't unusual on a country path. At least Nie Qiyun hadn't noticed the danger all along.

As for Yue Shan and the others, they kept even further back.

The setting sun gradually fell, and the afterglow scattered on the earth. Nie Qiyun, who was leading the horse, suddenly stopped and looked up ahead. A middle-aged man holding a sword looked at Nie Qiyun with a smile.

The news he had accidentally received earlier was indeed correct. Nie Qiyun, this dog, had indeed changed his appearance.

"Wu Daxiang, do you know what a great crime it is to intercept and kill a Patrol Envoy?"

The person in front was already waiting there. Nie Qiyun knew that he couldn't hide any longer. Fortunately, he had recovered some strength and wasn't without a chance to fight.

As long as that expert didn't show up, Nie Qiyun wasn't too afraid.

"What a joke! You are allowed to chase me, but I'm not allowed to intercept you? Killing you? I can just escape to Xuezhou. What can the court do to me? Moreover, is Nie Qiyun really worth the court going to great lengths for?"

Wu Daxiang flicked his sword, and a trace of evil energy filled the blade. He took continuous steps and stabbed directly at Nie Qiyun's chest.

"Alright, even if it means damaging my foundation, I will cripple you today!"

Nie Qiyun snorted coldly. He untied the package hanging on the horse's back, revealing the Yan Ling saber inside!

"Swish!"

The long saber was unsheathed, and a cold light flashed.

Pedestrians on the road scattered. Chen Yuan, who was following behind, stopped, suppressed his aura, and watched this scene coldly.

---

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