Chapter 142: Escape
The four of them formed a single file line with Chen Dong in the lead. After passing through a short corridor, he opened the cell block's large iron gate. Two Military Suppression Department guards stood on either side. When they saw the gate move, they assumed Tang Mincai was coming out and started to greet him, "Tang—"
When they saw it was Chen Dong's group opening the gate, they froze in horror, the half-spoken greeting caught in their throats.
Just as they were about to shout an alarm, Chen Dong flicked out two Silver Needles, immobilizing the two men, who were only in the True Qi Realm, on the spot.
Kang Ming's eyes lit up. Even though he knew Chen Dong was formidable, he couldn't help but praise him. "Brother Chen, that's incredible!"
Zhu Ran snorted disdainfully. "What's so great about that? It's only because you can't use your True Qi, Senior Brother. Otherwise, you'd be much stronger than him!"
Chen Dong was rendered speechless by the woman. He shook his head helplessly and continued walking forward.
Kang Ming wanted to lecture his junior sister, but after a moment's thought, he gave up the idea and hurried to catch up with Chen Dong.
After they had put some distance between themselves and the cells, the Array's influence weakened, and Kang Ming and his two companions could now use a small amount of True Qi.
After another corridor, they came to a small antechamber. Inside, a dozen or so members of the Military Suppression Department were swapping stories and chatting. It seemed everyone assigned to guard the cells had gathered in this one spot, including three Grandmasters.
Chen Dong was troubled. To neutralize three Grandmasters and a dozen other practitioners in an instant, without allowing them to sound an alarm, was an extremely difficult task.
Sensing Chen Dong's difficulty, Kang Ming said, "Brother Chen, I can leave everyone inside dazed for two seconds. Can you neutralize them all in that window?"
Chen Dong nodded. Two seconds was plenty of time; he could accomplish a great deal.
Kang Ming took a small porcelain bottle from his robes, his expression showing how precious it was to him. He reluctantly uncapped it and used his True Qi to release the fragrance inside.
Chen Dong caught a faint whiff, and an image of Li Huiran flashed before his eyes, startling him. 'This is Mourning Incense! How could Kang Ming possibly have something like this?!'
Zhu Ran, however, looked displeased, muttering angrily, "It's that woman's stuff again!"
Chen Dong steadied his mind, resisting the influence of the Mourning Incense. The moment he saw someone in the antechamber falter in the corner of his eye, he burst into action and charged into the room.
He first sent nine Silver Needles flying toward the three Grandmasters, then swiftly flicked out more needles to neutralize the rest.
The four of them walked out boldly, right under the shocked gazes of the Military Suppression Department personnel.
They wanted to shout and stop them, but they couldn't make a sound or move at all.
Kang Ming said admiringly, "Brother Chen, your skills are truly remarkable. To subdue so many Martial Artists in an instant..."
This time, Zhu Ran didn't speak up for her senior brother. She just pouted, her face sullen.
Looking out from the antechamber, the four could see that the area connecting to the prison was still crawling with Military Suppression Department personnel. At this, the three martial siblings felt their spirits sink.
Chen Dong's eyebrow rose. "We'll put on their clothes!"
A moment later, the four of them, disguised as Military Suppression Department personnel, walked out in plain sight.
The four reached the narrow iron-chain path beneath the waterfall. Once they were past this, it would be difficult for the Military Suppression Department to pursue them.
But at that moment, as if on cue, the unexpected occurred.
On the iron-chain path, Xu Zong was walking toward them, leading a group of Military Suppression Department personnel.
Chen Dong's group didn't know the internal customs of the Military Suppression Department, where it was standard practice to salute an Inspector. The moment they saw Xu Zong, they immediately turned to leave, which naturally drew his attention. Kang Ming and his companions became incredibly tense, their bodies trembling slightly. Xu Zong was the one who had captured them before; they had experienced his power firsthand, and their minds were already filled with the dread of being captured again.
Relying on his keen professional instincts, Xu Zong caught the faint scent of blood on Chen Dong. His suspicion deepened, and he called out, "You four! Wait a minute!"
Chen Dong's brow furrowed. He whispered to the other three, "I'll handle Xu Zong. The rest is up to you!"
Hearing this, the three of them steadied their nerves, nodding with fierce determination.
Seeing the four of them standing still, Xu Zong strode forward, intending to see what was going on.
Just as he reached out to spin Chen Dong around, Chen Dong attacked, unleashing a punch he had been holding in reserve.
Xu Zong, who was already on guard, instantly materialized his Protective Celestial Spirits, raising his arm like a shield to meet Chen Dong's fist.
When fist and arm met, a look of horror flashed in Xu Zong's eyes, and he was forced back three steps.
As Chen Dong made his move, Kang Ming and his two companions shot forward, attacking the men blocking the iron-chain path.
They never expected that a supposed colleague would attack them right in the Military Suppression Department's base. Even though Inspector Xu had stopped the group, his men had simply assumed the four had made a mistake and were afraid of being punished.
Caught off guard for that crucial moment, they allowed Kang Ming's group to seize the initiative. The three of them broke through the encirclement of Military Suppression Department personnel and fled toward the iron-chain path.
Chen Dong knocked Xu Zong back and, giving him no chance to counter-attack, followed up with a continuous flurry of fists and palms.