The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

Tang Xian's two confidants immediately rushed forward, grabbing him and, with great exaggeration, slammed backward, crashing into the encircling Town Martial Personnel and creating an opening.

A glint flashed in Chen Dong's eyes as he instantly shot through the opening. 'The people from the Military Suppression Department are a strange bunch indeed,' he thought.

Xu Zong's brow tightened. He knew Chen Dong was formidable; for a Grandmaster to fight him for this long was impressive. He had even been at a disadvantage during their encounter inside the waterfall due to a moment of carelessness. Thus, he didn't question or think too deeply about Tang Xian being sent flying by a single blow. His face livid, he roared, "After him!"

His form blurred, leaving afterimages as he prepared to give chase, but just then, Tang Xian scrambled to his feet and, as if by accident, stumbled right in front of him.

"Inspector Xu, wait! That kid is too strong, let's go together!"

Xu Zong's brow furrowed. 'This Tang Xian is utterly useless,' he thought. He moved past Tang Xian, but the momentary delay had already slowed him by a beat.

Hearing Xu Zong's command, his subordinates gave chase to Chen Dong. They weren't surprised by Xu Zong's furious reaction; after all, they had all seen the corpses of the three Celestial Spirit masters from the Star-Picking Sect. It seemed only natural to them that Chen Dong could defeat fighters of that caliber. This was also why they had merely surrounded Chen Dong instead of moving in to help.

Meanwhile, Chen Dong darted through the mountain forest at incredible speed. Fortunately, the Military Suppression Department's base was located in a remote, desolate area. Had this been in the city, any ordinary person who saw him would have shouted, "It's Superman!" This was likely a deliberate measure by the Military Suppression Department to protect civilians.

Xu Zong chased frantically, but to his utter disbelief, he lost Chen Dong's trail in less than ten minutes.

Embarrassment was written all over his weathered face. To him, Chen Dong was just a Grandmaster. A Celestial Spirit Peak expert had actually lost a Grandmaster he was pursuing. He felt his cheeks burn with shame.

Before long, his subordinates began to arrive. They all kept their distance, timidly watching the intimidating figure of Xu Zong. Not daring to approach or speak, they could see no sign of Chen Dong. It was obvious the trail had gone cold, and none of them wanted to be the one to bear the brunt of their inspector's fury.

Aware that his subordinates had arrived, Xu Zong roared furiously, "Notify all Military Suppression Department personnel! Issue a warrant for the entire martial world! Apprehend Chen Dong!"

Kang Ming and his two companions ran frantically, not daring to stop for breath. After fleeing for three straight hours, they finally reached the border of Jiangzhou.

Seeing no sign of pursuers after all this time, the trio finally stopped to rest and regulate their breathing under a large tree.

After a brief rest, Zhu Ran stood up and said happily, "Senior Brother, we finally escaped!"

But there was no hint of joy on Kang Ming's face. "By escaping, I've dragged you two into my mess. Now we'll probably end up on the Military Suppression Department's wanted list!"

Zhu Ran grew even more cheerful at the thought. "I wonder how big my bounty will be?"

Qu Quan chimed in with flattery, "With your skills and beauty, Senior Sister, you'd have to be worth hundreds of millions at least!"

Kang Ming looked at his carefree juniors, his heart growing heavy. He sighed. "Junior Brother, Junior Sister, the fun is over. We've caused enough trouble. Let's part ways here. You two aren't really guilty of any major crime. Go back, ask Master to help pay your fines, and you won't have to flee from the Military Suppression Department anymore. While you're at it, tell Master that his unfilial disciple, Kang Ming, can no longer show him his respects."

Zhu Ran's spirits fell. "What are you saying, Senior Brother? If we go back, we go back together!"

Kang Ming shook his head. "I used a sect mission as an excuse to leave the mountain and seek my revenge. That was already a grave mistake. If I drag you with me on a life on the run, I'll be failing Master even more. Say no more. Just go back!"

Zhu Ran's nose tingled, and she asked with a quaver in her voice, "Are you going to find that woman again?"

Kang Ming answered frankly, "I have already failed to repay our master's guidance; I can't also betray someone else's affections. I am going to find her, but only to break off the engagement!"

Hearing this, Zhu Ran's tears turned to a smile. "Really!?"

"Of course, it's true!" His expression was unreadable, but his hand tightened around the small porcelain bottle he was holding.

Zhu Ran was overjoyed. "In that case, we'll go with you! We'll go back to the sect with Junior Brother after you've broken off the engagement. Otherwise, we're not leaving, no matter how hard you try to get rid of us!"

Kang Ming was helpless against Zhu Ran. "Fine," he conceded. "But we have a deal. As soon as I've broken off the engagement, you must go back!"

"Okay, okay, I promise! I always listen to you, Senior Brother!" Zhu Ran said playfully.

Just then, a voice drifted down from the treetop. "Wherever you're going, mind if I join you?"

The trio started in surprise—they hadn't realized someone was so close. But upon hearing the familiar voice, their shock turned to joy.

"Brother Chen, you escaped!" Kang Ming exclaimed in delight.

"How long have you been here?" Zhu Ran asked.

Chen Dong leaped down from the tree with a light laugh. "I've been here for a while. I had just finished recovering when I saw you guys slowly make your way over."

They were astonished by his strength and speed. To think he had not only escaped the Military Suppression Department's encirclement but had also beaten them here.

Kang Ming was filled with admiration and joy. "Brother Chen, it must be fate! We even took the same escape route."

Chen Dong raised an eyebrow. 'Fate, my ass.' He had followed them on purpose. If his nose wasn't deceiving him, the Mourning Incense Kang Ming held was unique to the Southern Border Zhang Family. And the Zhang Family possessed the Pill Furnace he needed, which was why he had deliberately tracked them down.

The reason Chen Dong was so familiar with Mourning Incense was that he had smelled it before—and not just once.

"Brother Kang Ming, are you headed to the Southern Border Zhang Family?"

Kang Ming froze. "Brother Chen, how do you know that?"