PCJ – Chapter 562 Ten-Sided Ambush

“We’ve arrived. This is Meizi’ao,” the taxi driver said, stopping the car and turning to speak to Hua Yukun and Hua Tianpeng.

Hua Yukun and Hua Tianpeng got out of the car and stared blankly at Meizi’ao. Is this really the countryside? Hotels, supermarkets, guesthouses, various shops, and bustling crowds instantly left the two men dumbfounded.

“Hello, may I ask where Zhang Youping’s house is?” Hua Yukun asked at a storefront.

“You’re looking for someone from the village, right? They all live over in that area. Everyone in Meizi’ao Village is rich now. Who would even bother with a small shop like ours?” The shopkeeper pointed into the distance, where the original village had been. When Meizi’ao’s villagers rebuilt their homes, the entire area was comprehensively planned, and all the original villagers’ houses were concentrated in one zone.

Hua Yukun and Hua Tianpeng exchanged a glance and walked in the direction of the village.

The situation in Meizi’ao continued to surprise them. They had never imagined that such a remote village could be so prosperous.

At the village entrance, there was a security post conducting checks on outsiders.

“Where are you from?” Zhang Jingbing looked up at the two.

“We’re from the capital. We need to see Zhang Youping about something. We’re good friends of Zhang Jiaohua,” Hua Yukun replied.

“Does Jiaohua know you’re coming?” Zhang Jingbing asked with a smile.

“Of course he does,” Hua Yukun said, slowly approaching Zhang Jingbing.

Hua Tianpeng looked around carefully.

They both understood very well—given the current situation, sneaking in was impossible. If Zhang Jingbing contacted Zhang Jiaohua, it might alert him and ruin their plans.

Just as they were preparing to act, Zhang Jingbing suddenly shouted toward the post, “Dad! These two are looking for Brother Youping!”

That shout made Hua Yukun and Hua Tianpeng freeze in place.

“…For friends, there’s fine wine. But if it’s jackals who come, we’ll greet them with a shotgun…” Chen Dianzi hummed as he walked out from inside.

The moment they saw him, Hua Yukun and Hua Tianpeng were on high alert. They weren’t stupid. This seemingly crazy man was no ordinary person—clearly a cultivator, and not a weak one. They couldn’t even gauge his strength.

Neither dared to make a rash move, but they didn’t try to flee either. They knew that the gap in strength meant they had no chance of escape.

Not far away, several native dogs appeared from who-knew-where. A few black wild cats lounged on the rooftops, and in nearby trees, monkeys crouched silently. All of them stared at the security post.

These weren’t normal animals. The dogs were mountain-driving dogs, specifically among the 24 legendary mountain-sweeping dogs. The cats were a rare wild breed. The monkeys were from Fat Monkey’s clan.

Hua Yukun and Hua Tianpeng weren’t ordinary people either—they could tell that these animals were anything but normal.

Hua Tianpeng tugged at Hua Yukun’s sleeve, silently pointing out the increasing number of mountain dogs, the gathering cats on the roofs, and the growing monkey presence in the trees.

Hua Yukun’s expression darkened. In front of them was an unfathomably powerful cultivator, and their retreat was now blocked by a host of spirit beasts. But—where did so many spirit beasts come from?! Even Xiyun Sect didn’t have a single one. What kind of dangerous place is this Meizi’ao?!

“Shouldn’t you two explain what you’re really here for?” Chen Dianzi slowly walked toward them. “These days, technology’s advanced—you say Jiaohua’s in the capital, but I can confirm that with just one phone call.”

“It’s a misunderstanding, really,” Hua Yukun said with a smile. “We’re not that close with Zhang Jiaohua. We just wanted to use his name to get some benefits from Mr. Zhang. Now that you’ve seen through us, we’ll give up. We’ll head to the police station and turn ourselves in. How about that?”

“There are rules in the Jianghu,” Chen Dianzi sneered. “And now you want to surrender? Too late!”

Hua Yukun and Hua Tianpeng were filled with regret. If only they’d grabbed Zhang Jingbing earlier, they could’ve used him as leverage. But now, he had disappeared.

“Senior, let’s leave some room for future encounters,” Hua Yukun tried to reason.

“There are rules in the Jianghu. If you break them, do you think I’ll just let you go?” Chen Dianzi kept advancing.

“I’ll fight you!” Hua Yukun lunged at Chen Dianzi.

At the same time, Hua Tianpeng turned and bolted. “Brother Yukun, I’m going to report to the sect master!”

When Hua Yukun looked back, he was furious. “Hua Tianpeng, you traitor!”

That split-second distraction was all Chen Dianzi needed. In a flash, he had grabbed Hua Yukun’s neck. With a light twist, there was a crisp snap. Hua Yukun’s eyes widened in disbelief—either furious at Chen Dianzi’s ruthless strike or resentful of his comrade’s betrayal.

Hua Tianpeng didn’t care. He ran for his life—but a pack of mountain dogs blocked his way.

“Woof woof woof!”

The chorus of barking rattled him.

“Die!”

Hua Tianpeng threw a talisman. A fireball shot toward the dogs.

But the mountain-sweeping dogs had already formed a battle formation. The fireball landed among them, but they nimbly dodged it without breaking formation. In fact, they were even closer now.

On the rooftops, the black cats began moving too, encroaching from above.

The monkeys in the trees were also advancing, ready to pounce.

Having taken care of Hua Yukun, Chen Dianzi didn’t move again. He casually used a talisman to erase all traces of Hua Yukun’s presence on Earth, then stood by to watch the show. Clearly, he had full confidence in the mountain-sweeping dogs.

Hua Tianpeng tried to draw another talisman from his pocket, but this time the dogs didn’t give him a chance. One of them leaped forward, clamping down on the hand holding the talisman and refusing to let go. Its bite force could snap a wild beast’s leg. If Hua Tianpeng were an ordinary man, his hand would’ve been crushed.

Even as a peak body-refinement cultivator, he howled in pain.

With his free hand, Hua Tianpeng drew a dagger, trying to kill the dog.

But more dogs pounced. One bit his other hand. Others went for his legs, his neck—one even lunged for his groin.

“AAAHHHH!!” Hua Tianpeng screamed in agony.

Even Chen Dianzi flinched. “Damn… I guess I’m too soft-hearted. These mutts are way more vicious than I am. No wonder—they were raised by that brat.”