Chapter 157 - 133: The People Down the Mountain Are Too Cunning
"Young Master Liu, are you sure this won’t cause any problems?"
A manager from the Sanfu Chamber of Commerce asked worriedly.
"Of course. This time we’ve hired the Black Wind Thieves. They’re ruthless killers, and three of their leaders are Marrow Transformer Martial Artists. They’re more than enough to deal with Fang Yue and his caravan."
"This place is in the middle of nowhere, well outside the Prefecture City Guard Army’s patrol routes. Ambushing Fang Yue here is a sure thing. We’ll wipe them out completely, root and stem. When the time comes, who’s going to know who did it?"
Liu Chuanzhi smiled faintly, gazing at the ceaseless spring rain. A slight chill in the air made him instinctively pull his collar tighter.
However, the thrill of finally killing the man he hated, Fang Yue, sent a wave of heat through him, and he couldn’t suppress his excitement.
He didn’t have to be here in person, but he had volunteered to come with a manager from the Sanfu Chamber of Commerce so he could witness Fang Yue’s death with his own eyes.
Even though they had hired assassins, it was always best to see the results for oneself.
What if the assassins didn’t do the job and just ran off with their silver? That would be a complete rip-off.
"Yes, let’s hope so."
Now that they had accepted Xue Bing’s olive branch, they needed to make a show of allegiance. Coincidentally, this same Fang Yue had previously caused them significant losses.
Killing him now would also be a way to finally get some payback.
’First, we just need to get through this. Even if it means offending the Bai Family, at least we’ll have the backing of the Xue Family. It’s a silver lining in this unfortunate situation.’
’That’s just how it is sometimes. Trying to please both sides is incredibly difficult.’
’Shanyang Prefecture was originally large enough for them to remain independent, but once they were dragged into the conflict, they had no choice but to pick a side.’
"Relax, nothing will go wrong. This downpour will wash away every trace. No one will be able to find a thing."
Liu Chuanzhi smiled as he gazed into the distance. Faintly, dark shadows stirred in the mountain forest ahead—the Black Wind Thieves they had hired. The moment Fang Yue and his group appeared on the road below, the thieves would strike like a thunderbolt.
This was the only road back to Xiahe County. Fang Yue and his men would have to pass this way.
~~~~~~
"Kill!"
Inside the ruined temple, the caravan guards formed a defensive line. The remnants of the Mo Mountain Tribe, though fierce and brave, were momentarily unable to break through their defenses.
Meanwhile, the Seventh Elder, along with two of his elite mountain people, had his sights set on Fang Yue.
’He knew this was the man who had bought the tribe’s scepter. His cultivation was also the strongest of the group. As long as he took this man down, the caravan would collapse on its own.’
"Hand over the scepter, and I’ll spare your life!"
But despite his words, his attack was utterly merciless.
The words had barely left his mouth when the Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder strode forward. Despite his massive frame—standing well over eight feet tall—he moved with exceptional speed.
He crashed through the curtain of rain like a raging beast, launching himself forward like a cannonball.
He moved so fast that the friction against the air produced a piercing shriek.
’This man’s strength is a notch below the Mo Mountain Tribe’s Third Elder,’ Fang Yue thought. ’His combat power should be equivalent to Great Success in Marrow Transformation!’
The moment the man attacked, Fang Yue began comparing him to the Third Elder of the Mo Mountain Tribe he had encountered before.
At that time, even though it had been Xiahe County’s Magistrate, Liu Zheng, who fought the Third Elder head-on, Fang Yue had paid close attention.
He knew that while the Third Elder was no match for Liu Zheng, his power had clearly been beyond the Marrow Transformation realm.
Looking at this Mo Mountain Tribe elder now, he was clearly weaker than the Third Elder. His combat power was likely somewhere between the Great Success and Perfection stages of Marrow Transformation.
’As for who is stronger, I’ll only know after we fight.’
With his resolve hardened, Fang Yue stepped forward to meet the challenge.
The White Tiger Fist was so named because the technique itself was ferocious and brutal, like a tiger.
It was not a name chosen simply for effect; the technique was truly and incomparably fierce.
As he threw a punch, Fang Yue’s Spiritual Qi erupted. His own qi and blood surged, and the faint current of energy within his body vibrated in response.
A savage, violent aura burst forth, as if a vicious tiger had leaped from Fang Yue’s very body, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws in the air.
The Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder’s bull-like eyes narrowed. The casual, relaxed expression on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by one of extreme gravity.
In the next instant, Fang Yue and the Mo Mountain elder collided.
BANG!
A muffled boom echoed as the two exchanged several blows in an instant.
Fang Yue’s fists clashed with the Mo Mountain elder’s.
Fists and feet flew, creating a howling gale that sent the surrounding rain splashing in all directions.
Fang Yue was driven back three steps by the powerful shockwave, his feet digging into the stone ground to steady himself.
The Mo Mountain elder also retreated several steps. In their first exchange, they were almost evenly matched.
Both Fang Yue and the Mo Mountain elder were somewhat surprised.
Neither had expected his opponent to be so formidable, capable of withstanding their attack.
"A fine fist technique!"
The Mo Mountain elder praised him before immediately attacking again.
"Hmph, parlor tricks!" Fang Yue snorted, meeting the renewed assault.
The two clashed fiercely once more, punch after punch, in a violent collision of pure strength.
With every blow, each man used his full power, constantly searching for an opening in the other’s defense.
A quarter of an hour later, the Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder saw he still couldn’t defeat his opponent. Moreover, he discovered the man’s stamina was even greater than his own. After fighting for so long, his opponent was only breathing lightly and appeared completely unharmed, while a dull ache had already started in the bones of his own arm.
He knew right then that if this dragged on, he would be no match for the man before him.
"Heh heh, not bad, not bad. Most of you lowlanders are physically weak, but your Martial Dao is truly incredible. However, in the face of the Beast God’s Power, you will still be crushed!"
Seeing that he was temporarily no match for Fang Yue, the Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder gave a cold laugh. He created some distance, then immediately pulled out a blood-filled pouch, tilted his head back, and chugged its contents.
The next moment, a low roar escaped the Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder’s lips.
Instantly, his frame began to expand again. Already a giant at over eight feet tall, he now shot up to nearly nine feet.
The rapid expansion caused the Mo Mountain elder’s skin to crack all over. A thin layer of blood oozed from the fissures, making him look as if he were covered in it.
Yet his aura, far from diminishing, grew even more savage.
"ROAR..."
A roar burst from the Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder’s mouth, and he pounced toward Fang Yue like a giant black panther.
Fang Yue’s eyes narrowed sharply.
He felt as if the Mo Mountain elder before him had truly transformed into a ferocious beast of the mountains.
His presence was overwhelming, striking terror into the hearts of all who witnessed it.
However, Fang Yue’s will was rock-solid. At this critical juncture, he showed no sign of panic. Instead, he mobilized his full potential and took a heavy step forward.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Unleashing a series of heavy punches, Fang Yue clashed with his opponent, putting his all into every blow.
At this moment, Fang Yue had laid all his cards on the table.
His body was incredibly tough, and combined with his two Talents, his defense far surpassed that of other Martial Artists at his level. Moreover, enhanced by that faint wisp of Primordial Qi, his true strength had already surpassed that of a typical Marrow Transformer Martial Artist.
Now, he unleashed his full power, holding nothing back.
A single punch from him could likely shatter a plate of solid iron.
However, after the Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder’s body had expanded, his strength had also increased tremendously.
After trading blows, even with his formidable strength, Fang Yue felt his fists go slightly numb.
His opponent’s strength had nearly doubled, now matching his own.
BOOM!
Inevitably, the two clashed again, and Fang Yue was sent stumbling back several steps.
But a contemptuous smile remained on his face.
Because he knew his opponent’s transformation couldn’t last. He just had to hold on a little longer. Once the effects of the Beast Blood wore off, the man was as good as dead.
BOOM!
Inevitably, the two clashed again, and Fang Yue was sent stumbling back several steps.
But a contemptuous smile remained on his face.
Because he knew his opponent’s transformation couldn’t last. He just had to hold on a little longer. Once the effects of the Beast Blood wore off, the man was as good as dead.
Another quarter of an hour passed, and the Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder found he still couldn’t defeat his opponent. He had come close to breaking through the man’s defenses several times, but his opponent was like a reef in the ocean—unmovable, no matter how monstrous the waves that crashed against him.
As time passed, the effects of the Beast Blood began to show signs of fading.
The Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder was decisive. He immediately ordered a retreat.
The remnants of the Mo Mountain Tribe had come quickly, and they left just as fast. They fled, leaving three corpses behind.
Soon, only the caravan members were left in the ruined temple.
The caravan had also suffered several casualties. If the Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder hadn’t ordered a retreat, their losses would have been even greater.
"Guard this place. I’ll be right back."
’The Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder will weaken soon,’ Fang Yue thought. ’I can’t let a man like that escape.’
’After all, if I miss this chance, who knows where they’ll run to.’
’If they attack my family while I’m away, it’ll be a huge problem.’
After speaking, Fang Yue found his bow and arrows. His figure flickered, and he gave chase.
~~~~~~
The sky was growing dark, and the heavy rain further obscured the view.
After giving chase, Fang Yue followed the tracks left by the mountain people and soon spotted a dozen or so tall figures ahead.
Without hesitation, he drew his bow and nocked an arrow.
WHOOSH—
He drew back the string of his ten-dan Strong Bow, and it let out a sharp whistle.
The next moment, an arrow shot out, striking a burly, middle-aged man squarely in the back.
The man was moving extremely fast, but the arrow was faster. He had no time to dodge.
He was struck instantly, and a spray of fresh blood erupted from the wound.
Such was the force behind the shot that the arrow pierced straight through him and embedded itself in the muddy ground ahead, its feathered tail still quivering.
One could only imagine the power behind that arrow.
"Quick, into the forest ahead!"
The Mo Mountain Tribe’s Seventh Elder glanced back at the figure in the distant, rain-swept curtain, his eyes filled with hatred.
But he knew he couldn’t turn back to fight. If he did, even if they managed to kill their pursuer, his own men would be all but wiped out.
Luckily, a forest lay just ahead. Once they were inside the woods, they would be safe.