Chapter 122

Send Old Brother Jiang's corpse to the county town.

Lu Zhangsheng's tone was very calm.

Then he turned and left, his steps appearing extremely light.

He walked forward, treading on the blood-stained battlefield, picking up the wine flask at his waist and draining it in one gulp.

Waves of icy wine could not extinguish the killing intent in his heart.

One flask of wine, one blade, gradually fading away.

"We await orders."

At the city gate, numerous city guards looked on with reverence as Lu Zhangsheng gradually faded away.

A resonant voice rang through the heavens, as if bearing the will of the crowd.

Three days later.

When Jiang Chen's corpse was brought back to the county town, it caused a great commotion.

Countless martial artists were stirred, repeatedly requesting to go out and do battle with that group of demons and heretics.

The martial artist circle of this county town was like a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment.

At the same time.

The forces of both sides clashed ever more fiercely outside the city, many reborn experts engaged in successive battles, and many small towns were captured, turning into hell on earth.

Large numbers of civilians struggled in a world of blood and fire.

"News of the mysterious expert 'Ye Chen' also spread throughout the county town once again."

Countless people were astonished by it.

"I never expected the opponent's strength to have reached such a level, clashing head-on with four Guardians without falling behind, and finally even forcibly beheading Ding Songyang."

This could also be considered avenging Jiang Chen; such a feat is admirable beyond measure.

These past days, Lu Zhangsheng has been practicing martial arts in the courtyard, his days rather peaceful.

He paid no heed to the outside world's turmoil.

He also temporarily did not reveal his thoughts.

Knowing full well that the DemonSubduingOffice's high ranks harbored cult spies, he continually concealed himself carefully.

Next day, early morning.

Early in the morning, Lu Zhangsheng hurried to the Zhen Yao Si Office.

He made his way along the clean, wide streets, and under the reverent gazes of the surrounding civilians, arrived before Qin Ruobing's office hall.

He lifted his foot and stepped inside.

All he saw was Qin Ruobing in a snow-white long dress, her appearance lovely, her head bowed as she attended to official documents.

"You didn't drink at home today; how do you have time to come here?"

Seeing the visitor, Qin Ruobing set down her brush and said with a teasing smile.

Regarding this 'laid-back' subordinate, she has always thought highly of him; this sort of unhurried, unflustered temperament is the foundation for reaching the pinnacle of martial arts.

"Reporting to the Hall Master, I have a matter I'm unclear about; I don't know whether I should ask."

Lu Zhangsheng clasped his fists, his expression placid as water.

"Just say what it is directly; only the two of us are here."

Qin Ruobing looked astonished, not expecting the usually low-key Lu Zhangsheng to actually come up with this.

"I happened to receive intel that the DemonSubduingOffice's high ranks might have cult spies."

Lu Zhangsheng spoke calmly, getting straight to the point.

Since I couldn't find out myself, I might as well ask Qin Ruobing.

Her ability is not something I can compare to.

"You suspect it's the other two FuduDianZhu?"

Qin Ruobing wore a half-smile.

She directly spoke up, piercing Lu Zhangsheng's thoughts.

After years in the DemonSubduingOffice's high ranks, she had long since honed an ability to see through things as clearly as observing fire.

Lu Zhangsheng stood silently in place, not speaking; the meaning was obvious.

The atmosphere on the scene felt rather heavy.

After Lu Zhangsheng's repeated contemplation, the most weighty spy was those two.

Although he couldn't quite believe it, he had no choice but to prepare for the worst.

"You needn't worry excessively; they are definitely not lackeys of the demons and heretics."

Qin Ruobing's tone was extremely firm.

"Once you become a FuduDianZhu, you'll know; also don't spread this lightly, I will investigate covertly."

"If you have the chance to encounter this person Ye Chen, you can try to make contact, bring the intel to me, and I will give you corresponding contribution points."

She spoke again with a smile, her voice clear and pleasant.

"Hmm."

Lu Zhangsheng nodded with a placid expression, though his heart felt rather strange.

"I never expected my own identity to actually be somewhat 'valuable'."

Afterwards, the two exchanged a few more words, then Lu Zhangsheng turned and left the hall.

After leaving the DemonSubduingOffice, he walked back along the street.

Lu Zhangsheng walked through the noisy crowd, his thoughts racing.

"Since XiaoTiansi and the other aren't the opponent's secret disciple, there must be someone else."

This matter still requires long‑term vigilance.

Lu Zhangsheng silently devised a plan.

…

Outside the city, inside a dim great hall.

Zhao Yuanjing sat upright at the head, her face cold.

Below, the silhouettes of many demonic cult strongmen stood, the air thick with rising killing aura, extremely oppressive.

"Your Excellency, the plan failed; this person's strength surged again, causing our misjudgment…"

Zhang Yuan bowed his hands, his face showing discontent.

The situation where the four had executed a decisive kill ended up like this, even the two Guardians fell, truly a disgrace.

Luo Hongzhi also spoke gravely: "If it weren't for the opponent's protective aura, we would have cut them down long ago; the Holy Sect does have rare treasures…"

"Don't even think about it; the artifact that breaks the protective divine skill of the reborn strongman doesn't exist, only absolute strength can subdue."

Zhao Yuanjing's complexion turned somewhat sour.

Such an artifact isn't something that can be obtained easily.

These strongmen who practice martial arts haphazardly are the most troublesome; for the first time she felt challenged.

Given the Holy Sect's influence in Changping County, only a few senior members, including herself, can subdue this person.

"When you encounter this person, avoid them as much as possible; on the day of the decisive battle, I will personally act."

A moment later, Zhao Yuanjing's icy gaze swept the room.

"We obey your command."

The others repeatedly bowed, faces full of awe.

…

In the following days, the situation around the entire county grew increasingly strange.

The top ten Guardians of the demonic cult acted more and more frequently.

Lu Zhangsheng, however, stayed at home; each day he either mined in the quarry or reinforced his own cellar.

Through his relentless effort, that cellar had become a small shelter.

The interior was stocked with water and various foods, enough to last a long time.

The next day, at dawn.

Early in the morning, Lu Zhangsheng headed straight toward the outskirts.

He was ready to act against those demonic cult Guardians.

He hadn't forgotten the vengeance of those who once surrounded and killed him.

Only slaughter can calm the fire within his heart.

Moreover, at his own speed, even if Zhao Yuanjing, that demoness, struck personally, he could retreat swiftly.

…

Half a month later, at noon.

Si Gang Town.

On the second floor of a small tavern, at a seat near a window.

A stern‑faced middle‑aged man sat upright, sipping a drink, his gaze a little unfocused.

The man was Lu Zhangsheng.

Since his out‑of‑city tour half a month ago, after slaying several batches of demonic cult minnows, he had gone into hiding.

He roamed among many small towns, and even when he encountered blood‑changing cultists attacking a city, he did not act hastily.

This town was the sixth he had passed through.

Lu Zhangsheng ate a handful of peanuts with a sip of wine, his mind continuously analyzing the intelligence.

"According to DemonSubduingOffice intelligence, two demonic cult Guardians have appeared nearby."

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

Hunting some blood‑changing strongmen no longer satisfied him.

Only by killing the reborn strongmen of the cult can he strike the opponent's forces hard.

At that moment, a faint footstep interrupted his thoughts.

A boy of eight or nine ran over, his eyes tinged with yearning.

"Uncle, are you a martial artist? May I follow you to learn martial arts?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the long sword on the table, his face a little fearful.

"I don't take disciples."

Lu Zhangsheng gave a dumbfounded smile.

The boy was the tavern owner's son; seeing him lingering in the tavern with a weapon, his heart likely stirred with a hint of agitation.

"Please, master, accept me as a disciple…"

The boy knelt heavily on the floor, his gaze full of stubbornness.

"Tap tap tap…"

At that moment, a beautiful woman in yellow hurried up from the ground floor to the second floor.

She quickly reached Lu Zhangsheng, her face full of apology.

"My son is young and ignorant; I hope you won't blame us," the woman hurriedly lifted the boy into her arms.

No problem.

Lu Zhangsheng gave a faint smile.

This beautiful woman is the innkeeper's wife, though her husband had already died in a turmoil.

No, I will learn martial arts, to avenge my father, to exterminate all demons and evil...

The little boy's face flushed red, his fists clenched tightly.

Upon hearing this, the beautiful woman also looked at Lu Zhangsheng with a helpless expression.

Lu Zhangsheng didn't speak either, picked up the wine pot, took a sip of spirit liquor, and waves of warm current rose from his abdomen.

As the demons attacked, many civilians died; this place was merely a fragment of that.

Then, after feeling around in his bosom for a moment, he pulled out a brand-new Secret Manual.

This Splitting Heaven Divine Palm I bestow upon you; consider it today's payment for the wine.

Lu Zhangsheng smiled, a hint of mischievous amusement rising in his heart.

This body-training Secret Manual is a preliminary version he created by merging many low-level arts; as to what level it can achieve, he isn't sure, but at least it won't cause deviation.

A divine skill Secret Manual? Thank you, hero, for imparting the technique.

The boy's face filled with delight, he repeatedly kowtowed.

Thank you, sir.

The beautiful woman gave a graceful bow, then took her child and left.

Over the next half month, Lu Zhangsheng stayed in this town; each day, aside from eating and drinking at the inn, he wandered the streets, like an old hunter.

During that time, several attacks by blood-exchange cultivators of the cult were repelled by the city guards and many martial artists; he also did not intervene.

Time flowed slowly, and another three days passed.

Ugh...

That day, at noon.

A piercing alarm rang out, shaking the clouds, and all the townsfolk immediately grew tense.

Everyone stared toward the city gate, their faces grim.

This was the signal of the demons attacking the city again.

But this time, the alarm was especially piercing.

On the second floor of the inn.

Lu Zhangsheng sat quietly by the window, still eating the few dishes before him without changing expression.

As long as the cult's embryo-transcendence experts didn't appear, he also couldn't possibly act.

Relying solely on blood-exchange martial artists, it would be nearly impossible to breach this town.

At the city gate.

The great battle had erupted, with cries of killing, clashes of weapons, and the sound of limbs breaking, echoing across the entire battlefield.

Countless cultists surged toward the city walls like a tide, their faces incredibly ferocious.

In the sky, countless arrows rained down, as if seeking to obscure the heavens.

The battlefield was thick with killing intent, making it hard to see clearly.

Two blood-exchange cultivators from the government faced off against two cult leaders; their strengths were comparable, and they fought a bloody battle at the city gate without cease.

As time passed.

No matter how hard the cultists tried, they still could not breach the town.

Just as the many government martial artists breathed a sigh of relief, an abrupt change occurred.

Two blood-red figures shot out from the distant forest, heading straight for the two government blood-exchange cultivators.

Their speed was as swift as a thunderclap.

Before the two could react, a blood light instantly pierced their necks.

Two huge heads shot up into the air, copious blood spraying out, after which the two headless corpses toppled backward.

Oh no, it's the cult's embryo-transcendence experts taking action.

A group of government martial artists looked desperate.

All of this came too suddenly.

Under the enemy's surprise attack, the two government martial artists fell instantly.

Many city guards also fell into endless panic.

This town could no longer be held; the embryo-transcendence experts were unstoppable.

Thousands of civilians also saw the scene on the city walls, trembling with fear, their faces deathly pale.

The innkeeper's wife clung tightly to her son, her eyes full of tears.

With the city fallen, they could not escape; they could only await death, poor their child still so young...

Mother, are we going to die? I'm not afraid, it's just a pity I haven't yet mastered the supreme divine skill...

The little boy clenched his right hand tightly around the Splitting Heaven Divine Palm, his face stubborn.

Just then, Lu Zhangsheng swiftly rose, leapt forward, and rushed toward the window.

After waiting many days, his prey finally appeared.

These two cult experts were precisely the Eighth Guardian, Wu Changsong, and the Ninth Guardian, Chu Huanlin.

Both were at the early stage of embryo-transcendence; the enemy had likely been lying in wait for a long time, only starting the ambush after confirming there was no danger.

In just a few breaths, Lu Zhangsheng arrived near the city gate.

Before anyone could react.

Lu Zhangsheng's footsteps flashed in an instant, arriving before Wu Changsong, and he slashed out with a blade.

The fierce blade light flickered in the void, as if it could cut through everything, its momentum extremely astonishing.

"Oh no, we've been tricked, it's that mysterious expert."

Chu Huanlin's face was full of fear.

I never expected the enemy to be lying in wait for us inside the city.

"Run."

He fully unleashed the demon monster's essence blood, without hesitation running backward, his steps dodging a few times, quickly leaving the battlefield and plunging into the dense forest ahead.

"Bastard."

Wu Changsong roared repeatedly, his heart filled with fear.

He also wanted to run, but a killing intent locked onto him firmly; turning around would mean instant death.

The blade light came at him; he could only resist with all his strength by drawing his saber.

"Boom boom boom..."

Violent qi surged in all directions, dust and smoke swirled around, stirring up endless blood-soaked killing energy.

Lu Zhangsheng swept aside the opponent's weapon with a single stroke, then the blade light slashed again toward the person's head.

Wu Changsong had no time to react, hastily sidestepping to dodge.

"Ah..."

With a miserable cry, his left hand was severed and fell to the ground, copious blood gushing out.

Immediately after, the third strike descended again.

Wu Changsong's face was full of despair as he desperately slashed forward with a saber.

Unfortunately, he was still a step too slow.

"Splash..."

The fierce blade light instantly sliced Wu Changsong's neck, like a snowflake born in the void.

"You..."

Wu Changsong's eyes gradually lost their luster, and his body collapsed straight to the ground.

Three strikes, and the reborn expert died.

At this moment, the many martial artists on the city wall finally reacted, their faces full of shock.

"It's that mysterious expert who made a move."

Everyone looked at Lu Zhangsheng's terrifying blade light and instantly understood his identity.

"Sir, you are mighty."

A large number of city guards had excited, flushed faces.

Just moments ago, everyone had already resolved to die, never expecting to find life in a desperate situation.

"He is my master, a peerless expert."

Inside the tavern, the child's face was full of excitement, tightly gripping that secret manual.

The lady in yellow robes also gazed at the scene outside the city with a shocked expression.

That flash of light was truly too terrifying.

The many cultists beside the city also looked at Lu Zhangsheng with fearful faces.

"Run quickly."

These people wished they could grow two more legs, madly rushing toward the rear dense forest.

They never expected their own Guardian to be cut down in three strikes.

They had already been frightened out of their wits.

Lu Zhangsheng directly raised his saber and headed toward the battlefield outside the city to kill.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."

A fleeting shadow weaved among the many cultists; each saber strike ended a life.

Accompanied by endless wails echoing across the field, blood seemed to turn into rivers flowing on the ground.

Lu Zhangsheng seemed like a grim reaper from hell, recklessly harvesting the lives before him.

The aura surrounding him blocked all blood from outside his body; as he walked, each step seemed to spawn lotuses.

Ten steps, one kill; the severed heads rolled continuously.

An aura of holiness and bloodiness filled his person, extremely striking.

"Devil, he is a devil..."

The many cultists had only fear left in their eyes, fleeing madly.

The crowd beside the city wall all wore faces of reverence.

Watching Lu Zhangsheng's slaughtering figure, it was as if a heavenly god had descended.

Not long after, the ground lay covered with various headless corpses; the whole battlefield resembled a Shura field, incredibly chilling.

Lu Zhangsheng stood in the center of the battlefield, his expression calm as water.

He picked up the wine jug, took a sip of spiritual wine, as if soothing his killing-intent-filled spirit.

Then he raised his long saber and strode forward, each step several meters, soon disappearing from everyone's sight.

(End of chapter)