Chapter 126: Farewell Nan Wu, Liangzhou City

Corpse stench！！？

Lao Yuan heard the words, suddenly stood up, his palm slightly trembled, the wolf leg that had been half-chewed instantly separated bone from meat, strips of wolf meat flew like sharp hidden weapons towards the distance!

Fang Xu also took out his own staff, focusing his gaze toward the distance.

Under the moonlight, several figures slowly approached.

Facing the wolf meat that Lao Yuan flung like hidden weapons, the figure at the front did not dodge or evade, allowing those strips of meat to strike his body with loud thuds!

As the figure gradually approached, Lao Yuan's aura slowly rose, ready to strike at any moment.

However, Fang Xu's face showed a faint smile.

"Kid, when did you get such a master by your side?" a clear, lovely voice came, and several figures also arrived not far away.

"Senior Nan Wu, Tong Tong."

The arrivals were none other than Nan Wu, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, and the young girl Tong Tong; as for the tall refined corpse emitting a corpse stench before them, Fang Xu felt it was likely the one that had attacked and killed Li Xun and Xu Liang that day.

"Hmm, they are the shamans of the Dusk Cloud Kingdom, my master's clansmen." Fang Xu introduced.

Trying to rely on existing strength to go head-to-head with the Yu Kingdom is no different than striking a stone with an egg.

"And now, all the great and small forces of the Yu Kingdom bear grudges against you; what I want to say is, once you become strong, you must absolutely not be polite with them!"

As a shaman, she had once seen various rumors about monsters in the clan's ancient texts.

Lao Yuan slowly removed his bamboo hat, revealing his ape face.

As a Beast Master, Tong Tong immediately recognized upon glancing at Lao Yuan that his true form was not human, but a monster that had assumed human form!

Upon hearing this, Nan Wu's face showed surprise, her gaze fixed on the bamboo-hatted Lao Yuan.

"The Dusk Cloud Kingdom has already fallen; with the strength I currently have, it's utterly impossible to overturn the entire Yu Kingdom. Rather than continue bringing my clansmen to their deaths, it's better to first postpone revenge and accumulate strength."

"Fang Xu, I've received news that it seems all the great and small forces of the Yu Kingdom are hunting you; why is that?"

After briefly explaining the reasons for his pursuit and the matter of placing Lu Qingluo, Fang Xu said: "So, my only way to survive now is to reach the Central Province before the eighteenth of winter month and take the entrance examination of the Ascension Immortal Assembly."

……

Nan Wu, upon hearing this, quickly shook her head and said: "Don't worry about this, I won't ask you for a first-rate martial technique."

Fang Xu hurriedly comforted her.

In legend, once a monster assumes human form, its strength absolutely surpasses that of a human Martial Venerable.

After hearing Fang Xu's words, Nan Wu's face was full of disbelief.

"Have you truly mastered a first-rate martial technique and even killed dozens of Martial Venerables from the various factions of the Yu Kingdom?"

"But in the end, it still failed."

"Shaman?" Lao Yuan curiously sized up Nan Wu, then glanced at Tong Tong, and immediately felt that this little girl gave off a very comfortable feeling.

Tong Tong's eyes welled up with moisture, as if she were about to cry any moment.

"Fang Xu, you guys chat, I'll go take a look around." Lao Yuan said, his form flickering and disappearing before the few people.

"Fang Xu big brother." Tong Tong walked slowly to the campfire, looking at the wolf meat roasted on the fire, somewhat angrily said: "Did you roast my Big Gray?"

Fang Xu nodded.

Seeing him admit it, Nan Wu's beautiful eyes flashed with a strange light, and then she said: "Fang Xu, I have a request I'm embarrassed to ask."

"Senior Nan Wu, how did you migrate from Maple Forest Town to here?" Looking at Nan Wu, Fang Xu asked.

Looking at Nan Wu's expectant expression, Fang Xu furrowed his brows and said: "Senior Nan Wu, if you want a first-rate martial technique, this kid can only say sorry."

Lao Yuan, seeing this, curiously looked at Fang Xu.

"Yah!"

Facing Nan Wu's questioning, Fang Xu gave a light smile and said: "This matter involves a long story..."

"Moreover, many clansmen have secretly said they want to come to the grasslands to see their homeland..."

The flickering campfire illuminated Nan Wu's fair skin; she turned her head to glance at Tong Tong beside her and sighed: "After withdrawing from the outpost next to Maple Forest Town that day, we launched another assault on Zhao Wuji's disciple."

By the campfire, the three sat on the ground; the refined corpse and the other shamans had already left, while Tong Tong happily munched on a fragrant wolf foreleg, completely forgetting that it was her beloved Big Gray.

"Know each other?"

How did Fang Xu come to be together with such a terrifying existence?

"He's a monster!"

Somewhat indignant, she threw a piece of dry wood into the campfire, Nan Wu's face full of unwillingness, then she lowered her head gloomily and said:

"Afterward, the clansmen withdrew while seeking opportunities to assassinate several Yu Kingdom officials; although they succeeded, the losses were also extremely heavy."

Fang Xu was stunned, then somewhat embarrassedly scratched his head: "I... I thought it was just a wild wolf..."

The remaining strength of the Dusk Cloud Kingdom is now too little and too scattered.

"Also, you ran alone to the Dusk Cloud grasslands; where is the saintess?"

"It was also at this time that I suddenly understood your master's painstaking efforts."

Fang Xu nodded.

"It's not as terrifying as you think; I merely used some secret methods, paid a price, and only then initially took on a human form."

Seeing Fang Xu's doubt, she again said: "With the strength you have shown now, there is a great possibility you will reach the pinnacle of the martial path in the future."

"Senior, are you wanting me to weaken the Yu Kingdom's strength?" Fang Xu frowned.

Nan Wu nodded: "As long as you can weaken the Yu Kingdom's strength, the Dusk Cloud Kingdom has hope of restoration!"

Fang Xu said nothing.

The various factions of the Yu Kingdom are hunting me; later, when my strength grows, I will surely avenge today's grudge.

But while seeking revenge, he does not want the Yu Kingdom to perish; more precisely, he does not want to see the Yu Kingdom's people suffer the ravages of war.

Although he is not a sage, he is certainly not a villain; letting the world's innocent lives die needlessly because of him goes against his bottom line.

But now, he also does not know how to persuade Nan Wu to let go of her obsession with restoring the kingdom.

Millions of tribespeople were slaughtered; this is a deep hatred as vast as a sea of blood. Even if it were him, he could not let it go. After all, in his previous life, he was what some netizens called a 'pure nationalist,' loathing anything related to the little devils.

Senior, I will surely repay today's grudge.

After hesitating repeatedly, he could only give a vague answer to this matter.

As for restoring the Muyun Kingdom, we'll discuss it when he gains sufficient strength.

Nan Wu saw this and was very pleased.

There are still many Muyun Kingdom tribespeople on the grasslands; to avoid misunderstanding, tomorrow I will accompany you and send you out of the grasslands.

Fang Xu nodded: 'That's best; if any conflict arises, I won't be able to explain it to my master and senior sister.'

……

The next day, at dawn, the group set out again.

Originally Nan Wu intended to let Tong Tong return first to the gathering place at Wangyue Mountain, but this girl insisted on coming along; Nan Wu couldn't dissuade her, so he agreed to let her join.

The four of them headed north across the vast grassland.

By evening, the four stopped to rest; Tong Tong rode the silver wolf out for a loop and soon brought back a gray wolf.

Brother Fang Xu, hurry up and start a fire to roast the meat!

Seeing this girl dragging a gray wolf heavier than herself, Fang Xu couldn't help teasing: 'Hey, is this the second gray?'

Tong Tong's face turned red; she quickly denied: 'It... it's not the second gray!'

Ooo—

As soon as Tong Tong finished speaking, the silver wolf beside her let out a whine, looking at her with eyes full of resentment.

"It said this is Little Gray..."

By Fang Xu's side, Lao Yuan suddenly said:

Pfft!

Hearing that, Fang Xu couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

Beside her, Nan Wu also stared in shock at Tong Tong and said: 'Girl, did you really kill your own tamed beast?'

Tong Tong kicked the silver wolf hard, drooping her head, her small hands nervously clutching the corner of her clothes as she said:

"There... there are no other wild beasts around..."

Nan Wu was speechless: 'You forgot the most basic rule of a beast tamer!?'

"Nan Wu older sister, I was wrong..." Listening to Nan Wu's stern scolding, Tong Tong's eyes welled up, she pleaded pitifully.

"It's fine; unintelligent beasts harbor no grudge." Seeing this, Lao Yuan smoothed things over: "Killing it naturally won't affect the bond between beast tamer and tamed beast."

"Just... little girl, you probably won't be able to control the gray wolves of this grassland anymore."

Upon hearing this, Tong Tong's face stiffened, looking somewhat at a loss.

Nan Wu shook his head, picked up the gray wolf's carcass and began skinning it, while Fang Xu went to gather dry firewood to prepare a fire.

The wolf meat was roasted; Tong Tong's face filled with deep guilt, she tearfully ate two forelegs, her small belly round and full before she felt satisfied.

The four continued onward; the upcoming journey was fairly pleasant for them.

With Nan Wu accompanying them, they encountered some Muyun Kingdom tribespeople on the road; they weren't hassled, but instead received plenty of horse milk liquor, cheese, and other grassland specialties.

After traveling more than ten days, the four finally reached the border between the grassland and the Northern Wasteland.

On the desolate Gobi Plains, Nan Wu looked at Fang Xu and said: 'From here, about three hundred li ahead lies the territory of Liangzhou in the Northern Wasteland.'

"Liangzhou is the most chaotic place in Great Yu, but chaos is actually the safest for your current situation; just be careful yourself."

Fang Xu nodded, preparing to leave with Lao Yuan, when Nan Wu seemed to think of something, quickly taking out a delicate porcelain bottle from his bosom and handing it over, saying: 'Inside are four pills; swallow one, and the gu worms within will change your appearance.'

"This change is fixed and can only last half a month; use it as you see fit."

Fang Xu received the porcelain bottle, clasped his hands toward Nan Wu, and said: 'Thank you, senior; I take my leave.'

Nan Wu waved his hand: 'Go.'

……

Liangzhou City.

As the poorest prefecture of Great Yu, Liangzhou spans a vast territory but has very few cities; including the prefectural capital Liangzhou City, there are only three cities in total.

If it weren't for the fact that Liangzhou's desert produces a medicinal herb called Purple Flame Grass, the Yu state would likely disdain to occupy this land.

Purple Flame Grass is the chief ingredient for refining Breaking Barrier Pills, which are essential for Martial Master and Martial Venerable realms; thus, across the vast, desolate Liangzhou Prefecture, the most common sight is prospectors trying their luck.

September 15th, waning moon.

On the desolate Gobi Plains, the temperature swings extremely between day and night; it being early autumn, nights in northern Liangzhou are bitterly cold. Under the faint moonlight, Fang Xu and Lao Yuan led their exhausted steeds across the endless Gobi Plains.

"If only we could obtain two Cloud-Stepping Colts." Looking at the two horses that could barely move, Fang Xu muttered.

Lao Yuan gave a faint smile: 'Cloud-Stepping Colts are an extremely rare breed among the Beast Clan; how could they be easily obtained?'

"At this pace, we should reach Liangzhou City before dawn, right?"

Gazing into the dark distance, Lao Yuan felt somewhat excited.

Having lived for several centuries, the closest he had ever come to a human city was when, in his youth, he disregarded his clan elders' advice, crossed mountain gullies, and slaughtered a small town within the sphere of influence of Qingzhou Prefecture.

However, just outside the town he happened to encounter the great-great-grandmaster of the Qingzhou Lü Clan, the grandfather of Lü Shengren, who beat him severely, nearly killing him.

Later, after Lao Yuan's strength greatly increased, he always remembered this incident; finally, a century ago, he found an opportunity, encountered Lü Shengren's father in the mountains, struck out, and broke both his legs, avenging the past grudge.

"There are still a hundred li; if nothing unexpected happens, we should arrive at dawn." Fang Xu said.

As his words fell, a faint sound of fighting suddenly came from the distant desolate Gobi Plains.

Lao Yuan slightly turned his head, glanced toward the direction of the commotion, and said: 'The disturbance isn't big; probably a few Martial Masters—let's go check?'

Fang Xu was about to refuse, but the fun-loving Lao Yuan had already dropped the reins, flickered a few times, and rushed toward the distance.

Fang Xu, helpless, could only abandon the two horses where they stood and chase after Lao Yuan.

On the edge of a small rise, Lao Yuan squatted on the ground, watching with interest as two sides fought not far away.

Fang Xu approached, glanced at the two sides fighting; the martial artists' strength mostly lay between Martial Master Fifth and Seventh Levels, one side wore chaotic garb and wielded assorted weapons, resembling a band of mountain bandits numbering over twenty.

The other side consisted of ten martial artists dressed in brown tight-fitting uniforms, each holding a longsword.

The ten brown-clad martial artists fended off the bandits' attacks while protecting a white-clad figure, fighting and retreating.

"Kid, can you tell which side will win?" Lao Yuan said with interest.

Fang Xu observed for a moment, then said: "Although the brown-clad martial artists have the upper hand in strength, that white-clad woman's cultivation is too low, forcing them to devote a large portion of their energy to protecting her."

"A woman?" Lao Yuan blinked, then said: "Isn't that a boy?"

Fang Xu smiled faintly: "Though her disguise is superb, I'm certain she is absolutely a woman."

Having inherited the Lü Clan's Yin Yang Profound Twisting Classic, Fang Xu could easily discern that the white-clad figure cross-dressing as a man was indeed a woman.

"Uncle Yuan, let's go." After watching for a while, Fang Xu immediately tugged at Lao Yuan's sleeve, preparing to leave.

He himself is currently entangled in trouble and unsuitable for further exposing his whereabouts.

Wait a moment.

As Lao Yuan spoke, he took off his straw hat and placed it over Fang Xu's head, saying: "A martial artist can only continually break through himself in battle."

These bandits' strength is around Martial Master Fifth Level; it's perfect for you to team up and give it a try.

Having said that, he didn't wait for Fang Xu's reply and directly shoved him forward.

Not far away, the two sides were locked in fierce combat when they suddenly noticed Fang Xu appearing out of nowhere, and both sides froze.

On the brown-clad martial artists' side, the white-clad woman glanced at Fang Xu's attire, then quickly responded, shouting: "Senior, we are the medicine-gathering team of Liangzhou City; we encountered bandits on the road and beg you to lend us aid!"

As the white-clad woman's words fell, a Martial Master Seventh Level martial artist beside her frowned and said: "Young master, this person is merely a martial apprentice..."

"Ah?" Upon hearing that, the cross-dressing "young master" exclaimed, then shouted again: "Sir, run!"

On the bandits' side, when Fang Xu appeared they were also startled, but upon seeing his cultivation was only Martial Apprentice Seventh Level, they smirked: "Where did this brat come from, seeking death? I'll grant you your wish!"

Speaking, the Martial Master Fifth Level bandit directly grabbed his tiger-head blade and charged at Fang Xu!

Seeing the bandit rush head-on, Fang Xu slightly shook his head, held his staff sideways, then actually charged at the bandit as if courting death.

The tiger-head blade bandit, seeing Fang Xu not fleeing but foolishly charging forward, flew into a rage, brandishing his tiger-head blade; a terrifying blade arc skimmed the ground and shot toward Fang Xu.

Where the blade arc passed, the gravel-strewn ground was plowed into a deep groove!

If this strike hit an ordinary martial apprentice, it would surely cleave him in half.

But Fang Xu was no ordinary martial apprentice; facing the swiftly flying blade arc, his figure flickered, dodging the arc while his speed surged, appearing before the tiger-head blade bandit before he could launch a second strike!

He whipped out his staff!

Terrifying force caused the staff to emit a sonic boom as it swept toward the tiger-head blade bandit!

Boom!

Feeling the terror of this strike, the tiger-head blade bandit immediately raised his blade to block!

But Fang Xu's strength was too great; the staff, imbued with terrifying might, smashed into the bandit's blade, directly denting it!

Moreover, the terrifying force transmitted through the blade slammed into the bandit's chest, blasting his body backward and spraying a great amount of blood mist!

The charging tiger-head blade bandit flew backward like a cannonball!

Until finally—

Plop!

A corpse already bereft of life fell straight before the bandits.

Seeing the large dent in the bandit's chest and the tiger-head blade bent to ninety degrees, the other bandits couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

"Chief..."

Several bandits, faces filled with fear, glanced at a burly martial artist wielding double hammers in the crowd.

"Make way!"

The bandit leader wielding a pair of golden gourd hammers, seeing his subordinate slain, felt anger rise, violently shoved aside his underlings, and marched toward Fang Xu.

"You little beast, relying on a bit of strength to dare kill me, today I'll show you what true power is!"

After spitting those harsh words, the bandit chief immediately swung his massive golden gourd hammers and charged at Fang Xu!

"Using a hammer?"

Gazing at the bandit chief's weapon, Fang Xu's heart stirred slightly.

Normally, martial artists capable of wielding such weapons are renowned for strength; seeing this stirred his competitive spirit, Fang Xu immediately wanted to match strength with this guy.

He wanted to see how his current strength compared to that of a strength-focused Martial Master Seventh Level martial artist.

Gripping his staff slightly tighter, Fang Xu also rushed toward the bandit chief!

Boom!

Meeting the bandit chief's descending golden gourd hammer, Fang Xu held his staff sideways and chose to take the blow head-on!

A terrifying explosion rang out, an invisible shockwave centered on the two of them sweeping outward in all directions!

Withstanding this terrifying blow, Fang Xu's grip on the staff caused his elbow to sink slightly, ultimately blocking the chief's attack with a slight disadvantage.

In his fury, this move must be at least eighty percent of his strength, right?

Having formed a guess, Fang Xu roughly judged his own strength, then abruptly lifted, deflecting the golden gourd hammer and swinging his staff to strike the chief!

Bang!

The bandit chief raised his double hammers to block this violent staff strike, preparing to counter, but Fang Xu's next staff strike came down again!

Forcing him to merely continue defending.

Yet Fang Xu's attack speed grew ever faster, and his force ever greater!

The bandit chief strained to block, the height of his double hammers dropping lower and lower, soon about to fall onto his skull!

Seeing this, Fang Xu stomped his foot, gathering twelve parts of his full strength into a single strike that fell!

Boom!

The mountain bandit leader raised the two golden melon hammers above his head, then suddenly drove them down, smashing them straight into his own skull!

Intense pain accompanied by waves of dizziness made his body stagger, and a warm stream trickled down from his head, partially blocking his vision.

Fang Xu hesitated no longer; the staff in his hand instantly changed its attack mode, and he struck the bandit leader's chest with a blow!

Bang!

Another human-shaped cannonball flew backward!

The bandit leader's feet scraped the ground, leaving two clear tracks, as he flew backward over ten zhang, slamming straight into the mass of bandit fighters!

"These guys are tough, retreat!"

Seeing their leader rush in only to be flung back by a single staff blow after just a few moves, his fate unknown, the remaining bandits were terrified, scrambling to drag their unconscious leader away in a frantic retreat.

Fang Xu, however, did not pursue; he simply watched quietly as the bandits disappeared from sight.

On the other side, the brown-clad martial artists, seeing how fearsome Fang Xu was, all stared at him with some nervousness, fearing that after he drove off the bandits, he might turn on them.

Fang Xu merely gave them a casual glance, then turned and walked toward the small hill.

This move was merely to test his own strength; now the entire Yu State is searching for him, and he wants nothing to do with these people.

"Um... wait a moment!"

Seeing Fang Xu about to leave, the white-clad "young master" hesitated, then called out.

Fang Xu's steps paused slightly; he turned sideways and glanced at her.

"Benefactor, if you could tell me your name, then later..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Fang Xu's figure had already vanished behind the hill.

Under the faint moonlight, the two mounted their horses, which had regained some strength, and quietly headed toward the distant Liangzhou City.

"Kid, how do you feel?" the old ape said.

Fang Xu pondered for a moment and said: "In terms of strength, I am now roughly on par with some martial artists at the seventh or eighth level of the Warrior Master realm."

"My speed may be somewhat weaker; I can probably only match an ordinary Warrior Master at the fourth level."

"When facing a Warrior Master, my only shortcoming is still the projection of internal force."

"If the opponent does not engage me in close combat and merely relies on projecting internal force to wear me down from a distance, I am powerless."

After hearing his analysis, the old ape nodded and said: "Your self-assessment is fairly accurate."

"Projecting internal force is indeed a tricky technique, but it's not unbeatable." The old ape said, pulling from somewhere a pebble the size of a quail egg, flicked it with his finger, and the pebble shot out like a bullet, tearing through the air and nailing itself into a withered tree not far away!

"You currently have only the strength of a seventh-level Martial Practitioner; breaking through to the Warrior Master realm before the eighteenth of the winter month is estimated to be impossible."

"However, if you can make use of your strength, you can absolutely narrow the gap with a Warrior Master to almost nothing."

"Come on, when we reach Liangzhou City, I'll help you make up for this shortcoming." The old ape said confidently.

(End of chapter)