Chapter 373

In this strange world, any domineering law must have a tremendous drawback.

For example, the "illegal" law Xu Yuan had encountered before.

Old Chu's tax law was even worse—if it failed to take effect, the target would become alert and never accept another receipt again.

As for Old Chu himself, aside from the "tax law," he had only barely dabbled in Wu Xiu.

Just a ninth-rank.

In a battle of this level, he was essentially defenseless.

This was also the problem with the "tax law"—because it was too domineering, any other cultivation path he tried to supplement would progress abnormally slowly.

Old Chu's move missed; he exclaimed "How could this be?" before retreating without hesitation.

The speed of a ninth-rank Wu Xiu reached its peak.

…But to Master Xu, it was still far too slow.

Can't you match the physique of a fifth-rank Wu Xiu, let alone a ninth-rank?

Moreover, Xu Yuan had only ever fought Xiao Wu, deliberately avoiding alarming the two sixth-ranks nearby, so that when they tried to ambush him, he could strike back unexpectedly.

The opportunity arose—and Master Xu would never let it slip.

The beast-tendon rope silently wrapped around Old Chu's ankle.

Immediately after, a clanging jingle filled the air, and Old Chu felt the world spin, his soul as if being torn apart.

The long spike had already silently reached Old Chu's throat.

Xiao Wu lunged forward without regard for himself.

He could not let Xu Yuan kill Old Chu first.

If Old Chu lived, there was still hope to defeat Xu Yuan.

If Old Chu died, he could only flee—unable to complete the Princess's mission.

Because Old Chu still had one final move: Xiao Wu, relying on his Wu Xiu's formidable physique, would latch onto Xu Yuan and prevent him from escaping, while Old Chu scattered dozens of zhang worth of receipts into the air—some would inevitably land on Xu Yuan!

Of course, they would also land on Xiao Wu.

But Xiao Wu believed he could withstand it.

That was why, during their planning, Xiao Wu had told Old Chu, "Strike swiftly—don't fear hurting me."

These receipts were hard to make, and like crafted artifacts, each person could hold only a limited number—so this tactic offered only one chance.

Xiao Wu launched himself desperately to save Old Chu—when suddenly, he felt a wave of weakness surge through his body!

This sudden weakness slowed his speed by a fraction.

Xiao Wu quickly recovered—but it was too late.

The long spike in Xu Yuan's hand hissed and pierced straight through Old Chu's throat.

A shapeless, mist-like black flame erupted before Old Chu's forehead, instantly reducing his soul to nothingness!

Xiao Wu roared, his two blades linking front and back, slashing in a furious, unbroken barrage.

Puff… puff… puff…

The ground was carved with over a dozen long gashes by the twin blades.

But Xu Yuan had already withdrawn—there was only the narrowest gap of time between them.

Xiao Wu, consumed by rage and desperation, unleashed over a dozen more strikes—when that weakness surged through him again.

His arms dropped, his blades planted at his sides, gasping for breath.

What kind of sinister technique is this?!

Xiao Wu's heart trembled—he had never encountered anything like this before.

With Old Chu dead, Xiao Wu's confidence halved.

Xu Yuan must not have known Old Chu carried a hidden receipt, ready to unleash "Heaven's Scattering Flowers."

Yet Xu Yuan had unswervingly killed Old Chu first.

He had done the right thing.

Without Old Chu's cooperation, Xiao Wu knew the mission was already doomed.

This time, Xu Yuan had actively activated "Ghost Physician Steals Life."

Xiao Wu was continuously weakened, while Xu Yuan steadily gained strength.

Even Lang Xiao Ba and Mao Dabin, wounded nearby, healed without treatment!

Both blinked, utterly astonished: What was happening?

The "Ghost Physician Steals Life" destiny had always operated subtly and passively.

But after advancing to fifth-rank Dan Xiu, Xu Yuan vaguely sensed that his destiny cultivation had also begun to loosen.

The clearest sign was that "Ghost Physician Steals Life" could now be actively triggered to enhance its effect.

This time it was unleashed, and its impact on Xiao Wu was extremely strong.

It was also because Xiao Wu had already taken two hits from a fourth-rank crafted artifact.

Wu Xiu physiques were prodigious, their blood qi vigorous, their skin thick and tough.

So many Wu Xiu preferred the "trade damage for damage" tactic—by the end, the Wu Xiu survived while the opponent died.

Xiao Wu had always relied on this strategy.

But today, facing Master Xu, he had miscalculated.

After trading damage, Master Xu grew stronger with each strike, while he himself rapidly weakened.

After several gasps, Xiao Wu surged upward, his entire body blazing with golden light, leaping through the air to strike Xu Yuan with both blades raised overhead!

Dong!

His blades struck empty air, unleashing Wu Mi's "War Drum Beats."

At the same time, sharp energy burst forth from the blades' edges—this was the superposition of another Wu Mi, "Injuring Others with Qi"!

This was the strongest strike Xiao Wu could unleash at his current level.

He had actually long since cultivated both Wu Mi techniques to the point where he could deploy them at will.

Yet he had always acted as if "War Drum Beat" required stomping the ground and "Injuring Others with Qi" could only be spat from his mouth, all to make this strongest strike a surprise.

Xu Yuan was indeed very surprised, but not by the fact that Xiao Wu's two Wu Mi techniques could be freely combined and deployed—Xu Yuan had been guarding against this move all along.

Preparedness prevents trouble; even if the defense was misplaced, there was no loss.

Most Wu Xiu are simple and dull, yet Xiao Wu alone believed himself brave and strategic, fond of these so-called "tactics."

Reading "The Art of War" does not make one the Sage of War.

Wisdom is also a talent.

What surprised Xu Yuan was that, after such severe injuries and having been drained twice by "Ghost Doctor Steals Life," Xiao Wu still had the strength to launch this strongest strike.

Xu Yuan suddenly unfurled his folding fan.

Snap!

Xu Yuan vanished into thin air.

Xiao Wu's strongest strike missed completely, yet directly in front of himself, with a thunderous boom, he cleaved a massive crater with his dual blades and dual Wu Mi!

Beneath this strike, the streets within dozens of zhang were utterly destroyed.

The houses on both sides collapsed entirely.

The ground trembled violently.

Xu Yuan then reappeared dozens of zhang to Xiao Wu's left.

Xiao Wu panted heavily; this strike had consumed far too much of his strength.

Upon launching this strike, his body had pumped out vast amounts of sweat, yet his form remained crimson, steam rising from it.

With every breath, he needed to inhale dozens of times the air of an ordinary person.

While recovering his strength, he kept spinning, holding his dual blades upright before him, searching for his opponent's tracks.

Xu Yuan stared at Xiao Wu and noticed the yellow light on his body constantly condensing—

After that strike just now, the yellow "Five Organs Qi" on his body had become so thin it was nearly invisible.

But within a breath or two, the yellow Five Organs Qi grew thick and dense once more.

My Lord Xu's mind turned, and he understood: this fellow's Five Organs Qi was the Qi of the "Spleen."

In the Five Elements, it belongs to Earth.

Heavy and solid, which also meant enduring momentum.

My Lord Xu's eyes rolled, and he shook the bell in his hand again: Clang-clang-clang...

Xiao Wu had already developed some resistance to the bell; he felt dizzy and disoriented for a moment, then immediately recovered.

But that was precisely the instant Xu Yuan wanted.

The beast-tendon rope had already wrapped around Xiao Wu's ankles.

With a sudden yank, he was hoisted into the air!

Xiao Wu's feet left the ground.

Indeed, the yellow Five Organs Qi on his body was immediately severed.

It ceased condensing further.

Xiao Wu roared, still trying to forcibly break the beast-tendon rope as before.

But Xu Yuan once again activated "Ghost Doctor Steals Life."

Xiao Wu suddenly grew weak again.

Moreover, with his Five Organs Qi greatly damaged at this moment, he could no longer manifest divine might to break the ropes.

Xiao Wu immediately drew his dual blades before him, wary that Xu Yuan might seize the opportunity to strike.

But he discovered that Xu Yuan, for some reason, had frozen in a daze, missing this golden opportunity.

Xu Yuan had used "Ghost Doctor Steals Life" three times; the first two were fine, but the strength stolen the third time exceeded the upper limit My Lord Xu could currently bear.

Thus, heat surged in his nostrils, and two streams of nosebleed flowed down.

Xiao Wu rejoiced!

Whatever sinister technique caused his weakness, the opponent had clearly suffered backlash too; he could not deploy such sinister techniques indefinitely.

Xiao Wu raised his dual blades and slashed at the rope binding his feet.

He no longer hoped to complete the mission; if only he could sever this rope, he would prepare to retreat.

Moreover, if necessary, he would deliberately expose Hong Huai, who was still hiding nearby.

Brother, go in peace; I will surely take care of your wife and children for you.

But as he raised his dual blades and struck down with full force, that sense of weakness surged again, swift and fierce.

Stronger than the previous times.

Xiao Wu's arms went limp; these two strikes landed on the beast-tendon rope with no power, and were instead bounced back by the rope.

Xiao Wu gritted his teeth and looked up; this time, Xu Yuan seemed perfectly fine.

But beside him, Lang Xiao Ba, Mao Dabin, and the Captain under Wan Yun's command simultaneously spat two streams of fresh blood from their nostrils with a puff!

"Ghost Doctor Steals Life" can not only replenish oneself but also replenish one's companions.

Upon discovering he could no longer "digest" it, My Lord Xu immediately transferred it all to his three subordinates.

Mao Dabin collapsed on the spot.

But Lang Xiao Ba's eyes lit up!

Although he had spat nosebleed, Lang Xiao Ba discovered that this inexplicable power surging into his body greatly aided his Wu Xiu level.

Xu Yuan asked, "Can you still hold on?"

Mao Dabin gritted his teeth, risking his life: "Yes..."

Lang Xiao Ba, however, roared, "My lord, let them come even harder!"

Xu Yuan immediately understood; Mao Dabin was forcing himself, while Lang Xiao Ba truly longed to continue.

As for that Captain... he had already fainted.

Xu Yuan repeatedly activated "Ghost Doctor Steals Life," and thus saw thick, viscous blood gushing out of Lang Xiao Ba's nostrils in streams.

After a few times, Lang Xiao Ba's nose swelled up.

But each time, Lang Xiao Ba's eyes turned red with excitement: "Again! Again! Again!"

After four more times, Xu Yuan suddenly felt a sensation of emptiness within his body.

Lord Xu's heart gave a thump; he hadn't expected it—Lang Xiao Ba could still hold on, but this lord could no longer...

The usage of the Fate Pattern had been too frequent.

"Ghost Doctor Steals Life" showed signs of dispersing.

Xu Yuan stopped immediately, then looked at Xiao Wu, who was already completely limp.

He hung upside down in midair, suspended by beast-tendon ropes.

Without the earth's replenishment, the qi of his five viscera had been exhausted.

His body, originally swollen to over one zhang in height, had shrunk back, two sizes smaller.

The bell in Xu Yuan's hand shook, the long spear in his hand spun, and the fire wheels beneath his feet roared, continuously spewing flames; he was ready for a fatal strike!

Xiao Wu's eyes were hazy and lifeless, yet he still gripped the twin blades tightly in his hands.

There are only Wu Xiu who die in battle, never Wu Xiu who surrender their weapons!

Boom—

The fire wheels spewed flames violently backward; Xu Yuan's speed suddenly surged to the extreme, charging straight at Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu squeezed out the last of his strength from within his body; ignoring the long spear thrusting at him, he only thrust the twin blades at Xu Yuan.

Even if he couldn't achieve mutual destruction, he would inflict serious injury on you!

Yet unexpectedly, Xu Yuan had only charged a dozen or so zhang before suddenly rising into the air; with a whoosh, he drew a circle in the sky and returned!

But at the very moment Xu Yuan initiated his "Charge," the Sword Pill silently pierced into Xiao Wu's back!

And it found, with great cunning, the wound on Xiao Wu's back.

That wound had originally been sealed by Xiao Wu's cultivation.

Although the Sword Pill was also Fifth Grade, piercing the iron skin of a Fifth Grade Wu Xiu was not easy.

But if it drilled in through a closed wound, it was far too easy.

A Xiao Wu in normal condition would never have given Xu Yuan this opportunity.

But this Xiao Wu... was dazed and could no longer care about anything.

After the Sword Pill drilled in, it reverted from the state of "Sword" to the state of "Pill," then rampaged wildly within Xiao Wu's body!

It utterly destroyed his five viscera and six bowels.

Finally, it surged upward, attempting to smash through Xiao Wu's skull and burst out.

The result was a thud; it was blocked back by the skull!

Xu Yuan couldn't help but sigh; the physique of a Fifth Grade Wu Xiu was truly formidable!

Thus, he could only control the Sword Pill to drill out through Xiao Wu's right eye.

Xiao Wu's eyeball was knocked flying by the Sword Pill from its socket for over a dozen zhang.

Immediately, a stream of blood mixed with shredded flesh sprayed out from the eye socket.

The two original wounds on the body could no longer close.

Countless tiny wounds also emerged from beneath the skin.

The blood gushed more and more, then flowed upward along the entire spine; blood vessels everywhere burst with puffs, splattering blood everywhere!

The "Blood Explosion" of a Fifth Grade Wu Xiu whose cultivation was broken was terrifying; the flying blood droplets could pierce a wooden board one finger thick.

Xiao Wu was undoubtedly dead, yet his remaining left eye still stared at Xu Yuan in confusion; from his throat, which had already rotted into a petal shape, came his final hoarse voice: "You have already won for certain; was it necessary... to feign a frontal attack... and then ambush the back with the Sword Pill?"

Xu Yuan then sighed and said, "This is the reason why you Wu Xiu often fall into others' traps."

In that situation just now, if you had a move to sink the ship and kill the enemy before dying, I, this official, could not but guard against it."

Xiao Wu's eyes completely scattered; he understood, but also felt this person was overly cautious.

And Xu Yuan immediately added, "But the fact that you had no move to sink the ship and kill the enemy before dying does not prove that this lord was worrying about nothing; rather, it proves that you... are simple, stupid, and couldn't even think of this..."

Xiao Wu widened his left eye; in his final moments of life, he was severely hurt again, so he died with his eyes unsealed.

An invisible, mist-like black flame then appeared before Xiao Wu's forehead—Xu Yuan had almost simultaneously released the Six-Eyed Eyed Minge.

The Yin Soldiers inside all rushed out, including the great ghost with "three heads, snake neck, eight hands, and eight feet" that Xu Yuan had collected from Qi Yue not long ago.

The black flame buried within these people's souls was more vicious than the "Pulling Thread Method," directly dissolving the souls.

It was true destruction of both form and spirit.

Only the Xiang Wang Fu possessed the strength to cultivate such true "Death Soldiers."

The black flame caused immense damage to Yin Spirits; as soon as a few Yin Soldiers were released, they feared and kept their distance.

Even the newly collected great ghost dared not approach.

This thing had been taken into the Six-Eyed Eyed Minge by Xu Yuan and hadn't yet been refined into a Yin Soldier; upon coming out, it suppressedly roared at Xu Yuan and still wanted to attack.

Xu Yuan deemed the Yin Soldiers useless, so he retracted them.

The black flame had already incinerated Xiao Wu's soul.

Xu Yuan looked around and asked Lang Xiao Ba, "How are you?"

Lang Xiao Ba's nose was swollen high, his chest clothes were torn, and his entire body was stained red with his own nosebleed.

He looked extremely wretched, but his spirit was exceptionally high.

His eyes shot forth sharp light!

It was likely the state of needing to fight three hundred rounds to vent that abundant energy.

"Your subordinate is very well!" Lang Xiao Ba clasped his fists in a bow: "Your subordinate feels he is about to break through to Wu Xiu eighth-rank! Thank you, my lord, for making this possible!"

Xu Yuan nodded: "Then that is good."

Mao Dabin's condition was also very good.

"Ghost Doctor Steals Life" had injected a portion of a fifth-rank Wu Xiu's power into his body, greatly strengthening his physique.

But Mao Dabin was simply too jealous of Lang Xiao Ba.

This fellow was only at a non-ranked level before Lord Xu arrived.

In the few months since meeting my lord, he had unexpectedly received a seventh-rank method cultivation inheritance.

Now he was visibly on the verge of reaching Wu Xiu eighth-rank.

Once he became a dual seventh-ranker—in the future when promoting to Inspector, I would have to stand behind this kid!"

Mao Dabin thought to himself: Indeed, one rises faster by staying by my lord's side.

But I am an Inspector, and I have a group of brothers under me; I cannot be like Lang Xiao Ba and serve as my lord's personal attendant.

I can only take the family route and curry favor with the Lady.

But the Lady is not old; I cannot keep approaching her... or I will make my lord unhappy. That fellow Old Qin is the result.

In this moment, Mao Dabin desired a family more than ever before.

"This Inspector should get married..."

Find a Lady, let her take the route to the Lady!"

After caring for his subordinates with a few words, Xu Yuan's expression tightened and he made several hand signals.

Mao Dabin and Lang Xiao Ba immediately nodded, understanding that my lord was ordering them to handle the scene.

Xu Yuan departed silently.

He had deliberately let the second sixth-ranker hiding in the shadows escape.

Since he could not snatch their souls, he could only secretly track the last assassin.

Hong Huai fled in panic.

He was covered in cold sweat!

From beginning to end, he had not found an opportunity to strike.

At the final moment, Fifth Brother had secretly made a hidden hand signal, telling him to run quickly!

From now on, he would have to take care of Fifth Brother and Old Chu's wives and children.

He had never thought that the three of them, working together, would lose to a fifth-rank Rank Dan Xiu, and lose so completely.

Even though this Xu Yuan had previously "suspectedly" dealt with a fifth-rank evil spirit.

But among the Seven Great Sects, aside from Life Cultivators, Wu Xiu against opponents of the same level are basically certain to win and never lose.

The higher the level, the more advantage Wu Xiu actually have.

For instance, when facing Spirit Cultivators, Yin Soldiers often dare not approach Wu Xiu.

Plus Old Chu's domineering "Tax Law," there was no reason to lose.

But this Rank Dan Xiu Xu Yuan was too strange, carrying a pile of powerful artisan artifacts on his person.

He hadn't even used much of the Fu Zhong Huo in his belly, yet he had continuously killed Old Chu and Fifth Brother.

Fifth Brother did not let Hong Huai strike—but in reality, Hong Huai had never found an opportunity to strike.

He always felt that if he struck, he would only expose himself and be killed, and it would not help the battle situation in any way.

Hong Huai fled in panic; although fearful, he had not yet completely lost his composure.

He circled repeatedly within the city.

In between, he stopped five times to observe if there were any tails behind him.

Once, he even deliberately drilled into a high-gated courtyard in the north of the city, disguising it as his lodging place.

But behind him was completely empty.

Only then did Hong Huai breathe a sigh of relief, confirming there were no tails.

The Heir Consort's mission was not completed; he absolutely could not bring the enemy back.

Xu Yuan followed at a distance without hurry, always keeping "Gazing at Life" active, naturally not worrying about losing track.

As for Hong Huai's deliberate confusion, Xu Yuan never fell for it because Xu Yuan had already guessed in his heart.

These people, with over ninety percent probability, were the Heir Consort's subordinates.

In Zhan City, no one else could have such powerful generals.

All Xu Yuan needed was a confirmation.

Hong Huai circled outside the city again, passed through two villages, before turning back to the Canal Wharf.

But Hong Huai did not see the Heir Consort.

He returned alone like a homeless dog; Little Five and Old Chu were nowhere to be seen.

Thus, upon entering the Canal Office, he was blocked by another personal maid of the Heir Consort named "Ruirui."

"Did you mess it up?"

Hong Huai let out a long sigh: "I am ashamed to..."

He was about to say "ashamed before the Heir Consort" when Ruirui interrupted him sharply: "Answer directly!"

Do not mention the Heir Consort!

Hong Huai gritted his teeth: "Yes. Fifth Brother and Lao Chu are both dead, their souls scattered to the four winds."

Ruirui's expression eased slightly.

If their souls are scattered, no information will leak out.

"Did you find anything?" Ruirui asked again.

"No."

"No, or you just couldn't find anything?"

"We couldn't find anything."

Hong Huai felt that Fifth Brother and Lao Chu had not forced Xu Yuan to use his full strength.

Therefore, whether Xu Yuan had secretly practiced the Dragon-Transformation Art remained inconclusive.

"Useless!" Ruirui couldn't help but curse.

Hong Huai lowered his head; though resentful in his heart, he could not refute her.

"Go down."

Hong Huai left, bitter and depressed.

Xu Yuan secretly rubbed his chin; this Princess Consort was not easy to deal with.

She handled things very cautiously; when Hong Huai returned after failing his mission, he never even saw her.

This allowed her to deflect blame, claiming her subordinates acted on their own without her knowledge.

Ruirui and Hong Huai took the fall.

Xu Yuan slipped away quietly, but instead of returning to Huicheng, he headed straight for Ghost Wushan.

Riding his fire wheels at full speed, he arrived at the foot of Ghost Wushan by evening, covered his face with mud, and entered the mountain directly.

Early the next morning, Xu Yuan found Bai Laoyan.

Bai Laoyan rushed out of the village and brought Tian Jing back in the afternoon.

Given Tian Jing's current eerie appearance, he was actually a bit afraid to see my lord.

However, regarding the matter of the Dragon-Transformation Art, Xu Yuan did not want Bai Laoyan to relay the message.

The more people who know, the greater the chance of a leak.

Since my lord had summoned him by name, he could only steel his nerves and come.

When Xu Yuan met Tian Jing outside the village, he was also quite surprised: there was truly a fate connecting him to the Ghost-Needle Wood.

However... this actually coincided unexpectedly with what he intended to do next.

Xu Yuan glanced coldly at Tian Jing—Tian Jing was actually somewhat afraid of him; his heart trembled and he quickly explained: "I did this for business; if I didn't look so eerie, the people on the street would always be on guard against me..."

Xu Yuan only asked: "Can you hold it?"

"Rest assured, my lord, I will not alter anyone's heart."

Xu Yuan nodded and asked no further questions.

"Someone may come to the mountain to investigate these next few days..." Xu Yuan quietly briefly explained the matter of the Dragon-Transformation Art.

"I will pass the Dragon-Transformation Art to you; cultivate it immediately, then disguise yourself..." Xu Yuan gave Tian Jing detailed instructions, explaining everything in such and such a manner.

Tian Jing's eyes flickered, and he slowly smiled.

Without the fusion of the Ghost-Needle Wood, the Dragon-Transformation Art cultivated temporarily might not have been enough to deceive the visitors.

But every root of the Ghost-Needle Wood was as flexible and powerful as a python!

The possibility of success increased greatly.

(End of this chapter)