Chapter 58: Must Suffer

Old Eight’s whole body trembled; his two large hands weakly reached for Xu Yuan, but Xu Yuan moved his hand, and the thin sword spun in the eye socket, shredding Old Eight’s brain!

The craftsman’s creations of his stepmother could pierce the “copper skin and iron bones” of a Seventh-Rank Wu Xiu.

But had it not been for this sudden surprise, Xu Yuan would never have dared to engage a Seventh-Rank Wu Xiu in close combat.

Old Eight’s two hands stopped just before Xu Yuan’s neck.

Blood gushed from every wound on his body, as if under pressure, all at once!

It splashed onto Xu Yuan’s face, stinging his skin painfully.

When a powerful Wu Xiu dies and his cultivation collapses, his overabundant blood and qi, no longer restrained by his own body, produce this effect known as “blood surge” or “blood explosion.”

Xu Yuan exhaled deeply, jarring his chest wound and forcing out another mouthful of blood.

Even with the Skin Pill’s protection, Old Eight’s punch was not something easily endured.

This time, we thought Yan Lao was here to hold the line—surely the other side couldn’t cause any major trouble—but we never expected they had such a technique, instantly separating the four of us, and even Yan Lao couldn’t break through this “spell” in time to come to my rescue.

Fortunately, in the end, I was the one who won.

…

Outside the “illegal” zone, the street remained unchanged, still bustling, noisy, with the braying of oxen and horses.

Xing Guolong’s men were hiding in a shop by the roadside.

The shop was closed; the shopkeeper and apprentices had already been dealt with by Xing Guolong’s group.

The two strongest among them, Xing Guolong and Old Eight, entered the “illegal” zone to hunt Xu Yuan; the rest guarded Old Four.

They didn’t go after the three from the Purification Office; their target was Xu Yuan, and there was no need to provoke the Purification Office.

Killing someone from the Purification Office here would force them into a death feud with us.

They didn’t know Xu Yuan had already handed the “item” over to Yan Lao.

Put yourself in their shoes—they figured if they’d accidentally come into possession of something important, they’d quietly hide it and never give it up lightly.

They couldn’t see what was happening inside the “illegal” zone, but Old Four could.

But even if Old Four saw it, it didn’t matter—he couldn’t speak at all now.

Xu Yuan’s explosion had increased Old Four’s “illegal” burden even further; though still alive for now, he was barely a step from death.

But now Old Four had no retreat—he had to stake everything to help Old Eight kill Xu Yuan, hoping Chen Master would still care for his family.

So he reversed Xu Yuan’s “directional attempt.”

But that was all he could do—and still, Old Eight failed.

Just as Xu Yuan killed Old Eight, a man suddenly walked into the shop.

His face was full of sorrow, his back burdened with a tattered satchel containing carpenter’s tools.

Xing Guolong’s men froze—outside, Old Six was guarding; how had this man gotten in?

Mao Sishu moved with calm steadiness, pulling out a hammer and chisel, and struck the air toward everyone in the room:

Ding!

A terrifying storm erupted on the soul level!

Everyone left in the room—including Old Four, who was still casting the “illegal”—instantly had their souls violently shaken, torn uncontrollably from their bodies and lifted into the air!

The five others besides Old Four were all Eighth-Rank, including one Spirit Cultivator!

Yet Mao Sishu’s single strike left them powerless, even if they’d combined their strength.

Mao Sishu reached into a pouch behind his satchel and pulled out a small wooden gourd, uncorked it, and pointed the opening at the five souls.

No names needed—the five souls were instantly gripped by a swirling force, spinning rapidly toward the gourd.

Suddenly, behind each soul appeared a thin thread like a fishing line, tugging the souls away into the distance.

Mao Sishu glanced, then pulled a carpenter’s knife from his satchel and slashed the air—the five threads snapped at once.

The five souls whooshed swiftly into the gourd.

The moment Mao Sishu sealed the lid, faint, terrified screams could be heard from within.

What terrifying sight had they seen?

Sishu patted the gourd: “Good boy, eat more. These souls, steeped in sin, are excellent nourishment for you.”

The souls of Xing Guolong and Old Eight had already been sealed inside.

Sishu turned and left the shop; after walking a few steps, he suddenly began coughing violently, bending over in agony!

After consulting with his ancestors, Lin Wan had found him to discuss secretly protecting Xu Yuan.

Since Mao Sishu was the one taking Xu Yuan’s side in action, this duty of covert protection naturally fell to Mao Sishu.

Mao Sishu accepted.

Who else would care for the child enough to capture Old Qian’s soul for interrogation?

What troubled Mao Sishu wasn’t the “sin punishment” he’d incur by acting outside the “illegal” zone—but…

Today, Mao Sishu was supposed to work for a household in Xicheng, installing window frames in their newly built house.

He’d already received two hundred copper coins as deposit.

All day today, Mao Sishu had quietly followed behind Xu Yuan.

By ditching his employer, he’d not only have to return the deposit, but likely pay another two hundred copper coins in compensation—this was a heavy loss.

Mao Sishu was an old bachelor, and his life was far from comfortable.

Mao Sishu had kept his eyes fixed on Xu Yuan inside the “illegal” zone, ready to strike the moment Xu Yuan was in danger.

But this kid was incredible—he’d taken down two Seventh-Ranks by himself!

Mao Sishu’s sorrowful expression vanished instantly; he beamed inwardly: Not bad, Uncle’s always loved you! Look how you’ve grown—you’ve turned out just like me, worthy!

Since Xu Yuan no longer needed help inside the “illegal” zone, Mao Sishu swept up the remaining little fish and shrimp.

With Old Four’s death, the “illegal” vanished instantly.

Yan Lao’s method to break the “illegal” had barely begun when the surrounding darkness suddenly dissipated!

The entire street returned.

Or rather, we had returned to the normal street.

Yan Lao looked bewildered, then turned to see Fu Jingyu and Song Lu—both even more confused than he was.

The moment they’d fallen into the “illegal,” they’d been terrified.

They’d never experienced such a technique before.

And Yan Lao had shown no reaction—they’d assumed the attacker must be far above Yan Lao’s level.

This was it—we were done for!

Yet despite their cautious vigilance, waiting for danger to strike from the darkness, nothing happened.

Their mental resilience was severely tested.

Fu Jingyu held up fine; Song Lu nearly burst into tears.

Being trapped alone in endless, silent darkness—no normal person could endure it.

Then suddenly, the darkness vanished—nothing had happened.

Yan Lao and Fu Jingyu immediately sensed something was wrong: “Xu Yuan!”

The attacker’s target was clearly Xu Yuan.

Song Lu was dazed, thinking nothing at all—his mind was still blank.

Yan Lao and Fu Jingyu hurried to find Xu Yuan—they found him right beside them, but at his feet lay two corpses: one blown apart, half his body gone; the other riddled with holes, spurting blood everywhere.

“Aaah—murder!” Passersby on the street saw this scene and erupted in panic, scattering in all directions; the bustling street emptied in an instant.

But some people, after running dozens of zhang away, noticed the “killer” stood beside the two corpses with no intention to continue killing—they stopped running, turned back, and gathered at a distance to stare.

This was a spectacle worth watching.

Requesting monthly votes!

We’ve made it onto Sanjiang—probably the most important recommendation in the new book period; please support us!

There’s more tonight.





(End of Chapter)