Chapter 396: Lin Zhong

Lin Xiong was stunned, a trace of disbelief flashing in his eyes.

He certainly remembered that when his uncle Lin Zhong was young, he had been one of the most outstanding Martial Artists of the Lin Family,

but after returning from his travels, he had fallen into a slump.

Yet even after his realm fell, his uncle had been at the peak of the Blood Refining Realm at the time, just one step away from the Bone Refining Realm.

It was only that time spares no one; Lin Zhong's body gradually weakened, and he slowly withdrew from the stage of cultivation.

"Uncle, you..." Before Lin Xiong could finish his sentence, he saw Lin Zhong's figure sway.

His originally hunched body instantly stood as straight as a pine,

and the wrinkles on his aged skin seemed to have been smoothed away.

A powerful surge of Blood Qi radiated from within his body.

The old man, who had previously struggled to even maintain the Blood Refining Realm,

now possessed an aura comparable to that of a Bone Refining Martial Artist.

No, it was even significantly stronger than any Bone Refining Martial Artist Lin Xiong had ever seen.

"Patriarch, I also had my opportunities when I traveled in the past.

Now that my choice back then was a mistake,

I will stake this old frame of mine to pave the way for the family."

Lin Xiong was moved and was about to say something more,

but Lin Zhong laughed brightly.

"Haha, County Magistrate Liu, one must take responsibility for one's own actions.

I was actually deceived by you back then, causing my Lin Family to suffer losses.

Today, I will let you witness the true strength of my Lin Family!" Lin Zhong laughed loudly, his figure like lightning, instantly pouncing toward County Magistrate Liu.

The soldiers guarding around County Magistrate Liu were not a match for even one blow from Lin Zhong.

Seeing this, County Magistrate Liu's expression changed drastically; he never expected that Lin Zhong would still possess such strength.

Seeing Lin Zhong about to close in, he hurriedly brandished the Long Sword in his hand, attempting to block Lin Zhong's attack.

But the strength of Lin Zhong after consuming the Forbidden Drug was simply too powerful.

Every one of his moves and stances contained terrifying might; County Magistrate Liu could only barely defend, with no power to counterattack.

The Lin Family disciples saw this and cheered one after another; they saw hope, they saw the dawn of victory.

County Magistrate Liu was furious: "Old thing, you've only consumed a Forbidden Drug.

After a quarter of an hour, you will be dead and your blood will be gone, what is there to be proud of?"

Lin Zhong laughed: "To die for a worthy cause, to die for a worthy cause indeed."

While he laughed, the moves in his hands became increasingly ruthless.

The Fire Sun Palm of the Lin Family, when used by Lin Zhong, had its power doubled.

The scorching heat brought about by the burning of his own Blood Qi was enough to incinerate the enemy's physical body.

Lin Xiong looked at his uncle Lin Zhong's vigorous figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

This sudden turn of events left him both shocked and worried. Every move and stance of Lin Zhong seemed to be recounting the glory of the past.

That power, which had almost been forgotten by time, was now erupting like a volcano.

"Uncle, why must you do this!" Lin Xiong thought to himself, but he dared not speak to interrupt this determination.

Lin Zhong's action was for the family, to wash away the shame of the past, and even more so for that heavy sense of responsibility.

On the battlefield, the clash between Lin Zhong and County Magistrate Liu became increasingly intense.

Lin Zhong's Fire Sun Palm was as scorching as the blazing sun, each strike carrying destructive power, burning the surrounding air until it distorted.

Although County Magistrate Liu's Sword Technique was exquisite, in the face of Lin Zhong's absolute power, he appeared increasingly unable to keep up.

"Ah!" With a scream, County Magistrate Liu was finally struck by Lin Zhong's palm.

His entire body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground, spitting blood; he had clearly suffered serious injuries.

The Lin Family disciples saw this, and the cheers became even more enthusiastic; they seemed to have already seen the moment the family would regain its former glory.

A trace of worry flashed in Lin Xiong's eyes. Although his uncle Lin Zhong had temporarily gained the upper hand, that power was maintained by a Forbidden Drug; if it lasted too long, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Quick, do not let the Elder's sacrifice go to waste, follow the group and retreat!"

Sure enough, after only a moment, Lin Zhong's aura began to become chaotic.

His face was pale, and beads of sweat as large as soybeans rolled down his forehead; he was clearly approaching his limit.

The reason a Forbidden Drug is called a Forbidden Drug

is that it stimulates the flow of the human body's Qi and Blood, bringing about a brief, glorious eruption.

During this period, the user naturally must endure the pain of their body feeling as if it were being incinerated.

Afterward, when the Blood Qi is burned dry, the user's life will also fade away.

But even so, Lin Zhong's gaze remained firm, and he continued to grit his teeth, persisting in this final battle against County Magistrate Liu.

Watching Lin Zhong's body visibly shrink by half,

Lin Xiong could not bear to look any longer; he brandished his Long Sword, fighting desperately to find a path of survival for the Lin Family.

He slashed at everyone he saw, his strikes becoming heavier and heavier, gradually losing all technique.

But Lin Zhong's eyes held only the enemy. He dared not look back at the Lin Family members behind him.

He gathered all his strength once more, preparing to unleash a final blow.

His own old bones did not have much time left, and there was a limit to what he could do for the family.

To be old and still be deceived by an enemy, it was truly laughable.

Fortunately, he still had a backup plan.

"I shall sacrifice my broken body to surely win a path of survival for the Lin Family."

Before Lin Zhong's eyes, it was as if he were recalling the hardships and obstacles of the Lin Family's rise in the past.

His body was teetering on the verge of collapse due to extreme overexertion,

yet his gaze was startlingly bright.

County Magistrate Liu was terrified in his heart; he knew that he would likely find it difficult to escape unscathed today.

Just then, Lin Zhong suddenly let out a great shout, his figure swelled once more, and he slammed a fist toward County Magistrate Liu.

County Magistrate Liu could not dodge in time; he was struck by this punch, spat out blood, and flew backward.

"County Magistrate Liu, today is your death day!" Lin Zhong's figure flashed as he pursued County Magistrate Liu once again.

At that moment, a sharp whistling sound suddenly rang out, and a black shadow broke through the front of the formation, blocking Lin Zhong's path.

Lin Zhong fixed his eyes on the person and saw that it was an old man wearing a hood and a black robe, whose aura was unfathomable.

At the very least, he was far stronger than himself, who had consumed a Forbidden Drug.

Seeing the newcomer, the terror on County Magistrate Liu's face vanished completely,

and he sneered at Lin Zhong: "Hmph, Lin Zhong, do you think you can win today?"

He then climbed to his feet and said to the black-robed old man: "I trouble you, Liu Lao."

The black-robed old man did not speak, merely looking at Lin Zhong indifferently.

County Magistrate Liu did not mind, as he was accustomed to everything about the black-robed old man.

Lin Zhong was startled; he had not expected County Magistrate Liu to have such a powerful helper.

He was not afraid, however; holding the intention of risking his life, every move and style was a desperate tactic.

He engaged in a fierce battle with the black-robed old man.

Lin Xiong took the opportunity to command the Lin Family disciples to continue attacking County Magistrate Liu's army, attempting to break through a path in one fell swoop.

Only a few of Lin Zhong's self-damaging killer moves landed on his opponent.

Yet that black-robed Liu Lao moved quickly, his entire body as if made of Refined Iron.

Even when struck, he merely swayed slightly before recovering.

He became rapidly entangled in a fight with Lin Zhong.

Lin Zhong's aura grew increasingly withered.

The appearance of the black-robed old man made the battle situation unpredictable once again.

Lin Xiong was extremely anxious in his heart.

Today's events concerned the life and death of the Lin Family.

He had to think of every possible way to buy time for his uncle and fight for a hope of victory for the Lin Family.

But, where, exactly, was the way out??