Chapter 161

His face looked a bit grim; he instinctively felt he had misunderstood something. The oddity of the Thousand Cavalry Battalion likely had nothing to do with this place—otherwise, why would no one have followed them when they just left town?

"None, not even a single scout!"

The middle-aged woman wore a worried look, speaking nervously.

"Indeed none, it seems the strangeness isn't here!" Sun Busi muttered softly, then his expression eased a bit, and he casually comforted: "The waters of Thirty‑Li Rapids are terrifying; wait for the flood to recede here, then we'll carry out the rescue!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand, turned around, and was about to leave.

"Lord Sun, why aren't you staying properly in the government office? What urgent business brings you here?"

From behind a large rock emerged several figures; leading them was the Thousand Cavalry Battalion commander Wujia, and beside him stood a youth who resembled him somewhat.

"General Wu, you command your troops; I'm here on an inspection—no need for you to interfere!"

Sun Busi's expression changed; he had thought there was nothing important here, but he hadn't expected Wujia to lead men in ambush here. Could there really be something fishy going on?

Upon seeing Wujia and his men appear, the middle-aged woman's face changed drastically; her previously sobbing voice cut off abruptly, and she instinctively stepped back a few paces, as if fearing she wouldn't make it in time.

"Hehe! Please, Lord Sun. However, that woman is a wanted criminal in our army; please step aside, I, Wu, will personally apprehend her!"

Wujia gave a hehe laugh, then his eyes narrowed, sharp and ruthless like a vicious dog, fixing the middle-aged woman with a stare that made her tremble involuntarily.

"A military criminal? Just a common woman—what great crime could she commit?" Sun Busi snorted coldly, laughing sinisterly: "I think you're guilty and nervous! According to the Blue Field Law, when miners encounter disaster, the Thousand Cavalry Battalion has a duty to rescue. For three days this civilian woman has begged for help dozens of times, yet you haven't sent a single soldier. Yet now, as I patrol and investigate, you lie in ambush here—shouting 'catch the thief' while being the thief yourself—what exactly are you scheming?"

As he went on, he suddenly burst into a loud shout, deafening and shocking, making the horse beneath him neigh incessantly.

Upon hearing this, Wujia's face darkened with rage, his chest heaving violently, furious beyond measure. The young man beside him smiled faintly and whispered:

"Elder brother, lack of forbearance spoils great plans. Important matters are at stake—now is not the time to quarrel!"

Hearing this, Wujia drew a deep breath, nodded slightly, and spoke with a false smile:

"As commander, I'm swamped with duties and have no troops to spare. Lord Sun, if you have time, let your garrison handle the rescue—though I doubt they're capable!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Busi's eyes turned cold; he involuntarily flicked his sleeve, unexpectedly sending the purple‑red scale armor flying out.

Clang!

The purple‑red scale armor struck the ground's rocks, emitting a crisp sound that instantly drew everyone's attention.

"This is…… Could that thing really be here?"

Upon seeing the purple scales, the young man's face lit up with joy, and he blurted out:

"What thing? What exactly is it? Do you know that demon beast?"

Sun Busi's expression changed; he already sensed a hint of mystery from the other's words.

However, reacting even faster than him was Wuzhou, who extended a hand, grasped at empty air, and tried to snatch the purple‑red scale.

Seeing this, Sun Busi would not let him succeed; with a single palm chop he shattered the force of Wuzhou's grasping strike, then leisurely drew the scale into his hand and examined it pretentiously.

"It seems the Thousand Cavalry Battalion's odd behavior these past few days was all for this thing! But I find it strange—what's so peculiar about this demon beast lying on the ground that warrants such action from the battalion? Capable of causing such an astonishing phenomenon, it's likely a fifth‑tier beast king; can the Thousand Cavalry Battalion really have taken it down?"

"Hmph! Whether you can take it down or not is none of your business! Sun Busi, if you're sensible, quickly hand over that thing and forget today's affair. Perhaps later you could still serve as the magistrate of Blue Field Town; otherwise…"

The young man beside Wuzhou gave a cold shout, speaking rudely, his words thick with an obvious threat.

"Yo! Haven't seen you in a while, and your tone's gotten big—you dare threaten an imperial official? You've really improved, Wujia!"

Sun Busi let out a light laugh, his tone relaxed, but to Wujia and his companions it sounded most unpleasant.

Ha ha ha!

Amid the surging floodwaters, a teenager emerged, his expression resolute though his face somewhat pale—it was Lu Fan, whom they hadn't seen in a long time.

"Young master, I've already lured the people here; when will my Old Black be able to come out?"

Just a moment ago the middle‑aged woman had been panicked, but now she trembled as she walked forward, full of hope.

"Ah! Elder Sister Guo, no need to worry—your big brother's been doing well these past two days! Once I settle the matter at hand and drain the flood, you'll naturally be able to meet again!"

Lu Fan gave a faint smile, nodded at the middle‑aged woman, then turned his gaze to scan the surroundings.

At this moment, Wuzhou seemed to finally recognize Lu Fan; his face instantly turned cold, and he said in a trembling voice: "Lu Fan, you're still not dead?"

He had heard that name many times before; even back when Lu Fan was still a "good‑for‑nothing," he had suffered a loss at his hands, losing face in front of Xiao Ling'er. He regarded this as a lifelong disgrace, swearing in countless midnight hours to avenge himself.

"Dead? How could I die!" Lu Fan gave a light smile, flicked his hand, aiming at the two purple‑red scales in Sun Busi's hand, and said: "If I were dead, how could you come here to pursue this thing? But I find it strange—given your abilities and background, there's no reason you should have discovered my presence here beforehand; who exactly is guiding you behind the scenes?"

"Hmph! Insolent!"

Wuzhou gave a cold snort, his face full of contempt. He was stationed in the frontier and hadn't yet learned of Lu Fan's recent deeds; although he'd heard some rumors, he dismissed them as exaggerations and didn't take them to heart.

Lu Fan glanced briefly at Wuzhou, gave a light chuckle, showing no interest in him, then pointed at Sun Busi and said with a smile: "Lord Sun, the thing in your hand is mine; shouldn't it be returned to its rightful owner?"

"Mine?" Upon hearing this, Sun Busi flared with anger. The other clearly had colluded with the middle‑aged woman to set a trap, luring him here. Since it's unclear and unexplained, he certainly wouldn't let it go.

"Hmph! You dare toy with this official—you truly have a death wish!"

Before his cold snort even faded, a beast's roar suddenly erupted from the floodwaters of Thirty‑Li Rapids, its aura shooting to the heavens, dark clouds gathering, and fierce winds blowing in all directions.

"Oh no, she's about to awaken—quickly give me the scale and leave this place!" Lu Fan shouted sternly, his aura domineering; faintly, a powerful presence spread across the scene. However, Sun Busi was no ordinary man—after a moment's hesitation he regained his composure and assumed the bearing of an imperial official.

"Young man, don't be too arrogant; I advise you to keep a low profile without elder protection, lest you die young."

He paid no heed to the winds and clouds swirling overhead, the flashing lightning, but instead fixed a fierce glare on Lu Fan, as if any slight movement would provoke him to unleash a thunderous means of suppression.

Lu Fan gave a cold laugh, swept his large hand in a rolling motion, striking from afar. With a flash of lightning and a soft "pop," it struck Sun Busi's wrist, a clever force instantly sealing half of his arm.

"The one who should stay low‑key is you! The Thousand Cavalry Battalion is restless; go pick a fight with them—why bother provoking me?"

Lu Fan casually lashed out, snatching the purple‑red scale into his hand, gave a faint smile, and leapt into the air.

Pap‑pap‑pap!

He directly stepped on the floodwaters, charging toward the central 'lonely island' of Thirty‑Li Rapids.

"Damn it!"

Sun Busi's face flushed red with anger, but after Lu Fan's strike his entire arm went numb, limp and powerless, leaving him utterly unable to act.

Although he felt humiliated, he had not lost his reason, and instead turned his gaze to the Wu brothers.

Both men wore expressionless, solemn faces. Especially Wuzhou, his eyes flashed with sharp light—less resentment, more ecstasy and excitement.

"Lord Sun, that brat disregards the law; as an imperial official, shouldn't you apprehend him to show authority?"

Wujia smiled sinisterly, a look of ridicule on his face, without an ounce of courtesy, and directly challenged.

"Heh! General Wujia, you're going a bit too far. I've noticed your Thousand Cavalry Battalion acting mysterious these days; it must be related to this kid. Your troops are strong and your horses sturdy, so I won't overstep."

Although Sun Busi is merely a county magistrate of the Bright Moon Empire, he is old and crafty; Wujia's little trick—how could he fall for it?

"Hmph! Old thing, you're ruthless!"

Wujia snorted coldly, turned his head sharply, yet looked toward the thirty-li Pu flood.

Lu Fan walked on the waves and had already reached the "lonely island". Above him, lightning flashed and thunder roared; black clouds swirled, growing denser and pressing down slowly, like a barrier seal that gave an endless pressure.

The lonely island was only a little over a hundred zhang across; several wooden huts had long been battered to ruin by the violent wind and rain. Yet amid the gloom, there were some noisy voices, shouting incessantly.

Lu Fan took a slight breath, then leapt up, shooting straight into the thunderstorm clouds above.

"Boom—"

A dull thunderclap tore through the void, and immediately a bolt of lightning split the thick cloud barrier, crashing down toward his head.

The thunder trembled, the heavenly might of heaven and earth. Sun Busi, Wujia, and the others watching from afar widened their eyes, faces full of panic. If that thunderbolt struck them, they would have no means to respond at all, only able to await death.

"Wang Wu, such paltry thunder has no effect on me at all; you might as well give up that hope!"

Lu Fan gave a light smile, then flipped his sleeve, unleashing the Yin Sha Ming Hammer, which he backhanded lightly smashing forward.

"Crack!"

The thunderbolt was blasted apart, turning into streaks of lightning and fire that wandered the void; most of its force was absorbed by the Yin Sha Ming Hammer, leaving Lu Fan unaffected.

"Roar—"

Another beastly howl rang out, a "Boom—rumble" tearing through the void, even more tremendous and astonishing than the previous thunder.

The cloud barrier split open directly, a snake head the size of a house thrust out, its head crowned with two coiled, knotted "dragon" horns. In the center stood a beautiful girl in her prime.

She wore a hazy purple gauze robe that could not hide her graceful figure. The wild wind lifted her clothes, making them dance like a heavenly goddess riding a divine dragon, looking down upon the mortal world.

"Lu Fan, be sensible and quickly hand over your natal reverse scale and true dragon spirit treasure, and lift the soul seal. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude today!"

The girl was indeed Wang Wu; her words were especially icy, as if she possessed an indescribable extra air of nobility.

Lu Fan's eyes flickered as he beheld the scene above, yet his mind fell into turmoil…

A month ago, the Dragon Tower collapsed and shattered; he and Wang Wu had no choice but to burrow into the Kun python's belly, where they were trapped for ten-odd days.

Even with the Kun python's formidable flesh, it could hardly withstand such many days of spatial turbulence. He had no alternative; he could only resort to a risky maneuver, sacrificially refining the Kun python from inside out, hoping to turn it into the artifact spirit of the crystal furnace.

However, at the moment of the beast and artifact merging, he was suddenly attacked by Liu Wang Wu. A phantom phoenix emerged from her body, directly replacing the technique for refining the crystal furnace and completely taking control of the Kun python.

To be precise, it was imprinting Wang Wu's soul mark deep into the Kun python's spirit, directly for Liu Ruowu's use.

Lu Fan, caught off guard, suffered a backlash and fell unconscious. When he awoke, he discovered he had landed on this "lonely island".