strictlysupreme Chapter 101 Explosive Kill
Chapter 101 Explosive Kill
Chapter 100 Explosive Kill
Linwu City, Zhenchuan Peak Courtyard No. 3.
As Liang Cheng finished his meditation practice for the day, the morning light shone through the window onto his shoulders, and a pale blue aura rippled around him like the tide, with the faint sound of waves crashing.
Li Mu pushed open the door and entered. "Senior Brother."
Li Mu lowered his voice: "There's still no movement from Jubaoxuan."
"In the past few days, there has been nothing unusual with Uncle Wang. He has been managing the Qiao family's affairs in a very down-to-earth manner. As for Qian Wanjin, besides managing his business, he has been attending various banquets."
"The three business routes he and Chen Zi'an collaborated on are all on the right track, the accounts are clean, and there is nothing to complain about."
Liang Cheng nodded. "What about the other situations?"
Li Mu frowned. "Situ Lang keeps to himself and rarely goes out. Wu Zhenshan reports to the Military Equipment Hall on time every day. He is more disciplined than anyone else. I have been watching for so long and have not found anything unusual."
He paused, his tone somewhat anxious: "Senior brother, could it be that we're overthinking things? Perhaps what happened to Uncle Wang was just a coincidence, and Jubao Pavilion was simply conducting normal business—"
"Won't."
Liang Cheng stood up, walked to the stone table in the courtyard, poured himself a cup of tea, and said, "Don't you think it's strange that they're so clean right now?"
Li Mu was taken aback upon hearing this.
Liang Cheng took a sip of tea and said calmly, "The Xu family has just been destroyed, and Jubao Pavilion is already eager to win over the Chen family to take over the Xu family's old business. This is something any smart person would do."
"But smart people know better than anyone that they should be more discreet when things are going well, but Qian Wanjin did the opposite, expanding aggressively as if he wanted everyone to know."
"You mean he's doing this on purpose to impress certain people?"
"Good, do it for me, do it for all those who are willing to do it."
Liang Cheng put down his teacup. "I'm afraid someone behind him is making a move. He acted too hastily before and left some loose ends. Now he's trying to make amends and doesn't want to give himself away."
"Senior brother is wise."
He looked at Li Mu: "Keep an eye on them. The more normal they act, the more it means they have something to hide. But the time isn't right yet, so they won't make a move."
Li Mu took a deep breath: "So we're just going to wait like this?"
"wait?"
Liang Cheng laughed, "Who said we'd just sit here and wait? Li Mu, remember what I told you before? Everything else is just castles in the air; only strength is the foundation."
He turned and walked into the quiet room, took a jade bottle from the shelf, and poured out two crimson pills. The pills had cloud patterns flowing on their surface, and they were the Replenishing Essence Pills refined by Elder Huang.
"If they don't make a move, we can focus on our cultivation. Since we can't find anything out right now, we should just cultivate diligently and remain calm in the face of any eventuality."
As he spoke, Liang Cheng tossed him a bottle of Qi and Blood Pills. "You're almost at the peak of the Transformation Realm now. Keep honing your Qi and Blood. When you feel you've reached the peak, I'll help you apply for a chance to ascend to the Ascension Platform and see if you can step into the True Qi Realm."
Li Mu took the pill, his hand trembling slightly: "Senior brother—"
Liang Cheng patted him on the shoulder, but his eyes shone brightly: "Don't underestimate yourself. As long as you try your best, even if the final result doesn't meet your expectations, you will have no regrets."
"Keep an eye on them. If they don't move, you can focus on your cultivation and improve your strength. You can't go wrong with that."
Li Mu bowed deeply in gratitude: "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother!"
Liang Cheng helped him up. "Alright, there's no need for these words between us. Go and cultivate diligently."
"yes!"
Two months have passed in the blink of an eye.
Linwu City seemed to have truly returned to its former state.
The streets were bustling with activity, merchants and travelers came and went, martial arts academy disciples continued their training and took on missions as usual, and the city lord's mansion patrol team conducted its daily patrols.
The storytellers in the teahouse no longer mentioned the destruction of the Xu family, but instead talked about which martial arts school had produced a genius.
Besides cultivating, Liang Cheng ate meals with his mother, Ning San Niang, every day, taught San Ya and her husband a few self-defense skills, and went to Huang Lao's alchemy room to exchange for pills, where he was scolded by the old man as a little sly.
Everything was peaceful.
With ample resources guaranteed, Liang Cheng's cultivation progressed smoothly.
[Second Level of the Breaking Wave Technique: Mastery (2356/15000)]
[Mysterious Yin Sword Technique: Minor Success (4995/5000)]
【Wind and Thunder Slash: Mastery (2135/12000)】
The morning light was just right, and Liang Cheng used a bamboo branch as a sword, slowly rising into action.
The bamboo branches trembled slightly, replaced by the true energy of the Broken Wave Technique. Although it was not as powerful as the cold and yin energy of the Xu family, it flowed silently, and the fallen leaves in the courtyard moved without wind, swirling around him.
A sword thrust out.
A faint, chilling blue sword aura condensed at the tip of the bamboo branch, and the air hissed softly wherever it passed.
[Mysterious Yin Sword Technique: Minor Success (4999/5000)]
Liang Cheng closed his eyes to calm his mind. The Xuan Yin Sword Technique belonged to the Yin and cold style, but it was different from the strangeness of the Zoroastrianism. It was Yin and soft but not weak, and strange but not evil.
He muttered to himself.
"The sword is the weapon, the mind is the controller."
The bamboo branches moved again.
This time, the sword's momentum suddenly changed.
No longer solely pursuing a chilling and piercing aura, it has instead gained a sense of calm and weight, with the faint sound of surging tides emanating from the pale blue sword energy.
That was the foundation of the Broken Wave Technique's true energy, the bamboo branch touching the bluestone three zhang away.
Silently.
On the surface of the bluestone, there is a hole the size of a pinhead, three feet deep. The edges of the hole are as smooth as a mirror, but there are countless fine cracks inside.
The hidden force penetrates the body, and the subtle force destroys the mind.
[Mysterious Yin Sword Technique: Mastery (1/12000)]
His cultivation level has advanced further.
If it weren't for the mayfly destiny and perfect foundation, I probably wouldn't have reached my level in the ordinary True Qi Realm, and would have already tried to break through to the True Essence Realm.
Such days were suddenly shattered by the urgent tolling of bells from the East City Wharf.
Seven short messages and one long message indicate an urgent military situation on the border and coast!
In less than half an hour, the news spread throughout the city: the three coastal towns had been massacred overnight, and the Zoroastrians had purged the fishing villages, with more than 10,000 dead!
The city lord's mansion trembled, and the bells of the martial arts academy tolled loudly.
Shen Jun personally mustered his troops and led Yue Shan and three hundred Black Armor Guards to the border. Before leaving, he made a special trip to the Martial Academy to meet Dean Bai Hong. The two talked behind closed doors in Mingxin Pavilion for a full quarter of an hour.
Rumors are spreading.
Some say the Zoroastrian cult has made a comeback, others say a rare treasure has appeared on the border, attracting the attention of cults, and still others whisper that the city lord's elite forces have been deployed, leaving the other areas under Linwu City's jurisdiction vulnerable, which may indicate trouble is brewing.
For a time, people panic.
Liang Cheng stood atop Zhenchuan Peak, gazing towards the sea, his brow furrowing slightly.
Zoroastrianism acts with such impunity, disregarding human life and acting with utter recklessness. What gives them the audacity to do this?
Just three days after City Lord Shen Jun left the city, even worse news arrived: the Dongshan Mine had been attacked!
The messenger was covered in blood and nearly fainted when he rushed into the martial arts academy.
"Senior Brother Wang Teng is seriously injured and unconscious, Lord Cheng Wen has died in battle, Senior Brother Zhao Yuan is severely wounded, countless miners have died or been injured, and the Zoroastrians have even built a mound of corpses—"
The courtyard was deathly silent.
Bai Hong slammed his hand down, shattering the stone table beside him: "Lü Bingchen! Liang Cheng! Gather the men and depart for Dongshan Mine immediately!"
How could the Martial Academy possibly tolerate the brutality of the Zoroastrian cult?
Before long, Wu Zhenshan, who had heard the news, arrived with the Military Equipment Hall.
"Dean Bai, this matter concerns the safety of Linwu City. With the city lord absent, the Martial Arts Hall will fully cooperate with the Martial Academy to guard the Dongshan Mine."
"It seems the Fire Worship Cult has been plotting this for a long time. As soon as the city lord left with his men, they started a massacre at Dongshan Mining University. I'll have to trouble Treasurer Wu to stand with my Martial Academy on this trip."
"Dean, rest assured, Cheng Wen is also a steward of the Internal Affairs Department of my City Lord's Mansion. This trip is also for the sake of my City Lord's Mansion. You don't need to be so polite."
Then the Martial Academy and the Martial Arts Hall merged into one and headed straight for the Dongshan Mine.
For Wang Teng's sake, Old Huang was also invited by Bai Hong to go to Dongshan Mine together.
On the official road from Linwu City to Dongshan Mine, the sound of horses' hooves thundered like lightning.
Liang Cheng rode at the forefront, his black robe billowing straight in the wind.
Lu Bingchen was on his left, his face ashen; on his right was Wu Zhenshan, dressed in a dark blue official robe from the Military Equipment Hall, his eyes unfathomable.
Behind him stood hundreds of martial arts academy deacons and disciples, along with black-armored guards from the Martial Arts Hall, their killing intent palpable.
Following behind was a horse-drawn carriage, which carried Old Huang, who was heading to the Dongshan Mine to treat Wang Teng.
"Report—!"
The scout galloped back, nearly falling to the ground as he reined in his horse, his face as pale as paper.
"Liang Zhenchuan! Master Lü! Treasurer Wu, ahead—ahead—"
"explain!"
Liang Cheng had a bad feeling and asked in a cold voice.
The disciple's Adam's apple bobbed, and he said in a trembling voice, "A mound of human heads has been erected outside the mine!"
"Senior Brother Wang Teng is seriously injured and unconscious. Senior Brother Zhao Yuan was struck in the chest and has three broken ribs, but he is still conscious. As for Lord Cheng Wen, his body has been found, but his head is not in the Jingguan (a mound of corpses). He was probably taken away separately by the Zoroastrian cult!"
Before he could finish speaking, the air froze, and Lü Bingchen's eyelids twitched violently. His fist clenched tightly in his sleeve, his knuckles turning white.
Lü Bingchen took a deep breath: "Let's go!"
The Dongshan Mine Garrison is now in ruins, and the mine pit has completely collapsed. It will probably take one or two years to resume production.
The ruins were splattered with blackened blood, and several fires were still burning, billowing black smoke. The most glaring sight was the square in front of the garrison.
More than a thousand heads were neatly stacked into a cone-shaped pile, with a crimson flag planted on top, the flag embroidered with twisted flame patterns.
The blood had congealed into a dark brown color, and the fishy smell mixed with the stench of burning flesh filled the nasal cavity, making one want to vomit.
Fewer than fifty miners and guards survived, huddled in a corner, shivering, their eyes vacant.
Several martial arts academy disciples were squatting to the side, bandaging the wounded. Zhao Yuan was sitting against the broken wall, his chest wrapped in thick bandages, his face sallow.
Old Huang was taken directly to a simple thatched hut, where Wang Teng lay unconscious. After taking his pulse, Old Huang began to treat his injuries.
"Senior brother————"
On the other side, Zhao Yuan saw Liang Cheng and struggled to stand up.
Liang Cheng stepped forward and pressed him down: "Don't move, tell me what happened?"
Zhao Yuan coughed up a mouthful of blood and gritted his teeth, saying, "At midnight the night before last, without any warning, at least thirty rebels from the Fire Worship Cult attacked. They were all dressed in black and masked, and their martial arts were wicked, their palm strikes carrying poison. Senior Brother Wang Teng was the first to meet them, but he was sent flying in three moves by a man wearing a bronze mask—"
"A bronze mask?"
Liang Cheng's eyes sharpened.
"Yes, that person should be the leader. His true energy is cold and chilling. Senior Brother Wang Teng's Lingyun Sword Qi cannot break through his protective true energy at all."
Zhao Yuan gasped, "Lord Cheng Wen led his men to form a defensive formation, but that man shattered his sternum with a single palm strike. When I rushed up, I only had time to see him take off Lord Cheng Wen's head."
Upon hearing this, Wu Zhenshan's cheek muscles twitched slightly.
Liang Cheng continued, "Did they say anything?"
Zhao Yuan was silent for a moment, then hissed, "Before leaving, the man in the bronze mask stood in front of the mound of corpses and said, 'Liang Cheng, you're lucky you were transferred away from Dongshan Mine. Today, we'll collect some interest on the blood debt from before. The Zoroastrian Church remembers your life and will come to collect it sooner or later.'"
The surroundings were deathly silent, with only the sound of the wind whistling through the ruins like a mournful cry.
Lu Bingchen walked to the Jingguan (a mound of corpses), stared at the crimson flag, and slowly said, "The Zoroastrians are here either to rob the mines or to kill and establish their authority."
Wu Zhenshan suddenly spoke up: "Master Liang, it seems that the Fire Worship Cult is after you. However, Dongshan Mine is currently guarded by Wang Teng, a true disciple of your Martial Academy, and has suffered this misfortune."
These words were spoken calmly, but Lü Bingchen suddenly turned his head, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Treasurer Wu, what do you mean by that?"
"It doesn't mean anything."
Wu Zhenshan remained expressionless. "I am merely stating the facts. The Zoroastrians are only seeking revenge. Killing miners and building the Jingguan (a mound of corpses) is an attempt to slap the face of the Martial Academy, and even more so, to slap the face of Liang Zhenchuan."
He paused, then looked at Liang Cheng: "Young and impetuous, Master Liang, you're too sharp. There's a saying in the martial world: 'Too much rigidity leads to breakage.' The Fire Worship Sect is warning you that you can't protect those around you."
As soon as he finished speaking, several martial arts academy disciples glared at him angrily.
Liang Cheng remained calm and showed no anger: "Treasurer Wu's analysis is reasonable. So, what do you think we should do next?"
Wu Zhenshan said calmly, "I dare not correct you, but I hope that Liang Zhenchuan will keep a low profile, avoid the limelight for the time being, and not impulsively investigate, otherwise it may play right into their hands."
"What Treasurer Wu said makes sense. I have learned something from him."
Liang Cheng nodded, then suddenly turned and walked towards the pile of Jingguan (a mound of corpses). He reached out and pulled off the blood sacrifice flag. The flagpole was cold to the touch, and the bloodstains on the flag were still wet.
Liang Cheng rolled up the flag, held it in his hand, and turned to look at Lü Bingchen: "Master, what do you think?"
Lu Bingchen had already turned a full circle, his eyes cold and sinister.
"The Blood-Eating Force, and it is a skill that has been cultivated to an extremely high level. The palm force is contained and not released, making it more dangerous than the ordinary protectors of the Zoroastrian Church."
"A True Essence Realm expert?" Liang Cheng asked.
Lu Bingchen nodded emphatically: "No, otherwise no one could have survived. He must have been at the peak of the True Qi Realm. It was Wang Teng's luck."
The atmosphere fell silent instantly, and everyone's faces turned extremely grim.
"Master, I'll go check out the mine. Although it's been destroyed and collapsed, I'll see if I can still find any clues."
"Okay, be careful. If you notice anything unusual, send a message immediately."
Mine No. 3 is now a ruin, but the strong smell of blood still lingers.
Liang Cheng noticed a small, barely noticeable scratch mark on the ruins. He crouched down, rubbed it with his finger, and picked up a tiny bit of dark red powder from his fingertip.
When you hold it to your nose and sniff it lightly, you'll detect a very faint, sweet, fishy smell.
"Fragments of Blood Jade".
Liang Cheng narrowed his eyes. "The Zoroastrians still sacrificed the miners. The so-called massacre was actually to cover up the altar here, but where did they get the blood marrow jade?"
"Could there be remnants deep within the mine? Or did they bring Blood Marrow Jade from elsewhere?"
Liang Cheng couldn't understand it for a moment. When he walked out of the mine ruins, it was almost dusk. The setting sun was like blood. The mound of Jingguan had been properly placed.
Upon seeing Liang Cheng return, Wu Zhenshan asked casually, "Did Liang Zhenchuan make any discoveries?"
"have."
Liang Cheng walked up to him, opened his palm, revealing the fragment of the Blood Marrow Jade. "Treasurer Wu, you are knowledgeable and experienced; do you recognize this?"
Wu Zhenshan's eyes flashed, then he shook his head: "Never seen it before."
Liang Cheng withdrew his hand.
"I'd like to trouble Treasurer Wu to patrol tonight. I'll go check on the wounded at the Martial Arts Academy first."
Liang Cheng did not go to see Wang Teng. Old Huang said that his internal organs were damaged, but his foundation was not destroyed, so there was no need to worry. He would visit him after he woke up.
He came to Zhao Yuan's bedside and used his true energy to help him clear the stagnation of qi and blood.
Zhao Yuan's complexion improved somewhat, and he whispered, "Senior Brother, what about Senior Brother Wang Teng—"
"Old Huang has already begun treatment, and his life should be fine, but he will probably need to recuperate for a year and a half."
Liang Cheng asked calmly, "Do you regret listening to my advice and coming to Dongshan Mine now?"
Zhao Yuan shook his head: "The path of martial arts is one where one is responsible for one's own life and death. I just hate that I am not strong enough to stop those people."
Liang Cheng patted him on the shoulder: "It's good that you're alive. For the next period of time, go back to the martial arts academy to recuperate. Don't think about anything else."
"Senior brother————"
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the tent. Lü Bingchen lifted the curtain and entered, his face grave.
"Liang Cheng, I just received a message. On the border, the Zoroastrian sect massacred three towns and then disappeared without a trace. City Lord Shen came up empty-handed. Commander Yue Shan led his men in pursuit but was ambushed at sea and suffered heavy casualties."
Liang Cheng stood up: "It seems that the Zoroastrian sect's purpose is not to occupy the town at all, but to lure the tiger away from the mountain."
"good."
Lu Bingchen said in a deep voice, "Their real target is probably still Linwu City. City Lord Shen and Yue Shan are tied up at the border, and the Martial Academy is now only occupied by the Dean, leaving the City Lord's Mansion empty."
Before he could finish speaking, a sharp whistle suddenly rang out from afar!
That was an emergency signal from the Armory Hall.
Liang Cheng and Lü Bingchen exchanged a glance and rushed out of the tent at the same time.
From the direction of the mountains and forests to the east of the mine, a crimson flame shot into the sky and exploded into a twisted flame pattern.
Below the fireworks, faint sounds of metal clashing and screams could be heard.
Wu Zhenshan had already led his men to rush over, but Liang Cheng did not hesitate and transformed into a blur, swiftly darting away.
Lu Bingchen followed closely behind, sternly ordering: "Martial Academy disciples, form a defensive formation and remain in place. Do not act rashly!"
Deep in the mountains and forests, everything was in a mess.
Five black-armored guards from the Armory Hall lay in pools of blood, their throats slit open by sharp blades.
Wu Zhenshan stood amidst the corpses, holding a long knife, the tip dripping blood. Opposite him stood a figure in black, wearing a bronze mask.
"Treasurer Wu, long time no see. You're so ruthless to your own people too."
The bronze-masked man chuckled as he looked at the corpse on the ground, "By the way, did you receive the goods I delivered last time?"
Wu Zhenshan's hand, gripping the knife, bulged with veins: "You actually dare to show yourselves at this time? Aren't you afraid—"
"Why wouldn't you dare?"
The man in the bronze mask chuckled. "Shen Jun is gone, and Yue Shan is trapped at the border. Who's in charge of Linwu City now? Isn't it Situ Lang?"
"You guys get out of here right now! With that madman Lü Bingchen around, and Liang Cheng who could kill Xu Jinjiang on top of that, have you all lost your minds?"
The bronze-masked man smiled without speaking. "Don't worry, we'll leave right away, and we'll even give you a gift as a reminder to the treasurer not to forget our agreement."
After saying that, he raised his hand and threw something out.
Glug glug.
A head rolled to Wu Zhenshan's feet, its eyes wide open; it was Cheng Wen.
"Treasurer Wu, this guy was secretly investigating evidence of your collusion with Situ Lang and the Zoroastrian Church. We've taken care of it for you. You're welcome."
Wu Zhenshan's expression changed as he sensed Liang Cheng's aura getting closer and closer, and the aura of a perfect True Qi Realm cultivator suddenly erupted!
"Wu Zhenshan, you're ruthless. This day next year will be your death anniversary."
"1
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure blended into the shadows of the forest and disappeared.
A moment later, Lü Bingchen and Liang Cheng arrived at the same time. Seeing the head on the ground, they frowned. "Treasurer Wu, what happened?"
Wu Zhenshan said in a hoarse voice, "The soldiers of the Armed Forces Hall discovered a remnant of the Zoroastrianism, but the opponent was a True Qi Realm Perfection expert and was brutally killed. I arrived a step too late and only managed to keep Deacon Zhou's head."
Liang Cheng looked down at Cheng Wen's head, then suddenly squatted down and looked at the corpses of the soldiers from the Military Equipment Hall next to him. One of them had his hand bent.
One strike to kill, a ruthless move!
Wu Zhenshan's official robe had a corner missing from the hem.
A sudden night wind arose, and the mountains and forests seemed to weep.
Liang Cheng slowly stood up: "Treasurer Wu, where did the opponent go after you fought them?"
Wu Zhenshan was taken aback and subconsciously pointed towards the mountains and forests.
The next moment, Liang Cheng moved suddenly, "Master, I'll be right back."
"Liang Cheng! Don't be reckless!"
Lu Bingchen shouted urgently, but before he could finish speaking, Liang Cheng had already shot into the forest like an arrow, disappearing into the dense shadows in a few leaps.
Lu Bingchen took two steps after chasing after him, then abruptly stopped.
There are still injured martial arts academy disciples at Dongshan Mine, and the devastated mine needs him to oversee it. If he goes there too, what if there are further complications?
For a moment, there was silence.
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