Fei Tianzheng Departs
Chen Shi and Li Tianqing stared at Cao Yunsen's corpse on the ground, saying nothing.
Fei Tianzheng's earlier kick had already crushed Cao Yunsen's skull, spilling brains across the floor.
Cao Yunsen lay there with eyes wide open, staring at the ground, but he was already out of breath.
This man had been sothing of a local tyrant in Gongzhou City. He had originally been a scholar from the lower villages, later passing the provincial exam and entering the city with a degree. But after waiting six or seven years, the court never appointed him to any post.
That year, heavy rains destroyed many fishing boats and killed nurous people. Cao Yunsen invited the Min River Granny and established the Canal Elders Association.
Under his leadership, the Canal Elders Association grew strong, rivaling the Salt Elders Association, Heavenly Granny Association, and Red Mountain Hall. Cao Yunsen was slick and adept at social dancing, thriving among the thirteen great families.
Like a fish in water.
But that was in peaceful tis.
Now, with the demonic transformation underway and order collapsed, even his slick ways couldn't save him.
Chen Shi and Li Tianqing carried the big fish and continued outward. Suddenly, a massive roar echoed from the Canal Elders Association headquarters. Chen Shi turned to look and saw a torrent of water surging into the air, with a black carp—its head already transford into a dragon's—within.
Atop the black carp's head sat an old woman with a wrapped head, leaning on a staff taller than herself. She drove the waters, charging toward the Min River!
That was the Min River Granny.
Her true form was a black carp. Having lived too long and gained spirituality, the fishern by the river revered her as Granny.
Cao Yunsen hailed from the lower villages, so he brought rural customs into the city, making association mbers swear fealty to the Min River Granny as their godmother.
The Min River Granny had been injured by the boatman and his daughter earlier. Knowing this was a life-or-death mont, she tried to flee back to the Min River.
Fei Tianzheng, Xia Chuli, and the other high officials ignored her, letting her escape into the river as they continued sampling delicacies. Naturally, many retainers and subordinates pursued the Min River Granny.
Such a minor matter didn't require their personal involvent.
Killing Cao Yunsen just now was mainly because he was a dog Fei Tianzheng had propped up. When the dog disobeyed, the master naturally put it down.
Otherwise, Fei Tianzheng wouldn't even bother lifting a hand against Cao Yunsen.
As for the Min River Granny's escape, he left it to his underlings.
Chen Shi and Li Tianqing shouldered the big fish out of the Canal Elders Association headquarters and walked downstream along the river, silent the whole way.
After a mont, Li Tianqing broke the silence.
"In the demonic domain, the demonic transformation continues. Many people are affected by the demons. Even these high officials, having cultivated to the Nascent Soul stage or realms like God Descent and Void Refining, can't escape the influence—they breed murderous intent."
"Tianqing, why bother gilding their faces?"
Chen Shi shook his head.
"We're also in the demonic domain. Why haven't demonic tendencies arisen in our hearts?"
Li Tianqing sighed, smiling wryly.
"Little Ten, this is the last shred of face for our clan families. Why tear it off?"
At that mont, the river waters surged violently. The old woman stood atop the black carp's head, swinging her staff to whip up waves. Towering floods roared forth, crashing toward the experts from the great families.
Suddenly, sheets of Water-Fixing Talismans flew out—hundreds of them. The raging waters froze in midair!
The river itself halted, no longer flowing.
Over a hundred soldiers rushed in at speed, landing on the river surface and charging forward atop the water.
Underwater, hampered by the Water-Fixing Talismans, the Min River Granny swam with great difficulty and was quickly overtaken by the soldiers.
The leader was soone Chen Shi recognized: Xia Luoying, son of General Xia, serving as a deputy general in the border army.
His cultivation was extraordinarily high. He had once stood firm in midair with imnse power, drawing much attention.
He directed these soldiers in surrounding and besieging the Min River Granny.
"It's the border army!"
Li Tianqing observed for a bit before whispering.
"Gongzhou borders the sea. To guard against sea demons landing, they built six garrisons and maintain a large border army."
Chen Shi knew little of the border army, but he had heard that failed scholar candidates from the lower villages often joined up to garrison the forts. Their pay was decent, but after a few months, county runners would co with three taels of silver for the scholar's family.
Any wife receiving those three taels wept bitterly. Chen Shi once envied them for getting the silver, only later learning it was compensation—their n had died in the garrisons.
These border soldiers were incredibly fierce. They ran across the river while unleashing various spells against the Min River Granny struggling below.
Over a dozen border soldiers activated their long spears, leaping high. The spears glowed with dazzling talisman patterns, whistling as they plunged into the river!
Blood imdiately surged from below.
Chains were tied to the spears, dragging those dozen soldiers across the river surface in a frenzy.
Suddenly, more border soldiers arrived on the river, igniting fist-sized gunpowder pellets and hurling them into the water. Thunderous booms echoed from the depths.
Other border soldiers swung massive hamrs and axes—surfaces etched with talisman patterns—smashing down into the river.
On the shore, dozens more lit three-barreled fire lances and bird guns, shooting at the Min River Granny swimming in the river.
The Min River Granny enjoyed imnse worship, her power profound and imasurable, surpassing even Transformation God stage cultivators.
But against over a hundred border soldiers, she was utterly outmatched, beaten to a pulp.
Chen Shi and Li Tianqing were secretly alard. The military's tactics were nothing like duels between cultivators.
When the border army unleashed weapons, fire lances, and talismans in volleys, even vastly superior cultivation couldn't save you—they'd beat you to death!
How could a cultivator break an army's assault?
The thought suddenly struck Chen Shi's mind. He recalled Young Master Xiao facing the Divine chanism Battalion's cannon fire.
Young Master Xiao refined two flying swords: the longsword guarded his body against incoming shells, while the shortsword flew off to slay foes.
So, if it were him, how would he face an army's attack?
Chen Shi pondered carefully and found himself at a loss!
Far from the Min River, the two carried the big fish toward Red Mountain Hall. The shouts and killing cries from upstream faded into the distance.
Suddenly, Chen Shi stopped, smiling.
"Tianqing, you take this big fish back to Red Mountain Hall first."
Li Tianqing's heart jolted, understanding his intent. He imdiately said,
"Wait a mont—I'll co pick you up!"
"No need!"
Chen Shi set down the fish, chuckling.
"I'm just showing off a trick and will head back. No risks."
"Blackie Pot, follow Tianqing back and keep him safe."
Blackie Pot barked once.
Li Tianqing hoisted the big fish overhead and hurried toward Red Mountain Hall headquarters.
Chen Shi slipped into a nearby house by the street, entering the kitchen and grabbing a porcelain bowl.
He held the bowl upside down in one hand while pinching a sword formula with the other. As he walked toward the river, he chanted incantations.
A strange talisman pattern gradually erged on the bowl's bottom: a fish in the center, flanked by the dragon patterns and nas of the Four Sea Dragon Kings—east, south, west, north.
This talisman was called the Fish-Summoning Talisman, often sought by fishern.
When Chen Shi went with Grandpa to sell talismans, fishern unlucky at catching fish would beg Grandpa to draw a few for them.
It had no great use, yet it sold remarkably well.
Chen Shi's fingertip drew on the bowl's underside, etching taotie patterns around it to form a Taotie Devours Heaven structure.
By the ti the talisman was complete, he had reached the Min River bank.
In the distance, Xia Luoying led the border army still besieging the Min River Granny. The river surface was dyed blood-red, but thanks to the Water-Fixing Talismans, the waters stood still. The river here remained relatively clear.
He carried the bowl to the bank, squatted down, held the bowl's bottom, and slowly sank it below the surface.
Chen Shi silently recited the Fish-Summoning Incantation. Monts later, cries of alarm ca from afar:
"The black carp is gone!"
"Search quickly!"
"She’s badly wounded—she can't escape!"
A small black fish swam into Chen Shi's bowl. He lifted it and walked up the bank toward Red Mountain Hall.
Chaos erupted on the river as border soldiers scattered in search, never finding the Min River Granny.
Chen Shi carried the bowl carefully. Several border soldiers whooshed past him; one paused, glancing at the bowl. It held only clear water, with a black fish pattern on the bottom—nothing else.
The soldier departed.
Chen Shi walked unhurriedly, unknowingly covering several li, dodging those annoying giant mushrooms along the way. Red Mountain Hall drew nearer.
Suddenly, a voice rang out:
"Halt.
You're that naless fellow, aren't you?"
Chen Shi stopped and looked toward the sound. Xia Luoying hovered in the air, gazing down imperiously.
Footsteps rustled from all around as figures concealed themselves.
Chicken skin prickled across Chen Shi's body. His heart raced:
"Fourteen fire lances, aid at my brow, temples, throat, heart, back, legs, and dantian! And one at my occiput!
That's where the Divine Shrine manifests!
Xia Luoying stands high, overlooking my crown—that's the Heavenly Gate, where the Golden Core enters and exits!
These border soldiers have him trapped!"
Chen Shi's spirit was mighty, his senses acute. He clearly felt these experts targeting his vitals, but the fire lances fired blindingly fast—he might not dodge!
He bowed.
"So it's Lord Xia.
What teachings does Lord Xia have?"
Xia Luoying eyed the bowl in his hands.
"Smash it."
Chen Shi was stunned.
"This water is for my sick mother in bed—"
Xia Luoying's face darkened, his voice rising.
"I said, smash it!"
Chen Shi gritted his teeth and slamd the bowl down hard.
He smashed with force but cleverly: the bottom stayed intact, only the rim shattered.
The killing intent around him eased slightly. Chen Shi sensed a few gazes lift from his occiput and heart, though others remained fixed.
Xia Luoying turned to leave but suddenly spotted the bowl bottom. The black fish shape was perfectly intact. His face changed as he barked:
"Kill him!"
At his order, fire lances thundered, erupting with thunderous force. Pellets whistled straight at Chen Shi!
Chen Shi exploded off his feet, flipping into the air and treading the Big Dipper to shift sideways midair, charging the first border soldier!
Suddenly, his brow skin tightened—an extre danger sense!
Without thinking, Chen Shi mobilized qi and blood, using his mind to construct the Golden Bell Talisman!
Golden light surged over his body, a massive bell rapidly forming. At the sa instant, the nearest soldier's fire lance muzzle flashed with lightning, booming thunder—
Piercing the bell straight to Chen Shi's face.
The Golden Bell Talisman shattered as soon as it ford, the great bell crumbling!
Chen Shi retreated swiftly. A second Eight Trigrams Protective Talisman ford, but the fire flash pierced its layered barriers, striking his brow!
Bang!
Thunder-fire exploded. Chen Shi's head snapped back, body flying into a wall several zhang away, collapsing it with a crash.
Chen Shi rolled up, half-kneeling, blood trickling from his mouth.
His black Golden Core appeared at his brow. At the last mont, he had unleashed it to block the pellet—re milliters from blowing his head apart!
This was his first ti taking a firearm head-on. He hadn't expected such terrifying power!
The Golden Core had form but no substance; external objects couldn't harm it. Composed of a cultivator's qi and blood,
Spells could pass through, talismans had no effect, and even treasures rely phased through upon striking—
So couldn't even resist the Golden Core's force field.
Yet Chen Shi's black Golden Core, blocking this pellet, nearly shattered!
Golden Cores feared thunder!
And gunpowder was an invention of dicine King Sun Simiao, harboring thunderous power!
Great Ming firearms were invincible under heaven!
Capable of slaying gods above, exorcising ghosts below!
This fire lance shot had nearly ended Chen Shi!
Suddenly, he sensed being targeted again and leaped sideways. Midair, he vaulted over a wall, crouching low behind it to flee.
Bang!
The wall behind him was blasted through, half crumbling.
Thudding footsteps ca from beyond. A long spear spun forward, stabbing into the wall. The tip quivered, shattering the wall!
Chen Shi's position exposed, he reached out and grabbed the spear, a Binding Talisman manifesting in his palm.
He had just gripped the shaft when the Walking Talisman's power activated, freezing the spearman in place.
Suddenly, a hamr soldier from the side swung a massive hamr, its surface branded with Herculean Talismans. They erupted, multiplying his strength dozens-fold as it smashed toward Chen Shi!
Chen Shi seized the spear, gripping it tight. Its talismans ignited, eting the descending hamr!
The hamr, swung with dozens-tis strength, was flung aside by his spear. The tip loosened then thrust, piercing the throat!
Chen Shi yanked the spear free, its butt spiking into the chest of the spearman behind.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Thunder-lights exploded. Chen Shi felt three pellets racing for his throat, heart, and dantian. He gripped the spear tight, shaking it violently, hoping the talisman-enhanced weapon could block the fire lance pellets!
Crack!
The spear shaft exploded, its talismans shattering. Chen Shi's palms split open, and he tumbled backward.
At the sa ti, he sensed his back heart and occiput locked!
Bang! Bang!
Gunfire thundered like rolling thunder, assaulting his rear vitals.
Midair and tumbling uncontrollably, Chen Shi clenched his teeth, channeling Big Dipper Seven Refinents. His feet tread Yao Guang, Kai Yang, Yu Heng, Tian Quan, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji—zigzagging, then zigzagging again!
He heard thunder roaring past his occiput, breaking into cold sweat.
As his strength waned, Chen Shi sensed his leg roots, dantian, and solar plexus targeted.
No new strength yet—he couldn't evade these fire lances!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Thunder bood, fire flashed, three pellets whistled in!
Chen Shi roared, unleashing Subdui Evil-Slaying Sword. Formless sword qi whistled out, recklessly intercepting the pellets. Whether they hit was a gamble!
Sword qi struck the first pellet—explosion!
Sword qi hit the second—explosion!
Sword qi grazed the third—miss!
The pellet reached Chen Shi's heart!
Xia Luoying descended slowly from the air, eyes on the shattered bowl. Locked on the black fish at the bottom, he reached out languidly.
At that instant, a gale assailed. A golden hand thrust out, blocking Chen Shi's heart!
The pellet hit the palm, golden light blooming within to halt it. The pellet's hidden powder detonated—thunder rolled, flas scorched—but failed to harm the golden hand!
Wu Chen the monk clenched hard, extinguishing the thunder-fire in his palm. The next instant, his golden body erupted, arriving before Xia Luoying with a punching fist.
Caught off-guard, Xia Luoying raised a hand to block. His arm cracked, and his Nascent Soul manifested as he cried in shock:
"Great Wheel Wisdom King Diamond Mantra?"
Wu Chen drove his golden body in close-quarters combat. Xia Luoying tried to create distance, but pinned so close, he had no chance.
Crackling bone fractures sounded. Suddenly, they separated. Xia Luoying stood frozen, every bone shattered, collapsing like rotten mud.
Wu Chen's golden body tanked a barrage of fire lance shots, leaping to the gunners like a flying demon, slaughtering the border soldiers as a god of death.
"Scholar, I've repaid your kindness!"
He laughed heartily, hopping away like a giant frog.
"Now I owe you nothing! The jianghu road is long—we'll et again!"
End of chapter.
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