If there were a choice, Qianrentu would never want to return to Songzhou City.
The days locked up in the underground death row were bearable, but what he truly couldn’t accept was that defeat. He could be beaten, he could be killed, but being released like an ant was sothing he could never accept—although it was precisely because of that event that he truly understood what real power was, he never wanted to experience it again.
But now, he had no choice but to return to Songzhou City.
Simply because, if he couldn’t get rid of the trouble behind him, he would truly beco mature.
So he had to drive a tiger to swallow a wolf; only in this way could he have a chance to survive.
However, returning to Songzhou City now was not an easy task.
"Why is there a lockdown?"
Blocked at the city gate, Qianrentu was dumbfounded. He never expected that after only being away for a few days, the gates of Songzhou City would be guarded by soldiers.
Theoretically speaking, with his strength, he might be able to force his way in, but after observing for a while, Qianrentu eventually refrained from such a risky move.
It was because on the exposed backs of the soldiers’ hands and necks, there appeared so patterns he was very familiar with.
Yes, how could he forget? The man with the Yue Saber nailed to his chest was covered with these sharp designs.
And now, even these ordinary soldiers faintly exuded an aura similar to that monster.
Do not force your way in, his instinct warned him.
If you underestimate these soldiers, you might really die here.
So he decided to let soone else take the risk.
"This is the place."
Qianrentu turned around, looking at the strong man with the saddlebag on his back.
"Inside the city is the safest place, but you know, I still have a case hanging over , so I won’t be going with you..."
"Hey, how can that be?"
Before Qianrentu could finish speaking, a large hand already lifted him into the air.
"Since we’re here, why rush to leave?"
With that, Du Chengfeng lifted the robber and walked towards the soldiers guarding the city gate.
Yes, since they were already here, naturally, they should engage in so familiar operation, that is, to do a good deed—which was also Du Chengfeng’s way of assessing local customs. He was curious about what rewards doing good deeds would bring here.
"This bandit was caught by outside. He is willing to contribute to the construction of Songzhou City."
"Eh? Isn’t this Qianrentu?"
A few soldiers imdiately recognized this bandit.
"Didn’t you already run away? How co you’ve been sent back... Just in ti, the Master of Rituals needs so spiritual flesh these days. You both can go together."
"You, both?"
Du Chengfeng frowned and found that the soldiers were not only restraining the bandit called Qianrentu whom he had thrown over but also pointing their spears at him, the helpful passerby.
"Yes, you two, don’t even think about running."
"...Are you serious?"
Du Chengfeng’s hand was already reaching for the saddlebag on his back.
"Do you want to reconsider?"
"Weapons in the bag?"
The leading soldier glanced at the knife handle protruding from the edge of the saddlebag.
"Feel free to keep it; you’ll definitely need it soon."
"...That’s even better then."
After thinking for a mont, Du Chengfeng simply followed the soldiers into the city.
Inside the city was even more savage than outside.
The shops on the streets were still open, yet the market exuded an unexpectedly ancient and desolate atmosphere. The source of this atmosphere perhaps ca from the passersby. Unlike the properly dressed Southern Chen people in wide robes and large sleeves, the people in Songzhou City wore very simple clothes, with rugged and sharp tattoos erging from their sleeves and collars, making them look unapproachable at a glance.
Even in physical terms, these people were not to be trifled with. Du Chengfeng could feel that the strength of these tattooed individuals had already far surpassed that of ordinary people, even comparable to so with Evil Qi within them.
This was an entire city of Evil Qi infusion, how was this even possible?
"Those are battle patterns, bestowed by the Master of Rituals."
The leading soldier casually explained upon noticing Du Chengfeng’s confusion.
"As long as you draw the battle patterns, you can beco a warrior. It’s the Master of Ritual’s blessing for the people of Songzhou... What? You’re asking how this is done? Why do you talk so much?"
"I didn’t know, that’s all."
Du Chengfeng chuckled awkwardly.
"If you don’t know, of course, you’d ask. After all, I’ve never seen sothing like this... just drawing so patterns can make people stronger, how on earth is that possible? Did they use any special materials?"
"You really do talk a lot."
The leading soldier showed so annoyance.
"But it doesn’t matter. You’ll find out soon enough."
"Soon?"
Du Chengfeng squinted his eyes.
Indeed, he was about to find out.
As they exited the alleys, what ca into view was where the governor’s mansion used to stand. However, the governor’s mansion, which should have been standing in Songzhou City, had been flattened by so unknown colossal force, turning into a solid plaza—right at the center of the plaza, hundreds of people were gathered there, ard with various weapons, charging forward one after another.
But they were knocked back, with either their chests caved in or heads missing. Judging from their state of spitting blood, they were undoubtedly dead beyond revival.
Yet, for them, this was not the end.
These dying people were dragged away, along with their weapons. It was at this mont that those gathered at the edge of the plaza surged forward, using the blood of these dead to paint the patterns on themselves, then kneeling in worship towards the center of the plaza, as if venerating so unknown spirits or deities.
"Did you not say, to witness his strength?"
Also dragged along, Qianrentu seed to recall so horrifying mory, as his legs began to tremble.
"Why start killing? Why start killing?"
"What’s wrong with killing? How many have you killed?"
A few soldiers sneered, then reversed the shafts of their spears, pushing Qianrentu and Du Chengfeng into the plaza.
"Go on in! The Master of Rituals will take good care of you!"
"No! I’m not going!"
Already feeling the overwhelming pressure, Qianrentu was unable to maintain his sanity, struggling to escape, but empty-handed, he was eventually knocked back by the spear shafts.
"Warrior! Help out! Let’s rush out together! They’re trying to get us killed... Warrior, where are you going? You’re going in the wrong direction!"
"I’m going to et my death."
While walking forward, Du Chengfeng drew the large knife from his back.
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