Chapter 114: The Ferocious Beasts of Wuxue Town

Chapter 114: The Beast of Wuxue Town

After opening the situation, Chen Jian had no intention of hiding his identity any longer.

His exoskeleton was exposed, the weapon rack stood ready, and even the cat‑vehicle had been driven all the way across the bridge and into Wuxue Town.

The townsfolk seemed to have heard the rumors about Huangshi City, after all, for these civilians who made a living as service merchants, information was often the most vital thing for survival.

Consequently, contrary to Chen Jian’s expectations, they were not met with hostility or aloofness; instead, they were warmly welcomed.

Upon reflection, this actually made perfect sense.

After all, most of Wuxue Town’s residents had personally witnessed that great explosion.

They also knew that the invincible warship that had come from Jinling had been reduced to ashes in that terrifying blast.

Afterward, the Machine God Cult and the Holy Blooded did not organize any retaliation.

Instead, the Ring Commerce Guild leaked word that they had already reached an agreement with Huangshi City.

In an instant, it was clear who was strong and who was weak.

Wuxue was merely a small town; would it cling to the strong or to the weak?

Although, in terms of overall strength, the Machine God Cult and the Holy Blooded far surpassed Huangshi City, this was, after all, not Jinling.

Under this prevailing perception, the leader of Wuxue Town’s residents, Zhao He—also the town’s “mayor”—personally led a delegation to greet the strange squad that had appeared in the town.

He asked no improper questions, but enthusiastically prepared lodging for the few of them and offered the town’s most precious provisions.

Sitting in the room, Chen Jian watched the mayor Zhao He busily pouring water and spoke:

“No need for all this trouble; we have a mission.”

“Our purpose is to investigate the hunting of that fourth‑level monster active nearby; if you have any relevant intel, tell us now.”

“The Huangshi City Xia Army will be grateful for your assistance.”

Chen Jian emphasized the three words “Xia Army,” his aim being to gradually spread the name so everyone would know that Huangshi City’s force had a designation.

Upon hearing his words, Zhao He blinked, then hastily replied:

“Of course, of course; we will do our utmost to cooperate with your endeavors, sir.”

“However—”

“Regarding that monster, we actually don’t know much about it.”

“Not much?”

Chen Jian frowned and asked:

“According to the Ring Commerce Guild, Wuxue Town has been frequently attacked by that monster; in the past three months at least fifteen people have died in the assaults, four of them townsfolk.”

“Such losses are not insignificant; don’t you take them seriously at all?”

“Certainly not.”

Zhao He waved his hand and replied:

“We have organized a patrol squad, even hired a few of the Machine God Cult’s protector troops, and once appealed to the Holy Blooded for aid.”

“But the monster’s movements are utterly irregular; its attacks on Wuxue Town are not truly frequent, and the reinforcements we summoned always missed it.”

“When we are left to our own devices, we have no means against this beast.”

“We don’t even know when it arrives or when it departs.”

“It always comes at night, and we only learn of its presence after we hear sounds and discover that someone has died.”

“The sole information we have comes from distant eyewitnesses who have seen it.”

“They say it resembles a humanoid monster, but it bears sharp teeth and claws, moves with great speed, and runs silently.”

“It tears apart dwellings and directly assaults any living thing inside the rooms.”

“It seems, however, that it is not hunting for food, but merely indulging in wanton slaughter.”

Chen Jian listened silently to Zhao He’s account; when the other fell quiet, he asked:

“Is that all? Just these?”

“.Just these.”

Zhao He nodded, looking somewhat embarrassed, and said:

“This is all the information we possess—even if you went straight to the eyewitnesses and questioned them, I doubt you’d get much more.”

“Of course, you are free to look around the town as you wish.”

“We will conceal nothing; we will do everything we can to help.”

After Zhao He finished speaking, Chen Jian couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

He had thought the Ring Commerce Guild’s intel was incomplete, but it turned out there was hardly any intel at all.

The only useful bits of information are two:

Nighttime attacks.

The assaults are not for feeding, but for pure cruelty.

“Does this resemble the mountain sprites you mentioned earlier?”

Chen Jian turned to Zeng Yi and asked.

“Not really.”

Zeng Yi shook his head and replied:

“The monster’s bloodlust is too low.” “If it were truly a mountain sprite, the few hundred people of Wuxue Town wouldn’t be enough to satisfy it in a single night.”

“Moreover, mountain sprites do not hide like this monster does; they burst in with fanfare, letting loose a roar from afar to announce their arrival, then slaughter everyone before the target can react.”

“The only similarity, perhaps, is the ‘wanton slaughter’ aspect.”

“But that hardly counts as a common trait, since virtually all monsters possess a similar nature; the difference lies only in how overt it is.”

“Understood.”

Chen Jian nodded thoughtfully, then rose and said:

“Let’s go to the scene and have a look.”

“Where is the most recent attack site?”

“I’ll take you there!”

Zhao He hurried to the door, pushed it open, and said:

“It’s not far from here—just an ordinary family’s home.”

“The attack occurred half a month ago; an entire family of four was wiped out.”

“Half a month ago?”

Chen Jian exclaimed in disbelief:

“So you mean that monster hasn’t shown up for half a month?”

“Yes.”

Zhao He nodded immediately and replied:

“That’s why I said the monster’s movements have no pattern at all.”

“Sometimes it appears for several nights in a row; sometimes it doesn’t show up for a whole month.”

“That’s the most troublesome part.”

“Even the Holy Blooded have tried to find its lair, but to no avail.”

“In short, there’s nothing we can do about it now.”

“If the adults can completely resolve the trouble this monster brings, Wuxue Town will surely offer its loyalty and sincerity!”

“Good.”

Chen Jian gave a brief reply and followed Zhao He all the way to the edge of the town.

The townsfolk eyed this unusual squad with curiosity; some fearless, clueless children edged close to touch Chen Jian’s exoskeleton, only to be snatched by their parents and forced to kneel.

Chen Jian ignored their actions and headed straight for the building Zhao He pointed to.

The wooden structure of the house had collapsed more than half, and clear claw marks remained on the slanted doorframe.

“He Shuo, launch the drone and keep watch.”

“Zeng Yie Xie Liu, spread out and inspect the scene; report any useful clues promptly.”

“Understood.”

The group sprang into action, while Chen Jian approached the claw marks on the doorframe and examined them closely.

These vertical gouges were thick and deep, the cross‑section nearly five centimeters wide and four centimeters deep, with a length exceeding thirty centimeters; this was only part of them, the other half of the marks lingered on the shattered door panel.

One can imagine the monster swatting aside the flimsy wooden door with a single swipe of its claw, then storming inside and slaughtering everyone within.

—

The action was logical.

But it does not match biological instinct.

The entire building is wood; the door isn’t much sturdier than a plank wall. If it were after speed, why would it bother with the door?

The collapsed left side is clearly the result of being smashed.

A three‑to‑four‑meter‑tall monster, going to open a two‑meter‑high door?

Something’s off.

Chen Jian lightly touched the claw marks; after a moment he felt an unusual sensation.

And when he lifted his hand, a tiny particle clung to his fingertip.

A metallic particle.

To be precise, it was rust embedded in the wood fibers.

Such a thing would not be on a monster’s claw.

Chen Jian let out a long breath and said:

“Everyone, stay alert.”

“Our target is not the monster.”

“This thing is very likely a person.”

“Someone of normal intelligence, even quite clever!”

(End of chapter)