Chapter 115: 115, It's you (Ninth update)

Ren Xiaosu stared at Chen Wudi in bewilderment: "I must clarify—I am not your master, nor do I seek the scriptures of the Western Heaven."

"That's not right," Chen Wudi shook his head: "Master, which direction are you heading now?"

"Southwest?" Ren Xiaosu paused: "The 109th barrier lies to the southwest."

Chen Wudi spoke solemnly: "The Western Heaven also lies to the southwest. Perhaps you have not yet realized it yourself, but you are already on the path to retrieving the scriptures of the Western Heaven..."

What in the world is this? Ren Xiaosu was utterly flustered for the first time: "Let me repeat once more—I am not your master! Old Wang is no Pigsy, and the one by his side is Wang Dalong, not some Sand Monk!"

Chen Wudi waved his arm: "This does not matter!"

Ren Xiaosu and Wang Fugui were both baffled—this is maddening! How can it not matter when it clearly does!

Yan Sixuan, standing nearby, stifled a laugh, fearing Chen Wudi might shift his attention to him. Ya Yu Jie hid behind Yan Sixuan, and the two of them trembled with suppressed mirth!

At that moment, someone asked, "What did you encounter when you escaped?"

The crowd that had just reunited with the main group, still shaken, replied: "Those insects with human faces growing from their backs were terrifying. Last night, we heard wolf howls and dared not sleep a wink. Fortunately, Chen Wudi..."

"Call me Qi Tian Dasheng," Chen Wudi corrected.

"Oh, it was Qi Tian Dasheng who drove the insects away. They seemed quite afraid of him," the speaker said, exhausted. He had spent the past two days in constant fear, and only now, with thousands gathered, did they feel a semblance of safety.

Meanwhile, Ren Xiaosu had begun contemplating how to coexist with this Chen Wudi.

This fellow claimed to be the reincarnation of Qi Tian Dasheng, but Ren Xiaosu found such a claim utterly unconvincing. Likely, he had heard too many tales of Qi Tian Dasheng in his youth, leading him to fantasize about becoming such a hero.

Yet, after reading Journey to the West, Ren Xiaosu realized the image of Qi Tian Dasheng as an unyielding hero slaying demons and monsters was a fabrication—a hero people desperately needed.

Just then, Wang Yihang and others approached. He deliberately avoided Ren Xiaosu, addressing the newly arrived crowd: "Hand over all your valuables."

As he spoke, he kept an eye on Ren Xiaosu. Wang Yihang's strategy was simple: I will not provoke you, Ren Xiaosu, or those with you, but if I bully others, do not interfere. Those with guns will not cross into each other's waters!

However, as his gaze swept past Ren Xiaosu's group, he suddenly froze. He saw Chen Wudi's hand suddenly manifest a black and gold iron rod. The sight left Ren Xiaosu stunned—the rod's ends were golden rings, while its center was dark black iron!

Is this not the legendary Golden Cudgel of Journey to the West?

Wang Yihang turned to face Chen Wudi, only to see him pointing the Golden Cudgel at him: "It is you, Xiao Zaofeng!"

Wang Yihang: "???"

Who the hell is Xiao Zaofeng! Wang Yihang wondered—even if you are mad, surely I am some ancient demon or yellow-robed monster, not someone to be looked down upon by Xiao Zaofeng!

But before Wang Yihang could react, Chen Wudi swung the rod at him, roaring: "This place will not tolerate your oppression of the people!"

Ren Xiaosu and Yan Sixuan stepped back, fearing accidental harm during the fight, for Wang Yihang wielded a gun.

When Wang Yihang saw the Golden Cudgel descending, he instinctively retreated and drew his weapon. Chen Wudi's strike grazed his nose, slamming into the ground with a crash that sent dust swirling and the earth trembling.

Amidst his shock, Ren Xiaosu wondered if the rod's weight exceeded thirteen thousand five hundred jin! No, that was impossible!

A gunshot rang out, and Wang Yihang's muzzle flashed fire. For a moment, all fell silent, for no one knew when Chen Wudi had already crossed his Golden Cudgel before his chest. He laughed: "My Golden Cudgel cannot be pierced by bullets!"

Yan Sixuan, curious, asked: "But the bullet did not strike your Golden Cudgel—it is your chest that is bleeding."

Chen Wudi glanced down at his chest, then inhaled deeply: "Damn..."

As he spoke, the veins on his neck bulged. The bullet lodged in his chest was squeezed out by his muscular strength!

In truth, Ren Xiaosu had already noticed the bullet had not penetrated deeply; he could even see the yellow, gleaming bullet head visible on Chen Wudi's skin's surface.

Legend spoke of Qi Tian Dasheng's bronze head and iron arms, impervious to blades and spears—but what kind of muscle power could repel bullets entirely?

Ren Xiaosu was certain he could never achieve such a feat.

Wang Yihang clenched his teeth, aiming to fire again, but his vision blurred, and Chen Wudi's figure vanished from sight.

In the next instant, the Golden Cudgel materialized to his left, its heavy weight resonating in the air with a buzzing hum, as if the very space itself began to vibrate.

The refugees around Wang Yihang fled the battlefield. The Golden Cudgel struck his waist with a crack, and Wang Yihang's body twisted unnaturally at the waist—the rod had shattered his spine!

In a flash, Wang Yihang was hurled through the air, landing on the ground, his limbs no longer obeying his will!

With a thud, Chen Wudi slammed the Golden Cudgel into the earth, standing tall with the rod as his crutch, his presence commanding.

Chen Wudi turned to Ren Xiaosu: "Master, am I not magnificent?"

"I truly am..." Ren Xiaosu was at a loss for words for a long moment.

The refugees swiftly distanced themselves from Wang Yihang, fearing his anguished cries might implicate them. Others, however, gazed at Chen Wudi with joy—for they had long harbored hatred for Wang Yihang, knowing he would only grow bolder.

Someone called out to Chen Wudi: "Thank you!"

"Why thank me?" Chen Wudi waved dismissively: "Thank my master!"

At that moment, several people paused, turning to stare at Ren Xiaosu: "Thank you!"

Ren Xiaosu's eyes lit up—within moments, he had received over a dozen gratitude tokens!

He had been fretting over how to gather them, never expecting Chen Wudi to secure so many without his lifting a finger.

Suddenly, Yan Sixuan approached Ren Xiaosu, intending to ask about their next move, only to see him eagerly approaching Chen Wudi: "Does your wound still ache, disciple? Master has excellent medicine for external injuries!"

Yan Sixuan: "???"

Wang Fugui: "???"

All: "???"

Are we truly embarking on the pilgrimage to the Western Heaven for the sacred texts now?