Chapter 306: End of Late Afternoon (2)

Chapter 306: The End of the Shen Hour (Part 2)

In the corridor, the sound of a needle falling is audible.

The faces of all the Jinyiwei shift rapidly between expressions, their composure wavering between cold detachment and sheer horror, as if two invisible hands are tugging at their consciousness.

Not only Qian Fengting is shaken, but even Xie Bi'an and Fan Wuyi wear looks of dread.

Only two remain calm: Lu Chengjiang and Li Jun.

"You must admit, your scheme does justice to the title 'Xisou' of the Five Directions. Even without the facade of the Jinyiwei, your methods could be more subtle and sharp."

"But you still underestimate my Guiwang Da too much. These years, how many of the mighty hawks have sought to kill me? What desperate situations have I not faced? What tricks have I not seen? To trap me, you're still too green."

"That's a well-crafted tale, logical and convincing. If not for the body of Zheng Ku lying here, perhaps I'd be tempted to believe you myself."

Lu Chengjiang's expression remains composed, not even a flicker of emotion betraying his composure.

"Unfortunately, in the face of evidence, all speculation is but..."

Lu Chengjiang's voice cuts off abruptly, his eyes contracting sharply.

All because that corpse lying in the blood-soaked pool suddenly twitched its fingers!

Though the movement is infinitesimal, the ripples spreading across the blood seem like a silent thunderclap echoing in everyone's heart!

Zheng Ku is truly alive?!

Cries of shock rise and fall, though everyone tries to suppress them, they still link together, reverberating endlessly in the enclosed corridor.

"You underestimated my character, and forgot that this Zheng Ku, whom you deemed fit only as bait, is a genuine farmer's son. He faked his death, and even if you stood before him, you wouldn't detect it."

As Guiwang Da speaks, the figure with a gaping wound through the chest slowly rises.

Zheng Ku clutches his wound with one hand, the other pushing aside the disheveled hair obscuring his face, revealing a blood-streaked visage.

"My Deputy Thousand Commander Lu, didn't expect this, did you? I, Zheng Ku, am still alive!"

Zheng Ku's face contorts between tears and laughter, his voice hoarse as if two stones are grinding against each other.

"Are you disappointed now? Perhaps even despairing?"

Lu Chengjiang's brow furrows, his face darkening. His hands behind his back clench tightly together.

He takes a subtle breath, his brow relaxes, and a faint smile curls his lips.

"It's good that you're alive. That way, your family on the imperial homeland can rest easy. I had already informed my kin to take good care of them. Now it seems, there's no need."

Zheng Ku's ferocious features suddenly freeze, the sharp words about to spill from his lips stilled at his throat, as if gripped by an invisible hand.

"You... you..."

"You're gravely wounded but not dead, so the old ghost naturally need not sacrifice himself. Now the truth behind the 'Massacre of the People' in Guan Mountain City has been uncovered. All misunderstandings are resolved. How wonderful."

As Lu Chengjiang speaks, the atmosphere in the hall grows eerie again.

"Zheng Ku."

Guiwang Da, unable to contain himself, steps forward two paces, his remaining eye fixed on the bewildered, trembling blood shadow.

"Do you still wish to be a dog?!"

"Old ghost!"

Lu Chengjiang raises his voice, clasping his hands in a formal bow toward Guiwang Da.

"However, during the handling of this incident, I was indeed negligent in my eagerness to solve the case, causing you and Zheng Ku to suffer varying degrees of harm. I will report this truthfully to the Beizhen Fu Si, resign myself, and request a transfer away from the Wa people's region. Consider this my apology to you and Zheng Ku."

"Zheng Ku, speak!"

Zheng Ku, his bloodied form slowly turning under Guiwang Da's roar, lowers his head toward the corridor wall, his gaze fixed on his own feet, not looking at either of the two.

"I think this suffices. Let's not make a big deal out of it, and..."

Before the words finish, a towering figure appears behind Zheng Ku, a palm as large as a fan grasping his skull.

"A small matter? Then it should be eradicated completely!"

Black neural filaments pierce into Zheng Ku's brain, carrying the portion of the "Zhi Zhi Lu" authority left by Yan Bahuang to Li Jun, and with ruthless precision, shatter his mental defenses!

A deep blackness fills Zheng Ku's pupils, and emotionless words spill from his mouth.

"The Deputy Thousand Commander Lu Chengjiang of the Wa people's Jinyiwei conspired with the rebel army of the mighty hawks, persecuted colleagues, and eliminated dissenters. The Baihu Zheng Ku, knowing the truth, concealed it without reporting, acted as a tiger's accomplice, and abused private punishment. Both violated the Great Ming Law, and according to law..."

"They shall be executed!"

Li Jun's blade sweeps across Zheng Ku's throat, the crimson edge burning through flesh, severing bone, and slicing off his head.

The sudden upheaval only sinks in when Li Jun beheads Zheng Ku, and the others finally react.

"All of you, drop your weapons! No one is to fire!"

Qian Fengting leaps to a Thousand Commander's standard, kicking the opponent to the ground.

The bizarre and rapidly shifting situation leaves these already bewildered Jinyiwei in a panic, helpless and lost, completely breaking free from Lu Chengjiang's subtle hints.

Xie Bi'an retreats to Guiwang Da's side, supporting him as they step back.

Fan Wuyi, his mouth twisted in a grin, grips the embroidered spring blade and charges forward.

Meanwhile, Li Jun's figure has already closed to within ten feet of Lu Chengjiang!

"I have already promised to transfer away from the Wa people's region. Let you win this round, yet you remain unsatisfied?"

Lu Chengjiang sidesteps into a group of Jinyiwei who cannot evade in time, grabbing two as shields and hurling them outward.

"With the Five Directions as commander, leading troops in strategic maneuvers!"

An overwhelmingly hypnotic voice echoes in their minds, the two thrown into the air, panic-stricken Jinyiwei instantly surrendering resistance, arms outstretched, charging straight into Li Jun's blade.

Puchi!

The crimson blade flashes, blood rains down, limbs fly.

This brief obstruction widens the distance between Lu Chengjiang and Li Jun to over twenty feet.

"This is clearly a game of power between civilized men, yet you insist on ending it with such brutality. Your martial code is truly repulsive."

Lu Chengjiang's wide sleeves flutter as he descends gracefully toward another group of gathered Thousand Commander Jinyiwei.

The corridor's unique terrain leaves these innocent Jinyiwei with no place to hide, forced to watch as they are hypnotized into fearless soldiers of the Five Directions.

"Li Jun, think carefully. If your blade is stained with so many comrades' souls, which household would dare keep you?"

Li Jun's steps falter, and this scene in Lu Chengjiang's eyes immediately stirs him.

"That's right. All struggles are but for profit. This round, consider it your victory. I can offer sufficient compensation to make amends."

"What's wrong with you, always nagging? Old Li isn't shaken by you; he's just hesitating ahead!"

A mocking voice emanates from the red-eyed helmet.

At the same time, Li Jun inhales deeply, his skin rapidly turning a waxy dark yellow, losing all luster.

Liver Qi devours the dragon!

Li Jun's body expands once more, reaching a terrifying eight feet in height.

His muscles, like layers of boulders, cause the once slender embroidered spring blade to become a somewhat cramped dagger.

The mutation continues, Li Jun's eyes shift from brown to yellow, pupils round and menacing, like the gaze of a ferocious tiger.

Fei Jing Tun Hu!

Overwhelming terror energy surges through flesh and blood, unbridled and relentless, no longer containable by Li Jun’s writhing murderous intent, as he roars in fury.

“Ma Wang Ye!”

Mo Jia stirs at the news, armor plates fluttering behind him, spewing white mist visible to the naked eye!

Cloud from the dragon, wind from the tiger, the devourer of dragon and tiger commands the tempest!

Boom!

Where Li Jun stomps, the solid ground collapses into a terrifying depression, shattered dust and debris engulfing the charging figure!

Lu Chengjiang’s bewilderment in his eyes has yet to fade, but fear already surges from his genes, seeping through open pores as sweat.

His Adam’s apple quivers, his usual eloquent retorts barely formed, drowned by the vicious gust.

For the first time, Lu Chengjiang realizes how pale and feeble his once-proud stratagems are in the raw, naked struggle for life and death!

Fufei!

Eight Extremes Boxing Energy!

Separating Tendons and Bones!

The Red Saber rises, bloodlight erupts!

Lu Chengjiang’s head rockets skyward, only to be obliterated by the following fist!

Shattered bones and filth scatter wildly, splattering the belated Fan Wujiu’s face.

He stands frozen, staring at the horrific form clad in snarling armor, a crushing oppression spreading through his heart.

Dark light chilling, its might like a prison!

“What kind of big muscle is this…”

Fan Wujiu’s eyes glaze, muttering to himself.

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