Chapter 500: A Fierce Dragon Crosses the River

Chapter 500: The Dragon Crosses the River

Within the illuminated spires of the Lu family’s grand mansion, a multitude of anxious gazes lingered below, as if waiting for the storm to break. The shadows of the Buddhist monastery and the dreamscapes of yin and yang converged upon the ground, enveloping the hundred and more soldiers of the Lu clan in a surreal, suffocating night.

The night air hardened into a solid thing, and the only sounds were the soft echo of black-clad monks walking, their footsteps resonating with a clarity that pierced the darkness.

“You all have endured so much hardship to reach the fourth rank. Why should you not rest, find shelter, and bask in the glory of your rank? Why should you still serve as a vassal to the tyrants?”

A gravelly voice cut through the silence. “I am Wu Zi, commander of the private forces within the Lu clan. If you surrender your arms now, I can spare your lives and let you live.”

A man, pale and gaunt, emerged from the crowd, his skin slick with sweat, his frame thin and fragile. He wore a wide, heavy robe over a thin, ragged garment. Beneath the fabric, faint bones protruded like a grotesque sculpture.

“This is a grotesque display,” he muttered, his voice trembling. “Even the talk of the Tongyi is nothing compared to this.”

Wu Zi’s face darkened with concentration. “The first step is to understand your true nature.”

From the shadows, another figure moved—steady, deliberate, his hands already reaching for the weapon at his side. “I am Chen Qian. I have heard the words of Li Jun, and I know that even in this darkness, there is a way to survive.”

The two men locked eyes across the room. For a moment, the air seemed to still. Then Wu Zi’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “You think you can outwit me? I am the only one who can help you reach the fourth rank. But only if you promise to serve me.”

Chen Qian stepped forward, his expression unreadable. “And what of the others? Why should I trust you?”

Wu Zi’s skin wrinkled as he forced a smile. “Because I am the only one who has survived this chaos. I will not let you fall. You will all be tested.”

Chen Qian’s eyes narrowed. “Then let us see if you are worthy.”

With a swift motion, Wu Zi’s hands seized the weapon at his side, and with a sharp cry, he plunged it into the chest of the man before him. The sound was a sharp crack, and the figure crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

The room fell silent.

Wu Zi’s gaze swept over Chen Qian, who stood rigid, his face pale. “This is no ordinary execution. You have crossed a line.”

Chen Qian’s breath caught. “What? Why?”

Wu Zi’s voice rose, steady and commanding. “Because I am the only one who can help you rise from this darkness. But first—listen closely.”

He turned to the others, his tone softening. “You are not alone. There are those who will aid you. The path ahead is perilous, but together, we will overcome.”

The air shimmered with an unseen force, and the shadows seemed to shift, forming unfamiliar shapes. Wu Zi’s words carried the weight of a prophecy, and the fate of the Lu clan hung in the balance.

The battle had only just begun.

Indeed, from the moment the two sides met, Wu Ya Jiao had many doubts in his heart.

First, it was the fact that the leader, Wu Xu Li Jun, had not appeared here for some reason.

Next was the fact that his elite private soldiers had no ability to resist, and were instantly dragged into the Land of Buddha below, making him a lone figure.

It should be known that the mass formation tactics of the masses were the usual combat methods favored by the clans.

With an average strength level of Order 7 or above, plus the expensive ink-order equipment purchased at great cost, a hundred clan private soldiers could completely involve and intercept a non-combat Order 4.

Originally, when he saw the Buddha Country swallowing all his subordinates, Wu Ya Jiao had already conceived the idea of retreat.

But oddly, the Buddha Country and the dream of the other party did not touch him at all.

Although it might not be able to drag him in even if touched, this step of weak retreat immediately relieved Wu Ya Jiao's heart.

What he wanted was to challenge him one-on-one, which sounded nice.

The real reason was that the two newly promoted Order 4s and Yin-Yang 4s, after controlling so many lower-order individuals, had enough heart but not enough strength, and were unable to provoke him further.

As long as he could make a bold move and kill this Tao Order, then even if the unknown Wu Xu jumped out from somewhere, he would not be his opponent!

People of the clans usually plan before acting; who would be a rash and stupid fool?

A series of thoughts turned, but it all happened in a flash.

Having made up his mind, Wu Ya Jiao was about to exert his Qian Mo Organs within his body, when he suddenly felt the black mist in front of him suddenly clear up.

A streak of weird blue and red light squeezed in hard, followed by a cold and piercing sword light!

In the chaos, Wu Ya Jiao reacted quickly, palms together behind his back to block the incoming sword light.

*Clang!*

The hard and strong bones blocked the sword body, and the bent muscles wrapped the sharp point.

Empty-handed, he had drawn a white blade!

Wu Ya Jiao slightly raised his eyebrows, about to expand his remaining arms for an attack, when he saw Chen Qi Sheng decisively loosened his sword body, with a sudden step and powerful force, like a tiger pouncing, knee striking towards his chest.

*Hiss.*

The laugh turned into cold air, which Wu Ya Jiao inhaled sharply into his stomach.

He had thought the other would use Tao Gears, Ink Armor, and Talisman Curses, and had always been on the alert for the night sky above, ready to deal with sudden thunderbolts.

But the black-robed Taoist in front used none of the methods of an Order Practitioner, instead acting like a rough brute, close-quarters combat with punches to the flesh and cuts of blood.

This damn it, is it really an Order Practitioner?!

*Boom!*

Wu Ya Jiao crossed his arms to block his chest, but was still stunned by the incoming powerful force, involuntarily stepping back.

At the same time, the long sword rolled on its own, sending up a stream of slick blood and flesh, escaping from the clenched palm to strike down on Wu Ya Jiao's head.

Wu Ya Jiao's heart was cold, instinctively dodging to the side in a look that was ugly but practical, like a donkey rolling.

Although he successfully dodged the sword, he was kicked in the chin by Chen Qi Sheng who followed.

Wu Ya Jiao's body rolled backward uncontrollably, but his composure was not disturbed. He pressed his arms on the ground, and with a natural uroprus movement, leaped up, four arms guarding his body, ready to face the incoming attack.

As expected, Wu Ya Jiao had just stabilized his stance when a glint of cold light reached his face.

He grabbed the sword with four hands, toes inserted into the ground, plowing two ridges on the ground, finally holding up the momentum of the long military spear.

But before he could catch his breath, a cold and indifferent face appeared beside the sword handle that no one was holding.

Chen Qi Sheng held the sword, turned his wrist, and sent out a stream of crimson blood rain.

Wu Ya Jiao let out a pained cry, and all four arms were cut off at the wrists.

The five viscera and six organs that were enhanced were in a panic, and the powerful Qian Mo Organs allowed Wu Ya Jiao to retain his combat ability. Without hands, his four arms like sticks flew and swung, smashing Chen Qi Sheng's right shoulder to collapse and deform.

"Dead!"

The armor that was already corroded in the toxic mist could no longer block Wu Ya Jiao's attack, two bones protruding from the stumps of arms pierced in, entering Chen Qi Sheng's abdomen.

Chen Qi Sheng's throat rolled, not knowing how many genetically modified pills he swallowed in one gulp, every blood vein wrapped around his pupils, and a low growl like a wild beast came from his throat.

The blood-streaked Taoist's mouth, he suddenly widened his lips to show a mouthful of crimson teeth to Wu Ya Jiao.

This smile made Wu Ya Jiao feel a chill run down his spine.

Just at this moment, Chen Qi Sheng suddenly lifted his right arm, grabbed Wu Ya Jiao's hair, and with all his strength, pulled his head up, delivering a fierce headbutt to Wu Ya Jiao's face.

*Boom!*

Wu Ya Jiao's eyes rolled white, and the sunken face splashed with blood.

Chen Qi Sheng gripped Wu Ya Jiao's neck, lifted his body directly, and the arm remaining in his abdomen was also pulled out harshly.

*Hum.*

Blue and red Tao scripts wrapped around the arm, the light was bright, casting the fear and plea in Wu Ya Jiao's eyes.

*Crack.*

Under the powerful force, Wu Ya Jiao's neck bone gave a sound of unbearable crash, then his whole body was pierced into the collapsed street.

"Both of you are Order 4, there is indeed a gap."

Chen Qi Sheng looked down at the twisted body in the pit, spat out a mouthful of blood at the flesh growths moving in Wu Ya Jiao's wounds.

"I am an old-school Tao Order 4 Immortal Master, what kind of plaything are you?"

*Clang!*

The long sword fell, and the angry face of the long military appeared beside the sword, cutting the clear-minded Wu Ya Jiao into minced meat.

At the same time, the group of static clan private soldiers simultaneously raised their heads, turned and looked at the luminous Lu family mansion.

Their eyes were occupied by a golden pupil, and a 'Zou' character was neatly embedded.

The Buddha Country's dream theft, for these low-level Order Practitioners, encountering it was a dead end, with no way to escape.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

One by one, heads exploded, and the towering building housing all the Lu family members was blown up at this moment, with blood raining from the sky.

*Boom!*

A fiery dragon swept up, the entire building was like a huge torch, illuminating the night sky of Feng Hua City.

"Is the mountain high and the water deep in Liaodong? Ha."

The rising firelight illuminated Fan Wu Jiu's ferocious smile.

"Not a crocodile, who crosses the river?"

"Want to strike the yellow dragon directly?"

On the top floor of the Lu Clan's estate, Lu Ning saw Li Jun appearing, and after a hint of surprise in his eyes, it quickly returned to calm.

"Come up with this step is not bad, but not much. Compared to that, it's the few braves that made people's eyes light up, but..."

Lu Ning's mouth curved slightly coldly: "You think you've crossed the rugged and treacherous mountains and rivers of the Wa area, so you have the qualifications to wade into my clan's dragon and tiger trap?"

The words fell, and in the spacious floors, footsteps thundered like thunder.

The scholar’s shirt stained with blood, Lu Yuzhang stepped forward, planting himself before Lu Ning, two black pistols slipping into his palms.

Upon the barrels, silver filigrees traced two neat characters.

‘Dark Chamber.’

‘Guard One’s Solitude.’

A click.

Lu Yuzhang’s wrist twitched, the twin guns snapped into readiness with a resonant clatter.

His eyes blazed, unflinching as they met Li Jun’s stare.

“Old horse.”

Li Jun called softly.

“Hm?”

From within the helm, a lone eye glanced down, and the ancient, sonorous voice of the Horse King answered.

“Make a little noise, add some flavor to the night.”

“Alright, what do you want to hear?”

“Whatever, I just think this place is too noisy.”

“What’s noisy?”

Li Jun replied coolly, “Don’t you hear it? The tormented souls, murdered in agony, are clamoring for a companion.”

The words seemed to stir a memory in the Horse King; after a brief silence he spoke, “Indeed, it’s a clamor. Let us grant them peace today, lest they wander restless forever.”

“Exactly as it should be.”

Bang!

First the drums boomed, quickening, then the zither entered, as if ushering the players onto the stage.

Li Jun, gun in hand, advanced toward Lu Yuzhang.

The drums and erhu rose together, mournful and sharp, like a cold wind sweeping a desolate forest.

The Horse King’s voice, low yet powerful, rang out,

“Great snow descends, smothering faces, the north wind bites to the bone.”

Around them, shouts surged like tide, meeting Lu Ning’s scornful gaze and Lu Yuzhang’s raised barrels; Li Jun’s steps quickened, the black flame on his back flaring ever brighter.

Clang!

A bronze gong sounded, then a sudden heavy beat followed.

“Crimson clouds veil the darkened rivers, the woods lie barren, all decay.”

“Past sorrows cling, hard to dispel, a ruined village offers wine to soothe grief.”

“The road home stretches far, a wife’s voice lost across a thousand miles.”

What began as a bleak, wandering lament turned, in the Horse King’s mouth, into a chant of vengeance on the mountain.

The blood‑soaked battle in the Japanese zone had once been for a single warm lamp to let the hometown sleep.

Now only lone spirits roam the white mountains and black waters.

Li Jun, teeth clenched against rising fury, stepped upon the ridge, his silhouette flashing before Lu Yuzhang.

The barrel glinted, the muzzle exhaled icy dread!

Bang!

A fierce gunshot roared through the opulent hall, echoing to the heavens.