Chapter 251: How Dare You Kill Me? (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 251 You Dare Kill Me? (Pleading for Monthly Votes)

In truth, Chen Yì had arrived here long before.

It was merely that when he came, he happened to bump into Zhao Shichang, who had come to deliver a message to Lü Jiǎnán.

Upon hearing the words Zhao Shichang had conveyed:

"My master asks me to tell you: you must find Asu Tài, no matter the cost—life or death."

Yet before Lü Jiǎnán could respond, the waves by the riverbank were noticed by the wooden soldiers, stirring him.

This made Chen Yì somewhat regretful.

For though Liu Hong, as he had guessed, had erupted in a thunderous fury due to Asu Tài's disappearance, he still wished to hear what further arrangements Liu Hong and Lü Jiǎnán had made.

However, it was interrupted by the arrival of the bandits.

There was no escape.

Chen Yì could only first settle Zhang Daba, then return to witness the clash between the bandits and Lü Jiǎnán.

And thus the following events unfolded.

At this moment,

After hearing Chen Yì's words, Lü Jiǎnán looked again at the bandit, Liu Tingming, who was approaching him, and spoke in a voice as cold as ice:

"No matter who you are, the next time we meet, I will take your life!"

Upon seeing Chen Yì appear before him, he immediately realized they could not remain here any longer.

Not to mention his identity and his cooperation with Liu Hong and Lin Huai'an, but merely Chen Yì's personal strength was enough to threaten him.

Though his cultivation was a level above Chen Yì, and though he had practiced the art of head-reading to a complete realm,

When facing a gun-wielder at the complete realm, such a gap could easily be leveled by the spirits of the earth and heaven.

This was something Lü Jiǎnán understood all too well.

So before the words had even finished, he turned his hand and controlled the wooden soldiers to charge toward Chen Yì.

The straw men, wielding strings, also encircled him, blocking his path.

Then he turned and fled.

Chen Yì watched his movement, shook his head, and smiled: "You only think to leave now? Doesn't that seem a bit late?"

Speaking of which, he extended his right hand and drew out five arrows from his left arm.

With a slight flick, the arrows combined into one.

At the moment the spear was raised, the spirits of the earth and heaven surged in like water.

Unleashing a terrifying force, Chen Yì pushed outward in all directions.

Directly flinging those wooden soldiers aside, he also caused the tangled threads and straw men surrounding his eyes to whirl and tangle.

Lü Jiǎnán felt the pressure from behind, his spine instantly chilled, his hair standing on end.

He glanced over his shoulder, his face growing even more grim.

For some reason,

He looked at Chen Yì, who stood still without moving, and a sense of fear arose in his heart.

Though he had already exerted his full strength, sprinting miles away.

Yet he still felt that at the moment that shadow moved, he would—

Die!

Lü Jiǎnán instinctively swallowed his saliva, startled, then clenched his teeth and withdrew several items from his sleeve.

Without hesitation, he threw them out.

A cacophony of splinters and shattering sounds.

Within a hundred li, black smoke rose in a continuous stream.

These smoky tendrils, reeking of blood and decay, soon gnawed through the surrounding buildings, creating countless pits and holes.

Whether brick or metal, all were eroded.

Even so, Lü Jiǎnán remained somewhat trembling with fear.

He fled onward, shouting: "Liu Wu, I urge you not to take advantage!"

"Do you know my true identity?!"

Chen Yì stared him down without blinking an eye, paying no heed to those poisonous mists.

The gun technique, drawing upon the spirits of the earth and heaven, firmly locked onto Lü Jiǎnán's location.

"Your identity, a scoundrel from the Mózi Kingdom? Or perhaps a small peacock under the Peacock King's banner?"

As he spoke, he took a light step forward.

A thunderous boom.

Lightning erupted above the dark clouds, booming and crackling.

A bolt of lightning appeared, winding down from the clouds in a strange arc, striking Lü Jiǎnán directly on the head.

Lü Jiǎnán seemed to sense something, looked up, and was utterly shocked.

"You... how... how did you—"

For just moments before, Chen Yì, who had been miles away, now stood before him, as if delivered by that lightning.

Chen Yì looked at him, smiling but not smiling, paying no heed to his shock, and lightly waved his spear.

—Fallen Dragon Spear, Leap Dragon Strike!

A clear, crystalline dragon roar echoed in all directions.

Following that, a golden dragon shot from the spear's tip, merging with the lightning in the sky.

At once, a dragon of silver and gold circled twice above Chen Yì's head, then surged straight toward Lü Jiǎnán.

The surging might of the dragon pressed him down with overwhelming force.

Lü Jiǎnán felt the pressure on his body; despite exerting all his strength, he could not move a muscle, his heart filled with cold dread.

He looked at that dragon, his eyes bulging, and growled: "I am the younger brother of the Prince of Lan, a general under the Peacock King's banner! How dare you kill me?!"

Yet such words struck Chen Yì's ears, making his eyes shine even brighter with mirth.

"Ah, the younger brother of the Prince of Lan, now that's even better!"

Before the words had even settled, that golden and silver-lit dragon whistled through Lü Jiǎnán's body.

Then, the dragon's tail turned to gaze at the moon, and emerged from his back as if grown from him.

Then, it exploded in a thunderous burst.

Subsequently, a cascade of golden bullet beams and silver electric flashes burst forth in all directions.

Lu Yu Nine-North’s face froze with terror, his trembling finger pointing at Chen Yì as he spoke in a voice like dying embers:

“Y-you… you… will… die…”

“I’ll wait for you… beneath the Nine Underworlds… wait for you…”

No sooner had his words faded than he slumped sideways, his breath dissipating like a wisp of smoke.

Chen Yì caught his body with a swift motion, turning his head toward the distant figures of Liu Zhang Liang and Liu Tian Ming.

Yet to his surprise, they had not yet drawn their weapons.

Liu Zhang Liang and Liu Tian Ming stood facing each other across the open space, their gazes fixed on this very scene.

Chen Yì let out a hollow laugh, cradling Lu Yu Nine-North in his arms while beckoning toward Liu Zhang Liang with a single hand:

“Since you’re so merciful, let’s retreat for now.”

Liu Zhang Liang blinked, snapped to attention, and sheathed his blade, rushing forward without hesitation.

Liu Tian Ming made no move to stop him, his weathered face a portrait of stunned bewilderment as he stared at Chen Yì.

“This—this is what the pinnacle of martial arts mastery looks like?”

Lu Yu Nine-North, a mere four-tier cultivator, could not even block a single strike. Truly terrifying.

No wonder the world whispered that one’s cultivation depended on diligent study and relentless practice, while martial techniques were judged by innate talent and enlightenment.

For those without exceptional gifts, even toiling until death would rarely grant them entry into the Dao.

Such was the unyielding path of power.

Chen Yì cast him a glance, his eyes drifting toward a distant carriage, a strange glint flickering within them.

He motioned to the arriving Liu Zhang Liang, and together they slipped away through the western city gate into the rain-soaked night.

Liu Zhang Liang suppressed a surge of awe, tilting his head at Chen Yì’s handling of the corpse.

“Boss, why…?”

Chen Yì raised a hand to halt him:

“Though he’s dead, he was still a man. We should give him a proper burial.”

“This…?”

Liu Zhang Liang frowned, muttering something about his sudden kindness.

Chen Yì, catching his words, shot him a sideways glance:

“I haven’t settled accounts with you yet, so don’t take liberties.”

“Unworthy to trouble you, sir.”

After a brief exchange, the two vanished beyond the western city wall, disappearing into the storm.

In the carriage, Liu Tao-Yue stared at the unfolding events, his expression a mixture of shock and dawning realization.

Finally, he turned to Zhao Shi-Chang.

“Lu Yu Nine-North… he’s dead?”

“What now? What are we to do?”

Zhao Shi-Chang’s lips twitched into a bitter smile.

“My lord, I… I don’t know.”

After a pause, he added, his gaze now on the returning Liu Tian Ming:

“The commotion here has already drawn the attention of the city’s inhabitants.”

“My lord, we should return promptly and report to your father.”

Liu Tao-Yue snapped back to awareness, nodding rapidly:

“Yes, yes—we must inform Father immediately.”

Liu Tian Ming spurred his horse, driving the carriage away from Black Fish Alley.

The rain fell in torrents.

The rhythmic clatter of wheels on the muddy path echoed far into the night.

Liu Tao-Yue sat motionless in the carriage, his mind racing with dread.

He could almost imagine Liu Hong’s furious reaction upon hearing the news.

More troubling still, he feared the tale would reach the brothel of the Sui Kingdom, and ultimately reach the ears of Lan Du, the king.

“Lu Yu Nine-North was Lan Du’s younger brother. His death here… it can only mean one thing.”

“It means our patriarch will not be spared.” Zhao Shi-Chang understood the consequences fully, yet could not voice his thoughts.

He had never anticipated such upheaval.

First, Ash Tai had been seized—likely by his own allies.

Then, Lu Yu Nine-Nouth had fallen to murder.

Both shocks had caught him unawares.

“In this dire circumstance, we can only hope your father resolves this matter.”

But Zhao Shi-Chang feared Liu Hong might lack the means to explain things to Lan Du.

A misstep here would shatter the fragile alliance between Liu Hong and Lan Du.

Not long after, a group of riders emerged from the rain-soaked streets of Black Fish Alley.

Leading them was a figure in dark brocade, a golden fish embroidered on his chest, a long blade sheathed at his side.

Beside him rode a man in a red sleeve, and another of striking appearance.

They were the executioner’s office of Shu Zhou Prefecture.

Following them, a motley crowd of wandering warriors rode up, their attires varied and eccentric.

“The power displayed just now was truly earth-shattering. Yet here, in distant Shu Zhou, such strength still exists.”

“Who could they be?”

“Could it be Xiao Jing Hong, the one hailed as ‘the dual master of blades and guns’?”

“Not her.”

“They say she left the prefecture before the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

“Indeed, General Jing Hong is currently constructing a trading post with the mountain clans beyond the city walls.”

“Who is this person?”

“With such skillful gunplay, he must be renowned in these lands.”

“The corpse just now called out a name.”

“Liu Wu?”

“Liu Wu? Who is he?”

“Perhaps a pseudonym…”

While the gathered warriors debated, none could discern his true identity. They followed closely behind, advancing into Black Fish Alley.

Xing Starr adjusted his coarse hemp robe, blending into the crowd without a sound, silently observing his surroundings.

He listened to their words, and a certain unease stirred within his heart.

“Liu Wu?”

“It should be the mysterious gunman who had previously accompanied Liu Rong to Iron Wall Town.”

“But why did he dare to slay Lü Jiān?”

Jiang Xing knew Lü Jiān. He was well aware that the man was the younger brother of Lan Du Wang’s bybirth.

Moreover, he also knew that last night, Liu Rong and Lü Jiān had jointly visited Chun Yu Lou.

These matters had already been reported to him by the staff at Chun Yu Lou long ago.

Yet Jiang Xing could not fathom what motive Liu Wu had to kill Lü Jiān.

“The actions of that Liu Wu earlier seemed to be aiding the Xiao family. This time… perhaps it’s also because of the Xiao family?”

After a moment of contemplation,

Jiang Xing shook his head, denying this notion.

That fat, pampered Lan Du Wang, though not aligned with the Great Wei dynasty, his thoughts at present were still preoccupied with the alliances along the Tea Horse Ancient Road and the Bandit Paths.

Within a short time, Lan Du Wang could never possibly lay a hand on the Great Wei border. There was no reason for him to act against the Xiao family.

“Only now, with Lü Jiān dead and Geo Xiu also gone…”

“The bandits in Shu Zhou can still maintain contact with Lan Du Wang, but going back and forth would inevitably waste some time.”

“Furthermore, Lü Jiān was a brother of the same mother as Lan Du Wang. His death here would likely cause unpredictable upheavals in the Shu Zhou region.”

“Fearing that in anger, Lan Du Wang might disrupt the rules we’ve labored to establish.”

“The Tea Horse Ancient Road, the border between Great Wei and the Padded Soft Country, and… the Barbarian tribes.”

“If Lan Du Wang should ally with the Barbarians as a result, that would be a definite calamity.”

Thinking this, Jiang Xing unconsciously furrowed his brow.

He hadn’t imagined that after so many years cultivating in Shu Zhou, he would reach the moment when the matters entrusted to him by the headman were about to bear fruit, yet here he was, encountering such troubles.

It truly caused him some ire.

At the same time, Jiang Xing was quite clear that Shu Zhou could be in chaos, but it must not be because of the Barbarians.

For if that were the case, the Xiao family would have an opportunity to rise…

Even the ever-calm Jiang Xing, when contemplating the worst-case scenario, found himself quite troubled.

“That Liu Wu dares to spoil the good deeds of my White Tiger Guard—pah!”

Near Jiang Xing’s side, Xiao Jing, clad in blue robes and wearing a bamboo hat, trailed behind the group.

He too had deduced that the mysterious gunman was the one who had previously aided the Xiao family.

Yet he remained unaware of Liu Wu’s strength.

Learning that he was a gunman who had reached the Completion Realm, he couldn’t help but feel a stirring of joy.

Even though he still didn’t know Chen Yi’s identity, he was overjoyed.

“Such a master could come to aid the Xiao family—if the Patriarch were to learn of it, he would surely be pleased.”

Each person in the group harbored their own thoughts. They soon arrived at Hei Yu Alley.

Fang Hongxiong gazed at the corpses scattered about, especially those of the emaciated beggars, and couldn’t help but frown.

These people had all been killed by Liu Wu?

After scanning the area, however, her expression eased slightly.

“These people should have been killed by silver needles. It’s unlikely to be Liu Wu’s doing.”

Fang Hongxiong had both grudges and alliances with Liu Wu, but she also hoped they might cooperate.

She truly didn’t wish for him to be a ruthless and cruel person.

At that moment, the middle-aged man in a black fish-scale robe before her spoke up:

“Fang Baochu, take your people to check if there are any survivors left nearby.”

“Yes, Great Chieftain.”

Fang Hongxiong waved her hand toward the others, signaling several enforcement officers to quickly investigate the surrounding area.

When she reached the distant ruins, her heart leaped with surprise.

“This was the result of Liu Wu’s full force?”

By this point, the resentment she had harbored toward Chen Yi, which had been inflicted upon her earlier, had completely vanished.

Such powerful martial artists, after all, weren’t just toying with them with some poison, but had actually killed them. They must have used some technique.

Thinking this, Fang Hongxiong’s gaze fell upon the distant West City Wall.

“Liu Wu… what exactly are you planning to do?”

“Is it the Padded Soft Country people who have issues, or those barbarian slaves?”

Fang Hongxiong couldn’t know, but she felt that Liu Wu was shrouded in mist, making it impossible to discern his intentions.

While these enforcement officers were investigating the area, Jiang Xing, Xiao Jing, and the other martial artists present also clearly saw the scene.

They all inhaled sharply.

“From a distance, I’d already felt my heart leap at the sight. Now, seeing it with my own eyes—it truly is, it truly is…”

“Terrifying!”

“But it’s also a good thing.”

“Since the great army of barbarians attacked Meng Shu Pass five years ago, causing our veterans in Shu Zhou to perish, we’ve had no notable figures since.”

“Indeed, the appearance of such a Complete Realm gunman should help stabilize the martial world of Shu Zhou.”

“Yes, the stronger the mountain clans, the better. But that fat patriarch barely bothers himself with martial affairs.”

The martial world and courtly affairs are different.

Respect is due to those with profound cultivation and skill.

Without such renowned masters of deep cultivation and technique to instill fear, there would inevitably be ghosts and demons, snakes and beasts.

After listening and observing, Jiang Xing thought for a moment, then quietly slipped away toward the western exit of the city.

He was truly curious about Liu Wu’s identity. Without uncovering it, he couldn’t rest easy.

…

Meanwhile,

After leaving the West City Gate, Chen Yi and Liu Rong took a circuitous route, sneaking in through the northern city gate.

Yet they did not head to the residence on Chuanxi Street, but instead directly infiltrated the place where Liu Zhao Shu and Liu Wenxian had previously lived.

After securing a deserted room,

Chen Yi instructed Liu Rong to guard the entrance.

He then laid Lü Jiunan flat and pulled several silver needles from his body.

Liu Rong glanced at him, his face momentarily frozen in shock.

"Boss—what—what are you doing?"

"Obviously, saving him."

Chen Yi said, directly employing the technique of using qi to repel needles, and drove the silver needles into the acupoints along Lü Jiunan’s body.

"I naturally know, but—why did you kill him and then save him?"

"Killing him was just for show, for everyone to see."

"Saving him, of course, is because..."

(End of chapter)