Lu Xuan's realm had reached Blood Refining Realm Perfection, with his entire body surpassing the power of ordinary men.
His martial arts blood was surging like an unstoppable ocean.
Yet in this small Qingyun County, he encountered an aura that made even Lu Xuan uneasy.
It was unavoidable that the developing Lu Xuan felt a twitch in his eyelid, his heart sounding alarms.
It seems there's a need to resolve this immediately; dragging it on, Lu Xuan worried about unexpected changes.
...….
The Lu Family's backyard.
Lu Xuan followed the family servant to the backyard and pushed open the door.
As the door swung open, Lu Xuan immediately caught a thin scent of blood in the air, originating from the central room of the backyard.
That room's door was ajar, with vague figures standing at the entrance.
Lu Xuan furrowed his brow, then walked towards that place without hesitation.
Upon stepping inside, the first thing Lu Xuan saw were familiar faces.
His father, Lu Jiahe, and next to him were two young men.
These two were Lu Xuan's brothers, to be exact, his half-brothers.
Their attention was directed at a temporary wide wooden bed in front.
Several men lay across it, tied tightly with ropes.
Even bound, those men had terrifying expressions, continuously struggling.
"Father."
A gentle greeting echoed in the room, rousing Lu Jiahe and the others, who turned to look at Lu Xuan's position.
"Xuan, you're here."
Lu Jiahe, wearing a gray-white robe, showed visible wrinkles on his face, a silver beard on his chin, looking dejected.
This incident had evidently placed great pressure on this seasoned man.
Upon seeing Lu Xuan, Lu Jiahe's worried expression slowly relaxed.
"Brother."
The two young men beside Lu Jiahe greeted Lu Xuan, their tone carrying a hint of respect.
Lu Xuan glanced at his two brothers and nodded briefly.
Then he looked at the people on the wooden bed and slowly spoke.
"Father, is there any way?"
Faced with Lu Xuan's question, Lu Jiahe fell into thought, then shook his head.
"Alas, Xuan, the symptoms these people show seem beyond human capability."
"Father, are you saying they encountered that kind of thing?"
The "thing" Lu Xuan spoke of was known to everyone present.
Especially Lu Xuan's two brothers, who felt a chilling fear with wide eyes.
Lu Jiahe nodded helplessly; his years in medicine had revealed this result.
Otherwise, how could these people ignore their senses, acting like madmen?
They hadn't eaten in three crazed days, yet remained energetic.
Lu Jiahe knew they hadn't trained in martial arts, just ordinary people.
Normally, such madness and starvation would have killed them days ago.
"Father, in my opinion, let the county authorities handle it."
Lu Xuan showed calm, turning to speak with Lu Jiahe.
"Yun Feng he..."
"Ah, blame me for failing to watch over Yun Feng; how do I account to Jiaqing?"
Lu Yunfeng was Lu Jiahe's nephew, the son of Lu Jiaqing, Lu Jiahe's brother.
He was one of those who had these problems.
"Feng, my Feng!"
At this time, a man and a woman appeared outside the door.
The slightly frail woman trembled as she rushed forward to the wooden bed.
Without any aversion, she hugged the bloodied person tightly, sobbing and murmuring.
"Master, what happened to Feng? Didn't you say he was just unwell?"
"How did this happen, who did it?"
Lu Jiahe, hearing these words, couldn't answer, full of self-blame.
Lu Yunfeng's parents were summoned for one last visit by Lu Jiahe.
"Brother, how did Yun Feng end up like this?"
The silent man outside finally spoke, his tone complex, as he approached Lu Jiahe.
"Jiaqing, blame me for failing to watch Yun Feng, leading to this event."
"Brother, is there any hope for Yun Feng?"
The man's tone carried hope, staring intently at Lu Jiahe.
Seeing Lu Jiahe's silent expression, the light gradually faded from his eyes, his face pale and weak.
For his brother was the county's top medic; if he couldn't save him, then Lu Yunfeng was beyond help.
Crunch!
A wooden board cracked, the men lying on it tensed, straining against the ropes.
Their bodies pressed deeply into the ropes, causing blood to stain them red.
Next moment, the taut ropes couldn't hold, snapping apart.
"Watch out!"
Everyone noticed this change, eyes on the grieving woman over Lu Yunfeng.
Especially Lu Jiaqing, who rushed to pull his wife away.
As Lu Yunfeng twisted his arms toward his mother.
Swish!
A strong gust blew, resonating loudly.
Suddenly, a tall, imposing figure stood at the front of the wooden bed.
A pair of powerful hands swung out.
One hand pressed Lu Yunfeng's head down, the other pushed Lu Yunfeng's mother back.
Until Lu Jiaqing swiftly came forward, supporting his wife.
Only then did everyone realize it was Lu Xuan who acted.
Lu Xuan's hand pressed Lu Yunfeng like a helpless chick, keeping him moving on the ground.
"So cold, and no heartbeat?"
A chill seeped into Lu Xuan as he held Lu Yunfeng's head.
With proximity, Lu Xuan could hear anyone's heartbeat clearly.
But beside him, no one had a beating heart.
Can the dead still move?