"Why aren't you moving? Do you all plan to rebel against me?"The white-robed man roared furiously when he saw that none of his dozen subordinates dared to move.
Still, no one responded.
With a swing of his sword—
Swish!
A spray of blood splattered through the air.
A man's head flew from his shoulders.
The white-robed man bellowed, "I'll see who still dares to defy my orders! Anyone who disobeys—dies!"
The others were pale with terror.
"Kill!"
Gritting their teeth, the remaining men finally drew their blades and charged toward Su Wuchen.
"Shadow-Overlapping Phantom Sword!"
Su Wuchen unleashed his technique and dashed straight into the oncoming crowd.
His figure flickered like lightning, weaving through the men as swordlight flashed in all directions.
One step, one kill.
Each strike—another head rolled.
He cut through them mercilessly, like a ghostly reaper in the night.
Screams echoed through the forest.
The quiet woods turned into a hellish symphony of agony and death, the air thick with the scent of blood.
Moments later, the forest floor was littered with corpses; blood ran like a crimson river.
Of the dozen men who had stood before their leader, barely two remained alive.
The white-robed man's face twisted with fear as he looked at Su Wuchen, who now stood drenched in blood, his eyes blazing with killing intent.
When Su Wuchen charged at him again, the man panicked and shoved his two remaining followers forward as shields.
Su Wuchen's sword cleaved down in a flash—
Thump!Thump!
Two heads flew simultaneously through the air.
The last of the Zhang family's men were dead.
When Su Wuchen looked again, the white-robed man had already fled—vanished into the forest.
But Su Wuchen did not pursue.
He glanced over the corpses around him. He wanted to devour their life essence, but feared that if Yang Ruoxue suddenly awoke and saw it, she would be frightened.
Besides, the Chaotic Overlord Body Technique was far too heaven-defying.He couldn't afford to expose it yet.
So he restrained himself, though he did collect every spatial ring from the fallen men.
As expected—
Moments after he was done, Yang Ruoxue slowly opened her eyes, her expression dazed.
"Miss Yang, you're awake," Su Wuchen said calmly.
Yang Ruoxue nodded lightly and stood up.But when she saw the carnage around her, her pupils contracted sharply.She hadn't expected that all of Zhang family's men were dead—every last one of them!
She turned to Su Wuchen, unable to believe it."Su Gongzi, did… did you kill them all?"
"Yes." Su Wuchen's voice was quiet, indifferent.
Yang Ruoxue's face filled with shock.
Just then, her gaze fell upon a familiar corpse lying nearby—Zhang Heng!
She froze.Zhang Heng too… had been slain by Su Wuchen.
"Cough… cough…"
A weak sound came from behind.To her astonishment, Qin Long slowly opened his eyes.
"Uncle Qin, you're alive!" Yang Ruoxue cried in delight, rushing to help him up.
Qin Long coughed twice, then looked at her weakly. "Miss… am I still alive?"
"You are! You're alive, Uncle Qin—you're alive!" Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Qin Long had been assigned to protect her since she was a child.He'd watched her grow up; to her, he was family—more than just a retainer.
Seeing him alive, her heart overflowed with joy and relief.
"How… how are all of the Zhang family's men dead?"
"It was… Su Gongzi who killed them," Yang Ruoxue replied softly.
Qin Long was stunned.When his eyes fell upon Zhang Heng's corpse and then to Su Wuchen standing a few paces away, he said in disbelief,"Young friend Wuchen, to think you killed all of Zhang family's men!"
Su Wuchen replied evenly, "Not all—one escaped."
Qin Long bowed deeply."Young friend Wuchen, thank you for protecting my lady and not abandoning her. Qin Long is deeply grateful."
Su Wuchen waved his hand slightly."No need for thanks. I took your spirit stones, and I always fulfill what I'm paid for."
Qin Long was taken aback, then smiled faintly.Though Su Wuchen was young, he was a man of his word.That alone earned his respect.
But just then, Qin Long coughed violently again—spitting up a mouthful of blood.His injuries were clearly still severe.
Su Wuchen stepped forward and handed him a pill."You're badly wounded. Take this—it'll help restore your strength."
It was a third-grade Blood Replenishing Pill, capable of swiftly healing internal injuries and replenishing lost vitality.
"Thank you."
Without hesitation, Qin Long swallowed the pill and sat cross-legged to meditate, channeling his energy to absorb its power.
Half an hour later, he opened his eyes again, color returning to his face.
"Young friend Wuchen," he said, "my injuries have mostly healed—about eighty percent. Thank you for the pill."
Su Wuchen nodded slightly, then turned to Yang Ruoxue."Miss Yang, shall we continue searching for the spirit herb?"
"Yes."Yang Ruoxue's expression was firm. "Su Gongzi, could you… continue to accompany me?"
"Of course," Su Wuchen said. "I took your spirit stones. My task is to protect you until we find the herb and safely leave the mountains. Only then is my mission complete."
"Thank you!"
Her eyes softened.For some reason, when she looked at him now, her heart stirred with an emotion she couldn't quite name.
Then she turned to Qin Long."Uncle Qin, you're still injured. It's not wise for you to go further. You should return first."
Qin Long hesitated."Miss, I can't leave your side. The Patriarch ordered me to—"
"Uncle Qin," she interrupted gently, "listen to me. Su Gongzi just said one man escaped. Once he returns to the Zhang family, he'll tell them that Zhang Heng was slain. I fear they'll send more men into the mountains to intercept us. You must return to our clan and inform my Second Uncle—have him bring reinforcements to meet us."
Qin Long thought it over and nodded. "You're right. I'll return and report to the Yang family at once."
Yang Ruoxue nodded.
After they reached an understanding, Qin Long looked to Su Wuchen once more."Young friend Wuchen, I entrust my lady to your care."
"You have my word," Su Wuchen said.
Qin Long gave a grateful nod, then turned to Yang Ruoxue."Miss, be careful on the road. I'll go ahead."
"Alright," Yang Ruoxue replied.
With that, Qin Long departed swiftly through the trees.
Once he was gone, Yang Ruoxue turned to Su Wuchen."Su Gongzi, to tell you the truth—my father is gravely ill. Only a fourth-grade spirit herb called the Scarlet Blood Thorn Flower can cure him. No matter what, I must find it. I have a map showing where it grows within the Tianyou Mountains, along with a safe route that avoids most beasts."
Su Wuchen nodded. "Good. Then let's set out."
"Alright!"
And so, the two left the blood-soaked forest, following the route marked on the map toward where the Scarlet Blood Thorn Flower was said to grow.
———
By following the safe path indicated on the map, they managed to avoid most of the dangerous beasts—though it meant taking a much longer route.
A day passed.
By the next morning, though weary, Yang Ruoxue remained unharmed under Su Wuchen's protection.
But then, two massive beasts suddenly appeared ahead, blocking their path.
"Golden-Horned Black-Tigers!"
Su Wuchen's eyes lit up in surprise.
Before them stood the very creatures he'd been seeking—one at the Third Rank, Third Heaven, and the other at the Third Rank, Fourth Heaven.
The twin tigers glared at them with bloodthirsty eyes and charged with a thunderous roar.
"At last—I can complete my mission," Su Wuchen thought with satisfaction.
In a flash, he unleashed the Shadow-Overlapping Phantom Sword.
Swish!Swish!
His speed was blinding.
Before the tigers could react, both were already slain cleanly by his sword.
He stored their corpses in his spatial ring.With these, his sect mission would be perfectly complete.
"Miss Yang, let's continue," Su Wuchen said.
"Alright."Yang Ruoxue nodded softly.
With him beside her, she felt completely safe.
They pressed onward until they entered a narrow gorge—and there, at last, they found the Scarlet Blood Thorn Flower.
Beneath a towering tree, several stalks of red-stemmed, red-leaved blossoms glowed faintly with spiritual light.
"The stems and leaves are crimson—it really is the Scarlet Blood Thorn Flower!"Yang Ruoxue's face lit up with joy."With these, my father's illness can be cured!"
But her joy froze as her gaze shifted slightly.
Beside the flowers lay a massive beast—four meters tall, its fur deep red with streaks of white running across its body. Its eyes burned scarlet like molten flame, and its face resembled that of a lion.
"A Third Rank, Sixth Heaven beast—White-Striped Blood Lion!"
Yang Ruoxue's face turned pale with shock.
----------------------------
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