chsdbacks Chapter 37 Zhang Lingyu and Xia He
Chapter 37 Zhang Lingyu and Xia He
The wind from the back mountain carried the stench of blood and the sweet, metallic scent of grass and trees, causing Zhang Yulei's coarse Taoist robe to flutter loudly. His footsteps pounded on the bluestone slabs, swift as thunder yet utterly silent. The scabbard of his black sword trembled slightly in the wind, emitting a soft hum, and the golden arcs of lightning remaining on the blade, like dormant lightning, faintly gleamed with a chilling light.
The residual power from Zhang Yulei's earlier slaying of Xue Fan at Qingshiping had not yet dissipated. His Qi energy still formed an invisible net, completely enveloping the surrounding area within a hundred feet. Those Quanxing demons hiding deep in the bamboo forest, attempting to escape, trembled in fear whenever their Qi energy swept over them, not daring to even breathe loudly.
His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, swept across the winding mountain road ahead, yet the heaviness in his heart grew ever stronger.
Just now, a familiar Qi suddenly erupted from the depths of the back mountain.
That Qi was powerful and upright, carrying the majesty of a prestigious family—it was none other than the patriarch of the Lu family, Lu Jin.
Zhang Yulei had met Lu Jin a few times in his early years. He was a man of fierce temperament, and his mastery of the Heavenly Talisman was unparalleled, making him one of the top experts in the world of supernatural beings. However, the burst of energy he had just unleashed was mixed with an almost manic killing intent, which was surging and violent, completely unlike Lu Jin's usual composure.
In Zhang Yulei's mind, those vague fragments of the plot instantly became crystal clear.
The Four Madmen of Quanxing!
And there's that weapon refiner Wan Tao, and his not-so-bright apprentice Han Dan!
They must have joined forces to attack Lu Jin, and even dragged in that eccentric junior apprentice—Zhang Lingyu.
The Four Madmen, each possessing bizarre and unique skills, can manipulate people's minds and distort their sanity. Xia He's Bone-Scraping Knife can arouse people's most primal desires; Lei Yanpao Gao Ning's Twelve Labors of Passion can disrupt people's minds; Dou Mei's Intestine-Piercing Poison can soothe and weaken people; and the Root of Calamity Shen Chong's skill is loan sharking, allowing him to sign contracts with others, the more people the contractor kills, the more he receives in return. Add to that Wan Tao's vicious Nine Dragon Sons magic weapon, and even Lu Jin would find it difficult to withstand their combined attacks.
At this moment, Lu Jin was probably already driven to the brink of madness by the four madmen and was almost driven to demonic possession.
Zhang Yulei's brows furrowed even more deeply. His pace quickened even further. The Qi energy around him surged wildly like a raging river. The vegetation on both sides of the mountain path was uprooted by his Qi energy, and the falling leaves that danced in the air were burned to ashes by the lightning power surrounding him before they even hit the ground.
After turning a bend in the mountain pass, two figures stood facing each other in the open space ahead.
Zhang Yulei paused slightly in his steps.
On the open ground stood a young Taoist priest in a white robe, his face flushed, fists clenched, his qi surging erratically, his eyes filled with struggle and shame. This man was Zhang Lingyu, the tenth disciple of the Celestial Master.
Standing opposite him was a woman dressed in red. She was alluring and captivating, with a mesmerizing charm in her eyes and brows. Her long pink hair cascaded casually over her shoulders, and a half-smile played at the corners of her lips. She toyed with a strand of hair in her hand, her gaze languidly fixed on Zhang Lingyu, her eyes carrying a hint of mockery, a touch of provocation, and a subtle, complex emotion.
This person is none other than Xia He, one of the Four Madmen of Quanxing, known as the Bone-Scraping Knife.
Zhang Yulei's eyes instantly turned icy cold.
Xia He's bone-scraping knife is the most sinister. This technique is not a weapon, but a kind of Qi cultivation that can arouse people's inner desires. Once touched by her Qi, even the most resolute person will be devoured by the desires deep within their heart, becoming insane and out of control. Zhang Lingyu's personality was already awkward, and years ago, Xia He took his virginity from him. The entanglement between the two was already difficult to explain.
At this moment, Zhang Lingyu was clearly agitated by Xia He's bone-scraping knife. His face flushed red and then turned pale, and his Qi energy fluctuated in strength, as he tried his best to suppress the restlessness in his heart.
"Zhang Lingyu, you've been hiding from me for so long, but you couldn't escape me after all." Xia He's voice was soft and alluring, like a lover's whisper. "Do you really still can't let go of what happened back then?"
Zhang Lingyu abruptly raised her head, her eyes filled with shame and indignation: "Xia He! Don't spout nonsense! My relationship with you is completely severed! Today, you followed the Quanxing demons to invade my Longhu Mountain, making you an enemy of Longhu Mountain!"
"An enemy?" Xia He chuckled lightly, taking a step forward, her Qi surging slightly. A faint pink mist emanated from her, drifting towards Zhang Lingyu. "Lingyu, look me in the eyes and say it again, do you really consider me an enemy?"
Wherever the pink mist passed, the air seemed to become sweet and cloying. Zhang Lingyu's eyes instantly became somewhat glazed. He clenched his teeth tightly, veins bulging on his forehead, clearly enduring immense pain. His hands were clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, drawing blood.
"I...I..." Zhang Lingyu's voice trembled slightly, and she couldn't utter a complete sentence.
Seeing his expression, Xia He's smile deepened. She slowly raised her hand, wanting to stroke Zhang Lingyu's cheek.
Just then—
A sharp, piercing sound suddenly rang out.
A powerful surge of lightning, like a whirlwind, swept over the two of them.
Immediately afterwards, a hoarse and deep voice, like a thunderclap, exploded in Zhang Lingyu's ears:
"Lingyu, watch your step, your master will be here soon."
The voice, though not loud, carried an undeniable authority. The thunderous power contained within it was like a sudden awakening, instantly dispersing the pink mist surrounding Zhang Lingyu without a trace.
Zhang Lingyu shuddered, his eyes instantly regaining their clarity. He abruptly raised his head and looked in the direction from which the sound came.
A figure dressed in a coarse Taoist robe flashed past his head like a black lightning bolt. The figure had white hair and beard, and his robe was stained with dark red blood. He held a black sword in his hand, the golden arcs of lightning on the blade flashing with a chilling light in the sunlight.
The figure moved with lightning speed, disappearing in a flash before his eyes before speeding away into the depths of the back mountain.
But the moment Zhang Lingyu saw that figure, her pupils suddenly contracted, and an expression of disbelief appeared on her face.
His mouth opened slightly, and after a long while, he uttered two words in a trembling voice:
"Uncle-Master!"
The voice carried a hint of shock, a hint of doubt, and a barely perceptible sense of awe.
Uncle-Master?
Uncle-Master Zhang Yulei?
The legendary master who became famous in the battle of Blood Moon Valley, but accidentally killed his comrade due to loss of control, and then went into seclusion on Tranquil Cliff for decades, never descending the mountain.
How did he end up here?
Why did he suddenly come down the mountain?
A storm raged through Zhang Lingyu's mind. He watched the departing figure, his doubts surging like a tidal wave.
The smile on Xia He's face, who was standing opposite him, froze instantly.
She suddenly raised her head, staring at the departing figure, her eyes filled with vigilance and apprehension.
In the instant that figure flashed past, she clearly felt a terrifying power of lightning. That power was extremely yang and strong, domineering and unparalleled, causing even the Qi within her body to tremble slightly.
This power is something that no ordinary person could possess!
Who is this person?
When did Longhu Mountain come to have such a hidden master?
Xia He frowned deeply. Looking at Zhang Lingyu's shocked expression, her doubts deepened.
"Ling Yu, who is he?" Xia He's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible solemnity.
Zhang Lingyu snapped back to his senses, turned to look at Xia He, and the shame and anger in his eyes were instantly replaced by a cold killing intent. He gripped the whisk in his hand tightly, and the Qi around his body surged like a tide.
"Xia He! Let's call it a day! I advise you to leave Longhu Mountain immediately! Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Zhang Lingyu's voice was icy and chilling. His uncle's reminder had instantly snapped him back to reality. His master was about to arrive, and if he were to see him entangled with Xia He, he would surely be severely punished.
More importantly, the appearance of his martial uncle instantly boosted his confidence.
With my uncle here, even if the four Zhang Kuangs joined forces, they would be no match for him!
Xia He looked at Zhang Lingyu's cold expression, then glanced towards the depths of the back mountain, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes.
The strength of that figure just now was terrifying. She had a vague premonition that Dragon Tiger Mountain was about to undergo a major upheaval.
The plan for the four madmen to besiege Lu Jin is probably going to fail.
However, what does that have to do with her? Her purpose in coming here was not to see Lu Jin; her purpose was to see Zhang Lingyu.
Xia He bit her lip, gave Zhang Lingyu a deep look, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes. She didn't say anything more, and with a flicker of her figure, she sped off like a ghost towards the depths of the back mountain in the opposite direction.
Zhang Lingyu was left alone, standing in the open space, watching the two departing figures, her heart filled with turmoil that lingered for a long time.
Deep in the back mountains, the sounds of fighting, roars, and the crisp clash of magical artifacts grew increasingly clear.
Lu Jin's Qi became increasingly violent, and his frenzied killing intent almost pierced the sky.
Zhang Yulei's figure shot off like an arrow towards the chaotic battlefield.
The scabbard of his black sword was slightly loosened.
Golden arcs of lightning leaped and flickered on the blade, emitting a sickening crackling sound.
A sword's cry, like the roar of a dragon, faintly echoed in the wind.