Chương 92: The Black Dragon Horses

Lingjiang Commandery, The Chen Family Manor. Seeing Chen Shubao shielding his son's escape, how could Liu Shuwen and the others allow it? They understood the principle of 'cutting the weeds and digging up the roots' perfectly well and hurriedly stepped forward to block them!

"Neither of you father and son are getting away!"

"Whoever blocks me, dies!" Chen Shubao burned his life essence! His hair and beard stood on end like a demon god, and his cultivation power multiplied explosively! With a single punch that felt like it could shatter mountains and rivers, Liu Shuwen, who bore the brunt of it, instantly coughed up blood and flew backward, several of his ribs broken! But Chen Shubao wasn't having an easy time either.

He hadn't run a few steps before Du Ruhui stuck to him like a shadow and delivered a solid palm strike to his back, sending him flying dozens of meters away! Ignoring the pain, he immediately scrambled up to escort Chen Zihao. The East City Gate was just ahead! As long as they passed this hurdle, his son had a chance to escape to Yangnan Prefecture!

"You cannot escape!" Just then, lights suddenly flared to life on the city walls! A squad of archers waiting in ambush drew their bows, ready to fire. Huang Ze, arriving from behind, shouted smugly:"Knowing you might try to run, I already had men waiting! Chen Shubao, surrender obediently!" Seeing tigers pursuing them from behind and wolves blocking their path ahead, a sense of despair filled the hearts of the Chen father and son. Unwilling to accept his fate, Chen Shubao roared at the sky!

In that moment, all the pent-up resentment and hatred in his heart coalesced. A flash of inspiration struck his mind, and suddenly, he felt as if a barrier had been shattered! In his fury, he unleashed a punch toward the city gate to vent his power! The fist he threw was wreathed in radiant light! Like the colossal, majestic shadow of a mountain, it swept toward the city gate with irresistible, destructive force! BOOM! BOOM! RUMBLE...

The city gate, over ten zhang tall, instantly crumbled and collapsed, leaving only a chaotic, hazy cloud of dust and debris! The soldiers on the wall were buried in the rubble; not even one in ten survived!

"Father! You broke through!" Seeing his father's True Qi manifest outside his body, Chen Zihao's spirit was greatly shaken, his eyes brimming with the joy of hope! Bleurgh! A mouthful of blood spewed from Chen Shubao, drenching his son. He hurriedly roared:"Zihao! Run! Quickly!" Gritting his teeth, Chen Zihao didn't dare say more. He swiftly engaged his movement technique and dashed out through the ruined city gate. Right at that moment, an intense alarm blared in his heart!

He hastily ducked to dodge, but it was too late! A palm strike sent him flying dozens of meters away! Sleeve Encompassing the Cosmos—Deceiving the Heavens to Cross the Sea!

"Du Ruhui! To strike out against a junior! Have you no shame?!" This move was far too stealthy! The palm force was silent and traceless, launched at an unknown time, making it impossible for Chen Shubao to defend against. By the time he noticed, it was too late! He frantically wanted to rush over to check on his son but was immediately entangled by Du Ruhui! In the distance, Chen Zihao coughed up a mouthful of blood and stood up, clutching his chest.

He secretly counted his blessings; if he hadn't been wearing his family's inherited protective armor at all times, he would have lost his life today! Taking one last look at his father, he suppressed the pain and fled for his life without looking back! Seeing this from afar, Chen Shubao was overjoyed! As if injected with a surge of newfound strength, he laughed loudly and engaged the other men in a desperate, life-and-death struggle! Standing in the breach of the destroyed city wall, he blocked the path!

The other three couldn't break through his defense in the short term!... A long while later. A disheveled Du Ruhui, along with the injured Huang Ze and Liu Shuwen, stood at the city gate with dark expressions. Lying at their feet was Chen Shubao. By now, the corpse of the Chen Family Patriarch was mangled beyond recognition; he could only be identified by the clothes he wore.

The battlefield looked as if it had been struck by an earthquake—houses and stone pavements had all been plowed over, the scene looking incredibly tragic! The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

"The Chen Family's Five Qi Toward the Origin Formula truly possesses peerless power! If it were a fair fight, even I might not necessarily be able to defeat him!" Looking at the blood on his hands, Du Ruhui couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

"Gang Master Du, that kid escaped. Should we pursue him?" Liu Shuwen had a deep impression of the fierce battle just now. The thought of the Chen Family orphan returning for revenge later sent a chill down his spine, and he hurriedly asked.

"Isn't catching people the Pacification Office's job? That kid took a palm strike from me; he will undoubtedly die within three days. If you're not at ease, you can go search for him yourselves." Du Ruhui was extremely confident in his martial arts. That palm strike was insidious and ruthless; anyone struck by it would have their internal organs shattered by multiple layers of hidden force! Wearing armor wouldn't save them! Therefore, in his eyes, that kid was dead for sure!

"Now it's time for us to settle the accounts. Aside from the five-tenths of the wealth we agreed upon, the Chen Family's Five Qi Toward the Origin Formula and Five Elements World-Suppressing Fist all belong to me!"

"Gang Master Du, didn't you say you only wanted the wealth?!"

"Hmph! I've changed my mind! Do you have a problem with that?" Things were different now! Having witnessed the power of those two secret manuals firsthand, how could Old Du dare ignore them?! Naturally, he didn't want anyone else in the city mastering these techniques and threatening his position!

"Gang Master Du, could we at least make a copy?" Liu Shuwen asked unwillingly.

"Hehe... hehehe!" Meeting Old Du's sinister gaze and thinking of the Chen Family's fate, Old Liu wiped away his cold sweat, laughed dryly, and immediately extinguished that thought. Thinking of the wealth accumulated by a centuries-old noble family, the group perked up and headed back. They paid no attention to a giant eagle circling high in the sky, witnessing everything that unfolded tonight.... Standing on the roof, gazing thoughtfully at the distant fires for a long time, Song Que finally sighed.

He called out to Xiong Ba, and the two jumped down, returned to their room, blew out the lamp, and continued resting. Lying in bed with his eyes closed, the fragmented images transmitted back by 'Lightning' constantly played in his mind. It took a long time for his emotions to settle. In this world, strength is ultimately the most important thing! Without it, laws, reputation... it's all just an illusion!...

After tossing and turning all night, Song Que still woke up on time the next morning to prepare the carriage for the journey back to Qinghe. Just as the two finished breakfast and were about to depart, someone came looking for them. Knock... knock... knock. It was Yun Xi's group! Seeing the visitors through his Domain, Song Que was slightly surprised and signaled Xiong Ba to open the door. Standing outside waiting were Yun Xi, Elder Kong, and the others.

Seeing Xiong Ba's bear-like physique, they were slightly startled. Qing Zhu, standing to the side, couldn't hold back a laugh:"Pfft... hehe! Startled you, didn't he, Young Miss? Giggle... Good morning, Xiong Ba!"

"Hehe, good morning, Miss Qing Zhu. The Young Master is inside. Please come in." Evaluating the person in front of her suspiciously for a moment, Yun Xi finally lifted her skirt and walked in, not forgetting to shoot a glare at Qing Zhu, who was covering her mouth and snickering.

"Miss Yun Xi, Elder Kong, Miss Qing Zhu. Good morning. What wind brings you all here?"

"Isn't Young Master Song departing today? We came to see you off," Yun Xi replied with a smile.

"Miss Yun is too polite. I still haven't finished repaying your past favors; how could I dare trouble you further?"

"Young Master Song is too polite. Your journey back won't be entirely safe. My visit today is also to provide you with some convenience." Yun Xi smiled and pulled a token from her robes. The front was engraved with the character 'Yun' (Cloud), and the back bore the image of a nine-story pagoda—the symbol of the Sea of Clouds Pavilion. She handed it to Song Que.

"This is the token of the Yun Family Merchant Guild. Young Master Song can present this if you encounter bandits on the road. As long as you pay the toll, they will not make things difficult for you." Accepting the token, Song Que was overjoyed:"This is exactly what I needed! Thank you, Miss Yun!"

"Giggle... Young Master Song, that's not all! My Young Miss also has a gift for you!" Qing Zhu reported with a charming smile.

"I dare not accept! I already owe Miss Yun too many favors; how could I dare accept a gift?!" Grandee Song actually blushed this time, feeling he had no face to accept it. Although he knew the other party was intentionally trying to befriend him, owing such massive favors to a beautiful woman made him feel awkward.

"I sincerely wish to befriend you, Young Master Song. Do you not wish to be friends with me?" Yun Xi blinked her eyes and asked pitifully. Song Que inwardly cried out in agony. It's early in the morning, and 'he' is still excited! He hurriedly agreed:"I'll accept it, alright?! Miss Yun doesn't need to act like this!"

"Giggle... that's more like it!" Yun Xi blinked mischievously and smiled proudly. Only then did she turn and call out:"Bring them in!" Waiting outside the door, servants led in two exceptionally tall and magnificent steeds! Their coats were as black as ink, and the hair on their bellies curled like fish scales! One was completely pitch-black, while the other had a few tufts of striking white hair near its four hooves.

"These are Black Dragon Horses, a rare breed unique to the Heavenly Wolf Kingdom! They possess immense strength, comparable to giant bears! Fine steeds for a hero! Today, I present them to you, Young Master Song! I wish you a grand and prosperous journey on your martial path, soaring ever higher like a kite catching the wind!" The moment Song Que laid eyes on the two magnificent steeds, he couldn't look away! What man doesn't love a fine horse?

What man doesn't dream of roaming the martial world with a long sword and a lone steed?! He didn't put on airs. He laughed heartily and said solemnly:"I absolutely love this gift! Thank you for all your help, Miss Yun! This junior will never forget your kindness!"

"As long as Young Master Song likes them! They don't have names yet. Why don't you name them now, Young Master?" Yun Xi was extremely satisfied with Song Que's attitude and smiled.

"Let the black one be called 'Wu Zhui' (The legendary steed that pierces the night), and the one with white hooves be called 'Wu Yun Da Xue' (Dark Cloud Treading on Snow)! I will definitely cherish them!"

"Young Master Song has excellent literary talent!" Hearing the names he chose, Yun Xi's eyes lit up; they were names filled with poetic imagery!

"Miss Yun praises me too highly." Song Que laughed dryly and scratched his head. He then took the opportunity to ask:"What happened in the city last night? I wonder how much Miss Yun knows about it, and if you could perhaps enlighten me?"