Immortal Refiner

”Thanks to the Second Young Master’s blessings, my body is still quite sturdy,” Tian Long stepped forward and then signaled Zhao Kou and Wei Tian to carry Li Qing up.

At this moment, Li Qing was tightly bound with layers of hemp rope, so tightly that not a single gap could be seen, resembling a rice dumpling.

Yan Gui’an’s smile grew even brighter. He glanced at Li Qing and then spoke, ”Hurry and untie him. This Brother Li is someone I want. Leader Tian Long, you’re really not being considerate. How could you beat him up like this?”

As soon as these words were spoken, Jing Shu, the martial artist retainer behind the Second Young Master of the Yan Family, also turned his gaze over.

The next step was the most crucial part of the plan. Martial artists who had developed Outer Strength would have significantly sharper senses.

Therefore, while untying Li Qing, Tian Long had to do everything possible to distract Jing Shu, preventing him from observing Li Qing too closely.

Otherwise, if he noticed something unusual about Li Qing’s aura, it would be troublesome.

Both Zhao Kou and Wei Tian had faint beads of cold sweat on their foreheads as they swiftly began to untie the hemp ropes binding Li Qing.

At this moment, Tian Long sneered, ”Heh, Brother Jing Shu, it’s been so long since we last met. I didn’t expect you to still be stuck at the Outer Strength level, just like me.”

Jing Shu coldly retorted, ”Hmph, if it weren’t for the way the world has changed, I would have already stepped into the Inner Strength level.”

Hearing that the other had taken the bait, Tian Long narrowed his eyes and smiled, continuing, ”Hahaha, you’re right about that. Before the Thunderbolt Martial Arts School closed, the old master of the school held you in high regard. What a pity, what a pity.”

At the mention of the Thunderbolt Martial Arts School, Jing Shu’s eyes flickered slightly, as if he had been drawn into a distant memory.

Back then, it had only been a few years since the sun disappeared, and Blackrock City still had some stored food, so life was barely manageable.

It was during that time that he joined the Thunderbolt Martial Arts School. Unfortunately, without the sun, the land could hardly produce any crops, and no matter how much food was stored, it would eventually run out.

If it hadn’t been for the discovery of the Dark Wheat Mushroom later, there might not be any living people left in this world.

As the two of them chatted and reminisced, the layers of hemp rope around Li Qing were gradually loosened, revealing the thick cotton clothes he was wearing.

Yan Gui’an had already begun to try and win Li Qing over with his words, saying, ”Brother Li Qing, during this time, my Yan Family has had quite a bit of cooperation with you. I didn’t expect you to have a conflict with Leader Tian Long. It’s like the flood washing over the Dragon King’s temple, but it doesn’t matter—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Yan Gui’an frowned in confusion.

As the layers of hemp rope were untied, he noticed that on the side of Li Qing’s body, there was a metal rod tucked away, and Li Qing’s hand was tightly gripping it.

”Something’s wrong—”

Whoosh! Li Qing, who had been biding his time for so long, suddenly unleashed his strength. The overwhelming force instantly broke the remaining few loops of hemp rope still binding him.

The metal rod he was gripping was fully revealed—it wasn’t just any rod, but a hammer, a rather large hammer.

The layers of hemp rope that had been wrapped around Li Qing were merely a disguise for his Peerless Hammer.

”Kill!”

Li Qing charged forward like a fierce tiger. Having lain in wait for so long, his aura exploded forth with an unstoppable momentum.

”Bold indeed!”

Seeing this scene, Jing Shu was both shocked and furious. He realized that Li Qing was charging directly at him.

Before he could respond, Tian Long’s lips curled into a sinister grin. Without a word, he drew the large golden-ringed sword from his waist.

Whoosh! The blade flashed and disappeared, slashing straight toward Jing Shu in front.

At the same time, Wei Tian and Zhao Kou, who had untied the hemp rope from Li Qing, also sprang into action. Wei Tian dashed swiftly toward the mansion’s gate, pulling out a fire starter filled with coal dust from his pocket and immediately tossing it high into the air.

Swish! The fire starter tore open and, upon contact with the air, quickly ignited. The bright flame shone strikingly against the pitch-black sky. Tian Long’s trusted followers, hidden in various corners of the street, saw the flame and burst forth at their fastest speed, charging toward the imposing mansion.

”Kill! Slaughter the Yan Family!”

”The Yan Family has committed countless evils. Today, our Righteous Gang will carry out heaven’s will and prepare to wipe out the entire Yan Family.”

”Charge, brothers! Forward!”

In addition to these trusted followers, thirteen ghostly figures leaped over the high walls of the Yan Family’s estate one after another, storming into the mansion.

All of this happened almost simultaneously, with no more than ten breaths in between.

The once peaceful street suddenly became chaotic and noisy as the murderous members of the Righteous Gang surged toward the entrance of the Yan Family’s mansion.

At this moment, inside the Yan Family’s courtyard, the wide mansion gate was opened from within, a task swiftly completed by Wei Tian.

As the gate swung open, the scene inside was revealed.

Jing Shu was caught off guard by Li Qing and Tian Long, both masters of Outer Strength. He barely managed to block Li Qing’s strike with his arm, but his side was successfully ambushed by Tian Long, leaving a massive gash from his right rib to his waist.

Blood sprayed out as if it cost nothing, filling the air with a thick, metallic scent.

”Bold indeed, Tian Long... How dare you...” Jing Shu clutched the wound at his side, struggling to speak. Tian Long’s strike had been too ruthless, clearly intending to leave no chance of survival.

Staggering backward, Jing Shu’s blood continued to spill as his strength rapidly drained away.

However, Li Qing had no intention of dragging this out. Wielding the Peerless Hammer, he expressionlessly struck again with full force.

Bang! This time, Jing Shu still couldn’t dodge and could only hastily block with his arm once more.

But this time, Li Qing’s hammer struck true.

The ancient Xuan hammer technique channeled the surging energy within Li Qing’s body, and the Ink Gold hammerhead shattered Jing Shu’s forearm with unstoppable force.

Jing Shu was sent flying once more, blood splattering in a wide arc, a pitiful sight that left no hope for survival.

Boom! Boom! Inside the Yan Family’s mansion, two other Outer Strength masters finally reacted, charging out from their respective directions.

”Such audacity, daring to cause chaos here!”

”You truly don’t take me, Yan Xu, seriously. Today, both of you will stay here!”

Both of these individuals were martial arts retainers of the Yan Family. Among them, the one named Yan Xu was a trusted confidant who usually stayed by the side of the Yan Family’s patriarch, even going so far as to change his surname to Yan.

Everything happened too quickly. The pampered second young master of the Yan Family, who was accustomed to a life of luxury, was completely terrified, his entire body trembling.

Not only was Jing Shu severely injured and on the brink of death, but behind him, a boy no older than twelve or thirteen was holding a dagger firmly against his throat. The boy’s eyes were as fierce as a wolf’s, leaving no doubt that he was willing to slit the second young master’s throat.

”How could this happen... how could this happen...” Yan Gui’an repeated in a trembling voice.

(End of the Chapter)

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