Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 237: Chapter 139 Demon Tiger, Black Sand Gang Retreats_2

Gu Sheng also pulled out ordinary arrows and began to shoot and kill.

The hunt lasted until dawn before it finally ended.

At this point, many of the farmlands in Gu’s Manor had been destroyed beyond recognition, and some houses had been directly toppled by demon beasts, causing significant losses.

Fortunately, they hunted a considerable number of wild beasts this time, which balanced the losses and made them somewhat acceptable.

After the battle ended, Gu Jingang ordered the Refining Skin Realm martial artists in the clan to clean up the battlefield. He himself led Gu Changming, Gu Dajiang, and Gu Xiaojiang to the discussion hall.

Just having won a bitter victory, despite the damage caused by the wild beasts attacking the manor, they managed to capture a large number of wild beasts. When accounted for, they even reaped some silver taels, making the situation less of a loss.

Even now, the joy on Gu Xiaojiang’s face had not yet faded. This was the first time he had participated in such a battle to protect the village.

From the moment he became a martial artist, he had dreamt of fighting to protect Gu’s Manor. Today, he had finally fulfilled that wish, and his heart swelled with a unique sense of pride. This feeling filled him with unprecedented exhilaration.

Gu Xiaojiang looked at the furrowed brows of the three elder figures—Gu Jingang, Gu Changming, and Gu Dajiang—and was somewhat baffled.

”Father, Uncle Jingang, Uncle Changming, we just won a great victory. Why are you all so worried? To someone looking on, we might as well have lost.”

Their advanced years and experience naturally gave the three of them a much broader perspective than Gu Xiaojiang’s youthful enthusiasm.

What they saw went beyond the immediate victory, and their worries stemmed precisely from that.

Before Gu Xiaojiang could speak again, Gu Dajiang immediately shot him a reproachful glare and scolded, ”What would a child like you understand? An even greater crisis is looming; how could we possibly rejoice?”

Gu Xiaojiang was taken aback and looked puzzled. ”Huh? What crisis?”

Now an official Blood Refining Realm martial artist, Gu Xiaojiang had qualification to participate in such discussions. Moreover, the current head of affairs, Gu Jingang, cared little for formality. After a brief silence, Gu Jingang spoke slowly.

”This demon tiger is far from ordinary. Its roar alone instilled dread in all of us in the Blood Refining Realm. I estimate it’s a demon tiger on par with the Bone Refining Realm!”

Gu Changming nodded solemnly and continued, ”Yes, that’s correct. We don’t know what drove this demon tiger to appear at the outskirts of Cang Mountain. For all we know, it could charge down at any moment. We absolutely must prepare for this possibility.”

Hearing this, Gu Xiaojiang finally grasped the situation. The joy in his heart vanished completely, leaving his eyes filled with sorrow.

”A Bone Refining Realm demon tiger... aren’t we doomed?”

Though the strength of Gu’s Manor had grown considerably over the years, they were still far from able to contend with a Bone Refining Realm demon tiger.

If the demon tiger truly descended from Cang Mountain, they would all surely become its prey.

”Uncle Jingang, perhaps we should ask County Magistrate Liu for help!”

Gu Jingang smiled bitterly at the suggestion.

”The problem lies precisely here. A demon tiger of Bone Refining Realm might be terrifying for us at Gu’s Manor, but for the Black Sand Gang under Zhao Honglie’s command, it would be a valuable treasure! For warriors, the benefits of such a leveled demon tiger—even without refining it into premium pills—are already significant! There are over thirty entry points into Cang Mountain within Canghe County, yet most have already pledged allegiance to the Black Sand Gang. What we face is not just the demon tiger but also Zhao Honglie!”

Gu Changming let out a heavy sigh and said, ”There’s no point in talking more about it. We can only do our best and leave the rest to fate! Start laying more traps around the village—I will try to see if I can send this news into the city.”

Black Sand Gang Headquarters

At this moment, Wang Tiansheng was kneeling before Liu Honglie.

After hearing Wang Tiansheng’s report about the events at Gu’s Manor, Liu Honglie sank into contemplation.

”A marksman who can effortlessly kill a martial artist in iron armor and even dispatch two Blood Refining Realm fighters in little time... How did I not realize that such talent existed in the tiny Gu’s Manor before now?”

Liu Honglie’s gaze turned icy, and murderous intent surged like a tide.

This was already the second time they’d suffered humiliation at Gu’s Manor.

Wang Tiansheng shuddered when he heard these words and quickly spoke, ”Your lordship, I beg your understanding. It’s not that we were cowardly. That archer prodigy aside, the roar of the demon tiger was utterly terrifying—that’s why I withdrew early to report.”

Liu Honglie raised his eyebrows and stared at Wang Tiansheng. ”You retreated completely?”

Thinking quickly, Wang Tiansheng immediately replied, ”Reporting to Gang Leader, I only came personally to deliver the news. As for the others, I stationed them outside Gu’s Manor along the road leading to the county town to intercept anyone trying to bring intelligence to Liu Yuanhu.”

At this, Liu Honglie finally revealed a smile. ”At least you’ve got some brains. You may leave now—send for Niu Zidong.”

Wang Tiansheng exited, and shortly afterward, Niu Zidong hurriedly arrived.

”Gang Leader, you summoned me?”

Niu Zidong was the second strongest member of the Black Sand Gang after Liu Honglie himself. He had reached Blood Refining Realm Perfect and, when fighting at full strength, was considered half a step into the Bone Refining Realm!

Liu Honglie nodded and commanded, ”Immediately assemble twenty elite Blood Refining Realm fighters. Bring several Great Success warriors with heavy armor for all and distribute one Blood Boiling Pill to each. Await my orders!”

Upon hearing this, Niu Zidong was visibly shocked.

This sort of deployment, if set for ambush, could give even a Copper Bone Realm expert a run for their money!

”Gang Leader, has Liu Yuanhu left the city alone?”

Liu Honglie shook his head with a smile. ”Under these circumstances, how could he leave the city so freely?”

Niu Zidong’s expression turned bewildered. ”Then who is this arrangement for?”

In his memory, aside from Liu Yuanhu, there seemed to be no one else formidable enough in Canghe County to warrant such manpower.

Liu Honglie patted Niu Zidong on the shoulder and began offering enticing promises.

”Wang Tiansheng just reported that a Bone Refining Realm demon tiger has appeared in Cang Mountain. A demon tiger at this level—every part of its body is a treasure! If we can acquire its heart’s blood for refinement, imagine, you might even achieve a breakthrough!”

Niu Zidong had been stuck in Blood Refining Realm Perfect for several years. Upon hearing this chance for advancement, he trembled with excitement. However, after considering the potential risks, he cautiously replied.

”Gang Leader, while the warriors you’ve selected are indeed top-tier, if we are to face a Bone Refining Realm demon tiger, it still might be insufficient. Facing such danger head-on may weaken us in our rivalry against Liu Yuanhu.”

His underlying message was clear: ”We still don’t have enough manpower to deal with the demon tiger. You need to send more.”

As an experienced strategist, Niu Zidong—although stirred by the hope for advancement—remained rational and knew that survival was paramount.

Liu Honglie thought for a moment before patting him on the shoulder with a smile. ”Don’t worry. While I won’t be able to accompany you myself, I have a Bone Refining Realm ally currently within Canghe County who will go with you.”

”Enough talk—speed is of the essence. Go prepare!”

Without giving Niu Zidong a chance to reply, Liu Honglie dismissed him outright.

After Niu Zidong departed, Liu Honglie retrieved a thumb-sized, red vial from his pocket.

This was something Qian Jin had left with him upon his departure, claiming it was used for communication.

Liu Honglie, initially skeptical, removed the vial’s stopper. Immediately, an unusual energy dispersed from the bottle.

”Chirp, chirp, chirp...”

Next, a tiny red bird, no larger than a wasp, materialized before him.

The bird demonstrated incredible speed, vanishing into the night within moments.

As Liu Honglie regained his composure, his expression became peculiar. ”What in the world? Is this thing really reliable?”

The night was as still as water, and the stars dotted the high skies. Other than the essential guard posts, most of Black Sand Gang’s forces had followed Zhao Qingcheng to attack Qinghe City, leaving their headquarters relatively tranquil.

Half an hour later, while seated, Zhao Honglie suddenly felt a chill behind him. Looking down, he noticed strange changes in his shadow.

”Lord Qian?”

Zhao Honglie leapt to his feet, gripping his blade tightly.

Qian Jin dissolved his obscuring illusion and stepped forward, his figure bending light until fully visible. Seeing Zhao Honglie ready for battle, he chuckled. ”For someone who leads a gang and commands at Copper Bone Realm, your courage leaves much to be desired. You scare far too easily.”