Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 278: Chapter 160: First Harden the Will, Then Tire the Body

Mo Chen and his hundred-strong Red Cloud Guard had been busy assisting Liu Yuanhu in cleaning up the aftermath. After days of recuperation, Liu Yuanhu’s injuries had mostly healed. Witnessing the increasingly stable situation, Liu Yuanhu decided to host a banquet to express his gratitude to Mo Chen and the Red Cloud Guard.

At this moment, the group was drinking and feasting extravagantly in the County Magistrate’s mansion. Liu Yuanhu and Mo Chen sat together, raising their cups and exchanging laughter and conversation.

Suddenly, a piercing alarm reverberated throughout Canghe County’s city. The originally lively magistrate’s mansion instantly fell silent. Mo Chen and Liu Yuanhu shot up from their chairs, their expressions turning grim as they looked toward the direction of the city walls.

”Such immense pressure!”

Liu Yuanhu and the others were merely at the Copper Bone Realm. Upon sensing the terrifying aura of the five-colored bird, shock filled their hearts, and their faces grew exceptionally grave.

”Brother Mo, please accompany me to check the situation!”

Mo Chen’s expression was serious. After a brief silence, he immediately commanded, ”Red Cloud Guard, fall into formation and prepare for battle!”

This time, the Red Cloud Guard had been dispatched by the Governor Mansion to assist Liu Yuanhu in stabilizing the situation. If the city were to be lost, they would face severe punishment upon their return. Though Mo Chen felt trepidation deep down, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and accompany Liu Yuanhu.

When Liu Yuanhu and Mo Chen arrived, the city’s defending army, under Zhang Guangqun’s directives, had already entered emergency defensive positions. Three heavy crossbows had been set up atop the city walls.

These crossbows were military-grade weapons; a single arrow was comparable to a long lance. If fired and hit its mark, even someone at the Copper Bone Realm could be killed instantly.

These three crossbows had been purchased at considerable expense by Liu Yuanhu, who had roped in Mo Chen to help him acquire them from the Red Cloud Guard’s warehouse. Initially, they were meant as precautionary measures in case groups like the Black Sand Gang reemerged. Unexpectedly, they were now being put to use.

Zhang Guangqun rushed over to report upon seeing Liu Yuanhu and Mo Chen arrive: ”Sir, the crossbows are loaded and ready—just wait for the target to draw closer before firing!”

Liu Yuanhu and Mo Chen, being the two with the highest cultivation and strongest perception, stared at the distant five-colored bird in the sky and felt their hearts grow heavy and fearful.

They exchanged glances, their mouths dry and bitter as though filled with gall. With hushed voices, they simultaneously murmured, ”Marrow Refining Realm!”

Moments later, Mo Chen’s soldierly determination momentarily pushed his fears aside. With resolute eyes, he personally strode over to one of the crossbows, aiming it at the fast-approaching five-colored bird.

”Brother Liu, if this creature enters the city, it’ll surely cause devastation. The two of us, having sworn our lives to serve the state, can only do our best and leave the rest to fate!”

Glancing back at the chaotic Canghe County city behind him, Liu Yuanhu’s eyes gradually became steely. ”We fight!”

The five-colored bird moved swiftly, closing the distance to Canghe County in the blink of an eye. As it descended to a height of twenty or thirty meters, Mo Chen roared furiously, ”Fire!”

The three crossbows emitted deafening noises as thick, enormous arrows shot toward the five-colored bird.

The five-colored bird’s eyes revealed a trace of disdain as it watched the incoming crossbow bolts. It rapidly flapped its wings, instantly generating a powerful gale beneath them.

The gale collided with the giant arrows, shredding all three into splinters within moments.

Seeing this, Liu Yuanhu and Mo Chen frowned deeply and hastily began reloading the weapons.

From atop the five-colored bird, Lu Junyi observed the scene and furrowed his brow. Loudly declaring, ”I am Lu Junyi of the Holy Pill Sect—stop attacking!”

Only then did Mo Chen tilt his head and see that a man stood atop the back of the five-colored bird.

Lu Junyi was a renowned figure within the Red Cloud Prefecture region. Though Mo Chen had never met him personally, he had seen his portrait before. Upon recognizing Lu Junyi’s features, Mo Chen quickly called off Liu Yuanhu and the readied Red Cloud Guard troops beneath them.

”Cease fire! Stand down! Stand down!”

The five-colored bird landed atop the city wall, letting out a sharp and piercing cry.

The cry was so shrill and deafening that even Mo Chen and Liu Yuanhu felt their eardrums ache and their heads buzz. Lesser cultivators fared even worse—some Martial Artists at the Refining Skin Realm bled from their ears and fainted on the spot.

Lu Junyi gently patted the five-colored bird’s head and whispered, ”Xiao Cai, quiet down. Don’t disturb Master Ge.”

The five-colored bird quieted down at Lu Junyi’s command, curling up idly atop the wall as if falling into slumber.

Though Liu Yuanhu did not know Lu Junyi personally, he had certainly heard of the Holy Pill Sect’s esteemed reputation. At this moment, his mind was racing, trying to deduce the reason for Lu Junyi’s arrival in Canghe County.

Meanwhile, Mo Chen hurriedly pulled Liu Yuanhu forward to greet Lu Junyi.

”Centurion Mo Chen of the Red Cloud Guard greets Elder Lu!”

Liu Yuanhu quickly followed suit with a bow. ”County Magistrate and Prefect Liu Yuanhu greets Elder Lu! May I ask what brings you here? If there’s anything you need, please command me—I’ll do everything in my power to assist!”

Lu Junyi didn’t even glance at Mo Chen. His eyes fell on Liu Yuanhu as he asked coldly, ”Where is Pill Master Ge Qing? Take me to him!”

Liu Yuanhu’s heart trembled upon hearing this. ”Is he here to settle scores with Master Ge?”

Lu Junyi’s status and strength far surpassed Liu Yuanhu’s. Although Ge Qing had previously saved Liu Yuanhu’s life, there was nothing Liu Yuanhu could do now to offer him protection. With a bitter sigh, he dejectedly led Lu Junyi toward Ge Qing’s residence.

”Elder Lu, this is Master Ge’s residence. Allow me to call for him!”

With that, Liu Yuanhu stepped up to the building’s entrance, drawing the saber at his waist with the intention of slamming it into the door to create enough noise to alert Ge Qing.

Upon witnessing Liu Yuanhu’s attempt to smash the door, Lu Junyi grew furious. He moved like a flash to Liu Yuanhu’s side and delivered a powerful kick, sending Liu Yuanhu flying.