Chapter 483 17: Backer

Upper Eighth Grade!

Although he could only channel Upper Eighth Grade explosive power into specific parts of his body, like his fists and fingers.

But for Zhu Ju, that was more than enough.

The Formless Divine Light that reflected the Ten Thousand Laws and his profound Primordial Spirit Perception granted him a level of control far beyond that of an ordinary person.

This control wasn't just over his own power, but also a crystal-clear perception of the world around him.

Every single move Zhu Chen and Cheng Hai made was within his 'sight'.

He could even see their next moves with perfect clarity.

SCREECH!

Zhu Chen's figure flickered as he lunged forward with his Longsword.

On closer inspection, his movements resembled the sharp peck of an Immortal Crane's beak, the air shrieking in its wake.

The Immortal Crane Sword technique.

It lived up to its name.

Qi Blood surged All Over his Body. Decades of accumulated resentment had actually allowed him to break through the limits of his Sword Technique.

"Heh…"

Zhu Ju let out a soft chuckle at the sight.

The breezy confidence on his face vanished, replaced by a solemn and dignified expression. A dense battle lust radiated from him.

The apex of power pierces the nine heavens and shakes the abyssal hells; the Giant Spirit Power eternally guards the Celestial Palace.

The Fist Intent of the Giant Spirit Fist was exceptionally profound.

Combined with the True Intent Zhu Ju had comprehended through years of life-and-death battles, he was able to unleash the full power of this Fist Technique to its absolute peak.

BANG!

He stomped forward, and the ground trembled and the mountains shook.

Though his physical form hadn't changed, in the perception of others, Zhu Ju seemed to have become a towering mountain.

A terrifying pressure bore down, striking fear into the hearts of all living things. Cheng Hai, whose long saber was shattered, had his Divine Intent completely suppressed. His mind went blank, and he felt a sudden urge to prostrate himself on the ground.

His mind was empty; he no longer knew what to do.

Zhu Ju clenched his five fingers into a fist and smashed it forward. Rampant Strength coalesced into a single force, carrying the momentum of a toppling mountain and the Divine Intent of a Giant Spirit, as it hurtled toward the incoming Longsword.

CLANG—

The sound was like a great golden bell being struck, resonant and clear.

"Pfft!"

Zhu Chen's eyes went wide as he spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward. He tumbled several times upon landing and began to convulse uncontrollably.

Cheng Hai stood by, dumbfounded. Having already lost all will to fight, he let out a shriek and turned to flee.

But his every move was within Zhu Ju's perception. Before Cheng Hai could even act, Zhu Ju had already charged forward.

Mountain Shattering!

Zhu Ju's figure blurred. Like a black bear rampaging through a forest, he slammed directly into Cheng Hai, sending him flying.

The CRACKLE of breaking bones echoed while he was still in mid-air. He was dead before he even hit the ground.

Cheng Hai and Zhu Chen.

In the blink of an eye, one was dead and the other was grievously injured.

Zhu Ju didn't stop there. Riding the momentum from defeating two opponents, he charged toward the pale-faced Wen Shuyuan.

"Young Master Zhu!"

Wen Shuyuan's eyes narrowed, and he said hurriedly,

"I was deceived by Zhu Chen! I bear you no ill will. Please, spare me! From this day forward, I will follow your every command."

What answered him was a fist edged with golden patterns. Zhu Ju had no intention of stopping.

"Kill!"

Nursing Director Zhang, after a moment of shock, brandished his long spear and charged forward.

His strength was already slightly greater than Wen Shuyuan's. Now that his opponent had lost his nerve, and with the far stronger Zhu Ju joining the fray, Wen Shuyuan only lasted a few moments before a fist slammed into him, the savage power sending him flying.

The Fist Force of the Giant Spirit Fist was ferocious and domineering. A missed blow was one thing, but getting hit by it was an entirely different, agonizing experience.

"Mercy!"

Wen Shuyuan lay on the ground, curled up into a ball.

"Young Master Zhu, spare me! I have silver hidden in an outer residence. If you spare my life, it's all…"

CRACK!

Before he could finish his sentence, Zhu Ju kicked him and snapped his neck.

"Young Master."

Nursing Director Zhang swallowed hard, bowing his head to hide the shock and fear on his face.

He had watched 'Zhu Ju' grow up. In his memory, while his young master wasn't exactly cowardly or incompetent, he was certainly never this ruthless and decisive, killing without a change in expression.

"Dispose of the bodies."

Zhu Ju said, picking up the barely breathing Zhu Chen.

"A few Pig Demons have appeared on the streets outside. Gather our men and don't let them break in."

"Yes." Nursing Director Zhang snapped back to his senses, his tone subconsciously respectful.

"This lowly one will go at once."

......

「The Woodshed.」

Zhu Ju put down the now-lifeless body of Zhu Chen, then glanced toward South City with a surprised look.

'So Zhu Chen's backer was Ma Yuanzhi?'

That was no weak backer.

After all, Ma Yuanzhi was the younger brother—the only younger brother—of Ma Gulan, the Vice Gang Leader of the Qingyi Gang.

Ma Gulan doted on him.

With a sister at the Upper Seventh Grade, Ma Yuanzhi could do whatever he pleased in Taiyuan Prefecture.

But his own strength was lacking. He was merely a Ninth-Grade Martial Artist, known in some circles as a "good-for-nothing."

'Ninth Grade?'

Zhu Ju rubbed his chin, pushed the door open, and walked out.

*

*

*

Chaos!

Utter chaos!

Someone had secretly smuggled dozens of Pig Demons into Taiyuan Prefecture, throwing the entire Prefecture City into disarray.

The strength of a Pig Demon was no less than that of an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist.

With their thick hides, immense strength, and heavy weapons, even a Seventh Grade expert would have to temporarily avoid a direct confrontation.

Fortunately, the Demons lacked intelligence and were unskilled in Martial Skills, relying solely on Barbaric Power to wreak havoc. Finding an opportunity to kill them wasn't too difficult.

But with so many Demons on a rampage, and with most of the city's experts out suppressing bandits, it would be impossible to bring the situation under control quickly.

「A certain courtyard.」

Two Pig Demons were squatting on the ground, gnawing on someone's dismembered arm, their mouths covered in blood.

In a nearby alley, a dozen Officials had surrounded a Demon and were cautiously probing its defenses.

「On the long street.」

Blood flowed freely.

The entirety of Taiyuan Prefecture was filled with screams, sorrowful cries, and the shouts of battle.

Humanity is greedy.

In times of chaos, suppressed bestial natures are more easily unleashed, adding fuel to the fire.

......

「South City.」

The residents here were either rich or noble, and with numerous experts among them, the area had been largely unaffected by the Demons.

CREAK…

A back door was carefully pushed open.

Two people entered the small courtyard, and one of them immediately rushed toward the bedroom.

"Young Master."

The man dressed as a servant urged anxiously,

"The Zhou Family is not to be trifled with. If word of this gets out, not even the Vice Gang Leader will be able to protect us."

"I know!" Ma Yuanzhi waved his hand dismissively.

"Don't worry. I went to the Mage Hall and specifically requested a Tier Seven Spirit Talisman. It will absolutely make that little wench completely devoted to me."

"Heh…"

"A daughter of the Zhou Family... I can't wait!"

"Young Master." The servant wanted to say more, but Ma Yuanzhi shoved him aside.

"Little lady!"

Shoving the door open, Ma Yuanzhi rubbed his hands together as he stared at the young woman tied tightly on the bed.

The young woman's face was deathly pale. With a cloth stuffed in her mouth, she stared in terror at the approaching Ma Yuanzhi.

"Zhou Ruxuan."

"Didn't you always look down on me?"

Seeing the expression on her face, Ma Yuanzhi's own face flushed with excitement. He ground his teeth and said,

"Today, I'll show you what I'm capable of!"

"Not only will I pin you beneath me, but I'll also use the Soul-Imbuing Technique on you, making you submit to me willingly."

"Did you really think I wouldn't dare to do anything to you just because your surname is Zhou?"

"Young Master," the servant said, his face etched with worry.

"A Seventh Grade Spirit Talisman might not be enough to…"

"Get out!" Ma Yuanzhi's expression darkened.

"Watch the courtyard! Don't let anyone else break in!"

"...Yes." The servant complied helplessly. He cast one last worried glance at the two people in the room, bowed, and backed out step by step.

Just as he closed the door, his eyes suddenly focused. He was about to make a move when a sharp pain shot through the back of his neck.

'I'm done for!'

His vision went black.

And he collapsed, unconscious.