Chapter 434 - 416: Targeted by the Saintess

In the Northern Territory’s Snow State, near Linyuan City, lay the Wind Evil Stronghold.

Feng Han stared at the woman at the stronghold’s gate—dressed in black with her face veiled by a light scarf—and his scalp tingled with fear.

The woman’s face was veiled and her black clothes completely concealed her figure. Even so, it was clear she was a stunning beauty, and her noble aura was impossible to hide.

But Feng Han was silently cursing his luck. It wasn’t just the woman’s own formidable strength; with a single, casual wave of her hand, she’d swatted the incredibly powerful Wind God crossbow bolts to the ground as if they were nothing more than straw.

The two men following behind her were also experts. The one with the ghost mask had a hidden aura, making it impossible to gauge his depth. But the man in golden armor had overwhelmingly powerful Qi and Blood; his strength was likely even greater than his own.

"My lady, we at Wind Evil Stronghold have always treated others with courtesy and never rashly provoked any faction. I do not know how we might have offended you. Please, tell me, and I will be sure to offer a sincere apology."

Feng Han was truly afraid now. In the past, he’d never been this cowardly.

But ever since he ran into that kid who could summon heavenly thunder, he felt like the world had changed.

’Goddammit, these chaotic times are bringing all sorts of freaks and monsters out of the woodwork.’

’This woman in black looks all mysterious and cult-like. She’s clearly bad news.’

"Feng Han, fate has brought you to this Saintess. Kneel and surrender at once! Come and serve under me!"

The woman in black pinched her fingers into an orchid shape and began casting a spell.

Instantly, a fierce wind swept through the entire stronghold, causing the bandits inside to cry out in alarm.

"A Demon! She can summon the wind! Chieftain, save us!"

"Ah, spare me, my lady, spare me! I was just captured and forced to farm here!"

Outside the stronghold gate, the golden-armored warrior stepped forward and said respectfully, "Miss, allow me to take him down directly."

"Go, Golden Armor Protector!"

"Yes, Miss!"

The Golden Armor Protector sneered as his Qi and Blood erupted. A murderous Evil Qi steamed off his body, making Feng Han’s brow furrow deeply.

’Dammit, a bloodthirsty expert!’

Feng Han saw the man’s blood-soaked aura and knew instantly he was facing a true master.

Just as expected, the next moment, the golden-armored man was like a small mountain. He withstood the impact of two Wind God crossbow bolts and brutally smashed his way into the stronghold.

BOOM!

He smashed a large crater into the ground, and two nearby Wind Evil Stronghold bandits were sent stumbling from the shockwave.

The next moment, before they could even resist, he grabbed them with his large hands and brutally snapped their necks.

"Insignificant rabble!"

The golden-armored man was like a tiger among sheep, killing more than a dozen men in the span of a few breaths. The Wind Evil Stronghold bandits were no match for him at all; their ranks broke, and they fled in a mad panic.

Feng Han could only grit his teeth and step forward to fight.

...

Unfortunately, his strength was no match either. The golden-armored man’s Qi and Blood were simply too overwhelming. After they exchanged several dozen blows, the golden-armored man landed a punch on his chest, knocking him to the ground.

He followed up with a continuous barrage of attacks like a raging storm, quickly defeating him completely.

"Feng Han, you are fated to serve under our Miss. It is your honor. Just obediently join the Holy Sect."

"You... COUGH COUGH... you’re really from the Black Lotus Sect? I... I am willing to join."

Not joining meant death. Feng Han immediately recognized the situation, got to his feet, and knelt in submission.

"Feng Han, I am the Merciful Saintess. From now on, you are the Wind Evil Protector under my command! Now, let me ask you: half a month ago, did someone use Divine Skills related to the Thunder Skill here?"

"Divine Skills? Lady Saintess, half a month ago, someone did use a Thunder Skill here. But he used a Thunder Summoning Talisman left over from ancient times. That man’s name is Su Yu..."

"Su Yu!"

Beneath her veil, the corners of the Merciful Saintess’s mouth curved upward, and a stunning light flashed in her beautiful eyes.

...

「Black Stone City, Flying Feather Guard Headquarters.」

With her delicate hands, Lin Wanzhu slowly helped Su Yu don his newly delivered suit of armor.

It was a suit of Silver-Scaled Bright Light Commander’s Armor, forged from a blend of Thousand-refined Meteorite Iron and Mithril.

Dense scales of alternating bright silver and emerald green overlapped in layers, reflecting a cold, metallic glint. The pauldrons were shaped like the heads of Cyan-Scaled Eagles, giving them a domineering and majestic appearance.

This suit of armor weighed over a thousand pounds, but Su Yu wore it with ease.

On his tall, slender, yet explosively powerful frame, the saying "clothes make the man" had never been truer.

The cold, hard roughness of the armor created a perfect contrast with his incomparably handsome, jade-like face, adding the imposing air of a great general who holds the power of life and death.

This valiant and commanding presence made everyone below feel as if they were looking at a Silver Armored Divine General who had descended upon the mortal world!

Zhao Tie scratched his head in his simple, honest way. "Lord Su is truly heroic and magnificent. I’m not even in the same league."

Feng Ting, on the other hand, sized up Su Yu with great interest, a peculiar glint in her eyes.

’I never thought Lord Su would be so impressive in every way. Besides his talent in the Martial Arts, his looks and charisma are also very appealing.’

However, she had no other intentions toward Su Yu; it was more the kind of admiration one has for a superior.

After all, following a handsome and capable boss was much more pleasant than following an ugly one.

"Ah Yu, I’ve already allocated five thousand silver to Wang’s Blacksmith Shop. The production of armor for the Flying Feather Guard will be expedited."

"The recruitment for the Flying Feather Guard needs to keep pace as well. As for personnel selection in the west district, when do you think we should conduct it?"

"Three days from now, after the tournament ends. Senior Sister, please make the preparations in advance. Also, regarding the matter of the Huyan Family’s treasure, it’s very likely in the west district as well. Tell our men to keep an eye out during their patrols."

Su Yu issued a series of commands, arranging all his recent duties one by one.

He had a lot on his plate next.

He had to prepare for the tournament, speed up the development of the Flying Feather Guard, and deal with the Huyan Family’s treasure. The latter was giving him a bit of a headache.

’Was the person who sent the letter really Chen Fan? If so, he must have had a falling out with the Huyan Family.’

’Then what was the reason for the falling out?’

’Is the information about the treasure real, or is it just a smokescreen while he himself is taking the opportunity to find the real location?’

’A century-old family like the Huyan Family only yielding a little over a hundred thousand silver? No one would believe that!’

’Fortunately, Li Jingxuan was also there at the time, so Mansion Master Pang didn’t grow suspicious over the matter. Plus, I earned significant merit for capturing an Incense Master at Muscle Forging Realm Perfection when I wiped out that Black Lotus Sect stronghold. So, the issue was dropped for the time being.’

"Senior Sister, come with me to the west district this afternoon. Let’s check on the current situation there."

"Alright, Ah Yu."

...

「Black Stone City, West District, Fangzi Street.」

Su Yu and Lin Wanzhu were in disguise, dressed as an ordinary couple. They walked slowly down a muddy street dotted with stinking puddles.

At the entrance of a distant alley, a few children in ragged clothes were rummaging through a pile of trash. They stomped in the puddles, splashing foul water that shimmered with a phosphorescent light under the sun.

"Ah Yu, the shantytown up ahead is the most chaotic part of the west district. Most of the people from this side of the city are concentrated there now."

"I see. Senior Sister, what’s the local gang in this area?"

"The Black Tiger Gang!"

"That gang? What a coincidence."

Su Yu remembered now. People from the Black Tiger Gang had once gone to Golden Scale Street, which was under his jurisdiction, to forcibly buy grain. He had even arrested a couple of their grunts back then.

He hadn’t paid any more attention to such a minor matter afterward, but now he had run into this gang once again.