Chapter 532 - 353: The Grandmaster’s Maternal Grandfather! (Part 2)

Chapter 532: Chapter 353: The Grandmaster’s Maternal Grandfather! (Part 2)

At this moment, before Lu Xuan could respond,

the vermillion palace doors burst open with a resounding crash, the collision between the gilded rings and bronze studs emitting a sharp buzzing sound.

Wrapped in a fierce and scorching Gang wind, an elderly man in an exquisite scarlet cloud-patterned robe strode in.

The python-patterned silk surged like waves with his movements, the dark golden threads embroidered so vividly that they seemed ready to break free from the fabric.

Though he was of advanced age, there was no trace of frailty in the old man.

The silver whiskers on his head fluttered without wind, his eyes sharp like a hawk’s, exuding an aura of deep-seated authority with every gesture.

Although the Duke of Wu appeared to be around seventy or eighty years old, his massive stature was nearly a head taller than most people.

His black boots with gold-trimmed soles hit the blue stone bricks, each step seeming to bear a weight of a thousand pounds.

Most striking was the dragon-headed cane he held, forged entirely of black iron, the head of the cane intricately carved with a coiled dragon clutching a glowing pearl in its mouth.

This was the national treasure bestowed by the late Emperor, signifying supreme honor and power to its holder.

The Duke of Wu swiftly crossed the gilded threshold, the black iron cane sparking against the blue bricks.

His huge figure, accompanied by the sound of air being split apart, covered the distance to Lu Xuan in just a few strides.

His pupils quaked violently, and his callused hands almost tremblingly clutched Lu Xuan’s shoulders.

Then, the Duke of Wu’s gaze slowly swept over Lu Xuan’s face,

his clothes, and even the slight wrinkles between his hair, leaving nothing unchecked.

"Xuan, are you alright!"

His powerful voice tore through the stagnant air.

It even carried a trace of panic never shown on the battlefield after years of campaigns.

Before the words fell, the robe around Duke of Wu surged with a roar.

Scarlet Gang Qi erupted like magma from the earth, instantly breaking free from the confines of the silk.

The beams and columns of the entire palace creaked under immense strain, and the air distorted into strange ripples in the heat.

The scarlet Gang Qi condensed in the air, forming a dome three zhang in diameter.

The edges of flame engulfed all the candles inside the hall.

Only the very spot where Lu Xuan stood was securely protected at the center by this fiery barrier.

Soon after, the hot scarlet Gang Qi transformed into countless fiery snakes, swarming into Lu Xuan’s acupoints all over his body.

They moved gently yet dominantly among Lu Xuan’s internal organs, probing every corner.

It seemed as if they wanted to incinerate all potential threats to ashes.

Before long, the Duke of Wu’s pupils contracted sharply, glowing brightly like torches that had been ignited.

His bloodshot eyes locked onto Lu Xuan, his voice filled with undisguisable shock: "Xuan, there’s no Yin Qi on you!"

"Xuan, how did Grandfather hear the spies say you were invaded by Yin Qi last night, your life hanging by a thread."

Without waiting for Lu Xuan to respond, the old man anxiously questioned further, his voice tinged with a slight, barely perceptible tremor.

"Also, your Inner Qi—has it broken through to the Inner Qi Realm!"

His voice suddenly rose, filled with indescribable joy.

Dizzying delight and shock clashed fiercely in the Duke of Wu’s heart.

The delight was that his only grandson was perfectly fine and had smoothly broken through to the Inner Qi Realm.

The shock was due to the confidential letter he had received today at dawn.

Every word vividly described the Eastern Palace being invaded by evil and his grandson being in grave danger.

Thus, amidst his burning worry, how could the Duke of Wu care to seek the Emperor’s permission?

Just moments ago, he had employed the Gang Yuan power of a Grandmaster, flooring tiles along the sacred, inviolable palace rooftops.

Shattering numerous glazed tiles, breaking through layers of heavily guarded palace walls.

The rebukes of the Palace Guards, the obstruction of the guards, all were left behind by him.

Only one thought echoed in the Duke of Wu’s mind.

He must see his grandson as soon as possible!

"Yes, Grandfather!"

Lu Xuan’s expression remained calm as he gently nodded to signal, answering the old man’s questions.

The Duke of Wu gazed at the young man’s upright stature before him, suddenly bursting into hearty laughter that shook the dust from the palace beams.

He stepped forward, the callused large hands heavily patting Lu Xuan’s shoulder.

"Good, good, good!"

Repeating "good" three times, the elderly voice of the Duke of Wu surged with irrepressible pride.

"Truly worthy of being my good grandson, the Crown Prince of the Wanjing Dynasty!"

Yet, the tremors of ecstatic joy had not yet dissipated from Peng Lie’s body.

The smile on his face momentarily froze into frost.

The five calloused fingers slowly tightened around the black iron cane.

His joints emitted a cracking sound that made teeth ache; deep within his clouded pupils, two crimson rays suddenly burst forth.

Peng Lie slowly turned, his indifferent gaze slashing through the air towards the outside of the hall.

Where it passed, the air emitted a piercing ripping sound, and even the palace lanterns hanging under the corridor sizzled with smoke.

Vast and scorching energy once again surged out from the apertures of his body.

In an instant, the entire great hall transformed into a Heaven-Burning Purgatory.

The gold lacquer on the beams began to distort and peel, threads of charred smoke seeped from the gaps in the floor tiles.

Outside the gilded threshold, Fengqi, the Guard Commander of the East Palace, maintained a kneeling posture.

The body beneath the Silver Scale Armor trembled uncontrollably.

Cold sweat ran down the forty-something face in irregular streams down the wrinkles.

"Fengqi....."

Peng Lie dragged out the name in a long tone, each word wrapped in soul-freezing chill.

"It’s been a year since we last talked."

With deafening footsteps, Peng Lie slowly advanced, dragging the black iron cane.

Every time the cane struck the ground, it created spider-web-like cracks on the green tiles.

The invisible pressure of the Grandmaster ruthlessly crushed over Fengqi’s entire body.

As Peng Lie bellowed again, the entire hall trembled: "You mutt of a guard dare grow a spine!"

The fiery wolf shadow formed by crimson Gang Qi shot forth, shattering the white marble railings outside the hall.

The splintered debris brushed past Fengqi’s ear, leaving a savage blood mark on his cheek.

Immediately, Peng Lie stretched out his veiny hand, fiercely grabbing Fengqi’s topknot, forcefully lifting his face up.

Face to face, the fury within Peng Lie’s clouded old eyes surged like a raging tide.

"Back then, you curled up stinking at the corner gate of the Martial Mansion, like a maggot, gnawing at scraps and leftovers!"

"Who gave you clothes? Who taught you to wield a sword?"

Speaking, Peng Lie suddenly slammed him to the ground.

Fengqi’s chain armor clashed against the tiles, emitting a sound that made teeth ache.

Collapsed on the ground, Fengqi’s throat emitted strange raspy sounds, lacking even the strength to beg for mercy.

As Peng Lie turned, the hem of his robe swept over his trembling body, bringing a gust of Gang Qi that burned all.

In an instant, Peng Lie’s hands suddenly wrapped in crimson Gang essence.

A few breaths later, the temperature within the hall abruptly dropped; chilling and burning intertwined eerily, even the air seemed to freeze.

The gold column before Peng Lie reflected his twisted visage.

Grotesque as a demon from hell, the intent to kill in his eyes seemed almost tangible.

"It seems....."

As his whisper fell, crimson Gang essence spread from Peng Lie’s palm.

Finally pressing against Fengqi’s Adam’s apple.

As soon as the scorching presence touched Fengqi’s skin, it made a soft sizzling sound.

Charred black marks slowly spread on his neck, flesh rolled, releasing a burnt stench.

Fengqi trembled all over, cold sweat pouring down, yet he lacked even the courage to struggle.

Peng Lie stared at him, his icy gaze suffocating.

"I haven’t lifted a hand in all these years....."

"But it seems that some have entertained thoughts they shouldn’t."

The crimson Gang essence rose again, deepening the burning scars.

Fengqi’s throat emitted painful raspy sounds, yet he couldn’t even let out a scream.

Peng Lie slightly leaned in, whispering beside his ear: "You’ve also forgotten.....what is called awe."

Even though his throat was burned to bloody ruin by the crimson Gang essence, Fengqi suddenly raised his head in agony.

His eyes erupted with a fierceness akin to a dying beast.

The next moment, Fengqi bit through his clenched teeth, forcefully breaking through the Grandmaster’s pressure, hoarsely squeezing out words: "You..... cannot kill me!"

Each word seemed squeezed from the depths of his lungs, tinged with the scent of blood.

"I am the Guard Commander of the East Palace, personally appointed by His Majesty!"

He roared unwillingly: "To kill me... Even if you are the Duke of Martial, His Majesty will never... let it go easily!"

His final words were almost spoken with the last of his strength!