473 A Dignified Entry to Luoyang (1/2)
None of the armed escorts had ever heard of the Six-annihilation Devilman. They were better known as the Destruction Sect by accounts of the Evil Spirit Cultivator as he was a minion, too. The words of their assailant was sure to be believed. There was hardly need to lie before its prey, whose backs were against a knife's edge.
The Eight Skyscraping Devils and the Nineteen Devilmen were legends of the Destruction Sect, whose names were whispered with fear in Jianghu. Then again, this hardly comprised of the entire might of the Nine Paths of Evil. No one would affirm that the Shaolin boasted the powers of merely eight Exterior warriors and nineteen others close behind in strength.
Therefore, the might of the Destruction Sect had most certainly been underestimated. Many more evil beings of potent skills and power lurked behind in the shadows of the Eight Skyscraping Devils and the Nineteen Devilmen. The Six-Annihilation Devilman being excluded was quite normal.
”Have the Luo Denomination and the Destruction Sect of the Nine Evil Paths formed a union? ” wondered Gu Changqing. The very same thought flashed across the minds of the escorts defending the convoy. In the midst of the confusion, the chief of the convoy squinted his eyes. With a flash, he drew an object from within his robes.
”Bang!”
There was a deafening explosion as a volley of bright light sprung from the barrel in his hands into the sky. The radiant bead flew up high and bloomed into a large fiery red blossom in the night sky.
”You summoned help?” The Evil Spirits Cultivator snorted, ”We are all alone in the wilderness! To whom do you summon for help? A passerby? Ha, I would love to see who would dare thwart the plans of the Luo Denomination and the Destruction Sect!”
His hands rose as he spoke. His fingers transformed into talons. He hurled himself at the Chief, clawing at him with malice.
A dark greenish glow shrouded the assailant's fingers that ripped with the keenness of a blade. The diabolic aura of his genuine Qi cast a cloud of darkness like billowing fumes that rolled menacingly. The Evil Spirit Cultivator lunged at his enemy with a battle cry much like the howls of ravenous wolves and vengeful spirits.
The clawing lunge filled the entire surrounding with a sinister aura as if it had came straight from the depths of the Nine Serenities. The overwhelming sensation of pure evil would have frozen anyone's blood in an instant, rendering them helpless and powerless!
The escort leader rapidly pulled out a blade that looked like it had been dipped in a layer of gold from top to bottom. It was like a sun rising with hot flames rolling inside.
”Boom!”
Weapons met claws as the genuine Qi collided in the clash, and the escort leader had to retreat a few steps. His face had turned pale, but his body still moved with agility. He shifted and changed positions with no sign of slowing down.
”Wow, the escort leader's magnificent...” Gu Changqing and the other armed escorts were captivated.
They had never considered that the good natured old escort leader could go up against Half-step Exterior Scenery Evil Spirit Cultivators with such gusto. He had hidden this side of him really well!
”Could it be that the object being guarded actually is on him?”
They had only just thought of this when all of the Luo Denomination followers swarmed towards them, including the Emissary Vacation and other strong opponents.
In a flash, the top of the hill became a mass of screams with some of the weaker escort guards soon falling. They lay there on the ground, their mouths oozing black blood.
Gu Changqing brandished a long sword and utilized the Desperate Hit's momentum to slay the Luo Denomination followers in front of him. He wanted to rescue the others but was surrounded by a few Emissary Vacations. He lunged to the left and right but could not get away from them. Gradually, his being outnumbered wore him down and he fell behind.
Struggling to hold on, he saw the Evil Spirit Cultivator leader storm forwards and overpower the escort leader. His eyes flashed green and his body rose up slightly, his right hand forming a claw.
His fingers had an odd curve to them, like very sharp canines. His right hand had become a bloody paw ready to swallow the escort leader's golden blade.
There was a snapping sound and the saber Qi disappeared with his grab. It was as if it had been swallowed. The blade just snapped in two!
The armed escorts next in line could not help but run forward to face the devil claw. In a hurry, he performed a Lazy Donkey Roll to avoid that which would harm him. But five trails of blood still appeared on his back. These instantly turned blue and swelled up, oozing blood and pus.
In a flash of sword light, Gu Changqing, with no regard for his own safety, threw those next to him aside in a desperate attempt at a rescue.
”I am indebted to the Head of the Escorts who repeatedly taught me that it is a worthy act to throw down one's life in order to facilitate the escape of an escort and their item to safety!”
Having been through a great deal, Gu Changqing was by no means afraid of death!
With a sickening sound, Refined Weapons entered his flesh and Gu Changqing's torso took on multiple wounds. Fresh blood poured from them, but he ignored this and continued to the front of the escort head.
”You can die together!” The Evil Spirit Cultivator looked delighted. He swiped his left hand out and a ghastly cold spread over them. It was as if the Netherworld was nearby.
Gu Changqing's circulation was frozen solid and he was unable to move his sword. All he could do was watch the ghostly claw attack. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind. He thought of his happy childhood with his elder relatives. He pondered the calmness of the Immensity Sea and recalled the pain of hearing of tragedy. He thought of the emptiness and excitement that revenge brought. He thought of all the striving and perseverance in his life. Finally, he let out a sigh,
”Compared to the Half-step Exterior Scenery, I really am utterly insignificant...”
Just then, there was a distant yell,
”Kill them!”
At the sound of the voice, Evil Spirit Cultivator was angered, ”Who dares to stick their nose into Luo Denomination affairs?”
The sound of thunder reverberated in their ears and shook Vital Spirits, making it hard for them to hold themselves together. Purple lightening was everywhere, and the evil aura dissipated.
With some difficulty, he turned his head and saw the shape of a person up on the hill go rushing into the melee, saber radiance flashing continuously. Like clay golems, none of the followers could offer him any resistance. He just flashed past them.
Gu Changqing was thunderstruck. Shocked and slightly unhinged, he stood there as if he was made from wood with his pupils reflecting the black shadow of the tough hero.
Amidst the ”rolling thunder” the Evil Spirit Cultivator gathered himself up and, slightly surprised, he let out the cry,
”Killing Blade!”
His reputation had preceded him. The Evil Spirit Cultivator's pupils constricted and after a moment's hesitation he let out a high cry,
”Scamper!”
As soon as the words were uttered, his crestfallen form had disappeared into the forest on the left flank of the hill top in a blur.
Meng Qi ran a few steps after them but did not take up the chase. His steps slowed, and he came to a rest in front of Gu Changqing.
Gu Changqing stood there stunned, having just shaken off the effects of the thundering scream. Blood dripped slowly off his saber and his vaguely identifiable, yet masculine features were reflected within his eyes.
Then the man in front of him dressed in black raised the corners of his mouth into a grin and gave a big smile,
”No matter how far away I am, I'll always try to come to your aid as soon as possible!”
Just as the words were spoken, one of the Luo Denomination's followers who had failed to escape fell to the ground with a plop. He was the one that had been passed when Meng Qi was in his hurry to get to Changqing. He now lied on the ground flattened like grass that a strong wind had blown past.
”We are very grateful for your assistance,” Gu Changqing took a deep breath, cupping one hand in the other in front of his chest and giving a bow.
Meng Qi smiled, ”In the few years that we haven't seen each other, you don't look all that different to me. I recognized you right away.”
Gu Changqing smiled wryly, ”Unlike you, I was already an adult when I began my travels. Without that Killing Blade reputation I may not have recognized you now that you've grown up.”
After a few light exchanges they stood silent for a moment, not quite knowing what to say to each other to reignite their relationship from three years ago.
”Let's get out of here first, so as to avoid being around if they bring Luo Denomination masters back with them.” Meng Qi's eyes glanced around them, worried that white-clad figures may descend on them at any moment.