Chapter 375 - Hugs and Kisses (1/2)
The following day.
Chu Xun got up to leave alone without alerting anyone.
With Yan Wushuang still injured, leaving Jing Hong here would discourage any remnants of the Zombie race from anything untoward.
Midday came when Chu Xun reached Gujiang.
A tense atmosphere hung about the city where even the average pedestrians looked fidgety and anxious.
Chu Xun arrived at the stronghold of the Rock Sect where he first discovered people watching the entrance. He circled around and slipped in quietly through the rear.
With his Divine Sense, he found Tang Rou.
The stronghold once served as seat of the You Family before their destruction at Chu Xun’s hand before the Rock Sect began occupying it.
Inside the great hall of the stronghold, Tang Rou, Jiu You, Yan Yi and his daughter, and several other Elders all braced with grim silence.
Yan Yi was pale and sickly with his injuries.
Everyone else looked gravely tensed.
“I saw people watching the entrance. I think they’re waiting for dusk to arrive,” said Yan Yi, clenching his fists tight.
“A siege to completely cut us off,” observed Tang Rou gutsily. The three years before had changed her greatly, turning her from the meek and timid lass into a much stronger person.
“Let them come! Let them come and we’ll kill them all!” intoned Jiu You in her usually-babyish voice. Yet despite her childish appearance, no one dared to underestimate her. The strongest of the defenders of the stronghold, she has had the most kills.
“The students and acolytes are disheartened. If things go on, they might crumble,” said the delinquent Yan Yan, Yan Yi’s daughter who was now a seasoned young lady and a Human King.
“They’re waiting to tire us out before killing us all,” said a shrill and irresistible female voice.
“Thank you so much, Hong Ling,” said Tang Rou to the physically-enticing vamp.
It really was Hong Ling, a Third-grade Human King now. She had come to help with the defense as soon as she heard the Rock Sect was besieged.
“Don’t mention it,” said Hong Ling ever-so jovially, “Chu Xun and I are friends. That makes you my responsibility, little lass. Or else, he’ll be so angry when he comes back.”
“I wonder where Big Brother is right now,” Tang Rou murmured, bright pink patches flushing on her cheeks.
“The entirety of the Tianwu Sect was destroyed with Wu missing,” said Yan Yi morosely, “Even the Palace was attacked and the Sanctuary of Tetrarchy is still ravaged by fire and blood. Without reinforcements, I don’t know how long we’re gonna hold here.”
“Take the time to rest. They’ve been attacking for seven nights, I don’t think they’ll be eager to spare us tonight,” observed Hong Ling quietly.
Everyone bobbed their heads and sank into contemplative silence.
“WHO GOES THERE! SHOW YOURSELF!”
Jiu You bellowed suddenly, her silver-steel spear materializing in her grasp. It emitted a bright spark and shot right at the great door, plunging through the thickset door with a loud crunch and leaving a hole in it.
Everyone stared at the door apprehensively.
Not a sound came after that.
“Who goes there!? Show yourself!” cried Yan Yi too, raising a hand to fire a bolt at the door.
Hum!
A purplish barrier of light rose up, rising with bright effervescence like a curtain of amethysts to protect the door.
Yan Yi’s energy bolt struck the barrier of light, eliciting huge splashes from its surface like a stone falling into water.
Everyone kept their eyes peeled on the door warily.
Creak!
The door pivoted on its hinges slowly as a tall figure slowly came into view.
Everybody was stunned with disbelieving expressions across their faces.
“Big Brother!” cried Tang Rou, a hand coming up to cover her mouth almost instantly.
Jiu You threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Tang Rou hesitated for one split-second, allowing Jiu You to beat her and reached Chu Xun first.
Chu Xun strode in casually and looked around, wearing a grin, “What’s this? Has everyone forgotten about me?”
“Master!”
Overwhelmed with euphoric excitement, Yan Yi immediately plopped to his knees and bowed.
So did the rest of the Rock Sect.
Chu Xun helped Yan Yi to his feet. “I see you’ve suffered a lot in my absence.”
“Certainly not, Master!”
“We have!”
Words from Yan Yi and his daughter each conveyed their varying sentiments.
Yan Yi scowled at his daughter, urging her to not speak brashly to Chu Xun.
“Glare all you want, Father, but it’s the truth. We are a part of the Chu Mansion but our Master, in all his wisdom, had decided then to take a prolonged field trip that lasted for three years while we’re stuck here alone and helpless! I could barely count the times we nearly died and have we not suffered? Of course, we did!” complained Yan Yan with resentment and frustration laced in her voice.
“Yan Yan, you are nudging impertinence!” barked her father.
“It’s fine,” Chu Xun waved easily, “She’s right. It’s unbecoming for me to have abandoned you all for three years.”
“Big Brother…” whimpered Tang Rou coyly for all the troubles and difficulties she had endured.
He smiled and opened his arms wide. Putting aside all modesty, Tang Rou threw herself into him.
“You’ve grown up, Tang Rou. You’ve grown up to be a strong woman and I’m pleased with that!” Tang Rou had matured a lot and it must have been hard for a person as meek and soft-spoken as her.
“All right, Mr. Chu ‘Irresistible is your middle-name’ Xun. Enough being all lovey-dovey with your little lover here. Surely you’ve noticed me too?” teased Hong Ling. Once swooning towards Chu Xun in the past, Hong Ling had buried those affections and had remained friends with him. In truth, she was also elated to see Chu Xun that her voice was practically fluttering.
Hong Ling’s teasing left Tang Rou blushing furiously. As much as she did not want to leave Chu Xun’s arms, the embarrassment compelled her to let go of him.
“I believe I owe you a great thanks, Hong Ling,” grinned Chu Xun. He did not expect her to come to help defend the Rock Sect in his stead.