Chapter 123: Consecutive Kills

At the main gate of the inner courtyard on Danyang Mountain, the situation took a sudden and violent turn.

The sudden betrayal by Wei Hong and his group left Yan Hao’s expression ashen; he understood their intentions in an instant. On one hand, the trouble Gu Changqing had stirred up was far too great. If handled poorly, the Southern Chu and the Qi Dynasty would sever ties, and given the scale of Southern Chu, they could never withstand the retaliation of the Qi Dynasty. On the other hand, Gu Changqing was growing at an alarming rate, possessed an unruly nature, and harbored deep hostility toward the Wei Clan, leaving almost no room for reconciliation. Thus, the Wei Clan decided to sell Gu Changqing out at this critical juncture, killing two birds with one stone.

"Wei Hong! How dare you?" Yan Hao shouted, shocked and furious. Even if there were conflicts between the two, it was a matter between the Chongming and the Wei Clan. Furthermore, Gu Changqing’s growth rate was such that he might reach the seventh level in a short time, giving Southern Chu two seventh-level awakened beings. Two such beings would be enough to make the Qi Dynasty wary, significantly boosting Southern Chu’s strength and status. Moreover, Gu Changqing was involved in other mysteries—the talismans he produced and those two swords used technology entirely distinct from Spirit Gear. To betray such an important figure!

"Minister Yan, do you intend to drag everyone into a war with the Qi Dynasty?" Li Gongfu suddenly interjected. "I remember when we came, we were told to act according to the situation, not to start a war!"

"Li Gongfu!" Yan Hao glared at him in rage. He could understand if the Wei Clan wanted to discard Gu Changqing, but how could Li Gongfu agree?

Gao Wenxin, however, looked around with indifference and said coldly, "Being a person is like practicing with a blade: if you do not advance, you retreat. One must strive forward, even unto death." She added, "Whether we go to war or not is irrelevant to me, but this is a personal vendetta. Since things have reached this point, I might as well settle it now." As she spoke, her entire being transformed into the essence of a blade, and she charged toward Gao Tianwu.

"Gao Tianxin, are you truly going to walk this path to the end?" Gao Tianwu and Gao Wenxin clashed instantly; Gao Wenxin’s true name was Gao Tianxin.

"As long as you live, I have carried this burden in my heart for years. It is time to end it," Gao Wenxin said calmly.

Elsewhere, Gu Changqing ignited a Wind-Walking Talisman and a Green Wood Profound Light Talisman. Braving the attacks of several men, he lunged at Wei Hong. His body suddenly swelled, and he unleashed a punch. Facing this blow, Wei Hong finally understood what Fu Yi and the other sixth-level awakened being had felt. It was unstoppable—absolutely unstoppable. Although he was a physical-enhancement type, he dared not meet the horror of this punch head-on and retreated rapidly. However, the "Demon Eye" on Gu Changqing’s fist caused a momentary mental trance, slowing Wei Hong down. Fortunately, an iron shield flew in from the side—another Wei Clan awakened being had come to his aid, blocking the blow.

BOOM!

In an instant, the iron shield was shattered by the punch, and the arm of the awakened being vanished into mist.

Taking the opportunity, Wei Hong and the other sixth-level awakened being retreated rapidly, turning their gaze toward the men of the Qi Dynasty. The Qi Dynasty’s awakened ones stared at Gu Changqing and the Wei group with murderous intent.

"He killed them all! I tried to stop him, but I couldn't—everyone saw it!" Wei Hong, shaken by Gu Changqing’s punch, shouted loudly.

But Gu Changqing pulled out a stack of talismans. A thunderbolt struck Wei Hong, sending him flying, followed immediately by the Mother-Child Yin-Yang Swords, which sliced off one of his legs. Gu Changqing leapt to pursue him.

"Stop him!" After realizing what was happening, the Qi Dynasty’s awakened ones surged toward Gu Changqing. They were also terrified; this must be the same awakened being from Wuji City last night. He had just used lightning, and there was that light that could block attacks, and those two swords carrying a ghostly glow—what was going on? They unanimously decided: he must be taken alive.

"A bunch of trash, get out of my way!" Gu Changqing roared with laughter. Another talisman ignited, and a fire dragon erupted, diving into the group behind him. Simultaneously, the Blood River and Weng Ping, standing upon it, intercepted the Qi Dynasty’s forces.

Gu Changqing reached Wei Hong. Before the man’s terrified gaze, he smashed his fist into his face. Wei Hong’s facial bones exploded, erupting from the back of his skull. At the same time, wisps of blood seeped into Wei Hong’s body. The moment Gu Changqing landed, he lunged toward the sixth-level awakened being who had blocked him with the shield. Since the situation had devolved to this, there was no need to wait for the future. He would kill them all right here.

The awakened being saw the danger and turned to flee behind the Qi Dynasty’s men. "Where do you think you’re running?" Gu Changqing sneered, igniting another talisman. A thunderbolt struck, knocking the man backward. Gu Changqing caught him by the throat and, with a violent tug, ripped his entire spine and head clean out.

This brutal scene sent a chill down everyone’s spines, freezing them to their marrow. The two sixth-level awakened beings hadn't even lasted a single blow against Gu Changqing.

Gu Changqing lunged at the third man. The man didn't dare to stay; he turned and sprinted toward the outer courtyard, but Gu Changqing was faster, catching him within a hundred meters. The man turned to strike with his blade, but Gu Changqing ignored it, punching through his chest. He grabbed the man's spine, ripped it out, and let the Blood Prison consume him.

The Qi Dynasty’s men caught up, their faces grave. They wanted him alive, but he was too ferocious, radiating a murderous aura like a wild beast. They had seen many, but none as savage as Gu Changqing. And his power was immense.

Facing the closing circle, Gu Changqing gave a grim laugh, retreated a hundred meters, and threw a handful of spirit stones into his Turtle-Snake Bagua Lamp. Thinking he was trying to escape, the others chased him. However, the moment Gu Changqing landed, his body became light as a feather, only to shift instantly to being heavy as a mountain. This oscillation between lightness and weight made the pursuers feel nauseous.

More terrifying was the punch Gu Changqing delivered. To the fastest pursuer, it didn't look like a fist, but a massive cauldron crashing down, containing the weight of mountains and rivers, indestructible. The man’s expression changed; he hardened his entire body and raised his small shield. If he could block this one hit, the others could surround him. But upon contact, he felt a terrifying force crash through the shield, shattering his arm and driving it into his chest. Gu Changqing immediately followed up with another blow to his head.

"You’re still acting arrogant at a time like this?" another awakened being said coldly, lunging with his sword toward Gu Changqing’s fist. He had seen that the red light around Gu Changqing could block attacks, requiring two or three hits to break, so he aimed to block the path of the attack.

"You think you can stop me?" Gu Changqing grinned. He didn't change his movement at all. As the blade struck his fist, the man felt a sharp pain in his wrist, losing his grip on the sword.

Braving the attacks of the other two, Gu Changqing reached the man with the broken arm and smashed his face in. After activating a Golden Light Protective Talisman, he didn't stop, grabbing the man by the neck and charging toward the inner gate again. The Qi Dynasty’s awakened ones were furious, but they couldn't catch him, especially with the Mother-Child Yin-Yang Swords constantly slicing at them.

Gao Wenxin and Gao Tianwu were still locked in combat, Gao Wenxin’s shoulder sliced open. Gao Tianwu had more injuries, though they were mostly flesh wounds from the blade intent. Yan Hao remained where he was, while the other Wei Clan sixth-level awakened being and Li Gongfu had vanished—likely having leapt off the cliff.

"Personal vendetta, it has nothing to do with you!" Gao Wenxin said coldly as she saw Gu Changqing charging toward them while dragging a man.

Gu Changqing laughed wildly, gave Gao Wenxin a thumbs-up, and hauled the man into the courtyard. The Blood River surged toward the remaining Qi Dynasty awakened ones.