Chapter 19: The More She Thought About It, the Angrier She Became

The two riders flanking Gu Changqing flashed their blades, dazzling in the snow-bright light as they slashed at him from both sides. Their movements were so fast and confusing that it was almost impossible to see how the strike would land. Yet, despite their impressive technique, their strength was sorely lacking.

Gu Changqing, though possessing only the basics of Hong Fist from his previous life and unfamiliar with this world’s martial arts, nonetheless had blood that surged like a mighty river. Anywhere else, he would be considered a martial arts master. With just one more step—refining his marrow and changing his blood—he would be halfway through the door to the immortal path.

A grin curled at Gu Changqing’s lips. With a powerful stomp, he leapt clear of their blades and charged toward two others in the distance. With a flick of his shoulder, the semi-automatic rifle hanging on him dropped into his hands. If this was going to end in violence, he would make sure none escaped.

Seeing Gu Changqing rush forward, the two in the rear grew cold-faced. One immediately produced an order arrow from his robe; a toss into the air would send it piercing through the clouds, thundering across the skies. Within a radius of dozens of miles, all members of the Yu family would see and hear it.

The other spurred his horse, lunging at Gu Changqing with a shout, "We are Yu family of Yuanhe, here to apprehend a fugitive! This place is surrounded—if you resist, you’ll die!" His long blade flashed from its sheath, striking down like a fierce tiger, intimidating and powerful. He was stronger than the previous two Yu family disciples.

The Yu family of Yuanhe was a powerful clan in the region, spanning hundreds of miles. Every generation, their sons entered the immortal sects, and their influence was vast. Merely those attached to the family numbered in the tens of thousands.

The recently slain Young Master Yu was the family head’s favored second son, a disciple of the Azure Cloud Dao Sect, gifted and promising—barely thirty years old and already at the fifth stage of Qi Refining. In time, he might become a Foundation Establishment cultivator. A single Foundation Establishment cultivator could shield a clan for two centuries.

Yet, this second son had been killed by a demonic cultivator, and the news sent the whole Yu family into an uproar. Now, disciples of the Yu family fortress were scouring the countryside on horseback—it was the fourth day! Every Yu disciple knew the killer was a demonic cultivator; upon encountering him, they were to launch the order arrow at once.

Though they couldn’t be sure if this strangely dressed man was their target, the last Yu disciple was prepared to send the signal at any moment.

Facing the deadly blade, Gu Changqing grinned at his opponent, twisted his body to evade the strike, and aimed his rifle at the Yu disciple holding the order arrow.

Ratatatat!

Seeing the dark muzzle, the distant Yu disciple sensed grave danger and leaned back. His reaction was quick, but the bullet was quicker. As the shots rang out, three bursts of blood bloomed on the disciple’s chest, throat, and forehead. He toppled from his horse, the order arrow still clutched in his hand, never released.

"Damn!" The sudden turn of events made the Yu disciple who was attacking flush with rage. "You’re courting death!"

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He was now sure of one thing—the opponent wasn’t the demonic cultivator. The one who killed Second Young Master Yu couldn't possibly use such a strange weapon, no better than a crossbow!

On landing, his spine twisted like a dragon, instantly accelerating as he rushed at Gu Changqing, staying low to the ground. His blade flashed, weaving a net toward Gu Changqing, swift as lightning and nearly engulfing him.

Gu Changqing’s blood surged, and with a powerful leap backward, he escaped the blade net, swinging the rifle toward another direction—the two Yu disciples in pursuit.

Seeing their comrades killed, the two reached for their order arrows. Gu Changqing spun, firing two quick bursts that dropped them both.

"Perfect blood and qi!" The last remaining Yu disciple heard the roaring river in his ears, his eyes bloodshot. "No matter who you are, you will die today!"

He suddenly retreated, producing an order arrow from his waist and hurling it skyward. Instantly, a shrill whistle pierced the air, a thin line streaking toward the heavens.

Even if the target wasn’t the demonic cultivator they sought, he would risk punishment to send the message and ensure capture. This man had killed three Yu disciples—he must die!

"Damn!" Gu Changqing cursed. All his efforts wasted; the signal had gotten out. He couldn’t know how many Yu family members were nearby, but it was safe to assume there were plenty, perhaps even experts.

Gu Changqing swung the rifle at the sole surviving Yu disciple, firing three bursts—nine bullets flew toward him.

Clang, clang, clang!

The Yu disciple frantically spun his blade, forming a wall of steel that deflected every bullet. One ricocheted past Gu Changqing’s head.

Gu Changqing fired two more bursts, fifteen rounds in total. The Yu disciple’s abdomen and right leg were suddenly stained red, his movements slowing.

Gu Changqing seized the opening, sending two short bursts. The Yu disciple shuddered, blood blooming from his chest, abdomen, and throat. He collapsed, eyes filled with hate and unwillingness.

"Damn, how tough are they?" Gu Changqing realized the man was weaker than him, yet took more than twenty shots to die. Their blade skills and agility were far beyond his own.

Gu Changqing darted to the corpse, searching his robe, waist, and sleeves, finding a small embroidered pouch. He grabbed the fallen blade and slipped into the forest.

Within half a cup of tea’s time, several horses thundered in from afar. Seeing the bodies, the riders leapt down to inspect.

"Killed by a hidden weapon! Our people are everywhere—he can’t escape. He must’ve run into the woods! After him!"

"Whoever he is, if he killed Yu family disciples, we’ll catch him alive, then slaughter his entire clan!"

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The speaker’s eyes brimmed with murderous intent. The Yu family had been rooted here for generations—even other clans gave them respect. Not only had the second son been killed, now even nobodies dared to slaughter Yu family disciples!

It took only a moment to confirm that these deaths weren’t at the hands of the demonic cultivator being hunted. Still, the killer had slain Yu disciples, and he must pay in blood.

Leaving one behind, the rest galloped into the woods. Meanwhile, Yu family disciples from the surrounding area converged.

But as soon as it was clear the killer wasn’t the demonic cultivator, most returned to their posts, only a few continuing the pursuit.

Two hours later, word reached a grand mansion in a nearby city. Spread over dozens of acres, the estate was opulent, teeming with servants and maids—yet it was only a Yu family satellite residence.

Here sat a Yu family master, Yu Wentao, at the sixth stage of Qi Refining.

Upon hearing the news, Yu Wentao snorted, "That Li-named demonic cultivator is our real target. His whereabouts must be found!"

For him, only the demonic cultivator surnamed Li mattered. The slain Yu family disciples weren’t true kin, merely martial artists attached to the clan—not worth his concern.

He dismissed the matter, but another in the city took notice.

"Someone killed Yu family disciples… Not strong… Perhaps it’s him." A woman laughed softly and vanished into the courtyard.

……

Trees flashed past Gu Changqing as he sped through the forest, quickly reloading his magazine. With a leap, he crossed a mountain stream seven or eight meters wide.

He counted his ammunition—fifty rounds for the rifle, a hundred for the pistol.

"Never mind cultivation techniques, even the martial arts here are extraordinary!"

"Someone far weaker than me, yet with blade skills and agility so fierce, he could even block bullets!"

"Too bad I couldn’t get their techniques, but no matter—I’ll return and immediately refine my marrow and change my blood! Then a single punch will be enough to obliterate them!"

"And I only got the blood-changing and marrow-refining techniques from that jade blade—the rest was beyond my current strength. Perhaps there are more methods for cultivators; once I refine marrow and blood, I may see them!"

After half an hour of running, he heard the muffled thump of boots on tree trunks behind him.

"Damn, they're already catching up!"

Framed and hunted.

Gu Changqing's anger grew, his face darkening with fury. Never in his life had he suffered such humiliation.

Hearing the pursuers barely a hundred meters behind, Gu Changqing dashed through a sparse patch of woods, suddenly shifted his weight backward, slid seven or eight meters across the ground, and spun, aiming his rifle.

He would deal with this group first.

Kill them, then find a place to log off and return to the Southern Chu world—who’s afraid of whom!

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