Chapter 65: Is This Trash the Surprise You Prepared for Me?

Luo Xiu drove to the designated location. From a distance, she could already see a crowd gathered along the street, all gazing in one direction, many with their phones raised to capture the scene.

This was not beyond her expectations. The apparition that had appeared this time was far too unusual, causing a commotion that could not be concealed—especially in a bustling city like Angang. There was no way to cover it up.

In truth, the soldiers had long wished for everything to be made public. No one wanted to be a hero in the shadows, fighting these strange entities with no one ever knowing what they had done. Yet, with everything out in the open, it would be different; all would bask in the light and become heroes.

As the vehicle wove through the crowd, Luo Xiu saw ahead where a cluster of old buildings should have stood. The city’s edge came to an abrupt halt and was replaced by a dense forest and a mountain.

The entire South District Office had mobilized, but even so, it was not enough to seal off the area; some reinforcements had to be brought in from other offices.

A dozen people stood at the perimeter. Besides Luo Xiu’s own team leader, Chi Hui, and several teammates, there were also seven or eight newly awakened individuals.

These newcomers, however, were only here to observe. They would not go in.

Luo Xiu walked over, and the rookies immediately stepped aside. "Sister Luo Xiu!"

She was quite popular among Angang’s soldiers—beautiful, long-legged, her demeanor cool but not arrogant, and her strength not to be underestimated.

"Captain, how can it be a Phantom Monk? What level?" Luo Xiu asked, standing beside the sharp-featured Chi Hui, her gaze fixed on the mountain.

It was the first time such a being had appeared in Nan Chu.

"Judging by the range, it’s not yet at Calamity-level! But a lot of people have already been dragged in; it could be troublesome," Chi Hui replied, his expression grim.

"When do we go in?" Luo Xiu asked.

"We wait a little longer, until the Second Team arrives," he said. After all, this was his first time dealing with a Phantom Monk as well, and such entities were notoriously tricky.

...

"Phantom Monk?" Gu Changqing was also surprised to see the distant mountain.

He had watched some videos about such beings on the Awakened Era forum but never expected to encounter one in Angang.

All around, people had gathered to watch the spectacle. Gu Changqing parked his car and walked to the roadside. "Boss, two skewers of fish balls, please!"

The vendor was quick to seize a business opportunity. Even as chaos threatened, he’d wheeled his cart to where the crowds had gathered.

Glancing around, Gu Changqing spotted a few obvious gang members, strode over, and slapped each one. "Who’s your boss?"

The gangsters flared up instantly; they were used to swaggering through the streets, not getting slapped by strangers. But faced with Gu Changqing’s menacing aura, they hesitated, though pride forced them to lift their chins. "We’re with the Longyou Gang!"

Gu Changqing kicked one of them two meters away. "What, got a problem with that?"

"Keep an eye on my car," he ordered, pointing to his red sedan. "I just bought that car! If there’s a scratch, you’ll be sleeping with the fishes."

With that, Gu Changqing called Ding Lizhi of the Longyou Gang.

"Mr. Gu..." Ding Lizhi shuddered when he saw the caller ID, still traumatized from their previous encounter.

"Tell your boys to watch my car," Gu Changqing said, handing the phone to one of the gangsters.

Soon, the phone was returned with utmost respect. "Mr. Gu!"

Gu Changqing collected his fish balls, eating as he walked through the crowd. He soon reached the cordon, where both the Security Bureau officers and soldiers stood. He didn’t spot any familiar faces from the South Office, but two unfamiliar officers stepped forward to intercept him.

"Chongming’s people," Gu Changqing mumbled around his food.

The soldiers recognized him as well. Luo Xiu frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"What, does your family own this street?" Gu Changqing sneered, brushing past the officers. He raised his eyebrows at the soldiers. "I’m standing here. Should I be paying you toll?"

"You still have the nerve to show your face after what happened with Sister Bai? Haven’t settled that score yet!" Sang Yeye pulled Luo Xiu aside and sneered.

"Come on, bite me," Gu Changqing beckoned mockingly.

Sang Yeye’s face grew even colder. "Fine, don’t leave!"

"Are you stupid or something?" Gu Changqing scoffed. He had no intention of leaving; he wanted to see what surprises the soldiers had prepared for him.

Chi Hui glanced at Gu Changqing but lost interest quickly. He didn’t like Gu Changqing, but his position kept him from stooping to bickering with him. If it were Gao Wenxin, perhaps things would be different.

The new recruits watched Gu Changqing, then glanced at the others, whispering among themselves.

"Who is he? So bold!"

"He’s way too arrogant!"

"But he looks pretty cool!"

"I think he’s with Chongming..."

The Second Team arrived swiftly; within three minutes, five more people joined them.

Several of them raised their eyebrows upon seeing Gu Changqing. Sang Yeye had previously asked them for help to avenge Bai, and there was also the matter of Luo Xiu.

A pair of twins exchanged glances and walked over, arms crossed, smirking. "You’re Gu Changqing from Chongming, right? Not that strong, but you sure act tough!"

"Do you even know your own worth?"

The rest of the team watched, amused.

Ou Qingfeng and Ou Qingyang, twin brothers, both balanced physical enhancers, excelled at joint attacks and had unruly temperaments.

Gu Changqing recalled their profiles and grinned, his lips stretching to his ears, exuding a fierce, murderous aura.

"So, you two are the surprise they’ve prepared for me?"

Blue veins crawled up Gu Changqing’s skin, his presence growing ever more intimidating.

The twins were taken aback; they hadn’t expected Gu Changqing to be so brazen even now.

They grinned in unison, their movements perfectly mirrored. In a flash, one leapt high to strike his upper body, the other lunged low for his legs.

Gu Changqing, who had seemed to radiate a heavy, powerful presence, suddenly turned light as a feather. The abrupt shift startled the onlookers, all seasoned Awakened of around the fourth level.

They immediately noticed the change: the jarring contrast between power and lightness in one person, an odd sensation.

Gu Changqing lunged, appearing overhead Ou Qingfeng, who immediately twisted, fists striking upward.

But Gu Changqing only laughed wildly. His body shifted from light to heavy, crashing down like a mountain, his aura exploding with violence.

"Get down!" he roared, swinging his fist like a beast challenging the heavens, the force surpassing everyone’s expectations, sending chills through the crowd.

"Not good!" The rest of the Second Team’s faces changed.

But it was too late.

As Ou Qingfeng’s fists met Gu Changqing’s, he was overwhelmed by a savage force, like a man facing a runaway dump truck. His arms were flung aside, and Gu Changqing’s punch crashed into his chest.

Boom!

The ground itself trembled.

Bones shattered—no one knew how many. Ou Qingfeng was driven deep into the ground.

A fourth-level physical enhancer, downed with a single blow. The soldiers could scarcely believe their eyes.

"Impossible!" Sang Yeye’s mouth hung open in disbelief.

Luo Xiu had long suspected something was off about Gu Changqing, but even she was stunned, her mind reeling.

The others were even more shaken—shocked or furious, none could remain calm.

After sending Ou Qingfeng into the earth, Gu Changqing’s body shifted from heavy to light again, landing softly and pouncing at Ou Qingyang, a savage grin on his face.

"Arrogant!" a female member of the Second Team could stand no more, lifting her hand as a firebird, larger than a human head and radiating searing heat, shot toward Gu Changqing.

"Get lost!" Gu Changqing roared. A blood python shot from his left hand, lunging at the flames.

Normally, blood would be instantly vaporized by fire, or so everyone thought.

To their surprise, while the blood python shrank, it coiled around the fire, blood threads spreading out to envelop the flames in a crimson net.

Ignoring the fire entirely, Gu Changqing charged at Ou Qingyang, his blood surging to the limit, agonized wails emanating from his body, chilling all who heard them.

"You’re the real monster here!" Sang Yeye’s face was icy cold. The twins had fought because of her words; the two captains wouldn’t stoop to act, but she could not stand by.

Sang Yeye’s eyes flashed silver, invisible psychic spikes stabbing into Gu Changqing’s mind.

It felt as if steel drills were boring into his skull—a pain far worse than any physical agony.

Anyone else might have fainted.

But Gu Changqing was a cultivator; his mental resistance far exceeded that of ordinary Awakened. The impact was lessened.

His mind seethed with murderous intent. He ignored the searing pain, eyes fixed on the turning Ou Qingyang, his face growing even more ferocious.

He roared, thunderous, as his body shifted again—light to heavy—punching out.

With every opponent he crushed, his fist intent grew sharper, his power fiercer, more infused with his own character.

This punch was even more violent than the last.

Ou Qingyang, seeing the fist and the wild intent behind it, was overtaken by fear.

He knew this blow was unstoppable—he had nowhere to hide.

He couldn’t take it. No way.

He’d just seen what happened to his brother.

"Has he only just awakened? Isn’t his power supposed to be blood manipulation?" flashed through Ou Qingyang’s mind, but now was not the time for questions.

He bit his tongue to keep his wits, lunging sideways, supporting himself with one hand, and snapping his legs at Gu Changqing like lightning.

He evaded the direct punch; with his posture, it would be hard for Gu Changqing to attack him. Besides, legs were longer and stronger than arms.

Given the force, he could shatter a concrete barrier.

"Die!" Bloodshot eyes and a savage grin, Gu Changqing’s fist crashed down.

Boom!

Ou Qingyang’s lower leg twisted into a grotesque shape, his body smashing the ground before flying dozens of meters.

The soldiers could not compose themselves. Both twins had failed to withstand even a single punch.

The remaining members of the Second Team hesitated, torn between stepping forward and being cowed by Gu Changqing’s raging ferocity.

He stood there, spat in the direction of the twins. "I thought you’d give me a challenge, but you’re both trash!"

He swept his gaze over the soldiers, grinning savagely. "Are these the surprises you had for me?"

With a single step, he charged at Sang Yeye, whose eyes glimmered silver.

My head is killing me right now!

(End of chapter)