e-booksonline Chapter 50 Meeting
Chapter 50 Meeting
Tensions were high, and the surroundings were desolate.
The cold wind was biting and the oppressive atmosphere felt like a thousand pounds pressing down on you.
The old man tilted his head and stared intently at Fang Hongxuan.
"Yes...why are there five sets of bowls and chopsticks...honored guest, could you please tell this old man the reason?"
The patched coarse linen clothes were immediately torn apart by the old man's deformed body, and yellowish pustules oozed out from the wound.
The withered hands were stretched to the size of palm-leaf fans, and the already thin body stretched straight to the eaves. Moss and weeds dripped from the black tiles.
"Another new change has occurred..."
Chen Qinghe quickly kicked the unbroken bowls and chopsticks to a secluded corner and called out to the old man.
"Old man, perhaps my brothers are just too hungry to see clearly. There are clearly four sets of bowls and chopsticks, so how come there's an extra set..."
The old man's terrifying, predatory aura vanished instantly. He was stunned for a moment before his expression returned.
"That damned wild boar has disturbed our distinguished guest's meal... What a pity for my dining table, which has been with me for over a decade..."
The old man, beating his chest and stamping his feet, hurriedly picked up the soup and food that had been spilled all over the ground, as well as the broken pots and pans, wiping away tears as he did so.
It's unclear whether she was grieving over the wasted meat or weeping over the poor hospitality.
"Please wait a moment, distinguished guests. I will immediately offer this plump wild boar as an apology. I hope you will not offend Lord Chenmu..."
"While these walking corpses are not a major concern, we must be wary of those incredibly realistic illusions..."
The three exchanged glances and then, as if on cue, took their leave.
"We are about to embark on our inspection tour. We wonder if you have any guidance, sir."
Upon hearing this, the old man stopped crying, his mournful tone turning indignant. His gaunt figure became even more violent.
"Are you trying to trick me into going out and complaining?"
The weathered tables and chairs were now smashed to pieces, and the old man with violent eyes swept his large hand toward the three of them.
Jian Shiqing wasn't going to tolerate him. A flash of cold light appeared first, followed by a spear thrust out like a dragon!
『铿』
Spears and swords clashed, sparks flying and then extinguished.
"Comrade, why is this happening...?"
Fang Hongxuan did not turn around, but merely drew his sword and twirled it. His fan-like hand fell to the ground as he sheathed it.
"When the universe is turned upside down, all sorts of things must also be turned upside down..."
"We weren't allowed to go out before because there was danger outside. Now that there's danger inside, going out is the only way to maintain our previous safety."
Following Fang Hongxuan's reminder, Chen Qinghe realized what was going on.
At this moment, the old man had lost all reason. He charged straight at the three of them, but Jian Shiqing kicked him back into the house.
outside the street
The three cautiously made their way forward, but there was not a soul in sight. They didn't even hear the crowing of roosters or the barking of dogs.
It was as if the three of them were the only ones left in the entire village.
"Sizzle"
A sharp, piercing sound rang out from ahead.
...
"Today's progress has improved a bit; it seems that Niu Yixuan's corpse poison is indeed quite effective. I wonder how the three-clawed poison toad is doing."
Two tattooed men wielding knives chatted idly, yet they remained vigilant, continuing their patrol with caution.
"In my opinion, those zombies won't patrol at all during this transition period; the leader is just being overly cautious."
Shh, be careful not to be overheard. It's fine if you get stabbed a few times, but don't drag me down with you.
"Do you think you can report me?"
"That's hard to say..."
As the two chatted and laughed, a figure emerged from the alleyway ahead.
"Who goes there!"
The tattooed men's expressions changed instantly, and they all drew their ring-pommel swords.
Fang Hongxuan stood with his scabbard in hand, coldly watching the two of them.
Just then, Chen Qinghe behind him suddenly activated his innate ability.
"The Corpse Carrier!"
Before they could even defend themselves, the two were instantly suppressed behind Chen Qinghe. Their eyes were filled with terror, for they had never seen such a horrifying method before.
'Clang'
The blade was as bright as day, its light chilling the surrounding fields.
The two headless corpses fell to the ground. Fang Hongxuan swung his blade to disperse the blood and then sheathed it.
"That's a pretty good ability..."
"What terrifying swordsmanship..."
As the two were thinking this, Jian Shiqing, who was on lookout duty, spoke up to remind them.
"More people are coming, this time even more, a full twelve! Let's avoid their attacks for now, and wait for the right opportunity to strike."
The ease with which he killed the two men was solely due to favorable timing, location, and circumstances. If he were to do it so easily again, it would likely be difficult.
"The smell of blood is strong; they'll find this place soon..."
Chen Qinghe explained in a low voice, his meaning being nothing more than asking Fang Hongxuan what the next steps were.
"The enemy is in the open while we are in the dark; we just need to wait for the right opportunity."
The three quickly erased all traces and disappeared back into the darkness.
Soon, the monks and the remaining black-clad tattooed men appeared in the alley. The leading monk crouched down to examine his wounds.
His expression immediately turned serious, and only after thoroughly examining both corpses did he give orders to the others with a grim face.
"Return to your original positions and first find out the hidden rats... The formation is missing two people, so I and Benefactor Tian will fill in for them."
In just a moment, the huge crowd disappeared without a trace.
"Master Zhiyuan, how is the situation?"
The tattooed man at the head of the group was named Tian Guangzu, a name that naturally meant bringing glory to one's ancestors; however, the tattoos on his face had already said it all.
"A single, swift blow, without the slightest hesitation. Neither of them showed the slightest sign of resistance... a master knife user..."
"Could it be that your master's plan was discovered by his mortal enemy, which is why he sent such a skilled expert to sabotage your master's plans?"
However, Tian Guangzu firmly rejected this possibility.
"Absolutely impossible. Your Excellency has never had any enemies, not in the past, and never will..."
"That must be the wandering knight who stumbled upon this place by accident."
"If that's the case, then leave it here. We're almost there, and I don't want any unexpected things to happen."
The monk gathered the prayer beads in his hand, then carefully pondered Tian Guangzu's words. After a long while, he nodded slightly.
The two walked further and further apart, and soon disappeared into the street.
Just as Fang Hongxuan was about to step forward for a closer look, three cold arrows suddenly arrived.
"Hmph, I knew those thieves hadn't gone far."
Tian Guangzu, holding a hemp-backed bow, drew the bow and aimed an arrow at Fang Hongxuan before firing. A dense barrage of arrows also shot out from the street, heading straight for Fang Hongxuan.
Arrows rained down, streaking across the sky.
Fang Hongxuan had no choice but to pull out his robe and swirl it into the air, catching all the gleaming arrows. However, the group of tattooed men refused to give up.
The bowstring was plucked faster and faster, and the arrow was shot faster and faster.
Even though Fang Hongxuan was attacking with both hands, he was struggling to keep up. After all, there were simply too many arrows, and he only had one pair.
Although his swordsmanship was fierce and he dared to fight and kill, a man of the martial world is still just a man of the martial world. How could he possibly fight against a large and powerful group of tattooed bandits?
"Are you sure you shouldn't go and help?"
Chen Qinghe frowned slightly, a vague worry creeping into his heart.
"Without armor, even if the two of us attack together, we can only hold out a little longer. Let's trust our comrades..."
Jian Shiqing said this, but he himself clenched his fists slightly.