Chapter 17: Who Has the Advantage?
Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Who Has the Advantage?
’That’s over ninety Demon Corpses! Over ninety! Not nine!’
’So what if you’re a Flesh Refining Realm Martial Artist? Your Qi Power will run out eventually, won’t it?’
’But the Demon Corpses? They’re an endless tide, impossible to kill them all!’
’What makes you think you can kill this entire horde?!’
Wu Chen’s calm words stirred a monstrous wave in the three men’s hearts, and they roared frantically in their minds.
After this brief outburst, they had no choice but to force themselves to calm down and assess the current situation:
"For a scene like this, you’d probably need at least three Flesh Refining Realm Martial Artists, taking turns fighting, to have any chance of wiping out this horde of Demon Corpses."
"For Young Master Wu to go alone is too reckless!"
"It’s a shame we’re only at the Body Tempering Realm. We’d be useless if we went. I’m afraid if Young Master Wu goes... he won’t be coming back."
Looking at the Demon Corpses pressing forward like a dark cloud, it seemed as if they could tear that lone, slender figure to shreds in an instant.
The three men in the group whispered amongst themselves, holding no hope for Wu Chen’s chances.
They turned their gazes to Liu Linshan, wanting to see what the man who had been following Wu Chen from the start had to say.
At this point, Liu Linshan had recovered from the shock of Wu Chen killing Sun Sheng and had accepted the fact that Wu Chen was a Flesh Refining Realm Martial Artist.
He watched Wu Chen walk against the flow of the crowd, then quietly obeyed Wu Chen’s words, taking his daughter to find a less crowded spot and sitting down cross-legged.
Feeling the three pairs of eyes locked on him, he looked with clarity at that lonely back and said calmly:
"Since Young Master Wu told everyone not to run around, you should just stay here peacefully."
"It’ll save Young Master Wu the trouble of having to look for you all later."
Finally, he couldn’t help but add with admiration,
"Truly, heroes are forged in youth!"
It was unclear where Liu Linshan’s confidence came from. The boy’s figure looked so frail, as if he could be torn to shreds by the massive horde of Demon Corpses in a single moment.
And yet, he just had a feeling that this young man had a way to repel the Demon Corpses and make them retreat once more!
"Don’t you worry."
Liu Wei, who had been quiet until now, also gave the new team members a firm nod. "Young Master Wu... he’s really amazing!"
Seeing the father and daughter duo say this, the three men’s doubts subsided somewhat.
But the thought of that vast horde of Demon Corpses, with Wu Chen facing it all alone...
The men swallowed hard.
"Forget it. Let’s do as Brother Wu said and stay here."
Among them, Zhou Yuntao, being the eldest, made up his mind. "We’re martial artists too. We’ve been chased by Demon Corpses this whole way... what right do we have to talk about practicing martial arts? How can we even call ourselves martial artists?"
"If Brother Wu can’t hold back the Demon Corpses up ahead, this blade of mine is still sharp!"
"Well said!"
The dark-skinned Zhang Qing clenched his fist, feeling inspired.
"Damn it! They chased me like a stray dog, but I’m not running today! Even if I die, I’m going to land one good strike on these bastards! Then my life won’t have been for nothing!"
The two of them, now united, looked to the last man.
"Since you both have put it that way."
Seeing them looking at him, Yue Changfeng shrugged. "Then I have no choice but to risk my life and join you gentlemen!"
...
The horde of Demon Corpses rolled in like a black cloud, closing in on the rear of the crowd and constantly shrinking the distance.
An overpowering stench, so thick it was suffocating, clung to them like a shadow, surging wantonly with the fleeing crowd and blanketing the entire area.
Under the uncovered sun, the horrifying features of these demonic creatures were fully revealed.
Their narrow, upturned eyes revealed a deep, sinister aura. Fangs protruded from their mouths, jagged and overlapping, with bits of rotting flesh still stuck between them.
Not only that, but their bodies were also covered in a layer of grayish-brown, overgrown hide that looked exceptionally tough, and sharp bone spurs grew from their joints.
These abominations no longer had any human features; they had completely degenerated into beasts.
A single glance was enough to make one’s soul tremble and lose the will to draw their blade and fight.
Yet, in the face of such a scene, a lone figure walked against the crowd, calmly heading toward the Demon Corpses.
Watching the shadows that pursued the crowd, Wu Chen’s expression remained neutral.
SHING!
His steps were firm, and as he walked, the steel blade in his hand was already unsheathed.
Gazing at the horde of Demon Corpses, not only did he feel no fear, he was actually eager for a fight.
’I killed five of them last night, but the Demon Corpses retreated under the cover of darkness, leaving me unsatisfied. Today, these bastards dare to show themselves in broad daylight. My own strength has undergone a fundamental transformation, so there’s no reason not to kill them to my heart’s content! Besides, after I kill all this scum, I can protect everyone on their journey south without any worries from behind!’
Wu Chen turned sideways to avoid the people occasionally bumping into him from the front, his pace quickening.
WHOOSH—
His speed suddenly shot up.
Cultivation realm and Martial Arts were always meant to complement each other.
The rudimentary Spiritual Snake Step, empowered by the physique of the Flesh Refining Realm, had become far more agile.
Wu Chen’s figure weaved through the dense crowd, reaching the very back before long.
About a hundred feet ahead was the enormous pursuing horde of Demon Corpses.
UUUU—
The Demon Corpse at the very front seemed to recognize Wu Chen’s scent. It let out a low moan from its throat, as if communicating something.
UUUU!
From within the Demon Corpse horde, a similar low moan answered.
It came from the leader hidden within the horde. As this sound echoed, the Demon Corpses screeched to a halt.
They finally stopped about fifty feet away from Wu Chen.
At that moment, most of the Demon Corpses in the horde recognized Wu Chen’s appearance and scent.
’It was the one who killed five of their companions last night!’
When enemies meet, their eyes burn with rage!
HUFF! HUFF!
The Demon Corpse horde grew agitated, wanting to use their overwhelming numbers to devour Wu Chen.
But, daunted by the strength Wu Chen had shown last night, the Demon Corpses acted rather...
Cautiously!
「On a small, raised hill in the distance.」
"See? I told you Young Master Wu would be fine."
Liu Linshan craned his neck, watching the Demon Corpse horde stop before Wu Chen. Though surprised, he still put on an all-knowing and unconcerned act.
Don’t be fooled by his relaxed expression; just a moment ago, watching the horde rapidly closing in on Wu Chen, he had been so scared his balls had shriveled up.
Fortunately, the Demon Corpses had stopped at the last second, allowing him to relax considerably.
"Master Liu, it’s not that I’m trying to be negative, but that’s over ninety Demon Corpses. I’m afraid Brother Wu alone..."
Watching the lone figure standing guard at the front, Zhou Yuntao couldn’t help but shake his head, not holding out much hope.
One versus ninety. It couldn’t be more obvious who had the advantage.
"Yeah. Even if we were well-fed and rested, with our Qi Power at its peak, and could stand with Brother Wu to lend him a hand, I doubt we could claim to stop so many Demon Corpses!" Zhang Qing chimed in.
"If only there was one more Flesh Refining Realm Martial Artist," Yue Changfeng sighed.
The men couldn’t help but think of the Iron Sand Palm user, Sun Sheng, but they ultimately just shook their heads helplessly.
Even if another Flesh Refining Realm Martial Artist did pop up, who could guarantee they would sacrifice themselves to slay demons instead of oppressing the refugees like Sun Sheng?
"Maybe, uh, Young Master Wu...?" As the men went back and forth, they gradually chipped away at Liu Linshan’s confidence.
But then he thought about Wu Chen’s performance throughout their journey, and an inexplicable wave of confidence washed over him. He felt that this horde of Demon Corpses would retreat before Wu Chen, just as they had the night before.
...
The Demon Corpse horde stood its ground, waiting quietly.
Their cunning eyes watched as the crowd of refugees behind Wu Chen gradually fled into the distance. When only a single, solitary figure remained, they finally realized.
’The prey has no backup! The prey is alone!’
’What was there to be afraid of!’
UUUU!
A short, sharp cry rang out, and then the Demon Corpses surged toward Wu Chen like a tidal wave.
Wu Chen knew the Demon Corpses had only reacted this way because the refugees behind him were now a safe distance away. At that moment, he moved.
With a flick of his hand, he hurled his refined steel scabbard. It became a black streak, smashing toward the Demon Corpse at the front, the one closest to him.
WHOOSH!
The scabbard carried a heavy wind, whistling through the air, a testament to the terrifying force behind it.
Yet, this scabbard, imbued with an immense amount of Qi Power, was easily dodged by the frontmost Demon Corpse with a single leap.
But the scabbard didn’t miss.
Because the Demon Corpses were simply too densely packed, the one behind it wasn’t so lucky.
Merely grazed by the scabbard, the bodies of two Demon Corpses snapped on the spot, and they toppled to the ground.