Chapter 81: The Family Escapes

Hmm?

The Martial Marquis of the Liu clan was surprised to see that his thrown spear had failed to kill Lu Yan, but his murderous intent only intensified. He leapt forward, landed beside his spear, and in one fluid motion, swept it up and charged toward Lu Yan like a raging hurricane, bringing his weapon down from above with a mighty stroke.

His movements were seamless, as swift as a gale, his assault fierce as a torrential downpour. The spear whistled through the air with a terrifying roar, as if it could split heaven and earth itself.

Lu Yan let out a low shout, circulating his entire body's vitality. His frame swelled rapidly, his height returning to around two meters; muscle like cast iron gleamed with a golden hue, giving him the appearance of a living bronze statue from afar.

He pushed his Barbaric Elephant Form and Diamond Body to their limits, swinging his Crimson Blood Blade with all his might.

Clang!

Blade met spear. A shockwave ran through Lu Yan as a powerful, sharp force surged along the Crimson Blood Blade, making his palms sting and sending him flying back more than ten meters.

"I blocked it."

Lu Yan drew a deep breath.

Compared to his previous battle against the Martial Marquis of the Ge clan in Snake City, his situation was much improved. Back then, every clash had sent him flying and left him injured.

This time, though he was forced back, he was unharmed.

"Bone force is still formidable. The vitality I've cultivated from a second-rate martial art is like rotten mud, unable to withstand a single blow."

Lu Yan's mind raced as he quickly gauged the gap between himself and his opponent.

Since that last battle with the Ge clan's Martial Marquis, Lu Yan had trained his Overlord Halberd, Barbaric Elephant Form, and Wind-Chasing Step to the point of perfect unity between man and weapon, earning three blessings from heaven and earth.

His vitality had grown significantly, and his physical strength had become much more formidable.

With Barbaric Elephant Form and Diamond Body stacked, his explosive power had soared.

In terms of sheer physique, Lu Yan now surpassed his foe.

But his opponent's bone force remained a deadly weapon; Lu Yan's vitality was no match for it.

His weakness lay in his vitality. Had he cultivated a first-rate martial art, with more refined energy, his situation would be much better.

All these thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, but his body did not pause—he kept retreating.

"Impressive, boy. A natural-born martial body—then you must not be allowed to live."

The killing intent of the Liu clan's Martial Marquis peaked.

He had struck in person, yet only managed to push Lu Yan back. This was far beyond the strength of an ordinary martial artist who had broken through five limits; only one with a natural-born martial body could possess it.

And not just any natural-born martial body—this one's vitality was at least five times that of a normal person, far surpassing the likes of Liu Xingchao.

Such a powerful natural-born martial body was a rarity not only in Longwind City but across all six counties of Lingtong.

Since they were enemies, he had to be destroyed—no future trouble must be left.

The Liu clan's Martial Marquis summoned his bone force and was about to pursue Lu Yan, but after two steps, he suddenly spun and swept his spear behind him.

Clang!

A metal arrow over a meter long was knocked aside.

"Wu Fuming, come out!"

The Liu clan's Martial Marquis shouted coldly.

From the darkness, a burly figure emerged—the Martial Marquis of the Wu clan.

As soon as the Wu clan's Martial Marquis appeared, he charged at the Liu clan's Martial Marquis, his enormous palms sweeping down with a gust of wind as he called out, "Brother, let's join forces and slay this Liu bastard!"

But Lu Yan paid him no heed, quickly darting off into the distance.

He was no fool—joining a Martial Marquis battle would be suicidal.

Moreover, his aim was to rescue people; he couldn't care less who lived or died between the Liu and Wu clans.

With the two Martial Marquises locked in fierce combat, neither could spare a thought for Lu Yan, who slipped away unnoticed.

After circling around, he soon saw a group locked in fierce struggle ahead.

Two members of the Liu clan and three from the Wu clan were locked in a deadlock.

Lu Yan charged in, blade drawn, and dispatched the three Wu clan members with a single stroke each.

The two Liu clan members were stunned, but soon overjoyed. "You're a Crimson Guard! Good, come fight with us in the front courtyard—the battle is fierce!"

Thud! Thud!

Lu Yan struck with both palms, sending one flying several meters to land unconscious, the other coughing blood and collapsing in terror.

What was going on? This man killed both Wu and Liu clansmen—who was he?

"I'll ask, you answer. I'll ask the other one next. If your answers don't match, you'll both die."

The man nodded.

The instinct to survive was universal; if there was a chance to live, who would choose death? Especially among the scions of great clans.

"Where are the families of the Crimson Guard being held?"

"In the beast pit—a disused beast pit," the Liu clansman replied.

The answer matched what another had said before. It seemed the prisoners were indeed in the beast pit, though that last man had never led him there.

Lu Yan woke the other and interrogated him as well. The answer was the same.

"Lead the way," said Lu Yan.

Naturally, the two Liu clansmen tried to bargain, promising to lead the way if he would spare them. Lu Yan readily agreed.

He was no man of his word like Shen Yinuo.

This time, the two dared not play tricks and led him to a remote place.

It was not at the core of the Bloody Earth Vein, but on the outskirts, far from the Liu clan fortress and away from the battleground.

Here, all was quiet, watched over by only a handful of low-ranking Liu clansmen.

With two guides, Lu Yan easily entered the beast pit.

The beast pit was, in fact, a spacious cave. Dry grass covered the ground, and several hundred people lay there.

Lu Yan immediately spotted Lu Qingshan and Wang Cui huddled in a corner, but he showed no change in expression, making no move to approach them at once. Instead, he withdrew from the cave with his two guides.

"Can we go now?" one Liu clansman asked nervously.

"Of course. You may be on your way," Lu Yan replied.

A flash of the blade—two heads fell.

Then, in a single leap, he slew the three guards outside before they could even cry out.

No one inside the cave was alerted.

Lu Yan did not want everyone to know he was there to rescue them.

Otherwise, they would all swarm after him, making it impossible to keep a low profile.

He stripped off his Crimson Guard uniform, used his Shape-Shifting Technique to alter his appearance, and re-entered the cave.

A hundred curious and fearful eyes stared at him.

Lu Yan strode straight to Lu Qingshan and Wang Cui. "You two, get up and follow me."

They thought he was one of the Liu clan—how would they dare disobey? They rose quietly and followed him.

Lu Yan then walked over to Wang Lin's family and signaled them to rise as well.

"Who is Lin Zixuan?" he called out.

Lin Zixuan was Zhang Jun's wife's name. He had never met Zhang Jun's family.

He had not originally planned to take Zhang Jun's family with him, but since the place was remote and both clans were locked in battle at the fortress, he decided he could rescue a few more. They could descend the mountain from this side and avoid notice.

But taking several hundred people was impossible.

Besides, he believed that regardless of which clan won, they would not slaughter these civilians. Their only value was as leverage against the Crimson Guard. Now, most of the Crimson Guard had already perished.

"I—I am," a woman replied.

"Take your family and follow me."

"Sir, what—what do you want with us?" Lin Zixuan asked timidly, fearful of what fate awaited.

"Why so many questions? Just do as you're told," Lu Yan replied, his expression darkening and voice stern. Lin Zixuan blanched and dared not ask again, gathering her family to follow.

A boy and a girl, and an elder—yes, it was Zhang Jun's family; the headcount matched.

Lu Yan led the three families out of the cave and down the mountain.

Lu Qingshan and the others dared not ask questions, only following silently.

Under cover of night, they made it to the foot of the mountain without incident.

"Father, Mother—it's me," Lu Yan said, rubbing his face as if wiping away a disguise, using his Shape-Shifting Technique to restore his true features.

"Yan'er, it's you!" Lu Qingshan and Wang Cui exclaimed with joy.

Wang Lin's family also recognized Lu Yan, elated beyond words.

Lin Zixuan realized Lu Yan was their rescuer, and her heart was finally at ease.

"This way—Brother Wang and Zhang Jun are waiting for us," Lu Yan said, leading everyone to the hiding place of Wang Lin and Zhang Jun.

By now, Zhang Jun had regained consciousness. Seeing their own families, they could not contain their joy.

"Hurry, let's get out of here and return to Longwind City," Lu Yan urged.

They set out, but after only a few steps, Lu Yan suddenly stopped, his expression grave.

(End of chapter)