Chapter 171: Crushing Defeat
And beside him, two figures were either sitting or lying down.
One was a burly man with a bushy beard, his left arm wrapped in a Cloth Bandage soaked through with blood and filth, faint Bones visible beneath the bandage.
The other was a well-preserved woman with lingering charm, though her face was haggard, her skirt hem torn, and with a brush of River Wind, her thigh covered in wounds was revealed.
Looking further at the fast boat’s hull, it was covered in claw marks deep enough to expose bone, and the banner on the mast embroidered with “Slay Demons” had long since vanished to who knows where.
Some time ago, Lu Jing dispatched five True Intent Masters, all elites from the Wuqing Stick Bureau, to Funiu Water Marsh to investigate the cause of the demon shadows multiplying and the surge in water demons.
But six went, three returned.
Two died miserably in demon bellies, one missing with unknown life or death.
Water marshes far from land were, after all, forbidden zones of life for humans.
Even for Lu Jing, who had slain the Mind Thief, it was no exception.
To truly wreak havoc in the water and force all water demons to retreat.
Only a Martial Dao Grandmaster at Third Refinement Perfection, immune to poison, drowning, or fire, treating vast marshes as flat ground, could do it.
“Cheep me~~~”
A strange shrill cry like an infant’s wail rang out.
Then, a peculiar water spirit, neither fish nor flood dragon, as large as a boat and three zhang long, with round and fat pectoral fins on both sides, suddenly leaped from the water and swam near this fast boat, breaking waves to lead the way.
Quite intelligent.
Along the way, some water demons stirred with intent to attack, but were driven off by this peculiar water spirit.
Lazy Woman Fish, hermaphroditic, like a wild boar on land, transforming into a giant fish in the sea.
And Lazy Woman Fish had another name, called Grand Canal Porpoise.
A unique branch of water spirits living downstream of the Grand Canal, near the vast ocean.
Gentle by nature, intimate with humans, often guiding lost fishermen.
In ancient times, some fishermen even exploited this to lure and kill porpoises.
So in recent years, Grand Canal Porpoises were rarely seen along the riverside.
“Many thanks to Brother Jiang for escorting us all the way and helping us break through the demon horde.”
Lu Jing politely cupped his hands toward this Grand Canal Porpoise.
The Grand Canal Porpoise’s head tilted out of the water, its mouth opening and closing as it sprayed a water column from its mouth, in return.
The burly man glanced indifferently at the Grand Canal Porpoise and said, “Be careful, those not of our kind must have different hearts; these water monsters are full of tricks.”
The plump woman, hearing this, couldn’t help but sarcasm.
“No matter how many tricks, how could they compare to you?! Brother Wang Chen was clearly about to board the boat, just needing a few more breaths, but you insisted on setting off immediately and rowing…”
The burly man fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then said,
“If I hadn’t done that, we would all be dead. Better one dies than total annihilation.”
“Enough, you two. Look ahead.”
Lu Jing’s voice interrupted their argument.
The two looked away, saying no more.
Lu Jing stood at the bow, seeing the water surface vast and hazy, reflecting the roiling dark clouds above.
Clouds like water ripples in the sky, water like cloud ripples in the river.
Making it hard to distinguish sky from water, man from cloud.
This trip to Funiu Water Marsh was not entirely fruitless.
Lu Jing and the others had vaguely pinpointed the source of this demon disaster: a deep water area riddled with whirlpools and tangled water weeds.
But the closer they got, the more various water demons appeared endlessly.
And not lacking those gradually gaining intelligence, even absorbing sun and moon essence; one step further… they might cultivate immortality!
Lu Jing and the others had nearly been wiped out there.
Fortunately, a group of Grand Canal Porpoises charged out at the right moment, saving them.
And even snatched back this battered fast boat.
Lu Jing rode a porpoise to break through the demon horde, and after paying a heavy price, finally escaped.
That Grand Canal Porpoise even dispatched this slightly younger but exceptionally clever porpoise to escort them back to shore.
Lu Jing couldn’t help asking, “Brother Jiang, can your clan lead us around the demon horde to find that core?”
“Cheep me~~~”
The Grand Canal Porpoise wobbled to the surface again, circled left, circled right, and spat another water column.
The burly man frowned tightly and said, “It agreed?”
The plump woman thought for a moment and said, “Seems like a refusal.”
Lu Jing, seeing this, felt a massive headache.
They couldn’t understand fish language!
In truth, along this journey, he had communicated countless times with this group of Grand Canal Porpoises.
But between three people and a school of fish, there was a severe communication barrier.
After all, no matter how human-like Grand Canal Porpoises were, they weren’t human!
The Grand Canal Porpoise found these two-legged beasts’ babbling adorable and wanted to keep them.
Lu Jing found this group of Grand Canal Porpoises swift as lightning in water, extremely useful, and wanted to ride them.
But to use this group of Grand Canal Porpoises to infiltrate Funiu Water Marsh, find the demon disaster source, and end the calamity.
Would inevitably require close communication with the Grand Canal Porpoises, even strategic planning and setups.
Language barrier—how to manage?!
Morning light sprinkled on the rippling waters of the Three Forked Road, the fast boat slowly docking.
Lu Jing and the others reached shore.
Lu Jing took a deep breath, his dantian qi awakening like a rousing dragon, his face flushing red, voice booming like a tiger perched and dragon coiled, exuding the fierce resolve of a martial man.
The burly man and plump woman behind him watched his back with some worry.
Though Lu Jing’s strength was profound, running himself ragged like this, basically holding the Slay Demons front line alone.
Even an iron body—how long could it last?
On the shore.
“Leader Lu is back!”
“Chasing Cloud Divine Assistance Yun Ruo Senior and Caobang Branch Incense Master Shi Yanzhi Senior are back too!”
“Wait, where are the others?”
Some martial artists patrolling the embankment saw this and surged forward, their gazes sweeping over, filled with shock and doubt, thinking of a certain possibility.
And many more rushed to the public office to report.
“Quick, prepare food to keep this Grand Canal Porpoise.”
Lu Jing declined the doctor’s request to treat his wounds and instead urgently ordered.
He ordered people to prepare food for the Grand Canal Porpoise, remove hidden stakes and fishing nets from the shallows, and allocate a large pool as its temporary habitat, forbidding any martial artists from approaching or disturbing.
“These two-legged beasts are offering tribute to me?”
Watching various fresh green-scaled fish and jade tendon fish delivered to its mouth, plus colorful human figures running and shouting on the shore, performing shows.
The Grand Canal Porpoise immediately “cheep me”d, narrowed its eyes, and feasted without politeness.
Seeing this, Lu Jing slightly relaxed.
“Lord Lu, this is a secret letter from Zhao Wellhead for you; he instructed us to deliver it personally the moment you return.”
A Banner Officer hurried over.
Zhao Wellhead, Zhao Guangxi?
Hearing the Banner Officer’s summary of recent events in Wuqing County, even with Lu Jing’s state of mind, he couldn’t help but blank out slightly.
Guo Guanfu slain in his mansion by Guo Lu Society gangsters.
Zhao Guangxi became Wellhead?
And Zhao Guanghui sacrificial refining an evil immortal fate, using outer path arts to refine corpses into spirits, stealing righteous persons’ bodies?!
I was only away for a few days, and Wuqing County caused such a huge mess?!
Lu Jing’s expression instantly turned icy cold, cold light flashing in his eyes.
At this critical juncture, someone dragging legs, abusing public office for private gain!
Demons must be slain!
Demon men more so!
“Issue the order! Recruit and search for experts versed in birds and beasts language to translate this porpoise’s speech… counts as First Class great merit; I will take out two taels of Purple Iron Cattail Milk as reward!”
At these words, everyone present was shaken.
Even the bearded burly man and plump woman, mid-treatment, looked over in surprise.
“Brother Lu, you…”
“What boldness, what magnanimity.”
The reason Lu Jing could slay several thieves in under a decade, even slaying the Mind Thief, was largely due to this Purple Iron Cattail Milk.
Iron Yu, the Martial Dao Grandmaster enshrined by Liangjiang Military Academy.
Sat in meditation death at West Mountain, leaving a tomb with his own martial bones buried, full legacy inheritance, countless treasures among grave goods, the most precious undoubtedly his Grandmaster true intent!
True intent undying, unwashed by time, quietly transforming heaven and earth, turning the tomb into an iron ore vein.
And this Purple Iron Cattail Milk was formed over a century from cattails rooted in various iron ores, irrigated by stalactites.
Due to its heaven-blessed growth environment and nourishment from Grandmaster true intent, it was top-grade Precious Material.
Ordinary people taking it could alter root bone, with some hope of forging a Third Refinement body.
Martial artists taking it would gain clear intent, surging mental strength, greatly aiding slaying the Mind Thief.
Back then, after Lu Jing switched allegiance and joined Liangjiang Military Academy.
After years of accumulation and repeated merits, he was allowed into Iron Yu’s tomb.
After untold hardships, he obtained five taels of Purple Iron Cattail Milk.
Over these years, it had been mostly consumed.
These two taels of Purple Iron Cattail Milk were probably his last stock.
So it showed Lu Jing’s determination for this matter.
The Banner Officer received the order, knowing its importance, and hurried off to handle it.
As Lu Jing and the other two were about to disperse, a fast horse whipped in, rider hurried.
An Outer Department martial artist, face full of panic and fear, only finding backbone upon seeing Lu Jing, hurried over,
“Leader Lu, disaster! Fish Huo wiped out overnight, Owl Third Master and Qu Jiu both slaughtered, corpses gone without trace!”
“What?!”
Lu Jing was shocked and furious.
Is there no end?!
Owl Third Master and Qu Jiu from these huos, though deserving death—Lu Jing had long wanted to deal with them.
But recently, too many True Intent Masters dead!
And if it was Zhao Guanghui behind it, killing the chicken for eggs to collect True Intent Master corpses…
Wait!
Suddenly, Lu Jing thought of a possibility.
Though Owl Third Master was only at Slay Two Thieves realm, back then he held out several rounds under his hand.
The root cause was Lu Jing’s intent warning, glabella stinging, vaguely sensing Owl Third Master might hide a trump threatening him.
So he went easy, not pushing to desperation.
And to strike with such thunderous force to slay Owl Third Master…
Probably at least Slay Four Thieves strength.
Could it be that person from that day?
Lu Jing suddenly understood something.
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