Immense Strength

Chapter 7: Immense Strength

Early morning.

Misty fog shrouded the mountain, while smoke curled from cooking fires below.

The streets and alleys buzzed with the sounds of daily life and vendors' calls, filtering into Lu Zhaojin's ears through the window.

He awoke from a deep sleep, his eyes snapping open like twin suns, bright and piercing.

Blood Essence surged within him, an inexhaustible wellspring of energy.

With a thought, his muscles tensed, each one hardening like steel.

Sunlight glinted off his skin, revealing a faint bronze sheen.

The Golden Body Technique was just shy of mastery.

Yet, in his current state, he felt impervious to blades.

He glanced at his character panel.

With only a few dozen experience points left and both techniques barely at beginner level, Lu Zhaojin felt the long road ahead.

The aroma wafting in from outside stirred his hunger.

Practicing the Golden Body Technique last night had been incredibly draining. He was famished, and now, smelling food, his stomach rumbled loudly.

Lu Zhaojin recalled the letter from last night but decided against meeting the appointment.

With the techniques acquired, that matter was concluded.

Dining hall of the inn.

Lu Zhaojin devoured the feast before him—chicken, duck, fish—all quite delicious.

The Golden Body Technique emphasized frequent practice and ample eating; otherwise, one's Blood Essence would deplete, rendering all effort in vain.

Even though he could brute-force his proficiency with experience points, his appetite had genuinely increased.

Besides, a full stomach meant more strength for fighting.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the inn's entrance. A crowd surged, startling the patrons who were drinking and chatting inside. They scrambled from their seats, moving towards the walls as if witnessing something terrifying.

The man leading the group was tall, over eight feet, with unusually long arms that hung down to his knees.

His hands appeared gaunt, like withered branches, but his fingernails were sharp as a beast's claws. One could imagine a scratch from him tearing away a chunk of flesh.

Mu Zhuo's face darkened as he stared at the figure with his back to him, stuffing his face. Killing intent burned in his eyes.

He hadn't expected a hitch in what should have been a sure thing.

It was all because of this youth.

Not only had he failed to kill Zhao Nuanyu, but his own brother, Mu Kui, had died on Mount Qi. By the time they found the body on the mountain, it had already been half-devoured by wild beasts.

Therefore, this boy deserved to die!

Mu Zhuo's right hand transformed into a claw, lunging towards Lu Zhaojin's head.

Seeing the target make no move to dodge, as if resigned to his fate, Mu Zhuo let out a cold laugh. But his smile froze.

He felt as if his claw had struck steel. It was incredibly hard, and even with his internal energy, he couldn't break the skin.

What kind of monster is this?!

Mu Zhuo's heart pounded with shock. He tried to pull back, but his hand was caught by the youth, unable to break free, as if clamped in a vice.

Worse, the youth was tightening his grip, the crisp sound of bones snapping echoing through the hall. The searing pain made the deputy gang leader cry out, "Ah! Let go!"

He clawed at Lu Zhaojin's neck with his other hand, completely forgetting how his right hand had been broken.

Both his hands were caught and crushed.

The youth finally released his grip. Mu Zhuo stared at his dangling hands, wailing and stumbling backward, knocking over tables and chairs, spilling drinks and food everywhere.

The diners hiding by the wall and the onlookers blocking the entrance stared in astonishment. They hadn't expected the youth to be so ruthless, that even the deputy leader of the Moon Wolf Gang, known for his Blood Claws, was no match for him.

However, the true power behind the Moon Wolf Gang was their leader, the Howling Moon Wolf, Chen Kang. He was a Seventh Rank expert. Seeing the youth's current strength at such a young age, it was a pity he had offended Chen Kang and likely wouldn't live long.

Some shook their heads, lamenting his fate.

Mu Zhuo, his Blood Claw Technique unused, his hands broken by the youth, seethed with hatred. He roared at his gang members, "What are you all standing around for? Attack him! Kill him!"

But the gang members, clutching their crude sabers, stared at the youth's back, fear paralyzing them. They dared not advance.

If their deputy leader was no match, what was the difference between them charging forward and throwing their lives away?

Wouldn't it be better to inform their great leader once he emerged from seclusion? He could then casually dispatch the youth.

Mu Zhuo's anger surged. He cursed them as useless cowards.

Struggling to his feet, he tried to leave the inn and return to the Moon Wolf Gang's stronghold to inform his elder brother, Chen Kang.

Lu Zhaojin finished his meal. "You want to leave after attacking someone?"

Mu Zhuo's face was cold, his voice a little sharp, "What do you want?"

He threatened, "My elder brother Chen Kang is a Seventh Rank expert. Offending my Moon Wolf Gang is a dead end. I advise you to sever your own meridians now and don't wait for my brother to act. Otherwise, you'd be better off dead."

Lu Zhaojin shook his head and let out a soft sigh. He had no sword in his hand, so he couldn't slit a throat with a single stroke. He could only unleash his full strength with a punch.

He lunged forward, his eyes icy. He clenched his right fist and slammed it towards Mu Zhuo's head.

It was just a simple punch, without any specific martial arts technique.

Yet, it still carried an unstoppable momentum, its power astonishing. His bones and sinews roared, like the cry of a tiger or the rumble of thunder, stunning everyone present into a state of shock.

Faced with this oppressive force, like a mountain bearing down on him, Mu Zhuo felt as if he were sinking into a swamp, his legs turning to jelly. He was completely unable to move, only able to watch as the fist's shadow grew larger in his eyes, until his head exploded like a shattered watermelon.

Red and white splattered everywhere.

[Killed Eighth Rank martial artist, EXP +500]

[EXP: 569]

He had killed Mu Zhuo with a single punch.

The place fell silent, as if the bloody scene had stolen all sound, or perhaps everyone was too shocked by the audacity of the young man daring to kill the Moon Wolf Gang's second-in-command to speak.

"Yamen business, clear the way quickly."

The constables had arrived.

The crowd parted to make way.

Captain Liu arrived with his men, fashionably late.

In his plan, Lu Zhaojin would be no match for Mu Zhuo, and at the critical moment, he would descend like a divine soldier, completing the task assigned by the County Magistrate.

However, upon arriving at the scene, he saw Lu Zhaojin standing there like a silver spear, straight and unharmed.

On the ground lay a headless corpse. Judging by its build, it was clearly Mu Zhuo of the Moon Wolf Gang.

Captain Liu's eyes narrowed abruptly. His gaze towards Lu Zhaojin became slightly unnatural, filled with shock, apprehension, and fear.

When Lu Zhaojin's gaze fell upon him, he quickly averted his eyes, worried about being seen through. He shouted loudly, "Who is causing trouble here?"

The people present remained silent.

Captain Liu frowned slightly and instructed the constables behind him to question the innkeeper and to collect the corpse on the ground.

As for the Moon Wolf Gang members, they had scattered long ago after Mu Zhuo's death. By now, they had likely returned to their gang's stronghold to report the incident.

Captain Liu walked up to Lu Zhaojin and cupped his fists in greeting. "Young Hero Lu, the County Magistrate requests your presence."

Lu Zhaojin stared at Captain Liu for a long while.

The slight unnatural flicker in the other man's eyes just now had not escaped his notice. He didn't know where it came from, but upon careful reflection, Mu Zhuo's arrival seemed too fast, and his immediate attack too impulsive.

And this County Magistrate seemed to have anticipated that he wouldn't attend the banquet, so he specifically asked Captain Liu to wait for him nearby?

Then, this meal was probably just a simple thank you from the County Magistrate.

Lu Zhaojin gestured for Captain Liu to lead the way, but in his heart, he silently noted down today's events. If there was truly something suspicious, he would not show any mercy.