Transformation

004 Transformation

Without any mishaps, Ming Shu's body, activated by Immortal Qi, dodged the fatal slash by a hair's breadth.

Old Zhao had discovered the changes in Ming Shu's body long ago and had no doubt that he would awaken. He had even concealed from those above the fact that the youth's body had been altered by the Immortal Pill.

Ming Shu rolled to the ground, simultaneously dodging another person's slash from behind.

The reinforcements in the distance had already begun arriving one after another. Several people skilled in light-body techniques stepped onto branches and leaves in the forest, flying through the air and rapidly closing in.

Taking advantage of the killer's distracted glances, Old Zhao used the Flower Picking Hand. He gathered Internal Power and true qi at his fingertips, which seemed to transform into needle after needle, piercing one killer's brow with perfect accuracy.

One killed.

Ming Shu rolled and crawled around the handcart, barely evading the encirclement of two killers. Every slash missed him by the narrowest margin, each moment fraught with peril. Even Little Zhao was distracted enough to break into a cold sweat for him.

Little Zhao could now handle the attacks of two killers with ease.

Both short cudgels in his hands had already been chopped apart, yet he calmly picked up a tree branch and continued fighting.

Perhaps this perception and temperament were why Old Zhao had persisted for so many years without giving up on him.

Amid the chaotic battle, Qian Sanqian had already decided to abandon this operation.

Unfortunately, after one killer died, Old Zhao began desperately attacking another.

By now, they could no longer leave simply because they wanted to.

The reinforcements in the distance also came galloping over on fast horses.

Those few experts in light-body techniques had already reached the battlefield.

They had only covered the lower halves of their faces with gray cloth masks. They were not wrapped in black from head to toe—if they wanted to hide their identities, they might as well not have bothered.

Ming Shu had no time to complain about them, either.

They were probably rushing to provide aid and had no time to disguise themselves.

Qian Sanqian let out a shrill whistle, and the remaining killers gathered around him.

He hesitated for only an instant. Unfortunately, the situation had already reversed, and it gave him no chance to retreat.

They had never been determined to fight to the death in the first place. They were not professional killers, either—at most, they were thugs who did dirty work for certain powerful figures.

The few people who had arrived as reinforcements, however, attacked without regard for their lives just like Old Zhao had.

The leader was a woman. She flicked out a Soft Sword that was both sword and whip, streaking flashes of cold light through the forest.

Qian Sanqian knew at a glance that she was also an expert in the fifth stage of a Martial Artist's cultivation, the Hua Jin Gui Yuan Realm.

He was filled with regret. He had still been insufficiently prepared, while the other side had laid a trap long ago and waited for them to arrive.

The more delicious the pie had seemed before, the more bitter it tasted now.

If you could not bear to abandon your companions and could not harden your heart, you should not become a killer.

Which true professional killer did not act alone? With so many people moving together, they looked more like bandits.

Ming Shu had also escaped danger and reunited with Little Zhao. He watched as Old Zhao and the reinforcements chased ten men while beating them down.

For the first time, Ming Shu gained a preliminary understanding of this world's level of combat power.

Once an individual's battle prowess became strong enough, it truly could crush the entire field.

They chased and fought, and the battle grew increasingly fierce. Now, blood was genuinely being spilled.

Little Zhao pulled Ming Shu along close behind. He did not dare stray too far from Old Zhao.

The female leader of the reinforcements swept her Soft Sword, instantly sending out streak after streak of Sword Qi and leaving three or four killers wounded.

Only then did the other killers make up their minds to abandon their companions and flee for their lives.

Unfortunately, it was already too late. The people who came afterward on horseback had already circled around to wait along their escape route.

A masked, burly man wielding a bow fired a rapid succession of arrows, one after another, launching attack after attack.

Caught between enemies in front and behind, Qian Sanqian did not even have the chance to surrender.

Another person skilled in light-body techniques, who had come with the female leader, held stones in his hand. He circulated his power and shot them out one after another.

Their method gradually wore down the remaining killers' will to fight, preventing them from making a desperate last stand and injuring themselves.

These people seemed to be true figures of the martial world, having fought and risked their lives there, with a profound understanding of its treachery.

Old Zhao said nothing more. He merely clasped his hands toward the female leader in thanks.

The female leader waved her hand, indicating that Old Zhao and the others should leave first. Her people would remain behind to deal with the scene.

Old Zhao took a horse's reins from one of them, then helped Ming Shu onto it with Little Zhao. They returned to the original camp and packed up their belongings.

They left during the night.

As he departed, Ming Shu took several more glances at the group of reinforcements. He saw one of them apparently perform some kind of ritual, after which the entire person seemed to change.

Ming Shu felt the Life Book in his mind tremble and grow hot for a moment.

That person suddenly became tall and sturdy. A red headscarf suddenly appeared on his head, while a crimson silk sash with green sleeves was tied around his waist. He also wore a golden mandarin-duck pleated shirt around his hips.

His kneepads were made of copper, as were his undergarments. Iron plates and rings adorned his waist.

His wrists were tightly bound and secured, and his kicking shoes were fastened snugly.

Ming Shu only glanced at him from afar, yet he felt that the man's strength might be more than ten times that of an ordinary person.

The man charged forward without fear of blades or swords and smashed a killer's head apart with one enormous fist.

Like a wrestling champion plunging into a herd of cattle, he planted his horse stance firmly, pushed and shifted with his arms, then lifted a man and slammed him headfirst into the ground, knocking him unconscious.

Under the attack of the main tank, the defensive formation led by Qian Sanqian collapsed outright.

Ming Shu was sitting on horseback, and the horse had only gone a few yards.

Old Zhao did not look back. Little Zhao did not dare look around. Only Ming Shu, seated on the horse with a better view, turned around with the curiosity of a youth and stared at the battlefield.

In the blink of an eye, the defensive formation of the killers standing back-to-back had been broken.

What followed was a one-sided slaughter.

Little Zhao had already run back to the chaotic camp to gather his belongings. Everyone had little luggage, so it was quickly packed. He also picked up a blade along the way.

Only after receiving Old Zhao's approval did he wrap it in cloth and hide it among the luggage.

Ming Shu lay back down on the handcart and pretended to be unconscious again.

He was eager to enter and see what had changed in the Life Book.

One page had gained an additional entry—

[Demon Spirit: Optimus Prime]

Able to strengthen the physical body and increase strength for a short period of time; proficient in wrestling techniques.```

This one simple record was enough to leave Ming Shu utterly shaken.

Could this world truly have Immortal-Demons?

Not only did it possess powerful martial arts—could it possess spells as well?

Could there even be monsters?

It was truly too dangerous.

Over the past few years in the Cold Palace, had he simply been lucky enough not to encounter any ghosts, or had Old Zhao blocked every danger for him?

With his frail body, he had once tried learning martial arts from Old Zhao as well, but unfortunately, it had produced no effect whatsoever.

Besides, the two of them had once been master and disciple, and were now father and son. The techniques they cultivated seemed to be exclusive to eunuchs.

They did not suit him. They truly did not suit him.

By then, it was already close to the fifth watch. From beyond the woods came the distant, indistinct sound of hoofbeats, along with what seemed to be the neighing of horses.

With the carriage compartment gone, Ming Shu lay beneath the night sky, closed his eyes, and continued studying the contents of the Life Book.

Old Zhao drove the cart while Little Zhao held several bundles tightly in his arms.

The road was bumpy, rising and falling beneath them. The fast cart raced eastward.