Driving Out the Wolf to Devour the Tiger

Meanwhile, Gu Chang'an, using his Flowing Wind Steps, darted into the heart of Black Wind Ridge like a fleeting shadow.

His breathing was heavy, his expression grim. Not far behind him, two Mad Demon figures pursued him ferociously, their blood energy soaring, scattering grass and kicking up stones!

Liang Hu's eyes were bloodshot, his muscles bulging like iron. He was cloaked in a bloody aura, like a rampaging demon ape.

Duan Lie, wielding a giant axe, laughed maniacally. His entire arm was cracked and bleeding, yet he seemed oblivious, smashing his axe down like thunder, causing the ground to splinter.

Gu Chang'an gritted his teeth and whispered:

"Mad Demons are indeed troublesome... but I hope they can stir up some trouble for me."

Ahead, in a mountain hollow, the sounds of shouting and killing shook the heavens, and firelight blazed!

Within the heart of Black Wind Ridge, amidst scattered rocks and swirling thick fog, dozens of people were locked in a brutal melee.

The remaining elites of the Firewood Gang were still holding their ground, while another group from the Martial Guard Division was locked in fierce combat with them—led by Head Constables Shen Qingyan and Lin Tai!

Shen Qingyan, usually calm, swung her sword like a rainbow, but blood trickled from her lips, and her breath was uneven. Her sword's rapid slashes were forced back by Yin Jiu's single strike.

Her body faltered, the clothes on her shoulder ripped, and blood poured out.

Lin Tai, wielding a long spear, moved like the wind, but he was already exhausted, being relentlessly attacked by two Firewood Gang Hall Masters, forcing him to retreat step by step.

In the center, a man clad in black robes, tall and gaunt like a withered bamboo stalk, stood proudly, resembling a chilling peak of cold iron.

His features were carved deep, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, exuding a biting cold. He was none other than the Firewood Gang's Left Protector—Yin Jiu!

He held a slender rapier, silver-white like icy silk, his aura sweeping out like a frigid tide, chilling the bone.

[Yin Jiu: Constitution 296]

"Kill them all."

Yin Jiu's voice was low and cold, like crushed ice, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Gu Chang'an paused at the edge of the forest, his heart suddenly sinking:

"Damn—the smell of gunpowder is strong. Did I just lead the Mad Demons here to harm my comrades?"

"If that's the case, this is truly a sin."

Before his thoughts could fully form, a heaven-shattering roar suddenly erupted from behind him!

"Ughhhhh—Kill! Kill! Everyone deserves to die! What are you flies buzzing in my head for ahhhhh!!"

"I am a god now! Hahahaha!"

Liang Hu and Duan Lie had finally caught up!

Their bodies erupted with blood energy, their eyes bloodshot, all reason lost. They seemed utterly consumed by inner demons, their demeanor utterly deranged.

Liang Hu swung his spiked mace, shattering a boulder with a casual blow.

Duan Lie roared as he dragged his giant axe fiercely across the ground, sending sparks flying!

Shen Qingyan's head snapped around, a flicker of horror in her eyes. Lin Tai's face paled drastically.

"What the hell is this???"

On the other side, Yin Jiu also jolted, a hint of shock and anger flashing in his cold, sharp gaze:

"Liang Hu? Duan Lie? What... what happened to them?"

His pupils contracted, and he instantly realized, "Could it be Blood Pills!? Did those people force them to swallow Blood Pills?!"

The Firewood Gang members descended into chaos—

"Protector Liang, what's wrong? You... you recognize me!!"

"Hall Master Duan! Don't chop me! It's me!! I'm—ah!!"

"..."

Before he could finish, a Firewood Gang disciple was cleaved in two by Duan Lie's axe, blood spraying three feet!

Liang Hu let out a wild laugh and charged into the rear ranks of the Firewood Gang. With one blow, he smashed three people along with the ground, sending flesh and blood flying!

"Those who block me die! Kill! Kill—are you all trying to betray me?! I'll kill your entire families ahhhhh!!"

"Get away, get away, get away!!! You insects, do you want to crawl out of my head?!"

Under the influence of the Mad Demon state, they had lost all sense of friend or foe. Their sole objective was to destroy everything, to crush everything!

Gu Chang'an quietly hid in the side woods, his breathing slightly heavy, his heart weighed down—but at this moment, he also let out a sigh of relief.

"As expected, it's chaotic enough."

He coldly watched the battlefield, his eyes like knives.

And now, this place had completely spiraled out of control!

The Firewood Gang members cried out in agony. Shen Qingyan and Lin Tai seized the opportunity to break free, leading the remaining constables in a breakout. They leaped onto the mountain path, ignoring their injuries, desperate to put distance between themselves and the Mad Demons.

Meanwhile, within the battlefield, blood mist churned, and corpses littered the ground.

"Hall Master Duan, Protector Liang, it's me! We fought side-by-side—Ugh!!"

A mid-level member of the Firewood Gang hadn't even finished speaking before Liang Hu smashed his head to pieces with a single blow. His skull and brains splattered outwards, and his corpse flew over thirty feet away.

"You're laughing at me... You're all mocking me!! I'll make you all shut up!!"

Duan Lie roared, his eyes nearly bulging out. Wherever his great axe passed, trees snapped and stones shattered, flesh and blood flying.

His cracked, bleeding arms were like stone pillars, and every strike made the ground rumble.

Yin Jiu stood atop a pile of rubble, his gaze fixed on the two Mad Demons. A chilling aura emanated from him. Finally, his brow furrowed deeply, and his face turned ashen.

"Beasts!"

He cursed through gritted teeth, then turned to look at the two Hall Masters behind him who were watching the spectacle.

One was tall and thin, dressed in green, named Leng Zhang, skilled with twin maces.

The other was as stout as a bear, called Wei Biao, wielding a long saber.

They were both Ninth Rank experts.

Yin Jiu called out in a low voice, "Leng Zhang! Wei Biao!"

Upon hearing him, the two quickly retreated to his side.

"I need to stop them. We can't let them step foot into the Alchemy Hall."

"Inside, Hall Master Chai is fighting Wang Hao and has the upper hand. We can't let these two Mad Demons disturb them."

Yin Jiu's voice was deep and chilling, his gaze so dark it seemed water could drip from it.

Leng Zhang squinted at the approaching Liang Hu and Duan Lie, his tone laced with hesitation.

"Left Protector, those two have gone mad. Their bodies are like iron. In this state, I'm afraid even if we join forces--"

"Silence!"

Yin Jiu rebuked sharply, his killing intent blazing.

"You two just need to hold off one of them. The other one is mine."

"Also, you should have Blood Burst Pills on you. Take them all, don't hold back..."

"...Yes!"

Leng Zhang and Wei Biao exchanged glances, their eyes filled with solemnity. They then each took out a Blood Burst Pill and swallowed it. Their blood energy surged, and their confidence grew.

Afterward, they swung their weapons and charged towards the Mad Demon Duan Lie.

Yin Jiu also swallowed a top-grade Blood Burst Pill and lunged straight for Liang Hu.

"Liang Hu! Do you still recognize me? I am... Yin Jiu!"

"Roar--!!!"

Liang Hu paused slightly, a flicker of confusion in his eyes, but it was instantly swallowed by deeper madness. He roared to the sky and swung his club!

"Since you've turned into a beast, don't blame me for being impolite..."

Yin Jiu snorted coldly, his steps rapid. His figure became illusory like mist as the ice silk rapier in his hand drew a cold glint, thrusting straight for Liang Hu's throat!