Meanwhile, Gu Chang'an stepped onto Flowing Wind Steps and rushed into the depths of Black Wind Ridge, swift as a gust of wind skimming across shadows.
His breathing was ragged, his expression solemn. Not far behind him, two Mad Demon figures pursued him in a frenzy, their bloodlust soaring to the heavens as grass and trees flew apart and shattered stones went skittering!
Liang Hu's eyes were bloodshot, his muscles knotted like iron. His entire body was cloaked in scarlet Killing Intent, making him look like a maddened demonic ape.
Duan Lie was even more terrifying. He wielded a massive axe and laughed wildly, his entire arm already split and bleeding, yet he seemed not to feel it at all. He simply swung the axe like thunder, smashing the ground into countless cracks!
Gu Chang'an gritted his teeth and muttered:
"Mad Demons really are troublesome... But hopefully, they can stir up this muddy water for me."
From the mountain hollow ahead came thunderous shouts of slaughter, while flames shot into the sky!
In the depths of Black Wind Ridge, rocks lay scattered everywhere. Through the swirling fog, dozens of people were locked in a chaotic melee.
The remaining elite forces of the Firewood Gang were still holding their ground, while another contingent of the Martial Guard Division was locked in fierce battle with them—the leaders were none other than the two constables, Shen Qingyan and Lin Tai!
Shen Qingyan had always been calm and composed. She wielded her sword like a rainbow, but blood now stained the corner of her mouth and her breathing was unsteady. Her long sword swept out several flashes of sword light, yet Yin Jiu forced her back with a single strike.
Her figure faltered. The fabric over her shoulder burst apart, and blood gushed out.
Lin Tai wielded a long spear, his movements as swift as the wind, but he had long since run out of strength. Two Incense Masters of the Firewood Gang took turns attacking him, forcing him back step by step.
At the very center stood a tall, gaunt man in black robes, his body as thin as a withered bamboo stalk. He stood proudly, resembling a frigid, awe-inspiring peak of cold iron.
His features were as sharply carved as a sculpture, and his eyes were as keen as an eagle's. The chill radiating from him was bone-deep. He was none other than the Firewood Gang's Left Protector—Yin Jiu!
In his hand was an exceedingly thin sword, silver-white like strands of ice silk. A cold tide of aura swept around him, making everyone shudder.
[Body Constitution of Yin Jiu: 296]
"Kill them all."
Yin Jiu's voice was low and cold, like crushed ice grinding down. His eyes were filled with killing intent.
Gu Chang'an froze at the edge of the forest, and his heart suddenly sank:
"Fuck—this place is already thick with gunpowder. Didn't I just lead the Mad Demons here to harm my comrades?"
"If that's the case, then this is truly a sin."
Before he could finish thinking, a heaven-shaking roar suddenly erupted behind him!
"Ughhhh—kill! Kill! You all deserve to die! Why the hell are you swarms of flies buzzing around in my head, ahhhhh!!"
"I've already become a god! Hahahahahaha!"
Liang Hu and Duan Lie had finally caught up!
Blood qi exploded from their entire bodies. Their eyes were scarlet, their reason utterly gone, as though their hearts had been completely devoured by inner demons. Their expressions were utterly deranged.
Liang Hu swung his spiked club, and a casual strike shattered a massive boulder.
Duan Lie roared even louder as he dragged his huge axe violently across the ground, sending sparks flying in all directions!
Shen Qingyan suddenly turned her head, a trace of horror flashing through her eyes. Lin Tai's expression changed even more dramatically.
"What the hell is that?!"
Across from them, Yin Jiu also jolted violently. A flicker of shock and fury crossed his cold, severe eyes:
"Liang Hu? Duan Lie? How did they... how did they become like this?"
His pupils contracted, and he immediately realized what had happened.
"Could it be the Blood Pills!? Those people actually forced them to swallow Blood Pills?!!"
The people of the Firewood Gang were already thrown into complete disarray—
"Protector Liang, what's wrong? You... you recognize me!!"
"Incense Master Duan! Don't chop me! I'm one of us! I'm—ah!!"
"..."
Before he could finish shouting, a Firewood Gang disciple was split in two by a single stroke from Duan Lie's axe, blood spraying three meters into the air!
Liang Hu let out a wild laugh and suddenly smashed into the rear ranks of the Firewood Gang. One blow sent three people and the ground beneath them shattering together, flesh and blood flying everywhere!
"Those who stand in my way die! Kill! Kill ah—you all want to betray me?! I'll kill your entire families, ahhhhh!!"
"Get away, get away, get away!!! You bugs, are you trying to crawl out of my head?!"
Under the influence of Mad Demon, they no longer distinguished friend from foe. Their sole goal was to destroy everything and crush everything!
Gu Chang'an quietly hid in the forest to the side, his breathing slightly heavy and his heart weighed down—but at this moment, he also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Just as chaotic as I'd hoped."
He gazed coldly at the battlefield, his eyes sharp as blades.
And by now, the place had completely spiraled out of control!
The people of the Firewood Gang cried out and wailed in all directions. Shen Qingyan and Lin Tai seized the opportunity to break away, leading the remaining constables in a breakout. They vaulted onto the mountain path, paying no heed to their injuries and only wanting to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the Mad Demons.
Meanwhile, Blood Mist churned across the battlefield, with corpses strewn everywhere.
"Incense Master Duan, Protector Liang, it's me! We've fought side by side before—ugh!"
Before the middle-ranking Firewood Gang member could finish speaking, Liang Hu smashed his head to pieces with a single blow. Bone fragments and brain matter sprayed through the air, while the corpse went flying ten zhang away.
"You're laughing at me... you're all mocking me!! I'll make every one of you shut up!!"
Duan Lie howled, his eyes nearly bulging from their sockets. Wherever his massive axe passed, trees snapped, stones shattered, and flesh flew.
His cracked, bleeding arm was like a stone pillar. Every blow made the earth boom and tremble.
Yin Jiu stood atop a heap of rubble, his eyes fixed on the two Mad Demons. Chilling air swirled around him. At last, his brow furrowed fiercely, and his face turned livid.
"Beasts!"
He ground out the curse through clenched teeth, then turned to look at the two Incense Masters behind him, who were watching the spectacle.
One was tall and thin in blue robes, named Leng Zhang, and was skilled with twin maces.
The other was as stout as a bear. His name was Wei Biao, and he wielded a saber.
Both were ninth-grade experts.
Yin Jiu called out in a low voice, "Leng Zhang! Wei Biao!"
The two swiftly retreated to stand before him.
"I'll stop them. We can't let them take even one step into the Pill Hall."
"The Firewood Gang Master is fighting Wang Hao inside and has the upper hand. We can't let these two Mad Demons interfere with them."
Yin Jiu's voice was low and chilling, his gaze so gloomy it seemed water might drip from it.
Leng Zhang narrowed his eyes at Liang Hu and Duan Lie as they continued to approach. A trace of hesitation colored his voice:
"Left Protector, those two have gone mad. Their bodies are as hard as iron. In this state, I'm afraid even the two of us together may—"
"Shut up!"
Yin Jiu snapped coldly, his killing intent fierce.
"You only need to hold one of them back. Leave the other to me."
"Besides, you should have Blood Burst Pills on you, right? Eat them all. Don't hold anything back..."
"...Yes!"
Leng Zhang and Wei Biao exchanged a glance, both looking solemn. They then each took out a Blood Burst Pill and swallowed it. Their blood qi surged, and their confidence soared.
Afterward, they brandished their weapons and charged toward the Mad Demon Duan Lie.
Yin Jiu also swallowed a high-grade Blood Burst Pill and lunged straight at Liang Hu.
"Liang Hu! Do you still recognize me? I'm... Yin Jiu!"
"Roar—!!!"
Liang Hu paused for a moment, a trace of muddled confusion flashing through his eyes, but it was instantly swallowed by even deeper madness. He threw back his head and roared, swinging his club down!
"Since you've become a beast, don't blame me for showing no mercy..."
Yin Jiu gave a cold snort. His feet struck the ground in rapid succession, his figure turning as illusory as fog. The ice-silk-thin sword in his hand drew a streak of cold light and thrust straight toward Liang Hu's throat!
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