Chapter 129: Chapter 128: Putting Oneself in Harm’s Way

"Hall Master He, what happened to Stone Ox?"

Wu Chen invited the disheveled old hall master into the house, letting the old man catch his breath before hearing his story.

"Young Master Wu, do you remember that time Stone Ox brought you to Refining Valley? On your way back, I briefly mentioned the idea of you using his Overlord Body as bait to lure out the Blood Evil cultists!"

Wu Chen nodded. As much as he craved the heads of Blood Evil cultists, he would never resort to such a reckless method.

If anything went wrong, he could retreat without issue, but Stone Ox’s fate would be sealed.

Looking at the crestfallen old man, Wu Chen asked, "So, did the Blood Evil cultists end up targeting Stone Ox?"

"It wasn’t the Blood Slaughter Sect that targeted him—the fool snuck out on his own!"

He Bai slapped his thigh, sighing in regret. "I never should have brought it up!"

"I only mentioned it in passing! I never thought he’d take it to heart and be so audacious as to run out of the city god knows when."

"I thought he had come to Refining Valley to work the forge, which is why he was gone for several days. It was only when my servants couldn’t find him here that we discovered a letter he’d left in his room."

"He said that once he’d drawn in enough cultists, he would send word home telling me to find you, Young Master Wu..."

He Bai’s voice trailed off as he spoke.

He was well aware this had nothing to do with Wu Chen. He couldn’t understand what screw was loose in Stone Ox’s head to make him think that if he acted as bait, Wu Chen would be sure to come.

But He Bai didn’t know who else to turn to.

The City Defense Department?

If they sent troops out of the city, who would take responsibility if the cultists suddenly launched an attack?

Ask the sects for help?

Their internal competitions are in ten days, followed by the Spirit Road Trials. They’re all swamped with their own affairs, so why would they have time for him?

So, after weighing his options, He Bai could only follow the letter’s instructions and search everywhere for Wu Chen, hoping he would save the reckless Stone Ox.

Finally, after searching all over the city, he learned that Wu Chen was in Refining Valley the whole time.

But seeing Wu Chen now didn’t bring He Bai any relief.

He couldn’t help but think about how many eyes must be on Stone Ox now that he was out there.

Word spreads like wildfire. At least a hundred cultists must have swarmed to his location by now...

Could Young Master Wu possibly handle a situation like that?

Though He Bai had come to find Wu Chen, he wasn’t holding out much hope. It was a last-ditch effort, like clutching at straws.

"Is that so?"

Wu Chen’s brows twitched. Now that he understood the full story, he thought Stone Ox had been more than a little foolish.

Even if he could kill thirty, fifty, or even eighty cultists, how could Stone Ox possibly have the strength to protect himself in the meantime?

’So he really thinks I can handle eighty or even a hundred cultists? Did he just assume I was unwilling to gamble with his life and decided to make the choice for me?’

Wu Chen considered this for a moment, a brow raised. He decided he had to go no matter what and asked,

"Do you have any idea where Stone Ox might be now?"

He Bai shook his head. "Stone Ox said he would send a carrier pigeon with his location at the last moment, once he had drawn in the cultists."

"But days have passed without a single word. I’ve sent my men to search for him, but they haven’t found any trace..."

His expression grew grim. "And after all these days, cultists from all over must have caught wind of this. I fear there are at least a hundred of them by now."

"If saving Stone Ox proves impossible, you must prioritize your own safety, Young Master Wu."

He Bai heaved a deep sigh. In his heart, he already suspected Stone Ox was dead. There was no need to sacrifice Wu Chen as well.

Besides, his martial arts hall turned a small profit each year. He could save up for a few years and hire the City Defense Department and the sects to avenge Stone Ox. Perhaps that would be a better choice.

"Hall Master He, if we don’t know Stone Ox’s location, then we need to move out immediately."

Now that he knew what had happened, Wu Chen abruptly stood up, signaling that it was time to depart.

After all, wherever cultists appeared, they needed to be killed. This was also a perfect chance to christen his new storage bag.

"We’re leaving... right now?"

He Bai was taken aback.

He hadn’t expected Wu Chen to agree so readily, let alone without mentioning any form of payment.

After his last purchase of medicinal herbs, he was short on cash and could only muster two thousand taels in silver banknotes.

He never imagined Wu Chen would be ready to leave immediately without even asking about it.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Bo, who had been listening quietly to He Bai’s story, was secretly stunned.

Just hearing that Stone Ox had been missing outside the city for days, all to lure out Blood Evil cultists, made his scalp tingle.

In this situation, Stone Ox was surely surrounded by cultists. Without a hundred elite soldiers to clear a path, who would dare attempt a rescue!

He had assumed Wu Chen would find an excuse to refuse.

After all, how did that saying go?

To fight to the death knowing you’re outmatched is a form of foolishness called "passion." Even if you win, it’s merely a blessing of fate!

But to Zhuang Bo’s surprise, Wu Chen didn’t just agree without hesitation; he was already preparing to set off.

"Stone Ox went to all this trouble to lure out so many cultists for me. If I don’t go, wouldn’t all his good intentions go to waste?"

Seeing their stunned expressions, Wu Chen simply smiled. He didn’t linger, leaping out of the house and heading straight down the mountain.

A moment later, a fast horse was galloping away from Refining Valley.

’I need to visit those two security agencies in the city first.’

Wu Chen sped toward Mountain Mist City. He decided to first acquire the two Jade Bone Realm Martial Arts manuals to make this rescue mission for Stone Ox a bit safer.

After all, just killing cultists was simple. Rescuing Stone Ox safely, however, raised the difficulty.

Fortunately, after such a long wait, the old patriarchs of both agencies had returned.

Upon arrival, Wu Chen presented the Jade Pendant from Refining Valley and stated his intentions.

After spending two thousand taels of silver, he easily acquired the two Jade Bone Realm Martial Arts manuals.

By the time Wu Chen reappeared outside the city walls, he was already allocating points to the two new Martial Arts manuals.

’Where could that idiot Stone Ox have gone?’

Wu Chen gazed at the vast mountain forest, stroking his chin as he contemplated Stone Ox’s possible whereabouts.

’To the east are the territories of several major sects. The Blood Slaughter Sect wouldn’t dare act so brazenly there.’

’To the south is the road to Cangwu City, which is always busy with carriages and merchant caravans. If a fight broke out, word would spread fast, and He Bai would have likely heard by now.’

’That means the most likely directions for an ambush, and the areas I need to be most wary of, are the west and the north.’

’But this is a vast wilderness. It’s easy to say "two directions," but once I’m in there, finding him is another matter entirely.’

Wu Chen decided to search to the west and north for the time being, but he wasn’t overly optimistic.

’He’s had several days. He could be dozens of miles away. Finding him in an area that large will definitely take some luck.’

Having decided on a direction, Wu Chen immediately set off. The forest was dense with undergrowth and riddled with animal burrows, so he had to dismount, leave his horse at the edge of the woods, and proceed on foot alone.

Wu Chen ran through the forest until sunset but didn’t see a single soul.

However, despite the afternoon of constant movement, he wasn’t particularly tired thanks to the points he kept allocating to his new Jade Bone Realm Martial Arts. In fact, his movements felt increasingly effortless, and his breathing grew more stable.

A mysterious energy began to circulate between his five viscera, replenishing what he expended.

Wu Chen glanced at his panel and, sure enough, saw a change:

[Deep Red Host] Wu Chen

[Martial Arts Realm] Organ Refining Realm, First Layer

(Qi Power: Earth-Shaking Bull) (Stamina: Lasting Qi Power)

[Martial Arts & Cultivation Techniques] ’Bone-Eroding Wind Blade: Momentum,’ ’Spirit Swallow Leaf-Plucking Step: Momentum,’ ’Tiger Bone Body Forging Skill (Perfection),’ Iron Shirt Bone Grinding Skill...

’I’m finally a third-tier master!’

A flash of joy appeared in Wu Chen’s eyes as he looked at the realm displayed on his panel.

Nearly a month of hard work had finally paid off, and he couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

He sprinted through the forest at full speed, like a gentle breeze rustling the leaves.

With the enhancement of the Organ Refining Realm, his ’Spirit Swallow Leaf-Plucking Step: Momentum’ Body Technique made his figure nearly impossible to discern as he ran.

Wu Chen weaved through the trees and undergrowth with ease, running for a full hour without a hint of fatigue.

The pure energy circulating among his five viscera provided him with a ceaseless supply of Qi Power.

’Although the Jade Bone Realm and the Organ Refining Realm aren’t worlds apart, the gap is significant. Unless a Jade Bone Realm expert has a Divine Weapon or an Innate Divine Ability like the Overlord Body...’

’...there is no way they could ever defeat someone in the Organ Refining Realm!’

Sensing his newfound power, Wu Chen couldn’t help but marvel at it, his anticipation for the next realm growing even stronger.

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