Chapter 75: Chapter 74: Known for More Than 10 Years, Not Close

"Young Master Wu, we’ve heard about the vicious beast in the mountains that’s been harming people. We would like to lend you a hand in eliminating this menace."

"That’s right, I’m willing to help too."

"Me too."

The three of them stepped forward openly, weapons in hand. Their tight-fitting martial attire outlined their fine figures.

They had specially bathed the day before, and their bodies still gave off the faint, sweet scent of virgins.

Had it been anyone else, men would have taken deep breaths of their fragrant trail even if they were just passing by.

But Wu Chen merely gave them a passing glance before turning his gaze back to the road ahead.

The three young women had already learned Wu Chen’s name from Lin Gaoyuan, as well as the terrifying tale of how he had suppressed and killed a Bear with his bare hands.

They also knew about Lin Gaoyuan’s request for Wu Chen to enter the mountains and slay the vicious beast.

Watching Wu Chen lead his fine horse, his posture relaxed and his eyes indifferent, the three young women’s gazes burned like fire.

They probably imagined Wu Chen was in a rather pitiful state.

But remembering they were young women, they knew they had to be more reserved, lest they annoy this Young Master Wu.

The three of them, their youthful figures outlined by their tight martial attire and their delicate faces enhanced by light makeup, took a step back.

They looked at Lin Gaoyuan, signaling that he could lead the way.

"Young Master Wu, let’s head into the mountains now. I’ll lead the way."

Lin Gaoyuan could easily see what was going on. These three were clearly after Wu Chen’s body.

Seeing Wu Chen surrounded by beauties, his expression still as tranquil as an old well, Lin Gaoyuan breathed a sigh of relief. He had been genuinely afraid that Wu Chen would be annoyed by the situation.

Fortunately, the young man didn’t seem to care at all.

It was just that... as the large group made its way toward the mountain where the Lin family was located, Lin Gaoyuan, on horseback, glanced behind him and was left rather speechless.

This scene looked less like a party heading into the mountains to hunt a vicious beast and more like a group of people on a leisurely outing.

CLIP! CLOP! CLIP! CLOP!

The horses galloped onto the dirt road outside the city, kicking up clouds of yellow dust.

There was no more idle chatter.

The group of six rode swiftly toward the mountain of the Lin family.

Wu Chen was actually happy to have the unexpected additions to the team.

’These three girls are at the third or fourth meridian of the Meridian Passage Realm. They’re several notches above the Hunter-servants Lin Gaoyuan mentioned yesterday.’

’Their strength is considered quite reputable in Fenglin County.’

’Even if they aren’t in the top tier, they’re solidly in the second.’

’If there really are powerful beasts in the mountains, and more than two or three of them, these girls could help tie them down for a bit.’

Wu Chen sized up the three of them and came to an assessment.

All three were children of wealthy city families. Though their talent was average, they lacked for nothing in terms of medicinal soups, pills, and fine food, and could afford to hire famous masters for instruction.

Naturally, their strength wouldn’t be too poor.

In short, Wu Chen’s assessment of the three was: free labor. It would be a waste not to use them.

And when the three young women felt Wu Chen’s gaze on them, they each straightened their backs, accentuating their figures as if trying to show something off.

Unfortunately, Wu Chen’s gaze was fleeting. He looked away, turning his attention to his panel:

[Deep Red Host] Wu Chen

[Martial Arts Realm] Meridian Passage Realm, Eight Meridians

(Qi Power: Wild Bull Shakes the Earth)

[Martial Arts & Cultivation Techniques] ’Bone-Eroding Wind Blade - Intent’, ’Spirit Swallow Plucks the Leaf Step - Intent’, ’Thunder Palm - Perfection’, ’Golden Ring Greatsaber - Perfection’...

After Lin Gaoyuan had delivered the Martial Arts manuals, his realm had improved again.

’I’m just two steps away from the Jade Bone Realm.’

’I wonder what it would be like to face an Organ Refining Realm expert once I reach the Jade Bone Realm.’

Wu Chen withdrew his gaze from the panel and looked at the road ahead, lost in thought.

He was still brooding over his fight with Master Xue Hongling, clearly not resigned to the outcome.

If he had opened a few more meridians that day, he might have been able to trade blows with that fiend instead of just barely escaping.

But only he would think that way. Any other Meridian Passage Realm Martial Artist, faced with the arrival of an Elder from the Blood Slaughter Sect, would have been crushed by their powerful aura and forced to their knees to beg for mercy.

They wouldn’t have had any strength left to fight back, let alone anything else.

Even if they were lucky enough to survive, their martial heart would have been shattered, and their sword hand would tremble.

Thinking of Xue Hanyan’s arrogant posture that day, the ease in her every move.

Wu Chen’s eyes grew colder, but he did not let anger cloud his judgment.

Though he had suffered a setback, he knew he needed time.

Whether it took thirty years, three years, or three months, the process was always full of uncertainty.

Too many powerful and unknown things lurked in the shadows.

’To forge iron, one must first be strong.’ Wu Chen sighed to himself as he looked at the road ahead.

The horses galloped on, charging straight for the mountain forest.

In the blink of an eye, the group had traveled seven or eight li from the city.

Wu Chen’s nostrils flared, and his brow suddenly furrowed.

He had caught the faint scent of blood.

"Hold up!"

He pulled on his reins to stop the others, then turned his horse and rode quickly toward a narrow path that branched off the main road.

That was the source of the bloody scent.

In the distance, he could see a village of thatched huts, but even in broad daylight, there wasn’t a single person in sight.

WHOA! WHOA!—

Hearing him, Lin Gaoyuan and the others also pulled on their reins. The galloping horses came to an abrupt halt on the dirt road, their hooves carving long tracks in the ground.

Although they didn’t know what had happened to make Wu Chen pause his advance into the mountains, they saw the direction he was riding and didn’t hesitate for a moment, immediately turning their own mounts to follow.

In the time it takes to crack a whip, their horses stopped at the village entrance. The group dismounted and walked into the village.

There were over twenty thatched huts, but not a soul was in sight. Doors and windows had been forced open, and an eerie silence filled the air.

The group’s eyes grew heavy.

"Was it the refugees from Qingzhou?" Chen Xiaoqing placed her hand on the hilt of her blade, her gaze sweeping the surroundings for any potential danger.

"Refugees are just looking for a bite to eat. They wouldn’t go so far as to kill people," Qiu Tong said softly, shaking her head.

"That’s right. Besides, this place isn’t far from Fenglin County. They could beg for food and keep moving to survive. There’s really no need to kill." Wang Lin nodded in agreement with Qiu Tong.

At this critical moment, the three of them were no longer in a joking mood.

As people who had practiced Martial Arts since childhood, they were all warily watching for any sign of movement.

They had to be on guard in case the murderous creature hadn’t left yet and launched a surprise attack, injuring Wu Chen.

As for Lin Gaoyuan and Wang Erhu? Apologies, but the girls had only known them for a decade or so. They weren’t close.

CREAK~

Wu Chen walked up to one of the thatched huts and pushed open its half-closed door. The door, apparently damaged, made a hair-raising sound as he moved it.

As the door fell down, the thick, heavy stench of blood washed over him from inside.

Wu Chen’s expression remained unchanged as he looked into the hut, a thoughtful expression on his face.

There were no horrifying corpses or severed limbs inside the hut, only a large pool of blood that was starting to dry.

"No bodies?"

The three young women saw the scene inside and had originally intended to act scared and cling to Wu Chen.

But seeing his pensive expression, they gave up on the idea.

"Has the disaster with the mountain beasts spread this far?"

Seeing the room with no bodies, the group confirmed this definitely wasn’t the work of refugees.

At least, refugees’ teeth weren’t strong enough to gnaw through bone.

"Let’s go. There’s no one left alive in this village."

Wu Chen said flatly. As a Martial Artist at the eighth meridian of the Meridian Passage Realm, his hearing was far superior to that of ordinary people. He could easily tell that in this village of a dozen or so households, there wasn’t the slightest sound.

There should be no survivors.

The others behind him nodded, and they walked out of the village, the atmosphere somewhat grim.

They hadn’t gone another few li before they came upon another village standing alone by the main road. There was no sign of life within, not a single sound to be heard.

Just like before, the group followed Wu Chen into the village to investigate.

If the villages closer to Fenglin County had no survivors, this more distant one was naturally no exception.

In every house and courtyard, one or more pools of blackened blood on the ground testified to the tragedy that had occurred.

Then came the third and fourth villages. The group searched them but still found no survivors.

By the time they reached the fifth village near the foot of the mountain, seeing the silent settlement in the distance, the group had already lost all hope.

SHIIING—

But at that moment, Wu Chen, who had dismounted, stared grimly at the village and silently drew his ink-black blade.

Seeing this, the others understood immediately.

Though they didn’t know what was happening, they followed Wu Chen’s lead, placing their five fingers on their hilts and slowly drawing their weapons.

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