Chapter 196: Calming the Storm
Chapter 196: Calming the Storm
In the eastern region of Jingyu County, within a sprawling estate, ruins and broken walls lay scattered, with crimson bloodstains trickling through the accumulated water, creating a gruesome sight.
Amidst the wreckage, a vague figure of a demon emerged, its body resembling a fish, head like a serpent, and equipped with six legs and claws. Its massive form spanned several zhang, and its four front claws held torn and bloody limbs, devouring them with relish. The sound of bones crunching between its jaws sent shivers down one's spine.
Not far from this scene, hidden behind a large boulder on a low hill, Yan Guang crouched, his face grim as he gazed upon the spectacle.
"Water Demon Feng Yi..."
A fifth-rank demon was no ordinary foe for martial artists. Only a Fifth Viscera Realm expert or a well-disciplined elite army capable of suppressing the demon's aura could hope to defeat it.
Most of Jingyu County's estates belonged to the Xue family, including many outside the county government. This nearly destroyed manor was one of them. Witnessing the water demon's rampage, Yan Guang dared not intervene.
In fact, he not only dared not approach but also had to suppress his aura while hiding.
Yan Guang's heart sank as he considered the situation. A fifth-rank demon appearing was a disaster at any time. Losing one estate was acceptable, but the problem was its proximity to the county government!
If the demon, after ravaging the manor, headed for the county government, the losses would be significant. The government officials wouldn't have time to evacuate, and even if they did, it was impossible. Unlike relocating a small village, the county government had too many people, and any movement would result in substantial losses.
Just then, a scout approached cautiously from a distance.
"Any news from Pingsha Lake?" Yan Guang whispered to the scout.
Pingsha Lake was the new name for the area downstream of Qingping River and Jinsha River, where the earth vein rupture had formed a lake. The name combined characters from both rivers, and such temporary names often became permanent.
"Not yet," the scout replied, too anxious to bother with formalities. He glanced fearfully at the carnage in the distant manor and whispered back to Yan Guang.
Yan Guang's expression darkened. With no news from Pingsha Lake and no True Transmitters to assist, City Lord Xue was far away in another river domain. Even if he received word and rushed over, it wouldn't be in time. While Meng Tianzhang, the chief of the Demon Slayer Bureau, was in Yu City, the situation was dire.
At this moment, a thundering boom echoed through the sky, and a blinding flash illuminated the world. The scout behind Yan Guang, already on edge, trembled and stepped into a puddle, splashing water everywhere.
In an instant, the water demon Feng Yi, feasting on flesh and blood within the ruined house, froze. Its serpentine head turned, and its eyes fixed on Yan Guang and his companions.
"Oh no," Yan Guang thought, sensing impending danger.
In the next moment, he took off, sprinting away from the scene.
The nearby attendants and scouts, terrified, tried to flee, but in that instant, a surge of demonic aura enveloped them. The rain seemed to freeze in midair, leaving everyone paralyzed.
Whoosh! In a split second, the massive form of Feng Yi burst through the broken walls, crossing the distance. Its tail-like hind legs trampled the boulder where Yan Guang had been hiding, causing it to rumble.
The boulder trembled violently, seemingly unable to bear the weight, and cracks appeared on its surface.
The nearby scouts and officials were petrified with fear, unable to move under the demon's oppressive aura, their eyes wide with terror.
Just then, another thunderous boom reverberated through the sky. A bolt of lightning struck Feng Yi's head, engulfing its entire body in a dazzling explosion, forcing everyone to shut their eyes.
As Chen Mu opened his eyes, he witnessed the massive body of the fifth-rank water demon, Feng Yi, frozen in place. All over its body were signs of scorching from a lightning strike, but more importantly, there was now a person above its head, holding a sword that was plunged deep into its skull, the hilt visible.
"Hiss!!!"
Despite the severe injury, the fifth-rank water demon was still alive, its rigid body moving again, emitting a shrill and angry hiss. A demonic aura spread, causing the nearby water to surge and form curtains of water that soared into the sky, heading towards the figure above its head.
However, Chen Mu's gaze remained calm. He swiftly drew out his Flame Blade, leaped high into the air, evading the water rushing from all directions, and then raised his blade, holding it high above his head.
A crackling sound filled the air as faint lightning arcs appeared on the blade's edge, and in the dark clouds above, similar arcs of lightning intertwined.
As Chen Mu brought the blade down, a thunderous roar echoed, and a lightning bolt descended from the clouds, striking his Flame Blade. The entire person was accompanied by the lightning as they slashed downward.
The dazzling lightning beam first plunged into the surging water curtain, causing the entire curtain to be covered in intertwining lightning arcs. Then, with a single swing of his blade, Chen Mu split the enormous snake head of the water demon Feng Yi right down the middle!
The sound of rushing water filled the air.
Chen Mu's figure flipped in mid-air, landing in a pool of water over ten zhang away, splashing water all around him. Faint lightning arcs intertwined around his body.
Yan Guang and the others stared in awe, and the massive body of the water demon staggered a few steps before collapsing to the ground with a loud thud.
"Cough."
Chen Mu coughed out a wisp of black mist, a bitter smile flashing in his eyes as he shook his head. This was his first attempt at borrowing the 'Heavenly Timing' of the Thunder Quake Intent, and the power was indeed extraordinary. Without even infusing it with the Gale Wind or Blaze Intent, he had slain this fifth-rank water demon with a single strike. However, the power was so immense that even he struggled to bear it fully. Fortunately, the Evil Exorcising Thunder Spear on his body had absorbed much of the heavenly thunder's power, so he was relatively unharmed.
It seemed that the heavenly thunder should not be invoked casually. At the very least, he needed to cultivate the Mountain Root and Marsh Concepts to fully harness the power of the heavenly thunder in the Mountain and Marsh Realms before he could more calmly borrow the timing of the Thunder Quake Intent.
The rain, which had momentarily frozen, began to fall again.
Chen Mu slowly stood up in the rain, and at this moment, Yan Guang and the others finally got a clear view of his figure.
"E-Elder Chen?"
The surviving scouts, who had escaped death, had their eyes wide open, filled with awe as they looked at Chen Mu. Even Yan Guang, who was standing at a distance, wore a similar expression.
But before Yan Guang could approach, Chen Mu took a step forward, passing by his side and heading towards the county government. Simultaneously, he said, "For now, bring the water demon's body back to the county government. You handle the rest."
His voice trailed off as Chen Mu's figure disappeared into the rain.
Only Yan Guang and the few scouts remained frozen in the rain, and it took a while before they finally snapped out of their awe, glancing at each other. In each other's eyes, they saw the lingering awe that had yet to fade.
Chen Mu paid no heed to their reactions. After giving his instructions, he returned to the county government of Jingyu County.
"Elder Chen?"
The county magistrate of Jingyu County was anxiously pacing under the eaves of the county government's main entrance, awaiting news. Suddenly, he spotted Chen Mu's figure approaching through the rain. Recognizing him, he quickly rushed forward and bowed, saying, "Elder Chen, on the eastern side of the county government..."
"It's already been taken care of."
Chen Mu strode past the county government's entrance without stopping, and calmly said, "I need to rest for a while. If there's no urgent matter, don't disturb me."
As his voice faded, his figure disappeared into the county government, leaving the county magistrate of Jingyu County standing there, still a bit dazed.
...
Chen Mu returned to the courtyard where he had previously rested.
He approached the door and pushed it open. A vibration of Primordial Energy shook off the mud and water from his body, and then a ball of flame rose from his body, wrapping and drying his clothes instantly.
He stepped into the room, closed the door, and sat down in the armchair. He put some tea leaves into the teapot, brewed a cup of hot tea, and placed his sack and various loot to the side, finally letting out a long sigh of relief.
Although the flood disaster was not yet over, the most massive earth pulse turmoil had subsided, and the flooding and river channels had stabilized. There would be no more significant disturbances, only occasional demon invasions.
"It's finally over."
He took a sip of hot tea, then closed his eyes slightly.
Outside the window, the fine rain continued to fall.
(End of Chapter)
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