Chapter 244: Utterly Eradicating Evil, the Malevolent Blood Cocoon

The Sword-Wielding Man had previously noted the stark difference in the death scenes of Mo Hu and the Hook-nosed Elder. The latter had been decapitated in a single stroke, with multiple deep sword wounds across his body—clearly the work of Old Doctor. Given Old Doctor’s terrifying power demonstrated earlier, this outcome was hardly surprising.

What truly stunned the Sword-Wielding Man, however, was Mo Hu’s corpse.

Every part of him—except his head—was reduced to a grotesque, mangled mess, as if his body had been violently pulverized into a formless pulp. The sight was utterly horrifying.

This was not Old Doctor’s style. There was only one possible explanation: Mo Hu had been killed by Lu Qing.

After all, only Lu Qing and his disciples had been present at the scene.

Yet, this realization left the Sword-Wielding Man deeply shaken. He couldn’t quite believe it. So he needed to confirm it himself.

“Yes,” Lu Qing nodded calmly. “Didn’t I tell you earlier, Master? That Mo Hu posed no threat to me.”

“…So it was really you, young master, who killed him,” the Sword-Wielding Man thought, utterly astounded.

After all, Mo Hu had lost an arm and had already been wounded by Old Doctor. Yet, he was still a true Xian Tian Jing minor realm expert. And yet, he had been slain by a mere youth.

Moreover, Lu Qing was known for his archery. But judging from Mo Hu’s shattered remains, the death looked more like the result of overwhelming brute force—like being crushed to death by sheer physical power.

The Sword-Wielding Man was left reeling, overwhelmed by confusion and disbelief.

But Lu Qing gave him no chance to ask more. He had sensed that Ma Gu and the others had already entered Liu Yun Town.

“What exactly happened here?” Ma Gu and the others, riding in their carriage, paused on the street, scanning the eerie surroundings. Their faces paled.

The countless human-shaped blood trails, the remnants of clothing smeared along them—everything was deeply unsettling, sending chills down their spines.

No wonder Lu Qing had refused to let them come. Seeing this scene, they could only conclude that something monstrous had occurred in the town.

Especially the Round Fat Middle-aged Man, who felt immense relief.

Thankfully, Chen Ye had insisted on staying out of town earlier. Otherwise, they might have ended up like the blood-stained corpses on the street.

Then, a sudden thought struck him.

Had Chen Ye… foreseen this?

“Master,” Wei Zian, staring at the silent, blood-soaked streets, whispered nervously. “Where should we go?”

“Wait a moment,” Ma Gu replied. “Since the Master and the Master’s son are in town, they must already have sensed our arrival.”

Just then, a figure streaked forward from the distance, vanishing in a blur. In the next instant, he stood before the carriage.

“Master!” Ma Gu pulled the reins, his voice filled with surprise and joy.

The others, too, brightened with relief.

They couldn’t help it—the atmosphere in Liu Yun Town was too unnatural. It made their skin crawl.

“You’ve come,” Lu Qing said. “Follow me. The Master is waiting.”

“Master,” Ma Gu pointed at the blood trails. “What… are these?”

“Those are ordinary townspeople who were corrupted and consumed by Liu Yun Zong’s dark arts,” Lu Qing replied coldly. “Don’t worry. They’re no longer a threat to you.”

The words struck Ma Gu and the others like a thunderclap.

Liu Yun Zong—had they really gone so far as to sacrifice their own townspeople?

The carriage followed Lu Qing down the road toward the inn.

Along the way, they passed the corpses of the Hook-nosed Elder and the Black Robe Figure, as well as the ruined, half-destroyed streets. Each sight made their hearts sink deeper.

Though dead, the two corpses still exuded a faint but terrifying aura. It was clear they had been formidable martial artists in life.

And if even they had fallen… and the town lay in such ruins…

No one could bear to imagine what kind of battle had taken place here.

“Wait a moment.”

When Lu Qing spotted the Black Robe Figure’s corpse again, he suddenly remembered something. He signaled Ma Gu to stop the carriage, then leapt forward and vanished behind a nearby house.

After a brief search, he found what he was looking for.

The black staff, the one he had shattered from the man’s grip during their fight.

“Let’s go.” Returning to the carriage, he casually tossed the staff onto the seat.

No one dared ask. They simply followed.

Soon, they arrived at the inn.

Hearing the carriage, the Sword-Wielding Man stepped out.

“This is the Tai Shang Elder of the Silver Moon Sect, Yan Elder,” Lu Qing introduced.

“Greetings, Yan Elder,” Ma Gu and the others bowed respectfully.

Especially the Round Fat Middle-aged Man and his disciples, who were stunned. They were from Yun Zhou, and they knew the major sects of the region well.

The Tai Shang Elder of the Silver Moon Sect—wasn’t that a Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe?

“Since you’re friends of the young master, no need for formalities,” the Sword-Wielding Man quickly replied.

If it had been anyone else, he might have played the role of a dignified elder. But these people clearly had a close bond with Lu Qing. He dared not act aloof.

For both Lu Qing and Old Doctor, the Sword-Wielding Man now held deep respect.

Seeing even the Tai Shang Elder of the Silver Moon Sect treat Lu Qing with such courtesy, the Round Fat Middle-aged Man could at least prepare himself.

But Wen Bin and the others were utterly shocked.

Yet no one had time to react to their astonishment.

“Yan Elder,” Lu Qing asked, “has Master finished treating the elders?”

“Most have been seen to. Only a few remain,” Yan Elder replied.

“I’ll go in,” Lu Qing said, then turned to Ma Gu. “Ma Ye, wait outside.”

Inside the inn, corpses lay scattered everywhere—many in grotesque, horrifying death throes.

Though Xiao Yan had seen death before, Lu Qing still didn’t want her to witness such scenes.

Just as Lu Qing stepped inside, he saw Old Doctor finishing the final diagnosis.

“Master,” Lu Qing whispered. “Ma Ye and the others have arrived.”

“Hmph.” Old Doctor withdrew his hand and turned to the tall, lean martial artist before him. “Your condition matches the others—qi and blood depleted, foundation damaged. But fortunately, it’s not life-threatening. With proper rest, nourishment, and recovery, you’ll be fine.”

“Thank you, Elder!” The man exhaled in relief. He’d feared that the curse from the Hook-nosed Elder would leave lasting harm. Now, knowing he’d be okay, he felt a massive weight lift.

“Everyone,” Old Doctor stood. “I’ve examined all of you. Thankfully, your martial cultivation is deep, your foundations solid. Though your qi and blood are weakened, you’re not in danger. I’ll prepare two prescriptions to strengthen your core. Take them as directed, follow the regimen, and in one to two months, you’ll be fully recovered.”

“Thank you, Elder!” The Yun Zhou martial artists bowed deeply in gratitude.

Old Doctor nodded, then turned to Lu Qing. “A Qing, bring me ink and paper. I’ll write the prescriptions.”

“Yes, Master.” Lu Qing quickly brought the writing tools.

Old Doctor swiftly drafted two prescriptions and pinned them to the wall.

“These are strengthening formulas. Memorize them or copy them down. Follow the recipe exactly, and you’ll heal.”

The martial artists rushed forward, scrambling to record the formulas.

At that moment, the Sword-Wielding Man stepped forward. “Elder, Liu Yun Zong has terrorized Yun Zhou for years. They’ve built dark arrays, slaughtered innocents. Though Mo Hu and his brother are dead, the sect still holds power. What do you intend to do about them?”

“Hmm…” Old Doctor hesitated.

He wasn’t skilled in such matters. He truly didn’t know how to proceed.

Moreover, after killing the two main perpetrators, his anger had already cooled. He had no desire to unleash further bloodshed.

He glanced at Lu Qing. “A Qing, what do you think?”

Lu Qing paused, then spoke seriously. “Master, you’ve seen firsthand the cruelty and methods of Liu Yun Zong. Such a brutal sect cannot be allowed to remain. It’s a poison to Yun Zhou. We may not save the world, but we can at least remove one evil—lessening the suffering of the people. I know you’re kind-hearted, Master, and hate needless killing. Then let me go. I’ll eliminate Liu Yun Zong.”

Old Doctor fell silent.

He thought back to the horrors he’d witnessed on the way here.

Finally, he nodded. “You’re right. Liu Yun Zong must not be allowed to exist. But don’t mock me, A Qing. You know I’m not weak. I understand that destroying one evil is like saving ten good. I’ll go with you.”

“Master… you’ll truly help destroy Liu Yun Zong?” The Sword-Wielding Man’s heart leapt.

He’d have broken the sect regardless. But after seeing Mo Hu’s terrifying abilities—how they’d set up such a deadly array in a simple town—he’d been deeply wary of Liu Yun Zong’s mountain stronghold.

If the sect had hidden traps or stronger arrays in their main fortress, he might not survive.

But with Old Doctor and Lu Qing by his side? That changed everything.

The pair were mysterious, powerful. Old Doctor’s sword qi still haunted him. And Lu Qing—his strength was unpredictable, and he seemed to understand formations like no one else.

With them, destroying Liu Yun Zong was almost certain.

“Master,” the Sword-Wielding Man said urgently. “We must act quickly. The sect’s leader, Mo Zhen, escaped from the town. He’s likely already returned to the mountain. He’s no slouch—just one step from reaching Xian Tian Jing. If he escapes with the sect’s elite, even if we destroy the mountain fortress, it won’t matter. They’ll hide elsewhere and rise again, bringing ruin once more. We must destroy them utterly. No survivors.”

Old Doctor nodded. “You’re right. We can’t delay.”

Without another word, the three martial masters gave brief instructions to the others and set off toward Liu Yun Shan, the towering peak rising in the distance.

Though it looked close from the town, the journey was still seven or eight li. But to the three masters, it was nothing.

They arrived at the mountain gate in moments.

“Indeed,” the Sword-Wielding Man said, his expression grim. “Liu Yun Zong has set up another formation.”

Inside the mountain, faint gray light pulsed, emitting a thick, foul aura. A shimmering barrier hovered above the gate—identical in appearance to the one in the town.

“Don’t worry,” Lu Qing said. “Without a Xian Tian Jing master to sustain it, the formation is weak. Let me break it.”

He sensed the barrier. It was far less powerful than the one in the town.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, young master,” the Sword-Wielding Man said.

Lu Qing drew an arrow from his quiver and began firing.

Without a master to maintain it, the barrier offered no resistance. The arrows pierced through with sharp, echoing cracks.

The gray veil trembled, then shattered like glass.

“Your archery is truly divine,” the Sword-Wielding Man murmured, awed even after seeing it twice. “I’ve never seen such precision.”

“Just a minor trick, Yan Elder. You flatter me,” Lu Qing smiled.

As the barrier vanished, a thick, cloying stench of blood filled the air. A terrifying, malevolent presence surged forward—so intense that the three men instinctively stiffened.

“What’s happening?” They exchanged glances and hurried toward the massive mountain gate.

When they reached the top and looked down, they froze.

Before them lay a vast training ground—once grand and imposing. But now, it was a sea of bodies.

Hundreds of Liu Yun Zong disciples lay sprawled across the ground, dead, their weapons still clutched in their hands. Deep wounds marred their bodies. Their faces were twisted in madness—like they had killed each other in a frenzy.

But why would Liu Yun Zong disciples turn on one another?

“Master, Yan Elder—look.” Lu Qing pointed forward.

Following his gaze, the Sword-Wielding Man and Old Doctor stared in horror.

In the center of the training ground stood a blood-red cocoon—over a man’s height, pulsing with dark energy. Blood continuously flowed from the ground, sucked into the cocoon.

The overwhelming, vile aura came from within.

“What… is that?” The Sword-Wielding Man whispered, stunned beyond words.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end