https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-40-Young-Master-of-a-Noble-Family-Worthy-of-Death/12932856/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-42-Four-Blood-Exchanges-A-Lone-Hero-/12932858/
Chapter 41: Killing Them All is the Best Protection
Chapter 41: Killing Them All is the Best Protection
The night was dark and heavy, with the wind and snow swirling, almost too thick to disperse.
The alleyways were even darker, shrouded in shadows.
An old man, leading a boy with a Nata braid and a big head, stood quietly in the snow, gazing at the brightly lit Xuji Woodcarving Shop.
"Master, it seems like the Spirit Infancy Sect is targeting that talented Spirit Child you've been eyeing..."
"Should we take action? The Spirit Infancy Sect is colluding with the officials of Thunder City. All the experts in this shop have been sent away, leaving it vulnerable. The Sect will likely make their move tonight."
Lyu Chi furrowed his brows, appearing mature beyond his small stature.
The old man shook his head, "Let's wait and see. I prefer not to intervene unless necessary. I want to find out who in Thunder City is preparing the sacrifice for the Strange Temple and who has become the lackey of the Temple's deity."
"But what if something happens to the Spirit Child?" Lyu Chi tilted his head, puzzled. "You said he's a rare Superior Spirit Child, right?"
The old man smiled, glancing at Lyu Chi's big head, "If it's unavoidable, you can take action and be the hero who saves the beauty. How does that sound?"
Lyu Chi rolled his eyes dramatically, "A two-year-old girl is considered a beauty? How can you tell at that age!"
The old man stroked his beard and laughed, his eyes deep and profound, "I didn't expect the father of the Superior Spirit Child, a man in his twenties, to possess such pure and flawless divinity. It's quite normal for him to give birth to an exceptional child."
"Someone's coming."
The old man's smile faded as he pulled Lyu Chi's hand, blending into the darkness.
...
...
Suddenly, a gust of wind tore through the cold air, causing the swirling snow to fall and shatter into pieces.
Several figures, resembling ghosts, stood on the rooftop, braving the rustling cold wind, their eerie laughter sounding like ghostly wails.
These figures wore black robes and child masks with various expressions—some crying, some smiling, some ugly, and some angry.
There were five figures in total, some carrying broadswords, others gripping long spears or holding iron hammers.
The dense aura of blood and energy seemed to melt the falling snow all around.
"Xu You has been recalled to the Inner City, and Chen Dabao, the only Blood Exchange Warrior in Xuji Woodcarving Shop, has been imprisoned. We have only tonight to act. Tomorrow, Xu You will return, and Chen Dabao will be released from custody..."
"We must succeed in taking the Spirit Child tonight."
"Also, use me as bait, but be gentle. You must rescue me quickly!"
After speaking, the figures moved with eerie laughter, anger, and cries, showcasing their martial arts skills. Their agile bodies leaped over the high walls of the Xuji compound.
...
...
The courtyard was eerily silent.
A single lamp burned inside the house, casting dancing shadows on the paper window, revealing two figures within.
Inside the house, Zhang Ya's face turned slightly pale as she held the sleeping Xi Xi. Her woman's intuition, combined with her husband Li Che's unusual behavior, made her sense the potential danger of this night.
She looked into the distance, where a lifelike wooden sculpture sat in a chair, resembling Li Che to a great extent. The sculpture was unpolished, with rougher carvings, but the lamplight cast a shadow on the paper window, creating a silhouette almost identical to Li Che.
It created an illusion of a cozy couple spending time together indoors.
At first, Zhang Ya didn't understand why Li Che was behaving this way. Why not stay inside and protect them?
But when Li Che took out a thin wooden board, sat in a chair, and slowly carved a Cuteness Bull Mask with a carving knife, covering his face with it, Zhang Ya was completely stunned.
She covered her mouth, staring at her unfamiliar husband, her eyes filled with unprecedented astonishment.
"Bull... Bull Demon?" Zhang Ya asked softly.
The Bull Demon was well-known throughout Thunder City for hunting down members of the Spirit Infancy Sect who harmed children, despite the constant wanted notices posted on the bulletin board.
He had become a hero in the hearts of the city's people, and now, this hero was her husband, Zhang Ya's spouse?
"No... You don't look like the Bull Demon. Your build is too different." Zhang Ya shook her head, speaking softly.
This was the first time Li Che revealed his identity, sharing it with his wife. And she would be the first to know of his Bull Demon persona.
Without saying more, Li Che silently activated the Vajra Transformation Dao Fruit.
In an instant, countless muscles twisted and grew, resembling ferocious dragons. His body transformed, instantly becoming as tall as a small mountain, exuding a sense of ferocity and overwhelming oppression that reverberated within the room.
As Zhang Ya stared in astonishment, Li Che immediately reversed the transformation, returning to his normal physique.
"Wife, I won't let anyone harm you and our daughter. So... you must trust me." Li Che gently caressed Zhang Ya's face and tucked a stray strand of her blue-black hair behind her ear, speaking softly.
Zhang Ya snapped out of her daze, her mind in turmoil. Her husband... could transform into such a giant! Was this the power of a Bone Tempering Warrior?
But she had never heard of Bone Tempering Warriors being able to change their size.
Being obedient, she didn't ask further, understanding that this was her husband's secret. She only needed to believe and trust him.
Between husband and wife, it's natural to keep some little secrets.
As for Li Che's identity as the Ox Demon, and those who died at his hands...
Zhang Ya didn't care. She only cared about her husband.
However, Zhang Ya was inexplicably troubled. It seemed that in front of her husband, she had no secrets left.
"Remember the way I taught you to activate the Wooden Raven..."
Li Che rubbed Zhang Ya's head, kissed her forehead, and instructed her.
Zhang Ya nodded solemnly.
Li Che glanced again at the sleeping Xi Xi.
With a warm bed, a loving wife, and a child, he only wanted to live a peaceful life with his family in this world...
Whoever dared to harm his daughter, he would...
Kill them all!
...
...
Li Che activated the "Sleeping Dragon Elephant" ability of his Dragon Elephant Vajra, completely suppressing his vital energy. His aura vanished as if erased from the world.
The concealment effect was impeccable.
He hid in the dark alleys surrounding Xuji's compound, donned a hood, covered his face with a Cuteness Bull Mask, and on this snowy night, transformed into the Ox Demon.
"Zhao Chuanxiong, openly displaying his schemes during the day, acting arrogantly and being extremely ostentatious... This doesn't quite fit his style of hiding for a year."
Li Che pondered, but his heart already had some clarity.
Zhao Chuanxiong knew that the Ox Demon was looking for him, yet he still acted boldly, creating this spectacle as if... baiting.
"Is Zhao Chuanxiong the bait, meant to lure me?"
"The work of the Spirit Infancy Sect?"
"Tonight's scheme is a two-birds-with-one-stone plan... They aim to capture Xi Xi and also eliminate the Ox Demon..."
The alley was silent.
After a while, there was a soft exhale, carrying a chilling killing intent.
"Hmph."
"So greedy."
Li Che lifted his head, gazing at the dark sky, his eyes gleaming.
"No matter what conspiracies and tricks there are..."
"I want to protect my wife and child..."
"Killing all of you is the best protection."
...
...
On a dark and eerie night, the temperature rose slightly, and the falling snow turned to rain, pattering in the darkness.
Each drop of rain was bone-chillingly cold.
Zhao Chuanxiong had a long sword at his waist, his jet-black hair flowing freely, and he wore a smiling boy's mask, full of mirth.
His toes tapped on the thick snow covering the ground, shattering the falling rain and snow, as he drifted in like a ghost.
He landed outside Fang Che's courtyard.
Since he had visited Li Che before, he easily found the courtyard.
Behind the boy's mask, Zhao Chuanxiong's eyes showed little emotion, and he looked indifferently at the brightly lit interior, and the silhouettes reflected on the paper window.
"What a warm family..."
"Too bad, they had a Spirit Child."
"Talent is a blessing, but also..."
Zhao Chuanxiong drew his radiant long sword, and as it vibrated, a trembling howl emanated from it.
The world fell silent.
Inside Xuji's Woodcarving Shop, there was no movement.
Those old masters, although Xu You had instructed and entrusted them, ultimately chose self-preservation and didn't intervene.
Even though they knew that someone would attack Li Che's courtyard to take Xi Xi tonight.
Zhao Chuanxiong held the sword with one hand, scanned the surroundings, and with the snow and rain pouring down, no one appeared to stop him.
Beneath the mask, a cold smile emerged, "Human nature..."
"In this world, those who dare to be heroes... are always the minority."
"Except for you!"
Boom!!!
In an instant, a crimson vital energy like flowing fire erupted from Zhao Chuanxiong's sword, and he slashed fiercely behind him.
The bloody sword glow shattered the wind and snow, and the resulting shockwave fell on both sides!
"Ox Demon!!!"
A terrified yet explosive roar emanated from Zhao Chuanxiong's throat. Behind him, a towering figure appeared like a ghost. The black-clad figure, with a hood and a Cuteness Bull Mask, looked like a soul-stealing messenger from hell, his eyes cold and full of murderous intent.
Without a single extra word.
The Ox Demon raised his palm, as large as a fan, with fingers like hooks, and clenched it fiercely.
Beneath the skin, boiling vital energy erupted from every pore, like intertwining blood pythons, coiling around his thick arms! White Tiger Cyclone!
A punch!
From above!
With overwhelming force!
Boom!
Zhao Chuanxiong's sword, swung to slash, was instantly smashed and shattered by the wild and domineering power! The punch's force wasn't exhausted yet, and the aftermath continued! Zhao Chuanxiong blocked with his long sword, but the fine iron sword was instantly bent under the impact!
The unfamiliar fist force seemed to accompany a tiger's roar, penetrating the sword and mercilessly slamming into his chest.
Shattering his chest...
Zhao Chuanxiong's boy mask shattered instantly, revealing a terrified face, his eyes almost popping out. His legs knelt hard on the ground, shattering the blue bricks, and the snow covering them exploded into a high curtain around him.
The sound of cracking, whether from broken bones or falling snow, echoed endlessly.
"Blood... Blood Exchange?!"
"Indeed..."
"Being bait... means being eaten..."
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(End of Chapter)
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