Chapter 135: Reinforcements from the Dark Unit

We walked forward at a brisk pace, and my master spoke directly, "Wei Wuchi, you certainly run fast. What, do you think you can actually escape?"

Wei Wuchi kept one hand behind his back and gave a dark laugh. "Who said I was running? Aren't I right here in front of you?"

Master nodded and wasted no more words. The Azure Lotus Sword materialized instantly in his hand. With a forward leap, a fierce sword Qi carrying several azure lotus blades shot outward. Wei Wuchi raised his black umbrella to shield himself. Clang, clang, clang! A series of metallic impacts rang out. Xiang Fang, standing behind us, hurriedly spoke up, "Senior, this is a black steel umbrella wielded by the Five Elements Escorts; its durability should not be underestimated."

Without turning back, Master gave a cold laugh and replied, "A black steel umbrella, is it? I want to see whether your black steel umbrella is tougher or my Azure Lotus Sword is sharper."

With that, Master brushed his hand across the sword's blade, and a sudden breeze whipped up, sending fallen leaves dancing across the ground. A sword Qi, even more terrifying than the last, surged straight forward. Wei Wuchi's expression flickered slightly. Before the sword Qi arrived, he spun the black steel umbrella in his hand. Another round of metallic clashing echoed as Wei Wuchi was forced back several steps. I could clearly see his hand trembling slightly, and the previously indestructible black steel umbrella now bore a distinct crack. Xiang Fang gasped in astonishment; Master's strike was undoubtedly a heavy slap to his face.

Wei Wuchi stared at the fracture on the black steel umbrella, let out a cold snort, and glared at Master. Master twirled the Azure Lotus Sword and sneered, "You are no match for me. I know you've got people lying in ambush nearby. Come on out; you've been crouching there long enough. Aren't you afraid of mosquito bites?"

As his voice fell, I froze. Rustling sounds echoed from behind the surrounding haystacks. A few seconds later, hundreds of figures emerged from behind the brush. We were all startled upon seeing this massive crowd. Wei Wuchi had actually ambushed so many people here. I looked at Master standing at the front and asked, "Master, what do we do?"

Without looking back, Master replied, "Fight, what else? I'll handle the big fish; the small fry are yours. Be careful everyone, don't rush—they outnumber us."

We all nodded. Even Li Muyang, usually so unserious, put on a stern expression as he scanned the surroundings. Sister Yu readied herself for combat, and Xiang Fang drew a seemingly ordinary sword from the sheath on his back. Just as we were about to charge forward, Master suddenly turned his head and said, "Hey, beauty, you stay out of this. These are our chores; just watch from the back."

We were taken aback once more and looked over at Sister Yu. Finding our gazes fixed on her, she was equally stunned and snapped, "Why on earth should I? When I was making my name in the circle, you kids didn't even exist yet."

Master produced a cigarette, clamped it between his lips, and smiled faintly. "Because it's not pretty to get hurt."

With that, Master whipped around and lunged fiercely at Wei Wuchi. We didn't hesitate either, charging into the hundreds of opponents to ignite a massive mêlée. Sister Yu stood frozen in place, stamped her foot in frustration, but ultimately ignored Master's advice and charged into the fray with reckless abandon anyway. I gripped the Tianyin Spear, unleashing arcs of electricity that chained together to knock out a dozen opponents before me. Just as I prepared to rush over and help Li Muyang, I caught sight of Sister Yu charging in. I paused for a moment, about to speak, but she leaped forward with agile grace, evading a coordinated attack from several men, and tossed out a pouch of white powder. Those men let out miserable shrieks and clutched their eyes.

I smiled bitterly, shook my head without overthinking it, and dashed to Li Muyang's side.

"Lin Xuan, why are you here?" Li Muyang asked, spotting me.

I stood beside him, slung an arm over his shoulder, and smiled slightly. "To help you, what else?"

Li Muyang paused, shrugged my shoulder off, and said, "Go on, go on, who needs help? You're vastly underestimating me."

I smiled again. "With your three-legged cat skills, you definitely need help."

Li Muyang rolled his eyes and didn't respond. Suddenly, five daggers appeared in his sleeves. With a quick, targeted glance, he hurled the daggers forward. They struck true, piercing the calves of the enemy assassins. Those men wobbled and collapsed to the ground with cries of agony. My smile widened as I patted Li Muyang's shoulder. "Not bad, keep it up. I'm going in."

Before Li Muyang could utter a word, I tightened my grip on the Tianyin Spear, the entire shaft blossoming with a chilling glare. Raising the spear high, black and white twin fish symbols spun beneath my feet as I twirled the weapon through the air. Then, I swept it forward with immense force. The cold radiance formed a crescent-shaped blade wave that slammed with a thunderous roar right into the center of the assassins' formation. In an instant, a flashbang-like brilliance obscured the vision of everyone in the vicinity.

Li Muyang, Xiang Fang, Sister Yu, and even Master closed their eyes slightly. As the dazzling light gradually faded, I saw dozens of people lying on the ground, clutching their eyes and groaning endlessly. Everyone present was dumbfounded, save for Master. I swung the Tianyin Spear behind my back, cutting a figure quite reminiscent of an ancient grand general. Li Muyang stared at me blankly, muttering to himself, "What the hell, Lin Xuan, are you a freak?"

"Where on earth did this kid spring from? Good grief, what was that thing—just one hit?" Sister Yu echoed in utter shock.

Xiang Fang furrowed his brow in silence. Master smiled faintly as he looked at me. Wei Wuchi glanced at the crowd blasted onto the ground beside him, scoffed coldly, and muttered under his breath, "A bunch of trash."

I picked at my ear. By now, I was far too familiar with wielding the Tianyin Spear. At this moment, Wei Wuchi turned his gaze to Master and demanded, "Your strength is quite impressive. Why have I never seen you in the circle before?"

Master responded with a cold smirk, "Win against me first and we'll talk."

Wei Wuchi's expression tightened. He gritted his teeth and spat, "Arrogant! Watch me scatter you today."

With that, Wei Wuchi took the initiative and charged at Master. Master didn't budge; he slammed his foot down hard, kicking up a violent gust of wind that blew Wei Wuchi backward. Executing a textbook carp kipping motion, Wei Wuchi sprang back to his feet and roared at the remaining half of his forces, "What are you all standing around for? Get them!"

Those men nodded and once more surged toward us. Meanwhile, Wei Wuchi resumed his mystical duel with Master. I offered a cold smile, swept the Tianyin Spear forward, and sent another wave of electrical arcs flying straight into the oncoming crowd. The second skirmish commenced. Naturally, these people were no match for us. As the chaotic battle neared its conclusion, I suddenly heard a low, rumbling sound approaching. Turning my head, I realized a massive new wave of reinforcements was charging in from behind. Their numbers were overwhelming, forming a dense, black sea of bodies. My heart skipped a beat as I murmured softly, "Their reinforcements are here."

Li Muyang, Xiang Fang, and Sister Yu converged by my side, frowning as they stared at the incoming backup. Wei Wuchi traded blows with Master, leaped backward, and caught sight of the reinforcements as well. He laughed aloud, "They've finally arrived! Let's see if your stamina holds out or if I simply have too many men. Heh-heh-heh-heh!"

Master furrowed his brow as well and asked me, "Feeling the pressure, kid?"

I looked at Master and shook my head. He nodded and said, "Good. Be careful."

I flashed him an OK sign, and Master turned his full attention back to Wei Wuchi. Looking back, I realized Master had been holding back all along, never using his full strength. I knew he was doing this to flush out Wei Wuji; otherwise, against a small-time character like Wei Wuchi, Master would have wiped him out long ago.

"Lin Xuan, what do we do now? There are so many of them, we're going to get worn down to death! If I'd known, I wouldn't have come out with you guys. Staying at the Qi family estate was so nice—good food, drinks, and sleep, without needing to charge into battle," Li Muyang grumbled, his brow furrowed.

I turned back to look at Li Muyang. Knowing he was just joking rather than genuinely complaining, I smiled faintly and said, "Brother Yang, just your imposing aura alone could scare these guys to death. Right? Who else would dare mess with you?"

Li Muyang paused, then chuckled as well. "Little Xuan, you're the only one who truly understands me."

I playfully shoved his shoulder and said, "Stop quoting ancient classics with me. No more nonsense, let's move in. To quote Master's favorite saying: what's bound to come will come."

With that, I glanced at Sister Yu and Xiang Fang. Both nodded in agreement. I loosened up my joints, raised the Tianyin Spear, and charged forward. Li Muyang and the others followed suit. In an instant, the deafening roars of spells colliding and battle cries filled the air, ceaseless and resounding.