Chapter 54: Taking Action

Wu You had certainly taken a shortcut.

He knew nothing of drawing objects through the air, nor did he possess any inner strength. But it was clear that those before him would not understand the workings of electromagnetic attraction. Those steel darts were thrown with great force, each coated with a peculiar energy-like substance. Using electromagnetic attraction might have seemed effortless, but in truth, he had used nearly the full extent of his strength.

“My deepest thanks for saving us, hero!” Lü Shengyang offered his gratitude with genuine sincerity, secretly elated.

Wu You frowned. He had acted on instinct in the heat of the moment, but he was no fool. Now, upon reflection, he understood that the old man was laying a trap—both for his pursuers and for himself. To the eyes of the martial world’s young heroes, such tricks were often effective. In Lü Shengyang’s estimation, Wu You’s profound abilities and youth made him extraordinary. No one in the world had heard of such a figure; surely, he was a genius who rarely ventured into the martial world, dedicating himself solely to cultivation. The passion in his earlier singing further reinforced this impression. So Lü Shengyang had used a bit of strategy, provoking Gao Fan into action to draw Wu You into saving them.

Yet Lü Shengyang had not anticipated that Wu You belonged to a breed raised on a lifetime of martial arts dramas, novels, and mysteries. What would fool the most seasoned veterans of this world was instantly transparent to Wu You. Still, though Wu You felt somewhat annoyed, he knew that even had he seen through it from the start, he still would have likely intervened.

“Thank you, great hero!” A child’s voice rang out.

Ji Haoxuan, too, clasped his fists and saluted Wu You with an air of gravity far beyond his years. The boy was strikingly handsome, his round, soft cheeks betraying a hint of lingering baby fat that made him irresistibly adorable. Now, he imitated the grown-ups, performing a martial greeting in the most awkward fashion.

Wu You’s irritation melted away by half at the sight.

For this child’s sake alone, I’ll see this matter through!

...

Wu You leisurely opened his palm and glanced at the steel dart in his hand. Then, turning his palm downward, he tossed it to the ground.

A crisp clatter echoed as steel met stone.

He turned his head slowly to the side, feigning calm as he gazed at Gao Fan, Zhuo Xianfei, and their group.

“Will you leave of your own accord, or must I make you?”

It seemed that true martial arts existed in the Eastern Domain; from the encounter just now, it was clear that it was best to avoid direct confrontation if possible. Best to put on a show—perhaps it would be enough to frighten them off.

Under the gaze of this mysterious master, combined with the subtle biological pressure of the demonic god’s power, Gao Fan and the others felt as though they were locked in place by an overwhelming presence.

Gao Fan hesitated, considering a temporary retreat.

But Zhuo Xianfei had already made a covert gesture to the black-clad guards behind him.

...

A dazzling, blood-red firework exploded high above the mountaintop.

At such a height, its crimson glow could be seen for dozens of miles in every direction.

Everyone’s attention shifted to the black-clad guard whose arm was still raised—the signaler—drawing the focus of Gao Fan, Lü Shengyang, and Wu You.

“Damn! Zuo Qianqiu is still nearby!” Lü Shengyang immediately grasped the critical point.

Wu You’s years of television and novels had not been wasted; any modern person with wits would recognize this as a call for reinforcements.

“Attack!” Zhuo Xianfei shouted, drawing his iron sword and charging directly at Wu You.

Beside him, Gao Fan—the Green-Robed Hand—spread his arms, hurling hidden weapons in rapid succession. A storm of darts and blades rained down on Wu You from every direction, each aimed to cover any avenue of escape.

Drawing objects through the air could not be used distractingly in the midst of battle.

The Iron Swordman and the Green-Robed Hand—these two were famed for their teamwork throughout the martial world.

The nine black-clad guards all lunged at Lü Shengyang and Ji Haoxuan.

...

Each of the black-clad guards was at least a second-rate martial artist.

Nine well-trained guards, schooled in deadly formations, assailing a severely wounded Lü Shengyang—if they could not defeat him immediately, they would certainly prevent his escape. Especially since he had to protect Ji Haoxuan, who barely knew the basics of martial arts.

As for Wu You, though unfathomable, his youth made him easy to underestimate; at the very least, his experience in combat must be lacking. No ordinary genius, even one training from the womb, could achieve the feat of drawing objects through the air. Zhuo Xianfei was unconvinced that Wu You possessed extensive experience in martial contests.

With years of coordinated attacks behind them, Zhuo Xianfei and Gao Fan were confident they could at least hold him at bay.

Though Gao Fan was somewhat disgruntled, now that the battle was joined, he fought with absolute commitment, unleashing his full mastery of hidden weapons with even greater ferocity.

...

A sharp iron sword thrust straight at Wu You’s face, its speed astonishing.

Wu You could feel the chill of the blade.

He must not be struck!

He dodged to the left, but as he stepped aside, several iron nails whistled through the air, blocking his path. He ducked just in time. Zhuo Xianfei’s sword was already slashing down at his head, the blade so sharp it sliced off two strands of hair as it passed.

Cursing inwardly, Wu You rolled forward, leaving several darts embedded in the ground behind him.

The Dragon Spring Sword in his hand felt more like a fire poker; he could only occasionally bat aside a dart or two.

...

These exchanges happened with blinding speed. To an ordinary observer, the movements would have been a blur, impossible to follow.

If not for the demonic god’s power sustaining him, Wu You would have perished a dozen times over. Even now, he was clearly flustered. Gao Fan’s relentless assault with hidden weapons forced him to dodge ceaselessly.

Wu You’s speed was not lacking; his eyes could follow the action, but he knew none of the martial techniques. Zhuo Xianfei’s swordplay was ever-changing—Wu You could avoid each strike, but, lacking a foundation in martial arts, he could not anticipate the next move, leaving him perpetually on the defensive.

The hidden weapons were even more troublesome, always intercepting his attempts to evade.

To true experts, Wu You’s movements were all too predictable.

“Damn it—Blackie, bite them!” he commanded his little celestial dog mentally.

Blackie, having waited anxiously for Wu You’s order, could hold back no longer.

...

A silent shadow flashed by, leaping directly at Gao Fan—the Green-Robed Hand—who was furiously hurling hidden weapons.

The creature instinctively recognized whom among the enemies posed the greatest threat to its master.

Suddenly, Gao Fan felt the hairs on his right side stand on end. Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a slavering maw lined with sharp fangs.

He spun on instinct, lashing out with his elbow and striking Blackie on the head, knocking it aside.

Wu You’s performance had deviated so sharply from his earlier assessment that Gao Fan even entertained the thought of killing him.

But just as he prepared to launch another hidden weapon at Wu You, a sudden chill swept over his left calf, followed by a searing, tearing pain.

He glanced down in horror—his lower leg was already clamped in Blackie’s jaws as the beast dragged it aside.

What?!

Blood trickled from Blackie’s brow, but it spat out the severed leg and sprang again at Gao Fan, darting around him with terrifying agility.

Gao Fan stared in terror at the monstrous black dog, cold sweat pouring down his face. He dared not relax for a moment, focusing all his energy on defense, not even pausing to seal his acupoints to stop the bleeding. He could only rely on muscle tension and his inner energy to slow the blood loss.

From above, a pair of deathly compound eyes had already fixed upon the crown of Gao Fan’s head.