After a long while, Liu Ruoxi calmed down and clapped her hands. Several armored guards suddenly appeared in the distance. Each wore an insignia of a crescent moon on their chest. These were the Liu Family’s most powerful protectors—the Dark Moon Guards. Their sole duty was to ensure the safety of the City Lord’s Mansion.
"Miss Ruoxi, what is the meaning of this..." Old Filthy Turtle’s expression changed as an ominous premonition filled his heart.
Before Liu Ruoxi could even respond, Old Filthy Turtle sprang up and lunged at her, his hands reaching for her throat. The sudden appearance of the Dark Moon Guards was absolutely not a good sign, and Old Filthy Turtle was no reckless fool.
However, before his hands could even graze her, a Spiritual Energy Barrier materialized around her. The lead guard, fully prepared for this, had reached out his palm and channeled the Power of Heaven and Earth around Liu Ruoxi, shielding her within the barrier.
Old Filthy Turtle’s movements were, ultimately, a beat too slow. Without any hesitation, he spun around to flee. But suddenly, fists formed of Spiritual Qi appeared around him. Though not large, they hurtled toward him from all four directions. He had nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
BOOM!
With a muffled explosion, blood bloomed in the air. In a mere instant, Old Filthy Turtle’s body was completely drenched in blood, though he managed to block the brunt of the attack with his own strength. Just as he prepared to continue his escape, the lead guard arrived at his side.
The guard reached out a massive hand and clamped it down on his head. The oppressive aura of the Earth Spirit Realm was suddenly unleashed. With a light squeeze, the skull shattered. Brains and blood splattered across the area.
Old Filthy Turtle was dead.
Given Liu Ruoxi’s immense pride, there was no way she would ever let Old Filthy Turtle live. Previously, she had taken off her stockings right in front of him, giving him a feast for the eyes. But in reality, regardless of whether Old Filthy Turtle succeeded in bringing Ye Xuan back or not, it had always been a dead end for him.
He thought he could live after gazing at Liu Ruoxi’s thighs? Did he really think he could obtain the pantyhose she had worn? It was absolutely impossible!
"Miss Ruoxi, the lecherous thief who stole the undergarment is dead. Your subordinate will escort you back," the guard’s voice rang out.
"Commander Hu, may I dispatch you to handle a task?" Liu Ruoxi suddenly asked.
This lead Dark Moon Guard was one of their four great commanders, boasting a cultivation at the first level of the Earth Spirit Realm. Since Ye Xuan had Gongsun Yanran protecting him, wouldn’t it solve everything if she just sent a powerhouse of the Earth Spirit Realm? Even if Gongsun Yanran remained by his side, it would be to no avail.
The guard respectfully replied, "Miss, we are only responsible for protecting your safety. We cannot leave Chasing Moon City without authorization."
"Never mind," Liu Ruoxi sighed.
The Dark Moon Guards had to remain in Chasing Moon City. If she wanted to capture and torture Ye Xuan, she would have to come up with another way. No matter what, she had to capture him. When the time came, she would return the humiliation she had suffered a hundredfold. Candles, leather whips—she wouldn’t spare a single instrument of torture!
Out on the wilderness, Hua drove the Beast Vehicle rapidly forward. Mou Family Town was somewhat closer to Hero City than the One-Star Main Town. Traveling overnight from the One-Star Main Town would take over seven days, but from the Three-Star Main Town, it only took about four. The Beast Vehicle headed steadily east.
Four days later, it arrived at the West City Gate.
The three large characters for "Hero City" shimmered with dazzling light under the sun. The Black Bear Banner fluttering in the wind almost seemed to be roaring into the sky.
At the city gate, there was an endless stream of people entering and exiting. Ye Xuan waited in the long queue for quite a while before it was his turn. He proactively pulled out a Scroll and showed it to the gate guard. This Scroll acted as a pass. With a pass, there was no need to pay an entry fee.
"Go on in."
The city remained as bustling as ever. The destruction of the Gongsun Family didn’t seem to have impacted the residents here. This was just how the world worked; no one could truly be the center of the universe. The Beast Soul Continent would keep spinning no matter who vanished from it. Even if the Moyue Kingdom were wiped out one day, the world itself would not change.
"Young Master, should we find an inn to settle down first? The Secret Realm doesn’t open until tomorrow," Hua’s voice drifted over.
"Yes, let’s head to the largest inn. I also want to ask around and see if there is any noteworthy news."
Half an hour later, Ye Xuan settled into the largest inn in Hero City. Down in the lobby, a storyteller was narrating a tale.
"Last time, we spoke of how the Gongsun Family utilized their Array to inflict severe losses upon the He Family, the Yun Family, and the rest of the Four Great Clans. Just when the Gongsun Family believed victory was within their grasp, the Sun Family appeared! Picking up right where we left off, today we will focus on the War Machine!
"The War Machine was twenty meters wide and eighty meters tall, with a massive broadsword strapped to its back that measured a full fifty meters long! With the War Machine in their possession, the Sun Family became an unstoppable force, like Divine Weapons descending from the heavens! The souls of tens of thousands of Gongsun Family members linger on that very blade.
"The Gongsun Family members fled in all directions, eventually retreating and huddling in the main courtyard. They intended to rely on their most powerful Clan Protection Array to safely wait out the next three days. This was an Array that not even the War Machine could shatter! Do you all want to know how the Array was finally broken? Well then, please tune in next time to find out."
"Sir, is that it? Keep going! Who exactly broke the Array?" someone in the crowd yelled.
"If I tell you now, what will I have left for tomorrow? I’ll just give you a sneak peek here. Tomorrow, I will recount the final battle following the shattering of the Array! It will also be the final Chapter of this tale. This last Chapter is absolutely spectacular. The Elders of the Gongsun Family detonated themselves one after another in a display of profoundly moving and tragic heroism. For the exact details, please listen to the next installment."
The storyteller cupped his hands in a salute and rose to leave. He had barely taken a few steps before Hua suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Sir, my Young Master invites you over."
The storyteller’s expression remained unchanged as he calmly asked, "Your Young Master? Who might that be?"
"Someone who enjoys listening to your stories."
The storyteller stroked his beard. "Does your Young Master wish to know the contents of the final Chapter ahead of time? I’m sorry, but I do not reveal my stories in advance. A wonderful tale must be shared with everyone at once."
Hua didn’t speak. Instead, dozens of Demon Soul Crystals appeared in her hand. "This is your compensation..."
"Demon Soul Crystals? What, do you think you’re being very generous?" The storyteller chuckled playfully before continuing. "This old man has no desire to cultivate, so Demon Soul Crystals do not hold much temptation for me. If your Young Master truly wants to hear the final Chapter, tell him to come on time tomorrow."
With that, the old man prepared to leave.
Right at that moment, Ye Xuan walked over himself. With a face full of a thick beard, his appearance was worlds apart from before. Anyone who wasn’t familiar with him would never have recognized him.
"Sir, it was presumptuous of me. I actually have a matter I wish to consult you about; I am not looking to hear the final Chapter. I ask that you kindly spare me a little of your time." Ye Xuan cupped his hands, speaking with great courtesy.
"Consult?" The storyteller paused slightly.
Just as he was about to ask what the consultation was regarding, a discordant voice interrupted them.
"Old man, are you the one telling stories here? Who gave you permission? Did our Sun Family approve this?"