Chapter 84: Alas, a Whole Family of Loyal Martyrs

Beneath those blood-red eyes, the nose was broad and upturned, the nostrils exposed skyward. The creature’s mouth, when open, split all the way to the base of the ears. Two curved fangs jutted out, stretching left and right like the strokes of a character, reaching almost to the ears. Transformed into a monster, Tianji’s body rose from the earth without the aid of wind, ascending with brute force. Each step he took made the ground quake and the mountains tremble. The earth’s trembling did not cease; the pounding of his footsteps echoed like war drums, growing fainter as he moved farther away.

“That demon has finally left… I thought I was done for!” The Dragon Claw Locust Tree Armor radiated waves of spirit, thick with terror.

“It’s just a pity for the loyal and valiant Lei family,” the Great Willow Tree sighed, countless drooping branches shivering in the still air as if in the throes of fear.

A gust of wind swept by, and the eight fallen sons on the ground turned to ashes, vanishing completely.

…

A series of ragged breaths echoed along the flagstone road of Lei Manor. In the moonlight, a monstrous figure three meters tall strode forward.

“An earthquake?” a startled cry rang out, lights flickering on in a small building. A bare-armed figure pushed open the window, only to find himself locked in the gaze of two blood-red eyes as large as copper bells.

“Ghost!” The scream was cut abruptly short. A scarlet arc of electricity shot from the monster’s eyes, striking the man’s gaze; his body fell silent. Blood began to stream from all seven orifices, and in the next moment, he collapsed onto the bed, lifeless, prompting a woman’s shrill cry from within.

A guttural panting filled the air as the monster raised its sinewy arm, reaching into the window. The screams faded as quickly as they had arisen. When the arm was withdrawn, crimson liquid still dripped between its fingers.

“Blood! Blood!” The monster stared at the blood rolling from its fingertips, its eyes burning ever brighter, ever redder.

“I need blood. I need blood.” The monster turned, its pace quickening. With each step, the ground of the entire town shuddered. Roof tiles rattled loose, falling to the ground. One by one, the lights in Lei Manor flickered on, window after window thrown open. When the townsfolk beheld the monster bathed in moonlight, they screamed in terror, bursting from their homes, fleeing in panic, heedless of their state of dress.

“Blood! I want blood!” the monster howled, raising its face to the moon. It beat its chest with both fists, each blow sounding like a drum of war, like rolling thunder. The sound built into a shockwave, toppling the buildings nearby. Those who did not escape in time were torn apart by the force, their blood spattering, turning Lei Manor into a living hell—limbs and torsos strewn everywhere. The stench of blood hung thick in the air, refusing to dissipate.

…

A crash shattered the night—the main door of Ge Master Ji Heng’s house burst open, startling Ji Heng from his sleep. Switching on the light, he saw a figure lying prone in the hall.

“Who’s there?” he demanded, but the figure offered no response, remaining motionless on the floor. The commotion downstairs roused Lin Qiu and the others on the second floor. As mutants beginning to evolve, their senses were keen; no disturbance could escape their awareness. In moments, they gathered in the hall, frowning at the figure on the ground.

“That isn’t human,” Hei Ze said, shifting into a combat stance, hands poised for a charge.

Hei Ze’s bloodline and race were different; he could sense the unique pulse of foreign blood. At a glance, he knew the figure on the floor was no human, but a creature of dark ancestry.

Lin Qiu, sharp-eyed, noticed the man in the black tunic was missing his right arm from the elbow down—yet, bizarrely, not a drop of blood remained.

“Lin Qiu, is he…?” Ji Heng took a step back, his voice tinged with anxiety.

“Please step back—we’ll handle this,” Lin Qiu advised, as all four readied themselves for battle. The newcomer’s state was uncertain, but a dangerous aura radiated from him.

Xu Bing and the Doll both began to armor up. The Doll wore a cheongsam, twirling an oil-paper umbrella in her hand, its patterns shifting—one moment a riverside scene, the next a blooming peony. Hei Ze vanished, transforming into a willow-leaf blade in the Doll’s other hand. Xu Bing’s armor was no longer a suit, but a red windbreaker, and in her grip was a mighty halberd.

Ji Heng’s pupils shrank. “You’re from the Bureau of Anomalous Beasts, aren’t you?” He drew a sharp breath. The day’s events on the internet had not escaped him; he knew this city housed an extraordinary agency—the Bureau of Anomalous Beasts.

“That’s right,” Lin Qiu replied, cautiously approaching and kneeling beside the figure to turn him over. It was a delicate young man, his face pale and bloodless, eyes shut tight in pain, even his sword-like brows drawn together.

Suddenly, Lei Long’s eyes snapped open. Lin Qiu started violently, for the whites of the young man’s eyes were starkly pale, his pupils black as ink. A normal person’s sclera would be slightly dusky, the pupils brown or light brown at most—never pitch black.

“A jiangshi!” Lin Qiu’s brow furrowed deeply. As Lei Long was about to erupt, Lin Qiu struck his chest with a special technique, sealing his vital energy.

“You—” Lei Long stared in shock. He felt his chest tighten, his heart—the source of his strength—cut off from its flow, rendered inert.

A cold smile curled Lin Qiu’s lips. “So, after the world’s mutation, even legendary jiangshi now walk among us.”

With his system-given abilities, Lin Qiu could see through any race—none could hide from him. Before his eyes, the information read: Jiangshi. Level Five.

Yes, Level Five. Lin Qiu, as an aquatic being of the Three Realms with dragon lineage, could transform into a dragon whale, his life force able to contend with Level Four. With his unrivaled martial arts, he could go head-to-head with Level Five. But jiangshi were different; among their peers, their combat strength was formidable, able to leap across levels in battle. The data confirmed it. If Lei Long hadn’t been wounded and gravely injured, Lin Qiu could never have cut off his vital energy by surprise.

“Ah!” At that moment, Ji Heng cried out behind him. “You… you’re Elder Lei Long?!”

Ji Heng’s voice trembled, his body shaking in fear and disbelief. He could not help but step back, stammering, “Weren’t you killed in battle?”