Chapter 208

Chapter 208: The Situation Reverses

The men Qiu Ruohai brought this time were all from the City Lord’s mansion. Although they frequently carried out missions together and shared at least camaraderie as colleagues, they couldn’t claim deep friendships. Yet now, with so many dead, those remaining were naturally united in hatred. They yearned to tear Lou Yun and his companions to pieces instantly, to avenge the fallen!

Hearing Qiu Ruohai’s words, the men could no longer restrain themselves. Among the ten men, nine split into three groups, moving towards Lou Yun and his two comrades. Only one hadn’t moved—the highest-ranked magical weapons master present, an earth-level, two-star magical weapons master!

Even within the City Lord’s mansion, his status was exalted. He hadn’t intended to intervene at all, coming only out of boredom. Even now, he maintained his dignity, disdaining to join the many against the few. Thus, he remained standing, coldly observing the scene.

Lou Yun watched the three opponents slowly approaching him with fury—two profound-level magical weapons masters and one human-level magical weapons master. He took a deep breath inwardly!

One-on-one, he felt sure of victory. But against three? Victory was out of the question; survival alone would be an accomplishment!

Wen Hou and Tie Sha faced similar odds. Wen Hou’s situation was slightly better. But because Tie Sha had displayed the greatest strength earlier, his three opponents shockingly included two human-level magical weapons masters and one profound-level!

Though Lou Yun sweated for Tie Sha, his own predicament offered no spare energy for concern. He could only pray inwardly for Tie Sha’s fortune.

The three magical weapons masters halted within two meters of Lou Yun, eyeing his Dream Emperor Sword and Xiang Tian Sword!

Lou Yun had long wielded both a magical weapon and a common weapon simultaneously. But few had witnessed it, especially near Binhai City on the coast. His observers wore expressions of curiosity and confusion. Moreover, none could discern his magical weapon realm, making them hesitant to strike rashly.

After exchanging glances, one burly figure finally initiated the attack. His eight-foot snake spear spun rapidly as it lunged at Lou Yun.

Lou Yun retracted the Dream Emperor Sword while raising the Xiang Tian Sword, its silver gleam flashing to meet the snake spear.

A crisp "clang!" rang out. The Xiang Tian Sword struck the spear, sending tremors through both their wrists as the weapons recoiled. This exchange proved evenly matched!

Lou Yun sneered. The Xiang Tian Sword thrust at his opponent like a viper once more. Simultaneously, the Dream Emperor Sword emitted a white light as Lou Yun unleashed the Human Fierce Sword technique!

Instinctively aloof and all-consuming, the Dream Emperor Sword descended from above. Though seemingly not aimed, its sheer might made his foe feel every hair stand on end, an icy dread permeating his body.

Desperate to escape, he found his paths blocked; the Xiang Tian Sword had multiplied, sealing every direction around him. He now faced only two choices: endure the Dream Emperor Sword’s blow—or be stabbed by the Xiang Tian Sword.

Panic flickered across the burly man’s face. Seeing this, his comrades shouted and attacked from both flanks, weapons raised against Lou Yun.

Now it was Lou Yun’s turn to confront a dilemma. Persisting against the burly man would injure him, but Lou Yun himself risked assault from both aides. Dodging the attacks meant withdrawing his offense, freeing his initial target.

Just as Lou Yun gritted his teeth, willing to endure injury to incapacitate the burly man, a furious shout suddenly boomed from the air: "Audacious!"

Instantly, silver blades flashed chaotically. Shrill cries pierced the air—then the world plunged into silence.

The scene now before them proved horrifying, freezing every spectator. All nine magical weapons masters from the City Lord’s mansion who had attacked Lou Yun and Wen Hou lay dead upon the ground. Gone. Lifeless. Showing no wounds. They had died mysteriously.

Four green-sashed, masked figures now stood before Lou Yun. Each robe’s lower hem bore gold embroidery: one character each reading Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow. Only pairs of piercingly bright eyes showed beneath the green cloth. They cast an icy stare at Qiu Ruohai, who stood petrified with fear. Then, in unified motion, they knelt abruptly before Lou Yun.

"Your subordinates arrived late to protect you! We implore your forgiveness, Alliance Leader!"

Lou Yun was startled. This kneel bewildered him utterly. But the title, "Alliance Leader," sparked clarity. At parting, his second brother Beichen Ming had confided granting him four identities—the final being Leader of the Divine Weapon Alliance!

Lou Yun lacked detailed knowledge about the Divine Weapon Alliance. Dai Rong had given him a jade fragment holding its entire record, but he’d found no time to study it—nearly forgetting its existence. Until now. Until these four called him "Alliance Leader," restoring his memory.

Thoughts swirling, Lou Yun bid them: "Rise. How could I blame you, saving me thus?"

They each prostrated once more before him before standing and withdrawing behind him. These were precisely Beichen Ming’s sent covert protectors: the heads of the Divine Weapon Alliance’s four elite squads—Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, Yellow.

These four had first concealed themselves around Yao Lin Valley during the forging conference, unnoticed. Upon Lou Yun’s departure, they trailed to shield him unseen.

They’d prepared to manifest as Lou Yun confronted the six-tailed giant snake. But the creature withdrew alone. Today, faced with Qiu Ruohai’s force of over twenty magical weapons masters, they finally emerged, preventing Lou Yun’s injury.

All four were Heavenly-level magical weapons masters. Subjugating human-level and profound-level foes proved effortless. Thus, the tide of battle reversed completely.

Now, Qiu Ruohai paled ghost-white. True, an earth-level master yet stood beside him—but this survivor trembled. The gap between Heavenly level and Earth level, merely one rank? Immense! Still…there remained four against one.

Secretly, the earth-level master crushed a message stone clutched in his hand, reporting events to the City Lord. Things had exploded beyond measure: twenty mansion elites slain in moments. The Lord had to know.

Lou Yun eyed Qiu Ruohai coldly. "Qiu Ruohai! Still thinking of crossing swords?"

Qiu Ruohai’s body went limp. He plummeted from his horse to the earth. He flipped over to kneel, kowtowing madly before Lou Yun.

"Spare me, Alliance Leader! Spare me! This wretch was stone-blind! This fool knows his error! Knows his error!"

Lou Yun held pity for such vile men? Bullying on privilege, running unrestrained? He sneered icily, "How many maidens did you defile and slay? Now you crave life? Ha! Were I to spare your life today, Heaven itself would weep injustice!"

His arm shot out. "Swoosh!" A fireball struck Qiu Ruohai’s body.

Qiu Ruohai shrieked. Instantly, flames erupted around him, engulfing him. He beat frantically at himself. Thrashed on the ground to smother the blaze. Futile…the fire burning him was the Heavenly Fire Fusang. Quenching it? Impossible.

People watched Qiu Ruohai’s fiery agony. None helped him. They dared not offend Lou Yun. Moreover—many frequented Binhai City; all knew Qiu Ruohai’s nature. Watching him burn? Utterly satisfying.

So Qiu Ruohai burned. His shrieks faded. His convulsions weakened. Finally…silence claimed him. What remained? A palm-sized patch of black ash—a scar on the soil marking his vanished existence.

Lou Yun stared expressionless at that black stain. After a long pause, he lifted his gaze towards the earth-level master. A brow tilted upward. "Well? Still here?"

This master, a wizened elder, startled. His frame quaked. "Ah! I go! I go now!" He spun to flee.

"Wait!" Lou Yun halted him mid-flight. "Leave if you must. But convey words to your City Lord…"

Lou Yun fell silent as the Heavenly Decree Leader behind him whispered, "Report, Alliance Leader. Your City Lord nears rapidly! Address him directly!"

A faint smile touched the Heavenly Decree Leader’s lips as he spoke. But the green sash masked it. None saw.

A Heavenly-level master’s awareness naturally dwarfed Lou Yun’s, easily blanketing Binhai City. Throughout Lou Yun’s covert protection, they’d mapped the city’s magical weaponry landscape precisely. Hence, the Heavenly Decree Leader offered prompt counsel now. Yet the purpose of that unseen smile? Remained…unclear.