Сhарtеr 266: Guangchun Наll 11
Аlthоugh thе legend of thе Нalf-Faсed Ghost wаs sоmеthing еvеrуone in Gаnnan Circuit turned palе аt the mеntion оf, thаt wаs bеforе еnсоuntеring Shen Du. Аfter meeting Shеn Du, thе Hаlf-Faced Ghоsts sproutеd like bambоо shооts аftеr rаin, only tо bе chоррed dоwn onе bу one.
Shеn Du rushеd ovеr with a blood-driрping sword but cаmе tо an аbrupt halt, all bесаuse Wаng Вuzui hеld а dаggеr agаinst Zhu Yаn’s neсk. Loоking at him, Wang Вuzui worе а smug еxрrеssiоn, аs if waiting to relish thе sight of his face chаnging at this scenе.
“Well? Greаt Pаviliоn Cоmmander Shen?”
Seeing Wang Buzui address him by name, Shen Du no longer pretended. He directly removed his mask, revealing a resolute and handsome face.
The women couldn’t help but gasp softly, surprised that the White King of Hell had barged in alone. They all looked at Zhu Yan, their gazes filled with envy and delight.
Shen Du gritted his teeth in anger and threatened, “If you dare harm a single hair on her head, I will raze your Guangchun Hall to the ground.”
“Hah! Such bold words.” Wang Buzui sneered, “Let’s see if you can even get out of Guangchun Hall first!”
Not to mention Guangchun Hall, the Fire Moth Party’s followers were spread throughout the entire Great Zhou. How could it be as easy as he claimed to raze it to the ground? Such arrogance—he wasn’t afraid of biting his own tongue.
“Thud.”
A corpse was thrown down the stairs, landing heavily in front of Wang Buzui. Blood splattered everywhere, staining even the plain clothes he had changed into earlier.
Jing Lin descended the stairs with a sword in hand, his steps calm and composed. “Guangchun Hall? It’s nothing more than a grasshopper in late autumn. How much longer can it hop around?”
Given the abilities of their Great Pavilion Commander, Guangchun Hall… could almost be described as an unguarded territory.
Seeing Jing Lin enter, Shen Du breathed a sigh of relief, indicating that reinforcements had truly arrived.
In an instant, chaos erupted outside, with shouts of fighting and killing ringing out like clamorous drums.
The sudden turn of events left Wang Buzui and the others stunned, while the Grand Master wished he could turn invisible.
Zhu Yan seized the opportunity, stomping hard on Wang Buzui’s foot. Taking advantage of his momentary pain, she twisted her hand and drove the needle she held into the arm gripping the dagger. The dagger clattered to the ground with a loud clang.
“Ah!”
A piercing scream erupted, comparable to the squeal of a slaughtered pig. Wang Buzui turned his head and roared at the Grand Master, “Why aren’t you grabbing her? Do you want to die?”
Knowing he couldn’t hide, and realizing this woman had an unusual relationship with the man who looked like a demon king, the Grand Master immediately stepped forward to seize Zhu Yan. In response, Zhu Yan twisted her hand and plunged the Corpse-Dissecting Knife into his eye.
Blood streamed from between the Grand Master’s fingers as he covered his eye, his face contorted like a malevolent ghost.
“You little brat, I’ll chop you up and feed you to the dogs. Wang Buzui, why aren’t you grabbing her for me to deal with? Otherwise, when the Helm Master returns, he’ll make sure you’re skinned alive even if you don’t die.”
The intense pain shattered the Grand Master’s rationality, especially when he saw the culprit shrinking back to the side.
Wang Buzui would never let himself be manipulated. “Useless! A grown man can’t even hold a woman hostage, and you have the nerve to order me, the Helm Master?”
“If you weren’t so stingy, even begrudging me food, how could I be too weak to fight back?”
The Grand Master was no less aggressive. The two of them began arguing openly, like dogs biting each other.
Zhu Yan took the chance to run a few steps forward. Seeing this, how could Wang Buzui let her go? A flash of killing intent crossed his eyes as he raised his knife and lunged toward Zhu Yan, slashing at her back.Shen Du's sword flew to parry Wang Buzui's attack. Seizing the opening, Shen Du leaped forward, pulling Zhu Yan behind him and positioning himself as her shield, exuding an aura of cutting down gods and slaying demons alike.
"Jing Lin, capture Wang Buzui alive."
"Yes."
Wang Buzui couldn't help but panic, shouting, "Stop them!" Even as he spoke, he retreated outward.
The Half-Faced Ghosts, having been brainwashed, obeyed without question, obediently attacking Jing Lin and Shen Du.
In an instant, the three of them—including Zhu Yan—were surrounded by the Half-Faced Ghosts.
The girls who could run scattered in terror, while those who couldn't crouched in corners, hugging their heads and wailing pitifully.
On the altar, Du Xiaowan lay unconscious, unaware of everything. Xiuxiu closed her eyes, wishing only for her own life to end.
Death would bring an end to it all. If she didn’t care so much, she wouldn’t be in such agony.
Hiding behind Shen Du, Zhu Yan was enveloped by his unique scent. Perhaps the composure she had maintained earlier finally crumbled at this moment, as her eyes grew hot with emotion. She nearly embraced him from behind but, realizing this, her cheeks flushed pink. She quickly covered her mouth and nose, not daring to breathe too loudly for fear of distracting Shen Du.
Her eyes fixed unwaveringly on him, she watched as he wielded his sword, cutting down the Half-Faced Ghosts who lunged at him as if slicing through radishes.
In truth, the Fire Moth Party was divided into ranks. The lower ranks were like servants or maids, tasked with washing clothes, cooking, sweeping courtyards, and serving their masters. The middle ranks acted as guards and watchdogs, loyal to the core. The upper ranks were those who committed atrocities outside.
Thus, those of middle rank and above were in the courtyards, held back by the Inner Guard Bureau and the Unrighteous Agents.
The Dark Hall was filled only with lower ranks—barely stronger than ordinary people—and naturally no match for Shen Du and Jing Lin.
Seeing them temporarily occupied, Wang Buzui turned to flee. But just as he ascended the stairs and before he could leave the Dark Hall, Sun Tan and his men blocked his way.
Sun Tan wore a roguish grin. "Where do you think you're going?"
This spot was the entrance to the Dark Hall, narrow enough for only one person to pass. By blocking it with his men, Sun Tan intended to thoroughly thrash a drowning dog.
Wang Buzui nearly choked on his anger. No wonder they hadn’t pursued him—they had been lying in wait here all along.
Undoubtedly, he was already trapped from both sides, completely surrounded.
"Despicable! Shameless!"
"Ganging up on one—what kind of heroism is that?"
Sun Tan continued to smile. "Thank you for the compliment." Despicable and shameless? If they wanted to praise their cleverness, they should just say so.
Inside the Dark Hall, nearly all the Half-Faced Ghosts had been defeated, including the master whose eye Zhu Yan had gouged out.
Shen Du and Jing Lin exchanged a knowing nod. Shen Du turned and grasped Zhu Yan's arm, looking her over. Seeing the swollen, bruised, and unsightly state of her cheek, his throat burned with fury. Without another thought, he pulled her tightly into his embrace.
Zhu Yan’s ears flushed red. Unable to push Shen Du away, she gave in to his will, leaning obediently against his chest and listening to his strong heartbeat. Unable to hold back any longer, tears began to fall.
Hearing faint sounds from her chest, Shen Du guessed what was happening and gently patted her back. "I'm here."
Zhu Yan’s tears flowed freely. Remembering the many others present, she felt somewhat embarrassed. Wiping her tears, she tried to push Shen Du away, intending to check on the other girls. But then she saw Wang Buzui reaching into his sleeve.
"Sun Tan, be careful! He’s up to something!"As soon as Zhu Yan finished speaking, Wang Buzui pulled out a paper packet and shook the medicinal powder inside.
Fortunately, Zhu Yan had warned in time, covering his mouth and nose the moment Wang Buzui moved, and instead kicked Wang Buzui down the steps.
However, the few Unrighteous Agents following behind him were not so lucky. Having inhaled the powder, they immediately collapsed unconscious.
Seizing the moment Wang Buzui fell, Jing Lin pounced, stepping on his chest with one foot and punching him unconscious with a fist.
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