115. Wind Sword
When everyone thought they understood Lo Jik’s plot, he did something drastic. None fathomed his depths and objectives. Tie Mu Bai’s unfounded fears turned into a reality when even he momentarily lost sight of Lo Jik, focused on his mere afterimage that possessed such vivid details that fooled everyone—a folly that dearly cost the Tie Clan the valuable life of a Rank 5 Refinement Path expert!
Unfortunately, the Tie Clan sank into a muck of ploy, unlike the fluffy lay of the snow, from the moment they encircled Lo Jik’s residence.
Nay—
They were plotted against the second Lo Jik stepped upon San Cha Mountain!
Gu Yue Lo Jik could never have predicted Tie Mo Xie’s arrival. Still, he didn’t need to predict everything to entrap others without their knowledge, from killing the nameless Tie Clanswoman to goading Tie Ba Xiu into a duel and soon revealing the corpse to distract others and create another corpse by the virtue of killing—shattering Tie Mo Xie’s head into a bony, splintered, mushy mess. The deceptive demon stole her corpse and her Gu Set, depositing it to Bai Ning Bing before flapping his wings and adopting a decent altitude.
The Gu Worm that Tie Mo Xie revealed was too threatening to be left in the wrong hands, so Lo Jik began plotting instantly.
First, he forced the Elders’ hands and defeated their methods with a Rank 5 Killer Move. But Lo Jik maintained a weakened demeanor at every point of the battle, eventually successfully challenging Tie Ba Xiu. Then, he maintained composure and patience, luring Tie Ba Xiu into a duel of attrition lasting hours until the Sun rose overhead, announcing the Noon. The most crucial factor for Lo Jik was to cover one of his mistakes.
Well, it wasn't a mistake but a necessary act to accomplish his objective—giving Bai Ning Bing his Gu.
It was an inorganic move. Even if Lo Jik tried masking most of it by revealing sentiments for the white-haired devil, he knew that an experienced Wisdom Path Gu Master would see through his mistakes and prepare for sudden changes. So, Lo Jik also had to force himself into the battle, suppressing his might, which he made up for with masterful skills that often subdued Tie Ba Xiu.
Another crucial factor was that, until the end, even when displaying a staggered form barely dodging Tie Ba Xiu’s attack, Lo Jik only used the Rank 4 Dragon Travel Tiger Steps Gu. His movement issued loud, characteristic Dragon cries and Tiger roars. The sound released by the movement was its one weakness.
The Rank 4 Gu was nimble, possessed bullish momentum, and displayed extraordinary speed. However, its obvious clue allowed others to prepare themselves.
The Rank 4 Inch of Life Dash Gu didn’t share the exact disadvantages but posed troubles during narrow cuts and nimble movements. It was the best in straight-line movements without any sound until it was already too late. To keep it a secret, Lo Jik did not use the Expend Strength Gu, which should have been a stellar counter against Tie Ba Xiu’s Earth Overlord Gu since it might clue others that he could possess Fei Li’s other Gu Worms.
So, Lo Jik played on Tie Ba Xiu’s emotions, soon positioned in a way where Ba Xiu dwarfed the Little Giant’s pathetic, quivering form as he tossed the corpse against the man.
Already agitated by the revelation of the corpse and the previous act of being blamed for a clansman’s death, Tie Ba Xiu’s emotions and fury momentarily became overwhelming once Lo Jik forced the man to shatter his peer’s corpse from the middle.
Lo Jik only required that moment.
Since time immemorial, a moment’s weakness often decides one’s life and death.
With most of his body hidden from the wizened elder’s view, Lo Jik used the Rank 4 Movement Gu alongside the Rank 5 Multiply Gu, instantly killing Tie Mo Xie without resistance!
Tie Mu Bai may not understand the details and the required Gu Worms to maneuver such a plot, but he saw through its process, feeling a frigid sensation bloom in his chest because he could have fallen to Lo Jik’s schemes in such a manner. Of course, that wasn’t entirely possible because Tie Mu Bai was the only Rank 5 expert to react—even if he was a moment too late.
Smeared with the cold, thickened blood of the elder he ran through, Tie Ba Xiu dazedly watched the flying Gu Yue Lo Jik as a rampant Blood River Python tore through the encirclement with Tie Mo Xie’s body. Already infuriated, Tie Bai Qi moved, ready to strike the errant Frost Devil, when his instincts screamed, and his Vital Gu trembled with a warning.
Tie Bai Qi’s head swiveled, his being pinned by a crackling Lightning Arrow aimed at him.
“Try defending it again!”
Lo Jik grinned, surprising everyone!
Can he still go on?
Just how much Essence did he have stored before the battle?
Tie Bai Qi’s facial hair bristled with danger once Lo Jik let go of the arrow. Already aware of the demonic arrow’s attack power, he instantly used his trump card!
Rank 5 Isolated Mother’s Love!
It was a one-time consumable Gu Worm boasting exemplary defensive power. The Gu Worm created a sandy silhouette of a female with motherly features protecting the user from different forms of attacks—physical and metaphysical.
Lo Jik gave his all to restrain his laughter as the arrow flew with lightning crackling around it before just… hitting the sandy palm and falling off. The extraordinarily gigantic figure fashioned from golden-brown sand quietly loomed over Tie Bai Qi as everyone around him froze.
That wasn’t a killer move.
It was just a mutated beast phantom arrow…
A cold gust blew between them, raising dust and sand as Tie Bai Qi’s eyes turned bloodshot, all three of them.
The deception alone didn’t provide the needed time for Bai Ning Bing’s escape as a golden blur forced Lo Jik to postpone the goading session and flap his wings like a mutated flying beast, instantly chasing after the beam of gold aimed at the rampaging Blood River Python. He flicked his wrist, intercepting the ray of light after instantly noticing its angle and predicted destination—the mark of a master archer.
The Primeval Stone turned into a golden block, stiffly falling to the ground as Lo Jik began aiming for the White Apes, forcing Tie Bai Qi to swallow his indignations and control his Beast Group to defend against the Little Giant King and capture the Frost Devil.
“Attack!”
Tie No Ting snarled, leading the dozens of Tie Clansmen alongside Tie Ruo Nan. Meanwhile, Tie Ba Xiu stayed behind and focused on recovering his lost essence.
Finally, Lo Jik’s expression darkened once he saw Tie Mu Bai maintain inactivity after he failed to achieve results using the Rank 5 Turn Gold Gu. It was an offensive Gu that turned everything it touched into Gold. The beam of light, fortunately, wasn’t without its disadvantages since it did not boast the startling speed of light. It allowed Lo Jik to barely counter the Gu without making necessary sacrifices, something the Old Clan Leader understood and chose to instead stifle Lo Jik with his presence, aiming to strike when Lo Jik revealed any openings.
‘He suspects my current Rank,’ Lo Jik saw a bit further, predicting the suspicion that took root within his opponents and the hidden foes.
Scoffing, Lo Jik began to dodge the attacks in an uncoordinated manner. While he displayed ample fluidity using his wings without the Rank 3 Gu Masters blotting the sky with their long-range attacks, it was another matter to maintain that level of expertise with those obstacles.
He could evade all the attacks.
He decided against it, wearing the Rank 4 Golden Bell Shield Gu, acting as if struggling to avoid the attacks. The snowballs, fireballs, and other methods constantly interrupted and worsened Lo Jik’s aim, making Bai Ning Bing reveal more grace as he began to actively contribute by using the Rank 5 Blood River Python to attack. He sat on the crown-like distorted protrusion of the python’s skull, using the Rank 4 Frost Arrow Gu to attack the surrounding White Apes.
Tie Bai Qi suddenly let loose a beastly howl, unlike his refined, elderly appearance. The pitch-black third eye in the center of his forehead glimmered, creating a swirling vortex reaching for the abyss a few meters above his head. Chen Jiu’s timely warning rang within Lo Jik. However, she sounded slightly numb and unconcerned after witnessing today’s events.
“It’s Tie Bai Qi’s famous Rank 5 Mind Residence Gu, capable of housing several thousands of Beasts. They are going to go all out in capturing you.”
‘Hmm, thanks.’
Lo Jik didn’t add anything else, knowing full well that actions were undoubtedly louder than words in the current predicament.
Tie Bai Qi reinforced the previous group of White Apes. Several of them displayed unorthodox tactics under the Enslavement Path Gu Master’s efforts as the White Apes held each other’s hands before tossing their partners into the sky, aiming at Lo Jik.
“Your end is here, Fiend!”
Tie No Ting issued a loud roar, suddenly materializing a flaming cloak around him as he shot to the sky, hands blazing with a burst of gold and blue flames.
‘You shouldn’t have gone so far,’ Tie Ruo Nan attacked, pointing at Lo Jik and releasing a sharp Sword Qi.
‘I never wanted to use this Gu Worm during an honorable duel,’ Tie Ba Xiu clenched his teeth before forming a fist.
Rank 4 Empty Fist Gu.
Rank 4 Blood Strength Gu.
Rank 5 Earth Overlord Gu.
Rank 5 Killer Move: Blood Overlord Fist!
The Tie Clan experimented with and created Blood Strength Gu after several decades. It was a Blood Path Gu mimicking the Strength Qi Gu, not to be misunderstood as the Blood Qi Gu. The Blood Strength Gu gave a corporeal form to the user’s Strength at the cost of the blood flowing in their veins. The effects would be heightened if the Gu Master refined its circulatory system using a Strength Path Gu.
As a Righteous Path Elder, Tie Ba Xiu was responsible for preserving peace. He inherently despised the Blood Path and its infamy. However, he wasn’t a morally stubborn man and understood power posed no sins unless the hearts of men fell for temptations.
Using his trump card prepared for such accidents, Tie Ba Xiu resolved to capture Gu Yue Lo Jik as he unleashed a powerful punch!
All the strength within his body instantly stuck to a portion of the blood dripping from his fist.
The blood condensed into the shape of a fist, flying at a pace synchronized with the other attacks.
Tie Ba Xiu’s Killer Move was the most surprising and alarming of all the attacks.
Every Tie Clansman unanimously aimed at Lo Jik, attacking at once. Meanwhile, Tie Bai Qi focused on keeping Bai Ning Bing busy.
Wouldn’t capturing the Frost Devil be child’s play if they took down Little Giant King?
In the sea of brilliant attacks and Killer Moves, only Tie Mu Bai’s wary gaze shimmered with disbelief as he instantly struck to defend his kin.
<<<>>>
Lo Jik observed the tide of flung White Apes baring their sharp teeth. They would reach him momentarily, wasting no second to tear him apart after forcefully breaking the Golden Bell Shield Gu’s shimmering defensive light through sheer numbers. Understanding Tie Bai Qi’s ploy, for Lo Jik was known to use the beasts as a weapon as he did with Wu Shen Tong, the Apes must be bait for a sinister scheme. Touching them would unleash a Killer Move brewing within their hides, something Lo Jik didn’t even need to use the Heaven and Earth Before My Eyes Gu Worm to see through.
Retreat, however, was not an option.
Lo Jik exhaled, unwilling to risk his Strength Path Beast Phantom. Did Tie Bai Qi forget Lo Jik’s ability to create perfect beasts strengthened by an additional four times to perform his bidding? No!
It could also be a feint, like Lo Jik’s previous move.
‘I didn’t want to reveal it so early. Hah! Man proposes, and heaven disposes.’
Lo Jik suddenly adopted a defenseless posture, appearing defeated. However, his wings flapped powerfully!
‘Idiot!’ Tie No Ting rode an altitude higher than the tide of flung Apes. It was a meticulous calculation, predicting Lo Jik’s movements to injure him immediately.
Tie Ruo Nan’s sharp and unassuming Sword Qi was also upon Lo Jik, something he didn’t dare underestimate since it could ruin his wings.
A volley of colorful attacks blotted the sky with the evident scheme of pressing against Lo Jik’s inability to fly.
Finally, the most terrifying Rank 5 Killer Move in the form of a bloodied fist punched through the air neared Lo Jik, intent on delivering a hole through his body.
It would only take one attack to stagger him, forcing him to defend against the rest. Descending into the ground wasn’t an option either, with the readied elders and hollering group of mutated beasts ready to devour Lo Jik whole.
A demonic gentleman would have thrown in the towel by now, self-destructing his Gu Set and leaving nothing for the enemy.
‘Heh.’
It was all in an instant as he flapped his wings again, shocking Tie No Ting since Lo Jik didn’t ascend but performed a sharp turn as an arrow crackling with Lightning blossomed against the Phantom Bow. He aimed at the surprised Tie Ba Xiu before moving again, evading the keen Sword Qi. The new position instantly brought Lo Jik’s aim on Tie No Ting!
*Whoosh*
Lo Jik moved again, avoiding the tricky bloody fist, bringing his aim upon Tie Mu Bai!
*Crackle*
Tie Mu Bai’s expression darkened since everyone suddenly sensed a formless aura emerge from where they focused the least—
Bai Ning Bing!
Rank 4 Demon Suppression Iron Chain Gu.
Rank 4 Shape Blizzard.
Rank 4 Lock Gu.
Rank 5 Frost Profound Zombie Gu.
Rank 5 Killer Move: Frozen Zombie Lockdown!
Frozen chains suddenly jutted out of Bai Ning Bing’s abdomen, releasing a vicious chill that instantly lowered the surrounding temperature as these chains thickened and widened, rushing out like maddened flood dragons with pointed ends piercing through the nearby White Apes that encased them in a layer of thin frost, which soon seeped into their bodies. Their darkened faces shriveled as the Apes did not appear hurt at a glance. The chains spread further, stabbing through the shocked Tie Elites, who were already focused on Lo Jik and possessed little Essence to spare for such an accident!
Again, the frost chains only materialized a thin layer of frost, which entered and contaminated the Gu Masters before suddenly breaking apart in snow.
“Huff!”
Bai Ning Bing’s gaze gleamed with vicious glee as he suddenly maneuvered the Rank 5 Blood River Python to successfully escape the encirclement, with the nearest Ape no longer responding to Tie Bai Qi’s command.
“What?” Tie Bai Qi shouted in shock. Meanwhile, Tie Mu Bai defended against the arrow. He wanted to move, but Lo Jik’s prodigious movements caught his eye. While others marveled at the sudden change, only the Elders remained focused on Lo Jik with a cocktail of helplessness and defeat in their hearts.
“Oh? I feel stronger than ever!”
“What did that demon do?” Another Tie Elite whispered with healthy suspicion. “He would not help us.”
“I felt those chains pierce my body… but there aren’t any injuries. Brrr. Why is it cold all of a sudden?”
‘A flying master!’ Feng Tian Yu’s eyes brightened like every other spectating expert.
The battlefield was in chaos, with one move from Lo Jik eliciting a wave of defeat from the enemies who never lost their focus. While the Tie Clansmen marveled at the sudden Killer Move from Bai Ning Bing’s side, others couldn’t help but feel greedier for the Three Kings’ Inheritance. Lo Jik’s mastery over the Strength Path could be attributed to his inheritance.
But his Flying and Refinement Path mastery was another matter!
The Three Kings’ Inheritance held delectable secrets!
“Ahh!”
“My body!”
“Aooo!”
“Hey, don’t bite me!”
“T-These are—”
Shocked voices stammered as Tie Bai Qi’s pupils shrunk once one of the trembling apes suddenly turned and bit its peer with a bloodshot gaze and a withered, leathery face. Another Tie Clan’s Elite suddenly moaned in a raspy manner, pouncing at his nearby comrade before tearing out a chunk of his neck. Chaos instantly spread as these men and women rose with greyish, translucent skin that revealed their bones. Mist emerged from their mouths, and they groaned loudly, rushing to the nearest source of fresh meat!
ZOMBIES!
“Pfft! Hahaha!”
Lo Jik’s laughter boomed across the ruined battlefield as he enjoyed the well-earned break.
It was Bai Ning Bing’s killer move.
After he killed the Tie Clan Elder, Bai Ning Bing was in a state of dazed inspiration. The Killer Move—Infinite Search and Lock Gu—called out to the Frost Devil. The Ice Path was known for its superior defense and the affinity to restrict.
Bai Ning Bing intended to study the loot and create a Killer Move surpassing the Frost Packed Stream Punch. However, he soon realized that one of the Core Gu for the inspiring Killer Move must have been the Elder’s Vital Gu, which perished after the Gu Master’s death. So, Bai Ning Bing took things in a different direction.
He was always the aggressive sort and sought to riddle his enemies with the same plight he would soon be afflicted with.
Instead of creating an Ice Path Killer Move that restricted his enemies from activating their Gu Worms, Bai Ning Bing walked the vicious path of restricting and undoing their lives, using the Rank 5 Frost Profound Zombie’s contamination to zombify his opponents. The Rank 4 Lock Gu was used to conceal the contaminants within the Demon Suppression Chain that turned icy due to the Shape Blizzard Gu.
It could be said that Bai Ning Bing used his complete potential to create this Killer Move.
Even if it could not harm a Rank 5 Gu Master, it consumed low Primeval Essence because it did not use the Rank 5 Gu for a transformation. Not only that, the Killer Move had little effect on Rank 4 and 5 Gu Masters who boasted an excellent foundation of Body Refinement since the Ice Path Dao Marks of the Killer Move would naturally conflict with the Dao Marks on the opponent’s body. But against Rank 3 Gu Masters?
The contaminants were enough!
This Killer Move had a bright potential, and once complete, even genuine Gu Masters standing at the peak of Rank 5 would be threatened by its existence!
If the Frost Packed Stream Punch was merely an expression of Bai Ning Bing’s cold and dry aggression on the surface, then the Rank 5 Frozen Zombie Lockdown Killer Move identified the Frost Devil’s callous, insidious, and terrifying natures reserved for the enemy and the weak!
Everything… was a mess.
Tie Ruo Nan and No Ting began to protect their subordinates when a hail of arrows suppressed them, forcing them away. Lo Jik was a specter with those wings, avoiding the continuous launches of the Bloodied Fists—exploiting Tie Ba Xiu’s weakness: less experience with a comprehensive long-range Killer Move. Meanwhile, Tie Bai Qi controlled his apes to slaughter the infected ones, but it took longer than usual since he couldn’t afford further contamination among his beast group and had to play it safe.
Every spectator felt speechless with how helpless the Tie Clan was.
“Sigh…”
Tie Mu Bai exhaled before stepping forward. A burst of golden light decorated him, becoming an aurora that made him float. The thick golden liquid flowed from his pores, manifesting as a golden chainmail around his body.
Rank 4 Golden Aurora Gu—a Metal Path Movement/Flight Gu.
Rank 5 Liquid Metal Gu—a Metal Path Defense Gu.
“Ba Xiu, assist Bai Qi in killing the remaining infected Apes. Tie No Ting, Ruo Nan, deal with the fallen heroes of the Clan and pull the survivors away.”
“Your clan boasted such might,” Lo Jik revealed a frivolous grin. “You boasted of not lowering yourself to deal with me and Bai Ning Bing. Tell me, Tie Mu Bai. How does it feel to be proven a hypocrite? Ordinary? It must not be the first time, yes?”
Tie Mu Bai did not reply as his eyes suddenly met Lo Jik’s and flashed gold. The youth’s wings shuddered, and he almost fell from the sky when Chen Jiu’s weary snort echoed from within him.
“You were wise to have me protect your soul. Tie Mu Bai used the Rank 5 Vajra Stare Gu to attack your weakness directly. I have never heard of Tie Mu Bai possessing that Gu Worm until now. Be cautious.”
‘How are your injuries?’ Lo Jik quietly activated the Void Soul Gu, no longer meeting Tie Mu Bai’s gaze since the Vajra Stare Gu required their gazes to level.
“Not too great. Tie Mu Bai likely wished to kill you without hassles. My soul was modified by a being I no longer recall, but I wouldn’t stake everything on a mysterious entity’s protection.”
‘Hmm. I know. But you cannot relax right now. We’ll have to work together.’
“Hmph… I’m well aware. But risking it all to kill Tie Mu Bai would be foolish and endanger our plans. You have to retreat.”
‘I realized that the second you trapped me in your damp schemes, Senior Chen Jiu.’
“Focus on the enemy if you have the time for sexual innuendos,” her exasperated and weary voice chided the youth as he suddenly dove with his wings folded behind.
‘He survived the Vajra Stare Gu?’ It had indeed been Tie Mu Bai’s trump card. After observing Lo Jik for so long, Mu Bai realized the chances of the youth’s soul being his weakness were high. However, his most excellent assurance now turned into a source of worry.
“Did you think attacking us would bring no consequence?”
Lo Jik snickered, spreading his wings to tame his descent before unleashing a wave of arrows upon the contaminated Apes. The splattered icy blue blood didn’t affect other Apes around them, but a few drops still entered a few unlucky beasts.
“You condemn the Blood Path before using the same Gu Worm? How pathetic you are, Tie Ba Xiu! Every sacrifice in your name was in vain!”
The volleys of arrows only ended when Tie Mu Bai waved his hand, unleashing a dense fog of Gold that chased after Lo Jik. But it was only a momentary pause.
Lo Jik possessed Master-Level Attainment in flying and archery!
He swooped into the battlefield, attacking everyone leisurely, leaving everyone speechless.
The contamination continued to spread, yet his arrows did not harm the Tie Clan’s Elites.
“Unlike the Tie Clan, I’m a man of my word!” Lo Jik declared with a proud grin, unfazed by the constantly chasing Tie Mu Bai. Unlike Tie Mu Bai, Lo Jik possessed the Sky Griffin Beast Phantom. The Griffin Wings Gu and the Beast Phantom resonated whenever Lo Jik summoned it using the All-Out Effort Gu, boosting his flying speed beyond what Tie Mu Bai’s Rank 4 Aurora Gu could accomplish.
Others did not understand Lo Jik’s words until he suddenly gazed at the bloodied and weary Tie Ruo Nan.
“My offer is still available, Dearest Ruo Nan. Marry me, and I shall stop seeking vengeance against the Tie Clan for their unjust persecution.”
‘What?!’
Tie Ruo Nan almost jumped in shock and attacked Lo Jik like a rabid animal. What was the filthy scum talking about now?!
When did they ever discuss marital matters?
*Chi*
A sharp whistle suddenly blew across the entire San Cha Mountain as a giggle spread with the wind.
“What a proud Tie Clan… forced to use the Blood Path Gu, possessing untamed beast groups, and boasting marital connections with the demons they choose to persecute… hehe… hihi~!”
“Watch out!” Chen Jiu screamed within Lo Jik’s mind as the Little Giant King was long prepared.
*Swish*
Everyone’s pupils shrunk as they watched a massive wind sword tainted with a green tint no smaller than San Cha’s fork-like peak descend upon the battlefield!
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
My loyalty and blade shall never rust.
Cleaving the demonic and misbegotten ideals,
I follow my Heaven’s Will.
A sword in hand, not even the Heaven beyond mine makes me kneel!”
The wind sword struck the battlefield, instantly exploding into a whirlwind of gusts that sliced and tore apart the surroundings!
Lo Jik wore the Golden Bell Shield Gu before trying to avoid the sickle winds. His Golden Shield constantly flickered as a feeling of weakness bloomed within the Gu. It had suffered constant abuse throughout the day, finally reaching its limits. Meanwhile, Tie Mu Bai maintained a steady expression as he descended and used the resplendent sheen of the Turn Gold Gu to defend his clansmen and the large portion of White Apes, choosing to sacrifice the contaminated ones.
Floating above them all—injured, mighty, and devious, was a middle-aged woman boasting a quiet smirk and flowing brown hair that floated overhead with gusts of green wind surrounding her. Her right hand clenched a green sword emanating Rank 5 Aura, identifying the woman as the Wu Clan’s first general—The Wind Sword Wu Lan Shan.
***
Alternate Title: Schemes Everywhere; Lo Jik Squeezing Human and Wisdom Path Potential FR; Imagine Lo Jik WITH Wisdom Path Gu; Born To Scheme Against Heaven, Earth, and Man; Choosing To Beat The Shit Out of Them; The Muck of Ploy; Tearing a Chunk Out of The Tie Clan; Forcing Out a Trump Card; Lo Jik Fools Everyone; When One Shines, The Other Breathes; Bai Ning Bing’s Vicious Killer Move; From Sealing To Zombification; The New Mommy; Marriage Agreement?; The Flying Path Master; Forcing a Super Clan Into Helplessness; The Righteous Blood; Distant Blood Attack; Escaping The Encirclement; Cleaving San Cha?; The Mighty Wind; Wu Lan Shan’s Heaven? *Empress Wu Ji’s Panties Shrine*; The Wu Clan Appears; The Vajra Stare Gu; Another Failed Trump Card; An Attack Hard To Dodge; The Wind Sweeps Everyone; Another Poetic Entrance
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