Chapter 106: I’m Not Here to Be a Hero
Hu Chuan was immersed in meditation, secretly observing everything through the items on the bodies of various Secret Society members. His brow was tightly furrowed, and fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead, while a sense of fatigue gnawed at his nerves like an army of ants.
About an hour ago, he had sensed a slight stagnation while communicating with that esteemed being, wielding its power.
It felt as if the processor was overheating, causing a delayed response.
However, he didn’t pay much attention to this anomaly.
That being was unfathomable and would not tire, but I have my limits… Hu Chuan thought.
In the past, while wielding the power of Yangyi, he had also dealt with multiple targets, but the duration was always short. Today, continuously observing hundreds or thousands of targets without pause was something he had never experienced before.
Especially when spying on the group investigating his whereabouts organized by “Gu Qiqi,” it consumed a significant amount of his spirit energy and mental focus.
That group of low-level spiritual ability users, whom he had previously not paid much attention to, was scattered throughout Shizhou City, numerous in number, yet only a tiny fraction received the “blessing” of Yangyi.
Moreover, attempting to pry into the chat group’s contents through controlling electronic devices was met with intense interference from a mysterious force, failing spectacularly and consuming considerable energy.
But in the end, miscellaneous fish are just that — even gathered together, they can’t pull off anything significant…
However, this time, he was truly grateful to these miscellaneous fish for stirring things up, as it allowed him to find an opportunity to leave Shizhou City so quickly! Hu Chuan thought.
“Buzz buzz—buzz buzz—!”
In the darkness, a badge engraved with complex geometric patterns began to vibrate, emitting a buzzing sound that interrupted Hu Chuan’s thoughts.
He glanced at the badge beside him, a hint of impatience flickering in his eyes, and reached out to caress the badge. Immediately, he heard the rapid breaths of Wang Elder.
“d*mn it! I’ve been targeted! There are people from Dachunyang Palace outside Jiajucheng!” Wang Elder bellowed, “What should we do now? What do we do?”
Although, in recent years, his spirit energy fluctuations had improved due to the dust he obtained from the Secret Society, decades of insecurity and timidity shaped his character were not easy to change.
Discovering a multitude of Dachunyang Palace disciples gathering outside Jiajucheng panicked him.
Like a cornered beast.
Hu Chuan, “…”
“d*mn it! You’re not talking? Have you forgotten we’re all in the same boat? If I can’t get out, you won’t fare any better!”
At this, Hu Chuan’s expression darkened, a flash of ruthlessness crossing his eyes, and he then began to murmur in a voice only he could hear.
“He knows all secrets, for he peers…”
With his quiet muttering, the intricately patterned badge began to spin at his fingertips, and Wang Elder’s heart-wrenching screams echoed in his ears.
“Gu He, you! You dare… uh ah ah—!”
Along with Wang Elder’s scream, a faint “whoosh” sound emerged, like the wind stirred by dust flinging.
“…He peers, from the wind, from the water, from every molecule. There’s no hiding, no masking, no escaping. Flesh fades, while He will endure forever.”
As the murmuring ceased, the cramped rental room returned to silence.
Hu Chuan coldly gazed at the badge in his hand, suddenly applying force with his fingers.
With a faint sound, the badge instantly disintegrated, scattering into fine particles.
The anguished cries of Wang Elder that echoed in his ears seemed to shatter along with the broken badge, coming to an abrupt stop.
“Ha, fool…”
Like an illusion, a faint cold laugh broke the silence of the darkness.
From the moment Wang Elder failed to complete the deal with Yang Yichen, he was destined to become a discarded pawn.
————
Jiajucheng in the Old District of Shizhou City.
The pace of change between new and old things in this world is astonishingly quick. This Jiajucheng, built ten years ago, has already begun to emanate a sense of decay.
No one will save it. It can only gradually fade away amidst the escalating chaos and neglect, like most commercial buildings.
That night, thick dark clouds silently accumulated in the sky, with aviation obstacle lights aimlessly looking up from beneath the clouds.
Not far from the Old District’s Jiajucheng, on top of a building that provided a panoramic view of the area surrounding Jiajucheng, Qing Xiazi stood by the railing, looking down with a solemn expression.
Half an hour ago, she witnessed Wang Elder enter Jiajucheng, hiding within it, and he had not emerged since.
Below, centered on Jiajucheng, a dead silence enveloped a radius of one and a half kilometers.
Though chaotic around Jiajucheng, there were no large resident communities nearby, and not many people lived close by. After contacting the relevant departments for assistance, evacuation was quickly achieved.
The empty streets were swiftly traversed by disciples of Dachunyang Palace, who systematically placed metal spikes engraved with complex spell scripts around Jiajucheng.
After completing this, they quickly lay in ambush, like predators patiently waiting for their prey, entering standby mode.
Huasang stood not far behind Qing Xiazi, watching her master’s back, deep in thought.
She always felt something was off, but couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
After a while, accompanied by the sound of air breaking, three Dachunyang Palace disciples appeared on the rooftop.
“Senior Qing Xiazi, all residents surrounding Jiajucheng have been completely evacuated.”
“Senior Qing Xiazi, the temporary sealing barrier has been set up and is ready to be activated at any time.”
“Senior Qing Xiazi, all disciples are in position and ready for action.”
Upon hearing this, Qing Xiazi slightly nodded, turning to the three disciples and stating seriously, “Good, notify everyone to start the operation!”
“Understood!” The three answered in unison, their figures flashing before disappearing from sight.
Soon, the disciples of Dachunyang Palace lurking around Jiajucheng began to act, systematically infusing spiritual energy into the metal spikes used for constructing the temporary barrier.
“Dong—dong—!”
The resonance of the metal spikes penetrating the concrete ground rang out in the air.
One by one, the metal spikes erupted with dazzling light, melting into boiling iron in the blink of an eye.
Flames rapidly spread toward Jiajucheng, weaving into a giant and intricate spell formation on the ground.
Next, along with the cooling and solidifying of the molten iron, tiny arcs of electricity emerged from the flames, spreading upward like wild-growing thorns, ultimately converging into a single mass.
In less than a minute, the entire Jiajucheng was enveloped in a temporarily laid sealing barrier.
At that moment, a low growl emanated from deep within Jiajucheng.
“You all… go d*e!”
Immediately afterward, the entire Jiajucheng trembled, as a series of explosive sounds erupted from within the buildings.
Then.
With a mighty crash, the roof of Jiajucheng was instantly torn off halfway, and the splintered concrete blocks struck the temporary barrier, sending rings of dazzling electric arcs surging, which instantly turned into fine dust.
Amidst the swirling dust, a massive object revealed a terrifying outline.
“Brother Wang… is this the result you wanted? Was it worth it?”
Gazing at the massive figure radiating A-grade, or even greater, spirit energy fluctuations, casting an overshadowing shadow over the ground, Qing Xiazi murmured to herself, her expression complicated.
She always hoped that this senior who had previously treated her well could pick himself up again, put in the effort, and break free from long-standing shackles.
Now, what he desired has finally become reality, but she didn’t expect it to happen in such a manner.
As the dust settled, the massive body, haphazardly assembled from various items, came into view, reflecting the cold light of metal under the faint glow of the temporary barrier, exuding a chillingly eerie beauty.
It was a feeling of both admiration and fear that one experiences when facing a delicately crafted weapon.
The gigantic form leapt out of Jiajucheng like a giant whale breaching the surface, wildly flinging the pale hair transformed from the dust into the air.
As the drifting hair fell, the spirit energy fluctuations filled with madness and malice spread, creating a terrifying storm that swept in all directions.
Wang Elder stood atop that monstrous being, half of his body fused with it, looking as if he had aged decades, his figure hunched, pale skin riddled with wrinkles and dull spots, yet his eyes were filled with madness.
His madness seemed to infect the gigantic being he merged with, as that terrifying body circled once in the air, full of reckless insanity, it charged toward the temporary barrier surrounding Jiajucheng.
“Boom—!”
A loud crash erupted, and the expanding spirit energy fluctuations collided with the temporary barrier, causing the invisible walls sealing the surroundings to tremble violently, producing continuous roars, large cracks appearing as countless electric arcs danced around.
At that moment, Qing Xiazi also completed reciting the final segment of the spell.
“…Disasters that shake the mountains and seas, conflicts of dragons and snakes, phenomena of battles shifting heaven and earth—Great Celestial Roar Ceremony Dance!”
The moment the spell was uttered, a flood of heavenly tides and thunder arose in the skies, tearing through the dark clouds, merging in mid-air, raining down with destructive power.
The force was comparable to the taboo spell of the Siye Society numbered ninety-five or above, slamming directly onto that monstrous being’s body.
With an earth-shattering boom, the massive body that had been wreaking havoc just a moment ago suddenly paused, then heavily crashed down to the ground.
As if a fish leaping out of the water was thrown back by a giant wave, creating layers of earthen waves.
Thus, the earth trembled, and explosive sounds rang out.
After Qing Xiazi suppressed the first offensive from the gigantic being, the Dachunyang Palace disciples who had been lying in ambush near Jiajucheng immediately activated, some swiftly took out alchemical materials to repair the damaged temporary barrier, while others took out new metal spikes to drive into the ground for reinforcement.
While Qing Xiazi was directly suppressing the enemy and attempting to k*ll, the Dachunyang Palace disciples worked to prevent the barrier from breaking, but Huasang was still slacking off…
Though she was lost in thought at what she saw, her appearance and behavior made it seem like she was doing nothing.
“…”
Such an enemy level, the master can suppress and even k*ll on her own, definitely not that terrible existence behind the Secret Society…
But why does only Wang Elder appear, and there’s still one more person?
Moreover, it seemed that Wang Elder did not possess the measuring ruler either. At this distance, I should have sensed it… could it be that…
Huasang suddenly seemed to realize something, her pupils trembling slightly.
cr*p! That guy Luxianbei was lying; she probably didn’t go to meet those spiritual ability users, but instead went to the Small Commodities Wholesale Market to intercept Hu Chuan?
Thinking of this, Huasang’s gaze sharpened, and she turned to run down the stairs of the rooftop.
“…”
d*mn! That girl wants to slack off at a time like this?
Doesn’t she know to share a bit of the pressure for her master?
Noticing Huasang leaving out of the corner of her eye, Qing Xiazi’s expression darkened, and she shouted, “Huasang, come back here!”
Upon hearing the voice, Huasang, with her back to Qing Xiazi, waved her hand, bidding farewell casually.
Qing Xiazi, “…”
————
On the other side, at the rental house near the Small Commodities Wholesale Market, shrouded in darkness.
Through the Secret Society members hidden among the disciples of Dachunyang Palace, Hu Chuan witnessed the final glorious moment of Wang Elder’s life, a mocking smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.
“Sorry, Wang Elder, your d*ath is better than mine! At least, your long-held wish has finally come true today, hasn’t it?”
Wang Elder, who had endured a lifetime of feeling helpless, joined the Secret Society for a chance — a moment in the spotlight, a chance to shine. If that opportunity came without effort, that would be even better.
And now, he finally got what he wished for!
“…”
In contemplation, Hu Chuan suddenly felt a sharp pain in his abdomen, and the previously quiet Zhang Shuo began to stir, as if it might burst out of his body at any moment.
While suppressing the agitated Zhang Shuo with spirit energy, he looked down at his abdomen and let out a cold chuckle.
“Ha, I know what you’re thinking, but someone like you will never understand that esteemed being!”
“That esteemed being is compassionate, sincerely listening to the hearts of the believers. Those who accept His grace ultimately see their dreams come true. Isn’t that good?”
“All it costs to turn your thoughts into reality is your soul. Isn’t that a great deal?”
After saying this, he used spirit energy to suppress Zhang Shuo, wiped the bl**d from the corner of his mouth, staining his lips crimson.
Then, he stood up and quickly walked out of the short-term rental house.
……
The long corridor was dimly lit, and the air was thick with a faint, indescribable strange odor.
At the end of the corridor, a middle-aged woman leaned back on a recliner, staring intently at the phone in her hand, where sporadic short video clips made her giggle.
Footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor as a man dressed in black, with his face concealed by a mask, passed by the reception area. The middle-aged woman lazily lifted her eyelids, then lowered her head, continuing to fiddle with her phone.
Hu Chuan came downstairs, just out of the hallway, hearing the sound of raindrops hitting the ground, seeing the rain curtain that blurred the entire city.
“Season of farewells always brings rain… Zhang Shuo, do you think this is a strange law of nature?”
Looking up, he smiled and raised his hand; an umbrella flew from a distance and landed in his grasp.
“Bang.”
Opening the umbrella, he stepped into the rain, making his way through the small alley in front of the short-term rental house, arriving at the parking lot for the Small Commodities Wholesale Market. Hu Chuan glanced around, his gaze stopping at an old model Volkswagen car.
He quickly walked over, effortlessly pulling open the car door, starting the vehicle that didn’t belong to him, and drove out of the Small Commodities Wholesale Market.
At that moment, a dazzling flash of lightning illuminated the sky above Shizhou City, transforming it into a sea of white.
In the lightning, a swift figure darted past overhead.
Within the Small Commodities Wholesale Market, a large pile of items created Hu Chuan’s “home ground.”
Luxianbei had already faced a setback near a residential building, so she decided to wait a little longer.
……
“Mommy, Mommy! Come and see, there’s a superhero!”
At a nearby household by the Small Commodities Wholesale Market, a little girl widened her eyes, pointing at the sky and shouting.
“What are you shouting about at this late hour? Where do superheroes come from? I think you’ve been watching too many odd cartoon shows!” A voice of impatience rang from inside the house.
“But I clearly saw a superhero fly by! It was a big sister riding a big dog!”
“Nonsense, hurry up and sleep!”
“I’m not! I’m not! I’m not!”
And so, a farce ended amidst the child’s heartbreaking cries.
Just as there is always rain during farewells, it seems like hitting a child on a rainy day is also a kind of tradition…
————
Twenty minutes later.
On the ring highway around Shizhou City, the old Volkswagen car sped through the rain curtain like a beast breaking free.
The rain fell harder, and fog rolled in.
Thick fog and dense rain seemed to consume everything, the surrounding humidity growing denser, creating a suffocating sensation, as if one were driving into the depths of the sea.
Then.
A strange heat suddenly surged through Hu Chuan’s body without warning.
Noticing something was off, he frowned slightly. Before he could react, a thunderous roar echoed from above.
“Roar—!”
Ahead, a powerful figure, surrounded by electric arcs, charged down from the cliff beside the highway, landing steadily right in front of the road, then rushed toward him with astonishing speed.
In the next moment, the car trembled violently as iron hooves stomped down, the front end of the car twisting out of shape, sparks flying.
“Screech—!”
Slamming on the brakes, a horrifying noise echoed through the empty highway, but it ultimately couldn’t alter the fate of the car flipping over.
The car rolled along the road, the sound of metal grinding against metal filling the air, and finally crashed into the mountainside beside the highway with a loud boom, erupting into flames.
In the rain, Luxianbei expressionlessly stared at the burning vehicle, leaping off the Shuishu Beast with a sword in one hand, walking over to pull open the car door, and saw the person inside.
“Oh, so this is what you look like? You look quite decent, like a good person. No wonder you could hide in Dachunyang Palace for so long.”
Hu Chuan looked up in the direction of the voice, seeing the unfamiliar face, he paused for a moment.
“Don’t you recognize me?” Noticing Hu Chuan’s confusion, Luxianbei smirked, “Let me introduce myself; you can call me the crafty chestnut-haired bloodthirsty witch, friend of Jiang Zhenyu, co-conspirator with the Decapitated Senior, Gu Qiqi.”
She intentionally emphasized the name of the Decapitated Senior.
“It’s you!” Hu Chuan’s pupils constricted slightly, then he sneered, “Ha, last time in the Sleepless Street, you managed to escape by luck, and now you dare come to play the hero? Heroes aren’t…”
“Sorry to interrupt!” Luxianbei said flatly, “You seem to misunderstand something. I’m not here to be a hero; I’m simply here to k*ll you.”
As her words fell, a dense swarm of red light points appeared behind her, accompanied by the lightning tearing through the sky, as if the legendary hundred-eyed demon god had opened its eyes…
