Chapter 242: Chapter 240: The Fearless True Sound Shows Its Might

The sound of a knock on the door made Lin Wanzhu, who was limply sprawled on her chair, shoot up like a startled rabbit.

She frantically slapped away Su Yu’s wandering hands and scrambled to pull her open collar closed, hiding the two mounds of snowy white that were still rising and falling intensely.

Su Yu felt a little unsatisfied. The heavy weight and soft touch seemed to linger in his palms, a endlessly pleasant memory.

But business came first right now.

He helped his senior sister smooth a wrinkle on her collar, then cleared his throat and strode to the door.

After confirming that Lin Wanzhu had sat up straight and regained her cold, dignified air of a Commander, Su Yu finally pulled the door open.

"What is it, Song Mirror?"

Song Mirror, standing outside the door, didn’t notice anything amiss inside. He reported rapidly, "Lord Su, Village Chief Wang Yuechi of Qingxi Village went to your mansion just now to request an audience. He said he has intelligence to report! Several villages near Qingxi Town have been acting strangely lately. Last night in Wang Family Village, someone even snuck to the village well and tried to poison it. He suspects someone might be orchestrating all this from the shadows!"

Su Yu frowned. "Could it be the Black Lotus Sect behind this?"

Song Mirror shook his head. "Wang Yuechi isn’t certain, it’s just a guess. That’s why he rushed here to report to you and ask you to make the final decision."

A thoughtful look flashed in Su Yu’s eyes.

’Wang Yuechi is a steady and competent man. If he’s come to me, he’s definitely not making things up.’

’He mentioned before that Wang Family Village had sealed itself off. Counting the days, it was around the same time the Black Lotus Sect first appeared. This matter could very well be related to them.’

’In any case, it’s worth a trip. If it turns out to be something else, I’ll just consider it lending a hand to the folks back in Qingxi Village.’

"Senior Sister, I’m going to make a trip."

Su Yu turned and said to Lin Wanzhu.

Lin Wanzhu appeared very calm. She nodded slightly and continued to flip through the official documents in her hands.

It was just that, under the table, her legs were clamped together a little unnaturally.

Leaving his senior sister’s room, Su Yu walked briskly outside while ordering Song Mirror, "Go get Zhao Tie. Bring your full gear. We’ll meet outside the west gate in half an incense stick’s time."

"Yes, Lord Su!"

Su Yu didn’t delay. He first rode back to the Su Mansion to pick up Wang Yuechi, questioning him in detail on the way.

"Lord Su, Wang Family Village was the first in the area to have problems, and it’s the one with the tightest lockdown. The culprit last night also fled in that direction," Wang Yuechi said from horseback, his expression grave.

"Mm. Uncle Wang, you’ll come with us today."

"Yes."

...

Outside Wang Family Village, on the muddy main road.

Su Yu, dressed in black brocade robes, rode at the very front on a tall Black-scaled Horse. Behind him followed Song Mirror, Zhao Tie, and Wang Yuechi.

From a distance, a barricade had been set up at the dilapidated entrance to Wang Family Village. Behind it, the shadowy figures of several burly men stood, holding rusty fish spears and wood-chopping knives.

"CHIRP!"

Su Yu stroked the lapis lazuli-like feathers of the Cyan-Scaled Sea-Exploring Swallow on his shoulder. With a wave of his hand, he sent the highly intelligent little creature flying off to scout.

Then, he turned and instructed, "Uncle Wang, don’t alert the enemy. You go up first and feel them out."

Wang Yuechi accepted the order, swung himself off his horse, and walked alone toward the barricade.

"Who goes there? Stop! Wang Family Village is sealed. No one is allowed to approach!"

The men at the entrance were as skittish as birds that had been spooked by a bowstring. Seeing someone approach, they immediately raised their weapons with a CLATTER, their faces full of suspicion as they shouted harshly.

Wang Yuechi put on a smile and cupped his hands from a distance. "Brothers, don’t be alarmed! I’m Wang Yuechi, the village chief from the neighboring Qingxi Village. I’ve come today to discuss some miscellaneous matters about spring planting with your Elder Grandpa Wang."

"Wang Yuechi?"

One of the slightly older villagers seemed to recognize him. He lowered his pitchfork and turned to whisper a few words to his companions.

The hostility in the men’s eyes receded a bit, but they still showed no intention of moving the barricade. "Village Chief Wang, please wait here for a moment. We’ll send someone to fetch the Elder Grandpa."

Wang Yuechi smiled and nodded repeatedly. He didn’t press forward, but instead naturally started making small talk. "Brothers, the spring planting is already over. How come Wang Family Village is still sealed? A few wives in my Qingxi Village married out from here, and they’re anxious to come back and see their families. They asked me to inquire when the lockdown might be lifted."

As soon as he said this, the villagers’ faces visibly stiffened, and their eyes began to dart about unnaturally.

"Th-that... We’re just laborers, we don’t know. Things haven’t been peaceful in the village recently. You should ask the Elder Grandpa yourself in a bit."

Wang Yuechi continued to chat, trying to pry for more information, but the village elder still didn’t appear.

But the figure that looked like a cyan bolt of lightning had already returned from its scouting in the sky. With a dive, it landed steadily back on Su Yu’s shoulder.

"CHIRP! CHIRP!"

The Cyan-Scaled Sea-Exploring Swallow flapped its wings excitedly, chirping rapidly at a frequency only Su Yu could understand.

After listening, a sharp glint instantly erupted in Su Yu’s eyes.

’I’ve really found it!’

According to the intelligence the Sea-Exploring Swallow had gathered from high above, this seemingly lifeless, dilapidated village was actually hiding dozens of extremely powerful fluctuations of Martial Artists’ Qi and Blood!

One of them was even at the Flesh Refining Realm!

"Song Mirror, Zhao Tie, enter the village with me to investigate!"

Su Yu shouted coldly and leaped onto his horse!

The moment Song Mirror heard this, he knew Su Yu’s miraculous spirit bird must have found a big fish. A wave of elation washed over him. ’Destroying a Black Lotus Sect stronghold... this is a monumental achievement!’

But after the initial elation, his years of experience made him cautious. He leaned close to Su Yu and reminded him in a low voice:

"Lord Su, perhaps I should first return to the guard post and mobilize a larger force? If it really is a Black Lotus Sect stronghold, could there be a high-level deacon of the Flesh Refining Realm stationed there? If we just go in like this, I’m worried we’ll be surrounded."

A Black Lotus Sect deacon was at least in the Flesh Refining Realm, and a high-level deacon could even be at the middle stages of the Flesh Refining Realm or beyond.

Although Lord Su was powerful, if they ran into a high-level deacon, a fierce battle would be unavoidable.

Moreover, two fists are no match for four hands. If the stronghold also contained numerous brainwashed, fanatical followers, it would be extremely difficult for the three of them alone to handle if they were surrounded.

"There’s no time."

Su Yu said with a smile, "They’ve already noticed us. We have to act now. But don’t worry, the three of us are enough!"

"HYAH!"

Su Yu squeezed his legs hard against the horse’s belly.

The Black-scaled Horse beneath him let out a high-pitched neigh and, carrying Su Yu like a gust of wind, brazenly leaped over the chest-high barricade, landing with a THUD on the muddy path of Wang Family Village!

"Fuck it! Let’s do this!"

Song Mirror and Zhao Tie exchanged a look and gritted their teeth. ’Our lord isn’t afraid of dying, so what’s there for us subordinates to hesitate about?’ They immediately spurred their horses and charged in right behind him.

"Public Security Bureau business! All uninvolved parties, stand back! Those who obstruct justice will be killed without mercy!"

The deafening roar exploded at the village entrance.

The few villagers who had been about to step forward and block them turned deathly pale upon hearing it was the Public Security Bureau. They could only watch helplessly as the trio charged in.

"Quick! The Public Security Bureau from the city is here! Beat the gong!"

"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"

The urgent sound of a bronze gong instantly resounded through every corner of Wang Family Village.

The Cyan-Scaled Sea-Exploring Swallow took to the sky again, leading the way as it flew straight toward the tallest and most imposing green-bricked, tile-roofed house in the center of the village.

Su Yu took the lead, spurring his horse into a wild gallop.

Song Mirror and Zhao Tie followed close behind.

Wang Yuechi remained far behind, hidden on the main road outside the village.

Just as the three of them were about to reach the large residence.

"Where did you pests come from?! How dare you impersonate the Public Security Bureau and force your way into my Wang Family Village!"

Following the arrogant roar, a burly, sinister-faced man in short black clothes burst out of an earthen house by the roadside like an agile cheetah, shattering the wooden door and blocking the center of the street.

His voice boomed like a great bell, and his Qi and Blood was potent. He was clearly an expert who had reached Skin Tempering Realm Perfection!

Following the black-clothed man’s shout, the surrounding doors, which had been tightly shut, flew open one after another.

Hundreds of villagers with bloodshot eyes and fanatical expressions swarmed out from all directions, holding rusty sickles, pitchforks, and even hoes. In an instant, they had completely surrounded Su Yu’s group, men and horses alike, in the middle of the street.

Seeing this, Song Mirror’s expression instantly darkened, and he roared:

"Open your dog eyes and look carefully! We are the Golden Scale Guard of the Black Stone City Public Security Bureau! We are here under orders to purge the heretics of the Black Lotus Sect! Are you unruly peasants trying to rebel? Stand down at once!"

Zhao Tie, at his side, pulled an octagonal warhammer from his saddle. He swung it through the air with a WHOOSH, his face a mask of menace as he bellowed, "Anyone who takes another step forward, I’ll smash his skull with this hammer!"

"Folks, don’t listen to these dog-thieves’ bullshit! Our Wang Family Village has been home to honest farmers for generations. Where would any Black Lotus Sect come from?"

The leading man in black sneered. "They’re clearly just those bandits from outside the city who kill without batting an eye, here in disguise! They want to steal our grain and our women! Everyone, together now, slaughter them!"

Although the hundred or so villagers were somewhat afraid, urged on by the man in black, the crowd still raised their various weapons and, with reddened eyes, slowly pressed forward.

Watching this mob of villagers who had lost all reason, a cold sweat broke out on Song Mirror’s forehead.

’This Wang Family Village... it’s probably been completely brainwashed by the Black Lotus Sect. It’s become a den of vipers!’

"Lord Su, what should we do?"

Song Mirror and Zhao Tie immediately spurred their horses closer to Su Yu, flanking him protectively.

’With so many villagers, if they attacked, they would inevitably injure many innocent people. Plus, there were likely Black Lotus Sect heretics hidden in the crowd. Once a chaotic battle broke out, the consequences would be unimaginable.’

"It’s fine."

Su Yu smiled. "Just kill the man in the lead!"

With that, Su Yu leaped off his horse and strode forward to face the mob of over a hundred rioting villagers.

"You brazen fool! Still acting so arrogant when death is at your doorstep! Kill him for me!"

Seeing this, a flash of sinister glee appeared in the eyes of the leading man in black.

He let out a great roar, deliberately inciting the villagers around him to charge forward as human shields while he cunningly shrank back, disappearing into the chaotic crowd like a viper, completely suppressing his Qi and Blood.

’Fools. Charging in just like that. Should I call you confident or just plain stupid?’

’With so many villagers as cannon fodder, will you kill them or not?’

’If you don’t, the hidden Black Lotus Guards will launch a sneak attack in a moment, and that will be the end of you!’

"Slaughter these bandits!"

Several completely brainwashed, fanatical villagers with bloodshot eyes raised their rusty wood-chopping knives and swung viciously at Su Yu’s face like rabid dogs.

"Lord Su! Be careful!"

Song Mirror roared, about to move in front of Su Yu to block the attack.

In the next instant, however...

Su Yu performed Qi Sinking into the Dantian. Like a whale swallowing the four seas, he took a massive gulp of air, furiously compressing it between his lungs and throat.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!"

A thunderous roar erupted from Su Yu’s mouth!

In that instant, a visible, transparent shockwave erupted in a fan shape, sweeping madly forward.