Chapter 122: The Rumbling Thunder, Shan Huai
The crowd’s chatter swelled around us as the man leading the group stepped forward, his orange robes fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. The arrogance radiating from him was palpable, and it wasn’t hard to see why. With a cocky grin plastered on his face, he planted his foot callously on the corpse of the Iron Boar, his posture exuding the self-assurance of someone who had no doubt about his superiority.
“People of Qingmu!” he called out, his voice reverberating across the square. “I am Shan Huai, the Rumbling Thunder, second-class disciple of the Iron Claw Sect! This beast you see before you—a vicious Iron Boar—was stalking the outskirts of your village, threatening your very lives. But fear not, for I and my comrades have vanquished it, ensuring your safety!”
"Iron Claw sect?" I turned to Lan Sheng beside me. He shrugged, likely having never heard of the name himself.
The villagers gasped, murmuring among themselves as they regarded the massive beast’s corpse. Both of us stepped closer to get a better look at the Iron Boar.
As we approached, I could see the boar’s body in greater detail.
It was the genuine article, alright.
The Iron Boar was a formidable beast, known for its thick hide that was said to be as tough as metal—hence the name. But what caught my attention were the wounds that marred its side. Three deep gouges ran along its flank, the flesh torn clean through to the bone. The blood that had seeped from the wounds was dried now.
Lan Sheng leaned in slightly, his voice low. “Those gouges… they’re not from some wild, flailing attack. Those are precise strikes, deep and lethal."
The realization settled in, heavy and undeniable. Shan Huai wasn’t just blowing hot air. They had actually defeated this monster, a feat that shouldn't be underestimated. While not as notorious as Wind Serpents, these creatures were still formidable opponents.