Chapter 192 - 123: Treasure Armor
A blizzard howled as the bone-chilling river water slammed against the reefs.
Chen Qing slipped into the water without a sound, not even making a ripple.
At the Great Success Realm, his Turtle Breath Stinging Dragon Skill now revealed its astonishing power.
A powerful Inner Breath circulated slowly through his organs. It not only allowed him to hold his breath completely for extended periods but also helped him resist the immense pressure of the deep water. This let him move as freely underwater as if he were walking on solid ground.
At the same time, the Great Success Realm granted him an incredibly keen perception of the subtle changes in the current, allowing him to clearly sense the direction and strength of the water churned by the ship ahead.
The Origin-Returning Breath-Sealing Art completely erased all traces of his presence, and not a single trace of the auras from his three distinct True Qis—Cyan Wood, Geng Metal, and Gui Water—leaked out.
He maintained a great distance, relying solely on his perception of the water’s flow and only surfacing occasionally.
....
On the bow of the Liu Family Treasure Ship.
Liu Han leaned on the railing, gazing into the distance.
The sudden collapse of the Zheng Family had left the Liu Family as the biggest winner, completely reshuffling the power structure of the Yunlin Commerce Association.
But great profits also came with greater risks.
He needed to build up enough of a foundation to make a push for the Astral Force realm.
Just then, the steward approached and bowed his head. "I was rash just now and nearly jeopardized our grand plan."
Liu Han waved his hand dismissively, his tone calm. "Our Liu Family profited the most from this campaign against Nine Waves Island and the Zheng Family. For now, we must focus on the bigger picture: taking full control of the Yunlin Commerce Association and solidifying our foundation. Clashing with the Wutai Sect at this time would be unwise."
His tone shifted, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "Besides, Father will soon personally visit the Gui Water Institute to propose marriage to Master Chu on my behalf. I am to marry his Chief Disciple—Nie Shanshan."
’Such a thorny flower.’ Liu Han’s lips curled into a wry smile. ’If I can’t pluck it myself and admire it in the palm of my hand, wouldn’t that be a terrible waste?’
Thinking of Nie Shanshan’s extraordinary talent and exquisite beauty, Liu Han couldn’t help but feel a flicker of anticipation.
If the marriage was successful, the woman would surely become a great asset to him in the future.
Then, the powerful alliance between the Liu Family and the Wutai Sect would surely elevate his family’s prestige even further.
"As for that Steward..."
Liu Han scoffed, his tone dismissive. "He’s nothing but a jumping grasshopper. Dealing with him later will be a trivial matter."
The Steward bowed. "I understand."
Yet, in the very instant the Steward finished speaking,
A figure appeared like a phantom in the center of the Treasure Ship’s deck, not thirty feet from Liu Han!
He wore the crimson martial attire of the Li Fire Institute. It was Zuo Feng, in disguise.
"Who?!"
Liu Han whirled around, his hand flying to the hilt of his sword as his True Qi erupted from his body!
The guards on the ship snapped to attention, drawing their blades and shouting warnings.
Zuo Feng stated expressionlessly, "Wutai Sect disciple, conducting an inspection under orders."
He took a step forward.
"Inspection?"
Liu Han’s brow furrowed, his mind flooded with suspicion. The man’s appearance was too strange, and his aura felt chillingly sinister—not at all like that of a Li Fire Institute disciple.
"Why conduct an inspection on my Liu Family’s ship? Elder Shen just completed his!"
"I am under orders to retrieve something."
Zuo Feng’s voice was flat, but he didn’t stop walking.
Liu Han’s pupils contracted. "Stop right there! Take one more step, and don’t blame me for being impolite!"
"KEKEKEKE..."
His reply was a strange, hair-raising cackle.
The muscles on Zuo Feng’s face squirmed grotesquely. The plain, human-skin mask tore and peeled away, revealing an aged, sinister face!
"To take your life!"
Before the words had even faded, Zuo Feng vanished, reappearing between the two nearest Liu Family guards.
His withered, Ghost Claw-like hands shot out like lightning, his fingertips wreathed in Blood-colored Astral Qi so dense it seemed solid.
THUNK! THUNK!
Two heart-chilling sounds rang out almost simultaneously!
Zuo Feng’s hands, like red-hot branding irons, had pierced through their Heart Protection Mirrors and tough Leather Armor without any resistance!
As the two guards watched in utter horror, his blood-red claws latched onto their still-beating hearts with unerring precision!
Time seemed to freeze for an instant.
The next moment, he yanked his blood-red claws back out!
Two still-twitching hearts were held, dripping with blood, in Zuo Feng’s hands for all to see.
Blood gushed from their chests like fountains, staining the deck red.
"I..."
One guard looked down at his empty chest, the light in his eyes fading rapidly before he collapsed to the deck.
The other guard couldn’t even make a sound, his eyes wide as he toppled over rigidly.
"Demon Sect!!"
The remaining guards were scared witless, their eyes filled with terror.
"Zuo Feng?! It’s you!"
Liu Han instantly recognized the infamous fiend from the Demon Sect, and his mind reeled in shock.
’Wasn’t he seriously injured when he fled? How could he have possibly recovered this quickly?!’
"Young Master, run!!"
With a look of grim resolve, the Steward drew his saber and charged recklessly at Zuo Feng, trying to buy Liu Han a chance to survive.
"Ant."
A cruel smile played on Zuo Feng’s lips. Without even glancing at the charging Steward, he casually waved a hand.
A condensed strand of blood-colored Astral Force lashed out like a whip, striking the Steward!
BAM!
The Steward’s body exploded like a rag doll struck by a sledgehammer, sending flesh and blood flying everywhere!
He didn’t even have time to scream.
"Uncle Fu!!" Liu Han let out a grief-stricken roar, his heart bleeding.
The Steward was the loyal old servant who had watched him grow up!
In that split second, Zuo Feng appeared before Liu Han, his blood-red claws whistling as they tore through the air, aimed straight for Liu Han’s throat!
The attack was far too fast for Liu Han to react!
A chill ran down Liu Han’s spine as he pushed his True Qi to its absolute limit.
Just as the blood-red claws were about to touch his skin...