HCAW 76

Chapter 76: Bloody Battle at Yingzhou

Yu Ji Guard’s mind was tangled with countless thoughts, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

He couldn’t understand what had happened today—why it had taken him so much effort to deal with two pests he could normally crush with a finger. His body felt stiff and sluggish, and his forehead burned like hot coal. It was precisely this strange condition that caused his repeated failures, even allowing Ruyi Guard to shoot through both his arms.

Just then, he looked down and saw a metal spike lodged in his lower back. The source of his stiffness was right there. Yu Ji Guard reached out and pulled it out, revealing a thin crossbow arrow—he had been hit without even realizing it.

Where had this arrow come from?

Yu Ji Guard recalled that while he’d been sitting on the floating bridge earlier, a group of thieves had gathered underneath, sneakily aiming crossbows at him. Though he’d cracked a few skulls with hawthorn seeds, Chu Kuang had shown up and interrupted him, allowing one to escape.

He didn’t know that the one who got away was called Old Narrow -Eyes, and that before fleeing, he had pulled the trigger on his crossbow and fired this arrow. The arrowhead was coated with a poison deadly upon contact with blood. The fact that Yu Ji Guard only felt sluggish rather than dropping dead instantly already made him far from ordinary. But still, the potent toxin left him struggling to move and unable to act freely.

“A thousand-mile dike can fall to an ant hole”—Yu Ji Guard now truly understood this saying. It was precisely because of that tiny arrow that he’d ended up locked in a grueling fight with Chu Kuang and Fang Jingyu, and was seriously injured by Ruyi Guard’s Jin Pugu arrows. This whole day’s defeat—it all started with that little arrow!

Veins throbbed at Yu Ji Guard’s temples. He roared in fury, “That damn runt even managed to make a mess out of me!”

Though heavily poisoned, his shout still boomed like thunder, shaking the nearby soldiers to the core. Some vomited blood and died on the spot. Chu Kuang knew how terrifying he could be and quickly covered Fang Jingyu’s ears. Even so, blood streamed from his own ears and mouth. Fang Jingyu also hurriedly ripped off a piece of his clothing to plug his ears.

Yu Ji Guard howled at the sky for a long while—when suddenly, a shadow darted forward.

It wasn’t just anyone—it was Fang Jingyu, with his ears stuffed full of cloth strips.

He held the Vipashiyin Blade in one hand and the Chengying Sword in the other, looking like the wrathful Heavenly King Virūpākṣa in Buddhism,¹one of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhism eyes glaring and teeth bared. Blade and sword flew forward like a violent storm, waves surging with fury. Yu Ji Guard raised his claws to block, but couldn’t fend them off. Fang Jingyu thrust the blade and viciously pinned it into the old man’s ankle bone.

Yu Ji Guard let out a blood-curdling scream, but there was nowhere to escape. He tried to pull the blade out, but the Vipashiyin Blade was too heavy. For decades, only Emperor Bai and Fang Jingyu had been able to wield it. In a frenzy, Yu Ji Guard slashed wildly with his claws, trying to tear Fang Jingyu apart, but the youth was exceptionally nimble, never getting close. He dodged every gust of deadly wind whipped up by those claws. The old man was rooted to the spot, forced to watch as Fang Jingyu raised the Chengying Sword.

The sword stirred a biting cold wind as it thrust forward. Fang Jingyu gnashed his teeth and shouted:

“Yu Ji Guard, your sins are countless. These next three strikes are vengeance—for those you’ve harmed!”

Yu Ji Guard shuddered violently. The sword felt like an icy spike driving through his flesh, piercing to the bone. The agony made him scream in torment. Fang Jingyu glared fiercely and shouted:

“The first strike—this is for Langgan Guard! My father served the family and the nation with all his heart, but you framed him and left him wronged and unavenged!”

Another thrust, lightning-fast, sliced through the air and stabbed into Yu Ji Guard’s chest without giving him a moment to breathe.

“The second strike—this is for Brother Minsheng! He had such a bright future, but you captured and humiliated him until he died in misery. If I don’t kill you today, he’ll never rest in peace!”

Fang Jingyu’s eyes bulged with fury. He didn’t notice that as he spoke these words, Chu Kuang behind him suddenly trembled.

Above them, black clouds and white rain churned in the sky, red flames flickered over the sea. The Chengying Sword moved like mist swallowing night—silent, yet sharp as lightning, stabbing deep into Yu Ji Guard’s chest and abdomen.

“The third strike—this is for me!”

Fang Jingyu gripped Chengying tightly, muscles straining.

“For nearly ten years, I’ve shed blood and tears, never daring to relax for even a moment, all so that one day I could face you with sword in hand!”

The hatred was too deep. He hated Yu Ji Guard with all his being. If not for this old man, how could the Fang family have fallen so low? They could have enjoyed a peaceful life, yet it had all ended in ruin!

With these three strikes, Yu Ji Guard was gravely wounded. Poisoned and nearly immobile, he could only watch as Fang Jingyu poured his entire strength into the blows, nearly breaking the bones in his arm to drive the sword deeper into the old man. The soldiers of Qingyu Gao Palace were stunned—this reckless youth was challenging one of the elite guards of Xian Mountain! And time and again, he succeeded, overwhelming Yu Ji Guard!

Yu Ji Guard howled in pain, lying face-up in the rain. Needle-like drops pierced his face, stinging like fire. Only one thought filled his mind:

How had he ended up in such a sorry state?

For decades, he had held a lofty position on Xian Mountain. Though nominally serving Emperor Changyi, he never truly answered to him. He had consumed more than ten bottles of Immortal Elixirs—lifting cauldrons and wrestling bulls was nothing to him. No one could match him in strength. Yingzhou was his domain, a backyard even Emperor Changyi didn’t interfere with. And now? The son of that arrogant Emperor Bai, and that lowly so-called “King Yama,” had shattered his perfect dream!

Yu Ji Guard seethed with fury, veins bulging all over. Fang Jingyu, gasping for breath, stepped back—but then heard the old man start chuckling. The laughter grew louder and more manic, rising into the heavens.

“Good boys—what a group of good boys!” he howled with glee, clutching his chest as he laughed.

What trick was this old man playing now? Fang Jingyu didn’t dare act rashly. He turned and shielded Chu Kuang, slowly retreating.

At last, Yu Ji Guard’s laughter ceased. He clenched his teeth and said, “Marvelous, marvelous—I haven’t been this cornered in years! But Fang boy, no matter how talented you are, you’ll never match me. Do you know why?”

Fang Jingyu said nothing, eyes wary.

“Because I’ve consumed over ten bottles of Immortal Elixir and lived, while you—your mortal flesh is no match for the power of the Elixir.” Yu Ji Guard laughed wildly. Thunder cracked overhead, and amid the cold lightning, shadows danced like ten thousand demons. The old man reached into his robes and slowly pulled out a small cinnabar-red bottle, his gaze filled with yearning.

“It’s been ages since I’ve used this. Little monkey, just wash your neck and wait. I’ll let you see—what it means to stand at the peak of Xian Mountain!”

Chu Kuang suddenly felt a chill in his heart. He pulled a throwing dart from his sleeve and flung it hard, aiming to knock the little bottle away. But Yu Ji Guard tilted his head slightly and dodged the dart, then raised his throat and drank down most of the liquid inside.

Chu Kuang suddenly heard the pounding of his own heart, each beat like the toll of a giant bell, terrifying him to his core. He grabbed Fang Jingyu’s hand, drenched in cold sweat.

“Run. Now.”

Fang Jingyu also had a terrible premonition. “What did he drink?” Then lightning flashed, illuminating Chu Kuang’s pale face. He urged anxiously:

“Run—it’s ‘Immortal Elixir’!”

Rain poured like waterfalls. A bitter wind swept through. All at once, Yu Ji Guard’s joints cracked loudly as if his bones were dislocating. Firelight flickered over his body in alternating flashes of brightness and darkness, casting an eerie and terrifying glow. Suddenly, the flesh around his wounds began to squirm and heal.

The poison’s effect was gradually fading. Black patches spread across his body like splattered ink. He suddenly jerked his foot violently, tearing flesh to break free from the grip of the Vipashiyin Blade—and the wound rapidly healed. Yu Ji Guard stood atop drifting wood, his figure like a jagged boulder. Massive waves crashed and shattered beside him like urgent snowstorms. He stepped toward the two of them, each footfall shaking the floating wood beneath.

The overwhelming pressure hit them hard. Only now did they recall just how terrifying Yu Ji Guard truly was—a peak warrior of Xian Mountain, able to break bones with a flick, crush organs with a toss, and once effortlessly clawed out Xiao Jiao’s heart. Looking back, it seemed like a dream that they’d managed to stand against him at all.

Cold sweat drenched Chu Kuang’s back. He gripped Fang Jingyu’s hand and stammered, “Run… run!”

But where could they go? Yu Ji Guard, fast as lightning, lunged forward with a single step and landed in front of them. His muscles swelled like an enraged bull, charging madly. The floating bridge and moorings burst apart, his fierce momentum leaving carnage in its wake.

Fang Jingyu felt a tremendous force slam into him. Blood burst from his cracked hands and feet. He turned—Chu Kuang had been knocked over, taking the brunt of Yu Ji Guard’s blow. Fang Jingyu’s heart clenched in panic.

“Chu Kuang!”

He saw Chu Kuang crumpled limply. Rushing over, he was greeted by a horrifying sight—half of Chu Kuang’s body had been torn open from the collision, organs scattered, blood everywhere. Fang Jingyu’s heart leapt into his throat as he screamed madly:

“Chu Kuang!”

Chu Kuang’s eyes were unfocused, but he spat blood and muttered, “Don’t… worry. I… won’t die… Your Highness.”

Fang Jingyu hurriedly stuffed meat into his mouth, but just then a fierce gust tore through—the next moment, Yu Ji Guard was right in front of them. Already a demon before, now, fueled by Immortal Elixir, he was stronger than ever, black veins coursing across his body. The old man thrust a claw straight for Chu Kuang’s gut! Fang Jingyu raised his arm to block, and the claw pierced into his iron-hard bones. Agonizing pain forced a muffled groan from his lips.

Yu Ji Guard looked down at him with not a shred of pity. “How foolish.”

With just a flex of his finger, pain exploded through Fang Jingyu’s entire body—it felt as if a massive millstone had rolled over him. In an instant, the iron rods in his body shattered!

Fragments sliced into his insides, and a spray of blood burst from his body. Yu Ji Guard raised his fist for another blow, but Fang Jingyu, enduring the agony, forced his energy into his bones, grabbed Chu Kuang, and leapt away. Yu Ji Guard then seized an iron chain from the bridge. With a tug, the ships moored to it rumbled in the water like a great serpent waking, forming a massive whip that rose and crashed toward them!

Ships. Ships. Ships. All Fang Jingyu saw were towering vessels strung to the chain. Yu Ji Guard swung them as if wielding a cane. Under his monstrous strength, the ships howled like beasts, smashing forward with waves that reached the sky.

Fang Jingyu nearly fainted from terror. His vision blackened—this was the true horror of Yu Ji Guard, now empowered by Immortal Elixir and more terrifying than ever!

He had no thought of fighting. Carrying the Chengying Sword and Chu Kuang, he turned and ran. But behind him loomed a massive wall of ships, shadows filling his view. There was nowhere to run. Just as all hope seemed lost—an arrow flew through the air—it was a Jin Pugu arrow.

The arrow was aimed at Yu Ji Guard. He dodged, disappearing behind the curtain of rain. The iron chain halted, creating a narrow opening in the swarm of ships. Fang Jingyu seized the moment, dragging Chu Kuang out and dashing onto the main road.

Because the Qingyu Gao Palace soldiers didn’t dare approach, no one blocked them. Wildfires burned across the sea, cannons thundered, battles raged on all sides—but the end seemed near. Running down the road, they reached the civilians’ boats, still hung with lanterns like scattered stars. The people inside dared not make a sound, hiding in fear of the battle’s reach.

Fang Jingyu hadn’t even caught his breath when a figure soared overhead and landed in front of them. The impact shook the air, waves exploded upward.

It was none other than Yu Ji Guard.

A chill stabbed through Fang Jingyu’s heart. Only now did he realize that Yu Ji Guard, like a scent-tracking hyena, would never let his prey go. The old man smiled.

“Running again? Too bad. None of you are escaping today. Mark this date—next year, it will be your death anniversary.”

He struck with his claw—five fingers clenched, aiming to crush Fang Jingyu’s skull. Fang Jingyu even caught the scent of blood on that hand—how many lives had this claw already taken? Was he about to be next?

But at that instant, the planks burst apart, and a drenched figure shot out like an arrow. Clang! The Heavenly Mountain gold claw collided with an iron gauntlet, sparks flaring.

The attack wasn’t powerful, but the sudden strike startled Yu Ji Guard into retreating half a step. The firelight revealed a bold young woman in wide sleeves and loose trousers, a white jade earring shaped like a chicken bone hanging from her ear.

Yu Ji Guard’s eyes widened as he shouted, “Si Chen!”

It was indeed Si Chen. She was skilled in swimming and had used the chaos to slip under the bridge. While Yu Ji Guard was fighting, he hadn’t noticed her. She emerged with explosive force, whistled sharply—and from all around, Lei Ze Camp soldiers leapt from their boats, wielding sabers, driving back Qingyu Gao Palace soldiers and surrounding Yu Ji Guard.

“You stupid little hen,” Yu Ji Guard sneered, “You disobeyed me and joined traitors—how foolish. I am your father!”

Sichen scoffed. “So what if you are? You abandoned me in the wild, never raised me a day, even killed my sibling. Why should I listen to you? Lord Yu Jue Guard, Brother Yan Xin—they’re more family than you ever were!”

She sprang forward, iron claws flashing like crescent moons, striking at Yu Ji Guard. She smiled at Fang Jingyu.

“Your Highness, earlier you struck three times to avenge your family. But my family has blood to settle with him too—now it’s my turn!”

Because she was Yu Ji Guard’s own daughter, she was naturally agile and strong, capable of fine labor even at a young age. This was the only thing she ever thanked him for—giving her a sturdy body to challenge him now.

The fire blazed bright, ships surged across the bridge, and brave warriors followed her lead. Each wielded blades and guns, their eyes burning like unquenchable fire. Si Chen turned toward Yu Ji Guard and shouted:

“Old jackal, take my claws!”

She raised her iron claws, brow furrowed and teeth clenched, eyes ablaze:

“For Lord Yu Jue Guard, for Brother y, for Ah chu and her daughter—for all of Yingzhou—I will avenge them!”

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  one of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhism