Chapter 35
Rude
The group moved through the dense forest, and Zhang Yuezhen’s face was filled with excitement as she looked at the occasional bloodstains on the ground.
The Zhang family harbored a deep hatred towards Sun Shu, and this was her chance to kill him. In her position as the steward of the medical center, if she succeeded, her position would be secure, and no one would dare to question her.
They came across a dilapidated temple in front of them, a common sight around the area. It had not completely collapsed as it served as a temporary lodging for passing caravans.
“Everyone, take the detoxification pills!” Zhang Yuezhen ordered, and the guards quickly took out the pills. Chen Fei, who was standing at the back, also swallowed a detoxification pill.
“If anyone kills Sun Shu, I will give them half of the Zhang family’s reward, and their salary will be tripled from now on!” Zhang Yuezhen announced to the guards.
She then chose three guards to go in first, cautioning them to be careful, although Sun Shu was already injured. The rest of the guards were on edge, hoping to be selected next, as the amount of money promised was too tempting to resist.
Chen Fei stood at the back and watched as the three guards kicked open the door of the temple and rushed in. In a matter of moments, the sound of fighting and shouting could be heard from inside.
“He’s really here! You five, go in!” Zhang Yuezhen ordered the next set of guards, and they eagerly rushed into the temple. It seemed that the first three guards had successfully engaged Sun Shu, and with the next group’s help, they might be able to kill him.
The other guards were impatient to be chosen, fearing that if they were too slow, they would miss their chance to collect the reward.
Zhang Yuezhen stared fixedly at the entrance of the dilapidated temple, cautious of any possible ambush inside. It seemed that Sun Shu was really in trouble, as even the collective effort of the guards couldn’t resolve the situation.
“Shall we go in too, Steward Zhang?” The two remaining guards came closer to Zhang Yuezhen, sounding anxious. It was obvious that they wanted a piece of the action too. They couldn’t afford to be left behind and only find Sun Shu’s corpse inside.
The sounds of shouting and clashing weapons continued to emanate from the temple, indicating that the battle inside had reached its climax.
Chen Fei kept his eyes fixed on the temple, feeling a sudden coldness on his wrist. He looked down to see the eerie mark that had been placed there, now becoming more active than usual. Chen Fei’s pupils contracted in fear. The gangrene had been relatively quiet, and with his improving cultivation, it had been gradually diminishing. How had it become like this?
“You all go in!” Zhang Yuezhen commanded the last two guards, who eagerly rushed into the temple.
“You too!” Zhang Yuezhen turned to Chen Fei. “Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. It should be ending soon. Maybe you’ll have a chance to land the final blow!”
“The situation inside isn’t right,” Chen Fei said, taking a step back. He hadn’t felt anything before, but the strange behavior of the bone ulcer had prompted him to listen more carefully to the sounds inside. What he found was alarming. Despite the intense fighting, many of the voices inside were repeating themselves.
While one might overlook this under the pressure of combat, it was definitely odd if one paid close attention.
“I asked you to do something. I’m not asking for your opinions. Now, go inside immediately, don’t make me take action!” Zhang Yuezhen yelled, glaring at Chen Fei.
“Either go in obediently or I’ll throw you in! I’m in charge of this medical clinic!” she added.
“There are problems inside, please listen carefully!” Chen Fei raised his voice, looking at Zhang Yuezhen.
“Shut up!” Zhang Yuezhen roared, unsheathing half of her long sword and pressing it towards Chen Fei, warning him. “This is the last time. Will you go in or not?”
“I am an alchemist of the medical clinic. I don’t need to be responsible for frontal combat. You don’t have the right to order me!” Chen Fei retorted.
“Just the simple act of condoning Sun Shu’s escape can justify killing you now, and nothing will happen to me! Since talking to you nicely didn’t work, don’t blame me for being rude!” Zhang Yuezhen sneered, then quickly came to Chen Fei, grabbing his collar.
In the North City Medical Center, Zhang Yuezhen didn’t allow anyone to go against her word. She demanded absolute obedience. Now, with the impending assassination of Sun Shu, she didn’t mind reminding Chen Fei once again who the true leader of the clinic was.
“Fuck you!” Chen Fei shouted, unsheathing his sword and thrusting it toward Zhang Yuezhen.
Seeing Chen Fei’s action, Zhang Yuezhen couldn’t help but smile triumphantly. He dared to use a sword against her. She just wanted to teach him a lesson earlier, now, even if she crippled Chen Fei, no one would say anything.
He was a mere Skin Toughening realm cultivator, he simply didn’t know the gravity of the situation!
Thinking of this, Zhang Yuezhen’s capture was about to accelerate. But suddenly, she realized that the sword in Chen Fei’s hand had disappeared, leaving only a flash of light in her sight.
“Something’s not right!” Zhang Yuezhen’s heart jolted, about to dodge sideways. But suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her chest and lost all sensation there.
Zhang Yuezhen was incredulous, looking down at the wound that penetrated her chest, blood gushing out uncontrollably. She instinctively covered the wound but couldn’t stop the blood from flowing.
She looked up at Chen Fei with eyes full of disbelief. How could a Skin Toughening realm cultivator have such swordsmanship that even she couldn’t react in time?
Chen Fei didn’t look at Zhang Yuezhen. Instead, he looked in the direction of the ruined temple.
As Chen Fei and Zhang Yuezhen fought, the previously lively ruined temple suddenly quieted down. Vaguely, Chen Fei saw a crimson gaze projecting from the ruined temple, staring straight at him.
“There’s something evil!” Chen Fei kicked Zhang Yuezhen in the abdomen, sending her flying toward the ruined temple.
“No…don’t!” Zhang Yuezhen seemed to have realized that something was wrong at this point, struggling and shouting. But she was completely swallowed by the door of the ruined temple.
Chen Fei stomped his feet, quickly moving away from the ruined temple, his heart beating fiercely.
It wasn’t because he was nervous about killing Zhang Yuezhen but because he was worried about being able to escape from the evil thing inside.