Lord Shenxiu
Chapter 156 Cave (Further Updates on This Book)

Chapter 156: Chapter 156 Cave (Further Updates on This Book)

"Master, you really are..."

Duan Mingyu bitterly smiled as he looked at Zhong Shenxiu.

"The monkeys are only troublesome if they’re prepared... If the main culprit is just a Human List Martial Artist, then it might be worth a try."

Zhong Shenxiu cautiously responded.

He understood his own combat capabilities.

Before the blood change, he was confident in contending with the lower realms of the Human List, and after the blood change, he might even sprint to the top ranks.

Not to mention, in a real fight, this Duan Mingyu would hardly stand a chance against him, ninety percent of the time.

At this point, as long as the enemy wasn’t an Earth List Master, he could at least escape.

"That would be very good... Jing Ming is hiding in a mountain cave!"

Jing Fan’s expression turned gloomy: "I hope it’s still not too late..."

...

The cave Jing Fan mentioned was located on the mid-slope of a solitary peak.

At the time, he had already teamed up with Duan Mingyu, confirmed that the most frequent haunts of the Demon Apes were here, and found the mastermind behind the scenes.

However, upon discovering it was Jing Ming, he was mentally unguarded and got hit in the chest by Jing Ming with the Da Xuan Sky Mallet. If it weren’t for his astonishingly refined hard skills, he would have died from his sternum completely shattering.

Fortunately, Jing Ming was in a wrong state. After launching the attack, he crazily hid inside the cave.

At that moment, outside the cave, there were dozens of Demon Apes playing around, yet seeming to be loyal guards.

"It’s a bit troublesome, these monkeys don’t leave the vicinity of the cave..."

Duan Mingyu glanced around, feeling somewhat challenged.

"Fortunately, no matter how fierce these monkeys are, they are still wild beasts..."

Zhong Shenxiu smiled, "Before I entered the mountain, I was not unprepared... At least, wild beasts are mostly afraid of fire attacks! We can make a plan, first lure a group away, then use firelight to disperse some, and the rest will be easy to deal with... Then, we’ll enter the cave and look for Master Jing Ming."

"If that’s the case, we must act now, we can’t wait until night..." Jing Fan spoke, "I perceive that Brother Jing Ming might be frenzied during the day and enters a demonic state by night... If it turns to nighttime, it will be even more disadvantageous for us..."

Although Zhong Shenxiu didn’t know the special characteristics of the fighting-induced demonic transformation in the "Fighting Victory King Scripture", since Jing Fan said so, there must be a basis for it.

He looked at Duan Mingyu and nodded, "in that case, you be the bait to lure some Demon Apes away..."

"Why me?"

Duan Mingyu frowned, feeling that entering the cave was the most dangerous part.

And in terms of martial arts, he was stronger than Xun Liuyi, so he should be the one taking the heavy responsibility.

"Just because you’re not in good condition right now, you might not even beat me..."

Zhong Shenxiu smirked, seeing that Duan Mingyu seemed ready to burst into anger, he then solemnly added another sentence, "Also... your Qinggong is good, you can get rid of those Demon Apes first and then come back to reinforce us... With my martial arts, I can’t say I can defeat Jing Ming, but protecting myself and Jing Fan from martial artists on Yan Wushuang’s level, I still have some confidence."

"Fine, but after this, I want a match with you!"

Duan Mingyu bellowed, his robes fluttering as he dashed out.

He reached out, and the sword from his qin suddenly unsheathed.

Previously, being encumbered by these monkeys and trapped to death, this wielder of both qin and sword was also holding back a surge of frustration.

Now suddenly exploding into action, his sword light was bitterly cold, weaving through the air like silk threads, plunging into the bodies of two Demon Apes.

These two apes were tall and bulky, with thick arms that could tear apart tigers and leopards, yet they fell silently, crashing down to the ground.

"Dharma?"

"Dharma!"

This action, like poking a hornet’s nest, not only drew the attention of dozens of Demon Apes surrounding the cave but also caused them to emit piercing roars.

From all directions, the ceaseless echoing cries of apes filled the air.

Duan Mingyu, well aware of the danger of facing many with few, refused to be encircled and lose the initiative. He swiftly executed his qinggong, retreating into the forest while continuously engaging and defeating his enemies.

Many monkeys were drawn away by him, leaving fewer guards outside the cave.

Seeing this, Zhong Shenxiu let out a long laugh and instructed Jing Fan to wave a torch while he dashed forward boldly.

"Dharma!"

A demon ape charged at him, opening its wide mouth to reveal a set of sharp teeth and emitting a foul stench.

"Behold my Five Elements Thief Palm!"

From earlier trials, Zhong Shenxiu knew that the Five Elements Thief Palm was equally effective against humanoid creatures.

At that moment, his dark hand reached out toward the monkey.

The struck demon ape screamed tragically, losing its footing and retreating in pain.

His palms flew like the wind, striking full force; with each strike, an ape screamed and leapt aside, its legs weakening, unable to continue the onslaught.

With Jing Fan holding the torch, the two cleared a space around them and broke into the cave.

...

"Dharma! Dharma!"

The demon apes, upon seeing the two enter the cave, did not pursue but roared furiously, as if there were even more terrifying creatures lurking inside the cave.

"Master, how are you feeling?"

Zhong Shenxiu took the torch and asked with concern.

Jing Fan, his chest covered in blood, replied with unusually bright eyes, "Please rest assured, honored patron. I will not be a burden. In critical moments, Stone Buddha Temple possesses certain secret techniques to temporarily suppress injuries..."

’No wonder the great sects are extraordinary... Remember, when facing disciples of such sects, one must strike to kill without hesitation,’ Zhong Shenxiu noted mentally, nodding outwardly and proceeding deeper with Jing Fan.

He observed the dry stone walls, sensing something amiss.

Typically, the interior walls of such caves should be damp or covered with moss, but these were exceptionally clean.

Even more strangely, they seemed to be slowly moving, almost as if they had lives of their own, as though he had not entered a mountain cave but a giant intestine!

Additionally, there was a slope leading downwards into the unknown depths of what might be Hell.

"Dharma!"

"Dharma!"

After walking a stretch, the screeching of the apes outside gradually subdued, but a more tragic and frantic voice began to resonate around them.

This voice, like a curse or fear, seemed to carry a peculiar magic power, invading Zhong Shenxiu’s spirit and suddenly making him feel as if he were drunkenly bewildered.

Everything around him seemed somewhat blurred and eerie.

On the cave walls, the sense of life grew even stronger.

Even seeming to ooze fresh blood...

Beside him, Jing Fan’s expression shifted, "This is... the voice of Brother Jing Ming... how... how could he have turned into such a state?"

Though the sound was strange, it might work against ordinary people of Jianghu, but two Human Ranking Experts could use their inner strength to forcibly suppress it.

The two exchanged glances and continued forward.

The ground had, at some point, become moist and soft; stepping on it left deep, sinking footprints, making Zhong Shenxiu feel as if he had stepped into a flesh and blood mire.

Finally...

His view suddenly opened up as he entered an underground cavern.