Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1121 - 584: The Only Survivor (Part 2)

Gu Sheng faced this dire circumstance, identical to what his companions nearby endured.

These Death Soldiers refused to yield as long as a single breath remained in their bodies, always pressing on with their defiance.

The unyielding might of the Death Soldiers ignited rage in Gu Sheng and his allies. Their battles grew ever more intense, pulling both factions deep into the fray. Gu Sheng unleashed his full force, every strike aimed to destroy.

The Fire Spirit Dagger slashed relentlessly, sending heads tumbling to the earth in succession.

Shock filled Gu Sheng when he saw that even after their heads detached, the Death Soldiers' bodies kept twitching, as though they wouldn't collapse until every last bit of vigor was spent.

Steeling himself, Gu Sheng toppled them one after another.

It required a solid two hours for them to eliminate every Death Soldier.

Gazing at the headless corpses scattered about, Gu Sheng let out a heavy, turbid sigh.

"I never imagined their tenacity could reach such heights. It's clear why King Luo and Saint Ya seek to breed more Death Soldiers. In their final desperate bursts, even with heads severed, they erupt with Divine Power. Truly, few in the Jianghu among the living can stand against them. Humans falter in fear when death looms, but these do not."

"Right, without your lead in the clash today, we might have faltered from sheer intimidation. Gu Sheng, there's something off about these Death Soldiers; they fight as if demons drive them."

"Exactly, watch that surviving one closely. We're heading back to consult Wushuang Taoist; she'll surely understand the mystery behind this."

Shi Lou secured the ropes tighter and wrapped extra iron chains around the captive.

"Brother Sheng, rest easy—I'll guard him the whole way."

Glancing back, Gu Sheng extended his hand and promptly enclosed the Death Soldier beneath the Small Top.

Noticing the move, Shi Lou remarked, "Brother Sheng, I'm all right."

"It's not retaliation from him that worries me; it's him ending his own life. He's our sole survivor; we can't let harm come to him. Should he choose death, all our labor goes to waste. Under the Small Top, even suicide is impossible—he must reach us alive."

Grasping the intent, Shi Lou nodded firmly: "I'll stay vigilant this time."

Dragging their lone captive along, they made their way back to Yunhai.

Merely a day after their departure, Luo Qin, seething with rage, pulled his forces from the recruitment gathering.

Staring down his followers, he vented his fury, "Away from your bungling, we wouldn't struggle to enlist a single soul!"

His underlings harbored resentment at the words but held their tongues.

The mess stemmed from his own actions, yet he pinned the blame on them ultimately.

The group stood mute, stifling their irritation, heads bowed while enduring the tirade.

Once the outburst waned, Luo Qin eased somewhat.

He turned toward the shadows, clapping as was his habit.

Yet the darkness offered no response this time, only eerie quiet.

In an instant, Luo Qin's bottled wrath exploded anew.

"Are you all stone-deaf? Didn't catch my command? Emerge at once!"

His bellow made his men recoil in terror, but the shadows stayed still.

Luo Qin's fury peaked as he charged into the gloom.

After striding far without spotting his Death Soldiers, his ire intensified further.

In his advance, his foot caught on an object, almost sending him sprawling. Rage overtook him then, unleashing a torrent of curses.

Mid-rant, he spotted the item on the floor, halting his words sharply.

His eyes widened at the iron chain.

He stooped swiftly to seize it, sensing its energy, and Luo Qin's complexion drained to ashen.

"No way! My Death Soldiers defy harm; how could they perish? This defies belief! Someone, track down the Death Soldiers' location for me now!"

At his command, his men scattered to investigate immediately.

Before long, multiple iron chains reached Luo Qin's grasp.

These chains marked his Death Soldiers' attire, emblems of the Qingcheng Sect, and doubled as protective gear. They stayed bound until death claimed the wearer.

With the soldiers vanished but chains abandoned in numbers, a chill gripped Luo Qin, his frame shaking beyond control.

"How is this possible? Not even I could fell them; who possesses such might?"

A subordinate ventured timidly, "Young Master, could they have shed the chains and fled on their own?"

The suggestion earned him a stinging slap from Luo Qin.

"Foolish drivel! As Death Soldiers, they swore eternal allegiance upon creation. Betrayal is impossible save in death! The chains follow suit—only demise frees them!"

His followers fell silent thereafter.

Having served Luo Qin for years, they knew the Death Soldiers well, aware that Luo Qin himself couldn't overpower them. The culprit had to match or surpass King Luo's prowess.

As the rest pondered, Luo Qin quivered in outrage.

"Return at once! Seek my father!"

A few paces in, Luo Qin paused, facing his men to instruct, "Inform Saint Ya of this and urge her swift arrival at King Luo’s Mansion."

The subordinates acknowledged and acted without delay.

On the journey back to Yunhai, Gu Sheng kept casting looks at the captive.

He attempted dialogue, but silence met his efforts.

After several days on the road, during a brief halt, Gu Sheng eyed him once more.

"I recognize you as a Death Soldier, yet the Luo family's grip has slipped. Speak if you wish, and I could grant you mercy."

Gu Sheng presented his finest offer, but the captive's gaze stayed vacant, utterly unresponsive.

For a moment, Gu Sheng questioned if he'd captured a human or mere timber.

"Your fellow Death Soldiers all perished; you're the lone survivor. Share details on Luo Qin, and I'll provide a fresh start, freedom from their hold. Imagine living unbound. Isn't your existence worth more than blind obedience?"

Gu Sheng pressed on with persuasion, yet the man showed no reaction, not even a sideways glance.

Impatience seized Shi Lou, who lashed out with a fist.

His blow landed without effect on the captive, but Shi Lou clutched his hand in agony.

"Brother Sheng, what's protecting him? That rebound hits too hard!"

Scrutinizing the captive anew, Gu Sheng replied steadily, "Hand him over to Wushuang Taoist upon our return. If he clings to silence, we'll carve him open for examination and insight."

Seeing the ploy for threat, Shi Lou bobbed his head eagerly.

"Excellent, I've long yearned to uncover his invincibility, dreaming up myriad dissection techniques. Brother Sheng, can I test poisons on him?"

"Go ahead. To me, he's already a corpse. Experiment freely, hone your lethal arts, unleash those seldom-tried approaches, show him the spectrum of suffering."

The pair plotted his demise right before him. For all Shi Lou's venomous threats, the captive's face remained impassive.

Their prolonged talk parched Shi Lou's throat, while the captive endured unmoved, fueling Shi Lou's exasperation.

"Ah, what a stubborn sort. I relish cracking nuts as tough as you. Brother Sheng, let's press on; I'm itching to end him."

Gu Sheng agreed with a nod, guiding the group forward.

Two additional days of travel brought them at last to Yunhai.

Detecting their approach, Wushuang Taoist emerged, her face alight with joy.

Spotting Wushuang Taoist, Hong Mei dashed to her side.

"Master, I've longed for you terribly."

"You silly girl, running a sect now and still behaving like a kid. You draw chuckles from all."

Wushuang Taoist chided lightly, though her fingers tenderly caressed Hong Mei's hair throughout.