The Stars Beyond

Chapter 91: Bane Of Demons And Gods

Wang Xuan raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with disbelief. "Really? Is that how we're talking now?" Should he have been expected to be shot dead for things to seem 'normal'?

While Chen Mingtu dabbed medicine on his forehead wound, he sighed, "What I meant was that your actions were too conspicuous. Taking bullets like that will, no doubt, spark questions."

Laying out the bullets from his pocket, Wang Xuan turned to Qing Mu, "Find me three bulletproof vests and a similar firearm. We need to recreate the scene."

Qing Mu nodded thoughtfully. "That could be a plausible explanation." Instead of revisiting the harrowing event, he would present evidence: a vest marked by bullets and a bullet held as proof.

As Wang Xuan suited up, he mentioned, "The downpour tonight has washed away all traces of blood. I've collected every piece of evidence, especially my nails. There's nothing left behind."

But Chen Mingtu remained pensive. "It's a temporary cover, but be ready for a deeper probe."

He planned to travel to the capital in the next couple of days. While Qing Mu would be tasked with presenting his 'injured' body to the authorities for recovery, Chen Mingtu's true purpose would be clandestine meetings with influential figures.

"Wang Xiao" would shadow Chen Mingtu, staying away from external prying eyes. Wang Xuan's genuine identity would, for the time being, be detached from the swirling chaos around. It was evident that Chen Mingtu's trip was about forging deeper alliances and ensuring future collaboration. Wang Xuan, with genuine concern, advised, "Be vigilant, Old Chen. It's a treacherous path ahead." While he might have managed to sidestep this crisis, Chen Mingtu's freedom seemed to be on the line.

......

Chen Mingtu gestured dismissively, indicating that there was no need for further fuss. He was well-aware of the situation's gravity but felt he had it under control.

"Make your choice, Wang Xuan. Head to the new star or reunite with the female practitioner in the Greater Khingan Range," he suggested.

With a hint of irony, Wang Xuan replied, "Why would I journey to the Greater Khingan Range? I'd rather find solace in a tranquil Taoist temple, keeping the company of the sword fairy."

After a brief pause, Chen Mingtu advised, "Venture into deep space. I'll see to the arrangements." He then warned Wang Xuan about the transient nature of secrets and emphasized the urgency of honing his skills.

...

As the rain lightened, Qing Mu led a security patrol, reassuring everyone of the present calm. He stressed they had informed the authorities, ensuring the community's safety. Yet, many remained dubious. Call the authorities? They had seen firsthand how Qing Mu's group, armed with energy cannons and mech suits, had managed everything on their own.

Wang Xuan timely made his presence, joining Qing Mu on the rounds. Several individuals braved the drizzle, eager to gauge his condition post the recent events. Old Wu approached, greeting Wang Xuan warmly. Given the Wu family's pressing need for an adept in Old Arts and with Chen Mingtu's imminent 'departure', their hopes were now pinned on Wang Xuan.

Wu Yin approached, her eyes filled with concern as they landed on Wang Xuan's hand, the blood seeping through the gauze. Without hesitation, she called upon the family's trusted physician to attend to the injury. Wang Xuan sighed inwardly, bracing himself against the sting as the gauze was removed, revealing his raw, injured fingers underneath. He had chosen to reveal his injuries for a reason. He wanted to dispel any doubt about their severity, and simultaneously, display the bulletproof vest he wore.

"Give him some space!" Old Wu admonished the crowd that had gathered too close, her voice edged with frustration. Their intent was evident: they were scrutinizing Wang Xuan, trying to gauge if he had mastered the fabled Golden Body technique. As the physician treated the injury, the severity became clear to all, with some even catching a glimpse of the exposed bone.

"What about your gunshot injury? Have that looked at as well," a voice called out, trying to confirm Wang Xuan's true state.

"I'm alright. I had on... three layers of bulletproof vests!" Wang Xuan replied, slightly lifting his shirt to reveal the outer vest, marked by a clear bullet impact.

The onlookers were taken aback. Three layers? They marveled at Wang Xuan's extreme caution.

"Disperse, and let the doctor work in peace. Honestly, what's with all of you?" Old Wu said, her tone sharp with disapproval. She motioned for them to leave. With a final reminder to Wang Xuan to get ample rest, Old Wu turned away. Her elegant form receded gracefully into the night, each step accentuated by her high heels.

......

As Wang Xuan made his way back to his residence, he spotted Zhong Cheng getting an earful from his sister. Yet, upon seeing Wang Xuan, Zhong Cheng had the audacity to wink and even smirk.

"What's his deal?" Wang Xuan muttered to himself, unimpressed. Without another thought, he reached out and flicked Zhong Cheng on the back of his head. To be in that pathetic state and still cheekily wink at him? Wang Xuan mentally noted to give him a piece of his mind when the opportunity arose.

...

The next morning, the manor was abuzz with activity as everyone awoke early. Their primary concern was to check if Old Chen had "departed." To everyone's surprise, he appeared hale and hearty. Speechless, they all decided they couldn't keep waiting any longer and chose to leave the manor for the day.

Then, attention shifted to the news, searching for any reports regarding the previous night's incidents. Word had spread that besides the intense battle at the manor, there was a spaceship crash on the outskirts of town. The guests at the manor, representatives of various organizations and including some tycoons, were privy to inside information. Many had received updates early in the morning.

A sense of foreboding grew amongst the crowd. Something significant had occurred.

"Following the city's thunderstorm warning, a spaceship still took off and was unfortunately struck by lightning..."

"Breaking news from our on-site reporter: A model 'F' spaceship, disregarding the thunderstorm warnings, was tragically hit by lightning. The crash site was located on the outskirts of An City. Currently, no survivors have been found."

......

The assembly was awash with shock. Despite Old Chen's precarious health, his influence in An City remained indomitable. The manner in which those from the New Arts faction met their end was tragic and spoke volumes. Rumors circulated that Qing Mu had tracked the ship's location the night before. It seemed apparent: Qing Mu had been behind the calamitous strike. Should a detailed investigation ensue, satellite surveillance could potentially unravel the true sequence of events.

"It's understandable," one attendee noted. "With Chen Yongjie nearing his end, and the provocations from the New Arts faction, Qing Mu's retaliation, albeit drastic, makes sense."

Many expressed sympathy for Qing Mu, casting a critical eye towards the aggressors from the New Arts faction. However, a distinguished gentleman from the financial elite observed, "Many witness the outcome, few discern the root." He steered clear of the buzz, focusing on his imminent departure. His confidential sources hinted at the possibility that the leading figure of the New Arts faction was among the casualties. Such a revelation would have profound implications.

By morning, as guests prepared to leave, the undercurrent of whispered secrets became palpable.

"The head of the New Arts faction might be gone?!"

"Qing Mu's audacity is commendable. With a single blast, he exacted revenge. Old Chen, no doubt, found solace in this act of retribution. He can finally rest."

......

Early in the morning, Wang Xuan was summoned to Chen Mingtu's sickroom, where Old Chen was meticulously sharpening a fractured pale sword with his own dark blade.

"This sword is exceptional," Old Chen remarked, genuinely impressed. "When energized by super-materials, it's nearly as resilient as my black blade. It would effortlessly cleave through armor." When the golden-haired elder had depleted a significant amount of his super-materials during their confrontation, this sword had become inferior to the black one and was broken by Old Chen. The remnants were now in his possession.

"Last night, you combated the super-material armor barehanded, nearly meeting your end. Had you had a formidable weapon, it wouldn't have been so challenging," Old Chen informed Wang Xuan. He intended to melt down this silvery extraordinary blade and forge a weapon that Wang Xuan would find suitable. Such material was rare, imbued with mystical properties.

With a resonant clang, he attempted to segment the pale sword further, using his black blade. His intention was to alter its original form so that no one could recognize it as the renowned weapon of the leading figure from the New Arts faction. The idea appealed to Wang Xuan. Had he had a celestial blade the previous night, he wouldn't have experienced those perilous "24 seconds of near-death", and his fingernails wouldn't have been blown away.

Suddenly, as the black blade struck the pale broken one, an unusual sound echoed. The blade quivered, failing to cut through the remaining fragment. Old Chen, with his sharp instincts, set his black sword aside. Examining the dwindling pale blade, he discerned something amiss.

"Is there another sword?!" Even Old Chen was taken aback. The previous night, the golden-haired elder had drawn this extraordinary blade from a broadsword. Old Chen understood that it was a deliberate move by the opponent, an attempt to entrap him.

The discovery of a dagger concealed within the extraordinary sword left everyone dumbfounded. Qing Mu, equally puzzled, moved closer for a detailed inspection. "It seems... bronze," he commented.

Old Chen, trying to retrieve the hidden blade, found it securely fused inside the larger sword. Undeterred, he methodically worked on the pale broken blade to extract the concealed weapon. After considerable effort, Old Chen unveiled an ancient-styled dagger, barely a foot long. This short blade, reminiscent of a Early Qin artifact, had a heft that belied its size. With intricate patterns that spoke of a bygone era, the dagger's design was undeniably antique. Yet, its location deep within a contemporary weapon was an enigma.

Old Chen mused, "The pale sword, excavated from that mysterious region, concealed this dagger. It's evident that even the top figure of the New Arts faction was unaware of its existence."

He continued, "Its design clearly hails from the ancient world, perhaps the Early Qin period. However, its presence deep in space is a conundrum."

Intrigued, Wang Xuan tried cutting a fragment of the pale sword with the dagger, succeeding effortlessly.

"It's remarkable," Wang Xuan remarked. "Despite its bronze appearance, it can penetrate a transcendent weapon. It must be crafted from some extraordinary material."

Old Chen agreed. He gently tapped the dagger with his black sword, and both emitted a radiant glow, unscathed by the contact.

"An exceptional blade, its quality rivaling my own black sword. The original wielder must have been legendary," Old Chen remarked, clearly impressed. After a moment's admiration, he handed the dagger to Wang Xuan, "Keep it close. It holds immense potential."

Qing Mu added with a hint of astonishment, "It emanated a luminous glow earlier."

Nodding, Old Chen explained, "Indeed. That's a testament to its uniqueness. Just like my black sword, it possesses an aura that repels malign entities. Its mystical attributes are profound, and will require time to fully understand."

"Repels malign entities?" Wang Xuan inquired, curiosity evident in his voice.

"Throughout our expeditions, we've encountered numerous anomalies," Old Chen began. "Over the decades, I've faced my fair share of tribulations. Yet, there were instances when I encountered inexplicable entities and forces. My black sword was instrumental during those times, shielding me and causing the entities to dissipate upon contact."

Feeling the weight of the bronze dagger in his hand, Wang Xuan pondered its potential uses. With its compact size, it could easily be concealed in a boot or strapped to his forearm. "I'll have to craft a sheath for it," he mused.

Old Chen turned to Qing Mu, "As for the fragments of the pale sword, have them melted down and forged into a weapon for your personal use."

......

Upon stepping out of Old Chen's sickroom, Wang Xuan was met with an overcast sky. The dark, foreboding clouds were intermittently illuminated by streaks of lightning. He sighed softly, pondering on the imminent farewell with Old Chen and Qing Mu. When they'd meet next remained uncertain.

Suddenly, he paused, gazing intently at the clouds above. There seemed to be something amidst the clouds, a faint shimmering golden light, moving mysteriously. Its nebulous form conveyed a sense of sanctity.

Without hesitation, Wang Xuan dashed back into the sickroom. "Qing Mu, come to the window! There's something amidst the clouds!"

Taken aback, Qing Mu approached the window, looking up. However, he saw nothing but the dark clouds and the occasional lightning.

"It can't be an illusion," Wang Xuan asserted, "I saw it clearly - a hazy golden radiance, both majestic and serene. But it was just too far to discern clearly."

Old Chen, upon hearing this, leapt from his bed and rushed to the window, fixing his gaze on the heavens above. Yet, he too, was met with only the bleak canvas of clouds.

"I'm certain of what I saw," Wang Xuan whispered, a mixture of confusion and awe in his voice. "It was there, shimmering amidst the clouds, exuding an aura of profound mystique."

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