Chapter Forty-Nine: Counterattack

After successfully escorting Gao Lin back to safety, Gao Li was astonished to hear the news. He arrived with his men, retrieved Gao Lin, and at the same time placed Wu Jue and Xiao Yang under strict surveillance.

Among the entourage, some questioned whether the two were saboteurs, suspecting they were spies from the alien forces. Though Gao Li did not immediately take action against them, he had Wu Jue and Xiao Yang confined to a sealed room and only came to see them after a long while.

“At present, this is the situation: my younger brother was injured because of you,” Gao Li said, sitting before them with undisguised disdain. “It seems that our previous agreement will have to change. You must help us fight against the Celestial Execution Clan without compensation, until Jiangzhou City is completely reclaimed.”

Xiao Yang couldn’t help but laugh. “What do you mean—are you trying to force us to join you?”

Wu Jue countered, “Perhaps you should put it another way. Gao, do you truly believe victory is within your grasp?”

He fixed Gao Li with a steady gaze, waiting to see what decision he would make. Without Gao Lin’s support, Gao Li would have to rely on his own judgment—a temperament that might well push him to reckless action.

“Gao Lin is gravely injured. This is the perfect moment to boost morale. We should seize the opportunity and take the enemy’s territory in one decisive strike.” Gao Li grinned, exposing his teeth. “Didn’t you say yourself that the enemy has already infiltrated the underground tunnels? We have no time for hesitation.”

“This time, I want you both at the vanguard.” He produced two electronic necklaces and handed them over. “To ensure nothing goes wrong, you’ll wear these. If you refuse, I’ll give your friends’ information to the enemy. They’re on the desolate hills outside the city—only three of them.”

Seeing Gao Li’s shameless smile, Wu Jue finally saw through him—just a despicable scoundrel. He had already heard from his subordinates of Gao Lin’s rescue of Wu Jue, but had feigned ignorance until now, using the knowledge as leverage.

Xiao Yang picked up the electronic necklaces, laughing. “Miniature timed explosives—how creative. I suppose you’re afraid we might survive and want the option to kill us instantly.”

“Can you promise me one thing?” Wu Jue pressed his palms together and, in a sudden moment of clarity, said, “No matter who wins or loses, ensure your brother survives. He is the true savior of Jiangzhou City.”

Gao Li’s face darkened. With a flick of his sleeve, he left, saying, “That’s none of your concern. Get ready to fight.”

Left alone, Wu Jue and Xiao Yang fell into silence.

“It seems we have no choice but to fight with all we have,” Wu Jue said, picking up the electronic necklaces. He silently put one around his own neck, then—without a word—placed the other around Xiao Yang’s.

Xiao Yang, a step too slow, grew anxious. “Wu Jue, what are you doing? Do you think I can’t handle it?”

Wu Jue saluted with one hand. “Not at all. As the Buddha said, ‘If I do not descend into hell, who will?’ Xiao Yang, there are more important things for you to do. I’m deeply concerned about Gao Lin’s safety, and even more for An Yi and the others. You must ensure everyone survives.”

With that, he suddenly let out a great roar, striking the wooden table in the room and sending it flying. “You wretch—how dare you cause mischief here!”

With a thunderous blow, he smashed a gaping hole in the floor and motioned for Xiao Yang to escape.

Xiao Yang hesitated for barely an instant—every moment’s delay was a waste of their slim chances. He leaped down the hole to seek a way out.

Wu Jue, meanwhile, darted to the door, bracing himself against it to prevent anyone from entering. Then, with a sudden move, he flung it open and watched as a crowd tumbled in. “Xiao Yang has been slain by the monster. I must avenge him. When will you act?”

Gao Li stood among the crowd, leisurely smoking a cigar. He sneered, “Why not now?”

Wu Jue silently put on the sunglasses Xiao Yang had once given him, mounted the motorcycle the two had ridden together, and set off with resolute determination.

He rode with grim resolve, prepared to die, feeling a sense of reckless abandon.

He reached the city’s boundary with no resistance, near the commercial district. There, the insectoid monsters that had lain in ambush began to gather in formation and attack.

Wu Jue displayed no emotion as he produced his shotgun, calmly dispatching foes, breaking through, and surging forward.

Passing the spot where Gao Lin was wounded, he saw blood still wet on the ground. Disgusting centipedes were feasting on the remains; reflexively, Wu Jue fired a shot, blasting one to pieces.

“Come then, damn Celestial Execution Clan—let this monk have a good fight today.” The old battle-fury surged up through his numbness.

Just as he was about to break through the commercial district, he suddenly stood up on the seat of his motorcycle and looked up at the terrifying airship looming in the sky. With a furious leap and a roar, Wu Jue’s figure seemed to swell with power.

A mighty aura shielded him, forming around him like a golden bell. With a thunderous crash, he slammed into the airship, unleashing a shockwave that sent countless monsters tumbling from its hull.

Thus began the slaughter.

The fight was as repetitive and numbing as ever.

Wu Jue fought tirelessly against the monsters, buying time for Xiao Yang and the others.

If he could bring down this airship, all would be resolved—he could only hope Xiao Yang would save Gao Lin.

Inside the airship, the mutated beasts fled in terror, clearly cowed by Wu Jue’s ferocity.

When victory seemed within reach, the crab-like airship suddenly transformed, coming alive in an instant. The insectoid monsters that had escaped were sucked back inside, and the airship itself seemed to condense into a single, gigantic beast. It appeared before Wu Jue, waving two blood-red pincers and lunging at him.

Wu Jue showed no fear. He fired his gun—bang, bang, bang—but the bullets bounced harmlessly off. Fortunately, his golden bell aura shielded him from harm, but now he was locked in a desperate struggle.

Out of ammunition, Wu Jue drew his trusty staff. After so long, he spun it with renewed vigor, unleashing powerful strikes against the monstrous pincers, which screeched with the sound of metal on metal.

Bang, bang—the giant crab was forced back several times. Then came the mechanical voice: “Despicable Earthling, will you never cease your resistance?”

Wu Jue’s expression did not change. “To protect the world from evil, I will never show mercy!”

With a furious roar, he charged forward, breaking through the pincers, closing in on the beast, and raining down blows with his staff.

To his surprise, the staff easily dented the hull, creating deep pits. From these pits, a dozen or so purple-black figures sprang forth, quickly encircling Wu Jue.

Instantly, he was surrounded, attacked from all sides, while the crab’s pincers continued their relentless assault from above.

In this perilous moment, Gao Li, who had promised to watch the battle from behind, made no move to help.

A subordinate asked if they should intervene, lest Wu Jue’s efforts be wasted.

Gao Li sneered, “No! I’ll wait until both sides are exhausted. Only then will the time be right.”

“Unfortunately, we can’t wait any longer!” A voice called from the sky. Out of nowhere, an airship surged forward.

Atop it stood a valiant woman, spear raised high. “Wu Jue, playing the hero again without me? This is when you need our help!”

It was Princess An Yi, leading her forces into the fray. She leaped into the air, hurled her spear with a cry, piercing the crab’s pincer and impaling one of the venomous foes behind it.

The sight was magnificent, stunning all who witnessed it.