Chapter Fifty: Shadows of Arrows

Wujue was locked in a fierce battle when he heard An Yi calling from behind. Unexpectedly, they had managed to extricate themselves from their predicament and come to his aid. He silently recited a Buddhist prayer, warmth surging in his heart, quietly strengthening his resolve. His fighting spirit soared to new heights, and he launched himself into the fray, scattering the poison mutants before him.

Clearly, the Tianzhu Clan’s warship had not anticipated Wujue would have so many allies; they immediately adjusted their tactics. From the warship came a strange sonic resonance, as if summoning the monstrous insects lurking underground. In an instant, half the city seemed to collapse into chaos, the ground caving in as countless grotesque insect monsters surged forth in a frenzied rampage.

On the airship, Xiao Han stepped out and declared, “Trying to scare us? It won’t be that easy!” With a sudden dash, she jumped onto a hoverboard crafted for her by Xiao Yang and swooped down, weaving through the monsters and mowing them down with her machine gun.

Meanwhile, Xun’er remained in midair, piloting the airship. She stifled a yawn. “Honestly, you all get to go out and fight to your heart’s content, but I’m stuck here piloting the ship. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have bothered using sorcery to rescue you earlier.”

It turned out that Gaoli’s confidant had lured the three into the wilderness under Gao Lin’s name, drugged them, and captured them. The plan was to bring them back as hostages to threaten Wujue and Xiao Yang. But cunning Xun’er was immune to the sedative. Instead, she subdued their captor and forced him to send false information to Gaoli, reporting success while she secretly went to aid Wujue and the others.

Now, Xun’er used her sorcery to maneuver the airship above the battlefield, yawning as she surveyed the scene. “This is so dull. The balance of power is so one-sided, and those disgusting insects—how long is this going to take? Why don’t you all help out for a change?” With a wave of her hand, a cloud of red vapor shot from the ship’s particle cannon, enveloping the citizens under Gaoli’s command.

The people, suddenly inflamed with passion, ignored Gaoli’s orders and charged into the fray, joining the battle. The situation spiraled out of control as these citizens, fighting with wild abandon, showed no fear of the monstrous enemies. With Wujue and his companions leading the charge, the tide of battle completely reversed. The Tianzhu Clan retreated in defeat, their giant underground insects fleeing, while Wujue and An Yi pressed the attack, advancing into the warship itself.

The two stormed aboard, seeking the control room. They needed to destroy the virus-manufacturing facility as quickly as possible. According to past experience, each of the Tianzhu Clan’s warships held a nest-like chamber dedicated to cultivating vast quantities of viruses for seizing living hosts. Only by destroying this nest could they bring an end to the threat. As Wujue searched, he contacted Xiao Yang: “How’s it going on your end? Is Gao Lin out of danger?”

Xiao Yang replied, “Luckily you anticipated this move. A moment later and Gao Lin would have been done for. But don’t worry about me—tell me about your situation.”

After exchanging information, Xiao Yang used a backdoor he had left in the Tianzhu Clan’s system to access the warship’s controls, guiding Wujue and An Yi to their targets.

Soon, Wujue found the detention area and freed over a dozen unmutated compatriots. He then discovered the enemy armory, which contained hundreds of new weapons. Exchanging glances, Wujue and An Yi decided to loot it completely. Each grabbed an odd-looking weapon, and before they even figured out how to use it, one went off with a boom, blasting a huge hole in the wall.

The warship shuddered violently, and two more zombies lunged at them. Wujue dispatched them with a shot to the head, then dashed out of the room. Peering out of the new opening, he saw the core chamber just ahead.

They rushed inside. Disgusting viruses incubated within transparent tanks. Wujue turned to An Yi. “Get ready to withdraw. I’m going to destroy this place completely.”

He opened an escape route along the wall, letting An Yi climb out first. Grabbing two more weapons shaped like carved wooden totems, he stepped outside the warship, took aim at the core chamber, and fired.

Twin beams of dazzling light, each a different color, detonated the chamber, setting off a massive explosion. The shockwave hurled Wujue and An Yi into the air, and as they tumbled, they instinctively grasped each other’s hands. Embracing, they managed to stabilize themselves and landed together.

By chance, their landing spot was the commercial street depicted in the city’s drama. Wujue calmly patted An Yi, who blushed and stepped aside. They surveyed their surroundings—though the area was still in disarray, the battle was over.

The Tianzhu Clan had been utterly destroyed here. The citizens of Jiangzhou were exultant, cheering and celebrating. Some even lifted Xiao Han above the crowd, tossing her into the air to honor their heroes.

From a distance, Gaoli watched it all, his lips curling into a vicious sneer. He quietly ordered his men to strike at Gao Lin.

At that moment, in Gao Lin’s hospital room, a sinister hand pulled out his oxygen tube. Moments later, his heart monitor flatlined. The famed general and sharpshooter had breathed his last.

Wails of grief arose. Gaoli feigned agony, collapsing in tears. Facing the returning Wujue and An Yi, he cried out, “You have saved Jiangzhou in its hour of peril, and I am deeply grateful. But my brother lost his life because of you. I fear we cannot continue to cooperate. Whatever you need, I will provide, but I hope you will leave as soon as possible.”

“You…” Xiao Han was incensed by his ingratitude and tried to confront him, but Wujue held her back, saying, “That’s for the best. We are mere passersby here—leaving sooner is better. Benefactor Gao, please accept our condolences. If there’s nothing else, we’ll take our leave.”

Taking nothing with them, the four boarded the airship and departed under the longing gazes of Jiangzhou’s citizens.

Gaoli eyed those around him, noting the subtle shifts in their demeanor. Inwardly, he vowed, “Damn monk, sooner or later, we’ll settle accounts. Just wait—I’ll ruin your reputation yet. See how you survive elsewhere once your names are blackened.”

He summoned his confidant, instructing him to spread rumors on the survivors’ network: that a group of post-apocalyptic strongmen were swindling people under the guise of monks. The word spread quickly, and across the survivor networks of Huaxia, the reputations of Wujue and his companions were soon in tatters.

***

Half a day later, the dust had settled. Jiangzhou gradually regained its calm, as if nothing had changed.

In the old wooden cabin in the wilderness, Xiao Yang silently opened the door. Gao Lin sat inside, bathed in sunlight streaming through the window, squinting against the brightness.

“Why did you save me?” Gao Lin asked, blinking in the light.

Xiao Yang did not pause, but walked out and replied coolly, “Because I want to see what you become after your metamorphosis, Flying General.”

With that, he strode away to rejoin Wujue and the others waiting outside the mountain.

Gao Lin remained, gripping the bow and arrows Xiao Yang had given him, lost in thought.

Ten days later, a swift figure appeared once more in Jiangzhou, still wearing a mysterious cloak and mask, every arrow finding its mark. Some said the new Flying General had returned, but he called himself the Shadow Archer.

***

Regrouped, Wujue and his companions set out again, their journey in Jiangzhou leaving a bitter taste.

“What a pity we weren’t there,” Xiao Han complained. “We should have taught Gaoli a lesson.”

Xiao Yang chuckled, “No need. Let them deal with their family matters. I believe Gao Lin will take care of things himself.”

Then Xun’er suddenly remarked, “Doesn’t it seem strange to you? We were supposed to meet up with Huron and Terl, but they haven’t shown up. Should we try to contact them?”

Just then, Xiao Han exclaimed, “Oh no! When you left, I saw a message come in on the airship, but I didn’t know how to operate it, so I forgot to tell you!”

Xiao Yang said, “Really, you’re wasting our time. Let me see.”

He took a look—and was truly shocked.

The message was a video: a warning from Ghostface. He announced that Huron had fallen into their hands and demanded Wujue step forward like a man and atone for his brother’s sins.

Post-Apocalyptic Divine Warrior, Chapter 50: The Shadow Archer—Complete!