Blade - Unbound

Chapter 90: The Ferocious Maitreya Meat Mountain

Shock filled Li Yan's eyes as he asked, “What kind of evil technique is this?”

Indeed, the man was not merely obese. The throwing knife Li Yan had hurled had contained hidden force. It might not be able to split mountains or cleave rocks, but it should have pierced flesh and blood effortlessly. Yet, the man's fat had trembled and somehow dispersed the force contained within the knife.

A Jin Transformation Realm expert could certainly achieve something similar, but not like this. This technique was utterly unheard of.

“It’s a technique passed down from the early Daoists...” Luo Mingzi's eyes were filled with caution. “He knows the Maitreya Brahma Roar. He must be one of the sixty four Incense Masters! Ordinary techniques won't work on him, we need to attack his lower body!”

With his extensive experience, he immediately identified Mountain Lord's weakness. The Enforcement Hall had no shortage of powerful ritualists. Against an opponent of this caliber, they could normally establish an altar, engage in ritual combat, or summon spirit troops to capture him. Unfortunately, those specialists had all been injured down below.

Those who had come this time specialized primarily in close combat, using mystic arts only as support. Their spells could be disrupted by the Maitreya Brahma Roar. Meanwhile, their opponent possessed a bizarre physical body. Attacking his upper body was ineffective, and any opening he exploited would be fatal.

Their only option was to attack his legs.

Without hesitation, Luo Mingzi and the remaining Daoist immediately charged forward with swords drawn. The stones before Mountain Lord had all been cleared away, yet he paid them no attention. Standing where he was, he merely watched them with disdain.

The two Daoists arrived in an instant. One leaped into the air and thrust his sword toward Mountain Lord's eyes.

Sword light flashed brilliantly, dazzling the observer. The move was called Immortal Points the Way. However, the version used by the Daoist contained subtle variations. Though it appeared to be a feint, it was actually a blend of orthodox and unorthodox techniques.

It threatened the eyes, throat, and numerous other vital points simultaneously, adapting according to the opponent's response.

As the saying went, “The dazzling confusion obscures the eyes; when the immortal points the way, only one path is real.”

Yet his fierce sword technique was merely a distraction. While Mountain Lord's vision was occupied by the incoming sword, Luo Mingzi followed closely behind. He was perfectly concealed behind the first Daoist.

They were performing a combined combat technique derived from the Mysterious Gate Hidden Stem. Even if the opponent possessed extraordinary eyesight, a blind spot would inevitably appear during combat. Luo Mingzi was using his companion as cover, hiding his own movements.

This technique was known as the Hidden Stem Sword Formation. It could be employed by two people, but it was even more powerful with three or more. If enough practitioners participated, they could even utilize magical artifacts to gather the surrounding astral qi and killing qi, forming a spirit field!

Using this ingenious concealment, Luo Mingzi silently circled around to flank Mountain Lord. Then, he slashed at the man’s leg tendons.

Mountain Lord was an enormous man. Even if he looked down, his massive belly completely blocked any hint of Luo Mingzi approaching. Yet despite his size, his upper body was astonishingly agile.

As the Daoist performed Immortal Points the Way, he twisted his head and leaned to the side. Then, he grabbed the incoming sword with his massive left hand, utterly unconcerned about the razor-sharp blade.

At the same time, his right hand swung the spiked club behind him. It let out a terrifying howl as it smashed straight at Luo Mingzi.

Luo Mingzi's expression instantly changed. In battle, a person's first instinct was to avoid harm. However, that instinct often led directly into greater danger.

Many combat techniques were built around the same principle.

Strike left to force a dodge, then attack right. The opponent's evasive movement had created an opening, yet Luo Mingzi never expected that his enemy would take a hit just so he could counterattack.

His strike could sever Mountain Lord's leg tendons, but the club would smash his skull into pulp.

Left with no choice, Luo Mingzi stamped down hard to change direction at the last moment. With a beautiful flip, he narrowly avoided the club.

But the Daoist attacking from above was not so fortunate. His sword had been caught by Mountain Lord. Instinctively, he pulled backward, hoping to use the edge of the blade to slice off the man's hand entirely.

However, Mountain Lord's grip contained hidden force. Moreover, his strength far exceeded that of ordinary men. The pressure bent the sword, and the Daoist felt as though his weapon had become embedded in solid rock. No matter how hard he pulled, it would not move even half an inch.

In the next instant, tremendous force yanked the weapon away from him. If he continued holding on, the giant would simply hurl him against a wall.

Forced to release the sword, the Daoist moved a little too slowly. Mountain Lord's yank had disrupted his balance in midair. After forcing Luo Mingzi back with the club, Mountain Lord immediately swung the weapon upward again, aiming for the airborne Daoist.

At that critical moment, Mountain Lord’s movements stuttered. He abandoned the killing strike, twisting his head to avoid a throwing knife aimed directly at his eye.

Li Yan had seized the opportunity and hurled yet another throwing knife, distracting Mountain Lord for long enough to save the Daoist’s life. Twisting in midair, the Daoist unleashed hidden force and kicked Mountain Lord's belly. He used the recoil to launch himself backward.

Looking at Mountain Lord again, he discovered the fat chief beggar had only taken a single step backward. The fat across his stomach rippled like water, rapidly dispersing the force. Even after receiving the full impact of a kick filled with hidden force, he appeared completely unharmed.

Luo Mingzi now stood behind Mountain Lord while Li Yan and the Daoist stood before him. They had effectively formed a pincer attack, but unlike what they would have believed, Mountain Lord remained entirely calm.

Raising his bloody left hand, he slapped his own stomach, violently shaking his fat. The throwing knife Li Yan had launched earlier was expelled from the wound. The opening itself was packed with greasy yellow fat and had already stopped bleeding.

Luo Mingzi's expression darkened. “Be careful. This guy is already a Jin Transformation Realm expert.”

So that's it.

Li Yan finally understood. The man had already reached the next level. Combined with that bizarre layer of flesh, he was practically a living fortress. His offense and defense were both extraordinary.

Had he been a little faster, someone would likely have died during the first exchange.

After driving back the three attackers, Mountain Lord did not give chase. He simply stood where he was, lazily swinging the club while examining them with narrowed eyes. It was as though he were waiting for them to attack again.

At that moment, Li Yan's vision blurred and the illusion returned. The old man he had seen earlier was now filled with despair. The ragged cloth sack covering his head had grown even larger, looking ready to engulf his entire head.

The vision vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.

Li Yan roared, “He’s stalling because he’s almost finished obtaining the treasure.”

The moment Luo Mingzi heard those words, he attacked again. This time, however, his target wasn't Mountain Lord. Instead, he sought to knock away the cloth satchel lying on the ground behind him.

“Scram!”

Mountain Lord's smile disappeared as the fat on his face twisted into a savage expression. His tiny eyes gleamed fiercely. With a sweep of the club, he drove Luo Mingzi back.

The three immediately understood that Li Yan's judgment was correct; the fat chief beggar was purely buying time. Once he secured the treasure, he would no longer need to hold back.

At that point, a desperate battle could easily become deadly for them all. The Daoist beside Li Yan picked up the sword of his unconscious companion and charged once more. Working together with Luo Mingzi, they continued the assault.

Li Yan also harassed Mountain Lord whenever opportunities appeared, buying time for Luo Mingzi.

Mountain Lord no longer held back as he battled the trio. The fat across his body trembled continuously as his club spun through the air with terrifying force. He no longer defended himself and repeatedly drove them back.

In the other cavern, the sounds of battle had already ceased. Blood flowed across the floor as more than ten men dressed in black lay dead. They were short in stature, with unusually broad hands resembling rakes. All had been disciples of the old grave robber.

Gu Chenzi and the others were in poor condition as well. A layer of red moss had covered their faces. They sat cross-legged on the ground, powerless, glaring at their opponent.

Against the wall of the cavern was another exposed section of the Mountain Tai Sui with numerous red stakes driven into it. Red cords were wrapped around the stakes, binding strings of copper coins.

That was clearly some sort of treasure-binding technique. The treasure-hunter of the hidden seekers lineage, Old Crooked Mo, had also collapsed on the ground with his face covered with the same red moss.

Despite his appearance, he appeared remarkably relaxed. Shaking his head, he sighed. “Why must you all press so hard? This old man never wanted to offend the Taixuan Orthodox Sect. After years of grave robbing, too much corpse poison has accumulated in my body. Without this treasure, I won't survive the year.

“Don't worry. This Earth Blood Garment was also crafted from a heavenly treasure. It won't kill anyone. In another half-stick of incense's time, the effects will naturally fade.”

Gu Chenzi and the others were furious. The old man was incredibly cunning. He had sacrificed his disciples to delay them while secretly poisoning them with a strange toxin derived from a heavenly treasure.

The poison was colorless and odorless. By the time they discovered it, they were already affected.

The eldest among them, Luo Fengzi, spoke coldly. “You're courting death. Once our fellow Daoists break through the arrangements on the other side, do you really think you'll escape?”

Old Crooked Mo laughed. “You think I'd cooperate with just any random fool? The chief of the western beggars is Chu Shan. He’s one of the Maitreya Sect's sixty four Incense Masters.”

“The legendary mountain spirit?” Luo Fengzi had clearly heard the name before and his expression changed. “Nonsense! Rumors say Chu Shan is covered in black hair and hunched over like an ape. He died long ago. That Beggar Gang leader is covered in fat; how can they be the same person?”

“You can't be blamed.” Old Crooked Mo shook his head. “I almost failed to recognize him myself. If he hadn't used the Maitreya Brahma Roar to break my techniques, I never would have connected the two.

“At the height of the Maitreya Sect's power, their sixty four Incense Masters were distributed throughout the Divine Continent according to the sixty four hexagrams. They gathered secret arts from Buddhism, Daoism, Shamanism, and countless other traditions.

“If not for insiders within the court stirring things up, how could they have all gathered in the Guanzhong Plains and been wiped out in one battle?”

Luo Fengzi narrowed his eyes. “You know about that?”

Old Crooked Mo sneered. “There are no truly airtight walls in this world. Poor people of the Guanzhong Plains, they died without ever knowing it was all a setup.”

Luo Fengzi sighed. Closing his eyes, he said nothing further.

Smacking his lips, Old Crooked Mo continued, “Back during the Qin and Han eras, the early Daoists researched immortality and created many bizarre techniques. One of them required eating human flesh and rotting meat.

“The corpse poison then accumulated within the body, creating massive layers of fat that the practitioner could then manipulate through hidden force. That is the crux of the Maitreya Meat Mountain. No one knows what Chu Shan experienced, but he actually cultivated the technique.

“He transformed himself into a creature that can’t be considered man nor ghost. Every new moon and full moon, corpse poison erupts throughout his body, covering him with warts from head to toe. The pain is unimaginable!

“If he hadn’t suffered like that, why would he have abandoned everything and hidden himself in the mass grave? He's already entered the Jin Transformation Realm, and cultivated the Maitreya Meat Mountain...

“Your companions are probably already dead.”

Gu Chenzi cursed furiously, “Bullshit!”

Old Crooked Mo smiled. “You should worry about yourselves. Just because I'm not making a move doesn't mean Chu Shan will spare you. But don't worry too much, I anticipated your arrival. This Earth Blood Garment was prepared specifically for you. When the time comes, I'll be borrowing all of you to leave the mass grave. Hahaha!”

Luo Fengzi suddenly opened his eyes. “Human greed knows no limits. With a heavenly treasure before him, do you really think Chu Shan will spare you?”

Old Crooked Mo grinned smugly. “I would have been worried before entering this place. I even prepared methods specifically to deal with Chu Shan. But after arriving here, I no longer have any concerns.

“This Mountain Tai Sui... It's far greater than I ever imagined.”

***

Within the other cavern, Li Yan's expression had grown increasingly grim. The Mountain God formed from the Mountain Tai Sui had sought his help before. Now, however, it had fallen completely silent.

Even the flesh covering the ground had stopped writhing. That meant the treasure extraction was nearing completion.

Chu Shan's cultivation was formidable. That, in combination with the bizarre fat covering his body, had allowed him to abandon defense entirely. Though wounds now covered him from head to toe, he still managed to force them back again and again.

On the other side, Luo Mingzi finally noticed another weakness. Although Chu Shan's body was riddled with injuries, the scent coming from him resembled rotting meat. Even his blood had turned blackish-green.

A thought immediately occurred to him. While continuing to harass Chu Shan with his sword, his left hand formed rapid hand seals behind his back. He had used the technique once before against Zheng Heibei, the Daoist Palm Lightning.

Lightning techniques were the most powerful of the various Daoist arts, and came in countless types. Harnessing the transformations of yin and yang, they suppressed all evil beneath heaven with unparalleled force.

Of course, the true lightning techniques capable of summoning heavenly lightning required days of ritual ceremonies and favorable timing and terrain.

Luo Mingzi could only use an introductory version. By forcing astral qi and killing qi to collide, he generated a transformation between yin and yang. Its greatest effect was disrupting an opponent's qi flow.

When Zheng Heibei had been struck by lightning, all the spirits inhabiting his body had been dispersed. The fat covering Chu Shan's body was clearly some kind of evil technique. If he could get rid of it, the others would gain the opening they needed.

Fortunately, Chu Shan had only awakened his Body Root. He could not sense the changes in qi occurring behind Luo Mingzi.

Luo Mingzi charged in once more, but this time, he suddenly threw away his Seven Star sword. The weapon flew straight at the ragged cloth satchel lying on the ground.

Chu Shan was startled. “How dare you?!”

He swung his spiked club to intercept it.

Clang!

The sword was knocked aside, but that had been Luo Mingzi's intention all along. The moment Chu Shan moved to block the sword, an opening appeared in his chest.

Luo Mingzi immediately seized the opportunity and struck with his palm. Not only did his strike contain lightning, it also brought with it the hidden force he had gathered. Exactly as he had predicted, the fat around Chu Shan's chest ceased rippling and a sharp snap rang through the cavern.

With his breastbone shattered, Chu Shan staggered backward in pain. Yet at the same moment, his left hand lashed out.

Luo Mingzi roared, “Now!”

He managed to roar right before Chu Shan's furious slap sent him flying. Crashing into the wall behind him with a loud blast, he spat blood and immediately lost consciousness.

At the same time, Li Yan and the remaining Daoist attacked. Knowing the Enforcement Hall Daoist posed the greater threat, Chu Shan endured the pain and swung his club at him.

Meanwhile, Li Yan rolled to the right where the sword Chu Shan had previously bent lay.

Grabbing it, Li Yan closed the distance to Chu Shan as quickly as he could. He aimed for the wound previously opened by his throwing knife and drove the blade straight in.

“ARGH!”

The strike pierced deep into Chu Shan's internal organs. His face twisted in pain, but he slammed the club down, smashing Li Yan heavily into the ground.

Blood sprayed from Li Yan's lips, but a cold smile appeared at the corner of his lips. He kicked the sword hilt protruding from Chu Shan's belly with all his strength, forcing a massive gash to split open across Chu Shan's stomach.

Rippp!

The twisted sword tore right through the fat chief beggar. It flew free after exiting his back, taking half of his intestines with it.

The Enforcement Hall Daoist had been fully focused on his opponent the entire time. Now, when both Luo Mingzi and Li Yan had both taken injuries to create an opening, he naturally wouldn't waste the opportunity.

Rolling sideways, he grabbed the bent sword that still had Chu Shan’s intestines hanging off it. Ordinarily, the blade's edge would have severed the intestines, but the Daoist had no intention of letting Chu Shan off like that. He used Taiji Silk-Reeling Force through his wrist while retreating rapidly.

The result was horrifying. A large length of Chu Shan's intestines was dragged out of his body. Even then, Chu Shan refused to die.

Going completely insane as he realized his life was nearly over, he raised his club and charged after the Daoist. He intended to kill him before death claimed him.

“You turn!”

The Daoist was clever. Yelling once, he dragged Chu Shan's intestines behind him and fled out of the cavern.

It was partly to ensure Chu Shan's death, but more so to buy Li Yan time.

In the blink of an eye, only the unconscious Luo Mingzi and Li Yan remained in the cavern.

Li Yan no longer concealed anything as the injuries across his body rapidly healed. He immediately reached for the cloth satchel on the ground.

The moment his hand touched it, his expression changed. A torrent of energy poured out from within the satchel and into his body. The Great Luo Dharma Body inside him, which had previously been covered in massive cracks, began recovering at incredible speed.

Moreover, the energy seemed endless! The damage on the Great Luo Dharma Form vanished almost instantly.

Spiritual treasure?! This filthy, tattered cloth satchel is actually this extraordinary?

Li Yan's vision blurred once more as the old Mountain God reappeared.

This time, the vision lasted longer. The old Mountain God clasped his hands and bowed repeatedly, but like before, the fear and pleading in his eyes remained. In fact, it became even more intense.