Chapter 113: The Hero’s Return Amidst Turmoil

Li Qingshan… Is he coming back?!

At the Fisher Gang headquarters, an eerie silence suddenly fell.

The Fisher Gang leader—with his twisted beard and piercing, leopard-like eyes—instantly grew grave.

“Spring Equinox is near. The Divine Sect Branch is about to start recruiting disciples at the mountain gate, and Li Qingshan is indeed due back,” he declared.

The boss exhaled deeply and leaned back in his Taishi chair.

“No wonder the Divine Sect Branch has been so quiet lately—they’ve been waiting for Li Qingshan’s return. Besides, once he’s back, with his temperament, he won’t be any easier to handle than Ogre. And since we’ve been getting chummy with the Corpse God Sect lately… we’re sure to attract that bastard’s attention!”

Jing Wudao, the Fisher Gang leader, wore a somber expression as worry filled his mind.

His rage at Ogre’s provocations gradually subsided. After all, Ogre could only threaten the lower ranks of the Fisher Gang; our top brass remained untouched.

But Li Qingshan was a different story.

This guy was renowned on Yunzhou’s Divine Foundation Chart—even if his foundation was merely complete, it was a ‘Six Departments’ level 【Xuan Si Lei Zhen Zhu Xie】 Divine Foundation!

Mastering the Six Departments Divine Foundation Technique was a testament to his innate talent and profound inner strength.

Coupled with his perfected body cultivation at the Master level, even Illusory Form experts weren’t safe from his crushing blows!

Though the Illusory Form is part of the Divine Appearance stage, it pales compared to the true echelon. Its hold over the Divine Foundation isn’t absolute.

There were already countless Illusory Form practitioners who had fallen at Li Qingshan’s hands.

True Divine Appearance cultivators dared not act lightly—even though top talents of the Divine Sect Branch had entered the Four Mandate Prince Temple, no one was about to treat the Divine Sect Branch as if it were defunct.

Li Qingshan had been dispatched by the Divine Sect Branch as their enforcer, specifically targeting the noble families and sects of Jingguang City.

Mainly, once he struck, his foes scarcely dared retaliate.

That was incredibly infuriating.

“What bad luck!”

Jing Wudao cursed furiously, utterly exasperated.

He wasn’t exactly afraid of Li Qingshan—after all, as a genuine novice at the Divine Appearance stage, Li Qingshan was no match for him.

Yet for the Fisher Gang, if Li Qingshan really went on a rampage, they’d be hard-pressed to cope.

“Luckily… luckily, Ogre and Li Qingshan aren’t on the same side.”

“Otherwise, with Ogre zeroing in on Fisher Gang cultivators bearing the Corpse Curse Seal and Li Qingshan joining in, our gang would be torn to pieces.”

Jing Wudao shook his head.

Deputy Leader Liu Jinsong, seated nearby, furrowed his brow—after all, the Fisher Gang’s welfare was their own.

They thrived and suffered together.

“Boss, have you been in touch with any top experts from the Corpse God Sect? How did Ogre manage to locate those with the Corpse Curse Seal? Until we clear this up, his threat will hang over us, and no one will dare trust the Corpse God Sect’s promises again.”

Liu Jinsong said gravely.

“The Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince temple at the Bizarre Temple has erupted into chaos. Most of the Divine Appearance talents from the Divine Sect Branch, Temple Guardian Division, Imperial Watch, and Jingguang City have all gone to investigate. This period should have been the Corpse God Sect’s prime opportunity to infiltrate Jingguang City… but then came Ogre…”

Jing Wudao shook his head. “Do you really think the 【Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince】 Bizarre Temple erupted on its own? It wasn’t even time for a scheduled uprising. All these sudden incidents are driven by someone behind the scenes.”

“All the top experts from the Corpse God Sect who infiltrated Jingguang City have gone to the Third Prince Temple as well.”

“But this is a Four Mandate Bizarre Temple…”

“There are too many schemers… Think about it: the reason the Qianyuan Divine Sect holds a prime spot among the Eleven Paths of Dajing and the Lingnan Divine Sect is precisely because of that Four Mandate Bizarre Temple it subdued…”

“Supposedly subdued, but in reality, they coexist with the temple to bolster their own legitimacy!”

A sharp glimmer flickered in Jing Wudao’s leopard-like eyes.

He exhaled, as if sensing the topic had strayed, and steered the conversation back.

“That Ogre—a clownish figure—won’t be running around for much longer. The Corpse God Sect has dispatched an Eight Extremes Corpse God Envoy all the way from the Yunzhou Capital. He’s a genuine Divine Appearance cultivator, armed with a divine weapon designed to counter relocation techniques and a talisman that seals off the void…”

“If Ogre dares to act up again, his wings will be clipped for sure!”

Jing Wudao slammed his hand onto the desk.

“Seriously, is there really no one who can rein in that Ogre?”

Deputy Leader Liu Jinsong and Lei Laoqi eased their furrowed brows at his words.

That settled things.

An Eight Extremes Corpse God Envoy had been dispatched personally, armed with a divine weapon designed to counter relocation techniques.

Everyone…

Finally, we can sit down and share in the spoils!

……

……

Li Che finished his practice and was now crafting a ‘Dragon Tooth Bodhi’ bullet inside the workshop.

This thing was incredibly tricky; the previous bullet had taken over half a month to carve on the journey from Feilei City to the Capital.

Now, although Li Che’s 【Xiangong】 Dao Fruit had improved dramatically—and his first bullet experience had boosted his production speed—it was still not exceptionally fast.

After meticulously polishing for a while, Li Che finally exhaled in relief.

“The second ‘Dragon Tooth Bodhi’ is complete! With Xiangong Barrett operational at last, my gun is loaded again!”

In high spirits, Li Che neatly stowed away the artisanal ‘Dragon Tooth Bodhi.’

After a lazy stretch, he left the workshop.

When Shangguan Qinghong saw Li Che emerge, her eyes lit up. “Brother Li, can I crash at your place for a meal today? I’ve been craving Sister-in-law’s cooking!”

Ever since Shangguan Qinghong had confessed her true feelings—wanting Li Che to be like a father figure—the girl had adopted an all-or-nothing attitude, practically treating him as such.

After Li Che brought her home for a meal and she savored Zhang Ya’s cooking, her nerve only thickened. Now she barreled into his house daily, leaving work as if she were homeward bound.

“Are you ever not crashing for a meal?” Li Che retorted grumpily.

“Just pay your share.”

But Shangguan Qinghong burst into laughter; she knew Li Che was teasing—after all, to them, trivialities like gold and silver meant nothing.

After a quick tidy-up, Li Che left the Imperial Watch with his persistent shadow, Shangguan Qinghong.

Just as he stepped off the ancient stone steps, he encountered the thoroughly intoxicated Liu He and Hai Chuanying.

“Yo, Brother Li, heading home after work again? How about joining us for a trip to Yunfang Fang today? You’ve had plenty of chances, yet you never go…” Liu He warmly invited him.

Enjoying street performances—isn’t that the staple for us Imperial Watch officials?

Except for Li Che, the odd one out.

Every day he dashed home after work like he was about to be devoured by the women at Yunfang Fang.

“Haha, maybe another day,” Li Che replied with a laugh, clenching his fists and nodding to Liu He and Hai Chuanying.

Both shook their heads. With Li Che always postponing, who knew when he’d ever get any action?

“Then I’ll be waiting, Brother Li… don’t break your promise,” Liu He called out.

Liu He and Hai Chuanying left laughing.

Li Che shook his head—those two were truly at ease.

“Typical third-ranking Imperial Watch officials, after years of slacking off—enjoying street performances and casual drinks—have no ambition to advance to the second rank,” he mused.

“To climb to second rank, one must master the ‘Dajing Imperial Watch Seven Yuan Divine Eagle Technique’ to its pinnacle… a feat so formidable that both divine secret techniques and martial arts must reach their ultimate forms—it’s just too hard.”

“Knowing their chances were slim, they’ve chosen to simply enjoy life and devote more energy to indulgence and divine cultivation.”

Shangguan Qinghong, seeing right through Liu He and the others, scoffed.

“Brother Li, steer clear of Yunfang Fang—it’s too unsavory, a mixed crowd of all sorts…”

Li Che smiled.

Would Li Che really be that kind of guy?

The two passed down Long Street and returned to Tinghua Alley.

The surveillance agents planted by the Black Snake Gang hadn’t withdrawn—in fact, their numbers were steadily increasing.

Li Che had not yet dealt with the Black Snake Gang, choosing instead to dismantle other factions under the Fisher Gang first, all to confuse the situation and quash any notion that Ogre was truly his doing.

That notion had now been thoroughly dispelled.

If Li Che wished, he could wipe out the Black Snake Gang in an instant.

After all, the Black Snake Gang was no match for Bailang Hall.

His steps faltered slightly as a frown crossed his face. He sensed that today, the number of agents planted by the Black Snake Gang had spiked nearly tenfold, and there was the aura of hidden power.

A cold glimmer flashed in Li Che’s eyes as he silently returned to the small courtyard in the alley.

“Wow! Sister Qinghong!”

As soon as she entered the courtyard, XiXi—who had been practicing boxing—broke into a joyful run, using it as an excuse to skip training!

Old Chen, at his wit’s end, declared a break and sat aside to drink.

Shangguan Qinghong shouted in reply to XiXi, and the duo—big and small—bounced around the courtyard, stomping their feet.

“Qinghong’s here? I just need to whip up one more dish, and dinner’s served,” said Zhang Ya as she emerged from the house, greeting the dinner-crashing Shangguan Qinghong with a gentle smile.

She had always been a very gentle woman.

Moreover, it was evident that her husband had little interest in Shangguan Qinghong—he treated her more like a daughter.

Ever since Zhang Ya had heard about Shangguan Qinghong’s background at the dinner table, her maternal instincts had gone into overdrive.

Shangguan Qinghong hailed from one of the five great noble families of the Capital—the prestigious Shangguan Family. Her father, the family head, a nearly century-old man, had forced a maid to bear her.

After her birth, both mother and daughter were neglected and faced endless hardships.

Shangguan Zhengheng felt no affection for them—in fact, there was even a sense of disgust. When Qinghong was six and her mother died, she was nearly cast out of the Shangguan family, left to wander the streets alone.

Fortunately, she was noticed by Monitor Lin Xiu of the Imperial Watch, who took her in as a disciple, securing her a modest position within the Shangguan family as she slowly grew up.

Zhang Ya was extremely fond of Shangguan Qinghong and didn’t mind her mooching for meals at all.

Shangguan Qinghong dared to shamelessly crash for meals simply because Zhang Ya doted on her, and XiXi loved playing with her.

After the meal, Shangguan Qinghong stayed in the courtyard to play with XiXi.

Li Che entered the study.

He lit an oil lamp, watching its gentle, flickering flame.

After securing the study, Li Che’s pupils began to emit a faint, white mist.

The embryonic form of his divine power took shape—Spiritual Confinement!

Countless shards of divine energy coalesced into the figure of Lin Da, merging with the carved 【Xuan Si Liu Wood Form】 that Li Che had fashioned in his own image. In the flickering lamplight, a shadow was cast as though sculpting a wooden effigy.

The restrained divine energy merged with the Xuan Si Liu Wood Form, making it nearly indistinguishable from Li Che.

It was almost a perfect wooden double.

Having completed all this, Li Che brought his index finger together and sliced through the air.

He donned his conical hat, pulled on his Cute Cow Mask, draped himself in a black robe, and gripped a white Divine Chess Piece tightly.

In an instant, he vanished from the study.

……

……

The night was oppressive as dark clouds churned overhead.

Rumbling clouds collided, spawning fleeting electric flashes like coiled serpents.

Outside Jingguang City, along the official road,

several modest carriages raced along.

Drivers whipped their reins as steeds, exhaling bursts of heat, galloped rapidly down the broad road.

Li Qingshan lay on Granny Mu’s lap as she gently stroked his head.

Granny Mu read aloud a secret letter that had arrived from the Capital.

“Ogre has struck again—wiping out Bailang Hall, a faction under the Fisher Gang. The hall’s leader and deputy were killed, their bodies dismembered into countless pieces in a display of unparalleled brutality.”

“Intelligence indicates that both the leader and deputy of Bailang Hall bore the Corpse Curse Seal. The hall’s leader even worshipped the Corpse God, practicing corpse techniques, slaughtering innocent women and feasting on the flesh of thirty-six victims…”

“You beasts!”

Granny Mu couldn’t help but curse aloud.

“Thank goodness for Ogre the hero!”

“Why is the Capital still in such disarray?”

Resting on her lap, Li Qingshan opened his eyes slightly and sneered, “Chaos is the norm… With a Four Mandate Bizarre Temple situated outside Jingguang City, peace is never in the cards.”

“Among Yunzhou’s four Prefectures, the Corpse God Sect first targets Jingguang Prefecture. Not only because its noble families and sects breed ambition, but also because of that Four Mandate Bizarre Temple.”

“Standing on the temple to establish a divine order… What audacity!”

Li Qingshan sighed.

“The emergence of the Four Mandate Bizarre Temple near Jingguang Prefecture is both a blessing and a curse.”

Granny Mu’s expression shifted repeatedly before she finally shook her head in resignation.

“It turns out… no matter where you go, it’s all chaotic.”

“Where in the world is there ever true peace?”

Li Qingshan sat up and wrapped his arms around Granny Mu, saying, “But rest assured, as long as I’m here, you’ll be safe.”

“Even if chaos reigns, I’ll carve out peace for you.”

Granny Mu gazed at him dreamily, her eyes dimming slightly, “I’m old, and my Divine Foundation holds no promise. You, on the other hand, are destined for the Divine Appearance—and beyond.”

“As for me, I’m likely destined to perish.”

“So, I only wish to spend peaceful days with you…”

Li Qingshan stared out the window, utterly lost in thought.

After a long pause, he kissed Granny Mu’s forehead.

“Don’t worry—I’ll watch every sunset with you.”

Suddenly.

Granny Mu struggled to free herself from his embrace and fixed her gaze on him, “No, I don’t need that.”

“You are Li Qingshan; you need not change for my sake. I know one person’s strength is limited in cleansing this corrupt world, but I hope you remain true to the spirit you had when you first ventured into the martial world.”

“I hope you can live with a clear conscience! Use your hammer… smash all those disgusting bastards to death!”

“Just like what Ogre is doing now.”

Li Qingshan was momentarily stunned.

Then he burst into laughter and, in a carefree manner, planted a big kiss on Granny Mu.

“No wonder I’ve cherished this woman for so long!”

“I knew from the moment I entered the martial world that I was smitten with you!”

The next moment.

Li Qingshan leaped from the carriage onto its roof as it barreled along. With wind howling around him, he stood like a javelin, hands on his hips, his robes clinging and billowing behind him!

He glanced at the driver, who promptly halted the reins.

“Master Feng,” the driver said respectfully.

“See that these prodigies are safely delivered into the city, arrange their accommodations, and have them ready for the sect assessment at Spring Equinox.”

“Once inside, Lu Chi will have his people contact you.”

The driver cupped his fists, “Alright.”

Li Qingshan laughed, his eyes fixed on the serene, dark silhouette of Jingguang City.

His gaze shifted toward the raging Jiulong River, where the terrifying Four Mandate Bizarre Temple loomed, as if warping time and space in the river’s heart.

Drawing his gaze back, Li Qingshan pointed his toe and sprang forth like a soaring hawk. Mid-leap, a Cat Face Mask suddenly covered his face.

With a flick of his loose sleeve, a Goat-Horn Hammer slid into his grasp, crackling with arcs of lightning as he clenched it.

Indeed.

Li Qingshan had returned.

Though he couldn’t cleanse the entire city’s corruption, he would do his utmost.

That Ogre kid was busy trying to play the hero.

Li Qingshan, too, had once, in his youth, wielded a sword and ridden a horse into the martial world, chasing heroic dreams.

Surely, he couldn’t lose his courage in old age, could he?

……

……

The night was dark and the wind fierce.

Whoosh!

Amidst swirling gales, Li Che used his 【Dragon Elephant Vajra】 Dao Fruit to perfectly consolidate his qi, as if merging with the very air around him.

Through the endless night, he strode forward wearing the Cute Cow Mask, his massive figure making the scenery blur past on either side.

The Black Snake Gang stronghold.

The mournful wind howled in the dark as willows swayed rapidly.

As the sole remaining formidable force under the Fisher Gang, the Black Snake Gang now defended with extreme caution, with teams of skilled fighters patrolling in groups.

If Ogre ever appeared, an alert would sound, enabling the gang’s experts to make a swift getaway.

Standing atop a tiled roof, treading on black tiles,

Li Che, cloaked in his black robe, gazed impassively at the brightly lit Black Snake Gang stronghold.

He raised his hand, his finger resting on his brow.

In an instant…

From where he stood, the Cosmic Chessboard unfurled over the landscape, its interlacing black lines mapping out the terrain.

On it, chess pieces at every intersecting point exuded a dark aura—a lethal scheme aimed at Ogre.

Meanwhile, the ‘Eight Extremes Corpse Curse Seal’ embedded within the chessboard trembled incessantly.

A ring of lifeless energy rippled outward in concentric circles, expanding continuously!

Then, one by one, traces of the Corpse Curse Seal began materializing on the chessboard!

“Hmm?”

“Is this… the Eight Extremes Corpse Curse Seal?!”

Beneath the Cute Cow Mask, Li Che’s eyes narrowed. There were not only many experts at the Black Snake Gang stronghold and its vicinity, but their caliber was exceptionally high as well!

Among them, one Eight Extremes Corpse Curse Seal trembled slightly, emerging amid the dead energy.

“A Corpse God Sect Eight Extremes Corpse God Envoy!”

Huff—behind the mask, Li Che exhaled deeply.

It was an ambush.

The Black Snake Gang had become bait, luring him into the trap.

After all, the Fisher Gang’s forces were dwindling, and the Black Snake Gang—tasked with shadowing XiXi due to her ties with Ogre—had been lurking in ambush all along.

But it was precisely because of XiXi’s connection with Ogre.

Thus, the Fisher Gang was convinced that Ogre would eventually strike the Black Snake Gang!

Deputy Leaders Liu Jinsong and Lei Laoqi of the Fisher Gang were hidden within the Black Snake Gang stronghold, gathering energy and masking their divine aura with secret techniques.

Also present was a Corpse God Sect Envoy whose aura was terrifyingly potent despite the distance, imposing an overwhelming dread.

All were silently waiting for Ogre to take the bait.

One Divine Appearance cultivator and two Illusory Form masters—this array…

It was formidable indeed—enough to put on a show!

“You guys are really something,”

Li Che chuckled.

With his 【Feilei Chess Sage】, he moved at will—even bait was no challenge for him.

When it came to taking bait, Ogre was a specialist!

Ever since his debut, he had specialized in taking bait.

Fishing?

Li Che loved fishing.

The Fisher Gang, obstinate as ever, must have suspected Ogre possessed a relocation technique, so they set up the ambush early.

In other words, they were confident they had the means to counter any relocation technique.

But Ogre’s relocation technique…

was no ordinary feat.

Even though he had mastered the Feilei Chess Sage’s relocation technique, Li Che still felt there was no need to take such a big risk by charging headlong into an ambush.

In life, playing it safe is always wise.

Li Che, donning his Ogre Mask, though reckless, mad, wild, and insatiably daring…

but he was never recklessly stubborn.

From beneath the Cute Cow Mask, a low, sinister laugh emerged.

“Grandpa Ogre, I’m done playing with you all.”

After all, killing doesn’t always require close combat.

A gentle breeze turned into a raging gust.

With a quiet tiptoe, his massive form shattered the chilling wind, vanishing silently into the shadows.

“Huh?!”

Suddenly, Li Che uttered a surprised ‘huh’.

Within the Cosmic Chessboard, a familiar aura surged in—a thunderous serpent racing across the land, moving swiftly and with dominating force.

It was wild… utter chaos!

……

……

Inside, the room was brightly lit.

The Black Snake Gang leader sat upright in his chair, his face stern. Beside him stood a finely forged Iron Guan Dao, firmly gripped in his hand.

Posing regally upon his Taishi chair, the Black Snake Gang leader’s eyes shone brilliantly, exuding calm and composure.

Yet, his hand clutching the guan dao broke into a cold sweat with bulging veins that betrayed his inner tension.

Though he had leveraged the Corpse Curse Seal to forge a cursed iron body, his physical strength rivaled that of a Grand Master.

And thanks to the Fisher Gang leader’s dedicated cultivation, his Divine Foundation had been forcibly elevated to completion—a guarantee for his survival.

Yet he still felt a tinge of dread.

After all…

Ogre’s name resounded fiercely within Jingguang City!

The seven factions under the Fisher Gang had been slaughtered…

All were the work of Ogre!

Dismemberment, decapitation, rivers of blood…

Faced with such ruthless brutality…

how could the Black Snake Gang leader not be terrified?

Who the hell isn’t willing to risk death?

“I have honed my flesh into a cursed iron body, rivaling even Grand Masters… Ogre can’t take me down in an instant!”

“As long as I survive, my ambush force will strike—Ogre’s wings will be clipped before he can flee!”

The Black Snake Gang leader mentally cheered himself on.

“Will Ogre… really come?”

He was sure he would.

The Black Snake Gang leader knew from Zhang Xiangyang’s intel that Ogre was none other than XiXi’s protector.

After tailing XiXi for so long, how could Ogre possibly let the Black Snake Gang off the hook?!

“I just have to hold my ground…”

“I just need to avoid being taken out in a flash!”

“If Ogre shows up, I’m a goner!”

Recalling the ambush forces around him, the Black Snake Gang leader’s breath quickened, stirring a sudden gust of wind!

Suddenly.

He heard the roaring sound of thunder in his ears.

He abruptly looked up, his pupils contracting.

Ogre has arrived?!

However…

When the Black Snake Gang leader heard the rumble of thunder,

Thunder…

had reached him!

In the pitch-black night, it was as if the Thunder God had suddenly smashed a bolt from the heavens!

Tearing the darkness asunder with lightning!

The Black Snake Gang leader’s head, forged into a cursed iron body, was shattered by the blow!

With a muted thud…

The ground behind him instantly collapsed into a deep pit as radioactive cracks spread.

A brilliant blue Goat-Horn Hammer slammed into the center of the pit, sending up dust as arcs of lightning danced wildly!

Ogre hadn’t even stooped down.

But…

The goat is here.

No recommendations, running naked; begging for monthly votes, recommendation votes, and continued reads—steady old Li’s heart! Old Li thanks you!