Chapter 41: Shadows of Frost and Fury

The wind and snow howled as the deep night settled in, its intensity almost overwhelming.

In the narrow alleys, the darkness deepened even further.

An old man led a big-headed boy whose hair was tied in Nezha-style braids, standing silently in the falling snow while watching the brightly lit Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop.

“Master, it seems the Lingying Sect has set its sights on that promising prodigy you cherish…”

“Should we make a move? With the Lingying Sect colluding with the Feilei City authorities and all the top fighters from this shop being reassigned, we’re left vulnerable. I reckon the Lingying Sect will act tonight.”

Lu Chi furrowed his brows; though small in stature, he carried a maturity beyond his years.

The old man shook his head. “Let’s wait and see. I won’t act unless absolutely forced. I still want to see who in Feilei City—who’s preparing the rites at the Bizarre Temple—ends up as the temple god’s lackey…”

“But what if something happens to the prodigy? Master… didn’t you say that he’s an exceptionally rare talent?”

Lu Chi tilted his head, puzzled, and asked.

The old man chuckled and shot a glance at Lu Chi’s full head. “If push comes to shove, then you act. Consider it your chance to be the hero who rescues the beauty. How about it?”

Lu Chi rolled his eyes. “A two-year-old being called beautiful? What insight can a two-year-old possibly have?”

Stroking his beard with a deep smile, the old man replied, “Who would have thought that the man in his twenties—the very father of that exceptional prodigy—could possess such pure, immaculate divinity that producing an extraordinary child is only natural.”

“Someone’s here.”

The old man’s smile faded as he gripped Lu Chi’s hand, pulling him along as if merging with the surrounding shadows.

…

…

A sudden gust tore through the cold air, shredding the swirling snowflakes as they fell.

Several ghostly figures stood atop the roof, braving the piercing wind and echoing eerie, wailing laughter.

Clad in black robes and wearing children’s masks that displayed expressions ranging from tears to smiles, from ugliness to anger, they appeared imposing.

In total, there were five figures—one wielding a broadsword, another clutching a long spear, one carrying an iron hammer, and others with similar armaments.

The swirling aura of vital energy nearly melted away the falling white snow.

“Xu You has been reassigned back to the Inner City, and Chen Daba—the only blood-trading fighter at Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop—has been thrown into jail. Tonight is our only chance; by tomorrow Xu You will return, and Chen Daba can no longer be held…”

“If you want to take that prodigy away, tonight you must succeed.”

“Also, if you’re using me as bait, take it easy—hurry to save me!”

With those words spoken.

Accompanied by eerie cries, laughter, and shouts, the figures unleashed their martial skills and leapt gracefully over the high walls of Xu Ji Courtyard.

…

…

The courtyard lay in complete silence.

Inside, a lone lamp burned steadily, its flickering flame casting two distinct shadows on the paper window.

Inside the house.

Zhang Ya’s face turned pale as she cradled the sleeping XiXi. Her intuition—and her husband Li Che’s unusual behavior—warned her that tonight might be dangerous.

She glanced into the distance, where a vividly lifelike wooden carving sat on a chair. The carving bore a striking resemblance to Li Che, albeit unpolished and roughly chiseled.

Yet, under the lamp’s glow, its silhouette on the paper window mirrored Li Che almost perfectly.

It created the illusion of a loving couple safely ensconced indoors.

At first, Zhang Ya couldn’t understand why Li Che would do such a thing. Wouldn’t it be safer for him to simply stay inside and protect them?

But when Li Che pulled out a thin wooden board, sat down, and slowly carved a Cute Cow Mask with his carving knife—then affixed it to his face—

Zhang Ya was utterly stunned.

She covered her mouth and stared at her now strangely unfamiliar husband, her eyes wide with unprecedented astonishment.

“Ogre… Ogre?”

Zhang Ya asked softly.

Today, the Ogre is known by everyone in Feilei City—who hasn’t heard of him?

He is famed for hunting down Lingying Sect cultists who prey on children, his Wanted Notice displayed all the while.

Yet he had become a hero in the hearts of Feilei City’s citizens!

And now, this so-called hero… turns out to be her own husband?

“No… that’s not right, husband. Ogre’s build is nothing like yours.”

Zhang Ya shook her head and murmured.

This was the first time Li Che had revealed his true identity to his wife—making her the very first to know of his Ogre persona.

Without further words, Li Che silently channeled the power of his Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit.

In an instant, muscles coiled like fierce dragons, bulging and growing rapidly until he resembled a small mountain, filling the room with a savage, oppressive aura.

Under Zhang Ya’s stunned gaze, Li Che swiftly reverted to his normal form.

“My dear, I won’t let anyone harm you two. You must trust your husband.”

Li Che gently stroked Zhang Ya’s face, gathering her falling dark hair as he whispered.

Zhang Ya snapped out of her daze, her heart pounding and her mind buzzing at the realization that her husband could transform into something so immense!

Is this what it means to be a Bone-Tempered Fighter?

Yet she had never heard that a Bone-Tempered Fighter could change size at will.

Being well-behaved, she didn’t press for details—understanding that some secrets were meant to be kept.

After all, couples should have a few secrets between them.

As for Li Che’s Ogre identity, and those who perished at Ogre’s hands…

Zhang Ya didn’t care; all that mattered was her husband.

Still, a tinge of sorrow crept over her—she felt as if there were no secrets remaining between them.

“Remember the activation method for Muduya I taught you…”

Li Che rubbed Zhang Ya’s head, kissed her forehead, and cautioned her.

Zhang Ya nodded earnestly.

Li Che then glanced at the sleeping XiXi.

With his wife and child close, he simply longed to live a peaceful life with his family…

Whoever dared harm his daughter,

would meet his wrath!

…

…

Li Che activated the ‘Sleeping Dragon Elephant’ ability of his Dragon Elephant Dao Fruit, his vital energy converging as if wiped clean from existence.

The breath-control effect was impeccable.

He melted into the dark alleys surrounding Xu Ji Courtyard, donning a conical hat and covering his face with the Cute Cow Mask, transforming into Ogre under the wintry storm.

“Zhao Chuanxiong, parading his scheme in broad daylight with flamboyant gestures and blatant arrogance… This hardly suits the skulking style he’s maintained over the past year.”

Li Che pondered, the truth beginning to dawn on him.

Zhao Chuanxiong knew Ogre was after him, yet he acted overtly—as if baiting a lure.

“Is Zhao Chuanxiong using himself as bait to lure me?”

“Or is it the handiwork of the Lingying Sect?”

“Tonight’s brazen move is a double-edged scheme—aiming both to seize XiXi and to eliminate Ogre…”

The alley fell silent.

After a long pause, a soft exhalation filled the air, heavy with a murderous intent.

“Heh.”

“How greedy.”

Li Che looked up at the dark heavens, his eyes burning with determination.

“No matter what devious plots they hatch…”

“I will protect my wife and child…”

“By killing anyone who dares threaten them.”

…

…

Under a pitch-black sky, with hellish fires igniting and the bitter cold making even geese cry out in the frost!

Tonight, the air grew slightly warmer as the falling snow turned to rain, drizzling softly into the darkness…

Each raindrop was bone-chillingly cold.

Zhao Chuanxiong sported a gleaming long knife at his waist, his jet-black hair unbound, and wore a grinning boy’s mask.

His footsteps crushed the thick snow beneath him, shattering the falling rain and snow like spectral fragments.

He landed outside the wall of Li Che’s Courtyard.

Because he had visited Li Che before, he easily found his way to this courtyard.

Beneath the boyish mask, Zhao Chuanxiong’s eyes remained cold as he stared indifferently at the brightly lit interior and the two silhouettes cast on the paper window.

“What a cozy family…”

“What a pity—they have a prodigy.”

“Talent is both a blessing and… a curse.”

Zhao Chuanxiong drew his gleaming long knife; its blade trembled and emitted a resonant hum.

The world fell into a hush.

Inside Xu Ji’s Wood Carving Shop… there was not a sound.

The master craftsmen, though previously urged by Xu You, ultimately refrained from acting to protect themselves.

Even though they knew someone would attack Li Che’s courtyard tonight to abduct XiXi.

With one hand gripping his long knife, Zhao Chuanxiong scanned the surroundings; with snow and rain mingling, there was no one to intervene.

A cold smile played beneath his mask. “Human nature…”

“In this world, those courageous enough to be heroes are few and far between.”

“Except you!”

BOOM!!!

At the tip of his knife, a burst of fiery red blood energy erupted and lashed out fiercely behind him.

The bloody blade shattered the swirling storm, with shockwaves tearing through the air on both sides!

“Ogre!!!!”

A terrified, explosive shriek burst from deep within Zhao Chuanxiong’s throat!

Behind him, a towering figure emerged like a ghost.

Clad in black with a conical hat and a Cute Cow Mask that made him look like a soul-reaping demon, his icy eyes burned with murderous intent.

Not a single word was wasted.

Ogre’s enormous hand, as broad as a fan, rose up with hooked fingers clenching fiercely.

Beneath his skin, every pore burst with boiling blood energy, entwining like serpentine veins around his massive arm!

White Tiger Wind Attack!

A punch!

From above to below!

Attacking from a superior height!

With a thunderous smash!

The blade from Zhao Chuanxiong’s counter-swing was instantly shattered by a force both domineering and brutal!

Even as the punch’s power lingered, its residual strength continued to surge forth!

Zhao Chuanxiong tried to parry with his long knife, but the iron blade quickly buckled under the assault!

A strangely unfamiliar punch, as fierce as a tiger’s roar, pierced the blade and smashed into his chest.

It shattered his chest…

In an instant, Zhao Chuanxiong’s boy mask exploded off, revealing a face of pure terror, his eyes nearly popping out!

He collapsed to his knees with violent force, the blue bricks beneath cracking as the covering snow burst high into a surrounding curtain.

A cacophony of cracking—whether bones or snow—echoed incessantly.

“Changing… changing blood?!”

“As expected…”

“Using as bait… means you’re going to be devoured…”

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