Chapter 19: Distress Signal
Upon hearing the alert, everyone immediately gathered around Song Changsheng, gripping their magical tools as they entered a state of high alert. Their expressions were tinged with nervousness, after all, they'd been in the forest for several hours, yet this was the first time they had seen Song Changsheng look so grim.
With the treasured gourd in hand, Song Changsheng calmly addressed the front. “I am Song Changsheng. Who goes there? State your purpose.”
From the distant bushes, two figures emerged, clad in beast-hide armor, a young man and a middle-aged man, both splattered with blood and exuding a fierce presence.
Song Changsheng narrowed his eyes slightly. One was at Qi Refinement great perfection, the other at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement. In this region, such cultivation was quite formidable. The only question was, who were they?
“So it's a disciple of the main family. I am Shangguan Jian, a headhunter from the demon hunting squad. Greetings to you all,” said the young man at Qi Refinement seventh layer, cupping his hands with a smile.
Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow. demon hunting squad?
“So young and already a headhunter… and your surname is Shangguan. Could your father be Shangguan Tieying?” he suddenly recalled someone.
Back during the great battle with the Lieyang Sect, the family had summoned the demon hunting squads to join the war. Among them was a Foundation Establishment cultivator named Shangguan Tieying, who had answered the call and heroically died beneath Cangmang Peak.
Could this be his son?
Shangguan Jian nodded somberly. “He was indeed my father.”
Song Changsheng immediately understood and signaled the others to relax. “So it’s Head Hunter Shangguan. Weren’t you assigned to sweep the northern region? What brings you to our trial grounds?”
Shangguan Jian nodded. “We were in pursuit of a superior-grade first-rank chameleon. When we arrived, we saw Fellow Daoist killing it with a thunderous strike.
At first, we were just going to leave, but unexpectedly you noticed us. Please rest assured, we have no ill intentions.”
“I see. Then we shall continue on. Until we meet again, Head Hunter Shangguan.” Though Song Changsheng remained wary, he cupped his hands and led the others away.
As they watched the group leave, the middle-aged man beside Shangguan Jian spoke in a low voice. “That young man has already reached the eighth layer of Qi Refinement. His combat style is decisive, and his spiritual sense is sharp. He must be the patriarch’s grandson.”
Shangguan Jian nodded. “His name is Song Changsheng. His aura is restrained, his spiritual energy deep, and his magical tools are formidable. Uncle Zhang, if you were to face him, how confident would you be?”
The middle-aged man called Uncle Zhang was silent for a moment before replying, “Not even thirty percent.”
A flicker of astonishment passed through Shangguan Jian’s eyes. Uncle Zhang was a Qi Refinement great perfection cultivator, yet even he had less than a thirty percent chance?
“As expected of the leading genius of the Song Clan’s younger generation, truly remarkable. It seems we’ll be crossing paths with him more often in the future.” Shangguan Jian gazed toward the direction they had left, murmuring softly.
…
“Brother, why was that headhunter so young? Isn’t the demon hunting squad all about strength?” someone asked as they traveled.
Song Changsheng, keeping alert as he walked, replied, “His father was the previous headhunter, a Foundation Establishment cultivator trained by the clan. He died answering the call to arms.
To honor his sacrifice, the clan appointed his son as the next headhunter. Didn’t you see the middle-aged man beside him? A Qi Refinement great perfection cultivator, yet he treated Shangguan Jian with great respect. With that kind of support, Shangguan Jian’s position is unshakable.”
“I see.”
Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the forest, startling birds into flight. Song Changsheng’s expression tightened as he looked toward the source of the commotion, frowning. “That’s from Third Elder’s area… It must be a second-rank demonic beast.”
“A second-rank beast? Can the Third Elder handle it?” someone asked worriedly.
“That’s not for us to worry about. Keep moving.” Song Changsheng shook his head.
“Understood.”
But they hadn’t gone far when the communication jade slip at Song Changsheng’s waist suddenly vibrated. He quickly retrieved it, infused a wisp of spiritual energy and a panicked voice rang out: “The Earthfire Sect is here! Requesting immediate backup!”
A cold gleam flashed in Song Changsheng’s eyes. The Earthfire Sect? Why were they appearing here? Could they be behind the recent anomalies?
There was no time to think. Song Changsheng and his group immediately rushed toward Song Changhu’s location…
Elsewhere, Song Changhu and four others were locked in a standoff with a group clad in crimson robes.
The opposing side numbered over a dozen young and old, surrounding a tall youth holding a folding fan. His narrow eyes, pointed chin, and thin lips exuded arrogance as he looked at Song Changhu’s group with contempt.
“Chang Tianhua, what’s the meaning of this? This is Song Clan territory!” Song Changhu demanded, pointing at the fanned youth with a darkened expression.
“Oh, don’t get so worked up. This young master was just taking a stroll. Does that get in the way of Song Clan's business somehow?” Chang Tianhua snapped open his fan with a loud snap, smirking mockingly.
“A stroll? Aren’t you afraid you’ll be buried here permanently?” Song Changhu retorted angrily.
Chang Tianhua narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “Teach them a lesson, just don’t kill them.”
“Yes!”
At his command, a few of the Earthfire Sect disciples lunged forward with cruel smiles, charging toward Song Changhu’s group.
“Hold the line and wait for reinforcements!” Song Changhu’s eyes hardened. His group immediately tightened their defensive circle, clashing violently with the Earthfire Sect disciples…
Song Changsheng and his companions sprinted at full speed. By the time they arrived, Song Changhu and the others were already lying bloodied and barely conscious on the ground.
The Earthfire Sect attackers were all mid to late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators, Song Changhu’s group had stood no chance.
“Earthfire Sect, you dare!” Song Changsheng roared.
“Finally, someone decent shows up. You must be Song Changsheng. This young master knows about you, said to be the most gifted among the Song Clan’s younger generation. Seeing you now, it seems the rumors weren’t false.”
Chang Tianhua licked his crimson lips, eyeing Song Changsheng like a predator sizing up a fresh new prey.
“Chang Tianhua, ganging up on the weak. This is the Earthfire Sect’s way?” Song Changsheng’s voice was icy.
“They were rude to me, so I merely disciplined them. Don’t worry, they’re still breathing,” Chang Tianhua replied, his tone steeped in condescension.
“When has it ever been your place to discipline my clan’s disciples? Earthfire Sect doesn’t have the qualifications yet!” Murderous intent flickered in Song Changsheng’s eyes.
Chang Tianhua suddenly burst out laughing, clutching his stomach theatrically. “Did you hear that? He said I don’t have the right. Hah, it’s been so long since I’ve heard a joke that cold, it almost brought tears to my eyes.”
He wiped an imaginary tear and then, with a sinister smile, lowered his hand. “Seems you still don’t understand your situation.
Whether I have the right or not, you’re about to find out. Break one of his legs!”
“Yes!”
Several Earthfire Sect disciples sneered as they surrounded Song Changsheng.
“Q-Quick… run… there’s too many of them…” Song Changhu lay on the ground with his face covered in blood, his voice weak.
“Don’t worry. They can’t do anything to me.” Song Changsheng’s expression remained calm and composed, as though he hadn’t even noticed the four men closing in…
(Chapter End)