Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 51 - Mysterious Black Figure

“Wuxie, you’re here!” said Xu Yilin, who had arrived ahead of him and was standing outside the fire. The flames had been contained and prevented from spreading. The building suddenly collapsed with a loud crackle.

“Father-in-law, the oil mill had good safety measures. How did it catch fire?” asked Liu Wuxie as the Xu Clan’s guards and servants worked to put out the fire. The burning wood and oil produced a pungent smell as the flames died down, causing everyone to cover their noses.

“The safety measures were fine,” replied Xu Yilin. Although the oil mill wasn’t the Xu Clan’s primary source of income, they still took it seriously. Deacon Lan inspected it daily, and it was unusual for it to catch fire, especially on the same night that the Investigation Team left.

“Father-in-law, are you saying someone set it on fire purposely?” asked Liu Wuxie, using Ghost Eye to see through the fire. He narrowed his eyes when he saw traces of holes caused by sharp weapons on the oil drums, causing an oil leak that resulted in a fire.

“We’re not sure about it yet and need to investigate to identify the cause of the fire.” Xu Clan could afford to lose an oil mill, but they had to find the mastermind. Otherwise, the perpetrator could target their weaponry workshops as well.

“Father-in-law, inspect the next oil mill at once,” urged Liu Wuxie, keeping his observation to himself. He initially suspected the Tian and Wan Clans, but his speculation was soon overthrown. Both clans had stakes in other industries, and if they were responsible for setting fire to Xu Clan’s oil mill, Xu Clan could retaliate against their shops, resulting in losses for both sides. As a result, suspicion of the two clans was low.

“Okay. You should be careful!” replied Xu Yilin as he left with a team of guards to inspect the other oil mill, leaving ten guards to protect Liu Wuxie.

Despite the fire being extinguished, the smoke was thick and suffocating, making it difficult for many to see.

“Who do you think set Xu Clan’s oil mill on fire?” Discussions could be heard from the surroundings. The Xu Clan’s oil mill had existed for over a decade, and there had never been such an incident before, not to mention the fire was too unusual.

“I heard the Xu Clan offended the Investigation Team. Do you think they did it?” Some people suspected the Investigation Team, especially since it wasn’t long since they left Azure Billow City.

Liu Wuxie took out a napkin to cover his nose and walked into the oil mill step by step, hoping to find clues.

“Young Master, don’t go in. It’s dangerous.” The oil mill had yet to collapse entirely, making it dangerous to enter rashly. In the event of a sudden collapse of the oil mill, Liu Wuxie would be in grave danger. To prevent this, the guards stepped in and stopped him.

“Search around and see if there’s anyone suspicious.” Liu Wuxie waved his hand, instructing them not to follow him as he stepped on the scorched wood and entered the oil mill. There were still embers in the oil mill, with dense smoke obscuring his vision. But the thick smoke was nothing before the Ghost Eye.

Liu Wuxie could activate the Ghost Eye longer now after making a breakthrough. A faint ripple appeared on the scorched wall, and Liu Wuxie’s gaze managed to pierce through it.

“I can see through the wall?!” Liu Wuxie was shocked. However, before he could think more about it, his sight expanded to the other side of the wall, where grass grew as high as a person’s height. But no one usually came here as there was a sewage ditch beneath it.

A man dressed in black darted out from the grass, his face concealed by a mask. He glanced back before making his escape. The thick flames engulfing the oil mill obscured the view from ordinary people, but if one followed the grass, a path could be found leading back to the Azure Billow City.

“There’s really someone here!” exclaimed Liu Wuxie as he accelerated, leaving behind a trail of afterimages and a powerful shockwave from his foot. With a light touch on the ground, he darted forward and appeared behind the oil mill, vanishing before the Xu Clan’s guards could react.

The black figure weaved through the dense grass towards the distant mountains, where it would be difficult to track him once he entered the mountain range. The surroundings were dark and seldom visited, as one could easily lose their way. However, with the aid of Ghost Eye, Liu Wuxie managed to tail fifty meters behind the black figure.

It didn’t take long for the black figure to notice someone following him, and he quickened his pace. He was fast, but Liu Wuxie was faster; like a comet, stuck close to the ground, crossing ten-odd meters whenever he leaped.

Realizing he couldn’t shake Liu Wuxie off, the black figure slowed down as a cliff appeared before him. He could have returned to Azure Billow City by going around the cliff, but with Liu Wuxie behind him, he couldn’t turn back.

As Liu Wuxie drew closer, the black figure turned to face him, a flash of malice in his eyes under the faint light of night.

“Who are you, and why are you following me?” he demanded coldly, brandishing a blade that glinted in the light. From its sheen, Liu Wuxie could tell it was a fine weapon.

“You’re the one who set fire to the oil mill!” accused Liu Wuxie, standing just five steps away from the black figure. With the cliff at his back, the black figure had no escape unless he could fly. Liu Wuxie deactivated Ghost Eye and studied the black figure. From his tone of voice, Liu Wuxie didn’t recognize him.

“Brat, you dare to meddle in this affair when you’re only in the Xiantian Realm? You must have a death wish!” sneered the black figure, swinging his blade at Liu Wuxie without hesitation. He knew that Liu Wuxie was not as simple as he seemed since he had managed to catch up with him, so he aimed to strike first and gain the upper hand in combat.

The black figure’s blade technique was fierce, aimed directly at Liu Wuxie’s throat. His attacks were merciless and unpredictable, a style of blade technique seldom seen in Azure Billow City. Liu Wuxie was familiar with the martial techniques of the four major clans, including those of the City Lord Mansion, but he knew of no one in Azure Billow City who practiced such an unusual blade technique.

This blade technique might not be as formidable as Liu Wuxie’s Blood Gleam Blade Art, but it was powerful when executed by an expert in the fifth level of the Spirit Cleansing Realm. The incoming attacks overlapped, sending a powerful shockwave to the surrounding area.

However, since Liu Wuxie had left in haste and had not brought his blade, he was forced to rely on his Seven Dipper Steps to evade the lethal blow.

The black figure was taken aback that Liu Wuxie had managed to dodge his attack so easily.

“Interesting...you’re not weak since you can evade my Frost Sting Blade Art!” he exclaimed, twisting his wrist and spinning his blade 180 degrees to target Liu Wuxie’s legs. A frigid aura emanated from his blade, freezing Liu Wuxie’s legs.

Despite facing such a formidable enemy, Liu Wuxie didn’t resort to using Ghost Eye. Instead, he relied on his speed and control over the battle to kill his opponent. The two figures intertwined as Liu Wuxie dodged the incoming attacks, and the black figure’s strikes failed even to graze Liu Wuxie’s clothing. The black figure grew increasingly astonished as the fight progressed.

“Who the hell are you?! Since when did such a monstrous genius capable of facing the Spirit Cleaning Realm in the Xiantian Realm appear in Azure Billow City?!” he exclaimed, his voice betraying his shock.

From his tone, he seemed to be in his thirties, and even after forty moves, he had still failed to take down Liu Wuxie. He had never heard of such an expert in Azure Billow City, which left only one possibility: this person was not from Azure Billow City and might be an expert from another large city.

“I should be the one asking you. What grudge do you have with the Xu Clan to light their oil mill?” retorted Liu Wuxie, striding forward with his Seven Dipper Steps. Only he would dare to make such a risky move to go on offense instead of defense in this situation. He suddenly raised his fist and threw a simple punch with an unpredictable trajectory that was impossible to track.

This was a case of simplifying something complex; any martial technique would have an unexpected effect in Liu Wuxie’s hands as he was only using a foundation fist technique meant for tempering the physique.

The black figure was stunned and quickly retreated as Liu Wuxie could find the flaws in each of his attacks. He was horrified to discover that Liu Wuxie’s punch was lethal and wasn’t as simple as it looked. He couldn’t find flaws in Liu Wuxie’s seemingly simple punch.

Though the foundation fist technique was widely known among martial cultivators, no one in the entire Great Yan Dynasty could perform it to such a level, so it was no wonder that the black figure’s face was filled with horror. He swung his blade horizontally in defense, a suicidal move that would result in heavy injuries to both sides. Even if Liu Wuxie’s attack landed, the black figure’s blade could still sever his hands.

The black figure was inferior to Liu Wuxie in his use of true essence, as Liu Wuxie’s dantian provided him with an endless supply. Liu Wuxie’s true essence surged like a tidal wave, allowing his punches to take on various forms, like a tiger roaring as it broke free from the cage.

No one would believe it if someone said the true essence of an expert in the Spirit Cleansing Realm couldn’t be compared to someone in the Xiantian Realm. So the black figure was appalled, watching Liu Wuxie’s fist getting closer to him.

“You can’t dodge it no matter how hard you try!” Liu Wuxie let out a peal of contemptuous laughter, disappearing from sight and leaving behind an afterimage before reappearing behind the black figure.

“Shit!” The black figure was shocked by Liu Wuxie, whose fighting prowess far exceeded his prediction. He realized that he couldn’t dodge this attack and quickly retreated. But when Liu Wuxie appeared behind him, he pulled the brakes and shot forth instead.

“Too slow!” Liu Wuxie’s fist was like a sledgehammer slamming on the black figure’s back. The powerful momentum behind his punch made the black figure stagger before flying forward and smashing into the rubble.

Blood dripped from the black figure’s lips, and his mask fell. Just as Liu Wuxie had guessed, he was in his thirties, and this was the first time Liu Wuxie had seen this person. The black figure didn’t feel great after Liu Wuxie’s true essence entered his body and messed up his meridians, making it hard for him to catch his breath.

“Now, tell me who sent you here!” Liu Wuxie’s voice was cold as he approached the black figure. He had to find out who was trying to target the Xu Clan.

“Hahaha! If I’m not mistaken, you must be that wastrel son-in-law of the Xu Clan!” The black figure guessed Liu Wuxie’s identity and let out tragic laughter. It was rumored that Liu Wuxie was garbage and couldn’t cultivate, but the strength he displayed that night was comparable to the fifth level of the Spirit Cleansing Realm.

“You know me?” asked Liu Wuxie, momentarily taken aback. He didn’t recognize this person and was certain that he wasn’t from Azure Billow City, so how did he know him?

“It’s really you! I never expected the rumored garbage to be so powerful. I have lost tonight, but you’re not strong enough to kill me!” The black figure dashed out. He had chosen to escape since he couldn’t beat Liu Wuxie.