Chapter Twenty-Four: Hu Yihu’s Fury

As soon as this voice emerged, Hu Mo felt the flow of battle energy within him rapidly shift direction. Previously, his battle energy coursed from the Ren meridian into the Du meridian, then back into the Ren. But now, the situation suddenly reversed; the energy that once surged outward now contracted inward.

In that instant, an immense suction force erupted from Hu Mo’s body, fiercely devouring the battle energy released from Eagle Elder’s hands.

“No, could this be the Northern Sea Divine Art?” Hu Mo’s mind trembled, stunned by what was unfolding. What was going on?

The only thing Hu Mo could be certain of was that this move was definitely not the Great Dissolution Technique. The Great Dissolution Technique aimed merely to dissolve the opponent’s energy without benefiting oneself. In contrast, the Northern Sea Divine Art could convert the opponent’s energy for one’s own use, harming others while benefiting oneself.

Once Eagle Elder’s battle energy entered Hu Mo’s body, it was swiftly absorbed by the Three Treasures, and under their influence, Eagle Elder’s energy began transforming into Hu Mo’s own. His cultivation was rising at breathtaking speed.

Eagle Elder’s smiling face immediately fell. He could clearly feel his battle energy pouring into Hu Mo at an alarming rate, while Hu Mo’s body seemed like a bottomless pit, endlessly absorbing his strength.

“What’s happening? How could this kid…”

“Eagle Commander, you’re courting death!” Suddenly, a furious shout reverberated, making many ears ring.

A gigantic flaming hand stretched across a hundred meters, reaching for Eagle Elder. Everything it passed—tables, chairs—was reduced to ashes. Eagle Commander felt his neck tighten, his body seized and dragged out with no chance to resist.

Outside Drunken Fragrance, the heavy sound of countless footsteps shook the building, making it quiver. Several burly figures appeared in quick succession within Drunken Fragrance. The Hu family’s guards who lay on the ground stared in shock, then scrambled upright, shouting, “Salute the Marshal!”

Hu Yihu’s gaze was as sharp as a blade, sweeping across the entire hall. With one hand, he gripped Eagle Commander’s left shoulder, pressing him mercilessly to the ground, utterly immobilized.

“So strong!” Hu Mo exclaimed inwardly. Though Hu Yihu had only displayed a single move, its power was overwhelming. Eagle Commander, a seventh-level Slaughter Battle King, had been seized like a chicken, unable to even groan.

Hu Mo didn’t realize that Eagle Commander was actually filled with regret. If not for Hu Mo suddenly absorbing nearly thirty percent of his battle energy, how could he have been caught so easily by Hu Yihu, so humiliatingly subdued? Normally, even if Hu Yihu’s cultivation surpassed his by several levels, Eagle Commander, immersed in his slaughter state, would never have fallen so quickly.

Drunken Fragrance erupted in chaos. The Imperial Marshal, Duke of State Hu Yihu, had personally arrived. Now, the Hu and Situ families were bound for a fierce confrontation, and Flame City would soon be in uproar.

Du Zhong and Lin Meng struggled to rise from the floor, while Huang Sheng had already fainted—his injuries far too severe. Facing the assault of a seventh-level Slaughter Battle King, how could Huang Sheng, with only seven segments of battle energy, possibly endure?

Hu Mo walked to Huang Sheng’s side, nonchalantly placing a hand on his left chest. A gentle flow of battle energy surged from Hu Mo’s palm into Huang Sheng’s body.

Having just absorbed a vast amount of energy, Hu Mo’s own was overflowing—releasing it felt much more comfortable.

Huang Sheng moaned softly, opening his eyes to see Hu Mo smiling at him. He was momentarily stunned, sensing the battle energy flooding into him, utterly bewildered.

“How did Young Master Hu’s battle energy suddenly grow so strong? Wasn’t he only at four segments before?” Huang Sheng murmured, though his expression barely changed. He knew Hu Mo’s caution meant this matter could never be made public. Huang Sheng was shrewd; this was precisely why Hu Mo dared to reveal his strength before him.

Hu Yihu’s face was icy cold. He had already spotted several corpses lying on the floor—personal guards he had assigned to protect Hu Mo. Although they appeared as mere attendants, each was an elite soldier. For Hu Mo’s safety, he’d bent the rules a bit.

But these personal guards had been mercilessly slaughtered by Eagle Commander. How could Hu Yihu not be enraged?

“Eagle Commander, you’ve got some nerve! You think being the Second Enforcer of the Situ family lets you swagger above the heavens? Dare to kill my Hu family guards—today, I will kill you myself! Let’s see if that old bastard dares squeak a word!” Hu Yihu’s grip suddenly tightened, doubling in strength. Eagle Commander’s face turned pale, and after a crisp sound of bones breaking, his left shoulder was completely shattered.

Situ Jie’s legs went weak with terror, and Uncle Fu dragged him out from among the black-clad guards. Situ Jie’s face was white as paper, teeth chattering. Seeing his trembling form, even Uncle Fu felt his hand had been dirtied.

Uncle Fu suddenly noticed Hu Mo crouched on the floor, puzzled as to why Hu Mo remained so still. Logically, Hu Mo should have found a place to hide, or collapsed like Situ Jie. Yet neither had happened—something truly odd.

Eagle Commander sneered coldly. Though he couldn’t escape Hu Yihu’s grasp, he showed not a hint of fear.

“Marshal Hu, it seems I truly misjudged you. I thought you were a man of upright heroism, but now it appears otherwise. Are you going to use your third-level Battle Emperor strength to bully the weak?” Eagle Commander’s voice was filled with scorn.

“Bully the weak? So it seems I’m in the wrong…” Hu Yihu smiled faintly, slowly loosening his grip on Eagle Commander’s left shoulder.

Eagle Commander relaxed inwardly, about to escape, when a sharp pain suddenly shot from his right shoulder. Hu Yihu had seized it, crushing it as well.

“Heh, and what if I bully the weak? Didn’t you just bully my grandson and subordinates? Are you weaker than them? Today, I’ll teach you a lesson—my grandson and my men are not yours to torment!” Hu Yihu grinned savagely, slapping Eagle Commander away. He crashed against a pillar and slumped to the ground.

Hu Mo turned, watching the scene unfold, his heart cheering in delight. Only now did he realize that this grandfather truly suited him—those two crushing grips were utterly satisfying!

With both internal and external injuries and burning rage, Eagle Commander fainted from sheer fury. It was intolerable; how could a seventh-level Slaughter Battle King fight a third-level Battle Emperor? This was pure one-sided abuse.

Hu Yihu gestured to Hu Fu, who immediately understood and shouted, “These black-clad men attempted to assassinate the heirs of the Huang, Lin, Du, and Hu families! The Second Young Master of the Situ family was also taken hostage. Such grave crimes cannot be forgiven—kill them!”

At his words, the black-clad thugs froze in shock. Before they could react, a hundred well-trained soldiers surged forward. In an instant, Drunken Fragrance became a sea of blood, limbs flying, red and white splattering everywhere. The carnage was so intense that many vomited uncontrollably, while Situ Jie cowered nearby, seemingly petrified with fear.

Hu Mo was exhilarated. Far from being disturbed by the bloodshed, he was actually thrilled. In his previous life in the Starry Sea, he’d witnessed countless massacres. Ding Chunqiu was a true madman—his killing methods were cruel, and even his own disciples weren’t spared.

He remembered once, a disciple, after cultivating the Great Dissolution Technique, spoke out of turn. Ding Chunqiu locked him in a room, denying him the poisonous insects needed for cultivation. In the end, the disciple clawed himself to death—a scene that sickened Hu Mo for days.

But since then, Hu Mo had collected too many corpses to count, not one of them whole. He had grown accustomed, his heart hardened.

Hu Mo approached Situ Jie with a gentle smile. “Second Young Master Situ, you really are quite rude. My grandfather saved you, and you should at least say thank you.”

Hu Yihu’s expression shifted slightly, considering for a moment before smiling faintly and playing along, posing as the benevolent savior, quietly awaiting Situ Jie’s thanks.

Situ Jie was utterly terrified. In all his years, he’d never witnessed such carnage. So many followers, reduced to cold corpses after only a few screams; even the Second Enforcer had fallen, fate unknown. He fully believed Hu Yihu had the nerve to take his life.

Say thank you? What a ludicrous joke! If he actually did so, he’d become the laughingstock of Flame City, unable to set foot in the Situ family. With Situ Aoyun’s temperament, even if he wasn’t killed, he’d be cast out. That would be an even worse fate.

But not thanking them would have equally dire consequences. Seeing the bloodthirsty guards and Hu Mo’s sinister smile, his legs trembled even more. Thanking was impossible; not thanking was equally impossible. Situ Jie’s nerves were nearing collapse.

Hu Mo advanced step by step, his eternal smile unwavering. Hu Yihu, rather than stopping him, watched with admiration, feeling that his grandson had changed—changed in a way that delighted him, filling him with satisfaction.

“Heh, Second Young Master Situ, do you have any complaints about my grandfather?” Hu Mo pressed closer, smiling down at the limp Situ Jie.

Situ Jie’s nerves snapped. He looked pleadingly at Hu Mo, but could only see a devilish smile. For some reason, he sensed a power from Hu Mo capable of destroying him, despite being a seventh-level Battle Master himself.

He muttered, “Is this really that good-for-nothing who was worse than me? No, it can’t be. I don’t believe it…”

After Hu Mo’s treatment, Huang Sheng was now standing with Du Zhong and Lin Meng’s support. They were trembling, all the red and white gore had made them vomit repeatedly—they’d only managed to approach after a long bout of retching.

They’d always feared Hu Yihu, especially when he killed. Hu Yihu viewed them as the main culprits corrupting Hu Mo, never showing them kindness. If they appeared now, he might cripple them.

For this reason, Hu Yihu was always furious when seeing them, glaring fiercely. But this time was different; Hu Yihu smiled at them, his formerly savage eyes now approving. Their hearts skipped a beat, and they nervously kept quiet, obediently standing with the guards on Hu Yihu’s side, though still keeping their distance.

Such abnormal behavior could only signal trouble—Hu Yihu’s sudden change was a warning! They were on edge, not daring to speak, clinging quietly to their side.

Situ Jie’s heart froze, sinking into despair. Though Hu Yihu and the others hadn’t acted yet, the psychological pressure was even deadlier, like a blade poised at his throat—ready to fall, yet not quite. The torment was unbearable.

Just as his nerves were about to snap, raucous laughter came from outside. Several Hu family guards were sent flying, landing beside Hu Yihu. Drunken Fragrance was thrown into turmoil; all Hu family guards clustered around Hu Yihu, watching the entrance warily.

“Who’s the fool with no respect? Get in here now!” Hu Yihu roared, punching toward the door. A fiery dragon burst forth, roaring as it charged outside.

“Ice Barrier, break!” came a cold snort. An icy claw grabbed the fire dragon, and ice and fire collided, blasting half the wall to rubble. Two figures leaped into Drunken Fragrance, exuding an unstoppable aura.

For a moment, silence fell over Drunken Fragrance, each breath suddenly clear. Ice and fire clashed, and Hu Yihu’s power was forcibly suppressed.

“Marshal Hu, you are magnanimous—why concern yourself with the younger generation? I am Situ Feng, and I beg the marshal to spare my second brother.”