Chapter Eighteen: The Captain's Strength

Hua Feng discussed the situation with Yun Meng, instructing her and Shuang Ning to stay behind and wait, and to send out the Flying Dragon Battalion’s emergency distress signal. He decided to go rescue Wang Yue himself, surmising that Senior Li Yun should not be far off. Once Li Yun saw the signal, he would surely come to their aid, and they could all regroup before supporting the others. No matter what, his brother’s life was paramount; there could be no delay.

With his mind in turmoil, Hua Feng flew at the fastest speed toward Wang Yue’s location, his heart burning with anxiety. The speed of his wind-riding flight increased ceaselessly, his only thought to save his brother.

The five kilometers vanished in the blink of an eye. Although Hua Feng arrived in time, it seemed the battle had already ended. Wang Yue, covered in blood, floated on the river’s surface, the surrounding waters stained a deep crimson. There was no trace of the black-clad assailants. Without a moment’s hesitation, Hua Feng dashed to Wang Yue’s side, lifted him up, and poured a continuous stream of pure true energy into Wang Yue’s body, guiding it through his dantian, elixir field, crown, and major meridians.

Slowly, Hua Feng repaired Wang Yue’s damaged meridians and gathered the scattered true energy within him. Fortunately, though Wang Yue was gravely injured, he was still alive. After some time, Wang Yue slowly regained consciousness. Seeing Hua Feng beside him, he spoke weakly, “Xiao Feng, quickly...go save them... They’ve gone to the docks, hurry...!” Wang Yue was too feeble—having said this much, he fainted again.

“Wang Yue! Wang Yue...” Hua Feng called out twice, but seeing no response, he lifted Wang Yue onto his back and flew toward Yun Meng’s location, intending to regroup before deciding their next move.

Hua Feng realized the gravity of the situation; this was no longer something that could end amicably. He must prepare for the worst. Hearing Wang Yue mention the Flying Dragon Battalion’s docks, Hua Feng thought of the fellow trainees—this was bad, the students were in danger!

Landing on the water’s surface to meet Yun Meng, Hua Feng was joined by Shuang Ning, whose heart twisted with pain at the sight of Wang Yue’s terrible state. With no time to explain, Hua Feng entrusted Wang Yue to Shuang Ning’s care.

Seeing Wang Yue covered in blood, Shuang Ning’s hands trembled as she supported him, silently vowing to make whoever harmed Wang Yue pay with their own blood.

“Hua Feng, just now our battalion’s instructors took Yang Tian and Li Long back for treatment. Senior Li Yun was here too—he sensed an abnormal energy fluctuation at the docks, and it seems the commander is fighting someone there. He’s already gone ahead. Let’s go join them,” Shuang Ning said, suppressing her urgent desire for vengeance as she summarized what had transpired.

Hua Feng nodded, thinking to himself: with Senior Li Yun’s cultivation, he must have detected the sudden appearance of that group and their retreat after injuring himself and Wang Yue. The ones fighting at the docks must indeed be the black-clad assailants. Remembering that Wang Yuxuan might also be there, Hua Feng instructed Shuang Ning to take Wang Yue back to camp, then took Yun Meng by the hand and sped toward the docks at lightning speed.

Upon reaching the riverside dock established by the Flying Dragon Battalion, Hua Feng was surprised to find the situation seemingly under control by the commander. From a distance, he and Yun Meng saw Yuxuan, Bai Lu, Yang Qing, Weike, and Wang Yaxin, along with many other trainees, protected within a semicircular barrier set up by Senior Li Yun.

The commander’s opponent bore a remarkable resemblance to him—seven or eight parts similar in appearance. Dressed in black, emanating a blood-red glow with a thick aura of darkness, Hua Feng had no doubt this was the same black-clad figure he had faced before. What he hadn’t expected was that the commander could fight him evenly, neither side gaining the upper hand. Massive rocks around them were shattered by their blows, the two of them from afar looking like clashing fire dragons.

As the battle reached its climax, the commander and the black-clad man pressed their palms together, contesting their true energy. Hua Feng realized that with his current strength, he was unable to assist—a fact that left him frustrated.

Since Hua Feng’s arrival, Yun Meng had not let go of his hand, clinging tightly to his side.

Hua Feng led Yun Meng over to inquire about the situation. Yuxuan explained that just as Yang Qing and the others completed their mission and reached the dock, a group of black-clad men appeared out of nowhere, menacingly abducting them with the intent to take them to some secret base. Fortunately, the commander and Senior Li Yun arrived in time, preventing disaster.

It seemed the black-clad man, radiating red light and wearing a fierce expression, had grown weary of the stalemate. He snarled, “Brother Chen Sheng, more than twenty years have passed, and I never expected your skills to reach such a level. If Master could see you now, he’d surely be gratified! But I wonder how long your Flying Dragon Technique can stand up against my Crimson Lotus Blood Fiend?” With that, the force in his palms intensified, forcing Chen Sheng to exert his full strength.

“Brother Po Jun, it’s been over twenty years since we parted. Back then, Master found us both and took us to Wudang Mountain, teaching us martial arts and raising us. You may refuse to recognize me as your brother, but can you face our late master? Don’t forget all he did for you. The pure Crimson Lotus Holy Fire—you’ve turned it into the Blood Fiend. How many innocent lives have you taken over the years for your cultivation? And now you dare target my trainees. Must you force me to clean house for our master?” With a surge of power, Chen Sheng forced Po Jun back more than ten meters.

A blue light gathered into the shape of a dragon, rising from Chen Sheng, while at Po Jun’s side, a tangible blood-red glow condensed into a massive lotus that soared into the air to confront the dragon.

“Spare me your sanctimonious lectures. Who the hell are you to judge me? I don’t need you meddling in my affairs! If someone hadn’t paid me a fortune to come to Lushan and assassinate your Flying Dragon Battalion’s trainees, I’d never have bothered to see your annoying face again. Now that I’ve failed, I’m leaving. I doubt you lot can stop me! Be smart and get out of my way!” Po Jun, apparently enraged by Chen Sheng, began cursing with words he hadn’t uttered in years, all the while intent on making a swift retreat, having failed to overcome his former senior and uncle.

“Hua Feng, do you think this man is really the commander’s own brother and fellow disciple?” Yun Meng whispered to Hua Feng.

“Does it matter? He hurt Wang Yue, Yang Tian, and Li Long, and tried to harm you all. There’s no way I’ll let him go without paying the price. Xiao Meng, stay here and don’t move; I’m going to end his damned Crimson Lotus Blood Fiend,” Hua Feng said, gently patting her shoulder, his voice soft.

“Then you must be careful,” she replied with concern.

“Don’t worry,” Hua Feng answered with a reassuring smile.