Starting as a centurion, he fought his way through the chaos of the world.

Chapter 31 Slaying True Essence

This time, Lu Ming showed no mercy. He leaped high into the air, his muscles and bones stronger from cultivating the "Dragon Elephant Strength." As he pounced, he seemed to transform into a primordial young beast, roaring towards the sky.

The moonlight shone on him.

The cold, sharp blade evokes a sense of fierce courage.

Night fell, the cold moon shone, and the battlefield littered with blood and mangled limbs became his backdrop.

Although it hadn't reached the True Essence Realm, the blade was still unremarkable, but it carried immense pressure.

Xu Xing's expression changed. He was definitely a fierce person, but Lu Ming's display of valor gave him a sense of danger.

He held the long sword above his head.

Black blade light flickered above, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

"when!"

The two blades clashed, and Lu Ming retreated at an extremely fast speed.

Xu Xing's hands went numb, and the blade's edge was shattered.

Clearly, with the support of his aura, Lu Ming's combat strength has reached a level approaching that of a true cultivator.

"This is the first time I've ever seen someone at the Great Completion Realm. Someone at the Blood Transformation Realm can comprehend this level!"

After all, most people need to reach the True Essence Realm to comprehend power.

In addition, a visualization diagram is also required.

The latter, in particular, is only found in the surviving visualization diagrams of a few top-tier families.

Learn from this to understand your own strengths and weaknesses.

"Long-winded!"

Lu Ming let out a low shout, then lunged forward again, his feet slicing as his blade cut horizontally.

Behind him, a terrifying battlefield was revealed.

It's not like a scene from the human world.

A powerful sense of deterrence emanated from it.

Xu Xing's pupils contracted, but after all, he was a True Yuan Realm cultivator. He raised his blade and blocked Lu Ming's attack.

However, under the influence of the situation, he felt that his combat power was greatly reduced.

Every time Lu Ming's blade fell, he had to be careful.

The soldiers watching the battle could only see their commander and Xu Xing constantly switching bodies, and they couldn't even see each other's figures clearly.

"laugh!"

Finally, as their blades clashed, someone fell to the ground.

Xu Xing's body was cleaved in two by the heavy broadsword, and blood spurted out, reaching a height of two meters.

Lu Ming also had a wound on his chest.

However, because of the armor, it wasn't very deep; it just looked somewhat intimidating.

The skin and flesh were torn open, and blood kept flowing out.

"grown ups!"

Zheng Yong stepped forward, ready to help.

After this battle, he had come to admire Lu Ming to the point of complete awe.

"It's just a minor injury, nothing serious. You guys stay here and clean up the battlefield and take stock of the wounded. I'll go check on things in the backyard."

Li Xirou and the others must be extremely worried right now.

As for the bandits, they've all been killed; all that's left is to clean the yard.

Looking at the training ground littered with corpses, Lu Ming couldn't help but smile bitterly. This project seemed to be more complicated than he thought.

"Yes, my lord!"

Zheng Yong immediately replied.

Lu Ming then walked inside.

Wang Han was leading his men to guard the back.

The long knife in his hand was so tightly gripped that it could almost draw blood.

He originally planned to leave with Li Xirou and the two old people through the secret door, but who would have thought that the three of them were all stubborn and refused to leave no matter what.

There's nothing we can do but wait here.

"Tap!"

Just then, footsteps came from the backyard gate.

Upon discovering that it was Lu Ming who had arrived, a look of surprise instantly appeared on his face. "My lord!"

"Everyone, step back, but remain vigilant and guard against any further attacks."

"Yes, sir!" Wang Han replied and left with his men.

Inside the house, Li Xirou rushed straight up to him, crying, "Husband!"

Her eyes were bloodshot, and Lu Ming could feel her delicate body trembling.

Clearly, everything that happened tonight had given her quite a fright.

"Ah, you're injured!"

Only then did Li Xirou notice the knife wound on Lu Ming's chest.

Li Yan and his wife also hurriedly came out. They had been relieved to see Lu Ming return and didn't want to disturb the young couple's conversation.

But after hearing that Lu Ming was injured, she couldn't help herself.

"Where are you hurt?" Li Yan asked.

"It's nothing serious, just a minor injury," Lu Ming said with a smile, waving his hand.

"Oh dear, such a long wound, how can it not be a problem? You're such a carefree child. Quickly, find a doctor to take a look," Zhang said anxiously, as if she were looking at her own child, tears streaming down her face with heartache.

"Auntie, it's really alright. There's a doctor at the garrison. There are many wounded brothers up ahead, so let's bandage them first. I'll talk to you later."

“We have to stop the bleeding. You’re always so considerate of others. As a centurion, what’s wrong with bandaging yourself first?” Zhang said as she removed Lu Ming’s armor, and the others came over to help.

After they hurriedly removed Lu Ming's armor,

Zhang took out her medicine box from the house and carefully bandaged Lu Ming's wound.

Judging from her technique, she seems quite skilled.

A moment later, Lu Ming was bandaged up tightly.

Wiping away her tears, she said, "I can't risk my life like that again. Any deeper and I could die."

Li Xirou served tea to everyone.

Li Yan asked, "Where are those bandits?"

"They should all be dead. Even if some escaped, there shouldn't be many," Lu Ming said softly.

Surprise flashed in Li Yan's eyes; he clearly hadn't expected that Lu Ming would actually defeat three thousand bandits with only two thousand men.

It is important to know that in Hongdu Prefecture, it often takes several times the number of troops to stop the mountain bandits, which has led to the rampant banditry in the area.

This gave people the opportunity to plant many people in the mountains.

However, to be precise, this situation exists not only in Hongdu Prefecture, but also in various places.

Of course, this excludes the border troops and the imperial guards.

However, these armies were all controlled by powerful families and local vassal kings.

To forge an elite army requires many conditions, including a profound foundation.

He had served in the court for so many years and only had one opportunity, but he ultimately failed.

It wasn't just because his subordinates were incompetent, but also because of the constraints imposed by his rivals.

In that instant, Li Yan thought of many things, but in the end, he patted Lu Ming on the shoulder and said, "Get some rest."

After saying that, he turned to look at Zhang and said, "Let's leave!"

"Old Li, why don't you stay here? It's safer there." Lu Ming stood up.

Li Xirou reluctantly held Zhang's hand.

“Child, let’s go back. The old man is stubborn. Don’t worry, nothing will happen,” Zhang said confidently.

Li Yan also said, "Don't worry, we were careless this time. You all should get some rest."

After saying that, he walked towards the front yard.

Li Xirou had no choice but to release Zhang.

However, Lu Ming followed him and arrived at the front yard, where Wang Han was directing his men to boil water, while herbs were being simmered in a large pot.

"Wang Han, Elder Li is preparing to return. You will take a team to protect him and ensure his safety. Report any incidents to the garrison immediately!"

"Yes, sir!" Wang Han replied, then led his men to follow Li Yan and his wife toward the Li family home.

As he was leaving, Li Yan turned and glanced at Lu Ming, his expression complex, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he resolutely left.

What happened today really affected him; it almost ruined the young couple's life.

At the same time, a sense of resentment rose in his heart for the first time—resentment at being old and frail, resentment at having so many things to fear that prevented him from living.
Everything is unspoken.

Watching the old man leave, Lu Ming felt a strange emptiness in his heart.

Then, they returned to the courtyard.

Zhang Meng came over, his abdomen and legs bandaged, clearly indicating that he was also injured.

But it's good that I'm alive.

How are we doing?

"Thirty-two of the brothers from the Thousand Households have died, and the number of strongmen hasn't been counted yet." Zhang Meng's voice was unusually low.

Lu Ming nodded. "Tell the brothers that we will avenge this, and the compensation will be distributed tomorrow."

He patted Zhang Meng on the shoulder.

He went straight to the backyard.

Li Xirou sat under the tree, head down, seemingly lost in thought.

When Lu Ming came over, he looked up and said, "I feel like Uncle Li and Auntie are about to leave."

"It's alright, we'll visit them when we have time."

Lu Ming stroked her long hair.

The two then talked for a long time until Li Xirou became sleepy and fell into a deep sleep.

Lu Mingcai then opened the data panel.

Let's take stock of what we've gained this time.

(End of this chapter)