Exploding God

Chapter 1120 I will act within my capabilities

food?

Even with Zhang Xinghuo's boldness and meticulousness, a chill ran down his spine. He cautiously asked, "Don't they eat carrion?"

Lu Ze smiled but didn't say anything. Zhang Xinghuo saw the smile and immediately realized what was going on. His heart skipped a beat, and he lowered his head to hide his shock so as not to lose his composure.

Skull mandrills don't eat live prey; the way they looked at the crowd below with the same predatory gaze suggests they already knew these people were...

Zhang Xinghuo shivered, feeling a strange sense of fear.

It wasn't because of the weak Skull Mandrill, but because what they saw was themselves, already doomed to die.

The girl's fair hands clenched quietly. She lowered her head and remained silent for a while, then raised her head again under Lu Ze's still calm gaze.

"Where there's a will, there's a way!"

These four words weren't spoken loudly, but they were spoken with absolute certainty.

Lu Ze smiled with satisfaction and nodded.

"That's right, it all depends on human effort."

Zhang Xinghuo pouted with a rather strange look in his eyes, "Your gaze just now reminded me of my older brother."

"Does he see you that way too?"

"Yes, when I make a mistake and try to explain myself, he usually gives me this look, a little comforting and a little encouraging." Zhang Xinghuo said, sounding somewhat aggrieved.

That's clearly the look in someone's eyes when they're trying to coax a child!

Lu Ze shook his head. "It's still different."

Zhang Xinghuo: ? ?

"I mostly agree with it."

"Tch~"

Zhang Xinghuo pursed his lips in dissatisfaction, but after saying "tsk," he laughed to himself because his original worry and fear had inexplicably subsided.

"Hey buddy up ahead," a low voice suddenly called out from the side.

The two turned around and saw a middle-aged martial artist wearing a gray cloak, with thick eyebrows and a square face, standing about two rows away, clasping his hands in greeting.

"What is it?" Lu Ze asked in a gentle tone. This demeanor was in stark contrast to his age, making people even more wary of him. They thought he might be a young master from some powerful family.

"My name is Yang Zhuang, from Chongma Town. May I ask if you would be willing to come over for a chat?" The square-faced martial artist was very polite, deliberately lowering his voice so that only Lu Ze and the others could hear him.

The other martial artists on the cart noticed this scene, but since they were about to enter the valley, they at most glanced at it and no one really paid any attention to it.

"Can."

A hint of joy appeared in Yang Zhuang's eyes as he stood up and walked to the front row to sit down.

"May I ask how you are addressed, sir?"

"My surname is Lu, and my given name is Ze," Lu Ze said casually.

For some reason, Yang Zhuang felt his temples throbbing when he heard those words. He thought he might be having hysteria due to excessive fear, so he quickly suppressed his discomfort and politely replied:

"I apologize for my intrusion! Just now, I noticed that Young Master Lu didn't seem to be lowering his voice intentionally. Was what you said to this young lady truly true?"

What are your thoughts?

Seeing Lu Ze's eyes, Yang Zhuang felt a chill, but when he thought of what he wanted, his eyes instantly hardened.

He took out an object resembling a rehydrated silver ear fungus from his pocket and gently squeezed it. A fine stream of air was released, enveloping the seats in front of him.

The surrounding noise and the cries of strange beasts in the mountains and forests all disappeared.

"The Wind-Suppressing Stone is a small item I obtained by chance when I was walking on the southern slope of Huangjia Mountain. It can block out our voices for three minutes."

Lu Ze nodded, knowing that this was Wuyuan Lu's version of the soundproofing force field. It looked simple, but its principle and mechanism were much more advanced, making it perfect for use in a high tower.

After confirming that the sound was completely cut off, Yang Zhuang said in a low voice, "I see that you are no ordinary person, and your eyesight is exceptional, especially regarding this yellow dragon carriage. Therefore, I have a favor to ask!"

Zhang Xinghuo frowned upon hearing this and gave Lu Ze a look that it was better to avoid trouble when traveling.

Lu Ze gave the girl a look that said, "Speak."

The next second, Yang Zhuang uttered a chilling statement: "I fear my life may be in danger on this trip. I only ask Young Master Lu for one thing: if I die, could you please send a message to my elderly mother at home, saying that I have been traveling for three years?"

"As payment... the Yan family can take the money they received for this trip, as well as the items on Yang's person."

After speaking, Yang Zhuang handed over a polished iron plate with "No. 56, Chongma Town" engraved on it, and looked at Lu Ze with a pleading expression.

Lu Ze did not answer directly, nor did he accept the iron plaque. Instead, he asked, "To speak of death before even fighting—Brother Yang's words and actions are not those of a martial artist. Since you have concerns, why not return to fulfilling your filial duties?"

Yang Zhuang shook his head. "It's the rule of the martial world that once you accept a recruitment and receive payment, you can't back out halfway. Besides, this is the Yan family's team. Once we're here, we're no longer in control of our own destiny! As for filial piety, I have a younger brother at home, and my mother has no shortage of food, clothing, or other necessities."

"And one more thing," Lu Ze said, uttering two words.

Yang Zhuang gave a wry smile, clasped his hands in a fist and fist salute, "Young Master Lu has keen insight. My eldest brother has been missing for three years. I have been investigating until now, and the only information I have is that the last place my eldest brother was seen was with the Yan family's expedition team in the ancient glacial region."

"Although that expedition team left the ancient glacial land without a trace, we have found some information over the years. It is believed that many people in that team went missing."

"So you joined the Yan family's group to search for traces of your eldest brother?"

"Exactly! The ancient lands are not isolated from each other. I know that the Guangxi Ancient Land and the Binghe Ancient Land are connected. In addition, the team is led by the Yan family, so there is a reason why we must come this time."

"Is truth more important than life?" Lu Ze asked calmly.

Yang Zhuang lowered his head and remained silent for a few seconds, which was uncommon, before raising his head and saying seriously, "More important."

"I've noted down the address." Lu Ze pushed Yang Zhuang's small metal tag back. "Seeking defeat before winning is a good habit. I believe Brother Yang will be blessed by heaven."

Yang Zhuang was overjoyed. "Has the young master agreed?"

"I'll do what I can." Lu Ze smiled gently, his smile as warm as a spring breeze.

"Young master, you are truly virtuous!" Yang Zhuang clasped his hands in a deep fist salute, then grasped the wind-suppressing stone, causing the surrounding soundproof barrier to dissipate. He then strode back to his seat.

They were talking about a transaction, but nothing was exchanged throughout the entire process.

Zhang Xinghuo showed little interest, not because Yang Zhuang was stingy enough to not even pay a deposit, but because the other party, as a martial artist, lacked even the resolve to not die.

Like a sharp arrow, it embodies the spirit and energy of a martial artist!

For example, she had a reason why she couldn't die.

If she dies here, who will save her eldest brother?

After this little incident, the large and impressive group has now completely entered the Guangxi Ancient Land.

The long howl of the Skull Mandrill had been left behind; only when looking up at the cliff face could one see a few scattered green eyes, floating in the distance like fireflies.

The sounds of the procession echoed in my ears again. Although somewhat noisy, they were not as annoying as the howls of the Skull Demons.

So the sounds of people chatting and laughing could be heard from the surrounding area again.

With so many martial artists and Lord Yan Wenchang leading the team, the sense of security is absolutely abundant.

At this moment, a Yan family warrior on horseback galloped back from a distance and shouted, "We can set up camp at the misty willows ahead."

Upon hearing this, many people even yawned and said with a smile, "Now we can get some sleep."

Yan Wenchang's powerful voice also pierced through the air: "Seven hundred meters ahead is a rocky beach, flat and open enough. Where there are willows, there is water. You can rest after you have set up camp."

The rumbling convoy of horses and men came to a stop, and the martial artists gathered together to wait for the Yan family's entourage to set up camp.

"Why are all the tents so far apart?"

Someone muttered.

Of course, others saw it too, but after seeing that the campsites were all set up in a fairly orderly manner, they stopped worrying.

They've all come here for payment, and they don't know each other well, so it's better to keep your distance.

Taking advantage of this moment, Zhang Xinghuo opened the kettle, took out a few medicinal herbs from his medicine bag, chewed them, drank the water, and then stood still, closed his eyes, and regulated his breathing.

Lu Ze gripped the front handrail of the dragon-horse carriage with both hands, looking out into the darkness.

His eyes were bright, and his gaze was peaceful.

No one saw the phoenix phantom flash across his eyes.

Lu Ze closed his eyes, still gazing into the distance from the railing, like a traveler closing his eyes to feel the evening breeze and appreciate nature.

Unbeknownst to anyone, in his mental vision, the vast valley before him presented a completely different scene.

A black curtain...

Whirlpools of all sizes... one by one...

The light flickered intermittently.

Like a series of holes leading to death.

It also resembles a ferocious mouth and greedy eyes.

Against the somber backdrop of the "vision," the faintly glowing stellar energy converges into rainbows of varying sizes, like streams flowing into the sea, ceaselessly pouring into whirlpools.

This is the constant flow of star energy.

This is a world that presents a sense of deathly silence and terror, overlapping yet isolated from reality.

"What a nostalgic atmosphere."

Lu Ze opened his arms wide, a smile on his face, as if embracing spring.

(End of this chapter)