Chapter 258: Trapped to Death
Lu Hui was already severely injured. No matter how much he struggled, he stood no chance against two late-stage first-grade beasts.
The two beasts, unwilling to let their prey escape, tore into Lu Hui.
The scene was bloody, and Mo Hua felt uneasy, though Lu Hui was getting what he deserved.
After a moment, Mo Hua's Divine-Sense stirred, and he said to Zhang Lan, "The Dao Court Division cultivators are coming."
He could already sense their presence with his Divine-Sense.
Zhang Lan nodded.
Lu Hui could die, but he couldn't be eaten. At least his body had to remain as evidence, so everyone would know whether his death was connected to them.
Zhang Lan shouted, "Bold beasts! How dare you harm Head Enforcer Lu!"
Then he condensed water-element sword energy and struck at the two beasts.
The sword energy hit, causing the beasts pain. They roared furiously, eyes gleaming with menace as they turned on Zhang Lan.
Mo Shan seized the opportunity to engage the beasts, while Mo Hua used Water Prison Technique to restrain them.
Water Prison Technique was weaker against late-stage first-grade beasts, holding them for less than a breath. But even that fleeting moment was enough to hinder their attacks and buy time for Mo Shan.
After some struggle, Mo Shan finally pulled Lu Hui from the beasts' jaws.
Having lost their prey, the two beasts were enraged. One leapt at Mo Shan, the other charged Zhang Lan.
Relying on his deep cultivation and refined Dao techniques, Mo Shan engaged one beast, mostly evading and maneuvering.
Mo Hua released fireworks and, using Flowing-Water Step, engaged the other beast to buy time.
Two late-stage first-grade beasts were no match for them head-on. Their only hope was to stall until the Dao Court Division cultivators arrived.
Zhang Lan, attacking from a distance with water sword techniques in coordination with the two, was secretly amazed.
Mo Shan, an experienced hunter, was unsurprisingly skilled enough to handle a late-stage first-grade beast for a while.
But Mo Hua, a mere Qi-Refining level seven, could use his body technique to contend with a late-stage first-grade beast, exchanging blows with skill and precision.
Every attack—whether clawing, grabbing, or biting—Mo Hua deftly evaded, showing the Flowing-Water Step's full elegance.
He even found time to cast a few spells: fireballs to harass or Water Prison Technique to trap.
His spellcasting was fast; even in close combat, he could condense spells in time.
Though the damage was minor, it consistently hit the beasts.
The beast fighting Mo Hua, no matter how enraged, could not touch him—not even to scratch.
Zhang Lan felt uneasy.
Flowing-Water Step was the Zhang family's secret technique, yet Mo Hua, not of the Zhang family, executed it flawlessly.
He wondered if the technique should now bear the surname Mo instead of Zhang.
"You'd better not let my Zhang family ancestor see this, or he'll force you to marry into the family," Zhang Lan thought silently.
After a while, Dao Court Division cultivators arrived to reinforce them—about fifteen or sixteen, from both Tongxian City and Qingxuan City.
Outnumbered, the two beasts, roaring in frustration, retreated to the forest.
A Qingxuan City cultivator saw Lu Hui and exclaimed in shock, "Head Enforcer Lu! You…"
Lu Hui's arm had been eaten, his body covered in blood, his strength fading, only a mouthful of blood stuck in his throat.
He could only point at Mo Hua, unable to speak.
Zhang Lan grabbed Lu Hui's shoulders, shook him forcefully, grief-stricken:
"Head Enforcer Lu, what happened? Speak, Head Enforcer Lu!"
Lu Hui's last breath was gone. His head fell, and he expired.
Zhang Lan looked on, disbelief on his face, sorrowful: "Head Enforcer Lu, how could you leave us just like this?!"
Mo Hua watched, eyes wide.
Zhang Lan, a veteran of the Dao Court Division, acted convincingly.
Any onlooker would think he and Lu Hui were close.
This mix of genuine grief and theatrical flair left Mo Hua humbled.
Zhang Lan, satisfied that Lu Hui was truly dead, said:
"Head Enforcer Lu first fought Bald Monk, subduing him. To prevent Bald Monk from falling to the beasts, he fought them to the death, ultimately sacrificing his life in the line of duty. Such courage is commendable."
The Qingxuan City Enforcers exchanged glances.
Was this really their Head Enforcer Lu? He didn't behave like this…
The words "commendable" seemed utterly uncharacteristic. He would never risk his life for the Dao Court Division.
Zhang Lan coldly eyed them. "Head Enforcer Lu died, yet you remain unmoved. Are you dissatisfied with him?"
The Qingxuan City enforcers immediately lowered their heads, adopting sorrowful expressions, and said:
"Head Enforcer Lu's death saddens us deeply. We cannot believe it. We ask Head Enforcer Zhang to oversee the aftermath."
Zhang Lan nodded. "You all contributed to capturing Bald Monk. Head Enforcer Lu's role was especially important. Return his body to Qingxuan City for a proper burial."
With Lu Hui gone, Zhang Lan, as the only Head Enforcer Officer present, called the shots.
The Qingxuan City executors had also earned merit for the capture. Lu Hui's death mattered little now.
They complied: "As Head Enforcer Zhang commands."
Zhang Lan instructed, "Send Head Enforcer Lu's body first to the Dao Court Division in Tongxian City. The chief there will review before returning it to Qingxuan City."
"Yes."
The Qingxuan City executors carried Lu Hui's body down the mountain. Mo Hua and Zhang Lan returned to the valley where the criminal cultivators lived.
Ji Qingbai and several Dao Court Division cultivators were clearing the battlefield. Seeing Mo Hua, they looked around and asked:
"Where's Lu Hui?"
Mo Hua sighed: "Head Enforcer Lu sacrificed his life in the line of duty."
Ji Qingbai was incredulous.
How could so soon, and for duty?
That was Lu Hui!
The Qingxuan City Dao Court Division chief, usually ruthless and corrupt, was now dead?
Ji Qingbai thought for a moment and slowly understood, asking cautiously: "There won't be any problems, right?"
Mo Shan glanced at Mo Hua helplessly: "We didn't touch him."
Mo Hua smiled: "Bald Monk and the beasts killed Lu Hui. It has nothing to do with us."
Zhang Lan nodded: "No evidence, the Dao Court Division won't pursue it."
Ji Qingbai was stunned. How could someone be killed without leaving a trace?
He didn't need to know. All he needed to know was that the despicable Lu Hui was dead.
The weight on his heart finally lifted.
Even the Qingxuan City rogue cultivators could breathe easier.
Ji Qingbai clasped his hands solemnly: "On behalf of Qingxuan City's rogue cultivators, I thank you all!"
Zhang Lan waved it off: "I didn't do much. Thank Mo Hua instead."
Ji Qingbai looked at Mo Hua in surprise.
Mo Hua grinned: "It was nothing."
He had merely cast a few Water Prison Techniques—a simple task.
(End of chapter)