Hu Lizhong was quietly waiting at the foot of Meishan Mountain.
Yang Fei had deliberately sent himself away to protect himself, a fact that Hu Lizhong was very clear about, so he was very touched in his heart.
But he didn’t leave immediately; instead, he anxiously waited around Meishan Mountain, constantly alert to any commotion happening on the mountain.
Even several times he contemplated ascending Meishan Mountain, thinking that he and the Brother Yang had shared life-and-death experiences and had formed a bond as close as brothers. Now that Brother Yang was in danger, how could he justify sneaking away to safety?
Very soon, a formidable sword Qi emitted from the mountain top.
That sword Qi, even tens of miles away, left Hu Lizhong at the foot of the mountain trembling with fear, and the heroic resolve he had moments ago to ascend the mountain and share life-and-death with Brother Yang was once again suppressed.
Calm down, stay calm!
Even if the enemy was still up there, there were several powerful figures accompanying Brother Yang, and to those figures, Brother Yang still had significant utility; they should protect him.
Moreover, Brother Yang was profoundly strong and if he intended only to escape, it should not be difficult.
Brother Yang was a man of honor. If I rashly charged up the mountain now, I wouldn’t be of any help to him; on the contrary, if an enemy caught me, Brother Yang would surely save me, thus burdening him instead.
Yes, the best help I can offer Brother Yang is not to go up the mountain and avoid making things worse.
Very soon, Hu Lizhong understood that not going up the mountain was indeed the greatest help he could offer Yang Fei; thus, he ’righteously’ continued to hover around the foot of the mountain, waiting anxiously.
After a while, another sword Qi crossed the sky, followed by faint sounds of intense battle.
Old Hu was always tense; he didn’t know what the situation on the mountain was like, or if Yang Fei would be in danger.
He hid in a tree within the forest, calmly observing the battle at the mountain’s peak, and soon realized that although the battle seemed fierce, it didn’t appear to be particularly perilous.
Compared to the commotion caused by the battle between Yang Fei and Zhuge Cang on Yunwu Mountain, this was much smaller.
"Could it be that Zhuge and the strong figures from the Duanmu family are not on the mountain at the moment?" Hu Lizhong analyzed silently.
If that was the case, even if the defenders on the mountain were formidable, they should not be a match for Brother Yang and his companions.
As expected, the battle ended quickly.
The mountain top quieted down once again.
Hu Lizhong had an itching curiosity, almost unable to resist the urge to climb the mountain to investigate, but the surrounding forests of Meishan Mountain were guarded by a large number of special soldiers, among them some martial arts masters. Now, in broad daylight, it was impossible for him to ascend the mountain undetected and easily discovered.
Thus, after struggling with himself for a while, he suddenly heard a familiar humming sound in his ears.
"Aerial support has arrived!" he looked up to the sky, and his scalp tingled instantly.
A dense group of aircraft was converging from all directions.
Compared to the interceptors encountered when escaping from Yunwu Mountain’s Base last time, the number of helicopters closing in from all around had multiplied several times over.
Even though he was now a martial artist of the Innate Realm, Hu Lizhong felt the impulse to flee for his life immediately.
While still at a distance, a helicopter launched a miniature missile, causing Hu Lizhong’s pupils to constrict and his heart to pound.
This display of force, was it intended to destroy Meishan Mountain?
Then, he watched in wide-eyed astonishment as two swords flew up into the sky and intercepted the miniature missile, causing it to explode in the air.
"Damn, can missiles be intercepted like that?" Hu Lizhong thought of the two flying swords that soared into the sky like lightning, their speed astonishing; even with his strong eye-power, he barely caught a clear sight of them.
It must have been those two sword-wielding figures who made the move.
What followed was a relentless, devastating bombardment.
Under such overwhelming firepower, Hu Lizhong felt that his flesh and blood body could only survive by escaping as quickly as possible.
However, he saw several aircraft being effortlessly eradicated.
This scene was not unfamiliar to him; just a month ago, Qin Yanyang had blown up a helicopter while escaping from Yunwu Mountain. Thɪs chapter is updated by NoveIꜰire.net
Yet seeing once more how effortlessly a powerful Martial Artist could destroy a heavily armed helicopter redefined Hu Lizhong’s understanding of top fighters.
Shocked, Hu Lizhong, hidden in the tree, suddenly changed his expression.
Someone was coming down the mountain, and one of them was heading straight towards his location.
Since the other party was descending the mountain, occasionally jumping to move around, their good line of sight made it very easy to spot Hu Lizhong in the tree.
Hu Lizhong was about to hide when his pupils shrank slightly.
Caught off guard, the man escaping down the mountain also spotted Hu Lizhong. Their eyes met, and the other’s expression clearly showed surprise, followed immediately by an intense murderous intent as he raised an Energy Cannon and aimed it at Hu Lizhong.
Hu Lizhong’s pupils narrowed, and he called out in a hurry, "Old Luo, it’s me."
Hearing this voice, Luo Ping was first startled, then his pupils narrowed as he looked at Hu Lizhong with a mix of wariness and confusion, "Old... Old Hu?"
"It’s me, Luo Ping, what are you doing here?" Hu Lizhong immediately asked.
After asking this question, Hu Lizhong immediately regretted it. Damn, wasn’t that a stupid thing to say?
Luo Ping was Luo Yong’s younger brother and the second strongest in the Luo Family, besides Luo Yong himself. He had also joined the Military Department early on due to his brother’s influence.
Now, anyone from the Military Department who hadn’t gone south with Qin Yanyang had chosen to side with the Chu Family Faction.
Luo Ping quickly realized this as well, the Energy Cannon in his hands still aimed at Hu Lizhong, his face full of vigilance.
Hu Lizhong was also extremely tense.
However, after a moment of eye contact, neither of them showed any intent to attack.
They had a good relationship in private when they were in the Military Department.
Even now, serving different masters, it was hard for them to strike at each other.
Suddenly, Luo Ping lowered the Energy Cannon, looked around, and said in a low voice, "Go. Pretend you didn’t see me."
Hu Lizhong felt touched but still didn’t let down his guard as he looked at Luo Ping and said, "Did your entire Luo Family side with the Chu Family’s power group?"
Luo Ping spoke calmly, "It seems so. Old Hu, from now on, we serve different lords. It’s better if we don’t meet again. This is no place for you; you should leave soon."
After speaking, he was about to leave.
Hu Lizhong said in a low voice, "Wait a moment."
Luo Ping glanced at him, "Your family must be locked up in Deep Blue Prison. Most hostages are held there. Old Hu, take my advice. Even though you’ve reached the Innate Realm, going to Deep Blue Prison now is pointless. There are powerhouses from the Hidden Sect on guard there."
Elated to hear this information, Hu Lizhong expressed his gratitude, "Thank you."
"Leave now; this place is not safe to linger in." Luo Ping urged again, looking anxious to leave.
Hu Lizhong couldn’t help but say, "You’re supposed to be stationed here, right? Wouldn’t leaving be abandoning your post?"
Luo Ping’s eyes flashed with a hint of sorrow as he said sarcastically, "What does abandoning my post matter? It’s better than being cannon fodder here, getting bombed to death by my own people."
Hu Lizhong was startled, recalling the frenzied bombing and strafing from earlier, his own fear palpable.
The airstrike troops had indeed been too reckless, their firepower completely disregarding the lives of their own people stationed in the forest.
"Not to make you laugh, Old Hu, but ever since my older brother was sent out by Qin Yanyang to join forces with Yang Fei, our Luo Family has lost all trust among these power groups of the Chu Family. They’re wary of the Luo Family, worried that we might be the Qin Family’s pawns left behind." Luo Ping suddenly shared his indignation with Hu Lizhong, his face showing deep disappointment.
He had always stood with the Chu Family Faction.
Even when he initially went to capture Yang Fei, he led the team personally, which ended up offending Qin Yanyang, earning him a fierce beating.
His loyal service had been met with suspicion from above, being assigned to such a dangerous location. Now, not caring about their own people’s survival and resorting to indiscriminate bombardment, how could he not be disillusioned?