Chapter 199: Chapter 199: A Self-Inflicted Dead End! The Poison of Maddening Itch!

The siege continued, with Meng Zhen protecting Chu Ming while fighting and retreating.

All the constables, Jingyan Guards, and miners were killed by the Blood Vine Castle, with no survivors, except Song Yan and Lv Jinhui who were behind Meng Zhen.

Meng Zhen wielded a long spear like a mountain, fearlessly blocking everyone ahead, attracting almost all the Blood Vine Castle experts.

This continued for more than half an hour, giving Song Yan and Lv Jinhui the opportunity to escape.

Gradually, Meng Zhen’s energy waned, flipping two mountain bandits with one spear, a look of impending death flashed across his face.

Surrounded by two Refining Organ Realm attackers, he could only barely hold them off; the longer the time, the more dangerous it became.

As a Tiger Armor Army soldier, he never feared death.

His only regret was not dying on the battlefield today, but rather at the hands of a group of mountain bandits!

"Tsk tsk, worthy of being a Tiger Armor Army centurion, such impressive spirit is truly admirable,"

The Blood Vine Castle experts watched Meng Zhen with admiration, though the gaze was mocking: "But, killing a Tiger Armor Army centurion is also quite thrilling!"

Meng Zhen said nothing, only continually waving his long spear.

Behind him, Chu Ming spread the [Sword Gourd Spirit], covering the mining field.

Suddenly, his eyes focused, as if he’d discovered something.

"Commander Meng, break through the left-rear flank."

Without much thought, Meng Zhen turned and swept with his spear.

The two Blood Vine Castle Refining Organ Realm experts continued attacking, unable to gain an advantage in a short time.

Breaking through about a hundred meters ahead, a dark cave entrance appeared.

This spot, was an abandoned mine tunnel.

"Commander Meng, enter the cave!"

Enter the cave?

Meng Zhen’s spear did not pause, but his steps hesitated.

Mine tunnels usually only have one exit, entering means seeking death, no escape!

"Enter the cave!" Chu Ming’s tone intensified.

Upon hearing this, Meng Zhen no longer hesitated, rushed into the cave, and thrust his spear toward the cave wall.

Rumble—

Rocks fell, instantly blocking the cave entrance, also trapping the Blood Vine Castle people outside.

But these rocks couldn’t block for long.

The cave was pitch-dark, unable to see one’s fingers.

After a brief respite, Meng Zhen asked solemnly, "Brother Chu, are there other exits within the cave?"

"No," Chu Ming replied.

Meng Zhen froze, sighed, and said, "Let’s search first."

"No need, we’re out of time."

As soon as the words fell.

Boom—

The cave entrance shook, daylight seeping in.

"That kid drove himself into a corner, choosing to die, actually went into the cave!"

The cave entrance echoed the Blood Vine Castle Refining Organ Realm experts’ mocking voice.

"Brothers, whoever chops off that kid’s limbs, will be rewarded with three thousand taels of silver, whoever brings his head, rewarded with ten thousand taels!"

"Kill, for three thousand taels of silver!"

"..."

The Blood Vine Castle bandits, holding large knives, excitedly charged into the cave.

Inside the cave.

Meng Zhen was anxious.

"Brother Chu, quickly go, maybe there’s another exit somewhere."

However, Chu Ming stood motionless, seemingly waiting for death.

"Go!"

Meng Zhen, in anger, reached out to grab Chu Ming’s arm, attempting to forcefully pull him away.

Hm?!

But at the next moment, an irresistible force came from the palm.

Unable to move!

As if not pulling a person, but a mountain.

How is that possible?!

"Commander Meng, thank you."

Chu Ming had a calm expression, cupping his hands in salute.

Meng Zhen was entrusted by his master to accompany protection, already proving trustworthiness.

Previously during the Black Wind Stronghold ambush, and this Blood Vine Castle attack, this Commander had shown no signs of retreat, enough to prove his character.

"Thanks?"

Meng Zhen watched the slightly bowing youth, an unusual feeling arose in his heart, a feeling he couldn’t comprehend.

Why did Chu Ming exude such a terrifying aura?

This kind of aura, none of the six Tiger Armor Army commanders possessed, only Marshal Xiang had.

"Brother Chu...?" Meng Zhen’s heart surged with growing waves of shock.

"Commander Meng," Chu Ming brushed his right hand over his face, his voice changing, "wait for me here."

"..."

Meng Zhen holding the spear, froze momentarily, just saw Chu Ming’s figure vanish into thin air.

Disappeared!

How was it done?!

In mere moments, near the cave entrance, the sound of screams echoed.

"Ah—"

"A mysterious expert appeared!"

"Retreat! Retreat!"

"..."

Meng Zhen, startled, finally came to his senses, gripped the spear tightly and rushed out.

Splayed corpses, the air thick with a pungent blood smell.

No sign of Blood Vine Castle experts, nor Chu Ming.

"Were these people killed by Brother Chu?"

Meng Zhen looked at the pile of bodies at the cave entrance, his eyes full of shock.

He stepped out of the abandoned mine cave, with shadows alternating, blood-red glows slightly dazzling. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Outside the cave, similarly the ground was littered with corpses.

Further away, red streams flashed by, Blood Vine Castle bandits fled desperately.

"Brother Chu..."

Meng Zhen grasped the spear, its blood-stained tassel fluttering in the wind.

Taking a few steps forward, a corpse made his pupils instantly contract.

One Blood Vine Castle Refining Organ Realm expert, dead!

In his mind appeared the Black Wind Stronghold ambush night, the silhouette of a suddenly emerging mysterious masked person.

Masked person, Brother Chu?

Chu Ming changed face, with thundering momentum, killed numerous bandits, even changed clothes, donning a black cloth.

"Who are you? Dare to oppose my Blood Vine Castle!"

Another Refining Organ Realm expert from Blood Vine Castle and the remaining dozen martial artists fled madly.

In just a brief moment, the pursuers and the pursued had switched roles.

Chu Ming’s eyes were cold as ice as he reached out his hand.

Crack!

With the sound of bones snapping, a Strong Bone Realm bandit died on the spot.

Fear crashed down like a mountain flood, sweeping through the people of Blood Vine Castle.

Each disappearance of the crimson flash seemed to stir up even more terrifying waves.

The expert from Blood Vine Castle was utterly terrified, cursing non-stop.

"Why aren’t they here yet, still not here?!"

His task was to lure out the masters hidden in the shadows. Now that they were out, why had the reinforcements not arrived?!

If they didn’t arrive soon, he was a dead man...

"Ah—"

As his thoughts spun rapidly, a flash of red light swept past his face. He immediately felt his breath halt, his neck seemed to be caught by something.

"Elder... Elder Yao... I’m just following... orders, please... show mercy..."

The third-in-command of Blood Vine Castle used all his strength to beg for mercy.

He and the previously killed Refining Organ expert were the third and fourth commanders of Blood Vine Castle.

Elder Yao? The Medicine Maniac?

Chu Ming’s heart stirred slightly.

Did Blood Vine Castle mistake him for the Medicine Maniac?

"You can’t... kill... me, I... Blood Vine Castle is Blood Evil Sect..."

Crack—

With a slight twist, he snapped the man’s neck, not letting him finish.

It didn’t matter what Blood Vine Castle was to the Blood Evil Sect; as long as it was related, he wouldn’t spare them.

He released his hand, calmly lifted his head to look into the distance, as if waiting for something.

The Sword Gourd Spirit sensed three Blood Evil Qi forces approaching.

Not far off, two people poked their heads out.

"Lord Song, who is Elder Yao, what’s the connection between Blood Vine Castle and the Blood Evil Sect...?"

The two were Jingyan Guard Salt Captain Song Yan and Merit Officer Lv Jinhui, who had previously escaped.

Song Yan shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

"Should we..." Lv Jinhui wanted to go out and seek refuge.

However, beside him, Song Yan’s expression suddenly turned gloomy, and there seemed to be a cold glint in his palm.

Thud—

The cold light silently pierced Lv Jinhui’s body.

"Lord... Song... you..."

Lv Jinhui was a bit dazed.

Song Yan pulled out the short blade and stabbed several more times, his gloomy face etched firmly in Lv Jinhui’s pupils.

Lv Jinhui couldn’t understand why a minor Jingyan Guard dared to assassinate a proper Senior Fifth-Grade Merit Officer like him?

"Some things shouldn’t be overheard. Does Lord Lv not understand even in your position?"

The relationship between Blood Vine Castle and the Blood Evil Sect must not be known to outsiders.

With his flesh and blood-stained hand, he gently covered Lv Jinhui’s eyes, who died with unrest. Song Yan stealthily looked into the distance again.

"Elder Yao? One of the five Meridian Unlocking experts in Xirong County?"

"Heh, anyone who dares provoke my Blood Evil Sect must die!"

As he spoke, he unconsciously scratched his arm.

"So itchy... so itchy, that old thing poisoned me!"

Deep blood marks were left on his left arm as Song Yan scratched his right arm.

Suddenly, shadows flickered before him.

Song Yan raised his head and was suddenly shocked.

"Elder... not, master... I’m Song Yan, the Jingyan Guard Salt Captain..."

Song Yan didn’t expect to be discovered.

Chu Ming gazed down indifferently.

Everything that had just happened between the two was under the observation of the Sword Gourd Spirit.

Facing those eyes, chills ran from Song Yan’s feet to his head.

"Thank you, elder, for saving my life..." He could only force himself to act, unable to stop scratching his arm.

However, in the next moment, a bloody palm appeared in his eyes, and then, nothing.

Chu Ming withdrew his hand, coldly looking at the corpse.

Song Yan’s exposed skin was covered in red rashes, whether on his face, neck, or arms.

Beside the corpse.

Lv Jinhui wasn’t dead. His closed eyes opened again, blood frothing from his mouth.

"Help... help... me..."

His skin was the same, covered in dense red rashes.

Like a drowning man grasping a life-saving straw, the barely alive Lv Jinhui didn’t want to die.

But he asked the wrong person.

Chu Ming picked up the short blade and flicked it with his finger.

Thunk!

Scarlet matter splattered; the Senior Fifth-Grade Merit Officer, who thought clinging to the Fifth Prince’s leg would let him swagger freely, died with unwillingness and fear.

After dealing with these two, Chu Ming gently stepped onto the building, leaping to a high point, gazing into the distance.

Three experts emitting Blood Evil Qi were approaching.

Not just those three, with the Sword Gourd Spirit’s coverage, two even stronger presences were hidden in the dark.

One was the already sensed Cangmu presence, suspected to be the Meridian Unlocking expert, the Medicine Maniac.

The other was outside the mine, still, violent and bloodthirsty, yet not acting.

If guessed correctly, this person was likely the Fortress Master of Blood Vine Castle, one of the five Meridian Unlocking experts in Xirong County.

The wind blew from the mountain, carrying dust and stones.

Blood Vine Castle was an enemy, and the Medicine Maniac might not necessarily be a friend.

Chu Ming extended his right hand, spreading his palm, gaze focused.

"Poison..."

In the air, besides dust, there was a colorless, tiny powder.

Covered by the Sword Gourd Spirit, he saw that anyone who contacted the powder would develop red rashes on the skin’s surface, just like Song Yan and Lv Jinhui.

These people, unbearably itchy, kept scratching, tearing at their skin until blood and flesh were revealed, yet they wouldn’t stop.

Chu Ming slightly furrowed his brows, turning to look back.

From behind, Meng Zhen was rushing with a long spear.

Brother Chu... Chu Chief Clerk...

Meng Zhen looked at the masked, disguised Chu Ming, unsure of how to address him now.

Chu Ming leaped lightly, landing beside Meng Zhen.

He grasped Meng Zhen’s arm, looking down; several red spots had already emerged on the back of his hand.

"Commander Meng, is it itchy?"

Meng Zhen looked at his hands in confusion, only to find red spots on the back of his hand.

Not just the hand; looking further up, there were various-sized red spots on his arm as well.