Supreme Alchemist-Chapter 2406 - 2396: Not Losing

All along, Di Zishu’s strength, while not the strongest among the Twelve Great Imperial Guards, was also not weak. But if one were to talk about the strongest, it would definitely be Chen Long. Yet, he never imagined that one day he would lose to some pretty boy, especially one who had been looked down upon by all of Chang’an City.

The other three were also dumbfounded in place. What kind of move was this?

They couldn’t believe their own eyes—this pretty boy had just sent Di Zishu flying with a single punch?

The Twelve Great Guards may not spend every moment together, but they at least knew each other’s limits. Although Chen Long was a cut above the rest, the gap wasn’t significant. Yet Di Zishu had been sent flying by a single punch from Long Yan?

Was Di Zishu doing it on purpose?

Of course not. In fact, even Di Zishu himself hadn’t expected that the pretty boy in front of him would have such tremendous power.

Long Yan smiled as he looked at the two of them. Truthfully, the earlier strike didn’t even use half of his power. Naturally, this wasn’t the power of his current body; instead, it came from the Martial God Array.

One must know that the Martial God Array was the combined force of the Five Great Sacred Beasts. Although the Heart Inquiry Road was considered the Immortal Path, how could it possibly compare to beings that surpassed immortals—Sacred Beasts? However, because Long Yan currently lacked True Qi, the Martial God Array could only be sustained for less than thirty minutes.

Thus...

"Cut the crap. Come at me together."

Long Yan’s entire demeanor underwent a complete transformation. If the earlier Long Yan had been nothing more than a frivolous pretty boy, he now was a commanding celestial being, exuding such majesty that even the three others felt their souls tremble when faced with his golden pupils.

"Wu Niu, Mao Rabbit, Wu Horse, what are you three waiting for? Hurry up and take down this kid!"

From the ground, Di Zishu shouted with all his might, but the three of them seemed as if they had been frozen in place, not moving an inch, completely ignoring Di Zishu’s orders.

"You f***ing..."

Di Zishu was just about to unleash a torrent of curses when he found that all three of them collapsed to the ground simultaneously, blood pooling beneath them. This sight utterly terrified Di Zishu.

What just happened?

Long Yan stood in the same spot, gazing coldly at the fallen Di Zishu. The earlier punch that had sent Di Zishu flying hadn’t even required half of his strength; the Martial God Array made dealing with this group a breeze.

"You must be some kind of demon. I’ll gather the righteous sects to eliminate you."

Di Zishu’s words were incoherent, his mind reeling. After all, someone you’ve always deemed weak suddenly not only crushes you but also silently kills three of your companions right before your eyes—who could believe such a thing?

But the bloodstained reality before him left Di Zishu no choice but to believe.

"Two choices..."

Long Yan stepped closer to Di Zishu. As Di Zishu became enveloped by Long Yan’s shadow, his panic subsided into a strange calm. Previously locked in denial, his instincts now gave way to calculated thought.

"One: Take me to your clan leader."

"Impossible."

If there was anyone among the Twelve Great Imperial Guards who was most loyal to the Emperor Clan, it was Di Zishu. Raised by the Emperor Clan since childhood, he harbored no treacherous thoughts. Long Yan, on the other hand, had no time for coercion; with his limited time, he decided he might as well storm directly to their doorstep. Surely, Di Lingtian wouldn’t avoid facing him under those circumstances.

"Is that so? Then you’re useless to me."

With a swift motion, Long Yan’s hand—sharp as a blade—sliced across Di Zishu’s throat.

"The Emperor Clan will avenge me."

That was Di Zishu’s final, dying declaration. It felt eerily similar to those who claim they’ll return one day, but this time, there was no returning for him.

"Brother Yan, are you hurt?"

After Long Yan swiftly disposed of Di Zishu, Lingxi rushed over. What just happened had been too quick for her to perceive; with Lingxi’s current strength, she couldn’t keep up with Long Yan’s speed under the Martial God Array’s enhancement. Long Yan dared declare that in all of Chang’an City, only Di Lingtian might be his equal now.

"I’m fine. But Xier, could you do me a favor?" fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Long Yan’s large hand tousled Lingxi’s small head, his gaze filled with tender affection.

"What favor?"

Lingxi instinctively raised her head in alarm, her sixth sense warning her that Long Yan was planning something extremely dangerous.

"Promise me first."

"No..."

Lingxi shook her head helplessly as Long Yan opened his palm.

"Lend me some money."

Lingxi froze at Long Yan’s words. It seemed her sixth sense wasn’t always accurate. Nonetheless, her sudden relief was palpable—she had thought Long Yan was planning to challenge the Emperor Clan and her father, whose power she knew all too well.

Honestly speaking, Lingxi couldn’t imagine her Brother Yan defeating her father, the most formidable warrior in the entire Northern Territory.

"But Brother Yan, you need to spend it sparingly. Otherwise, my money won’t be enough to sustain us in the future."

Lingxi began painting an idyllic vision of their future—buying a house by a small lake, purchasing half an acre of fertile farmland, and living a life of simplicity and contentment as a couple raising children together. What a wonderful life that would be.

But Lingxi didn’t notice the trace of sadness in Long Yan’s eyes.

"I’m sorry, Lingxi. Some things simply must be done."

"Hmm?"

As Lingxi turned her head, Long Yan delivered a chop to the back of her neck. Powered by the Martial God Array, Long Yan’s strength easily rendered Lingxi unconscious.

"She’ll hate you for this."

Jian Wuchen stepped out from the alleyway. Long Yan had sensed his presence the entire time. He had sought Jian Wuchen’s help to protect Lingxi once he dealt with the four guards.

Hearing Jian Wuchen’s remark, Long Yan’s hand momentarily froze, a hint of sorrow flickering across his face.

"Why?"

"The knot lies in the heart."

Long Yan offered no further explanation. Past life or present, Long Yan was still himself—steadfast in his convictions. Truthfully, when Lingxi spoke of their future, he’d been momentarily tempted. But he knew that if they were to retreat into seclusion, endless tribulations would follow. As long as Di Lingtian, the ultimate boss, remained undefeated, there would never be peace.

All Long Yan wished for now was for Lingxi to live a safe and happy life.

"Brother Wuchen, why did that big brother knock out the pretty sister?"

The shy young maiden couldn’t comprehend their actions. Moments ago, everything seemed fine, so why had the big brother suddenly knocked out the beautiful lady and left her in their care?

"You’ll understand someday."

With a gentle pat on her head, Jian Wuchen tried to console the girl. He vaguely grasped the meaning behind Long Yan’s actions.

This was the Heart Inquiry Road—not the real world. Even in this illusory realm, would he face defeat again?

Jian Wuchen had no answer.

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