Chapter 72: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind (Part 2)

Volume 1 “Year of Calamity”

“Woman, you are powerful! As a warrior, you deserve respect.”

The black-robed Purifier suddenly withdrew and ceased his attacks. As he stopped, the other three Purifiers also halted their assaults. However, they remained vigilant against Medusa, fearing this powerful Mutated Lord might launch a sudden counterattack.

This was truly the Purifiers judging others by their own standards. Although Medusa was no samurai and possessed no martial artist’s spirit, she was an extremely arrogant queen by nature. Since the enemy wanted to cease fighting, she would simply stop – after all, she believed she had already seized control of the battlefield.

Hearing the black-robed Purifier’s words, Medusa deliberately replied in a flippant tone: “You’re not bad either. Japanese, are you? Quite skilled with the Kodachi.”

“As a sign of respect for the strong, I will now attack you with my full power. Are you ready?”

The black-robed Purifier Murata Koichi slowly removed his hood, revealing his true appearance. He was a somewhat unkempt middle-aged man with long hair and a terrifying scar running from his forehead down to his chin. Though the scar was horrifying, it added an aura of solemnity and weathered experience to his resolute face.

Murata Koichi’s body gradually transformed from flesh into a bizarre black energy form, while the saber in his hand became enveloped in dark energy streams that mirrored his physical transformation.

“Mighty Lord, this is a saber technique I comprehended only after my Sublimation. The saber slays the Physical Body, the heart slays the Soul! Profound Truth – Yin-Yang Strangulation!”

Instantly, Murata Koichi disappeared. Medusa only saw a blur before her eyes as the Japanese middle-aged man vanished from sight. However, she soon discovered that her body could no longer move, while the surging life energy within her seemed frozen at Absolute Zero, completely beyond her control.

What was a Profound Truth? It was the ultimate Move! A final killing technique that could only be executed when spirit, power, and Physical Body achieved perfect unity! “The saber slays the Physical Body, the heart slays the Soul” was no empty phrase. Although Murata Koichi couldn’t actually strike something as ethereal as a Soul, to him, the energy within his enemy’s body was precisely an extension of soul power.

The essence of the Second-Stage Heito Method lay in instantly hypnotizing opponents during combat. After obtaining the Deification Factor and Sublimating into a Purifier, Murata Koichi perfectly integrated this method with his Superpower, creating the current Yin-Yang Strangulation! The two aspects represented Yin and Yang, corresponding to Physical Body and energy respectively – Murata Koichi’s saber could both sever the Physical Body and restrain energy.

Medusa had truly fallen into the trap this time. Murata Koichi’s sudden cessation of attack was entirely meant to create confusion, buying time to execute his ultimate Profound Truth. The other Advanced Purifiers, naturally aware of their companion’s powerful technique, had been waiting precisely for this moment.

“Aurora!”

“Spear of Judgment!”

“Absolute Zero!”

The three Advanced Purifiers simultaneously launched their attacks against Medusa. In an instant, dozens of golden flashes enveloped a lightning-condensed spear, accompanied by visible extreme cold, all rushing toward Medusa’s position.If all these attacks had landed, Medusa would have been skinned alive even if she survived. Yet she couldn’t dodge, as Murata Koichi’s assault had completely bound both her physical form and power. Though someone of Medusa’s strength would eventually break free, time was precisely what she lacked now.

At the critical moment, a demon wreathed in black flames flashed into view, scooping up Medusa’s delicate form and swiftly evading.

Though An Sheng moved with extreme speed, it paled in comparison to light itself. Fortunately, having anticipated the danger, he managed to avoid fatal strikes—but not unscathed. One wing and an arm instantly disintegrated into bloody pulp, while his legs froze into rock-hard pillars of ice.

His freshly healed body was severely wounded again after just one encounter. Who could guess what thoughts raced through An Sheng’s mind? Yet comfort came from his success: despite grave injuries, he’d saved Medusa.

Nestled in An Sheng’s embrace, Medusa needed a moment to process what happened. The warmth of the man’s chest momentarily captivated her, but she quickly registered his severe injuries and realized her own bonds had shattered.

“Spatial Displacement!”

In a crimson flash, they reappeared on a hilltop a hundred meters away. Medusa immediately pulled free from An Sheng’s hold, anxiously examining his wounds.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

Seeing his legs, one arm, and a wing rendered useless, Medusa scolded the man she’d chosen, though her heart held a thread of sweetness—these injuries were borne for her protection. This was truly the man worthy of Medusa’s regard.

An Sheng grimaced in agony, but pain had become familiar. With abundant life energy coursing through him, recovery wouldn’t be difficult despite the severity of his wounds.

“You saved me earlier, so of course I’d return the favor, Queen Sister. “We’re even now,” An Sheng said with a bitter smile at Medusa—the first time he dared to look directly at her.

Truth be told, Medusa was unparalleled among temptresses. Comparisons to legendary beauties like Xi Shi or Diao Chan fell short, especially when considering her curvaceous figure and bewitchingly demonic features—a face that could only be described as divinely fiendish.

Yet since meeting this woman—no, this enchantress—An Sheng had never dared gaze at her properly. He feared Medusa deeply, wishing they’d never cross paths. But today’s events shifted his perspective. He suddenly began believing her words—that they were kindred spirits—something he’d always denied.

“Little one, think we’re even?” Medusa flicked his forehead. “Dream on! From now on, you’re my man. Don’t imagine escaping my grasp!”

In her outburst, she forgot An Sheng’s legs remained frozen and unrecovered. The tap sent him tumbling to the ground.Medusa let out a startled “Ah!” and quickly helped An Sheng up from the ground. Her eyes were filled with nothing but heartache and apology, a far cry from her earlier queenly arrogance.

An Sheng, currently preoccupied with whether he should reveal himself to Xiao Xiao, didn’t notice the change in Medusa’s expression.

“Queen Sister, I came out to negotiate.”

Medusa was no fool. Upon hearing An Sheng’s words, she immediately guessed his intentions. However, she scoffed at the idea, feeling both angry and perhaps even jealous.

“What is there to discuss with those arrogant bastards? And don’t forget, that woman is in your past. You are now Medusa the Queen’s man—I forbid you from exchanging glances with other women!”

An Sheng was baffled by Medusa’s sudden shift in attitude, but he had no time to dwell on it. His reasons for negotiating were twofold: first, he hoped Xiao Xiao might still harbor some old affection; second, he needed to buy as much time as possible.

He had overheard Ye Rong’s words in the bunker and knew that reinforcements from Kunlun Base would arrive soon. If it were just himself, it wouldn’t matter much, but the fortress still housed many ordinary people. Enough lives had been lost today, and he lacked the power to protect everyone. No matter what, he had to seize any glimmer of hope.

With this thought, regardless of Medusa’s willingness or his own incompletely healed injuries, An Sheng immediately reverted to his human form.

As soon as he returned to his ordinary state, An Sheng shouted toward Xiao Xiao hovering in the air, “Xiao Xiao, can we talk?”

Seeing this familiar man before her, Xiao Xiao, now sublimated into a Purifier, was taken aback. She then raised her hand to stop her companions from launching an attack and flew forward alone, landing not far from An Sheng.

“You’re still alive? And you’ve become a filthy Mutant!”

With just one sentence, Xiao Xiao had angered Medusa. Even if other Purifiers insulted Mutants, she would be furious—let alone when the insult came from her chosen man’s ex.

Medusa was about to strike, but An Sheng grabbed her arm to stop her. Knowing the queen was about to erupt, he hurriedly tried to calm her.

“Queen Sister, please don’t be angry. Let me talk to her myself.”

Fortunately, after being rescued by An Sheng, Medusa had begun to grow more compliant. Though reluctant, she heeded his plea and stood down.

Turning to Xiao Xiao, An Sheng said somewhat helplessly, “Long time no see. How have you been?”

“Do you think this kind of conversation has any meaning?”

An Sheng’s empty pleasantries displeased Xiao Xiao. Though her face was full of disdain, she still dispelled her Energy Transformation and returned to her human form—a tentative signal of reconciliation.

“Could I ask you, for my sake, to spare the humans here? After all—”

Before An Sheng could finish, Xiao Xiao impatiently cut him off.”Do you really think that’s possible? I know what you’re going to say – after all, we were once married, right? Wake up, An Sheng! After all this time, you’re still so naive! I am a Purifier. Do you know what a Purifier is? Our mission is to cleanse all evil from this world, and humanity itself is the original sin!”

“But…” Faced with such fanatical words from Xiao Xiao, An Sheng still wanted to plead his case. However, Xiao Xiao gave him no opportunity to speak.

“Enough with the ‘buts’! Are you going to beg me again? Just like before, like a pathetic stray dog begging me not to leave? Begging me to spare these sinful humans? Don’t be foolish, An Sheng! Out of consideration for our past relationship, I might spare you and your Lord mistress, but asking us to spare those sinful humans is absolutely impossible!”

“You filthy bitch! Watch your language! Who gave you the courage to call my man a pathetic stray dog? Are you seeking death?”

Medusa was truly enraged. How dare someone provoke her man right in front of her? Did they think she was just air?!

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