Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Struggling on the Edge of Life and Death

The beastman saw that Lou Yun was actually right beside his dwelling and was also startled. But that ugly face quickly turned furious. He opened his large mouth and let out a bizarre "roar"!

The cry was sharp and piercing, and extremely loud, exactly like the sounds of demon beasts. It made Lou Yun’s eardrums buzz and go numb!

The beastman suddenly stretched out a hand, seeming to grab Lou Yun. Lou Yun hastily pressed the cliff wall with his toe tips. His body swung away like a swing, dodging the grab.

The beastman’s palm with long nails grabbed at thin air. It slammed onto the cliff wall with a "shhh" sound. The nails forcefully scored four claw marks on the wall, several centimeters deep!

Such intense strength!

The sharpness of the beastman’s nails was no less than weapons. Luckily, Lou Yun dodged fast. Otherwise, if he had been seized, he would have lost at least four ounces of flesh!

The beastman failed to catch Lou Yun and wailed angrily. His huge head shook wildly, looking utterly enraged.

Lou Yun’s mind raced rapidly, pondering how to dispose of the beastman before him and rescue Wan Huier.

Just then, Lou Yun saw another head suddenly appear beside the monster — Wan Huier!

Though Wan Huier’s hair was messy and her face had many stains, she seemed unharmed!

Wan Huier had been terrified to the core, hiding inside the cave and not daring to move. But seeing the beastman suddenly turn and bolt to the entrance, shouting and jumping, she wondered if Lou Yun had come. So she suppressed her fear and carefully crept out to look.

To her surprise, it indeed was Lou Yun. First, Wan Huier felt joy. But when she saw Lou Yun’s current situation, she couldn’t help being startled. Because even if the breeze picked up, Lou Yun risked falling off the endless cliff at any moment. Worse, a hostile beastman stood close by!

Yet Wan Huier’s heart brimmed with emotion. Because Lou Yun had rushed to save her ignoring his life. Who else in the world could do that? Right then, Wan Huier felt this lifetime meeting Lou Yun was truly worth it!

Lou Yun saw Wan Huier and was also glad, but utterly tense. He repeatedly signaled Wan Huier with his eyes to retreat quickly into the cave.

But Wan Huier flashed Lou Yun a smile. She suddenly produced her magical weapon. On the slingshot, three spiritual energy bullets formed. They took aim at the beastman’s massive head.

Lou Yun observed this and grew desperate. He yelled loudly, "Huier, no!"

Though Lou Yun didn’t know why the beastman had kidnapped Wan Huier, at least he hadn’t hurried to hurt her. Yet now the beastman was in a wild, furious rage. Wan Huier attacking him now would only heighten his anger. That beastman had almost no humanity left. Who knew what he’d do to Wan Huier!

Wan Huier heard Lou Yun’s cry, but didn’t halt. She just smiled at Lou Yun and tugged hard then released. The three spiritual energy bullets flew from her grasp, striking the beastman’s head directly.

At such close range, with Wan Huier firing at full force, the impact was strong. The bullets made the beastman shiver all over. He touched his head, then abruptly turned to Wan Huier. His bubble-like eyes shot out piercing ferocity!

Wan Huier now seemed fearless. She screamed at the beastman, "What are you staring at, ugly thing? Didn’t you want to catch me? Come get me!"

As she spoke, Wan Huier’s body crept toward the cave opening. Nearly half her body was sticking out!

Witnessing this, Lou Yun suddenly grasped the plan. Wan Huier was saving him. She was provoking the beastman on purpose while exposing herself. When the beastman charged at her madly, she meant to latch onto him and drag them both down the bottomless chasm — perishing together!

Once Lou Yun understood this, he sweated anxiously on his brow. He bellowed, "Huier, don’t act recklessly!"

As Lou Yun’s voice trailed off, the beastman gave a strange roar. He raised his hand and charged ferociously at Wan Huier. But Wan Huier kept her eyes on Lou Yun, her face blooming with a radiant grin.

Instantly, Wan Huier hugged the beastman’s hand. Her whole body plunged abruptly toward the cave exit!

Wan Huier accepted a certain death, wanting the beastman to die with her. But the beastman was too heavy. Her weight couldn’t budge him. So she merely suspended by clinging to his arm. The beastman revealed only a small part of his body; most stayed inside the cave.

Lou Yun’s heart almost stopped from fright. He hollered, "Huier, hang on! I’ll save you!"

Steeling himself and gritting his teeth, Lou Yun put aside all other concerns. He lifted his leg and stomped hard on the cliff wall. His body swung back like a pendulum in mid-air. While swinging, he slowly unsheathed two swords.

As the sword tips finally freed from the wall, Lou Yun used the swing’s momentum. He sprang fiercely straight toward the cave.

The beastman’s arm held Wan Huier taut in that stand-off. But spotting Lou Yun leaping over, he violently shook the arm Wan Huier clutched. It forcibly tore apart the arms she’d wrapped around him.

Wan Huier let out a sharp scream. Her body, with nothing to anchor her, plummeted downward toward the cliff base.

All of a sudden, Wan Huier felt her wrist being gripped tightly. She looked up to see Lou Yun lying at the cave entrance, half his body already exposed, yet his hand firmly clasped her wrist.

Noticing Wan Huier looking up, Lou Yun offered an encouraging smile: "Huier, don’t be afraid! I won’t let you fall!"

But the moment these words left his mouth, Lou Yun’s expression abruptly contorted with pain. His features twisted slightly as the beastman stomped onto his back at that very instant.

Lou Yun couldn’t fight back at all now. He had to endure the beastman’s attacks helplessly. Any resistance would cause Wan Huier to plunge below.

While being assaulted, he couldn’t pull Wan Huier up either. All he could do was grit his teeth and hold on desperately.

Lou Yun knew continuing like this meant death for both him and Huier. Yet he had no way to change their predicament. Even facing certain doom, he wouldn’t let go.

The beastman seemed frustrated by Lou Yun’s stubbornness. Mere stomping grew unsatisfying. It suddenly raised its arm high and smashed down viciously onto him.

Wan Huier felt a cool droplet on her face and glanced upward. A thin streak of blood dripped from Lou Yun’s mouth onto her cheek. Despite this, Lou Yun maintained his gentle smile, softly shaking his head without speaking.

He dared not open his mouth, knowing torrents of blood would gush out and terrify Wan Huier. So he pressed his lips tightly shut.

Tears streamed down Wan Huier’s face as she choked out: "Brother, let me go! Please let me fall! I’m begging you—stop holding on! If this continues… he’ll beat you to death!"

Lou Yun shook his head with a smile. Though unable to speak, his eyes shone with crystalline clarity and resolve: Unless I die, I won’t let go.

But now, doom seemed truly inescapable. This is where I’ll perish, the thought flashed through Lou Yun’s mind.

This beastman possessed monstrous strength. Even with Lou Yun’s second body refinement, his body still felt brittle under its blows. His ribs must be shattered—several bones were probably piercing his organs. Otherwise, the bleeding wouldn’t be so severe. Soon… it’ll all be over!

Death didn’t frighten him. Only regrets remained—so much left undone. Especially failing to save Wan Huier now.

Though Lou Yun kept his eyes wide open and smile intact, Wan Huier’s face grew increasingly blurry. His consciousness was fading.

Wan Huier’s lips seemed to move, perhaps forming words. But Lou Yun’s senses were vanishing too—he could barely see, hear, or feel.

Suddenly, Lou Yun sensed the beastman’s attacks ceasing. And was someone… licking his face?

It feels indistinct… Lou Yun mused hazily: A hallucination. Must be. Blood loss… approaching death… causes delusions.

But the warmth on his face intensified. Gradually, Lou Yun recognized the sensation—a tongue.

Only one being licked like this…

Xiao Huo!

Lou Yun miraculously summoned fresh strength, his mind sharpening abruptly. Just moments ago, he’d regretted not bringing Xiao Huo down—a single Hellfire from the fiery mouse could’ve annihilated the beastman instantly. Now, with Xiao Huo’s appearance, hope flickered anew.

As his awareness cleared, Lou Yun’s nearly extinguished senses returned. His ears finally caught Xiao Huo’s frantic chirping and Wan Huier’s voice: "Brother, hold on! Just hold on! It’ll be all right soon! Brother Zuo is here! He lured the beastman away!"

After discovering Lou Yun and Wan Huier’s unannounced departure, Zuo Mingyang had immediately pursued them on horseback. Having departed hours later and riding an inferior horse compared to their dragon horse, he’d only just arrived. Spotting the dragon horse at the mountain’s base without seeing them, he knew something was wrong. Disregarding his injured leg, he limped up the mountain.

Though numerous demon beasts roamed along his path, Zuo Mingyang avoided most and lost considerable time. Reaching the summit yet finding no trace of the pair perplexed him utterly—where could they be?

Resting on a boulder, Zuo Mingyang faintly caught a girl’s sobbing pleas. He jolted upright just as a crimson blur lunged at him. Startled, he nearly struck instinctively—only to recognize the tiny scarlet mouse Xiao Huo often carried.

Xiao Huo had remained nearby, hiding yet maintaining its bond with Lou Yun. Aware of Lou Yun’s peril but unable to intervene (it couldn’t fly or descend safely), it recognized Zuo Mingyang’s arrival and scurried out.

Highly intelligent, Xiao Huo dashed to the cliff’s edge, chittering and leaping frantically. Zuo Mingyang instantly understood. When he asked cautiously, the little mouse nodded fervently. Zuo Mingyang then leaned over the edge and bellowed.

Blessed with exceptionally loud vocal cords, Zuo Mingyang’s shouts remained unheard by Lou Yun despite his fading senses. But Wan Huier heard clearly and joyfully cried back.

Fortunately, Zuo Mingyang carried rope. Securing it hurriedly, he lowered himself as Xiao Huo scrambled down first.

The beastman overheard Zuo Mingyang and Wan Huier’s exchange. Temporarily abandoning Lou Yun, it leaped out to confront this new threat.

Though uncertain of Zuo Mingyang’s fate, Lou Yun and Wan Huier now enjoyed temporary safety.

Lou Yun squeezed his eyes shut tightly, reopening them to see Wan Huier’s face regaining clarity—stained by tears, grime, and blood yet smiling still.

Drawing a deep breath, Lou Yun swallowed the pooled blood in his mouth. He then uttered hoarsely: "Xiao Huo… go… kill the beastman… use your… fire!" Zuo Mingyang stood no chance; only Xiao Huo could end this.

Xiao Huo nodded firmly. Scaling the rope "shuǎ" sound, it vanished upward.

Lou Yun forced another weary smile at Wan Huier: "Huier… wait… let me catch my breath… then I’ll pull you up!"

Wan Huier nodded and shook her head simultaneously—not fearing for herself, but terrified any exertion might kill the severely weakened Lou Yun.

Suddenly, Chang Xiang warned: "He’s back!"

Lou Yun’s mind raced, yet his body felt utterly detached, paralyzed.

Abruptly, Lou Yun sensed his feet being lifted, then his entire body lurched violently forward—slipping completely off the cave edge, plummeting toward the abyss.

The beastman had thrown him out!

Miraculously summoning a final reserve of power, Lou Yun gripped Wan Huier’s wrist ferociously during his descent and hurled her vertically upward into the cave!

"NO! Brother Lou!" Wan Huier shrieked desperately, outstretching her hand futilely toward his falling form.

Watching Wan Huier land safely back inside, a serene smile settled on Lou Yun’s face. He’d done his absolute last. Bone-drained of strength, he tumbled like a stone toward the bottomless chasm below.