Chapter 40: The Wind Rises—Time to Flee!

"Ah—!"

Suddenly struck by several bolts of tribulation lightning, Qin Lang couldn't help but curse aloud. "Damn it, you bastard! Sure, I'm crossing my tribulation, but do you really have to chase me down like this?"

At this moment, he was fleeing desperately. Though his body had sustained some serious injuries, he was still fighting to escape, dodging the next waves of heavenly lightning.

But for some reason, he found the thunderclouds above relentlessly pursuing him, unleashing bolts whenever he thought he might catch his breath, leaving him with no choice but to keep running.

Less than ten bolts remained, but he had no desire to endure them. All he wanted was to flee with all his might, to avoid the onslaught of this heavenly wrath.

Boom—

Just as Qin Lang was cursing, a terrifying bolt of tribulation lightning struck him square on the crown of his head, hurling him into the air.

Thrown by the lightning, Qin Lang crashed heavily into a nearby cliff face. His whole body went numb, spasms wracked his form, and he nearly choked on the breath caught in his chest.

"Ah—!"

He finally managed to expel the blocked air in his lungs, feeling a wave of relief. Not daring to linger, he scrambled to his feet and darted away once more.

Although the lightning was no longer life-threatening, the sensation of his entire body convulsing was unspeakably unpleasant…

Who knows how long he ran? In the distance, he suddenly saw Liu Man and his group restraining Liu Qingyao. Excitement surged through him, his eyes shone with golden light, and he rushed toward them at breakneck speed.

Suddenly—

Liu Man and the others, who had been preparing to come over, saw him dashing toward them and were overjoyed, ready to question him about what had happened.

Seeing their approach, Qin Lang was delighted and immediately called out, "Brother Liu!"

But just as they were about to respond, everyone saw the thunderclouds rumbling above his head, ready to strike. Their faces changed in unison, and without a word, they all turned and fled.

No one knew how Qin Lang had provoked this wrathful lightning, but the sight of that sky-piercing thunder was nothing to trifle with. A single strike could mean instant annihilation.

Even Liu Qingyao, bound tightly by the "Immortal Binding Rope," went pale as death at the sight of the heavenly thunder, her heart filled with despair.

Though she was now a captive, she certainly did not want to die.

Still, she believed that as long as she lived, the powerful of the demon clan would surely come to rescue her…

When Liu Man turned and ran without hesitation, Qin Lang's face twitched, black lines appearing on his brow. He was utterly speechless.

Was this really necessary?

When the final bolt of lightning struck, Qin Lang collapsed with a crash and immediately lost consciousness.

At that moment, Liu Man, Hua Manlou, and the others stopped, turning to look behind.

They saw Qin Lang lying on the ground, black smoke rising from his body as rain beat down upon him, his aura weak to the point of death.

Frowning, the group looked up at the receding thunderclouds, exchanged glances, and approached in unison.

Hua Manlou knelt to turn Qin Lang over. "Brother Qin, are you alright? Please, don’t frighten your elder brother like this."

No matter how he shook him, Qin Lang remained unconscious, as though he might never wake.

Seeing his ragged breathing and near-death state, Liu Man frowned deeply.

Grabbing Qin Lang's right hand, he could feel the chaotic energy surging within, meridians in utter disorder as if struck by an overwhelming force.

"He was struck by tribulation lightning just now and is gravely injured. We must find shelter to care for him and heal his wounds," Liu Man said calmly.

With those words, Liu Man looked to Hua Manlou. "Manlou, carry Brother Qin. I’ll find a place to rest and treat his wounds."

"Alright!"

...

The next morning, lying on a cold stone slab covered with hay, Qin Lang slowly opened his eyes. Rising, he felt aching all over, as if he'd been thoroughly beaten.

Finding himself unharmed, yet in an unfamiliar cave, he surmised Liu Man and his group must have brought him here.

"Ah, Brother Qin, how are you feeling? Any discomfort? Do you need some medicine?" came Hua Manlou’s voice.

Turning, Qin Lang saw Hua Manlou sitting by the fire, roasting meat, a broad smile on his face.

Leaving the uncomfortable hay behind, Qin Lang stretched his weary body and walked over. "I’m alright, just sore all over, as if I’d been pounded by a hammer."

The lingering ache frustrated him. He almost wished for someone to take it out on.

Hua Manlou handed him a skewer of roasted meat. "If you’re fine, have some to lift your spirits and forget your pain."

"Thank you!"

Smiling in gratitude, Qin Lang took the meat and began to savor it.

With the first bite, the juices exploded with flavor, the rich aroma filling his mind, leaving him in disbelief at how delicious it was.

Looking at Hua Manlou, Qin Lang gave him a big thumbs-up. "Brother Hua, I didn’t know you were such a master at roasting meat!"

Hua Manlou laughed. "When traveling, a little skill is necessary, or you’d go hungry. If you like it, eat your fill."

"Mhm!"

Qin Lang nodded, glancing around. Not seeing Liu Man or the others, he was puzzled.

Turning back to Hua Manlou, he asked, "Brother Hua, where are Brother Liu, Brother Wang, and Miss Su?"

After swallowing a bite, Hua Manlou replied, "They’re outside the cave keeping watch, making sure the demon clan isn’t on our trail."

Qin Lang frowned, puzzled. "Keeping watch? Brother Hua, what are they on guard against?"

"After last night’s battle, we captured Liu Qingyao. Now Liu Man and the others are making sure the demon clan doesn’t pursue us. Once you’re awake, we’ll leave this place," Hua Manlou explained.

Qin Lang’s eyes lit up, and he paused with the meat halfway to his mouth. "Wait, Brother Hua, you said you captured Liu Qingyao last night?"

"That’s right," Hua Manlou nodded.

Qin Lang pressed on eagerly, "So where is she now? Is she… impressive?"

Hua Manlou stared at him in astonishment, nearly tempted to slap him.

He’d thought himself lecherous enough, but compared to this guy, he was nothing.

Qin Lang was even more shameless, and didn’t care to hide it.

Pointing ahead, Hua Manlou said quietly, "She’s right over there. If you want to know, go see for yourself."