novelraw Chapter 274 267: Empty Hand
Chapter 274 267: Empty Hand
KABOOM!!
A helicopter crashed and exploded with a deafening roar. The remaining two helicopters quickly pulled up, no longer daring to stay at a low altitude.
Looking at the wreckage of the three crashed helicopters, the crew members in the remaining two turned pale, as if they had just brushed with the Death God himself.
'It can actually affect a distance of over a hundred meters?!!'
'This power is completely different from what the data recorded. It's far too terrifying.'
'How are we supposed to subdue a monster like this, one that can't even be killed by destroying its physical body?!'
"Looks like I'm out of range now. You're lucky."
Wei He glanced at the other two helicopters in the sky and said with a cold smile.
WOO WOO WOO!!
Just then, ground support forces arrived on the scene.
Fully armed soldiers, interspersed with Symbionts in the black uniforms of the Secret Inspection Bureau, sealed off all major intersections.
The Symbionts released their Celestial Demon shadows, passively protecting the ordinary soldiers within a certain radius from possession attacks by the Celestial Demon.
However, the Nanjiang City Secret Inspection Bureau had a limited number of Symbionts, making the blockade look somewhat fragile.
"There are so many civilians. What do we do now? Open fire? If those things use the civilians as cover to get close to our troops, we might not last until reinforcements arrive!"
The commander of the Nanjiang City garrison asked the Secret Inspection Bureau chief in the black uniform at his side.
"How can we fire on our own people?! Use smoke grenades, tear gas, flashbangs! Our job is to stall for as long as possible until reinforcements arrive. We must use methods that won't harm the civilians but will still buy us time!"
The Secret Inspection Bureau chief said gravely.
"All units, use non-lethal crowd control weapons!!"
The Nanjiang City garrison commander gritted his teeth. At his order, one non-lethal device after another was hurled.
A cold sneer appeared on Wei He's face when he saw this.
'Do they really think this stuff will have any effect?'
KABOOM!!
A ring of black fire suddenly spread out from the void. Under the intense heat, a shockwave swept forth, knocking the incoming projectiles away and sending them flying back toward the defending soldiers. Fortunately, the soldiers were well-protected and weren't affected.
"Not using lethal weapons? Worried about the civilians? Humans are always bound by such foolish emotions. Since you won't make a move, I will."
Wei He's body suddenly expanded.
KABOOM!!
A vast magnetic field radiated from him. Endless black fire burned in the void, and a towering Demon General wreathed in infinite black flames stood upon the street.
Then, they watched as the black fire gathered in the Demon General's hand, forming a terrifying greatsword.
Erosion Black Fire—Slash!
The Demon General fiercely swung the massive black fire greatsword in its hand, slashing horizontally.
At one intersection, nearly twenty soldiers and Symbionts were struck directly by the black fire greatsword. A terrifying magnetic field rapidly eroded their bodies.
This black fire was different from ordinary magnetic field damage. It seemed to have extremely strong adhesive and combustible properties. With just a brief touch, the bodies of these soldiers and Symbionts were ignited. Their own Life Magnetic Fields were continuously corroded by the black fire and converted into a part of it, which in turn harmed their bodies.
This was a magnetic field that did not exist in nature; it was a Talent unique to Wei He.
Their bodies, much like the tourists on the river cruise back then, had their internal fluids rapidly evaporate. They shriveled quickly, emitting clouds of steam as their skin was scorched black by the intense heat, releasing a nauseating stench.
In an instant, a breach had appeared in the blockade.
The power of the First Generation Level. Even though Wei He hadn't fully recovered his peak strength, it was already terrifying enough to confront an army head-on, especially when the Donghua side was hesitant due to the large number of civilians.
"Such destructive power!!"
A flicker of fear crossed the Nanjiang City garrison commander's eyes. This power was too terrifying; they weren't even in the same league. 'Block a terrifying existence like this for more than fifteen minutes?'
He felt that in perhaps less than three minutes, the several hundred elite soldiers he'd brought would be completely wiped out.
"Open fire! Firing can at least buy us some time. After all, there are more civilians behind us. If we let them break through like this, it will only cause more casualties!"
The Nanjiang City garrison commander roared.
'Open fire?'
The Secret Inspection Bureau chief looked at the crowd of at least a thousand ordinary people and took a deep breath.
'Perhaps... some sins must be shouldered?'
'Perhaps... some sacrifices must be made?'
'But... even if we open fire, we can only stop the Celestial Demon temporarily. A First Generation Level Celestial Demon, even if only its true form remains, is not something we can stop. On the contrary, a First Generation without a body and without restraint would only be a far greater threat.'
All the soldiers were waiting for the Secret Inspection Bureau chief's command. According to the rules of engagement for such incidents, Secret Inspection Bureau personnel had the highest authority on-site.
"Still hesitating?"
"Open fire!! Hurry up and open fire!!"
"Compared to dying at my hands, being torn to shreds by the guns of the very people you once trusted... the resulting resentment, unwillingness, fear, and despair would be countless times more potent!"
A mocking smile spread across Wei He's face. He used his magnetic field to lock a group of terrified civilians around him as a human shield, deliberately avoiding them when he activated his field.
He was waiting for his enemies to deliver him a delicious meal.
"Can't make up your mind? It seems I need to give you a little more... help."
VMMMM!!
The black magnetic field around Wei He suddenly expanded. The Demon General once again swung its longsword of black fire, slashing toward another defensive position.
He was going to help them make a decision. Or rather, force them to.
'Damn it!!'
The Secret Inspection Bureau chief clenched his fists, a demonic shadow appearing behind him as he shot toward the incoming Demon Sword at incredible speed.
"Do not open fire! All Secret Inspection Bureau personnel, fight to the death!!"
He couldn't open fire on civilians. His duty was to protect, not to slaughter!
'This stance must never be shaken!'
'Since this is a no-win situation, let me be the first to die! At least my insignificant life can buy one more second!'
SWOOSH!!
However, before he could reach the Black Flame Blade, a dark figure moved at extreme speed, blocking the blade a step ahead of him.
VMMMM!!
An intense golden light covered the person's hands, making his palms look like those of a Buddha.
BANG!!
Those golden palms came together, forcefully clasping the long, burning blade of black fire between them.
The blade, formed entirely of a magnetic field, was miraculously caught between the man's hands. The magnetic field twisted violently, and Wei He actually lost control of the Black Flame Blade's field.
It was like catching a blade with one's bare hands.
Except, this person wasn't seizing the blade, but the magnetic field itself.
The skill was simply divine.
'Who is this?!'
Wei He's eyes narrowed slightly as he sized up the person before him.
He wore dark red casual clothes, wasn't particularly tall, and had a very young face. He carried a wooden box on his back. As his eyes swept over the tragic scene on Galaxy Pedestrian Street, a trace of anger appeared on his calm face.
"I comprehended the true essence of martial arts and once swore an oath to travel Donghua, to feel the scars left upon this land. I vowed not to incite conflict with my sword, to use it only to save lives and never to harm, letting its blade sleep within its sheath."
"But you are not human. Therefore, I am no longer bound by that oath."
The golden light on the youth's hands flared, and he squeezed forcefully.
BANG!!
The Black Flame Blade shattered violently.
At the same time, the youth exerted his strength. The wooden box on his back was blasted apart, and a longsword of Tianhe Country style appeared in his hand—its silver steel was marked with blood-red patterns, its edge unstoppably sharp.