Chapter 5: Subduing Dragons and Tigers

Unexpectedly, as this thought arose, the body surged forward once more. It swiftly picked up the crossbow bolts that were embedded in the walls and floor, and shot them out like fleeting shadows.

Zhuang Wudao's fist, at this moment, still exuded a fierce energy that coiled like a dragon. With a mere wave of his hand, it resembled a ferocious spear in motion. His entire presence and aura, at this moment, were akin to that of a tiger or leopard, as if he were the sovereign of the mountains and forests

The force of the rush violently tugged at the chain. Liu He’s eyes bulged slightly, and with a crisp crack, the bones in his neck snapped; his throat was completely crushed by the chain

Wu Xiaosi was simply unable to believe it. When he left Yuecheng all those years ago, Zhuang Wudao was slightly stronger than him. However, with his weapon in hand, when the two fought, the outcome was at most a 60-40 split. When did this former brother of his become so powerful?

Within this alley, it is already filled with corpses. Upon closer inspection, none of the dozens of men that Shi Hu brought to ambush him escaped.

This was his last possession, yet it was casually scattered along with those golden beans into the distance

Subduing the Dragon and Overcoming the Tiger - Shaking the Dragon

However, this dragon's roar and tiger's howl is ultimately just a legend. Within the Eastern Wu, it has been decades since anyone has been reported to have achieved mastery before reaching the Qi Refinement stage. Moreover, after reaching the Qi Refinement stage, most of those cultivators tend to switch to other techniques.

Thus, it ultimately remains a rumor, with very few having witnessed it firsthand

This is the feeling, with the bones of the tiger subdued and the momentum of the dragon descended

At this moment, Zhuang Wudao feels like a completely different person compared to before, exuding a fierce aura and possessing a strength that is overwhelmingly intimidating

Just when those twenty crossbowmen and a dozen practitioners at the Blood Training stage were on the verge of extinction, Zhuang Wudao's figure had already pursued to the back of "Wind Blade" Jiu.

Wu Xiaosi was caught off guard, his face pale as he stared at the approaching figure of Zhuang Wudao, which grew larger in his field of vision.

Death

Wu Xiaosi dodged with all his might, his eyes revealing a hint of pleading. He had a wife and children, and he did not wish to die. Zhuang Wudao was his brother in life and death, and he surely understood his predicament, and would certainly show him mercy.

However, he was seized by Zhuang Wudao with both hands, and then suddenly yanked downwards, forcefully tearing off the robust arms that had cultivated the Golden Armor Profound Dominance Body, resulting in a clean break at the shoulders

Thus, the sound of the dragon's roar and the tiger's howl signifies a true mastery of the art. It is said that once the martial arts reach this level, even cultivators at the first or second layer of Qi Refinement can confront it head-on

At the moment he was lost in thought, to his right, the "Axe Butcher" Hu Tao was already swinging two sixty-pound cast iron axes, coming in with a horizontal slash

At this moment, Zhuang Wudao's thoughts were in a state of confusion. Just a moment ago, he had exerted all his strength to resist, to struggle, attempting to regain control over his own body

Zhuang Wudao appeared completely unconcerned, shaking the chains wrapped around his right arm, ensnaring Liu He once more, who had already dropped the hook chain and intended to flee. The end of the chain coiled around the latter's neck like a snake. However, Liu He suddenly stomped his foot and his figure shot forward like an arrow, rushing ahead!

Shi Hu's eyes widened in shock, and he drew in a cold breath. He swung his fists, intending to strike at the temples of Zhuang Wudao on both sides, aiming to crush Zhuang Wudao's skull as the four of them launched a simultaneous attack.

At that moment, I immediately sensed something was amiss and instinctively withdrew my fists and retreated.

Although Shi Hu practices horizontal training techniques, his twenty years of cultivation have resulted in a mastery of lightness skills and footwork that far surpasses that of ordinary individuals

At the moment when Shi Hu was howling in agony and his body froze, Zhuang Wudao delivered another punch that struck directly at Shi Hu's throat, violently breaking his entire neck and sending his head flying off.

With a simple punch, without even employing the Twelve Dragon Strikes, he effortlessly shattered Wu Xiaosi's throat, just as he had done to Shi Hu.

No Way

What is feared today is that it may be difficult to withdraw completely.

Zhuang Wudao looked on like an outsider, but at that moment, his heart couldn't help but sink with a "thud." If these people managed to escape, it was likely not a good sign.

If one speaks of the Twelve Sounds of the Dragon's Roar, it indicates that the technique of the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Overcoming Fist has been practiced to the point of having a preliminary understanding of its principles

His figure was robust, yet he moved like a startled rabbit. In an instant, he darted back ten zhang. The crossbowmen behind him were also quick to respond, simultaneously firing twenty crossbow bolts to cover Shi Hu.

This fellow is somewhat peculiar, everyone withdraw!

Even Lian Zhuang, who was devoid of any path, was slightly taken aback and lost in thought. He had previously attempted to integrate the seventy-two postures of the Tiger Fist from body forging into the Dragon Strike, but to no avail. He had only become more familiar with these two sets of martial arts, ultimately leading to the conclusion of improper practice and stagnation of vital energy and blood. However, under the influence of this inexplicable thought, his body exhibited an indescribable coordination. Effortlessly, he had already merged the two sets of martial arts into one! Yet, under the influence of this inexplicable thought, his body exhibited an indescribable coordination. Effortlessly, he had already merged the two sets of martial arts into one!

Zhuang Wudao looked around blankly and then glanced at the sky. The intense battle that had just occurred should have lasted no more than a hundred breaths.

One person may take one portion! Get out of the city overnight! The events that transpired here today must not be disclosed even in the slightest. Within these ten days, if any rumors emerge, that will be the consequence!

Just now, having been struck back by the dragon with a single blow, it was entirely without any embellishment, which is sufficient to attest to its might

At this moment, Zhuang Wudao had already conjured residual shadows, effortlessly weaving through the rain of arrows, and had arrived right in front of Shi Hu.

Although Zhuang Wudao himself was still in a daze, his body had naturally begun to react. Controlled by that thought, he glided to the right with an incredibly mysterious gait. His movements were as powerful as a dragon and as fierce as a tiger, resembling a swift and formidable tiger, akin to a walking tyrannosaurus. Not only did he narrowly evade the dual axes, but he also forcefully advanced into the embrace of "Axe Butcher" Hu Tao.

In a state of utter panic, he did not think much and quickly grabbed Wu Xiaosi beside him. He threw him behind, attempting to block Zhuang Wudao.

Zhuang Wudao pondered for a moment and then took down all the money bags and silk pouches that Shi Hu and a few others had casually carried with them.

These neighbors, at this moment hiding in their homes, mostly have expressions filled with fear and terror

Both Jiu and Wu Xiaosi were unable to believe it, their eyes wide open. The latter, in addition to being shocked and confused, felt an even greater sense of fear. How could Zhuang Wudao possess such strength! The combination of subduing dragons and tigers could even rival practitioners of the Qi Refinement stage. It was truly puzzling why this person had been hiding all this time. At this moment, it seemed that the entire Qingyi Hall combined would not be a match for Zhuang Wudao.

It was approaching a point where it was impossible to see, and almost every arrow shadow left a trail of blood. Those martial artists at the Blood Training stage, even with Shi Hu, Liu He, and the other two present, could not be completely eradicated by just one person. At this moment, being manipulated by this inexplicable intent was exceedingly effortless, as it struck down each of those who attempted to flee with arrows. At times, it even passed through walls, completely unaffected by visual obstructions.

Is this the roar of dragons and the howl of tigers? Is this the true subjugation of dragons and tigers as depicted in the *Illustrated Book*?

It is unclear how much time has passed, but when Zhuang Wudao regained consciousness, he found himself standing alone in a pool of blood

Thus, in this alley, there was a sudden silence. The remaining individuals momentarily forgot to flee, staring blankly at the bodies of Shi Hu and Liu He.

A casual strike hit the wall beside him. This relatively intact house immediately collapsed under the immense force, causing the surrounding civilians to be increasingly filled with terror.

The previous strike left no room for retreat, exerting full force. Regardless of the variations in swordsmanship or the intensity of power, everything reached its peak. Yet in the end, he was still injured by Zhuang Wudao's punch. Such strength has completely surpassed the limits of a practitioner in the Bone Refinement stage

The tiger roared fiercely, and with a tremendous shoulder charge, it struck directly at the chest of the tiger butcher. The two layers of iron armor first shattered, and then the entire chest of the tiger butcher collapsed inward, as if he had been struck head-on by a battering ram, being propelled several dozen yards away by the immense force. He crashed through several layers of walls, disappearing into the clouds of dust, leaving his fate unknown.

However, what ultimately came into view were the cold, ruthless eyes of Zhuang Wudao, filled with a chilling aura of bloodthirst.

In a fleeting moment, just a few dozen instants passed. However, both Shi Hu and Liu He had already met their demise, and the "Axeman" Hu Tao was also in grave danger, with his life and death uncertain

For these individuals, today's events are nothing short of an unforeseen disaster

Shi Hu's pupils constricted sharply, and with a pair of enormous hands, he struck out. In his panic, he acted completely without method, flailing wildly, merely hoping to force Zhuang Wudao to retreat

The possessions are not many, only a little over 200 gold beans. However, even at the prices in Yuecheng, where one gold bean weighs approximately one qian, this is sufficient for a family of three to live in the city for two to three years

And in the heart of the illustrated book, emotions are nearly out of control. It is hard to describe the feeling—sorrow, hatred, and also regret

Zhuang Wudao felt a slight sense of relief and finally let out a breath. It was only at this moment that he noticed the dozens or even hundreds of eyes from the surrounding houses, whether intact or abandoned, secretly gazing in this direction.

Then, Jiu was kneeling ten zhang in front of him, with a broken knife inserted in his back. It was precisely the knife of Wu Xiaosi, which should have been the result of him decapitating Wu Xiaosi with a single punch. He then casually took the broken knife and threw it, killing Jiu with the "Wind Blade".

Tentatively moving my limbs, I discovered that my body had regained control

In an instant, the talents in the alley seemed to awaken from a great dream, immediately turning and fleeing in all directions.

However, at this moment, he was controlled by this inexplicable thought, and could only watch helplessly. What he should be worried about now is how to reclaim his own body.

However, in the end, he was unable to withdraw in time. Wu Xiaosi, Xiaosi

Zhuang Wudao pondered for a moment, then walked into his small room, dug a foot into the ground, and retrieved a jar about the size of a fist, filled with broken silver.

All those present changed color simultaneously, revealing expressions of terror

Zhuang Wudao did not pay any attention to it, frowning as he contemplated how to handle the aftermath. The events that transpired here, along with all the reasons and processes, would eventually spread and be known throughout the city. In truth, he never thought he could keep it a secret; he only hoped to delay it for a few days.

Present were Shi Hu, Hu Tao, and several others from Jiang Jiu, all of whom had experienced countless battles and possessed a certain understanding of martial arts in the world. They had vaguely heard of the levels of mastery associated with the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Suppressing Fist. Although this technique is not the pinnacle of external martial arts in the Eastern Wu Kingdom, it certainly ranks among the top tier. It is even renowned across all the Tianyi nations.