The embrace Pig Pengpei fantasized about did not materialize. Chun Ling's projectile warhead struck directly, nearly dislodging Pig Pengpei's gallbladder.
The next second, Jing Du's sword pierced Pig Pengpei's navel.
Ling Chong's spear, its tip submerged in Pig Pengpei's body, made it look like a feces-stirring stick.
The old monk's monastic blade sliced off Pig Pengpei's spiraling little tail.
As for the nameless elder's fist, it landed like a typical extra, merely adding a bruise to Pig Pengpei's face.
Chun Ling fainted directly. Jing Du and the other four retreated warily. This guy's aura was so strong; he shouldn't have been taken down so easily. Was he a paper tiger?
Only then did they see that Pig Pengpei wasn't unwilling to defend himself, but rather unable to.
The chains on his body emitted a faint black glow, tightly constricting him. His appearance was akin to the mascot of a tire factory that had gone rogue to do gourmet reviews.
The old monk turned, his mouth slowly widening as he saw Wen Wen leaning against a tree, his right hand slightly cupped towards Pig Pengpei's direction, his expression relaxed and at ease.
It was Wen Wen who had controlled Pig Pengpei, allowing their attacks to land effectively.
Pig Pengpei was at least a peak Rank One expert. Then, what astonishing strength did the man who could control Pig Pengpei with one hand possess?
Indeed, there was always someone stronger. They had encountered a true master today.
Jing Du did not look back but gazed at the chains on Pig Pengpei's body. Turbid tears streamed from the corners of his eyes.
Previously, the chains had hung on Pig Pengpei's body, and he hadn't paid them much mind, considering them merely elaborate jewelry.
But now, with the black glow enveloping them, he recognized their origin. He lifted the hem of his robe, revealing a black chain around his waist. This chain was identical to the ones on Pig Pengpei!
"Could it be... I'm finally, not the last one?"
With this thought, Jing Du smiled knowingly and then fell straight to the ground.
His battle with Zhu Ganglie had left him nearly exhausted. He had merely been holding on when facing Pig Pengpei earlier.
Wen Wen was startled. This elder, who was suspected to be the one-armed elder corresponding to the "Jing Du" of the containment personnel, was a significant gain for him. It would be terrible if he died now.
He hurried over and, upon discovering that Jing Du was merely exhausted, breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he looked at Pig Pengpei. After all, Pig Pengpei was a true Order expert. Bearing those few attacks was not a serious issue for him, merely superficial wounds.
The only problem was that the sword's edge and the spearhead had clashed, causing his stomach to leak a little.
"You big... big handsome guy, what brings you to visit this humble one? If you'd just beckon, I'd scurry over to find you."
Pig Pengpei wanted to curse, but his massive head knew how to bend. His life was in Wen Wen's hands now, so he was as respectful as could be.
Seeing Pig Pengpei's attitude, Ling Chong and the others were even more astonished. A great demon king of Rank One, acting like a groveling lackey in front of you, what kind of monster are you?
Coupled with Wen Wen's earlier question about who the top experts in the world were, a terrifying guess formed in Ling Chong's mind.
This must be a true immortal realm expert who had been dormant for many years, now awakened to find the world changed beyond recognition…
Wen Wen was unaware of their wild speculations. He intended to take Jing Du and Pig Pengpei with him. He said to Ling Chong, "Your purpose here was to eliminate demons. I cannot let you kill this pig demon, but I guarantee it will never have another chance to cause trouble. That should be fine, right?"
"No problem, no problem. May I ask, sir, what is your name…"
"Name?"
Wen Wen scratched his chin, "Just call me, Black Cross."
With that, Wen Wen departed with Chun Ling, Pig Pengpei, and the unconscious Jing Du.
After Ling Chong and the other two returned to the demon hunter camp, rumors of "Black Cross" began to circulate throughout the Great Song Superpowered World.
Legend had it that this Black Cross was a true immortal-level expert, a true immortal who had lived from ancient times to the present.
Subduing a pig demon with one hand also became the revered posture of the demon hunters.
…
Sitting beside the unconscious Jing Du, Wen Wen sighed softly. He was unsure how to face this old man who was at the end of his rope.
After this battle, Jing Du had very little lifespan left. It would be easy for Wen Wen to save him.
When he had created the clone, there was still some Spring of Life remaining. These were stored in a spatial ring, not in the containment facility.
This Spring of Life was enough to heal all of Jing Du's hidden injuries and extend his life by a few years.
But should he do so?
Wen Wen had witnessed Jing Du's state during the battle. It was a mindset of complete disregard for his own life. He truly wished to die in battle.
Perhaps allowing his life to gradually ebb away was the true end he desired. Granting him a few more years might only bring him greater suffering.
Jing Du had experienced the most glorious era of the containment facility. He knew how this organization protected the world. He had an extremely strong sense of identity with this organization and was proud of his affiliation from the bottom of his heart.
But one day, this organization weakened.
No new members joined the containment facility, its functions gradually diminished, and the elders departed one by one. Only Jing Du, who was still young then, lived on to the end.
Eventually, he and the containment facility faded into darkness, unnoticed…
Only he bore the brunt of it all, a psychological burden that outsiders could hardly imagine.
"Water… water…"
Jing Du woke up. Wen Wen quickly gave him some water.
Wen Wen had once been curious why people in TV shows who woke up from unconsciousness always asked for water.
But later, when he was a rookie detective, he had fallen from a three-story building while trying to apprehend a criminal, falling unconscious for several days. His first reaction upon waking was also to ask for water…
After drinking the water, Jing Du looked at Wen Wen curiously. His eyes were no longer listless but held a glimmer of hope.
"Are you... from there?"
Wen Wen didn't know the specific name of the containment facility here, but the regulation about not revealing its existence to outsiders should be the same.
"Yes, I am." Wen Wen pondered for a moment before agreeing.
"That's good, that's good." Jing Du let out a long sigh, appearing much more relaxed. "These past few years, it's truly been difficult for me…"
Then, Jing Du began to tell Wen Wen how he had persevered over the years, the companions he once had, who he admired the most, who had the best personalities, and who he liked the most…
From these accounts, Wen Wen heard a deep affection, the lifelong dedication of this old man.
After thinking for a moment, Wen Wen took out the Spring of Life, which only had a residue at the bottom, and placed it before Jing Du.
From the old man's narration, Wen Wen sensed a different kind of vitality. He felt that with the appearance of his "compatriot," Jing Du would no longer be seeking death with all his heart.