Chapter 117: A Glimpse Caught

Meanwhile, nearly all five hundred and fifty residents of Chujia Town had crowded onto the city walls or gathered on higher ground, their eyes fixed expectantly toward the Wuyi Sect’s military camp. They eagerly awaited the appearance of Chu Yun’s immortal master, confident that he would soon manifest and unleash celestial magic to drive back the invading army.

“How long has it been? Why is there still no sign of movement over there?” someone muttered anxiously.

“Lord Earl, could it be they’ve deceived us? Maybe his immortal master never came. Perhaps he rode out alone to flee,” another voice speculated, unable to contain their doubts as no news came from the enemy camp.

Several city guards overheard and immediately stepped forward to refute the claim. “Impossible, Lord Earl would never abandon us. Although he rode out, he carried nothing with him.”

“But even if he took nothing just now, couldn’t he have sent his belongings out earlier? After all, he knew two days ago that the Wuyi Sect was coming to attack Chujia Town,” someone countered.

The guards had no reply.

Then Huang Daniu rose and declared firmly, “The Countess and the Earl’s other relatives are still in Chujia Town. There’s no way he would have run off alone. Anyone who spreads such nonsense will not be spared.”

Those who had doubted Chu Yun’s escape fell silent at the sight of Huang Daniu’s imposing figure.

Yang Liu’er spoke up gently, “Everyone, please be patient. My husband would never leave us like this. He said his immortal master would come, and he surely will. Let’s wait a little longer—perhaps the immortal is about to wield his magic.”

Seeing Yang Liu’er’s confidence, the crowd grew even more convinced that Chu Yun had not fled. They turned their gaze expectantly toward the Wuyi Sect’s camp, some twenty miles away.

Yet moments passed with no stirrings.

Impatience mounted. “When will the Earl’s immortal master start to use his magic?” someone asked.

Suddenly, before the question had fully left his lips, a tremendous explosion thundered from the Wuyi Sect’s camp.

Though twenty miles distant, the sound rolled like thunder across the town.

“Why is it suddenly thundering?” someone wondered aloud.

“Could it be about to rain?” another said.

“If it rains, how will we watch the immortal’s magic?” others fretted, fearing the downpour might cause them to miss the spectacle.

But some with keener sight noticed that after the thunderous blast, a towering flame had erupted within the enemy camp. Their excitement erupted into shouts: “Magic! Magic! Celestial magic!”

“What magic?” the crowd asked in confusion.

Pointing toward the camp, one man shouted, “Not thunder—magic! The enemy camp is ablaze!”

The crowd focused intently on the distant flames, then looked up to the clear, star-filled sky—not a cloud in sight.

Their excitement swelled. “The Wuyi Sect’s camp is on fire! No clouds, so it’s not thunder but magic. That sound was caused by celestial power!”

“Exactly! It’s the immortal’s magic. I even heard the panicked neighing of horses in the camp.”

“Good heavens! What kind of magic is that, sounding so fearsome like thunder?”

“The Earl’s immortal master is truly formidable!”

“Yes! Such powerful magic will surely rout the Wuyi Sect’s army without effort!”

Most of the crowd expressed joy, their hearts filling with hope. They believed with Chu Yun’s immortal master on their side, victory was assured.

Yet a few skeptics murmured, “Is that really magic? If it were, why was there only one loud sound and no further signs?”

Their words silenced the crowd, for indeed, after the initial blast, long moments passed without further noise.

Suddenly, another tremendous thunderclap echoed from the Wuyi Sect’s camp.

This time, everyone watched with utmost seriousness, their eyes sharp and unwavering. As the thunder roared, another great flame sprang up from the camp.

“Magic! It really is magic!” they shouted again.

“The Earl’s immortal master is wielding his power!”

Before their excitement could subside, yet another thunderous blast resounded from the camp.

And this was just the beginning.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The rumblings came in rapid succession.

By the fierce flames from the explosions, those with sharp eyes discerned the entire Wuyi Sect camp had been thrown into chaos, prompting jubilant cries: “Ha! We’ve won! The Earl’s immortal master has shattered the entire Wuyi army with his magic!”

Some with poorer eyesight asked, “Your eyes are so sharp—how can you tell the whole army is destroyed?”

Those gifted observers nodded. “Every time the immortal strikes his magic, a great blaze erupts. We see all their tents collapsed, countless bodies strewn on the ground. The living horses and men flee desperately.”

The crowd pressed, “With such sharp vision, have you seen what the immortal master looks like?”

The keen-eyed observers nodded seriously. “Don’t interrupt, we’re watching carefully. If we see him, we’ll tell you exactly how he appears.”

The crowd quieted, eyes wide, hoping to compensate for their own poor sight and catch a glimpse of the immortal’s presence.

Boom! Boom!

Several more thunderous roars accompanied fresh bursts of flame in the enemy camp.

But no matter how intently they watched, no sign of the immortal master appeared.

“Did you see him?” “Did you see him?”

They asked one another, but all replies were negative or silent shakes of the head.

Finally, all eyes turned to the sharpest-eyed man. “Your sight is best—did you see the immortal master?”

After a moment’s thought, he chose to fabricate an answer: “Yes, I saw him! The Earl’s immortal master is a towering man about ten feet tall. In his left hand, he holds a small drum; in his right, a hammer. Each time he strikes the drum with the hammer, a thunderous blast echoes through the Wuyi camp, followed by a great blaze.”