Chapter Forty-Eight: The Battle of Division (Part Two)

Clearly, in response to the earlier unexpected incident, Gao Li felt somewhat at a loss. At this moment, he said to the two of them with a hint of vexation, “I really must thank you both. You saved so many of us. I never expected the enemy’s plan to be so ruthless.”

Xiao Yang cast him a seemingly casual glance, having already seen through this man as someone who was tough in appearance but weak at heart, not as capable as his brother Gao Lin.

So, instead of Wu Jue, he spoke up: “This is the situation now. We don’t wish to waste any more time. Our sole purpose in coming here is to unite the survivors from all regions to resist the invaders together. Gao Li, tell me, are you willing to cooperate with us? In return, we'll help you deal with the Celestial Execution Clan here, ensuring Jiangzhou remains stable.”

Gao Li couldn’t help but laugh. “Heh, you two alone are so confident you can defeat the Celestial Execution Clan?”

Wu Jue sighed without replying, but Xiao Yang stopped him, saying, “Though it’s just the two of us, we still have secret weapons. If you don’t believe it, you can check in Tianhai City. The Celestial Execution Clan there was wiped out by the two of us.”

Xiao Yang deliberately concealed the existence of other companions, not wanting Gao Li to get any other ideas, so he stopped Wu Jue from revealing too much.

Wu Jue understood and pressed his palms together, saying, “Benefactor Gao, as monks, we do not speak falsehoods. If you are willing to cooperate, we will show our sincerity and help you overcome your greatest challenge.”

Gao Li laughed heartily. “That’s easy enough. Whatever you need, just say the word, and I will cooperate fully. Would you like to have some of our people assist you in safeguarding Jiangzhou? We all have a duty to defend our homeland, don’t you all agree?”

With his question, nearly a thousand Jiangzhou citizens around them shouted in unison, “Yes! It’s everyone’s duty to defend our country!”

Wu Jue replied, “That’s quite enough. The two of us will suffice.”

Thus, it was settled. Xiao Yang then inquired further about the current situation in Jiangzhou, particularly requesting a complete map of the city.

Wu Jue took a brief rest and replenished his ammunition. Gao Li’s side was indeed well-supplied, especially when he took them to see the armory, which was fully stocked with all kinds of weapons, including many new models.

They loaded up with ammunition, each carrying a pack, and prepared a dozen or so grenades and flashbangs. Wu Jue secretly marveled at how advanced modern weaponry was, rendering simple brute strength of the past utterly insignificant.

Xiao Yang also recharged his armor and collected many arrows and throwing darts, thoroughly equipping himself.

The Gao family, being a lineage of martial artists, had always collected many weapons, especially all kinds of bows and crossbows—too numerous to count. This left Xiao Yang, the history buff, quite amazed.

He then suddenly noticed a special glass case at the end of the armory, containing many cold weapons such as swords, spears, and halberds. He called for Wu Jue to take a look.

Wu Jue hurried over, and upon seeing them, was surprised—they looked very familiar, as if they were the very weapons crafted during his own uprising years ago.

He vaguely recalled having come here before, facing hardships together with Gao Xingzhou during the rebellion. Some of these weapons had been forged by them.

Unexpectedly, seeing them again today stirred a sense of emotion within him. Xiao Yang patted his shoulder and said, “Actually, I’ve had a feeling that Gao Li might be a descendant of your old friend. But given the current situation, it’s best not to mention it.”

Wu Jue nodded. “No matter. I have long since entered the monastic life, free of worldly attachments. My only concern is eradicating the demons of this world.”

He then instructed someone to fetch a few weapons: a bronze staff, a chain spear, and a pair of hook swords.

With everything prepared, as the two of them were about to leave, Gao Li provided them with a motorcycle. Xiao Yang thanked him, “Mr. Gao, you’ve truly thought of everything. We do need transportation; it’ll save us some time before the final battle. Thank you.”

With that, the two mounted the motorcycle and set off.

Once they were some distance away from the others, Xiao Yang used his earpiece to contact Princess An Yi and the rest, telling them the plan and to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

Wu Jue asked, “Are you not planning to fight the Celestial Execution Clan head-on here?”

Xiao Yang gritted his teeth. “Didn’t you notice? Gao Li and his people have no intention of letting us leave. I only said we’d fight the Celestial Execution Clan as an excuse. Otherwise, I fear we’d die at the hands of our own compatriots.”

Wu Jue sighed. “I noticed as well. Gao Li’s selfishness runs deep. Still, that’s no excuse to shirk our duty. Since we’re here, we owe the people an explanation. I can’t stand by and watch Gao Li lead them astray, bringing them to ruin.”

With that, he jumped off the bike and said to Xiao Yang, “You go and meet up with An Yi and the others. Tell them I’ll be back later; there’s something I must do.”

Xiao Yang stopped the bike, sighing, “Venerable monk, are you planning to go off on a solo adventure again? This is exasperating. Can’t you stop playing the lone hero? Even if you want a final showdown with the Celestial Execution Clan, now is not the time.”

As they argued, Gao Lin suddenly appeared, running over and shouting, “You’re heading to fight the Celestial Execution Clan? No way—that’s suicide! I’ll go talk to my brother.”

Seeing this, Xiao Yang left the bike and quickly stopped him. “Hey, what’s this got to do with you? We volunteered for this. If you want to pick a fight with your brother, don’t cause trouble now.”

Gao Lin, blocked and frustrated, retorted angrily, “What do you know? We’ve spent over a month building up our chances, and we can’t waste it all now. Do you know what we’ve sacrificed?”

Xiao Yang, seeing his resolute expression, couldn’t help but laugh. “You think I don’t understand? A month ago, I was confined to a wheelchair, unable to move. Now I’m here, making all of you look at me in a new light—you tell me if I understand sacrifice or not.”

Their mutual questioning left both momentarily stunned. Wu Jue sighed nearby, “Enough. You both have things you can’t let go of, but now is not the time for this. Gao Lin, you must realize that sometimes you have to shoulder the responsibilities meant for you.”

“What do you mean?” Gao Lin turned to Wu Jue, understanding his words but clearly touched in a sore spot.

He broke free from Xiao Yang and lunged at Wu Jue, but the monk stepped back, gracefully avoiding his fierce charge. Wu Jue then softly recited a Buddhist scripture—his voice quiet, yet every word reached Gao Lin’s ears.

At this, Gao Lin covered his ears, shouting angrily, “What do you know? I’m just the Gao family’s servant. I have no right to inherit my foster father’s legacy. Much of what I do is beyond my control—I have to see myself as a subordinate. You don’t understand!”

With that, he suddenly dashed off in another direction. Xiao Yang and Wu Jue saw clearly that he was heading towards the Celestial Execution Clan’s territory—most likely to seek his own end.

Xiao Yang could only remount the motorcycle, saying, “Looks like we have no choice but to fight. Get on, Master!”

But Wu Jue leapt forward, declaring, “No need. Let’s end this quickly—I’ve no wish to stay here any longer.”

The two sped off on the motorcycle. Not long after, the ground ahead suddenly trembled, splitting open as a gigantic creature emerged, separating them from Gao Lin.

At the same time, ahead, Gao Lin was surrounded by a horde of monsters that had burst in, attacking him wildly.

Wu Jue noticed that these monsters were completely different from before—it seemed the Celestial Execution Clan had bred new warriors to deal with them.

He drew his weapons and fought his way out of the encirclement, heading straight for where Gao Lin was ambushed.

Unfortunately, Gao Lin was already covered in blood, collapsed in a pool of it, while a giant mantis loomed over him, swinging its scythe-like claws, ready to tear him apart.

Wu Jue fired a shot, which exploded on the mantis’s claws, severing both deadly blades. They fell to the ground, landing less than an inch from Gao Lin.

Seizing the moment, Wu Jue rushed forward and lifted Gao Lin, asking, “How are you? Are you alright?”

Gao Lin, breathing weakly, replied, “Not dead yet—just embarrassed.”

Wu Jue slung him onto his back, ready to leave, but four ugly cockroach-like creatures surrounded them, extending their long antennae and hissing menacingly.

“Beasts! You still dare commit evil in my presence?” Wu Jue, utterly fearless, picked up the mantis’s severed claws and, with two swift strokes, dispatched the creatures, their heads and bodies parting instantly.

He then leapt away, carrying Gao Lin out of danger. Xiao Yang arrived just in time on the motorcycle to take them both back to Gao Li, so they could reassess their plans.

Apocalypse Divine Martial, Chapter 48: Battle for Supremacy (Part Two) — End of update.