Returning to the Mysterious Era

Cassius soon received the information he had sought after.

The Lion's Roar Breathing Technique was a Secret Technique that allowed one to stabilize their turbulent Qi and blood and temporarily recover a portion of their strength when severely wounded. The general effect of this technique was akin to what Cassius had understood as "breath-locking," where the coordination of breathing frequency and blood circulation frequency stimulated severely injured muscles and internal organs to erupt with renewed strength.

The advantages of this technique were clear. Back in the Alphama mountains, when Cassius and Duomo were escaping the Ao Yin ruins, Duomo had been seriously hurt. He had suffered some significant internal injuries thanks to a high-ranking member of the Blood Race. Cassius, who had been close by at the time, sensed Duomo teetering on the edge between critical injury and death, and without intervention, Duomo would likely have died.

However, Duomo used the Lion's Roar Breathing Technique. He forcibly restarted his severely injured internal organs and generated a temporary cycle of energy that allowed him to regain some of his strength. He even managed to break through the defensive circle of the Alphama direct bloodline's ceremonial guards alongside Cassius, demonstrating just how effective this breathing technique was.

In battle, having a trump card like this that prevented injuries from worsening would undoubtedly provide a great sense of security. Moreover, it also indirectly increased combat strength. Experts in Covert Martial Arts typically exerted only seventy percent of their strength in battle, with the remaining thirty percent used to defend against any unexpected moves from their opponents. However, practitioners of the Lion's Roar Breathing Technique could exert eighty or even ninety percent of their strength, which was a significant enhancement.

This breathing technique wasn't without its faults, though.

For example, Cassius had witnessed the technique's effects firsthand. After returning to his Martial Uncle Mi An's residence, the effects of the Lion's Roar Breathing Technique gradually wore off for Duomo, with intense pain and an even fiercer backlash taking its place.

The pain, though severe, could be endured due to the resilience Cassius had developed from practicing the Elephant Soul Secret Technique. However, the ferocious backlash resulted in acute organ failure, worsening the original injuries. Duomo had fainted on the spot, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth. If not for Mi An's expertise in medicine and his apparent mastery of some healing Secret Techniques, Duomo would have died.

Thus, when using the Lion's Roar Breathing Technique, it was best to ensure that you could reach a hospital before its effects wore off or have someone skilled in medicine close by as a safety net.

This Secret Technique should be used sparingly. It absolutely should not be relied upon as a regular method, as it could cause significant damage to organs and muscles, potentially depleting the body's potential. However, in a dire situation like the one Duomo had faced, when he had his back against the wall, delaying the progression of injuries temporarily might give them enough time to find a solution. Without it, death could swoop in quickly.

Cassius squinted slightly, deep in thought.

The Three-Eyed Mad Lion Sect had promised him two Secret Techniques, neither of which were directly related to combat, but they were far more useful than ordinary combat techniques. The Heart Eye Secret Technique was a technique that supported combat, while the Lion's Roar Breathing Technique was a life-saving trump card, and would effectively make up for Cassius's lack of non-combat skills, enhancing his overall strength.

It wasn't enough for a practitioner of Covert Martial Arts to be merely proficient in direct attacks and defenses. Knowing how to better respond to ambushes and how to survive dangerous situations were equally important. So, Cassius felt quite satisfied.

Mi An had been very generous. The down payment had initially only included the Heart Eye Secret Technique, but now he had also taught Cassius the Lion's Roar Breathing Technique. Clearly, Mi An was also quite pleased with the effects of Soul Power.

Time flew by, and before he knew it, it was 7 p.m.

The Rainy World was already dim and gloomy, with heavy clouds and downpours obscuring the sky. Now that night had fallen, it was even darker, with only faint traces of moonlight seeping through the gaps in the clouds, casting a pale glow on the rooftops.

A group of cloaked people holding umbrellas was waiting at the platform outside Black Rain Manor.

Ring-a-ding, ring-a-ding, ring-a-ding…

As the urgent ringing of bells filled the air, a black carriage sped to the platform. As usual, the steel carriage was attached to the black carriage with Cassius boarding the front carriage while the others squeezed into the steel compartment.

The wheels began to turn, and the carriage gradually picked up speed. The iron wheels of the steel carriage left deep ruts in the ground, while muddy rainwater splattered behind it.

The northern Covert Martial Arts representatives had completed their reconnaissance mission. Now the real assault on Black Rain Manor was about to begin.

The coalition included several dozen combat masters, over a hundred pugilists, and nearly a thousand fistfighters at the peak of human physical limits. The Northern Covert Martial Arts community was not to be underestimated. This was the Hongli Federation fifty years ago, when technology hadn't yet reached an overwhelming advantage, and many Covert Martial Arts Practitioners still existed. Given the importance of Soul Power to Covert Martial Arts, it was no surprise to see the full mobilization of the Northern Martial Arts community.

Moreover, it was important to note that the Northern Covert Martial Arts community wasn't just a martial arts circle.

These ancient martial arts sects had intricate ties with the government. For instance, some fist masters might also serve as combat instructors for certain military units, while some Covert Martial Arts experts may have once served as bodyguards for important figures, forming life-and-death bonds. This was only the surface of their connections; the deeper networks were far more complex and obscure. It might even be possible for Cassius to see the military intervening to assist the Northern Martial Arts community in the assault on Black Rain Manor with machine guns, grenades, bombers, and artillery.

Of course, all of these were just the icing and decorations on a cake.

Cassius believed that as long as Black Rain Manor didn't adopt a scorched-earth policy, the Northern Martial Arts community's strength would be sufficient.

Hopefully, everything would go smoothly.

Inside the carriage, Cassius stared absentmindedly out of the window through the gaps. He sighed, only just snapping back to reality.

In the distant hazy rain and fog, a series of blurry, moving shadows caught his attention. Cassius squinted, and to his surprise, he saw that these shadows were Decaying Knights on warhorses.

Their target was clear as they charged forward. They were clad in heavy, menacing full-body armor and wielded sharp, exaggerated melee weapons. As the tall warhorses galloped, they quickly closed the distance.

"One, two, three, four… nineteen, twenty!!!"

A total of twenty! These undead knights, with half the strength Cassius had before his breakthrough, had arrived in several squads!

Cassius's eyes widened as he suddenly realized something. He immediately looked to the left.

Sure enough, another group of blurry shadows was approaching rapidly from the left. Black warhorses, clad in ancient, heavy armor with sharp spikes protruding from their joints, bearing knights wearing crimson-crossed boots, wielding giant swords, lances, battle axes, and flails came racing.

Another twenty Decaying Knights. There were forty of them in total now!

"Could it be that we were exposed somewhere?!" Cassius frowned deeply as he recalled the gargoyles around the circular intersection. Had they already been detected there? Regardless, the most important thing now was to fight their way out.

The last time Cassius had infiltrated Black Rain Manor, he had faced eight Decaying Knights and had used technological forces like Silver Storm heavy machine guns, p11 grenades, Tiger Shotguns, and Type 46 flamethrowers with adhesive incendiary agents, and coupled with the armored carriage's strong defense to successfully overcome the challenge.

But now, although the weapons were still intact, the ammunition was running low. There were only a few grenades and incendiary agents left, and now he was facing five times as many enemies.

Wait a minute.

Cassius slapped his forehead, suddenly remembering the eight experts in Covert Martial Arts stowed away in the armored carriage behind him. Apart from Duomo, who was merely making up the numbers, the other seven were all sect masters or combat artists. Although some were advanced in age, they were still formidable in strength. Cassius's anxiety immediately abated.

He quickly pulled back the curtain and yelled to the rear carriage, conveying all the necessary information. "Mi An, Duomo, there are around forty Decaying Knights closing in on us! Do you see the black bags near the edge of the carriage? They’re filled with military weapons I left behind!"

"…"

Whoosh!

A metal cross sword sliced through the air toward him.

Cassius quickly ducked back inside, and the blade hit nothing but air. Outside the curtain, he could hear the heavy sound of hooves and the labored breathing of horses as shadowy figures rushed past the windows.

They're not targeting me?

Cassius quickly realized that the Decaying Knights weren’t attacking his black carriage at all. Black Rain Manor wasn’t that advanced, having only locked onto the aura of Mi An and the other stowaways. Cassius, being a typical lawful Hellsing, wasn't the target; he simply hadn’t completed his regular missions…plus he killed three enforcers and successfully smuggled himself into the Rainy World.

The Knights had attacked him earlier solely because his head had been exposed outside the carriage, making him a random target. Now that he was back inside and his aura sealed, the Decaying Knights paid him no mind.

"So…this really doesn't concern me anymore?" Cassius had a strange expression on his face. He shrugged.

In the rear carriage, a group of old men who had spent their entire lives training in Covert Martial Arts stared blankly at the new military equipment in the bags. They had never seen or used such weapons before. They only knew how to use handguns.

Fortunately, the sect master of the Raging Sea Sect, Xuan Jing, had used firearms before. Under his guidance, the Covert Martial Arts experts, who were quick learners and skilled with their hands, quickly mastered the use of the various firearms—all except for the flamethrower—including grenades, machine guns, shotguns, and pistols.

Rat-a-tat-tat… rat-a-tat-tat…

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang…

Boom!

Bullets flew and whizzed through the air, exploding into showers of golden sparks on the Decaying Knights. The armored carriage shook from the constant slashing and collisions on all sides but showed no signs of tipping over, given its enormous weight.

However, the increasingly frequent, destructive attacks left the already battle-worn carriage even more scarred. Occasionally, one could see axe marks protruding out from the inner walls.

Bang, bang, bang…

Hardy, the old man with the goatee, squinted one eye. He aimed and pulled the trigger of his pistol, but his shots went wide. "Damn it, can't even hit the target! What’s the point of even using this?"

"And even if you do hit, it’s useless," added White Water Sword Elder, who was also holding a pistol. "I trust my sword more than this gun." A long, sharp swift sword slowly emerged from its sheath.

"My fists aren’t any less powerful!" Hardy swept his hands slowly through the air, moving like a black phantom. A faint hissing sound, like that of a snake, whistled through the air.

"I’ve been studying the carriage's speed and compared to our explosive force, it’s not very fast," said the elder from Skyfall Cross Sect, looking back at them. His rough, thick hands were now exposed, and the muscles on the backs of his hands formed a cross-like shape.

"I can't get used to these dainty guns either…" A middle-aged man with a red pentagram mark on his forehead turned his head, a dangerous aura emanating from his nostrils. "Let’s finish this quickly with the techniques we’re best at."

Mi An tore off his black cloak, revealing a black-and-white striped suit underneath. He pulled out a silver pocket watch from his pocket, checked the time, and then put it away.

Screech!

The armored carriage door flung open, and six figures shot out like lightning. Legs, fists, elbows, and swords unleashed an overwhelming force as they struck with an explosive power.

Xuan Jing glanced back from where he was at the right window, tossed aside his shotgun, and roared as his muscles bulged, ripping through his tight-fitting training attire. He burst out with the force of a raging whale breaching the sea.

Duomo, by the left window, was having the time of his life using a machine gun. As the barrel heated up, he paused to let it cool and then looked around inside the carriage, stunned. "Huh? Where is everyone…?"

He peered out through the right window and saw the elderly Covert Martial Arts experts charging forward and slaughtering the Decaying Knights. The old men were truly unstoppable, unleashing devastating move after move with terrifying power.

Elder Oro of the Skyfall Cross Sect swung his arms like sonic hammers. Whenever the cross-shaped muscles on the backs of his hands bulged, his arms disappeared, smashing violently into the Decaying Knights' joints, making severed limbs and shattered bones fly into the sky.

Hardy, the old master of the Winged Serpent Fist, demonstrated an incredible display of martial arts, his hands transforming into a flurry of black flowers. As he moved through the air, deadly illusions appeared, and from the countless petals that drifted down, a venomous winged serpent struck, hitting vital points with deadly precision.

Mi An, the Demon Lion, was even more ferocious as if something had driven him to madness. His blood-red eyes and feral expression made him look like a lion on a rampage, his wild white hair flying in the rain. His movements mimicked the furious pounce of a lion king, each move powerful and overwhelming and filled with dark energy.

Every attack brought instant death or serious injury as the forty Decaying Knights fell one after another. Despite having the ability to resurrect indefinitely, they were completely overwhelmed!

Duomo, his mouth agape, quickly put away his small machine gun. These old men were terrifying! Simply way too scary…

Inside the black carriage, Cassius pulled his gaze back from the shocking scene outside. He blinked and coughed twice.

What had gotten into these old men? Were they just starving for a fight after so many years? Why were they so fired up now…

Watching the fierce fight outside, he felt excitement shooting through him. How invigorating!

More than half an hour later, at a coach station outside the mountains, a female marked-one, carrying a suitcase, shook the bell in her hand. She was waiting for the black carriage to take her back to the manor.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

"Here it comes." The woman turned her head calmly. Her eyes widened in shock.

A black carriage was pulling a battered, smoke-emitting armored carriage, and behind it, dozens of Decaying Knights on horseback were brandishing cold weapons, in relentless pursuit of them.