Chapter 53: The Banner That Chases the Mist

Above the river, serpents of fire rampaged wildly, unleashing their deadly power. Whether bandits or sailors, all were reduced to ashes in an instant, the fierce conflagration illuminating the waters with a crimson glow.

“Young master…” Red Jade’s fair face was etched with worry as she gazed upon An Yuxuan, whose pallor was deathly and whose steps faltered. She hurried to his side, intending to support him, but An Yuxuan waved her off.

“This ship will soon be lost. We must find a small boat and leave at once.” Though his vitality was drained and his spirit exhausted, An Yuxuan forced himself to remain alert.

Red Jade nodded quickly at his words. She too was a practitioner of the arts, albeit with shallow cultivation and little combat experience, but her physical strength was sufficient to steer a small boat for a short while. Such escape vessels were found on both merchant and bandit ships in moments of peril like this.

As An Yuxuan and Red Jade prepared to flee in a small boat, a lone craft lay motionless in the mist, hidden yet waiting.

“Talismans of the Qi Refining level? The An family truly possesses deep foundations, to have left such treasures to their younger generation. Even an ordinary Qi Refining talisman fetches a high price, let alone one usable by a cultivator of Spiritual Inspiration.” Standing at the prow, Iron Butcher loomed like an iron tower, his presence commanding. He had been waiting here all along, yet had not revealed himself.

Just then, a charred corpse drifted down with the current, halting before Iron Butcher’s boat. His keen eyes recognized it instantly, for though the features were ruined, those long, slender hands betrayed the man’s identity.

“No strength, however cautious, is meaningless—at best, it grants an intact corpse.” Iron Butcher shook his head at the sight. The Fire Serpent technique was savage beyond measure; no mortal flesh could withstand it. The fact that Zhou Quan’s corpse was whole meant he had protected the others with his own body, as always. But this time, caution could not save him.

“I have probed enough—it is time to act.” Letting the body drift away, Iron Butcher’s eyes reflected the blazing inferno, his face solemn.

In the next instant, he produced a flag no larger than a palm, its surface pale blue, embroidered with cloud patterns, exuding an ethereal aura. Yet it bore several enormous rents, its damage severe.

This was the Blood-Refined Relic, the Mist-Banishing Banner—a most unusual artifact. Even mortals could wield it with the power of their blood. It had once been specially forged by an artificer for a most beloved younger kin. Now, however, it was half-ruined.

Yet even so, its mysteries remained profound. Iron Butcher had chosen to make his stand here at the Maze Bend largely because of this banner. In his hand, combined with the natural mists of the bend, it had turned the river into a natural fortress, securing the River Marauders’ foothold.

“Success or failure hinges on this!” With a surge of blood-essence, Iron Butcher activated the Mist-Banishing Banner. The fog churned as if driven by an invisible hand, and his small boat sliced through the water like a blade, leaping forward at astonishing speed.

Meanwhile, as Red Jade and An Yuxuan navigated downstream, they sensed something amiss.

“There’s another enemy…” An Yuxuan’s face darkened as he saw Iron Butcher’s boat cleaving the waves. He had exhausted himself fending off the River Marauders, even using his most precious trump cards.

“Damn it, I will not fall here! All who block my path must die!” Rage surged within him. Swallowing another pill, An Yuxuan cast the Lesser Fireball technique.

Five fireballs burst forth, swelling with the wind, hurtling toward Iron Butcher.

But Iron Butcher made no move to evade. He clenched his fist and struck.

With a thunderous roar, his blood-essence flared, mingling with chill Yin energy to create a strange force. The five blazing fireballs shattered instantly, not harming him in the least.

Witnessing this, An Yuxuan’s expression changed drastically. He could not hope to overcome this foe—this was the only thought in his mind.

“Go!” Without hesitation, he turned the boat.

Now, with nothing left to lose, he crushed a verdant jade stone—Green Carp Stone, containing the power of a transformed demon carp, rare and mysterious.

Suddenly, the water surged and a massive fish shadow appeared beneath the boat. With a flick of its tail, it lifted the craft and sped upstream with astonishing swiftness.

Iron Butcher was not dismayed, but rather delighted by the sight. An Yuxuan’s actions proved he was likely out of hidden resources. Given how long he had been hunted, it was only natural his cards were nearly spent.

“An impressive trick, but escape will not come so easily.” Blood-essence surged as Iron Butcher again activated the Mist-Banishing Banner, his speed growing yet more formidable.

Pursuer and quarry—no matter how An Yuxuan tried, Iron Butcher remained close at his heels. Anxiety gnawed at An Yuxuan’s heart. The power of the Green Carp Stone would not last forever. If he could not shake his pursuer before it faded, he would be doomed.

“I am the last hope of the An family. I must revive our house—I cannot die…” Thoughts raced. Suddenly, An Yuxuan’s gaze fell on Red Jade. At this point, she had become a burden.

Yet, remembering her gentle care and the many resources the family had spent to cultivate her, a flicker of struggle crossed his face. But it vanished as quickly as it came. Nothing was more important than his own life.

With that, he seized Red Jade.

“Do not blame me, Red Jade. I carry the fate of the An family. I cannot die!” Face contorted in pain, An Yuxuan hurled Red Jade overboard, both to lighten the load and to buy time by using her as a diversion.

Caught off guard, a look of shock flashed across Red Jade’s face. But she was not wholly unprepared. With a nimble twist, she plunged into the river.

Seeing this, An Yuxuan’s face twisted with ferocity. He had not expected Red Jade to refuse to die for him. But there was no time for regrets.

Without her, the green carp’s speed increased. Iron Butcher, witnessing all, paid no heed to Red Jade in the water.

“Ruthless enough. But you cannot escape—you are already in the net.” Calm and confident, Iron Butcher pressed the chase. On the river, the mist began to stir and flow, tightening like a net around its prey.