Coiling Dragon (Book 1)

Chapter 17

Book 1, Chapter 17 – Catastrophe (part 2)

"Thud! Thud! Thud!"

A few more crashing sounds continued to sound out from within Wushan township, but a short period of time later, no more stones fell from the sky. All of the boulders had been thoroughly demolished by the green-robed swordsman. But by now, no one in Wushan township had any spare energy left to pay attention to their battle.

"Lord Hogg, Wushan township is in bad shape. Just then-....Lord Hogg? What's wrong?" Hillman rushed into the manor. Just as he was beginning to report on the town's situation, he saw that Hogg was standing there in a daze, not making a single sound.

Hogg's body trembled. Only then did he regain his usual faculties. "Linley." Hogg charged violently towards the warehouse at an astonishing speed. Seeing this, Hillman guessed what had happened and immediately followed Hogg.

"Smash!" Before Hogg had arrived, the rubble covering Hiri, Linley, and Wharton had been blasted apart.

Housekeeper Hiri stood up from within the rubble.

"Uncle Hiri, what's the situation?" Hogg's voice was trembling. At the same time, he stared at the prone bodies. The first thing he saw was Linley, head covered with blood. The sight of the blood was so piercing to the eye that Hogg felt his head grow foggy, and his body swayed, almost falling down.

Up til now, Linley's body was still elevated from the ground, as he had been using his fists in a push-up position, so as not to crush Wharton.

"Father." A youthful voice emanated from beneath.

Wharton slowly crawled out from under Linley. His body was small, and he had been fully covered by Linley, so he didn't experience any injuries at all.

"Big brother, big brother, what's wrong?" Wharton tugged at Linley's body.

"Linley. Linley!" Hogg's voice was quavering.

Housekeeper Hiri said from off to the side, "I was still a little too slow. There was one piece of rubble that I managed to block, but before it struck young master Linley in the head. Although I believe that the strike shouldn't have been too heavy."

"I...I'm fine." A low, hoarse voice. Linley forced himself to lift up his head and stare at Hogg, managing a weak smile.

At this moment, upon seeing Linley's smile, Hogg's tears came spilling out.

Linley straightened his body and sat up. His clothes were covered with blood, as was his face and his hair. When the stone had struck him, it had caused a great deal of blood loss. At the moment, Linley also felt slightly woozy. Still staring at his father, Linley said in a weak, low voice, "Father, you are crying."

"I, I'm fine." An excited smile appeared on Hogg's face.

"Wharton? Why were you at the doorway earlier?" Linley rubbed his little brother's head and said in a reproving tone.

Wharton also knew that he had made a mistake. Lowering his head, he said, "Big brother, I'm sorry."

Housetaker Hiri, off to the side, said, "This was my fault. This disaster came too suddenly, and as soon as I had taken Wharton into the warehouse, I saw young master Linley in great danger, so I immediately rushed forward to help him. I didn't imagine that in just that instant, a huge boulder would head for the warehouse. This was my fault."

"RUMBLE!"

Suddenly, a huge tremblor shook the earth.

Everyone's facial expressions changed as they stared towards the eastern sky. A giant had appeared, hovering in the sky, over ten meters tall, muscles bound tightly, with a ruthless expression on its face. Its entire body was the color of yellow earth. At the moment, this earthen giant was engaging in a fierce battle with the green robed swordsman, and their every exchange of blows created a sound like crashing lightning or roaring thunder.