Apocalypse Circular-Chapter 444: Wu Handing at the End of His Rope (8K)

Chapter 444: Chapter 444: Wu Handing at the End of His Rope (8K)

An Alloy Sword appeared in Qi Xinzhu’s hand. Even while pregnant, she remained confident in her combat readiness.

"Who are you?"

Wu Handing sized up Qi Xinzhu. Seeing her brandish her sword, Wu Handing showed a look of approval.

That’s how it should be, Wu Handing thought. A woman shouldn’t shy away from battle just because she’s pregnant.

"I am a friend of your husband. My name is Wu Handing."

"Stop lying. My husband doesn’t have any friends."

Wu Handing was speechless.

A miscalculation!

Actually, I’m right, Qi Xinzhu thought. Lu Luo doesn’t have any friends. Gu Fangyi and Zhou Kai are more like brothers who have fought side-by-side from the very beginning. Myself, Bai Yuetong, and Han Shiyu... we are Lu Luo’s women. Come to think of it, Lu Luo really doesn’t have many friends. The only one who could be considered a friend was probably Ludie, back then. After Ludie’s death, although Lu Luo doesn’t say it, he became much more cautious and careful with interpersonal relationships. I can sense Lu Luo’s caution, and I understand it.

"Alright, perhaps my information was a bit off, Miss Qi Xinzhu. Actually, you don’t need to be so tense. I came here today with good intentions. Unfortunately, it seems Mr. Lu Luo is not here."

Hearing that Wu Handing was here for Lu Luo, Qi Xinzhu’s gaze sharpened.

I’m not worried about Lu Luo’s safety, Qi Xinzhu considered. I know his strength; this woman couldn’t possibly be a match for him. I’m more concerned about my own safety. If I were captured, I’d very likely become a bargaining chip to threaten Lu Luo.

"Are you here to capture me?"

"Oh? What makes you think that?"

Wu Handing neither confirmed nor denied. After she spoke, Qi Xinzhu instantly took action.

CLANG!

Strike first to gain the upper hand; delay, and be controlled by others, Qi Xinzhu resolved.

With a sword fused with Holy Radiance, she executed the Sword Heart Three Forms: Sky Sever Slash.

The piercing Sword Qi flew towards Wu Handing, who immediately felt a tremendous threat. Is this woman, who has just become a mother, actually fighting me for real? This swordsmanship... Wu Handing wondered.

Wu Handing hastily leaped up as the Sword Qi grazed past her trousers.

BOOM! The wall was completely shattered by the sharpness of the Sky Sever Slash. Wu Handing didn’t even have time to register the prowess of this move before Qi Xinzhu’s second form was upon her.

Sword Heart Second Form: Fu Yu, Wings of Blazing Sky.

Sword Qi, like feathers from wings of light, continuously fell around Wu Handing. The Fu Yu Sword’s area of impact and the sheer number of strikes left her with no room to retreat. Pressed against the wall, she was forced to release her own energy to counter the Fu Yu Sword.

The constant sound of energy collisions rang out around Wu Handing, and a few strands of Sword Qi brushed past her cheek, leaving behind trails of blood.

Wu Handing was a woman, after all; Qi Xinzhu’s unrestrained attacks put immense pressure on her.

"Hey, Qi Xinzhu, don’t go too far!"

"The one going too far is you, isn’t it?"

I have no intention of entertaining Wu Handing, Qi Xinzhu thought. According to Lu Luo, anyone who steps inside Circular’s range is an enemy if not a friend. That statement is somewhat overbearing and rude, but it gives Circular’s members an absolute sense of security. And right now, Circular indeed needs such security.

"Since you are so obstinate, I have no choice but to teach you a proper lesson now.

"I was going to take it easy on you because you’re pregnant."

Wu Handing suddenly extended her hand, and black claws replaced her original palm. The claws reached directly towards Qi Xinzhu’s Holy Radiance, causing a violent collision between light and darkness.

BANG!

Wu Handing’s Soxth Tier strength is ultimately superior to mine, Qi Xinzhu thought, forced to retreat. If I want to win, I’ll have to activate Healer at full force and adopt a strategy of trading injury for injury. Ultimately, I’d have to use ’Mirror Flower, Water Moon’ to end the battle. However, doing so would put my child at risk. Moreover, if Wu Handing isn’t killed, my Sequence issue will be completely exposed to the Empire’s sight. Unless absolutely necessary, I don’t want to fight like that.

Radiance!

The brilliance of a miniature sun suddenly appeared in the room, expanding continuously between the two of them.

BANG! The violent explosion shattered the entire rooftop. This scale of collateral damage was precisely what Qi Xinzhu wanted to see.

This is Circular’s territory! Since it’s Circular, how could I be fighting alone? They should have seen this by now, she thought.

As soon as the aftershock of the explosion subsided, Wu Handing, dragging her black claw, charged towards Qi Xinzhu.

If I didn’t need to restrict my Sequence, I would have punched her long ago. Even if my arm broke, I could recover in a short time, but not now, Qi Xinzhu fumed internally.

"This is so annoying!"

Perhaps it’s because I’m pregnant, but I feel increasingly irritable, Qi Xinzhu thought.

Yet, Wu Handing on the other side revealed a smile. "Losing your composure, huh? In such a battle, one must not lose their cool!"

Wu Handing suddenly accelerated, her black claw brushing past Qi Xinzhu’s hair. Several strands of Qi Xinzhu’s elegant hair were suddenly cut, as Wu Handing unexpectedly changed speed during her concealed sprint. Luckily, Qi Xinzhu had held back enough to dodge her strike.

"So fast! To think that you could dodge such an attack. I, Wu Handing, would acknowledge you as the strongest of the Fifth Tier."

"The strongest? You have absolutely no idea what the strongest of the Fifth Tier is really like."

Qi Xinzhu rarely retorted Wu Handing’s words, which indeed sparked her interest.

"What do you mean? Is there someone stronger than you at the Fifth Tier?"

"You came looking for Lu Luo, didn’t you? Don’t you know that the concept of ’the strongest of their tier’ has only ever been appropriate when speaking of Lu Luo? And it can only be appropriate when applied to Lu Luo."

In my view, Qi Xinzhu is already a superb talent, one in ten thousand, Wu Handing frowned slightly. No, not just one in ten thousand, but one in a hundred thousand, one in a million, perhaps even one in ten million—a true genius. Such a genius would be notable even throughout the entire Empire. Moreover, Qi Xinzhu is pregnant and can’t exert her full strength. If even Qi Xinzhu says so, then what level can Lu Luo’s strength and potential reach? Is it an exaggeration, or is it true?

"Hearing you say this, I’m becoming more intrigued by Lu Luo."

"Silly woman, you don’t even know what you’re up against."

"It seems you really have considerable confidence in your husband. How unfortunate that, if I capture you, Lu Luo will definitely come before me willingly."

"Really?"

Qi Xinzhu smiled slightly, and Wu Handing, standing opposite her, felt a hint of danger.

BANG!

A muffled gunshot sounded from somewhere. The bullet, moving several times faster than sound and imbued with a special spiraling force, arrived behind Wu Handing.

This shot will injure me, and seriously! Feeling the intense threat, Wu Handing’s hair suddenly stiffened. Her short black hair lengthened and turned into a substance as hard as keratin, shielding her back. The keratin kept growing, morphing into a spiral horn that met the incoming bullet head-on.

DING!

Wu Handing staggered but finally blocked the sniper’s surprise attack.

"Such attacks are truly impossible to guard against!"

Wu Handing turned her head, but there was no sign of the enemy within her line of sight.

This can only mean the attack came from beyond my visual range. A sniper with such abilities... was he cultivated by Circular themselves? she wondered.

The moment Wu Handing turned her head, Qi Xinzhu made her move, her iron sword chopping down directly from above. Energy erupted from the blade as if it cost nothing. Three consecutive Soul Sunder Strikes flew out. Wu Handing barely dodged the first strike and desperately resisted the second. Then, she took the third strike with her body.

SIZZLE!

Black scales roamed over Wu Handing’s skin. She had been becoming less and less human-like.

This is probably Wu Handing’s trump card, Qi Xinzhu knew.

"Your transformation is quite unique. Doesn’t the Imperial Inspection Department care about people like you?"

Qi Xinzhu’s mockery left Wu Handing’s face looking rather unpleasant. Unless it was absolutely necessary, she indeed seldom fought in this form.

"I..."

BANG!

Before she could finish speaking, a bullet struck Wu Handing’s back.

It’s too far! A predictive shot like this is impossible to dodge! Wu Handing thought. Qi Xinzhu and the assailant attacking from behind are both very powerful. If it came to a head-on fight, I wouldn’t be afraid of them. But I’m alone today, and this action wasn’t reported. In other words, this is my personal, private mission. If Circular were just an ordinary rogue group, there would naturally be no problem. But Circular is different. They’re an outstanding company in the GuiXi District and a subsidiary of the Thirty-third Imperial Princess, Wu Liji. Such a company is greatly beneficial to the Empire. Even the Imperial Inspection Department can’t act like this without lawful orders. So this time, I’ve really run into a snag.

"Consider yourselves impressive today! We’ll meet again."

Wu Handing burst through the window, but it wasn’t over. Qi Xinzhu was a kind person, that much was true. But kindness did not equate to soft-heartedness. Mercy to an enemy was cruelty to oneself. At this moment, she took out a walkie-talkie and started issuing orders.

"I’ve been attacked. Gu Fangyi is pursuing the enemy. All units, pay attention, prepare for a precision strike to assist Gu Fangyi. I am initiating pheromone guidance now."

"Understood."

In the small Circular Base at the border of Coal Capital, the rooftops of several buildings suddenly began to unfold. Missiles bearing the Circular emblem came into view of several Circular members nearby. These missiles were one of Bai Yuetong’s achievements over the past two years. They incorporated many of the Empire’s existing technologies, as well as technological supplements from the Imperial Inspection Department. Their effect and name were also straightforward: Pheromone-tracking missiles.

CLICK!

One of the missiles began to ascend. If it were just any ordinary group, they couldn’t possibly be equipped with such weaponry. But Circular was different. Lu Luo had never developed Circular as just a social organization. On the surface, they were a company. But at its core, it had always been a militant group. For a militant group, having remote strike capability was inevitable.

"The first missile has been launched; second is ready."

"Understood."

The soldiers of Circular were like precision instruments, indifferent to who their enemy was. To become a member of the Breath of Favor, one had to be utterly loyal.

「...」

Although our actions might seem a bit like making a mountain out of a molehill right now, all of this is the result of discussions at Circular headquarters, Gu Fangyi mused, a slight smile playing on his lips as he glanced at the ascending missile. Those who offend us will be pursued relentlessly.

Raising his sniper rifle again, Gu Fangyi, who had repositioned, locked onto Wu Handing once more.

Wu Handing, running through the streets, suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of danger. She glanced at both sides and swiftly dived into a narrow alley.

A sniper’s line of fire should be straight. This way, he won’t be able to attack me, she thought.

But what she hadn’t anticipated was that Gu Fangyi had long since bypassed urban constraints through certain methods.

Remote pheromone lock-on + Hawk Eye = Shot.

BANG!

The bullet, wrapped in energy, pierced through layer upon layer of walls, shooting out from a snack bar’s window and striking Wu Handing once again.

"Fuck, how did he do that?"

If I can still be attacked while hiding in the city, I can’t stay here any longer, Wu Handing knew. I have to go to the wilderness.

Standing on the rooftop, Gu Fangyi picked up his walkie-talkie, stowing his large gun. "She’s headed for the wilderness. Bring out the sniper cannon."

"Understood."

Wu Handing had already dashed to the outskirts in a mere forty seconds. With her Soxth Tier peak strength, she was powerful and extremely fast.

As long as I reach the wilderness, without adequate cover, even an excellent sniper won’t be able to do anything to me, she thought. However, once she reached the wilderness, that sense of crisis didn’t dissipate at all. Wu Handing didn’t even know where this feeling was coming from.

To be honest, I never imagined such a probing attack would result in such a sorry state, even putting me in danger. If I had another chance, I certainly wouldn’t be so reckless. What exactly *is* this feeling?

She looked around but couldn’t find the source of danger.

After leaving the city, I haven’t been shot at by the sniper anymore. So what exactly is this feeling?

"DAMMIT! DAMMIT! DAMMIT!"

When alone, Wu Handing began to curse wildly, running and swearing at the same time. Her Soxth Tier perception allowed her to sense danger, but she didn’t know from where the imminent danger would come.

This feeling is truly terrible, she thought.

Meanwhile, high in the sky, the first missile launched by Circular had divided into six warheads, flying towards Wu Handing’s location. The warheads accelerated as they fell.

Wu Handing had just sensed something when one of the warheads exploded beside her.

BOOM!

"What the hell?"

Her protective energy barely held off the explosion. But this is just the first wave!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Gunsmoke filled the air. Wu Handing, covered in blood, stood in a crater. She had dodged two attacks, but the remaining three explosions she had endured with her own strength. Although Soxth Tier power could make one immune to most thermal weapon attacks, the pheromone missile developed by Bai Yuetong was far more outrageous and powerful than ordinary thermal weapons. During the explosion, it would release a momentary burst of Devourer energy. The effect of this energy was to break defenses. Wu Handing had suffered because of this energy, and the explosion itself was fleeting. She hadn’t even had time to react before she was badly hit.

"Uh... is it the Sequence?" Wu Handing muttered. During the explosion, I simply couldn’t concentrate. I never expected to end up in such a state today.

"Circular... I’ll remember you!"

Before she could finish her grim promise, the six warheads of the second pheromone missile had already arrived.

BOOM!~

From a distance, Gu Fangyi observed the explosion with his Hawk Eye, which naturally allowed him to track beyond visual range. As long as it wasn’t a one-on-one pursuit, Wu Handing actually had no way of dealing with Gu Fangyi. This was also part of the tactical training Lu Luo had prepared for Gu Fangyi.

"She’s injured," Gu Fangyi suddenly said. Behind him, Qi Xinzhu had already arrived with a group of people.

"Is there a way to capture her?"

"There is some risk."

A cornered beast still fights, Qi Xinzhu nodded to herself. A Soxth Tier expert like this, when truly facing the threat of death, could indeed have an outburst. Many of us might die then. Moreover, this person is from the Inspection Department. We can go to extremes, but someone from the Inspection Department shouldn’t die at our hands.

"So what do we do now, have you thought it through?" Qi Xinzhu asked with a cold face, covering her stomach.

It wasn’t that her stomach was uncomfortable; with her constitution, the level of combat just now wouldn’t have affected the child inside her. But she still didn’t want to let Wu Handing go. Such an unprovoked and casual offense was something Circular could not accept. If we let Wu Handing go so easily, then a first time would lead to a second, and a third. Therefore, even if the other party is a member of the Inspection Department, and even related to the Wu Imperial Family, we will still deliver the most severe counterattack.

"I think we can drive her towards Twin Tower Mountain."

"Twin Tower Mountain?"

I know about Twin Tower Mountain; that was Lu Luo’s arrangement, Qi Xinzhu frowned slightly. Moreover, Lu Luo specifically told us before to keep Circular’s people out of it. This Twin Tower Mountain Ashbringer incident was originally a purge of the GuiXi Transcendent organizations jointly planned by him and Zhang Changming. If Circular steps in, it will make others hostile towards us. Such tasks are better left for the Inspection Department to handle. Circular, at most, should just come out to do some finishing work, make an appearance. In this situation, it’s best not to disturb Lu Luo.

"Now that Lu Luo is deploying over there, won’t we interfere with his plans if we drive her there?"

"I just had a phone call with Brother Luo, and he gave the nod."

"Oh? Is that so!"

If it’s Lu Luo, then indeed, that’s reassuring, Qi Xinzhu thought, her lips curling into a smile.

"So what now? There’s still some distance from here to Twin Tower Mountain, right?"

"No problem, I’ll drive her over," Gu Fangyi said, lifting his sniper cannon reassuringly.

Just like that, the people of Circular had allocated their next tasks. The fate of Wu Handing, the imperial princess, had also unknowingly been sealed.

「...」

BANG!

A huge bullet pierced through Wu Handing’s shoulder. The recent explosions had even shattered her phone. Now, the enemy continued to relentlessly pursue her, leaving her no time or space to call for backup.

Am I really going to die here?

"No, this level of injury isn’t enough to kill me!" Wu Handing’s gaze gradually focused. She had endured many hardships. Though a princess by birth, she had never enjoyed any privileges growing up. This upbringing had forged an extraordinary will within her. There might be many setbacks now, but these are definitely not reasons for me to be defeated!

The frequency of their pursuit is decreasing. If I continue moving northeast for a while, I should be able to put some distance between us. Then, as long as I find a place to recover and contact the Imperial Inspection Department, I should be fine. Yes, that’s it!

WHOOSH!

Wu Handing dodged a shot from Gu Fangyi. The sniper cannon was powerful, but its stealth and speed were not as strong as a bullet’s. So, as long as Wu Handing was sufficiently focused, she could indeed dodge.

I never thought it would be this bad. The civilian world is truly full of hidden masters. This has been quite a lesson for me, she mused.

Wu Handing looked up at the mountain in front of her, where some Transcendents had already begun to appear sporadically.

The appearance of other Transcendents means it’s unlikely my pursuers will continue the chase. However, just because they’re not chasing doesn’t mean I’m safe now. The way these other Transcendents are looking at me... it’s like they see prey. At most, I can repel one wave of enemies. After an outburst of strength, I’ll become completely weak. At that time, I’ll be in danger. These people will toy with me as if I were prey. Let’s go a little further.

Wu Handing did not relax her vigilance upon seeing strangers. After continuing her escape for a while, she was finally certain that her pursuers probably weren’t following her anymore. Before she could relax, Wu Handing noticed a few wandering Transcendents had been tailing her for some time.

This isn’t a good sign, she thought.

"Thinking of making a move?" Wu Handing tore off her tattered top, revealing her blood-stained tank top underneath. The uniform and insignia clearly showed she was from the Inspection Department.

But this time, in this environment, these unaffiliated Transcendents weren’t deterred by her association with the Inspection Department. The local organizations had had enough of the Inspection Department’s arrogance. In the city, they naturally wouldn’t dare to act, but this was the outskirts—the chaotic wilderness of Twin Tower Mountain. If there’s a chance to target the Inspection Department... then... many were thinking. They began to close in on Wu Handing. But Wu Handing wasn’t afraid. She was waiting—waiting for more of them to gather!

ROAR!

An angry beast’s roar echoed through the valley. Around Wu Handing, bodies lay everywhere, covered with terrifying claw marks. Some had even been torn into several pieces.

This couldn’t have been caused by a normal human, observers thought.

Wu Handing’s slaughter was undisguised, and many who had not participated in the encirclement also witnessed the massacre. After she had finished killing the group, she casually picked up a mobile phone from the ground and dialed the Inspection Department.

"Hello! It’s me!"

"Your Highness... Minister, where have you run off to?" The voice on the other end was very nervous, seemingly very concerned about Wu Handing’s situation.

Turning her head to glance at the corpses on the ground and her own injuries, Wu Handing said slowly, "I went to test the waters at Circular. There was an incident; I got a bit hurt."

"Circular? Where are you now? I’ll come to get you right away..."

Just as Wu Handing was about to give her location, she suddenly stopped and instead asked a very strange question, "What’s under the flower pot at the entrance of my room?"

"Huh?"

The maid on the other end seemed unable to react, but that slight hesitation confirmed Wu Handing’s suspicions. She hung up immediately and threw the phone aside.

Indeed, I was careless. If only I could get rid of my impulsive habits. Maybe then I could reach a new level, she mused.

Wu Handing’s tone suddenly became relaxed. Although her unauthorized actions this time had resulted in severe injuries, this accident had also loosened a long-sealed bottleneck for her.

I’ve been stuck at the peak of the Soxth Tier for some time now. Perhaps I can really use this crisis to squeeze out my life’s potential. Once I break through to the Seventh Tier, this crisis will completely transform into a pivotal experience in my growth—an opportunity, a chance! Haha, look at me, getting ahead of myself. How fanciful.

Wu Handing did not move away from the pile of corpses. Instead, she searched among them for another phone. After hesitating for a moment, she dialed a new number.

"Hello, this is the Inspection Intelligence Department. May I know who’s calling?"

"Hello, I am Vice Minister Wu Handing of the Imperial Capital’s Inspection Department, ID 900211. Could you connect me to your minister, Mr. Zhang Changming?"

I can’t trust the maids assigned by the Imperial Family. If there’s anything trustworthy, the Imperial Inspection Department is undoubtedly one of them. Compared to those maids, even though Zhang Changming and I have never met, his position in the Inspection Department makes me trust him a bit more, Wu Handing reasoned.

"Alright, I will transfer you right now."

Soon, Wu Handing was connected to Zhang Changming.

"Hello, Your Highness the Thirty-Sixth Princess. I am Zhang Changming. May I ask what you need me for?"

"Minister Zhang, I am currently in danger and need your support."

"Danger?"

Wu Handing’s strength and status—what kind of danger could she be in? This sounds rather incredible, Zhang Changming thought, puzzled. But her tone doesn’t sound like a joke. Once certain, he decided to stop wasting words.

"What can I do to help you?"

"I am currently in the vicinity of Twin Tower Mountain. If possible, I would like to request a support squad from the Inspection Department. I’m injured, and it’s a very severe injury. I need some Spirit Stones, medicine, and weapons."

She still plans to continue fighting? Zhang Changming looked even more astonished upon hearing Wu Handing needed weapons. There’s a secret plan between Lu Luo and me underway here at Twin Tower Mountain. If Wu Handing rashly barges in, it’s very likely to affect our plan. After all, she’s a royal princess. Killing a royal princess... the risk is too great.

"Yes, Minister Zhang," Wu Handing said, tearing strips of cloth from a corpse to bandage herself while on the phone, her demeanor fierce. "There indeed seem to be some issues with Twin Tower Mountain. As the local head of the Inspection Department, you should have received the news too, right?"

"Of course I’ve received the news—about the Lava Sword, Sequence Power, cultivation inheritances, and such. These matters have spread widely, but there has never been a confirmed answer. So, we’re also waiting, waiting to close the net."

Zhang Changming’s approach isn’t wrong, Wu Handing nodded. Letting these organizations and unaffiliated individuals fight it out first, and then having the Inspection Department swoop in to clean up at the end is naturally the best choice. But now that I’m here, there’s a better option.

"This is indeed a careful plan, but since I’m here, I think we can be a bit more aggressive. I hope you can cooperate with me."

"Cooperate... Then it will depend on what Your Highness’s plan is."

"We’ll discuss the details of the plan once your support troops arrive. In my current state, I’m incapable of continuing the fight. Without medical supplies and Spirit Stones, I’m afraid it will take a very long time for me to recover."

"Alright, I’ll send someone to support you as soon as possible. The area around Twin Tower Mountain isn’t peaceful. Your Highness, it’s best you find a safe place to hide for a while."

"Understood," Wu Handing replied, then ended the call.

I had intended to leave this place, but during the phone call, I suddenly changed my mind. Because... I sensed the energy of a Sequence! An unprecedentedly powerful Sequence! The treasure of Twin Tower Mountain! Who would have thought the rumors about such a remote place could actually be true?

Wu Handing’s eyes lit up. After adjusting her breathing slightly, she started walking in the direction where she sensed the energy. The surrounding Transcendents, looking at the pile of corpses Wu Handing had left behind, ultimately chose not to follow.

This woman... she’s too dangerous!

After Wu Handing passed through several groups of people, she finally located the source of the energy fluctuation: under an inconspicuous tree. There were many solo adventurers around, most equipped with digging gear. This indicated that they too knew that treasure was truly hidden in Twin Tower Mountain; some were even digging on the spot.

Wu Handing walked along, vigilantly observing her surroundings.

This area has a higher number of solo adventurers, which is actually a safe sign. Solo adventurers don’t act rashly because the risks they face if injured are greater than for those in organizations. Such a cautious attitude means they won’t attack without good reason. Good. This environment is very suitable for waiting for Zhang Changming’s support. And indeed, there is something buried here!

Following the flow of Sequence Energy, Wu Handing arrived in front of the large tree.

"Hello, could you make some room for me?" she asked.

"Who the hell are you? Why should I make room for you?" he retorted.

Wu Handing’s breath hitched. The man in front of me is somewhat handsome... but why does he speak so rudely?

"Hello, my name is Wu Handing. I am..."

The bearded man lying under the tree looked up slightly, a look of confusion on his face as he seemed to realize Wu Handing was a woman. His demeanor changed immediately.

"Oh! It’s a young lady. Hello, hello, my name is Lu Meng."