Chapter 46: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Wenbo's gaze swept over the blood-letting slaves, noticing how their blood gushed from their bodies toward the palanquin. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a look of humility and flattery.

He understood the harsh reality of this game: join or be bled dry. He chose to join and vowed to excel.

No one knows one's own situation better than oneself. Graduating from a third-rate university and becoming a researcher at a prestigious university abroad, all the halos placed upon oneself pale in comparison to the tangible connections with one's family and the upper echelons of power.

Whether or not one can hold onto this hot and demanding position depends entirely on a single word from those in power.

Now, looking at Mo Wen, he is a normal person, but with the naivety of a young person, he believes that through his own efforts and talent, he can achieve good results, until he hits the harsh wall of reality and is left battered and bruised. Wen Bo's gaze instantly turns filled with hatred and jealousy, "Why is this loser still able to look like a person, while I've turned into a monster?"

Turning back to Mowen, who still appeared normal, Wenbo's previously humble expression morphed into one of hatred, envy, and ravenous hunger.

The bodyguards, who moments ago stood tall like successful men, were now on all fours, charging like hyenas. Their faces were covered in dark patterns, nearly obscuring their features.

As they opened their deformed mouths, revealing pale, sharp teeth, they looked like rabid animals. Their jaws stretched unnaturally wide, as if ready to swallow Mowen whole.

Everything happened in mere seconds, but to Mowen, each frame was vivid, each second agonizingly slow. The hyena-men closed the hundred-meter distance in an instant, followed closely by the ghostly soldiers. Mowen turned to run, but the giant serpent's head had already emerged from the far wall.

Mowen had once respected this young boss, who dominated his professional field and then ascended to new heights beyond it. He remembered watching the news with colleagues as the boss spoke confidently. A colleague had said,"Seeing the boss scares me. His scolding makes me shake, and I can't sleep for days."

That was when Mowen realized the plight of workers like himself, always hoping for the big man's favor, fearing the loss of the livelihood provided by him, and constantly being taught to be grateful.

It was all a struggle in the sea of desire, seeking the big man's guidance to fulfill personal cravings for power, money, women, and respect, while simultaneously battling constant anxiety.

When he saw that this highly revered person had sold his soul to become a demon's slave, Mowen's working man's world shattered. His heart pounded like a drum, and his legs felt like stone. Inside, he screamed to run, but his muscles refused to move.

Two hyena-men were upon him, their gaping jaws enlarging before his eyes. These once-human creatures, facing their own kind, displayed their brutal savagery. At the critical moment, a green light flashed from Mowen's chest. Rings of light, formed by mystical runes, enveloped him, filling him with a warm, protective energy. The hyena-men were thrown back, blood streaming from their mouths, one with a broken tooth.

Mowen realized he had stumbled upon a treasure. This humble Buddha amulet was imbued with magic. How unassuming these immortal artifacts could be, so easily overlooked.

While he clutched the amulet in relief, a deep male voice rang out,"What are you standing there for? Run!" The voice felt familiar, like something his father had said when he was young, but the memory was hazy. Seeing the bald man, Mowen felt an inexplicable sense of kinship and ran towards him, suddenly feeling stronger, his legs no longer trembling.

The bald man, Red Raven, glared with wide eyes, chanting the six-syllable mantra,"Om Mani Padme Hum," as he charged forward. He stood before Mowen like a mountain, his right hand raised in a glowing palm, momentarily startling the two hyena-men, who cautiously bared their fangs and growled.

Suddenly, Red Raven pulled out a wooden stool leg from behind him, striking the hyena-men ferociously, making them howl in pain, their faces bloodied. Enraged, they growled incomprehensibly as more hyena-men approached, half-surrounding Red Raven.

Meanwhile, inside the palanquin, Manedo's expression darkened like a stormy sky. Sensing this, Wenbo broke into a cold sweat, cautiously moving forward. Watching Wenbo retreat, Manedo spat,"Useless!"

The hyena-men renewed their assault. Red Raven tossed aside the broken stool leg, his fists now flying like iron hammers. Each punch sparked with fiery brilliance, landing with resounding thuds. The bodyguards were cunning and agile, but Red Raven met their attacks with a fortress-like defense and masterful combat skills.

He moved with the agility of a beast, dodging blows and counterattacking without mercy. Waves of energy clashed between them, stirring up gusts of wind.

The bodyguards howled and shrieked, their cries echoing in the confined space. They tried to overwhelm Red Raven with sheer numbers, but he remained unfazed. His movements were a blur, each strike precise and deadly, hitting vital points with unerring accuracy.

The young monks in the temple were stunned by the scene. The honored guest, now revealed as a monstrous being, left them in shock. Regaining their senses, they called out in panic for the others to shut the doors. Terrified, they scattered, but seeing the approaching abbot, they fell to the ground, not daring to look up, chanting"Amitabha" in fear.

More bodyguards leapt into the shadows, becoming swift, dark figures closing in on Red Raven and Mowen. Suddenly, a black smoke billowed out from Manedo's mouth. Red Raven and Mowen felt dizzy and nauseous after inhaling even a little, making them struggle against the intensified attacks.

They tried to escape, but their vision blurred. A massive figure approached from the alley's entrance, each step shaking the ground. Trapped between the hyena-men and the serpent demon, with high walls on either side, they had no way out. The hyena-men blocked the alley ahead, slowly closing in on Red Raven and Mowen.

The serpent demon's cold eyes fixed on them, its prey ensnared in its trap. Red Raven's face grew solemn as he stepped back."Brother, it seems today is a dead end. I can't complete my master's mission. When we get to hell, remember my name—I'll look out for you!"