Chapter 53: Spiral Armor-Piercing Shell

Lu Ming cast a cold glance at Feng Xifan and said, “You’ve got some nerve blaming me. Other people’s bodyguards are out there fighting, but you’re hiding away with yours?”

Feng Xifan’s face flushed red, but he soon retorted viciously, “My bodyguards are here to protect me, not to risk their lives for you lot of losers.”

Lu Ming shook his head with a mocking smile. “If you’re scared, why not find a rat hole to crawl into before you wet yourself in fear?”

“You bastard, just you wait. When this is over, I’ll make you regret it for the rest of your life,” Feng Xifan snarled, his face contorted.

“I’m not sure about my regrets, but you’ll definitely have yours,” Lu Ming replied coolly.

“Young master, this isn’t the time for bickering. Let’s find somewhere safe to hide,” one of the bodyguards urged.

Reluctantly, and still simmering with indignation, Feng Xifan was hustled into a dark corner to take cover.

Meanwhile, the bodyguards lined up on either side of the grand entrance, while the other guests pressed themselves into the deep recesses at either side of the doorway, where bullets could not easily reach, bracing themselves for the final moment.

The gunfire drew ever closer.

From the surveillance feed, they could see that some pirates had already broken through the defensive lines and were charging straight toward the main hall.

At that moment, Hou Xiangying’s two bodyguards exchanged a glance, nodded in silent agreement, and then, with a sudden surge, conjured long blades from pure energy. The blades gleamed dangerously beneath the lights, their power evident.

The others also readied themselves for battle.

About ten minutes later, the first wave of pirates burst in, spraying the hall with bullets, but the guests had all taken cover and there were no casualties.

With a wild shout, the dozen or so pirates stormed inside.

No sooner had they crossed the threshold than Hou Xiangying’s two men struck, their blades flashing as they dispatched the intruders with ruthless efficiency.

“Bravo!”

The spectators cheered their display of skill.

Following their orders, others quickly dragged the bodies aside.

Witnessing the bloody scene, Yan Feihua clung to Lu Ming, gripping his arm tightly.

Lu Ming gently patted her back. “Don’t be afraid.”

But how could Yan Feihua not be afraid? Watching battle scenes on a screen was one thing, but now, confronted with the grisly reality before her, she was overcome by terror and nausea. The fact she didn’t vomit on the spot was already a testament to her composure.

Lu Ming, meanwhile, simply watched the entrance in silence, betraying no emotion.

Soon, another group of pirates rushed over, numbering forty or fifty. They swept the doorway with gunfire as they advanced.

Hou Xiangying’s two men sprang into action again, but this time, sheer numbers and superior firepower allowed a dozen pirates to break through their defense.

Yet behind them stood dozens more bodyguards, some with skills equal to the two, and these pirates were swiftly cut down.

The guests voiced their admiration for Hou Xiangying’s strategy.

Defending a narrow pass against overwhelming odds is the surest way to pit the few against the many. This was a lesson Hou Xiangying had learned through blood and struggle in countless gang conflicts of his youth.

But Lu Ming, watching the events unfold, frowned deeply.

He soothed Yan Feihua and told her to stay hidden, then stood and addressed the others.

“Everyone, this won’t do. You’re standing too close together. It’s better to spread out a bit.”

“Who are you?”

“Where did this brat come from? Get out of here.”

“Don’t get in the way. Move aside if you’re not going to fight.”

The bodyguards were instantly annoyed that a mere youth was giving them orders. They were all handpicked experts, bodyguards to important figures, proud and skilled—hardly willing to listen to a youngster’s lectures.

Besides, Hou Xiangying’s plan was working—they saw no reason to heed the boy.

Seeing they ignored him, Lu Ming persisted patiently. “If the enemy can’t break through, they’ll resort to large-scale lethal weapons. If you’re packed together like this, you’ll be at a disadvantage.”

“If you’re too scared, go suck your mother’s milk in the corner and stop whining,” a Western giant laughed, wielding a steel pipe as thick as a child’s arm, clearly torn from somewhere.

His words drew a burst of laughter.

Lu Ming shook his head and quietly returned to Yan Feihua’s side.

She consoled him, “Don’t be upset. You were only trying to help. If they won’t listen, so be it.”

Lu Ming smiled. “It doesn’t matter. If they’re intent on dying, there’s nothing I can do.”

The two fell silent.

Moments later, another wave of pirates, this time several hundred strong, swept in. The images on the wall screens showed that the armed crew had been decisively routed.

The bodyguards knew the true battle was at hand and steeled themselves for the onslaught.

Yet this time, the pirates did not charge in recklessly. Instead, they took positions at the entrance, guns raised.

A moment later, dozens of grenades came flying in from behind their line.

“Grenades! Take cover!”

A cry of warning sent everyone scrambling for safety.

Hou Xiangying’s two men, standing at the front, had nowhere to run. They gathered their inner energy, their bodies enveloped in a white aura.

A series of explosions thundered through the hall.

Hou Xiangying’s two bodyguards, along with several others, withstood the grenade blasts head-on. As innate martial artists, their protective energy shielded them, though they were left dizzy and their blood surged, they remained largely unscathed.

The less skilled bodyguards, however, could not defend themselves as effectively. The grenades tore their flesh, leaving them bleeding, but as internal masters, their inner strength spared them fatal wounds.

The pirates seized the opening, rushing inside and firing at the bodyguards.

At that moment, the Western giant with the steel pipe let out a roar, a golden aura flaring around him as he charged into the hail of bullets. The gunfire clanged harmlessly against his protective energy.

He barreled into the pirates, his pipe crackling with golden energy, and in moments, a dozen were crushed, their bones shattered.

His bravery ignited the fighting spirit of the others, who surged forward, unleashing their own energy and brandishing weapons as they engaged the pirates in close combat.

Alongside Hou Xiangying’s two men and the steel-pipe giant, another figure stood out—a Westerner dressed as a cowboy.

A leather pouch the size of a playing card hung at his waist. He drew cards from it with a flick of his wrist, sending them spinning through the air, each one slicing through a pirate’s throat.

Whenever he threw a yellow card, not only did the target fall, but all pirates within five meters were dazed for a moment, granting his allies a critical edge.

This, however, was clearly a secret technique—he could not use it repeatedly, and only employed it at intervals.

For the moment, the situation seemed to be stabilizing.

But not long after, a deafening gunshot rang out.

The giant with the steel pipe looked down in disbelief at the gaping wound in his chest, a great hole torn through him. He toppled over, regret etched on his face.

“Spiral armor-piercing round,” Lu Ming sighed inwardly.

These bullets were designed to penetrate heavy armor, usually deployed on battlefields against tanks—practically artillery shells.

Lu Ming had once used such a round to kill a Western fighter, so he understood its deadly power.

Originally fired from a mounted cannon, his group had modified the weapon into a sniper rifle, allowing for single-operator use.

But only an internal master could handle the recoil without suffering grave internal injuries—any less, and the user would be killed outright.

The shot sent shockwaves through the hall.

The pirates seized the opportunity, surging inside in a flood, hundreds raising their guns and firing.

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