Chapter 179: Surprise!

The flames roared in the night wind, making the light dance wildly and intensely. When Cheng Lie easily knocked Xi Junyu to the ground and walked away, raising his saber, most of the Hundred Blades Alliance members in the courtyard already knew that the gangster boss, who had long dominated Jiangning, was truly enraged by Ouyang Peng’s recent attitude.

Although, to be fair, being truly enraged usually led to this kind of outcome.

A group of people had already rushed out to hunt down the audacious Ouyang Peng, as cries and screams spread from the surrounding forest. In the courtyard, someone roared and charged at Ma Lin, whose body was already half-covered in blood. Sparks flew as Ma Lin’s saber forced them back. Su Tan’er, protected by two house servants, moved closer to her father and Steward Geng.

“Are you alright, Miss?”

“I’m fine,” Su Tan’er shook her head. “You know, Uncle Geng, it seems the bigger the saber, the more powerful it is.” Blood splattered across the courtyard, and the surrounded Ma Lin seemed to have no escape. As he wielded his saber to fend off his attackers, blood spurted from his body, a gruesome sight. Su Tan’er was clutching the corner of her dress, but since her side clearly had the upper hand, she felt inclined to make a joke to ease her own tension. In the courtyard at that moment, Ma Lin, who used a smaller saber, was no match for the larger weapon wielded by Cheng Lie. Although Ma Lin’s steel saber was formidable, it still paled in comparison to Cheng Lie’s ancient, heavy broadsword.

On that side of the arena, Ma Lin let out a wild scream, clashing sabers with Cheng Lie several times. Steward Geng, himself a saber user, looked at his own nine-ring broadsword and chuckled.

“Normally, you can’t really tell with most people’s weapons, but when it reaches a certain size, it’s really like what Miss said. Ma Lin’s saber technique is fierce and strange; he burst in earlier, and I almost fell for his trick. However, Alliance Leader Cheng’s saber is so heavy, yet he wields it with effortless grace. Every strike is steady and measured, never resorting to unconventional moves. Just by seeing his poise as he held the saber with one hand earlier, you know Ma Lin will be defeated in three more moves at most…”

Su Tan’er naturally didn’t understand such details, but she listened intently, mainly because Ning Yi occasionally spoke of these things at home. Thinking of Ning Yi, she turned her head to look at Xi Junyu, who lay knocked to the ground nearby.

He should be killed…

The decision regarding Xi Junyu’s fate had only been made that afternoon, so there was no concrete outcome yet. When and how he would be killed that night were still undecided. After all, she had never been involved in such an intense decision before, and she figured her father should make that call. After all, one isn't made of wood; she still harbored a certain affection for Xi Junyu, akin to that for a mentor or friend. She was sure he would die tonight, but since someone else was making the decision, Su Tan’er decided not to dwell on it. She had originally not wanted Xi Junyu to know about her husband, because if he didn't die, he would pose a threat to Ning Yi. Now that he knew, he should be killed sooner — this was the first time she had considered this that evening.

In the center of the courtyard, amidst the blazing fire, Ma Lin was continuously forced back by sabers as he shrieked hysterically. Cheng Lie’s saber strikes were steady; even when Ma Lin directly blocked several consecutive blows, he was pushed back with booming sounds. Sparks and blood splattered through the air, and dust rose from the ground as his forced retreat left deep furrows in the earth. The air was dry, and yellow dust billowed everywhere.

When Cheng Lie lifted his saber and chopped down with a shout, Ma Lin, along with his saber, was finally sent flying, crashing heavily against the back wall of the courtyard and spitting out blood. At the same moment, the sounds of fighting intensified on the other side of the wall. A figure launched himself from that wall, soaring into the air, wielding a large spear. It was Ouyang Peng, who had been fighting and running along the outer wall of the small courtyard, who now leaped directly inside.

“Old scoundrel!”

“There’s no gate to hell…”

With a mighty crash, the spear whizzed downwards. Cheng Lie, hair bristling, roared as he raised his saber upwards. The two men were locked in a momentary stalemate in mid-air before being propelled apart amidst a spray of sparks.

“You intruded!”

Cheng Lie took a step back. Ouyang Peng’s attack had been an aerial strike, and he was flung back against the wall before his feet could even touch the ground. He pushed off with his legs and lunged directly at Cheng Lie. Cheng Lie swung his saber, deflecting him to the side. Just as Ouyang Peng landed, the swaying firelight seemed to coalesce into a golden saber flash that struck like lightning.

With a resounding boom, iron sparks flew everywhere again. Ouyang Peng slid almost three to four meters across the ground before stopping, kicking up a cloud of dust. By then, Hundred Blades Alliance disciples surrounded the courtyard. Before he could regain his footing, he began to push back the surrounding enemies by swinging his large spear. He turned his head, and Cheng Lie’s saber was already upon him again, like thunder.

Due to Cheng Lie’s presence, the Hundred Blades Alliance disciples did not join the attack but instead retreated, moving with the battle circle. Cheng Lie’s saber strikes were powerful, and Ouyang Peng was also a tall, strong man. With one wielding a saber and the other a spear, their fight in the center of the courtyard resembled a massive, breathtaking storm.

The sounds of fighting in the forest were still fierce. In a short time, everyone in the courtyard was engrossed by the battle. The Hundred Blades Alliance disciples focused on surrounding Ouyang Peng and the heavily wounded Ma Lin, not noticing that their defensive perimeter had shifted several meters in one direction. Just then, a violent rumbling sound erupted from one side outside the small courtyard, rapidly approaching.

BOOM—

Countless mud bricks and stones flew through the air as a large cart violently smashed into the mud-brick wall on one side of the courtyard. Two Hundred Blades Alliance disciples were almost instantly thrown back, and dust billowed everywhere. This breach was right near where Xi Junyu was. A burly, blood-soaked figure suddenly burst from the dust, knocking away a nearby Hundred Blades Alliance member, then pulled Xi Junyu from the ground. Immediately after, two more figures lunged in. Outside the breach, Hundred Blades Alliance disciples had surrounded those pushing the cart and were fighting fiercely. The Hundred Blades Alliance still had the upper hand, and the breach was almost sealed, but at least for this brief moment, a group of fewer than ten managed to temporarily rescue Xi Junyu.

Cheng Lie glanced back; everyone in the courtyard was looking their way. The colossal, blood-soaked giant, built like a fortress, wiped blood from his mouth, gave a “hehe” chuckle, and slammed a heavy, tempered iron shovel into the ground.

“Come on! Who dares?!”

Two seconds later, everyone in the courtyard surged towards that spot.

The battle stretched on, and at one point, the center of the fight began to press towards the small courtyard, then extended towards the small market and fish stalls at Shibupo.

On a small hill nearby, two carriages were parked by the roadside. A man held a long, cylindrical object, looking towards Shibupo.

“Wow, how did it get like this…”

It seemed this brawl had gathered hundreds of people, and fighting to this extent was enough to prove the astonishing power behind Xi Junyu. Initially, it was believed that the Su family, with its available resources, could easily crush the small group behind Xi Junyu, like squashing a grasshopper. But now, it appeared this grasshopper was not so easy to squash; things had definitely escalated.

The night was silent, yet roars and battle cries drifted over from that direction, audible even here. Occasionally, Ning Yi would frown upon hearing some chaotic sounds… On the other hand, Cheng Lie and the Hundred Blades Alliance were also surprised at the tenacity of these outsiders.

A moment ago, they had already surrounded those people in the courtyard, but ultimately, they were forcefully broken out. Among this group, Ouyang Peng’s skill was very high, surprisingly able to match Cheng Lie for a time. Perhaps they also had someone capable of strategic formation, because when this group was surrounded in the center, those who had originally been fighting in the small forest outside began to charge towards the courtyard. In the end, they united, and although the Hundred Blades Alliance had superior numbers, a portion of the enemy still managed to break through.

However, even if they were truly formidable, this group suffered heavy losses after rescuing Xi Junyu, losing many more men as they fought their way towards the Shibupo market. At this point, in their group of only about twenty people, Ouyang Peng led the charge, the giant with the iron shovel brought up the rear, and Ma Lin, who was already seriously wounded, was in the middle, clashing with the surrounding Hundred Blades Alliance members. Next to Ma Lin, Xi Junyu, who had also suffered a saber wound, was speaking with a slender-looking man.

“…Brother Jiang, this is my fault. I’ve dragged everyone down…”

“We live by a code: kindness must be repaid, and vengeance must be exacted. You showed us kindness, and we were willing to help you then. It’s just a pity that this plan, originally flawless, was overturned from the very beginning. That Ning Yi is truly formidable…”

“He’s in the shadows, I’m in the open. Now that I know who he is, we lost this time, but we’ll get it back next time…”

Xi Junyu gritted his teeth at the mention of Ning Yi’s name, but in reality, he still felt a sense of unreality. However, the man beside him, named Jiang Jing, was also skilled at planning. He had participated in the entire scheme and the assassination arrangements. At this moment, he merely let out a cold laugh.

“Lost? Not necessarily…”

“Huh?”

“In the end, brute force always overcomes cleverness! But this matter isn’t settled yet. Let’s break out first, then we’ll talk more. Everyone, charge south!”

“Kill!”

At the rear of the group, the giant with the shovel sent a man flying into the air with a thud. At the front, Ouyang Peng’s spear danced like wind, forcing back four or five surrounding Hundred Blades Alliance members at once. Not far away, Cheng Lie reappeared in their sight with Su Tan’er and her father, saber in hand, about to charge. Ouyang Peng raised one hand, and a hidden weapon flew towards the Su family father and daughter. Cheng Lie swung his saber, deflecting it with a clang. Ouyang Peng burst into laughter.

“Listen, Su family! If we escape today, on another day, I will lead my brothers here to slaughter your entire Su clan! To honor the spirits of our fallen brothers!”

“Haha!” In the middle of the group, Ma Lin parried an attack. “Count me in! Little whore of the Su family, remember your big brother Ma, haha!”

During a fight, exchanging insults and provocations was also a tactic. Such words were not new; these men were desperadoes. Having already lost dozens of brothers, they had nothing left to lose and were recklessly spewing curses, caring not who might be provoked by their sharp tongues.

“You Su family, remember this…”

“Especially if I don’t die today…”

“If you dare…”

Jiang Jing also laughed and shouted, “Tell that Ning Liheng, when I return another day, he won’t be so lucky…”

“And you, little whore of the Su family, remember, when I have my way with you someday, I’ll make your husband watch…”

A short distance away, Su Boyong gripped the armrests of his wheelchair, making them creak. Steward Geng had already turned grim-faced and was preparing to re-engage the group. Su Tan’er knew they were doing this on purpose, but her face was still flushed with anger. Regardless, this was a jianghu-style brawl, making a military-like encirclement difficult. The Hundred Blades Alliance’s defensive line likely wouldn't be able to cut off their escape route in time.

Just then, on the road beside Shibupo, a carriage galloped from the distance, recklessly charging into the Hundred Blades Alliance disciples’ loose defensive line.

A figure was pushed out, and a voice shouted, “Stop! Who dares to move—”

Lights flickered on the carriage. Pushed out from behind the curtain was a man tied up tightly, dressed in a scholar’s robe. Behind him, several individuals dressed as Su family servants held steel sabers to his neck. The surrounding Hundred Blades Alliance members, seeing the Su family servant attire, were momentarily confused about whose side they were on. Soon after, the lanterns on the carriage were extinguished. However, that brief moment was enough for some observant people to see the scholar’s appearance. Jiang Jing glanced over and suddenly burst into laughter: “Ha! We succeeded! We succeeded! Brothers, charge over there!”

Xi Junyu thought he was seeing things. The bound man in the distance was clearly Ning Yi: “Brother Jiang, is that…”

“Ning Yi! Haha! That was my pre-arranged fallback. When the clan meeting’s results came out, I guessed you’d been betrayed, so I pursued two strategies… Anyway, it was planned beforehand, and it’s proving very useful now: grab the hostage and force them to make way!”

The Hundred Blades Alliance was powerful; even if they managed to break through now, they would face a series of pursuits afterward. No tactic was more effective than a hostage. The group changed direction and charged towards that end of the encirclement. The already wounded Ma Lin, laughing hysterically, led the charge: “Little whore of the Su family, today you’ll know what pain feels like…”

On this side, Cheng Lie was asking Su Boyong and Su Tan’er what had happened, but only Su Boyong responded briefly. The Hundred Blades Alliance disciples, who had surrounded them from a distance, were also confused, unsure how to classify the Su family servants on the carriage. Seeing the enemy group charging inwards, everyone maintained their encircling formation. For a moment, the battle cries near Shibupo quieted slightly.

Su Tan’er stood there, her heart sinking completely.

Based on her past training, as a merchant, she should always remain calm and find a way to cope, no matter the situation. Because even if you panic, it won’t help; if there’s a problem, you have to solve it. But at that moment, she almost stopped breathing.

Her mind went blank instantly, her body felt as if it had fallen into an ice cellar, freezing her thoughts.

The carriage was blocked and stopped on the slope. The clang of weapons continued as Ma Lin, like a sharp blade, charged directly towards the carriage, intending to rendezvous with his four brothers inside. Finally, his heavy saber sent the last obstruction flying. He reached the dark carriage, turned his head to look at Ning Yi, who was sitting bound to the carriage shaft, then turned his head back, raising his saber downwards: “Stop! Who dares to try and surround us now?!”

By then, Cheng Lie had also learned from Su Boyong about Ning Yi’s importance, far beyond just being a son-in-law who married into the family. At his signal, the disciples who were still surrounding them gradually stopped. Jiang Jing stood on the slope, arms outstretched: “Haha, what can you do?! I told you, we’ll get our revenge!”

“This won’t do; the losses will only increase,” Cheng Lie said to Su Boyong from a distance. A moment later, Su Tan’er suddenly shook her head: “No! No!”

After a brief pause to catch his breath, Ouyang Peng dragged his large spear and walked uphill. The others also began to turn and move in that direction. The distance was only about twelve to fifteen meters, but due to the lack of light, the figures above appeared as mere silhouettes. Ma Lin stood by the carriage, and the hostage sat on the shaft.

Then, they saw the hostage stand up.

The movement was subtle, yet it carried enough impact to cause astonishment. How could a hostage simply stand up like that? Within the dark silhouette, the figure faced the crowd, raised a hand towards Ma Lin beside him, and a small red glow flickered in the darkness.

BANG—

From less than half a meter away, a burst of fire blossomed in the darkness, like a flower unfurling, engulfing Ma Lin’s entire head. Flesh and blood spread outwards in the wake of the expanding light.

The figure didn't even have time to sway; after the light subsided, it toppled stiffly to one side.

Everyone stopped dead in their tracks.

The dark figure lowered his hand, then looked down and pulled the ropes from his body.

The massive explosion continued to spread, reverberate, and linger throughout the night sky.

“Hearing you talk about me over here, sounding so happy…” He tossed the ropes aside, spread his arms, and said with great enthusiasm, “So, I came!”