Chapter 131: Chapter 129: Trap
Hua Xiaoling was still in a daze.
She had seen Jiang Jichen’s powerful, heroic, and roguish side before, but now she was witnessing his domineering side.
The other party was being unreasonable, so Jiang Jichen didn’t bother to reason with him, instead charging in with incredible arrogance.
"Is that Jiang Jichen really Hua Ling’Er’s husband? That’s terrifying! How can someone at the Innate First Realm have such combat strength?"
"He just crippled two of Lin Qing’s best men at the city gate, and now he’s sent Lie Xiaoyu flying with a kick at the Hua Family’s entrance. The skies are about to change in Fenggu Town!"
"This young man is truly extraordinary. It’s a shame the Hua Family is already controlled by Lie Xiaoyu and the forces behind him. It’s impossible for him to just charge in. Once the Hua Family’s experts make a move, he’ll only find a dead end!"
"It’s highly unlikely Hua Xiaoling can take back the Hua Family. Besides, Lin Qing won’t let that young man go either. No matter how you look at it, they’re at a dead end. No wonder none of the smaller families that used to be allied with the Hua Family have stepped forward to verify Hua Xiaoling’s identity."
...
The crowd buzzed with different opinions, but by then, Jiang Jichen had already led Hua Xiaoling through the Hua Family’s main gate.
The first courtyard of the Hua estate was massive, large enough to hold several thousand people, and was lined with rows of stone houses.
Meanwhile, Lie Xiaoyu was furious. ’I’m an expert at the Innate Fifth Realm, yet I couldn’t withstand a single kick from that strange young man?’
"Guards! Someone is forcing their way into the Hua estate! Stop him at all costs—kill if necessary!"
Lie Xiaoyu staggered to his feet, yelling.
His hair was a mess and his clothes were covered in dust. Where was the dashing figure from before, the one who held the Treasure Fan?
As his voice faded, four figures burst out from among the stone buildings.
Hua Ling’Er’s heart sank at the sight of them.
’I don’t recognize any of the Nursing Home Elders here; they’ve clearly all been replaced.’
The four who leaped out each held a powerful bow, the arrowheads upon them glinting coldly and emitting a faint, chilling air.
Evidently, these four held extraordinary bows and arrows. From their auras, it was clear they were Bow Cultivators, specializing in long-range attacks with terrifying killing power!
Bow Cultivators, much like Sword Cultivators, were specialists. But while swords were sharp, bows were swift. When facing a fearsome Bow Cultivator of the same level, their attacks were nearly impossible to dodge!
The four men before them were at the Innate Mid-Fifth Realm, but with bows in hand, they could likely kill even an Innate Sixth Layer Spirit Cultivator with ease.
An ordinary Spirit Cultivator would have no chance to get close. Once within a Bow Cultivator’s range, they would face a fatal arrow.
What’s more, skilled Bow Cultivators could fire off many arrows in a single instant.
The people of Heavenly Hunting Mountain were all from Hunter backgrounds and were natural Bow Cultivators. Clearly, these four were also from Heavenly Hunting Mountain and were Lie Xiaoyu’s subordinates.
"Little Chen, it’s dangerous! Retreat, quickly!"
Hua Xiaoling cried out, knowing full well how formidable Bow Cultivators were.
They were several dozen meters away from the four Bow Cultivators, right within their optimal firing range. The moment the enemy drew their bows, they likely wouldn’t even have time to react.
However, Jiang Jichen didn’t listen to Hua Xiaoling and retreat. He continued to lead her forward, his grip on her hand firm and steady.
It was as if nothing in their path could stop his advance.
Lie Xiaoyu’s expression changed, and he snarled through clenched teeth, "Fire! Shoot him dead!"
But just then, several people rushed out from the second courtyard, shouting, "Stop! Who dares harm the Young Mistress?"
Lie Xiaoyu acted as if he hadn’t heard and screamed, "Ignore them! Fire!"
Hearing the command, the four Bow Cultivators’ auras shifted. A light flashed in their eyes, which instantly became incredibly sharp—just like the glint of an arrowhead.
Their arrowheads locked onto Jiang Jichen and Hua Xiaoling from a distance!
Feeling the sharp killing intent from the arrows, a chill went through Hua Xiaoling’s heart. She realized Lie Xiaoyu was actually using this opportunity to kill her.
In that moment, Hua Xiaoling suddenly understood. From the instant she had stepped through the Hua Family’s gate, she had been walking into a trap.
It was impossible that Lie Xiaoyu didn’t recognize her. He had deliberately pretended not to, goading her and trying to provoke her into charging inside.
Then, by starting a conflict, they could use the opportunity to attack and kill her in the open.
Even if people realized the truth afterward, he could just claim it was a mistake made while defending the Hua Family.
And with the majority of the Hua Family’s power already in their hands, there would be no consequences!
At that moment, Hua Xiaoling could see the mocking look in Lie Xiaoyu’s eyes.
Lie Xiaoyu was indeed feeling quite smug. Almost everything was within his control—except for the sudden appearance of this strange young man who had sent him flying and embarrassed him.
’But it’s also thanks to this young man’s recklessness that my plan is proceeding so smoothly!’
’Today, the Hua Family’s Young Mistress, Hua Xiaoling, must die. Once she’s dead, the Hua Family will be ours to control.’
In that instant, the four powerful Bow Cultivators loosed their arrows simultaneously. Two flew toward Jiang Jichen, and two aimed for Hua Xiaoling.
Even though Hua Xiaoling possessed a Heavenly Eye Soul and could track the two arrows’ trajectories, they were moving too fast. They were simply unavoidable.
Not only that, but behind those two arrow-glints followed dozens more in quick succession.
These were absolute kill shots, meant to send both Hua Xiaoling and Jiang Jichen to their deaths.
The few people who had just arrived were too late to intervene. They could only watch helplessly as the arrows shot toward Hua Xiaoling.
They didn’t care whether the strange young man lived or died, but Hua Xiaoling was the Young Mistress of the Hua Family. If she died, their last remaining hope would be extinguished.
Even the onlookers thought that Jiang Jichen and Hua Xiaoling were doomed.
And in that same instant, the arrows pierced through their bodies.
But... there was no spray of blood, no sound of arrowheads sinking into bone—only two afterimages that slowly faded away.
What was happening?
The thought had barely formed in their minds when they heard the sound of crunching bone and tearing flesh.
SPLAT!
Blood sprayed and flesh flew everywhere.
In just a brief moment, four mangled piles of flesh and blood were left on the ground.
Bow Cultivators might be powerful at a distance, but their bodies were incredibly fragile. None of them could withstand a single punch from Jiang Jichen; they were all turned into pools of bloody paste.
The reversal of the situation was unbelievably fast.
The crowd hadn’t seen Hua Xiaoling and the young man get pierced by arrows. Instead, they saw four powerful Bow Cultivators from Heavenly Hunting Mountain reduced to piles of minced meat. And yet, no one present had even been able to see how Jiang Jichen attacked.
Lie Xiaoyu had been on the verge of cheering his success, but now he could only stare, dumbfounded and in utter disbelief.
’How is this possible? Am I seeing things?’
But Jiang Jichen had already appeared beside him, still holding Hua Xiaoling’s hand. His voice was cold as he said, "You’re not seeing things. Now, it’s your turn."
At that, Lie Xiaoyu was jolted back to his senses. "Who in the world are you?!" he shrieked.
Jiang Jichen smiled. "The one who’s sending you on your way, of course."
As he spoke, Jiang Jichen was about to kill Lie Xiaoyu with a single punch, but his expression suddenly changed. He grabbed Hua Xiaoling and instantly shifted ten meters to the side.
