Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Black Dragon Village
"Brother Zeng, what happened?"
To his surprise, Shi Xiaole ran over, bent down and picked him up.
"Young Master, I beg you, save Meihua Village, I beg you..."
The husky man summoned his remaining strength, clamping onto Shi Xiaole’s arms; his scatteted gaze forcefully held open, blood foaming continuously from his mouth.
Upon examination, Shi Xiaole found that the man’s heart had been shattered. His heart sank seeing the blood-soaked path ahead and struggled to imagine how the man could have endured until now.
"They murdered many people...Young Master, I...beg you."
The man’s voice croaked.
His tiger-like eyes now filled with wetness, carrying sadness, pain and a hint of pleading. This gaze, like a needle, suddenly pierced deep into Shi Xiaole’s spirit.
Ever since his arrival to this world, Shi Xiaole’s emotions had only been swayed by his aunt. The only person he really cared about was the foolish woman who was willing to give him everything.
But now, Shi Xiaole was surprised to find himself slightly upset.
"Young Master, I’ve learned well the Fist Technique. I must protect the people of the village and prevent them from being bullied."
"Young Master, you look like a celestial being."
"Young Master, life would be wonderful if I had your martial arts skills."
Upon sunrise, the man practiced his punches, full of anticipation. When he approached voluntarily, handing out wild game with a cheerful expression, or learning that Shi Xiaole was leaving, his face filled with sadness...
All these scenes passed before Shi Xiaole’s eyes, finally settling on the man’s eyes full of pleading and trepidation.
"I will help you."
Shi Xiaole spoke softly, his tone solid.
"Haha...."
Attempting to laugh, the man had no more strength left. His once vibrant eyes slowly faded, his body stiffening before dropping into Shi Xiaole’s arms.
Perhaps it was instinct or fate that when Zeng Dahuh first laid eyes on Shi Xiaole, he had a good impression of the boy with a stern exterior but a warm heart.
Being able to receive a promise from him before death, Zeng Dahuh was finally at peace.
He may no longer have the opportunity to protect the villagers in this lifetime, but he believed that this gentleman in green robe would not disappoint him.
The only regret was that he could only hope to repay his kindness in the next life.
"I will fulfill your wish for you."
Shi Xiaole gently closed Zeng Dahuh’s eyes, a trace of pity emerged in his heart. This pity, was quickly transformed into raging anger.
Meihua Village was ablaze with light.
"Don’t take my mother!"
"Brat."
"Bastards, you pack of villains."
The sounds of horses’ hooves, hacking blows, roars, and weeping wove together, echoing throughout the peaceful village. A gruesome scene was unfolding here.
A group of fierce-looking bandits were rampaging through the village, killing men on sight, abducting women onto horsebacks or degrading them publicly before killing them mercilessly.
The elders were being trampled underfoot, enduring relentless beatings. The children were huddled together, crying, resembling livestock awaiting slaughter.
"Damn it, the women of Meihua Village are so charming, much more exciting than those in the brothel."
"Heh heh, isn’t that obvious, many are still young and fresh."
There were corpses of men and women amidst the pools of blood scattered throughout the village. The gang of bandits were commenting, leering lecherously at the remaining women being protected.
"You bastards, you will meet a terrible end!"
A man shouted angrily, his face filled with thick hatred.
The bandits had killed nearly a hundred villagers and dozens of women in less than half an hour since their arrival. For Meihua Village, the loss was unbearable.
"Die a horrible death, heh, even if I die, I’d want to have my way with your woman first."
A one-eyed man sneered coldly, provoking laughter from the other members of Black Dragon Village.
"Enough, let today be the end of it all. Take the kids back first, hand them to the leader, and we’ll harvest again next year."
The man who appeared to be the leader waved his hand, and the members of Black Dragon Village kicked the group of children forward. Many followed closely behind, dragging along barely alive women, along with the treasures and food of Meihua Village.
Looking triumphant, the group seemed to be returning victorious, leaving behind a desolate Meihua Village.
The men in the village clenched their teeth, shaking with rage. The women wept bitterly, their hearts broken.
"Haha, these beasts! Why doesn’t the heavenly deity punish them?"
An old man lay on the ground, his eyes streaming with tears.
Ten years ago, Black Dragon Village had played the same trick on Meihua Village. A passing swordsman helped to dissolve Black Dragon Village, but never had the heart to slaughter them.
Who would have thought that ten years later, these culprits would return, having learnt stronger martial arts.
Why must the heavens be so unjust?
As the old man was sobbing his plight, a tall figure blocked the path of the departing bandits from Black Dragon Village.
"Whoever is blocking the road, get out of my way."
Seated high on his horse, the leader of Black Dragon Village threatened loudly. Seeing that it was only a young man dressed in a green robe, he revealed a cruel streak in his eyes.
Glancing at Meihua Village once, filled with killing intent, Shi Xiaole asked coldly, "Everything that happened inside, was it all your doing?"
"What if it was? You, a wild brat, dare to meddle in our affairs. Be careful or I’ll break you into eight pieces."
The men from Black Dragon Village laughed disdainfully.
"He appeared alone and on horseback; they had suspected that Shi Xiaole was no ordinary man, but what did that matter?
Given his age, it would be quite something if he had reached the Qi Absorption Realm.
Today, however, the leader of their assault was an authentic expert of the third level of Qi Absorption. Coupled with their numbers, they should have no trouble dispatching the young man.
"Die."
Without any wasted words, Shi Xiaole launched his attack.
The glow of his azure sword sliced through the darkness of the night, and several severed heads were immediately launched into the air, their faces contorted in anger even in death.
"Their blood will flow like a river!"
The third commander of the Black Dragon Village was enraged and leaped into action, unleashing a mighty blow at Shi Xiaole.
Understanding that Shi Xiaole was a formidable opponent, the commander decided on an almost underhanded approach. It wasn’t refined, but as long as it secured victory, it didn’t matter how disgraceful the method was.
Without looking back, Shi Xiaole drew his Shattered Snow Blade. The sword’s chilling gleam filled the air, sweeping everything in its path.
Hisss!
Stunned and clutching his throat, the third commander of the Black Dragon Village fell to the ground. Even in his last moments, he couldn’t understand how the young man had been able to strike him like that.
"This can’t be possible?"
With their commander’s death, the remaining warriors of Black Dragon Village were thrown into a panic. If someone as strong as their commander couldn’t stand against this young man’s blade, what chance did they have?
Overcome with fear, some of the brigands scattered and fled, while others, braver than the rest, charged at Shi Xiaole.
"Wild Wind Blade Technique!"
If they were talking about the speed of killing, was there any skill faster than the Wild Wind Blade Technique among those Shi Xiaole had mastered?
With a swing of his arm, the radiance of the Shattered Snow Blade created a barrage. In the hissing sound, Shi Xiaole cut down all the brigands who had charged toward him.
The people of Meihua Village had begun to cheer the moment Shi Xiaole cut down the third commander. When some of the brigands began to flee, the men of the village immediately rushed out with their weapons.
They had been held back in fear of the commander, but with the situation now reversed, they were showing no mercy.
"Charge! Avenging the fallen!"
"Damn you bandits, you’re as good as dead!"
Shi Xiaole then simply stood back, only intervening when lives were at stake or when brigands were attempting to escape.
He understood that it was important for the people of Meihua Village to vent their anger by avenging their losses personally.
A massacre ensued, leaving the ground soaked with blood.
The men of Meihua Village were crying, their cries filled with sadness, excitement, regret, and grief.
"Young swordsman, I owe you my life. I offer you my deepest gratitude."
The villagers, under the lead of an elderly man, all kowtowed to Shi Xiaole.
"Please, get up," urged Shi Xiaole, stopping the elderly man. "I am a friend of Zeng Dahuh. He’s the one who sent me to help."
"Ah, where is Dahuh?" the old village chief of Meihua village asked.
The people behind him showed concern.
"Brother Zeng has passed away."
At this news, everyone was stunned. Some even began to cry.
"Village Chief, what do we do now?" After a long silence, some of them asked, looking back at Meihua Village.
The old chief replied, "All the young ones, pack your things, take the children, and leave tonight. I am old and don’t wish to leave."
From the eyes of the old chief and the remaining elderly villagers, Shi Xiaole saw the determination to take the enemy with them. Maybe they weren’t really unwilling to leave, but intended to stall the Black Dragon Village, thus buying the others more time.
"Chief, if you don’t go, we won’t go either."
"Exactly! If we leave now, how can we face those who have died?" the young villagers voiced aloud.
To leave their aged parents and flee with the children was, to them, worse than fighting to the death against the enemy.
As the bickering between the old and young villagers intensified, Shi Xiaole said, "Everyone, if you believe in me, I am willing to help you defend Meihua Village."
All eyes turned to him.
The old chief said gratefully, "Young man, we appreciate your goodwill, but we cannot put you in danger. To be honest, the Black Dragon Village actually has three commanders, and the one you just killed today was the weakest of them."
To the old chief, the remaining two commanders were the real threats. Either of them could easily crush the third commander who had been slain today. Despite Shi Xiaole’s impressive strength, he was still young and might not yet be capable of defeating them.
"Chief, I gave my word to Brother Zeng, and your persuasion won’t change my mind."
Seeing Shi Xiaole determined to stay, the old chief was moved - and worried. However, when Shi Xiaole promised to escape ahead of the others should he realize that he could not win, the old chief reluctantly accepted his offer to stay.
...
Halfway up the mountainside, in the dense forest, there lay a makeshift bamboo fortress.
Inside the fortress, some people were patrolling, some were keeping watch, and in some of the houses, sounds of passionate love-making could be heard.
In the centrally located hall, brightly illuminated by lamps, two men sat at the head of the table, their faces grim.
"Brother, this mysterious helper at Meihua Village is suspicious. We should not act rashly and repeat the same mistakes as a decade ago."
The two men were the remaining commanders of Black Dragon Village. They had gotten word from a spy about what had transpired at Meihua Village.
