Chapter 71
"Lu Qing?!!"
The villagers had initially thought that Wang Da'an was about to be severely beaten by the man with the black mole.
Unexpectedly, someone suddenly appeared and blocked the blow.
What surprised them even more was that the person was Lu Qing!
"It's you, you little brat?!" The man with the black mole was also taken aback, but then he sneered, "Perfect, I was just wondering where to find you, and you delivered yourself to me!"
"Come back, v, these people are not to be trifled with!" Grandpa Zhang quickly shouted.
"Now you think of running? Too late!" A cruel look flashed in the black mole man's eyes.
He exerted force, trying to free his arm and grab Lu Qing.
However, as he tried to shake Lu Qing off, he found that Lu Qing's grip on his wrist was like a steel clamp, unmoving.
Not only did he fail to shake Lu Qing off, but the grip tightened, causing pain in his wrist.
Lu Qing smiled at him, gradually increasing his strength.
"Let go of me right now!"
Feeling the increasing pain, the black mole man's expression changed, and he shouted.
He released Wang Da'an's hoe with his left hand and threw a punch at Lu Qing's head.
"Let go, did you hear me?!"
However, just as his punch was halfway through, there was a crack, and unbearable pain shot through his wrist held by Lu Qing.
Before the black mole man could cry out in pain, a tremendous force hit his chest and abdomen. With the sound of cracking bones, he felt a sweet taste in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.
His body flew through the air, and as he was still mid-air, he blacked out.
Thud!
With a thud, his body hit the ground, skidding seven or eight meters, leaving a long mark on the ground, motionless.
Everyone fell silent, dumbfounded.
Especially the villagers of Jiuli Village, who looked at this scene in disbelief.
"What?!"
Seeing the black mole man kicked away by Lu Qing, the sullen man's pupils contracted in disbelief as he looked at Lu Qing.
Although Old Seven's skills weren't as good as his, they weren't far off.
Yet Lu Qing had kicked him into an unknown state of life or death with one kick.
How did this kid do it?!
After breaking the black mole man's wrist and crippling him with a kick, Lu Qing turned his gaze to the remaining few people opposite him.
Lu Qing had been observing from the side for quite a while.
After hearing Grandpa Zhang's conversation with them, he had a general understanding that this group was likely the real culprits behind Xiao Yan's parents' deaths.
For this reason, he used his ability to probe into the information of this group.
He discovered that they were members of a gang called the Black Wolf Gang.
Among them, the sullen man in front was the leader.
[Han Lao Wu: Black Wolf Gang peripheral member, ruthless and cunning, vengeful and cruel.]
[Skilled in martial arts, once guided by a martial artist, only a step away from the Qi and Blood Realm.]
Recalling the information he had just probed, Lu Qing's gaze on the sullen man turned colder.
For even the ability to judge him as ruthless and cruel, this Han Lao Wu must have committed countless atrocities.
Pierced by Lu Qing's gaze, Han Lao Wu, who was still in shock, suddenly came to his senses.
Looking at Lu Qing, he blurted out, "Are you a martial artist?!"
"Oh, you do have some knowledge," Lu Qing said in surprise, "Tell me, who exactly are you people?"
Hearing Lu Qing's direct admission, Han Lao Wu's heart shook again.
He knew that a month ago, he had seen Lu Qing with his own eyes.
At that time, Lu Qing was thin and dispirited, looking like he wouldn't live long.
How had he become a martial artist in such a short time?
How had he done it?
Han Lao Wu couldn't believe it.
He knew how difficult it was for a martial artist to become one.
Take him, for example. He had practiced martial arts for over ten years, with his elder brother's guidance, yet he still hadn't broken through to become a martial artist.
He was always just a step away from the Qi and Blood Realm.
And this son of Lu Ming, who was weak and dying a month ago, had now become a martial artist. How was this possible?!
Lu Qing saw the shock on Han Lao Wu's face but didn't care.
He continued to stare coldly at him, "You haven't answered my question. Who exactly are you people?"
Feeling the coldness in Lu Qing's gaze, Han Lao Wu shivered.
It no longer mattered how Lu Qing had become a martial artist.
What mattered was that if he didn't handle this well, none of them would leave here alive today.
His mind raced, and Han Lao Wu forced a smile.
"Lu Xiaolangjun, this is all a misunderstanding..."
Before he could finish, Grandpa Zhang shouted from behind, "Lu Qing, they are the ones who caused your parents' deaths!"
"That's right, Lu Qing, your parents were forced to death by them!"
"Lu Qing, don't let them go!"
"Just now, they even tried to take Xiao Yan away!"
Other villagers, seeing Lu Qing's prowess, shouted one after another.
Sweat immediately broke out on Han Lao Wu's forehead, "No, Lu Xiaolangjun, your parents drowned themselves. Their deaths have nothing to do with us..."
"Nonsense! If you hadn't tricked Lu Ming into debt, how would they have committed suicide? You drove them to death!" Grandpa Zhang angrily shouted.
"No, it's not..."
Han Lao Wu's words were interrupted repeatedly by Grandpa Zhang, and his heart filled with killing intent.
He swore that if he got out of this alive, he would torture this old man to death and whip his corpse for three days to vent his hatred!
"Lu Xiaolangjun, it really is a misunderstanding. Your father wanted to do business and borrowed a lot of money from us. When the business failed, he couldn't repay the debt and, in panic, chose to drown himself with your mother."
"From beginning to end, we never forced them. Look, here's the IOU, signed and fingerprinted by your father."
Han Lao Wu quickly took out a piece of paper and showed it to Lu Qing.
"You... shameless!" Grandpa Zhang was furious upon seeing the paper, "You said you had destroyed the IOU, and now you bring it out. Shameless!"
Other villagers were equally furious and confused.
They had seen Han Lao Wu destroy the IOU. How could there be another one?
Lu Qing glanced at the IOU and nodded, "It does have my father's name on it, but what does that prove?"
"It doesn't prove anything. I just want to show that your father did owe us money, and their deaths have nothing to do with us."
"Think about it. We lent so much money to your father and haven't even recovered the principal. Why would we want to force him to death? We would lose both the person and the money."
"Who would want to do such a losing deal?"
"It seems to make some sense." Lu Qing nodded again.
"Lu Qing..."
The villagers behind him grew anxious, seeing that Lu Qing seemed to believe Han Lao Wu's sophistry.
But Han Lao Wu, seeing Lu Qing's hesitation, was pleased and didn't give the villagers a chance to speak.
He quickly said, "But as they say, when a person dies, their debt is forgiven. Since Lu Ming is dead, his debt is nullified. This IOU is our gift to you from the Black Wolf Gang. Consider it returned to its owner."
He took out a few silver notes and presented them with the IOU.
"Also, we feel deep sorrow for your parents' deaths. Here are three hundred taels of silver, a token of our sympathy. Please accept it."
Han Lao Wu's words sounded sincere, as if everything he said was true, without a hint of falsehood.
Lu Qing looked at the silver notes and the IOU, then at the earnest Han Lao Wu.
After a long silence, he suddenly smiled, "Indeed, this is quite a generous gift."
Seeing Lu Qing smile, Han Lao Wu was overjoyed.
"Then, Lu Xiaolangjun..."
But before he could finish, a hand silently appeared at his heart.
Suddenly, an unstoppable force erupted from his chest, shattering his heart.
Han Lao Wu's body trembled, his limbs went limp, and he slowly fell to the ground.
In his final moments, he heard Lu Qing's voice completing the sentence.
"Unfortunately, knowing your nature, I can't believe you even a little."
Chapter 72
In front of the Lu family's courtyard, a deathly silence prevailed.
Everyone was shocked as they looked at Han Lao Wu, lying lifeless on the ground.
No one had expected Lu Qing to suddenly make a move and directly kill Han Lao Wu.
The villagers of Jiuli Village were especially stunned and bewildered.
Just moments before, they had seen Lu Qing with a gentle smile, seemingly ready to accept Han Lao Wu's apology and let bygones be bygones. They had been anxious, fearing that he would be deceived by Han Lao Wu and truly forgive these people.
But to their astonishment, in the blink of an eye, Lu Qing had struck, killing Han Lao Wu with a single blow.
Seeing Lu Qing's calm demeanor after killing someone, the villagers felt a sense of unfamiliarity.
Was this still the same Lu Qing they knew, the one who was always gentle and courteous to everyone?
Lu Qing paid no attention to the villagers' gazes. After killing Han Lao Wu, he continued to focus on the remaining members of the Black Wolf Gang.
Those gang members immediately trembled and knelt down.
"Hero, hero, spare us!"
"Young Master, it really has nothing to do with me!"
"I was forced by Master Wu and the others. I didn't do anything wrong!"
"I won't dare anymore. Young Master, please spare me, spare me!"
"I ask you, how did my parents die?" Lu Qing asked indifferently.
"We don't know, Young Master. This whole thing was planned by Master Wu and Master Qi. We don't know the details."
"I only know that Master Wu and the others tried to force your mother into prostitution, which led her to drown herself."
"We really don't know anything else. Please, Young Master, give us a chance to reform!"
Looking at the men in front of him, crying and begging for mercy, Lu Qing's expression didn't change.
Anyone who could work under someone like Han Lao Wu couldn't be a good person.
Moreover, the information from his previous investigation told him that all of these people were scum, none of them innocent.
He shook his head. Since he couldn't get more information, there was no need to keep these scum alive.
Without hesitation, Lu Qing's Blood Qi surged within him, and he suddenly kicked out.
In an instant, each member of the Black Wolf Gang was kicked in the throat and temple.
With a series of bone-cracking sounds, the remaining five members couldn't even react before their eyes turned red, clutching their throats, convulsing and falling to the ground, soon lifeless.
From beginning to end, Lu Qing didn't say another word.
After confirming that they were all dead, Lu Qing turned to the villagers of Jiuli Village.
As for the man with the mole, he didn't even need to look; he was already dead.
When Lu Qing turned around, the villagers involuntarily took a step back.
They couldn't help it; Lu Qing's performance just now was too frightening.
So many fierce members of the Black Wolf Gang were all killed by him in an instant.
The key point was that after killing so many people, his expression didn't change much.
Such a ruthless Lu Qing was something the villagers had never seen before.
For a moment, fear arose in their hearts.
Seeing the villagers' reaction, Lu Qing paused and then nonchalantly asked, "Grandpa Zhang, how should we handle these bodies?"
Grandpa Zhang, who had been covering Xiao Yan's eyes to prevent her from being frightened, watched Lu Qing for a while. Once he was sure that this was still the Lu Qing they knew, he let out a sigh of relief.
"What else can we do? Find a secluded mountain ditch and bury them. These evildoers, it's a blessing for them to even have a grave."
Lu Qing: "..."
He hadn't expected that Grandpa Zhang, who usually seemed kind, could be so bold.
Lu Qing didn't know that for Grandpa Zhang, a few corpses were nothing. He had seen much worse in his younger days.
In fact, none of the elders in Jiuli Village feared corpses.
During the years of fleeing from disaster, they had seen much more gruesome things.
Only the young ones, who hadn't seen much of the world, were scared by the current scene.
Grandpa Zhang wasn't fazed by the bodies. Instead, he was amazed by Lu Qing's earlier performance.
"Lu Qing, when did you learn martial arts? These Black Wolf Gang members are all fierce and highly skilled, yet they couldn't even withstand one move from you?"
The other villagers were also very curious.
They had watched Lu Qing grow up, and they had no idea when he had learned martial arts and become so powerful.
"I learned it from my master, some time ago," Lu Qing replied.
"The old doctor knows martial arts?"
This truly stunned all the villagers.
After so many years of living together, they had no idea that the kind old doctor also knew martial arts.
"Let's not talk about that now," Lu Qing said. "Grandpa Zhang, I killed these people. Will it cause any trouble?"
"I'm worried about that too," Grandpa Zhang said, frowning. "Although these Black Wolf Gang members deserved to die, they have more people. Once they find out these people are dead, they won't let it go."
"Grandpa Zhang, what's the background of this Black Wolf Gang? How can they act so wickedly without anyone stopping them?" Lu Qing asked.
"I don't know. I just heard that the Black Wolf Gang is a gang from the city, with many members, and most people can't afford to offend them."
Grandpa Zhang was just an old farmer with limited knowledge and didn't know the specifics of the Black Wolf Gang.
Lu Qing fell silent for a moment, then suddenly thought of someone.
Maybe that person would know the details of the Black Wolf Gang.
He said to Grandpa Zhang, "Grandpa Zhang, I need to go out for a while. Please have everyone deal with these bodies and help take Xiao Yan to my master's place."
"You're going out? Where to?" Grandpa Zhang was surprised.
"I need to find someone to ask about the Black Wolf Gang. I'll be back soon."
Lu Qing returned to the house and strapped on his battle knife.
A black figure silently appeared beside him.
"Xiao Li, where were you just now?"
Xiao Li made a sound and pointed its paw outside the door.
Lu Qing saw it was the bush near the gate, not far from where Xiao Yan had been. With Xiao Li's speed, it could reach there in an instant.
No wonder he had felt a faint sense of danger nearby earlier; it turned out Xiao Li was hiding there.
He realized that if he hadn't appeared at the last moment, Xiao Li would probably have acted.
If Xiao Li had made a move, those guys would have died even more miserably.
Lu Qing had seen Xiao Li's claws in action recently and knew how deadly they were.
Even though he was now at the Qi and Blood Realm and had furthered his mastery of the Four Directions Blade, he still had no confidence in blocking Xiao Li's claws.
"Well done," Lu Qing patted Xiao Li's head.
He was pleased with the little beast's patience and didn't blame it for not acting immediately.
Xiao Li was his biggest trump card. He didn't want it to be exposed unless absolutely necessary.
After instructing the little beast a few things, Lu Qing walked out of the house with his knife.
He approached Xiao Yan and ruffled her hair. "Be good, Xiao Yan. Go stay with Grandpa Chen for a while. I'll be back soon. Don't be afraid. I've taken care of the bad guys. They won't come for you again."
"Okay!" Xiao Yan nodded. "Brother, come back soon."
"I will," Lu Qing said, ruffling her hair again. Then he nodded to Grandpa Zhang. "Grandpa Zhang, please take care of her."
With that, he walked away with his knife.
All the villagers watched Lu Qing's familiar yet unfamiliar figure, suddenly realizing that he had grown much taller. He was no longer the thin boy they once knew.
Chapter 73
Lu Qing was on his way to the Grand Bazaar.
Yes, the person he was looking for was none other than the overseer of the bazaar, Mago.
Mago could even contact people from the Wei family, so he must have some knowledge about the Black Wolf Gang.
Walking slowly, Lu Qing's expression remained calm.
He felt that his current state was somewhat peculiar.
Although he had just killed quite a few people, his heart remained largely unaffected.
If there was any change, it felt more like a shackle had been removed, making his entire being feel somewhat lighter.
What did this mean? Was he naturally a murderer?
After killing so many people, not only did he not feel any fear or anxiety, but he actually felt relieved.
Or was it because those he killed were all scum, so he felt no burden?
Lu Qing pondered this strange thought.
Since achieving some success in martial arts, he had always avoided falling into a cycle of killing, unsure of what he would become if he started.
This was probably a trace of inexplicable sentimentality from being a person who had crossed over from a modern, law-abiding society.
Now, it seemed he had overthought it.
Killing was not something to be happy about, but it did not affect him as much as he had imagined.
As long as he could maintain his true self, killing would not disturb his inner peace.
With these strange thoughts in mind, Lu Qing arrived outside the Grand Bazaar.
Today was not a market day, so the bazaar was empty.
After a quick glance, Lu Qing walked towards a nearby house.
When he reached the house, he found the door tightly shut and knocked a few times.
Soon, someone came out to open the door. Upon seeing Lu Qing, they were first stunned, then surprised.
"Lu Xiaolangjun, why are you here?"
It turned out that the one opening the door was Xiao Tian, a subordinate of Mago whom Lu Qing had met before.
"I'm here to visit Master Ma. Is he at home?" Lu Qing inquired.
"Yes, yes, Master Ma is in the backyard drinking. I'll go call him out." Xiao Tian replied hurriedly.
"No need to trouble yourself. I will go to the backyard to see him directly."
Lu Qing did not want to waste time.
Xiao Tian thought for a moment and saw nothing wrong with it.
He knew that Master Ma had always wanted to befriend Lu Xiaolangjun, even gifting him a treasured knife.
So after a brief hesitation, he nodded, "Please, follow me inside."
Lu Qing followed Xiao Tian into the house, passing through two doors, and arrived at a quaint little courtyard.
In the courtyard, under a vine trellis with a stone table, a man was drinking alone. Who else could it be but Mago?
"Lu Xiaolangjun, please wait here."
Xiao Tian stopped Lu Qing and then ran ahead to whisper in Mago's ear.
Soon, Lu Qing saw Mago stand up with a look of surprise and delight, looking towards him.
"Lu Xiaolangjun, why have you come?"
"Master Ma, you seem to be in high spirits, drinking this early in the morning." Lu Qing walked forward with a smile.
"Just a few casual drinks to pass the time," Mago said cheerfully. "How about it, Lu Xiaolangjun? Will you join me for a drink?"
Of course, he was in a good mood.
The recent incident with Young Master Wei was resolved perfectly. Not only was he not punished by the Wei family, but he was also rewarded generously by the Wei family's head steward, making him very happy lately.
"Maybe another time. Today, I have something to ask Master Ma." Lu Qing declined.
It was then that Mago noticed the battle knife on Lu Qing's back.
His heart skipped a beat, and his expression became somewhat serious.
"Xiao Tian, go keep watch outside and don't let anyone approach."
"Yes, Master."
After Xiao Tian left, Mago invited Lu Qing to sit.
"Lu Xiaolangjun, what has happened?"
Instead of answering directly, Lu Qing asked, "Master Ma, do you know someone named Han Lao Wu?"
"Han Lao Wu?" Mago thought for a moment, then shook his head, "I've never heard of this name."
"This person claims to be a disciple of the Black Wolf Gang. He has a sworn brother named Zhao Xiong, who is also a disciple of the Black Wolf Gang."
Zhao Xiong was the man with the mole on his face whom Lu Qing had kicked to death. This name was obtained through his abilities.
"Black Wolf Gang?" Mago was startled, "How did you get involved with this gang?"
"Is the Black Wolf Gang very powerful?" Lu Qing asked.
"Not exactly powerful, but they are known for their underhanded and ruthless methods. Their usual businesses are unsavory, involving brothels and gambling dens, so they have considerable influence in the county and are one of the three major gangs."
"I see." Lu Qing nodded thoughtfully.
"Why, have you had a conflict with the Black Wolf Gang?" Mago asked.
"Something like that." Lu Qing nodded. "I believe my parents were killed by them."
Mago: "..."
This wasn't just a conflict; it was a deep-seated blood feud!
However, he was unaware of this matter. Previously, according to Xiao Tian's investigation in Jiuli Village, Lu Qing's parents had accidentally drowned.
It seemed there was more to this story.
"Lu Xiaolangjun, have you confirmed this information?" Mago asked.
"I'm still investigating, but this is what the elders in my village told me, so it should be accurate."
"And what about Han Lao Wu and Zhao Xiong that you mentioned earlier?"
"This morning, a group claiming to be members of the Black Wolf Gang broke into our village, trying to take Xiao Yan and me away, claiming it was to repay a debt my parents owed to the Black Wolf Gang. Han Lao Wu and Zhao Xiong were among them."
"Later, they were stopped by the villagers, and I learned that my parents' deaths were related to the Black Wolf Gang." Lu Qing explained.
"And those members of the Black Wolf Gang?"
"I killed them all."
"..."
Mago did not expect that his little brother had just killed some people.
However, considering Lu Qing's identity as a martial artist, he understood.
These days, which martial artist didn't have a few lives in their hands?
As long as it didn't involve massacring civilians, even the county magistrate wouldn't care about martial artists fighting and killing each other.
After thinking for a moment, he continued to ask, "Then, you didn't manage to ask Han Lao Wu and Zhao Xiong about the truth behind your parents' deaths?"
Lu Qing shook his head, "I struck too hard in the heat of the moment and killed them before I could question them."
Mago: "..."
His little brother seemed to have a heavy hand when it came to killing.
"So, although you killed some members of the Black Wolf Gang, you still don't know the exact circumstances of your parents' deaths?"
"That's correct." Lu Qing nodded. "But I know that Han Lao Wu and Zhao Xiong seemed to be peripheral members of the Black Wolf Gang, and they had a few brothers in the area who were also involved in my parents' deaths."
"Peripheral members?"
Mago was taken aback, then as if recalling something, his eyes suddenly brightened.
"I think I know who you're looking for."
Chapter 74
"About fifty miles from here, there is a fort called the Happy Fort. It operates casinos and brothels, attracting rural landlords and idle villagers to spend their money."
"Occasionally, even some city dwellers seeking novelty come to experience a different kind of pleasure that the county town can't offer."
"That fort is actually one of the Black Wolf Gang's properties. It's said that the fort master is the ninth leader of the Black Wolf Gang."
"I think the Han Lao Wu and Zhao Xiong you mentioned are probably from there."
"Master Ma, what is the martial prowess of this ninth leader?" Lu Qing asked.
"I'm not too sure, but I don't think it's anything extraordinary, probably no higher than the Qi and Blood Realm," Mago replied.
"Just the Qi and Blood Realm?" Lu Qing was surprised.
"What do you mean by 'just the Qi and Blood Realm'?" Mago laughed, "Brother Lu, don't think that just because you have an extraordinary martial aptitude, practicing martial arts is an easy task."
"For ordinary people, reaching the Qi and Blood Realm means countless efforts and hard work, and even then, they only break through by luck."
"Many people practice martial arts for ten or twenty years, and all they achieve is a stronger body and more skilled techniques, without making any real progress."
"But for someone like you, who can grasp the essence of connecting Qi and Blood so soon after starting, you are truly a rare talent."
"You should know that even the leader of the Black Wolf Gang, Black Wolf, is only in the Tendons and Bones Realm. So, how strong can his ninth leader be?"
"If a small leader of an outer industry were in the Tendons and Bones Realm, the Black Wolf Gang wouldn't be just one of the three major gangs in the county; it would be the number one."
Lu Qing then realized he had underestimated the situation.
Perhaps because he had been dealing with the Wei family every day recently and saw that even a guard in the Wei family was in the Tendons and Bones Realm.
He subconsciously felt that Tendons and Bones Realm martial artists were very common.
But he forgot that the Wei family was different; it was a colossal entity in the entire prefecture, incomparable to a small gang in the county.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master Ma. I will take my leave now."
After obtaining the information he needed, Lu Qing prepared to leave.
"Wait a minute, Brother Lu," Mago quickly called him back. "Are you planning to go to the Happy Fort?"
"Yes, as a son, knowing that my parents' death has other causes, I have to investigate," Lu Qing did not deny.
But I see that you don't seem to be going just for investigation.
Mago's eyes glanced at the battle knife on Lu Qing's back, silently thinking.
However, he knew that it was impossible to persuade Lu Qing.
A parent's death is an unforgivable enmity.
Moreover, this brother of his had already killed people from the Happy Fort.
The enmity was already irreconcilable.
Knowing the Black Wolf Gang's usual style, Mago understood that Lu Qing was better off striking first.
Otherwise, when the Black Wolf Gang truly took action, even if Lu Qing had extraordinary skills, he wouldn't be able to withstand it.
But thinking about Lu Qing's martial prowess, Mago couldn't help but worry.
No matter how talented Lu Qing was, he had only been practicing martial arts for just over a month.
Even if he had reached the Qi and Blood Realm, there could still be a significant gap in strength among those in the same realm.
Realm does not equal combat power.
Realm only represents the martial artist's physical quality and strength.
But whether the realm can be converted into combat power depends on the martial artist's application of techniques.
In this regard, Mago wasn't very optimistic about Lu Qing.
Still, Lu Qing had been practicing martial arts for too short a time.
Martial arts techniques require time to practice diligently and actual combat to hone.
Lu Qing spent his days in Jiuli Village, either studying medicine or fishing and farming. Where would he have the opportunity to hone his techniques?
If he really rushed into the Happy Fort, he might suffer a significant loss.
Thinking it over, Mago finally said, "In that case, why don't I accompany you to the Happy Fort?"
As a Tendons and Bones Realm martial artist, Mago was confident in his strength.
A small Happy Fort couldn't stop him.
However, Lu Qing shook his head, "Thank you for your kindness, Master Ma, but this is a matter between me and the Black Wolf Gang. You don't need to get involved."
Mago wanted to persuade him further, knowing that the Happy Fort had many people, and the fort master was also a martial artist. It was too dangerous for Lu Qing to go alone.
But seeing the calm and determined look in Lu Qing's eyes, he knew that further persuasion was useless.
He could only say, "Brother Lu, you must be careful. If you find anything wrong, run immediately. Don't fight head-on."
With Lu Qing's martial prowess, if he focused on escaping, unless he fell into a trap or the ninth leader of the Black Wolf Gang took action personally, ordinary gang members couldn't stop him.
Mago was worried that Lu Qing, in his youthful vigor, might get hot-headed and fight the entire fort.
"Don't worry, Master Ma. I know my limits."
After Lu Qing left with his battle knife, Mago sat there, deep in thought.
After a while, he called for Xiao Tian, "Prepare the horses and bring my sword."
"Master Ma, didn't Young Master Lu say he didn't want us to follow?" Xiao Tian asked.
"Do you want me to just sit and watch?" Mago glared, "The Wei family has instructed me to look after Brother Lu. If anything happens to him, how will I explain it to the Wei family?"
"Besides, who said I'm following Brother Lu? I just suddenly feel like hunting and will pass by the Happy Fort."
Xiao Tian was speechless.
Fine, you're the boss; whatever you say goes.
But...
"Master Ma, are we really going to confront the Black Wolf Gang? They're not easy to deal with, and the family head might not agree."
"Are you stupid?" Mago looked at him with disappointment, "Brother Lu is favored by the Wei family, and his master, the old doctor Chen, is also a strong Internal Organs Realm martial artist. In front of the Wei family and the old doctor Chen, the Black Wolf Gang is nothing!"
Suddenly, Mago froze, "By the way, does the old doctor Chen know about this?"
Whether his master knew about today's events, Lu Qing wasn't sure.
But he knew that his master had a kind heart and couldn't bear to see others suffer. He also didn't like to hurt people.
So he never thought of asking his master to help deal with the Black Wolf Gang.
He wanted to handle this matter in his own way.
After hearing about the Black Wolf Gang's vengeful nature from Mago,
Lu Qing understood that only one could survive between him and the gang.
Currently, he didn't have the ability to storm the county town.
But the Happy Fort was still within his reach.
As he left the Grand Bazaar and walked down a small path, a black figure suddenly jumped from a tree and landed on his shoulder.
It was Xiao Li.
This was why Lu Qing refused to let Mago accompany him to the Happy Fort.
Compared to the complex-minded Mago, he trusted Xiao Li, who was like family.
Moreover, Xiao Li's prowess far surpassed Mago's.
"Let's go, Xiao Li. From now on, my safety depends on you."
Lu Qing patted the Black Beast's head, his gaze fixed eastward.
Chapter 75
"Is this the Happy Fort?"
Lu Qing stood on a large tree, looking at the fort ahead with a mysterious expression in his eyes.
Xiao Li was perched on his shoulder, its black silhouette blending almost perfectly into the tree's shadow.
After leaving the Grand Bazaar, Lu Qing followed Mago's directions and quickly found a fort nestled in a mountain hollow.
However, he did not act rashly. He planned to wait until nightfall before sneaking in.
Silently, Lu Qing moved to a tree near the fort's entrance and climbed up, lurking quietly.
After advancing to the small accomplishment stage of the Qi and Blood Realm, his control over his body had significantly improved.
With deliberate restraint of his breath, no one could detect him.
As for Xiao Li, there was no need to mention its abilities.
The Black Night Spirit Lynx was a natural hunter, its stealth far superior to that of humans.
If it truly wanted to hide, it would be difficult to spot even from a short distance away.
If Lu Qing didn't know Xiao Li's exact location, even he would be deceived.
Perhaps because they never expected trouble, the fort's defenses were quite lax.
At the entrance, only two men stood guard in a loose, lackadaisical manner.
Lu Qing used his abilities to investigate and found that these two were also peripheral members of the Black Wolf Gang, confirming he had found the right place.
He held his breath, quietly lurking in the tree, waiting for nightfall.
"Damn it, so boring, why is it us two on guard duty again?"
Just as Lu Qing was about to close his eyes and rest, he suddenly heard one of the guards spit in frustration.
"Keep it down. We're the least experienced here. If not us, then who else?" The other guard replied lazily.
"Then why is that little sly dog Er Gou enjoying himself inside?" The first guard was still dissatisfied.
"His sister is now the top card in our fort. Can we compare to that?" The second guard continued.
"Top card, my ass. Just a whore, pretending to be some high-class courtesan." The first guard scoffed. "And I heard Er Gou's sister was sold to us by their parents, using the money to build two new houses."
"Er Gou not only doesn't try to redeem his sister, but he also comes here to leech off her. They're really not human! No, their whole family isn't human!" The second guard remained silent after this.
Though not a good person himself, he also felt that Er Gou's family was truly inhumane.
Lu Qing listened quietly from the tree, making no sound.
It was unclear whether the two guards were too disdainful to continue talking about Er Gou or had simply lost interest, but they fell silent for a long while.
Just when Lu Qing thought they would remain quiet, the first guard spoke again.
"Still, Wang Fu is better off, able to follow Fifth Master and Seventh Master. He gets a share of any good deals. I heard he went out early this morning with them again, probably for another profitable venture."
Lu Qing's heart stirred. He knew the Fifth Master and Seventh Master mentioned must be Han Lao Wu and Zhao Xiong.
"I know about this. It seems there was a problem in Jiuli Village. Fifth Master went to handle it." The second guard said.
"Jiuli Village? Isn't that the village of that fool Lu Ming? What happened there?" The first guard asked curiously.
"Fifth Master and the others went to take Lu Ming's farmland, but the villagers kept some money for themselves instead of handing it all over. Fifth Master found out." The second guard explained.
"Those villagers in Jiuli Village must be crazy to deceive Fifth Master! Now he'll definitely punish them harshly. He hates being cheated the most!" The first guard was shocked.
"That's why Fifth Master and Seventh Master took Wang Fu and others out early this morning. They should be back by now, but we haven't seen them yet." The second guard wondered.
"Maybe Fifth Master is still enjoying himself. You know he loves to torment people when he's in a bad mood. He's probably punishing those villagers now!" The first guard said indifferently.
The second guard thought this made sense. Among the leaders, Fifth Master was the hardest to predict and the most temperamental.
If he was late coming back, he must have a reason. It wasn't for them to guess.
"I envy Wang Fu and the others. Following Fifth Master to Jiuli Village, they'll probably get a lot of spoils." The first guard said enviously.
"Unlike us, exposed to the elements with no benefits." The first guard sighed.
The second guard fell silent, also feeling envious but helpless.
Lu Qing gathered a lot of information from their conversation.
But hearing the envy in their voices, he felt a bit strange.
He wondered how these two would react if they knew Han Lao Wu's current situation.
As the two guards continued their idle chat, Lu Qing listened, gradually realizing how corrupt the Happy Fort was.
Hearing their conversation, his killing intent rose.
His gaze towards the two guards below turned icy.
These two might just be gatekeepers, but from their words, Lu Qing knew they were not good people either.
They didn't refrain from doing evil out of choice but because they lacked the opportunity.
At this moment, Lu Qing fervently wished for nightfall to come sooner.
Chapter 76
Time slowly ticked by as Lu Qing continued to lie in wait atop the tree.
On the other side, Mago was growing increasingly anxious.
"What's the status? Have you found any trace of Brother Lu?"
"Nothing yet. Dasha and I have scoured the area multiple times, but there's no sign of Lu Qing," Xiao Tian replied.
"How could that be? Did we arrive too late, and Brother Lu has already been captured?" Mago said with rising concern.
"I doubt it," Xiao Tian hesitated, "We've been here for a while, and there's no sign of commotion in Happy Fort. If Brother Lu had gone in, it shouldn't be this quiet."
"I think Brother Lu is hiding somewhere, waiting for the right moment to act."
Mago thought about it and agreed.
Lu Qing was a warrior in the Qi and Blood Realm. If he had entered, there's no way Happy Fort could have dealt with him without any disturbance.
It was more likely, as Xiao Tian said, that Lu Qing was lying in wait, ready to strike.
"Then we'll wait as well. We can't let anything happen to Brother Lu," Mago said, trying to quell his anxiety.
Xiao Tian and Dasha exchanged glances.
If this had been the usual Master Ma, he wouldn't have overlooked such details.
It was clear how much Master Ma valued Lu Qing, even losing his usual composure.
Unaware that Mago had brought reinforcements waiting to support him on the other side of the mountain, Lu Qing remained hidden in the tree, biding his time until nightfall.
Finally, dusk arrived, and the sky gradually darkened. Lights began to illuminate Happy Fort, turning it into a glowing spectacle.
Having rested his eyes throughout the afternoon, Lu Qing opened them, ready for action.
"Stay alert. Guests will be arriving soon!"
The two guards below straightened up, no longer lounging around.
Lu Qing realized then that Happy Fort was a nighttime operation.
No wonder he had seen no one entering all this time.
With the lights now on, Lu Qing soon saw people arriving.
Villagers in simple clothes walked over, while landlords dressed in silks and satins were carried in sedan chairs.
He even saw an old man in patched clothes with a lecherous expression.
It was perplexing where these people got the money to spend in this den of iniquity.
Just as Lu Qing was about to make his move during the guests' arrival, a sudden commotion broke out, approaching the fort's gate.
Lu Qing saw a man in his forties struggling with a young girl.
The girl's cries were heart-wrenching as she clung to the man's hand, begging.
"Father, please, don't gamble this money away. I embroidered for days to earn it for mother's medicine!"
"Rubbish! Your money is mine. I need it, so I'll use it!" the man shouted. "Your mother's illness isn't serious. She can tough it out. Once I win, I'll have all the money we need, and you can buy all the medicine and doctors you want!"
"Father, no, mother coughed up blood yesterday. If she doesn't see a doctor soon, she'll die!"
The girl clung desperately to her father, tears streaming down her face.
"She's fine! She'll be alright after a few days of rest!" the man snapped. "Let go, or I'll kick you!"
"Father, please, mother will die without the medicine!"
The girl sobbed, refusing to let go of his arm.
"Then let her die!" The man kicked his daughter away. "Less of a burden for me!"
The girl, stunned by her father's cruelty, saw him about to enter the fort and rushed to grab his leg.
"Father, please don't gamble. Give me the money back..."
"Let go!"
The man raised his hand to strike her as she held him back.
Onlookers, mostly guests of Happy Fort, watched with amusement instead of pity.
The guards at the gate mocked, "Zhao Laosan, can't even handle your own daughter? If you can't, leave her to us. We'll train her properly!"
Zhao Laosan's eyes lit up at the guard's suggestion.
"Master Chen, you mean it? Will you take her?"
The guard, taken aback, hadn't expected Zhao Laosan to take him seriously.
He glanced at the girl, noticing she had some beauty.
"Think carefully. Once she's in the fort, redeeming her will be tough," the guard warned.
"No problem. She's a burden anyway. Name your price," Zhao Laosan said eagerly, thinking of his gambling funds.
"I'll have to call someone to appraise her," the guard said.
"Thank you, Master Chen!" Zhao Laosan bowed.
"Father!" The girl, in disbelief, watched as the guard went to fetch someone. She panicked and tried to run.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Zhao Laosan grabbed her, dragging her back.
"You wouldn't go home before, now you won't leave. You'll stay here and make money for me!"
"Father, no! I'm your daughter, you can't sell me!"
The girl cried in terror.
"I'm doing this for you. You'll live well here, better than embroidering at home. You wanted money for your mother, earn it here."
Zhao Laosan dragged her to the gate.
Just then, the guard returned with someone from inside.
The deal was made as the girl watched in despair.
Zhao Laosan received silver while the girl was dragged inside, crying.
Ignoring his daughter's pleas, Zhao Laosan admired his newfound wealth, thinking of his gambling funds.
"Zhao Laosan, you're ruthless. Aren't you afraid your wife will kill you when you get home?" someone mocked.
"She wouldn't dare!" Zhao Laosan glared. "And who are you to talk? Didn't you sell your widowed sister-in-law?"
This shut the man up.
"Zhao Laosan, is your daughter unmarried?" asked a portly man.
"Yes, she's sixteen," Zhao Laosan replied.
"Good, I'll have some fun with her tonight," the man said, patting Zhao Laosan's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll treat her well!"
"Then you must call Zhao Laosan father-in-law," someone joked.
"Shut up! He's not worth it," the portly man retorted.
The gate filled with laughter, but Zhao Laosan's face darkened.
Up in the tree, Lu Qing stood up, his face hidden in shadows, but the cold aura emanating from him made Xiao Li bristle.
Watching the scene below, Lu Qing held back his rage.
It wasn't time yet.
He quietly descended the tree, using the darkness to find a weak spot in the fort's defenses and slipped inside.
Xiao Li perched steadily on his shoulder.
Inside, Lu Qing assessed the fort's layout. It was large, with many buildings, the most prominent being a tall wooden tower in the center.
That was his target.
Using the shadows, Lu Qing moved quickly through the fort, with Xiao Li alerting him to nearby people.
He moved undetected, nearing the main tower when he heard shouting.
Turning a corner, he saw a garishly dressed woman and two men escorting the girl he had seen earlier.
The girl, bound and led by a rope, moved slowly, eliciting curses from her captors.
Seeing her despair, Lu Qing hesitated but then quietly followed.
They shoved the girl into a stone building in a corner of the fort.
Lu Qing, ensuring no one was watching, approached the building.
Inside, he heard a sharp, harsh voice, "Lock her up. Starve her for three days, she'll behave. And you other girls, disobey, and you'll be fed to the wolves!"
Peeking in, Lu Qing saw the scene clearly, his eyes narrowing.
The suppressed killing intent within him surged uncontrollably.
Chapter 77
"Jiao Auntie, will they starve to death if we leave them hungry like this? We spent a lot of silver to buy these little girls. If even one dies, the heads of the house won't let us off."
In a somewhat dim room, a thug from the Happy Fort asked.
"Don't worry, I have experience. These girls are very stubborn. If we don't starve them until they're obedient, and grind away their rebelliousness, it will be troublesome when they start receiving guests and get temperamental, upsetting the customers."
The heavily made-up middle-aged woman screeched, "You guys are just inexperienced. Don't worry, they won't starve to death. These girls are just cheap bones. As long as they have some water to drink, they won't die even after a few days."
"Of course, who can compare to your extensive experience, Jiao Auntie? Everyone knows you were once the top courtesan of the Spring Moon Pavilion, naturally much more knowledgeable than us," the thug flattered.
"Yes, look at the girls in our fort. After your training, which one doesn't obey and listen? It's all thanks to you, Jiao Auntie," another thug chimed in with a fawning tone.
"Hehehe... you little ones sure know how to talk."
Jiao Auntie let out a piercing laugh, her whole body shaking, causing the makeup on her face to nearly fall off.
However, the next moment, the laugh came to an abrupt halt.
Because the tip of a blade emerged from her chest, piercing right through her.
"Jiao Auntie, what's wrong?"
In the dimness, the two thugs hadn't realized what happened. Seeing her suddenly go silent, they asked in confusion.
Then, to their horror, they saw Jiao Auntie's body fly backward, crashing against the stone wall, blood splattering, rolling to the ground, life or death unknown.
Simultaneously, a figure emerged from behind Jiao Auntie.
"Who is it!"
The two thugs instantly knew that an enemy had infiltrated.
However, before they could react, the next moment, the blade flashed, slashing across their throats.
The two thugs who wanted to call for help could no longer make any sound, clutching their throats in terror as they fell to the ground.
Mouths gaping, trying to speak, but nothing came out. Blood flowed through their fingers, eyes gradually dimming.
The sudden change took everyone by surprise.
Except for the newly arrived girl who let out a scream, the others huddled in the corners, trembling and watching the scene in terror.
It seemed the recent harsh lessons had made them afraid to shout no matter what happened.
The girl quickly realized something, covering her mouth and not daring to make another sound.
After killing the three scoundrels, Lu Qing showed no sign of joy on his face.
With a near-night vision ability, he could clearly see the situation in the dim corner separated by the thick fence.
There were seven or eight girls chained with iron. Judging by their appearance, the oldest was no more than sixteen or seventeen, and the youngest was probably only eight or nine.
These girls, except for the newly captured one, were all disheveled, emaciated, looking neither human nor ghost.
Looking at these frightened girls, Lu Qing didn't know how to comfort them.
He could only say, "Stay here and don't move. I'll come back to rescue you in a while."
After saying this, Lu Qing walked out of the room and closed the door.
Standing outside, looking at the bright lights, Lu Qing's gaze was full of coldness.
Just killing three scoundrels hadn't eased his heart in the slightest. On the contrary, the killing intent in his heart was boiling even more.
The plight of the girls in the room made him think of how Han Lao Wu and his gang came to Jiuli Village today intending to capture Xiao Yan.
He couldn't imagine what would have happened if he didn't have some strength and Xiao Yan was captured and brought here.
"Xiao Li, can you sense where the strongest person in this fort is?"
After a long silence, Lu Qing asked calmly.
Xiao Li tilted its head and thought for a moment, then pointed in a direction.
Lu Qing looked and saw it was indeed the tallest and most prominent wooden building in the center of the fort.
"So it's there, huh?"
Lu Qing, holding his knife, slowly walked towards the tall wooden building.
This time, he no longer hid his figure. The burning killing intent in his chest made him no longer want to do any lurking.
What he needed now was to vent this boiling killing intent.
Activating his ability, Lu Qing walked straight towards the wooden building.
Suddenly, two men carrying lanterns and holding wooden sticks turned a corner and came into view, patrolling the area.
Seeing Lu Qing with a knife and a strange little beast on his shoulder, they were startled.
Immediately, one shouted, "Stop, who are you?"
Before the words finished, Lu Qing stepped forward, his figure flashing, and passed between the two men.
The next moment, two heads flew from behind him, and the two patrolling thugs from the Happy Fort fell to the ground, hands flailing.
Cutting down the two thugs with one blow, Lu Qing didn't look back and continued walking forward.
After several more steps, he saw a man walking from the direction of the wooden building, cursing under his breath about things like "bastard," "impossible," and "turn the tables."
When the man saw someone blocking his way, he looked up and cursed, "What the hell, get out of the way, can't you see I'm walking..."
Halfway through his curse, seeing the knife in Lu Qing's hand, he suddenly fell silent, like a duck with its neck grabbed.
Lu Qing looked at the man with the scarred head and remembered the conversation he overheard outside the fort earlier.
Without hesitation, he lightly swung his hand, and another head flew up.
The man with the scarred head was beheaded without even a chance to beg for mercy.
Avoiding the splattering blood, Lu Qing continued towards the wooden building.
By this time, he was already very close to the wooden building.
Two men holding knives and sticks guarded the large door at the base of the building.
Seeing this scene, they were shocked and ran towards him immediately.
"What are you doing!"
Seeing the two men running over, Lu Qing did not draw his knife this time.
Instead, he crouched slightly, and the next moment, his powerful blood qi erupted. His feet left two footprints on the hard ground as his body vanished from the spot, rushing towards the two men at high speed.
Then, when they were close, with two loud bangs, accompanied by a series of bone-cracking sounds, the two guards flew back even faster.
They crashed through the wooden building's door, causing a series of screams.
Amid the screams, Lu Qing walked into the wooden building. The little beast on his shoulder had already disappeared.
Inside, Lu Qing glanced around and quickly took in the scene.
The ground floor of the wooden building was very spacious.
It looked like a gambling hall, but the large table in the middle, covered with various gambling tools, was smashed to pieces by the bodies of the two guards he had kicked in. Coins and broken silver were scattered all over.
The various gamblers and scantily clad girls were panicking and hiding on both sides.
Seeing Lu Qing walk in, everyone couldn't help but look at him.
At this moment, a voice filled with anger came from above.
"Who dares cause trouble in my Happy Fort?!"
Lu Qing looked up, seeing several people walking out from the second floor, especially focusing on the tall figure leading them.
He suddenly grinned, "Naturally, it's someone here to kill you all!"
Chapter 78
Wei Shan, nicknamed "Heart-Snatcher Wolf," was the ninth leader of the Black Wolf Gang and the master of Happy Fort. He was notorious for his cruel and cunning nature and insatiable greed.
Cultivation Level: Postnatal Qi and Blood Realm, adept in fist and claw techniques, with a penchant for extracting human hearts.
Lu Qing grinned as he read the information about the ninth leader of the Black Wolf Gang above.
As Mago had said, this master of Happy Fort was only at the Qi and Blood Realm.
He hadn't even reached the Great Completion of Qi and Blood, just like him, who had barely achieved the Small Completion of the Qi and Blood Realm.
He glanced at the few people beside him, all ordinary martial artists who had not yet entered the martial path.
Judging by their information, they were likely leaders in this fort, similar to Han Lao Wu.
"Everyone's here. Perfect, saves me the trouble of finding you all one by one."
Lu Qing's eyes sparkled with a strange light as he looked at the people above.
The few minions he had slain earlier hadn't lessened his murderous intent. On the contrary, it had only grown stronger.
When the Heart-Snatcher Wolf saw Lu Qing's appearance clearly, he was taken aback.
He had initially thought it was an enemy of the Black Wolf Gang causing trouble.
Now, seeing it was a young man he'd never met before, he was surprised.
Feeling the surging Blood Qi from Lu Qing, his heart trembled.
To have reached the Qi and Blood Realm at such a young age, and with such abundant Blood Qi, was no less than his own.
He had also achieved the Small Completion of the Qi and Blood Realm in his teens!
Realizing this, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf's expression turned serious.
He knew that such a rare young genius often had a powerful background.
When had his Happy Fort provoked such a person?
Or was it that the main stronghold had angered someone they shouldn't have?
Various thoughts raced through his mind.
Yet, he smiled, "Young hero, who are you? Why are you causing trouble in my Happy Fort? Is there some misunderstanding? If we've done something wrong, we will certainly apologize."
His words startled the people beside him.
It was the first time they saw their leader being so polite, especially to a young boy.
The boy had come to cause trouble, killing people in the fort, yet their leader greeted him with a smile?
Who was this boy?
Everyone couldn't help but look at Lu Qing again.
But with their strength not even breaking into the Qi and Blood Realm, they couldn't see through Lu Qing's background.
Hearing the Heart-Snatcher Wolf's probing question, Lu Qing's expression didn't change.
Indeed, those who could be fort masters were never brainless.
But he didn't want to waste words with them. The murderous intent in his heart made him unwilling to engage in false niceties with these people.
Moreover, he sensed more people were coming this way outside.
Obviously, other members of the fort were gathering.
Though Lu Qing didn't want to let anyone in Happy Fort go, he wasn't about to wait for them to organize their defenses.
So, facing the Heart-Snatcher Wolf's probe, he remained silent, taking a horse stance, body slightly lowered, assuming the starting form of the Four Directions Blade.
His entire Blood Qi erupted, and the murderous intent in his heart, no longer suppressed, surged towards the Heart-Snatcher Wolf.
Feeling this intense murderous intent, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf's face changed.
He knew there was no point in talking anymore.
The boy's deadly resolve told him everything.
Although he didn't know why Lu Qing held such intense murderous intent towards him, it didn't affect his ability to make the right choice.
"Attack! Kill this boy!"
The Heart-Snatcher Wolf waved his hand, giving the order.
However, faster than his command was Lu Qing's action.
As the first word left his mouth, Lu Qing's figure had already shot upwards, heading for the second floor.
By the time he finished speaking, Lu Qing had pounced in front of him. Using the momentum of his charge, both hands held the blade, slashing upwards towards the Heart-Snatcher Wolf!
Lu Qing poured all his strength into this strike.
Beyond the full burst of Blood Qi, it carried the boundless murderous intent he'd suppressed since arriving at Happy Fort.
As the blade slashed, Lu Qing's spirit seemed to undergo a transformation, his understanding of the Four Directions Blade elevating once again.
A thought of the initial evaluation of the Four Directions Blade by the anomalous power flashed through his mind.
The Four Directions Blade, heavy on momentum, leaned towards slaughter!
The Four Directions Blade had never been a technique of intricate moves.
It emphasized an all-or-nothing approach, full force in every strike, with a heart set on killing, cutting down all enemies before him!
The Heart-Snatcher Wolf didn't expect Lu Qing to come so swiftly and decisively.
Feeling the momentum of Lu Qing's blade, his expression drastically changed.
Immediately, he knew he couldn't take this blow head-on.
Otherwise, he would die!
Without time for any thought, instinctively, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf crossed his arms in front of him and stepped back with force.
Crash!!
Lu Qing's blade, fierce in momentum, sliced through the second-floor railing and floor without hindrance, cutting straight towards the Heart-Snatcher Wolf's chest, aiming to cleave him in half.
However, when the blade reached his crossed arms, Lu Qing felt a tremendous resistance, failing to sever them instantly!
Boom!!
The collision of powerful forces, coupled with the Heart-Snatcher Wolf's deliberate retreat, sent his body flying backward, crashing through the door behind him and out of sight.
"Big brother!!"
The other leaders, already intimidated by Lu Qing's aura, were now terrified upon seeing this.
They never imagined their powerful leader could be so easily sent flying with one strike!
"Where did this boy come from? Is this really a Qi and Blood Realm blade technique?!"
Rolling on the floor, throat sweet, chest tight, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf, already heavily injured internally, looked at his arms.
His custom-made, expensive steel guards, now bearing deep blade marks, completely torn, filled him with dread.
He never expected that, as a fellow Qi and Blood Realm martial artist, he couldn't withstand even one of Lu Qing's strikes.
"Escape!"
The Heart-Snatcher Wolf reacted immediately.
After a single exchange, he was heavily injured, his protective gear half-ruined.
He realized if he didn't flee now, he wouldn't leave here alive today!
Without hesitation, he got up, smashed the window behind him, and jumped outside.
"Trying to escape?"
Lu Qing instantly sensed the Heart-Snatcher Wolf's intent.
His blade traced an arc, heads flew.
The once arrogant leaders of Happy Fort were all beheaded by Lu Qing's single strike.
After dispatching the scum, Lu Qing used his strength to shatter the second-floor wooden floor, chasing after the Heart-Snatcher Wolf.
Chapter 79
As Lu Qing pursued the Heart-Snatcher Wolf, the gamblers who had been terrified in the wooden building slowly began to rise from the ground, trembling. They stared at the headless corpses on the second floor and the blood streaming down, their bodies shaking. Yet, they dared not flee the building, fearing they might encounter that deadly star outside. They could only hope that the Village Chief would kill the deadly star, ensuring their safety.
Slaying several leaders of Happy Fort took Lu Qing almost no time. When he leaped out from the second floor, he immediately spotted the Heart-Snatcher Wolf trying to escape by hiding behind a small building.
"Heart-Snatcher Wolf! You can't escape!" Lu Qing shouted, his voice echoing for miles. He landed, Blood Qi surging, and shot towards the small building.
"Kid, don't push me too far!" The Heart-Snatcher Wolf didn't expect Lu Qing to catch up so quickly. Exposed, he immediately fled in another direction.
"Today, you will die without a doubt!" The two began a deadly chase through the village.
"Lu, the young brother, has indeed infiltrated!" Outside Happy Fort, Mago, who had been waiting impatiently, heard the shouts and was overjoyed but puzzled.
"How come it sounds like Lu is gaining the upper hand inside?" Regardless, Mago didn't want to wait any longer. The entire afternoon had tormented him. On one hand, he worried if Lu Qing had been silently dealt with by Happy Fort's people. On the other, he feared that barging in might ruin Lu Qing's plan. This uncertainty was agonizing. In hindsight, he should have insisted on accompanying Lu Qing from the start.
"Go, they're fighting inside. Let's get ready to move." As Mago and his men headed over, Lu Qing finally caught up with the Heart-Snatcher Wolf. Despite their similar ranks, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf was already injured, affecting his mobility. Lu Qing slashed down, and though the Heart-Snatcher Wolf blocked with his arm, he was forced back several steps, leaning against a wall, panting.
"So, it's an arm guard. No wonder it's so tough, blocking two of my strikes." Lu Qing noticed the steel arm guard hidden under the Heart-Snatcher Wolf's torn sleeve.
"Kid, must you kill me?" The Heart-Snatcher Wolf panted, eyes full of ferocity.
"Scum like you can't wash away your sins even if you die a hundred times," Lu Qing said coldly.
"What do you want to spare me, money, or women? I have plenty, all yours!" the Heart-Snatcher Wolf growled.
"I want your life!" Lu Qing stopped talking and slashed again.
"Think you can kill me that easily?" Realizing Lu Qing wouldn't spare him, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf went all out. His face twisted, he mustered his Blood Qi, and charged at Lu Qing. Skilled in hand-to-hand combat, he needed to get close to have a chance against Lu Qing's long blade. But Lu Qing had seen through his intentions. The information from his abilities revealed the Heart-Snatcher Wolf's expertise in hand-to-hand combat. As the Heart-Snatcher Wolf tried to close the distance, Lu Qing swung his blade, forcing him back with a single strike. Undeterred, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf dodged the blade and lunged again, only to be repelled once more. This time, he couldn't entirely evade the blade. A bloody wound appeared on his right shoulder, nearly severing his arm. Already injured internally, this new wound further slowed him down.
But he had no choice. It was either him or Lu Qing. Only by closing in within three feet of Lu Qing could he hope to survive. Otherwise, he would eventually be slain.
Thus, their fight reached a stalemate. The Heart-Snatcher Wolf desperately tried to close the distance, while Lu Qing's blade kept him at bay. Despite their similar ranks, they were evenly matched, locked in a deadly struggle.
Despair grew in the Heart-Snatcher Wolf's heart. He couldn't understand why Lu Qing's blade skills were so superior. His techniques seemed simple, yet no matter what he tried, he couldn't break through.
In a moment of despair, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf faltered and suffered another wound, this time to his leg, causing his movements to lag. Seizing the opportunity, Lu Qing's eyes flashed with determination. He burst forth with Blood Qi, slashing at the Heart-Snatcher Wolf's neck.
"Spare me…" The Heart-Snatcher Wolf's plea was cut short as Lu Qing's blade severed his head.
After decapitating the Heart-Snatcher Wolf, Lu Qing wasted no time. He swiftly moved towards the trembling members of Happy Fort who were watching from a distance. He hadn't forgotten his goal: to annihilate Happy Fort completely.
"Ah! Spare us!" The members of Happy Fort were terrified, their fear intensified by the sight of their chief being so swiftly decapitated. They begged for mercy, but Lu Qing's resolve remained unshaken.
A massacre began.
"Hero, spare me, spare me!"
"I have silver, it's all yours!"
"Just spare me, and it's all yours!"
In front of the wooden building, Zhao Lao San knelt, holding a pouch of silver, hatred burning in his heart. He had been winning big tonight, only to have everything ruined by this young man. But he dared not show his hatred, terrified that Lu Qing would kill him like the others.
Seeing Zhao Lao San weeping and begging, Lu Qing's eyes showed no mercy. With a flick of his blade, Zhao Lao San's pleading ceased as a line of blood appeared on his neck, his head falling. This scene was witnessed by Mago and his men as they entered Happy Fort.
Chapter 80
Lu Qing decapitated a man with a single stroke.
Looking around at the corpses strewn everywhere, blood flowing freely, and heads scattered about, Mago and the others couldn't help but gasp.
They couldn't fathom what had transpired here to lead to such carnage.
Xiao Tian looked around, suddenly shouting, "Master Ma, look there!"
Mago followed his gaze and saw a head rolling on the ground, its eyes wide open in terror, extremely frightening.
"Heart-Snatcher Wolf... even he is dead?"
Mago's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the head.
Hearing the noise, Lu Qing turned his head to look at the newcomers.
His emotionless, ice-cold gaze immediately made Xiao Tian and the others take several steps back in fear.
Even Mago, a strongman of the Tendons and Bones Realm, felt his heart race and a chill rise from within, making his body go numb.
"Brother Lu! It's us!"
Afraid that Lu Qing might strike them down, Mago forced down his fear and quickly called out.
There was no choice; Lu Qing looked terrifying now.
His entire body emanated killing intent, like a grim reaper emerging from hell, incredibly intimidating.
After staring at the group for a while, making Xiao Tian and the others tremble, Lu Qing's killing intent gradually receded, and he regained his calm.
He didn't ask why Mago and the others were here.
Instead, he said directly, "Since you're here, Master Ma, I have a favor to ask."
"What is it, Brother Lu?"
Seeing Lu Qing's killing aura subside significantly, Mago felt a bit relieved and asked.
Lu Qing didn't speak further. He used his blade to pick up a money pouch from the ground and walked forward.
Mago was stunned for a moment, then followed. The others hesitated for a moment before slowly following.
As Lu Qing continued walking, Xiao Tian and the others saw the corpses lying on both sides of the path, growing increasingly fearful.
They could recognize that most of these corpses were from Happy Fort, but there were also quite a few who were clearly gamblers or patrons seeking pleasure.
What had caused Lu Qing to unleash such a massacre?
Looking at Lu Qing's back, Xiao Tian and the others felt both fear and trepidation.
They could never have imagined that the normally polite and courteous Lu Qing had such a brutal and murderous side.
Mago, too, was taken aback by the corpses on the ground.
He could tell that most of these people had been killed with a single stroke while fleeing.
Some had clearly been killed while kneeling and begging for mercy.
Even begging for their lives hadn't saved them, showing just how strong Lu Qing's killing intent had been.
Lu Qing did not pause along the way and went straight to a house.
Mago's eyes narrowed, noticing that this house was different from the others in the fort, built of stone.
Lu Qing pushed open the door, making Mago's eye twitch again.
By the light outside, he saw three more bodies inside the house.
However, compared to the gruesome scenes outside, these three had died more decently.
At least, they had retained their whole bodies.
Mago was puzzled as to why Lu Qing had brought them here. Was there something special about these three corpses?
Then he saw that Lu Qing didn't even glance at the three bodies but continued to a fence, slashing the chain on the door.
A few faint cries of alarm sounded, making Mago realize that there were others in the dim corner.
Considering all the shocks he'd had since entering the fort, he might have missed them.
With his cultivation at the Tendons and Bones Realm, he should have noticed the people inside earlier.
"Master Ma, there are a few pitiable girls in here, and also some unfortunates in the wooden building in the middle of the fort. If possible, I'd like you to help arrange for them."
"As for the expenses..." Lu Qing paused before saying, "There should be plenty of silver in this fort to cover their care."
Mago took a lantern from the doorway, walked into the house, and finally saw the scene in the dim corner.
Seeing the few girls, thin and frightened, chained up, he understood why Lu Qing had been so furious and had gone on a killing spree.
Even he, now looking at this scene, couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.
"The Black Wolf Gang's actions are too excessive," Mago said solemnly. "Don't worry, Brother Lu. I'll find a way to take care of these poor children."
"Not just these few," Lu Qing shook his head. "There are also some girls in the wooden building, mostly sold into the fort against their will. I hope you can help arrange for them as well. They don't need much, just a meal and a place to live."
Lu Qing knew that with his abilities, he couldn't properly care for these girls.
He neither had the time nor the energy.
Only someone like Mago, with family influence and resources, could handle such a task.
After a moment's consideration, Mago nodded, "Don't worry, I'll do my best to arrange it."
"Thank you."
Lu Qing pushed open the fence gate and walked in. In the girls' fearful gazes, he swung his blade, cutting the chains on their hands and feet.
Mago watched, his eye twitching again.
In such a dim environment, Lu Qing could precisely cut the chains without harming the girls.
This level of blade control was something even Mago couldn't easily achieve.
No wonder Lu Qing had single-handedly wiped out Happy Fort.
Even the Heart-Snatcher Wolf of the Black Wolf Gang had been slain by him.
With such blade skills, who in Happy Fort could stand against him?
"You few, the bad guys outside have all been killed by me. Soon, you'll follow this uncle, and he will arrange your future. Don't worry, you won't starve anymore."
At this time, Lu Qing spoke to the girls in the corner.
Seeing the last girl brought in, Lu Qing paused.
He took out a money pouch from his bosom.
"This is the money your father got from selling you. Use it to buy medicine for your mother and cure her illness as soon as possible. As for your father," Lu Qing paused, "I have already killed him."
The girl's eyes widened in shock, staring blankly at Lu Qing.
Without caring about her reaction, Lu Qing placed the money pouch in her hand and walked out.
Mago followed, giving instructions to Xiao Tian and the others to comfort the girls and clean up the aftermath.
After that, he saw Lu Qing walking out of the fort and hurried to catch up, "Brother Lu, where are you going?"
"I have some matters to think over alone. I will visit you in a few days to thank you, Master Ma."
Hearing this, Mago stopped in his tracks.
He looked around at the bodies scattered everywhere and decided not to follow.
He just watched as Lu Qing, carrying his battle blade, slowly left the fort.
Chapter 81
Lu Qing carried his knife on his back, slowly walking through the mountains.
Xiao Li quietly perched on his shoulder.
During the battle between Lu Qing and the Heart-Snatcher Wolf, Xiao Li had always been lurking in the shadows.
If Lu Qing had shown any signs of being overwhelmed, it would have stepped in.
However, since the Heart-Snatcher Wolf was not a match for Lu Qing, it remained hidden.
Later, when Mago and the others arrived, it still did not reveal itself.
So, from beginning to end, no one knew that Lu Qing had such an ace up his sleeve.
Walking quietly in the mountains, Lu Qing remained silent, not uttering a word.
At this moment, he was in a state of indescribable emotion.
Today, Lu Qing had killed so many people; it was impossible for his heart to remain unaffected.
After all, those were dozens, even hundreds of human lives, not just a few ants.
The wails and pleas for mercy from those people before they died had indeed impacted Lu Qing's heart.
But rationally, Lu Qing understood that he had done nothing wrong.
Given the deeds of those in Happy Fort, even if they died ten times over, it wouldn't be too much.
On one hand, there was the psychological shock of personally ending so many lives.
On the other hand, there was the rational conviction of moral correctness.
Thus, Lu Qing was caught in a contradictory psychological struggle.
He knew he had to come to terms with this matter, or else today's events would become a demon in his heart, haunting him for life.
Walking aimlessly along the mountain path, various thoughts churned in Lu Qing's mind.
As he walked, he suddenly found himself in a wide-open space.
No trees obstructed the view ahead, and a bright moon hung in the sky, clear and bright.
Unknowingly, he had walked to a cliff top.
Lu Qing stood dazed, looking at the bright moon above, unmoving for a long time.
Suddenly, he smiled.
Drawing the battle knife from his back, he assumed a starting stance.
Xiao Li lightly jumped onto a nearby rock, watching quietly without disturbing him.
Lu Qing began to practice his blade technique.
He was still practicing the Four Directions Blade.
However, unlike the previous times when his practice was filled with vigor and momentum, this time it seemed particularly devoid of fireworks.
Each move was entirely restrained, like a ram's horn hanging from a tree, leaving no trace.
Wherever the battle knife went, it not only did not stir the air but seemed to completely merge into it, not causing a ripple.
If a martial arts expert were here to see Lu Qing's blade practice, they would be shocked.
Such grand and open moves, yet practiced with such calmness, indicated that Lu Qing's control over his own power had reached an extremely high level.
Only then could he practice the blade technique without leaking any power, fully concentrating it on the battle knife.
After practicing the
Four Directions Blade several times, Lu Qing sheathed his knife and stood still, gazing at the bright moon. His eyes were now calm and serene.
"To see one's true nature and hold onto one's original heart."
"A true martial arts master always acts according to their heart, without being constrained by so-called rules and regulations."
"As long as I believe what I am doing is right, even if it means being enemies with the world, my heart should remain unshaken."
"Just like this bright moon, no matter how the world changes or how deceitful people's hearts become, it remains pure and flawless, unchanged through the ages."
"Without such a mindset and belief, how could one ever hope to climb the peak of martial arts, break through the Postnatal realm, and achieve the status of a Precelestial grandmaster."
As Lu Qing looked at the bright moon in the sky, waves of understanding flowed through his heart.
The negative emotions that had arisen from killing nearly a hundred people dissipated completely.
In their place was a renewed determination to pursue martial arts.
"Unexpectedly, this trip to Happy Fort has given me an unexpected harvest. My control over my power has reached a new level, and my martial arts realm has achieved the peak of the Qi and Blood realm."
Indeed, just now, after gaining clarity of mind and refining his temperament, Lu Qing's martial arts realm had made significant progress.
In terms of realm comprehension, he had reached the peak of the Qi and Blood realm.
He now had perfect control over his Qi and Blood power, achieving seamless integration.
Of course, this was just the realm comprehension reaching the peak of the Qi and Blood realm.
Next, he still needed to continuously nurture his Qi and Blood, increasing the total amount of his Qi and Blood power to truly achieve the peak of the Qi and Blood realm.
At that time, he could attempt to break through to the next realm, the Tendons and Bones realm.
Meanwhile, having achieved this realm comprehension also meant that the previous limitation of refining only one Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pill per day no longer existed.
In the coming days, as long as he had enough pills, he could unrestrainedly enhance his Qi and Blood power.
Because, no matter how much Qi and Blood power he had, he could perfectly control it.
"Xiao Li, let's go back."
With these thoughts, Lu Qing no longer wanted to stay here. He called out and started walking down the mountain.
He had been away from the village for a long time.
He wondered how worried everyone was about him.
With a swoosh, Xiao Li landed back on Lu Qing's shoulder.
"Xiao Li, this time I owe you a lot. In a couple of days, I'll catch some rare fish for you to eat, how about that?"
"Roar~"
...
Standing on a small hill, looking at Jiuli Village under the moonlight ahead, Lu Qing felt a surge of emotions.
After witnessing the ugly faces of Zhao Lao San, Laizi Tou, and other villagers from other villages, he felt extremely fortunate that he had crossed over to such a simple village as Jiuli Village.
Otherwise, he and Xiao Yan might not have survived.
This was also one of the reasons why he insisted on completely eliminating Happy Fort.
He could have taken Xiao Yan and left, but if he did that, Jiuli Village would not escape the revenge of Happy Fort.
Now that Happy Fort had been eradicated, although there was still the hidden threat of the Black Wolf Gang, their forces were far away in the county seat. With Mago's intelligence, it shouldn't be difficult for him to temporarily conceal Lu Qing's identity.
Lu Qing believed that given a little more time, it wouldn't be long before even the Black Wolf Gang would no longer be a threat.
As he approached the village entrance, Xiao Li suddenly leaped off Lu Qing's shoulder and disappeared into the darkness.
Lu Qing was taken aback and then heard a voice ahead, full of surprise and uncertainty, "A Qing?"
Lu Qing looked carefully and saw a figure jumping out from behind the village's faith tree.
With the help of the moonlight, he immediately recognized who it was.
"Brother Da'an?"
"It's really you, A Qing. You finally came back!"
Wang Da'an let out a big sigh of relief, overjoyed.
"Brother Da'an, why are you here?" Lu Qing asked.
"You said you'd be back soon when you went out this morning. We've been waiting for you all day, but you didn't return. Everyone is worried sick, and Grandpa Zhang sent me here to wait for you," Wang Da'an explained.
"I'm sorry for making everyone worry," Lu Qing said apologetically.
"A Qing, now that you're back, what about the Black Wolf Gang?" Wang Da'an asked cautiously.
"It's been taken care of. The Black Wolf Gang won't be coming to our village to cause trouble anytime soon," Lu Qing replied.
"That's great, A Qing! You're amazing! Come on, let's go back. Everyone's waiting for you!" Wang Da'an said excitedly, reaching out to pull Lu Qing.
"Wait a moment."
Lu Qing did not immediately follow him back but walked to the faith tree and took down the red ribbon he had tied there in the morning, placing it back under the stone slab.
"Alright, let's go."
Chapter 82
"Grandpa, Grandpa, Lu Qing is back!"
As Wang Da'an ran towards the brightly lit ancestral hall, he shouted loudly.
"What, Lu Qing is back?"
"Is Lu Qing alright?!"
"Stupid boy, are you sure you didn't see it wrong?"
As soon as the voice rang out, the ancestral hall erupted in commotion, and many villagers ran out from inside.
"How could I be wrong? Look, isn't that Lu Qing!"
Wang Da'an, feeling aggrieved, pointed to the rear and shouted.
Following the direction of his finger, everyone saw a person slowly approaching. Under the bright moonlight, his eyebrows and eyes were vaguely recognizable. Who else could it be but Lu Qing?
"It's really Lu Qing!"
The villagers were extremely delighted.
"Sorry for making everyone worry about me."
Lu Qing walked up to the ancestral hall and bowed gently to the villagers.
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back," Grandpa Zhang said with great relief.
"Yes, as long as you return safely."
The other villagers echoed.
All day long, they had been living in fear and anxiety.
They were worried that Lu Qing would never return, never come back to the village.
They were also afraid that the ones who would come would be the vicious Black Wolf Gang.
Now, seeing Lu Qing finally return safely, the heavy stone in their hearts finally fell.
"Grandpa Zhang, where is Xiao Yan?"
Lu Qing looked around and did not see Xiao Yan, so he asked.
"She is sleeping inside. You didn't return all day, in the afternoon, she cried for her brother and refused to eat dinner. Dr. Chen had to give her two needles to make her fall asleep."
"Is Master also inside?" Lu Qing asked.
"Yes, Dr. Chen saw you hadn't returned, so he brought Xiao Yan down from the mountain."
Lu Qing fell silent.
He knew that besides worrying about him, Master also came down to protect the villagers of Jiuli Village.
"Grandpa Zhang, let me go inside and apologize to Master. It's really inexcusable to make him worry so much." Lu Qing said.
"Of course, you should. Although Dr. Chen didn't say anything, we could all see that he was very worried about you." Grandpa Zhang replied quickly.
Lu Qing walked into the ancestral hall and saw his master holding Xiao Yan under a tree, sitting on a stone.
"You're back?"
Dr. Chen finally relaxed his face when he saw Lu Qing.
"Disciple was reckless, causing Master to worry. Please punish me." Lu Qing lowered his head.
"As long as you return safely."
Dr. Chen sighed.
Although he thought Lu Qing's decision in the morning was reckless, he also understood that, as a filial son, who could remain calm upon suddenly learning the truth about their parents' deaths?
The reason he taught Lu Qing martial arts in the first place was precisely because he worried such a day might come.
"Is everything resolved?"
Dr. Chen glanced at Lu Qing and keenly noticed some bloodstains on his clothes.
But he did not see any signs of injuries on his disciple.
"Yes, it is temporarily resolved. No one should come to bother the village for a while." Lu Qing replied.
"Oh, what did you do?"
Dr. Chen was somewhat surprised by his disciple's confidence.
During the day, he had heard from the villagers that it was the Black Wolf Gang causing trouble in the village.
As someone who frequently went to the county town, how could Dr. Chen not know what the Black Wolf Gang represented?
Precisely because he knew their ruthless behavior, he came down from the mountain to protect the villagers of Jiuli Village.
Now hearing Lu Qing say that the matter was resolved, how could he not be surprised?
Lu Qing did not directly answer his master's question.
Instead, he asked, "Master, do you know there is a place called Happy Fort nearby?"
"Happy Fort?" Dr. Chen thought for a moment and shook his head. "Never heard of it."
Lu Qing was speechless.
But he thought about it and realized that apart from treating people and studying medicine, his master didn't concern himself with other matters.
It was normal for him not to have heard of Happy Fort.
"Happy Fort is a casino and brothel run by one of the Black Wolf Gang's leaders, about fifty or sixty miles from here."
"My father was framed by people from Happy Fort, accruing a large debt."
"Those people wanted to seize our family's land and force my mother into the fort. My parents refused and eventually committed suicide by drowning."
"I see." Dr. Chen finally understood why his disciple suddenly brought up this place.
The villagers also finally knew how Lu Ming and his wife had died.
"So now, this Happy Fort…" Dr. Chen asked.
"Happy Fort no longer exists," Lu Qing said. "I have avenged my parents with my own hands."
"…" Dr. Chen was silent for a moment before he said, "It is good that such a harmful place is gone."
Dr. Chen thought Lu Qing meant he killed the leader and disbanded the fort.
Although he did not like violence, avenging one's parents was a natural duty, and he couldn't say anything against it.
At that time, Dr. Chen had no idea that his disciple's bloodthirst was so heavy that he had killed everyone in the fort except for the unfortunate girls.
Lu Qing did not directly mention that he had killed nearly a hundred people in one night.
Seeing that his master did not blame him, he breathed a sigh of relief.
But the other villagers, hearing Lu Qing say he had destroyed the entire fort, were shocked.
Although they already knew in the morning that Lu Qing was skilled in martial arts, his extraordinary feat of single-handedly destroying a mountain stronghold was beyond their imagination.
Lu Qing noticed the expressions of the villagers.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Grandpa Zhang, although I destroyed the fort that harmed my parents, everyone should not spread this matter outside. The fort was backed by the Black Wolf Gang from the city. We don't know if they will send people to investigate, so everyone should not mention it recently."
Although Lu Qing believed that Mago could handle the matter of Happy Fort, he still had to remind them.
"Yes, yes, you all heard him. When you go out, you must not mention anything about Lu Qing! In fact, during this period, except for working in the fields, you should not go out at all, not even to the Grand Bazaar. Do you understand?" Grandpa Zhang responded quickly.
"Understood!"
Those still gathered at the ancestral hall were mainly the more stable adults in the village. They naturally understood the seriousness of the matter and responded one after another.
"Alright, since Lu Qing is back, let's disperse. Everyone has been worried all day and hasn't eaten dinner. We're all tired. We can talk about any other matters tomorrow," Grandpa Zhang said again.