Chapter 378: Fortunately, the Hero is Young

Chapter 378: Luckily, the Hero is Young

Wang Chaosheng shot Wei Ziyi a surprised look, then turned his gaze to Yin Xiaoyu, who was still lost in her frenzy, her fingers on the verge of breaking yet relentlessly unleashing the Heart-Piercing Finger.

Frowning slightly, he said:

"Young lady, at a time like this, you're still so carefree.

"Haven't you seen the power of the Slayerheart Demon Sutra?"

"None of you have seen Old Su's true might," Wei Ziyi shook her head.

"So that's how it is."

Wang Chaosheng nodded and got straight to the point:

"Back then, that old demon was not slain by a joint effort of the sects.

"He died by his own martial arts.

"At the time, the three major forces of the Eastern Sea took action together, uniting numerous sects and gangs across the seas to oppose him.

"Yet, he cut through them all, crushing their forces completely.

"However, the deeper he fell, the more unhinged he became.

"In the end, lost in the bloodshed, he completely lost his sanity and even ripped out his own heart.

"That old demon was unbelievably tough—even after ripping out his heart, he did not die immediately.

"Instead, he spilled his secrets.

"Hailing from the Shadowkill Pavilion, he had created a martial art of his own—the Slayerheart Sutra.

"It focused his killing intent into a single point, feeding it with lives.

"The more he killed, the stronger his martial arts became.

"But he knew well that killing to cultivate power was a deadly sin, unforgivable to the righteous sects of the martial world.

"So he turned his back on the Shadowkill Pavilion, allowing its assassins to hunt him down, using their pursuit to hone this divine art.

"Yet, he lost control.

"Thus, all his work was wasted.

"Later, when the Southern Sea united to besiege him, the Slayerheart Demon Sutra had already pushed him to the edge of madness. He had no time left to perfect this martial art.

"Corrupted by this demonic technique, he killed himself before the gathered masters of the Southern Sea martial world.

"Before his death, he once said that he had hidden the Slayerheart Demon Sutra in a certain place. Over the years, though rumors occasionally surfaced, no one had truly seen this technique.

"Who knew it had already emerged into the world, now in the hands of this Yin Xiaoyu?"

After listening, Wei Ziyi sighed with emotion:

"Killing to cultivate power—such a perilous path. Losing your sanity is inevitable."

"However, the fact that this person could create such a martial art shows he was a once-in-a-generation talent."

"What a pity he didn’t take the right path..."

As she spoke, she noticed Yin Xiaoyu, her hands already drenched in blood, suddenly halt her movements.

She touched down, tilting her head and closing her eyes, deep in thought as she faced the swirling dust and flying stones.

After a long silence, she suddenly lunged toward that very spot.

Just as she was about to charge into the haze, a hand suddenly emerged from within, grabbing her throat in a flash.

Yin Xiaoyu’s face immediately broke into a grin.

Not a hint of fear, she was overjoyed that Su Mo was still alive.

Without hesitation, she wrapped her legs around Su Mo’s arm, gripping his wrist as she tried to pry his hand from her neck.

Yet Su Mo’s grip was like a vice, unyielding as if welded in place.

No matter how fiercely Yin Xiaoyu pushed her qi, no matter how violently her murderous aura flared, she couldn’t budge Su Mo in the slightest.

Su Mo, meanwhile, emerged from the haze, holding her aloft. He glanced at the woman in his grasp and smirked.

"Been fighting this whole time—not worn out yet?"

"Chief Su’s fine after all!"

Wang Chengying’s spirits perked up.

Wang Chaosheng and Ding Luo also let out relieved sighs.

Wei Ziyi, however, snorted. "If this woman had even an ounce of sense left, she might’ve lasted a little longer. But now..."

She gave a slight shake of her head.

Just then, Su Mo suddenly raised the hand clutching Yin Xiaoyu high into the air—then piledrove her mercilessly into the ground.

BOOM!!!

The earth trembled as a shallow dent formed beneath the impact.

Yet Yin Xiaoyu didn’t even flinch. Despite the blood dripping from her lips, her smile just grew wilder.

Seeing this, Su Mo smiled as well.

He lifted his arm once more—and smashed her down again!

BOOM!!

Another thud rang out as the crater deepened.

By now, Yin Xiaoyu had given up struggling against the hand at her throat. Instead, her legs thrashed violently, kicking at Su Mo.

But one of her flying kicks was caught midair, seized firmly in his grasp.

One hand clamped around her neck, the other gripping her leg—he raised her high, then brought her down with brutal force.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

At this point, even if the Slayerheart Demon Sutra had any more mystical powers,

it would be utterly impossible for her to escape from Su Mo's palm.

In fact, Su Mo did not intend to kill.

He still had some matters he wished to inquire about from Yin Xiaoyu.

Otherwise, from the very beginning, Yin Xiaoyu would have already been a dead fish.

The ground, which was initially just a shallow pit, quickly turned into a deep one.

With each slam to the ground, Su Mo increased his force a little more.

Yin Xiaoyu remained unmoved, her smile growing even brighter, as if she were not the one being beaten.

As Su Mo continued his assault, he could not help but marvel.

The Slayerheart Demon Sutra truly possessed extraordinary abilities.

Although Yin Xiaoyu was indeed severely injured, there was a strange internal force enveloping her body, protecting her.

Moreover, whether out of instinct or not,

whenever her body was about to make intimate contact with the ground, she would subconsciously make minor adjustments, so that despite the impressive display of force, Yin Xiaoyu had not sustained any fatal injuries.

You can talk all you want.

She was done for—no matter what extraordinary abilities she possessed, she couldn’t use them now.

She was at Su Mo’s mercy.

The two onlookers stealing glances were utterly dumbfounded.

They’d been with Yin Xiaoyu for years.

Every time the Chief’s bloodlust flared up and the Slayerheart Demon Sutra ran wild, it was like staring into the depths of hell.

They saw Yin Xiaoyu, grinning wildly as she butchered everything in sight in that infernal realm!

Even if she wasn’t in control, it was enough to horrify everyone, only making them fear the Chief even more.

Over time, they had grown accustomed to it.

Whenever Yin Xiaoyu’s killing intent flared, she’d kill gods and slaughter buddhas—nothing could stop her.

Yet today, the situation had suddenly changed.

Even with her bloodlust unleashed, Yin Xiaoyu was helpless against Su Mo’s suppression, pinned down and taking a brutal beating.

A rough estimate suggested Su Mo had already slammed her into the ground at least thirty to fifty times.

The ground took the brunt of it.

Of course, they couldn’t care less about the state of the ground.

But if this continues... the Chief could die!!!

At this thought, a wave of fear washed over them.

Not fear of Yin Xiaoyu, but of Su Mo!

"This can't be... how, how, how could he possibly overwhelm the Chief like this?"

"He's not human, he's not human! He's the real monster!"

Before such a true fiend, even a vicious woman like Yin Xiaoyu could only submit in defeat.

After sharing a glance, they instinctively retreated.

If even Yin Xiaoyu, in her murderous rage, couldn't defeat him, what hope did they have? Charging forward would only mean death—was there any other path?

Their thoughts were in sync as they turned to flee.

Rather than dying here with Yin Xiaoyu, it was better to take this chance to escape.

With their martial arts skills, leaving this nightmarish place would grant them endless opportunities across the boundless South Sea!

Yet after just two steps, their legs buckled.

They collapsed helplessly.

Staring at each other, they saw raw terror mirrored in each other’s faces.

"Poison?"

"When?"

Between their exchanged words, they realized not only were their bodies weak, but their inner energy was completely sapped, leaving nothing behind.

Only then did footsteps echo. With effort, they lifted their heads to see five figures approaching.

All of them were women.

Four stern-faced women carried a bright-eyed, sweet-faced girl like a neighbor's younger sister, now standing before them.

Seated on the soft palanquin, the girl cupped a hand over her eyes, watching the scene unfold before the mountain temple. She couldn't help but laugh:

"Eldest Brother Su is as lively as ever.

"Hmm, it seems this matter is pretty much settled.

"Don’t worry, Eldest Brother Su, I guarantee you’ll be just as vigorous in a different kind of battle in the future!!"

"Young lady, please mind your words!"

The four cardinal ladies—East, West, South, and North—could hardly bear to listen.

Their young mistress seemed increasingly indifferent to feminine modesty.

What respectable young woman was always scheming to boost her sweetheart’s stamina...

Even if it were a concern, shouldn’t that be his wife’s job?

"What in the world..."

Little Situ pouted:

"I'm a physician. What does gender have to do with medicine?

"You always say patients shouldn’t conceal their illnesses for fear of treatment, yet you yourselves hesitate over this and that, holding onto prejudices. How can you call yourselves impartial?"

"This..."

The women looked at each other, realizing Little Situ always found a way to justify herself.

Meanwhile, the two on the ground were completely stunned.

What kind of madness is this?

A physician?

A doctor who uses poison?!

Is that how you uphold your oath?

Just then, a pained plea suddenly rang out from the scene:

"St... stop, don’t... don’t hit me anymore..."

"Hmm?"

The two men tensed—the voice was none other than Yin Xiaoyu’s.

This fiend... actually snapped the Chief out of her demonic trance?

This was downright unbelievable!

Su Mo had just lifted Yin Xiaoyu high, about to hurl her down, when he paused at the sound.

Looking up, he noticed Yin Xiaoyu’s tightly shut eyes were now open.

Her eyes were completely clear, no trace of red left.

Her usual smirk at the corners of her lips had also vanished.

Their eyes met, one high, one low, before Su Mo cracked a grin:

"Awake?"

Yin Xiaoyu, for her part, was thoroughly bewildered.

She had cultivated the Slayerheart Demon Sutra as a last-ditch effort to survive.

Otherwise, she would have died long ago.

But ever since she mastered this technique, she often lost control, especially at the sight of death.

The moment she witnessed someone die, her demonic power would take over, sending her into a frenzy.

By the time she regained consciousness, she’d wake up surrounded by a bloodbath.

So when the Slayerheart Demon Sutra’s effects took hold earlier, she figured that if she closed her eyes now, she’d wake up to a nightmare.

No matter how formidable the enemy, they would ultimately be reduced to dust.

Yet she hadn't anticipated that upon opening her eyes again, she would find herself held aloft by Su Mo and then slammed to the ground.

At first, she didn’t react, but after Su Mo slammed her down twice more, she came to her senses and hurriedly begged him to stop.

Su Mo, compliant as always, casually tossed her aside. Mid-air, he flicked two fingers, sealing her pressure points.

By then, the outcome was decided.

However, as Yin Xiaoyu lifted her head, she couldn’t help but speak:

"Your… your martial arts are truly formidable!

"I am no match for you…

"But today, the Poison Dragon Alchemy Scripture—I must have it. Though your skills surpass mine, dispatching me would be child's play.

"Yet there’s one thing… Wang Xiaowan is not in this crumbling temple.

"If you wish for her to live, simply hand over the scripture. I swear that once I obtain it, I will leave immediately.

"And I will release the Wang family’s girl… I swear it!"

She wanted to raise her hand in oath, but her sealed pressure points left her immobile, forcing her to abandon the gesture.

Su Mo was about to respond when Little Situ’s voice rang out from afar:

"Eldest Brother Su, don’t fall for this woman’s threats.

"The Wang family’s girl has already been rescued. Yang Xiaoyun escorted them back to the ship. I came here to inform you,

"so you wouldn’t hold back for fear of her safety."

Su Mo glanced at Little Situ and smiled before turning back to Yin Xiaoyu:

"Chief Yin, do you understand now?"

"…That can't be!" Yin Xiaoyu froze, shaking her head instinctively. "You… you’re just trying to bluff me."

"This one’s quite cunning," Little Situ remarked. "Eldest Brother Su, you sent people to the inn to rescue her. Even after saving Wang Xiaowan, they were still followed by this woman’s subordinates. Fortunately, Yang Xiaoyun was hidden nearby to assist, thwarting her plan."

Only upon hearing this did Yin Xiaoyu realize the situation was truly beyond salvage.

Her eyes went blank, and she fell silent, completely dumbfounded.

Wang Chaosheng and the others soon arrived as well.

They thanked Su Mo for his aid and were in awe of his incredible martial skills.

Su Mo brushed it off with a wave:

"Now that this is settled, and since the Wang family’s daughter is now aboard my ship, let's all head back there to retrieve her."

"Right."

Wang Chaosheng could hardly refuse, but after glancing at Yin Xiaoyu on the ground, he couldn't help rubbing his hands and said to Su Mo:

"Chief Escort Su, you see... she is, after all, my newly wedded concubine. Perhaps... uhh..."

Before he could finish, Wang Chengying clamped a hand over his mouth.

Wang Chengying then said solemnly to Su Mo, "If he says anything more, Chief Escort Su, feel free to kill him on the spot. I swear I won’t avenge my father’s death."

"..."

Joking aside, they also brought along the two men who had been poisoned by Little Situ Taoist nearby.

The group then marched in a grand procession to the dock.

Upon arriving at the dock and boarding the ship, they spotted Wang Xiaowan and Gu Huanyan.

Only then did Wang Chaosheng and his son finally relax completely.

They immediately invited Su Mo and his companions to rest at the Wang residence.

But Su Mo waved him off:

"After all the running around today, it’s already midnight. Who pays a visit in the dead of night?

"Now that this matter has been settled, we’ll restock on supplies and fresh water early tomorrow morning before setting off again.

"Let’s part ways here."

"This..."

Wang Chaosheng was reluctant to see them go. Such martial arts masters didn’t come around often.

After a brief pause, he finally said:

"Chief Escort Su, you’ve gone to such lengths for my daughter’s sake.

"I don’t have much to give, but this Poison Dragon Alchemy Scripture..."

He paused for a long while before handing it over:

"Take it as a token of my gratitude."

Su Mo was taken aback and shook his head repeatedly:

"President Wang, you’re passing the buck to me.

"This item has caused quite a stir in the South Seas. If Su Mo were to hold onto it, I’d be asking for trouble in the future.

"I beg you, President Wang, to abandon this thought."

"I truly mean no harm."

Wang Chaosheng hurriedly shook his head in protest, trying to explain.

Su Mo chuckled and waved him off. After a brief pause, he suddenly said:

"However, if President Wang truly wishes to thank me, there is something I’d like to ask."

"Name it."

Wang Chaosheng hurriedly replied.

After a brief pause, Su Mo said:

"Truth be told, there are two patients aboard my ship.

"I came to the South Sea specifically for this.

"I had planned to purchase some medicinal herbs upon reaching Pingyang Island, but it turned out to be harder than expected.

"As President of the Bo Hai Association, you have wide-reaching connections. Might I trouble you to help me procure a few specific herbs?"

"Ha ha ha!"

Wang Chaosheng laughed heartily: "I thought it was something serious! So it’s just this trivial matter? Don’t worry, Chief Escort Su.

"But may I ask which herbs you require?"

Su Mo then turned to Little Situ.

Little Situ immediately straightened up and nodded seriously:

"Master Wang, no need to worry. The herbs I need should all be available in your residence.

"I’ll just go with you to get them."

"Huh?"

Wang Chaosheng was taken aback and instinctively glanced at Su Mo.

Seeing Su Mo nod, he didn’t dare look down on Little Situ and promptly said:

"Alright then, Miss Situ, come with me."

Su Mo thought about sending Fu Hanyuan along, but Little Situ quickly shook her head:

"Just some herbs—no big deal. With my four sisters—East, South, West, and North—it’s merely a trivial task."

"Hmm... very well."

Su Mo didn’t press the matter and let them go.

On the way to the Wang residence, Wang Chaosheng and his group couldn’t help but glance at Little Situ:

"Miss Situ, what herbs does Chief Escort Su need?"

Little Situ glanced around, checking to make sure Fu Hanyuan wasn’t spying, then whispered a few names.

Wang Chaosheng’s eyes went wide. Looking back at the Ziyang Escort’s ship, he sighed deeply:

"So Chief Escort Su is dealing with this too... Luckily, he’s young and strong. Early treatment means he’ll be fine."

Little Situ nodded repeatedly:

"President Wang, there’s no need to worry. Just leave it to me."