Chapter 282: Hero Xu

Chapter 282: Hero Xu

This series of lightning-fast maneuvers was truly extraordinary.

Chang Shixin was no ordinary opponent, yet no one expected him to die so swiftly.

For a moment, the sense of hostility had not yet risen, but everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty.

The two sedan chair bearers looked at the severed corpse in their hands, tossed it to the ground, and retreated under the sedan chair, lifting it once more.

Su Mo, however, did not continue to pay attention to the changes in the hall. For him, these people were destined to die in Tihu Village tonight.

Whether they died sooner or later was just a matter of time.

Qi Dashan's movements went unnoticed by others, but Su Mo saw it plainly.

He saw Qi Dashan quietly leave from the backyard, but the direction he was heading was not the house where Su Mo and his companions were staying tonight.

By chance, he was heading towards Xu Lu's location.

A glint appeared in Su Mo's eyes, and he suddenly recalled a question someone had posed earlier: 'If this move of yours fails and the news leaks out, what then?'

The situation was clearly unfavorable for the Mountain Lord.

Demons and evil spirits were arriving one after another, and their arrival was rather inexplicable.

Especially this final big red sedan chair.

Under such circumstances, instead of rallying his men, he sent Qi Dashan on a different task...

"Could it be..."

Su Mo's heart raced, and he immediately grabbed Yang Xiaoyun: "Let's go."

Yang Xiaoyun always followed Su Mo's lead without question. Since he said to go, they would go.

The big red sedan chair was odd, and it seemed its purpose was to confront these two groups.

Judging by their demeanor, they must be from the Yin Mountain lineage.

But somehow, they were linked to Xu Lu?

Could it be... they were also from the Shadowkill Pavilion?

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Yang Xiaoyun was pulled by Su Mo's hand, and the two of them simultaneously activated Divine Movement. In moments, they caught up with the oblivious Qi Dashan.

Qi Dashan was heading into the mountains.

As he walked, he kept looking back, checking if anyone was following him.

But overall, he seemed somewhat anxious.

Therefore, after just a short while, he had wound his way to a hidden cave.

There was no firelight outside the cave, but two people were guarding it.

Seeing Qi Dashan approach, they quickly clasped their fists:

"Greetings, sir."

Qi Dashan no longer had the innocence he showed while chopping firewood, his gaze piercing as it swept over the two men:

"Did you hear any movement? Or see anyone?"

"No."

The two men shared a look and shook their heads simultaneously.

However, after shaking their heads, hesitation flickered in their eyes.

Qi Dashan noticed it instantly and snapped:

"Speak!"

"Just now... just now, a mountain cat was moving back and forth in the bushes. We thought someone was there, so we went to check."

One of them spoke hesitantly: "But we didn't find any traces, only heard the mountain cat's cry."

Qi Dashan's face darkened, and he left with a single sentence:

"Secure the entrance!"

He then darted past the two men and into the cave.

The two men looked at each other, filled with unease, and could only resume their guard duties.

But at that moment, both of them suddenly froze, unable to move at all.

In the next moment, a man and a woman appeared gracefully.

Yang Xiaoyun looked at them and said to Su Mo, "Xiao Mo, your acupoint technique is truly masterful."

"If you like it, Sister Xiaoyun, I'll show you how it's done later."

As Su Mo spoke, he flicked his fingers twice in quick succession, and the two guards remained motionless, but the light in their eyes faded in an instant.

Their arms, which had been bent, now hung naturally, and their heads drooped slightly. Each had been struck in a deadly acupoint by Su Mo's Flicking Finger technique.

Although they had been alive when Su Mo's Qiankun Acupoint Technique froze them in place, their bodies stiffened. Now that they were dead, the idea of their blood vessels being sealed naturally became moot.

But as long as no one touched them, their bodies wouldn't topple over.

Su Mo gave no quarter to the Wangxuan Mountain faction or those who claimed to be from Wusheng Hall.

His every move was a lethal strike, determined not to let a single one of them leave Tihu Village alive.

After killing the two guards, Yang Xiaoyun peered deeper into the cave:

"What’s in there?"

"If I'm not mistaken, it's likely the villagers from Tihu Village."

After saying this, Su Mo took Yang Xiaoyun by the hand and led her into the cave.

...

...

The Wangxuan Mountain Lord was well-prepared this time.

Ever since Su Mo started his journey in the martial world, he has been praised for his unwavering righteousness and is regarded as a beacon for the younger generation of chivalrous figures.

Therefore, after the Mountain Lord and his men arrived at Tihu Village, they refrained from slaughtering all the villagers, contrary to Su Mo's fears.

Instead, after killing a group of resisters, they confined the remaining villagers in this cave.

Their decision to spare them wasn't out of kindness.

It was simply because they saw these villagers as valuable bargaining chips.

Su Mo's reputation was formidable, and despite the Heart Demon's Bewitching Technique, they couldn't be sure of success.

And if they failed?

Should Su Mo uncover their plans, could they survive the fury of Eastern Wasteland's Number One?

At that time, these villagers would prove useful.

They could be seized one by one and used as human shields. If Su Mo killed one of them, they could slay an ordinary folk before Su Mo's eyes.

They could even argue that these ordinary folks' deaths weren't their doing, but were caused by Su Mo.

The choice would then fall to Su Mo: to protect the goods his escort agency was transporting or to save the lives of these villagers.

Therefore, from both an emotional and logical standpoint, these villagers were invaluable.

So, when the big red sedan arrived at Tihu Village, throwing the situation into further chaos, the first thing the Mountain Lord did was dispatch Qi Dashan to assess the situation.

If something went wrong, these villagers would serve their purpose.

However, they did not expect that Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun had been observing the entire scene from atop the roof.

They also did not expect that someone had already slipped into the area ahead of them.

Xu Lu's martial arts were not particularly strong, but his lightness skill was remarkably exceptional.

After imitating the sound of a mountain cat and deceiving the guards, he made his way straight into the cave.

The cave was not large; it was originally a cellar where the villagers stored their food.

Most of the villagers imprisoned here were children, followed by women. There were few elderly people, and even fewer men.

They were tied up and thrown to the side, while a few guards sat nearby chatting and boasting, occasionally glancing at the women who were bound and unable to move, their eyes glinting.

But they did not take further action...

This was because the Mountain Lord had issued strict orders not to act recklessly.

The lives of these people were extremely crucial and could not be ruined by their own hands. If they acted according to their own whims and caused these people to seek death, it would backfire.

Xu Lu looked at these people, somewhat at a loss, and finally picked up a stone from the corner.

He weighed it in his hand, feeling it was just the right size, then approached one of the guards from behind and struck the back of his head with force.

With a thud, the guard fell to the ground. The other three were shocked.

Just as they were about to stand up, Xu Lu vanished into thin air.

Then they heard a second thud... thud!

Then came the third sound...

By the time the last guard managed to open his mouth to shout, something cold, hard, and stinking was suddenly stuffed into it.

Looking down, he saw it was a rock.

Just as he was about to spit it out, he caught sight of a stone-wielding maniac, swinging a blood-stained rock with force.

Thud!

All four guards lay on the ground, and Xu Lu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He glanced at the rock in his hand, sighed, and tucked it into his robe.

The villagers noticed Xu Lu. Some looked at him with hope, but most were filled with fear.

After securing the rock, Xu Lu reassured them quickly:

"Don't panic, I'm here to save you.

"In a moment, I'll untie the ropes binding you.

"There are villains outside this cave. Stay quiet and wait here. Once I've dealt with them, I'll take you all away.

"I know what's been happening in your village. Chief Escort Su from the Ziyang Escort Agency is currently a guest in this village. After I rescue you, I'll ask him to ensure justice is served."

The villagers didn't know who Chief Escort Su was, but upon hearing that Xu Lu was there to save them, they felt relieved.

Xu Lu acted quickly and quietly began untying the villagers' bindings.

He had only just freed a few when footsteps echoed into the cave.

Turning sharply, he saw Qi Dashan, his face contorted in anger, demanded, "Who are you?"

"I'm your grandpa!"

Xu Lu sneered, his body moving with incredible speed.

Qi Dashan's vision blurred as Xu Lu vanished.

Before he could process what had happened, a sinister gust of wind brushed his ear.

He turned just in time to see a blood-stained rock hurtling toward him.

No time to dodge.

Bang!

"Ouch!"

A cry of pain rang out—from Xu Lu.

He staggered back, looking at the rock and then at Qi Dashan, who, despite being struck, seemed completely unharmed.

Qi Dashan sneered back:

"I thought some martial arts master had arrived, but it turns out you're just a weakling.

"With your poor skills, how dare you challenge me?"

Xu Lu's face turned ashen.

The force of his last strike was considerable, and the stone in his hand had cracked.

Yet, the man was completely unharmed, while Xu Lu's own wrist throbbed with pain.

This wasn’t externalized true qi or internal force vibration—it was sheer, hard-earned physical toughness.

He took a deep breath, weighing his options.

If he fought, he stood no chance.

If he ran, the man wouldn’t be able to catch him.

The man wasn’t blocking the cave entrance, so Xu Lu could easily slip past him from the side... What if he could locate Chief Escort Su in the meantime?

As these ideas flashed through his mind, he saw Qi Dashan suddenly smile.

Instead of confronting Xu Lu, Qi Dashan took two steps and reached a woman, seizing her by the throat.

He turned to Xu Lu and said:

"Trying to play the hero? Claiming righteousness?

"I’ll give you a shot at proving your heroics.

"Surrender, or she dies!"

"!!!"

Xu Lu’s eyes bulged in shock: "You’re a martial artist, trained in martial arts, yet you bully a defenseless woman who knows no martial arts. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?"

"Ashamed?"

Qi Dashan shook his head lightly: "The martial world is cutthroat. Every move has a motive. To get what you want, you’ve got to be ruthless—that’s just how it is. Your lightness skill is impressive. If you want to leave, I definitely can’t stop you.

"This woman is no relation of yours. Why put your neck on the line for her?

"If I were you, I’d get out of here fast...

"Being a hero? Heroes are always at someone else’s mercy. What’s the point?

"Moreover..."

At this point, he glanced at the woman: "You really think she’ll thank you for this? Do you believe that if I said killing you would set her free, she wouldn’t hesitate for a moment? Care to test that theory?"

"You..."

Xu Lu was stunned, not expecting the other to say such things.

And after Qi Dashan finished speaking, he actually let go of the woman.

Then, he took out a dagger from his pocket and handed it to her.

The woman, trembling and terrified after narrowly escaping death, could barely hold the dagger.

"Hold it, or I’ll kill your son."

Qi Dashan spoke indifferently.

Hearing this, the woman’s eyes widened in alarm, and she immediately turned her gaze to a boy of seven or eight beside her.

In the next moment, she took a deep breath and clutched the dagger tightly, as if clinging to her son's life, unwilling to let go even slightly.

Qi Dashan spoke up:

"This man before you has come to save you, a true hero of the martial world, known for his chivalry and righteousness.

"Kill him, and I will set you and your son free.

"Otherwise, I will kill you."

"..."

The woman froze. Although she had just heard Qi Dashan's words, when the decision was hers to make, her mind went blank.

Xu Lu watched the woman, unsure of what choice she would make.

The woman, dazed, took two steps forward with the dagger in hand, looking up at Xu Lu, her eyes clouded with conflict.

The choice between life and death—how could it be easy?

She was just a woman from a remote mountain village. Her life had revolved around marriage and motherhood. When had she faced anything like this?

At that moment, she felt utterly alone, with no one to guide her, no one to tell her what to do.

Xu Lu gave her a gentle smile:

"Your hesitation makes my effort to save you worthwhile.

"Do not be afraid. Believe that in this world, the righteous far outnumber the wicked.

"Even if I die today, I won’t let this villain harm you."

Hearing this, the woman froze.

She lowered her head and mumbled something:

"I'm sorry..."

Though barely audible, everyone heard her.

Qi Dashan’s lips curled into a smile, and Xu Lu’s eyes remained calm.

Suddenly, the woman hurled the dagger at Xu Lu:

"Hero, catch it!!!"

Xu Lu caught it and swiftly pulled the woman behind him.

In the next moment, the dagger had pierced Qi Dashan's chest.

Qi Dashan seemed unable to believe it. He looked down at the dagger, then at the woman hiding behind Xu Lu, his eyes filled with astonishment:

"Why?"

The woman was utterly terrified. This was the boldest thing she had ever done in her life.

Upon hearing Qi Dashan's words, she replied in a trembling voice.

"I... I can't, I can't let my son learn to be ungrateful!"

"Ha ha ha..."

Qi Dashan laughed heartily: "Good, good, with a mother like you, maybe I wouldn't have turned out this way... But today... you all will die!!!"

As he spoke, he suddenly kicked out.

Though the kick was sudden, Xu Lu's agility was unmatched, and he quickly pulled the woman back.

"Chivalry? What chivalry exists in the martial world?

"Those who talk about chivalry are just self-righteous fools!"

While speaking, Qi Dashan did not try to capture Xu Lu, but instead charged towards the woman's son: "Your decision will only harm your family; no one can save you!"

"Stop!"

Xu Lu leaped forward, striking again with his dagger.

But then he noticed his dagger was bent.

His strike hadn't pierced Qi Dashan's skin; instead, the dagger broke.

Without hesitation, he threw the dagger at Qi Dashan, who flicked it away with a finger.

Now, taking the child was impossible, and how could he save everyone?

With no options left, Xu Lu spread his arms, trying to shield them.

Qi Dashan laughed loudly:

"Is this chivalry? It's just... a path to self-destruction!"

As he spoke, he launched a powerful punch.

At this moment, Xu Lu took a deep breath.

He was merely a street urchin...

Born into a lowly fate, he would have starved if not for his master's kindness.

Now, pretending to be a hero, dying to save others—how ridiculous.

Even if he died, he still couldn't save them, could he?

Why bother? They were strangers.

But...

The rich open their granaries, distributing porridge to aid the villagers.

What's the connection between them?

Learning martial arts, witnessing injustice, and drawing a sword to assist.

Is it due to kinship?

In this world, there are still more good people, aren't there?

A thousand thoughts raced through Xu Lu's mind as he pondered deeply, but the expected punch didn't come.

Instinctively, he opened his eyes to see Su Mo's face before him:

"What a hero you are, Xu Lu."