Chapter 41: Zheng Qian

Zheng Qian looked at the villagers, trembling in fear, and suddenly bent down to bow. "I am Zheng Qian, and I have brought calamity upon you all. My apologies."

The villagers cast furtive glances at Zheng Qian, their faces mixed with feelings of grievance, fear, and anger, yet none dared speak.

"Mr. Zheng, you saved the lives of our entire village many years ago. We do not blame you. You have toiled endlessly for the people, and the people of Wu Di owe you their gratitude," Elder Wang comforted Zheng Qian.

Zheng Qian gave a bitter smile. "This disaster today is, after all, brought upon by me. What toiling for the people? It's nothing but a joke. Elder Wang, you need not embellish my actions. I am not worthy of such praise."

Zheng Qian sighed lightly, then turned to look at the black-armored soldiers. "The person you seek is me. Do not make things difficult for these innocent villagers."

With a loud crash, the black-armored Shogun suddenly swung his fist, landing a devastating blow to Zheng Qian's abdomen.

"Poof!"

Zheng Qian spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing to the ground in agony. His eyes widened in shock, clearly not expecting the black-armored Shogun to attack him so brutally.

"Heh, you think just because I call you Mr. Zheng, you are someone noble? Who do you think you are? How dare you teach me how to do things?" the black-armored Shogun sneered coldly.

"You—"

"Break his meridians. Piercing his scapula," the black-armored Shogun ordered with a frosty expression.

"Yes, sir!"

A group of black-armored soldiers rushed forward, their swords and daggers plunging into Zheng Qian's limbs. Two massive iron hooks then pierced through his scapula, causing him to bleed profusely and collapse on the ground.

"Ah~"

Zheng Qian let out a tragic scream, powerless to resist.

"Stop!" Elder Wang cried out as he rushed forward.

With a thunderous bang, Elder Wang was instantly struck aside, smashing against a wall. As he fell to the ground, he coughed up blood, a few teeth mixed in.

"Zheng Qian? The title bestowed upon you by the Duke, and you did not serve him properly, yet you thought of defecting! You even stole from him—such boldness! Don't forget, you're nothing more than a dog of the Duke. If you're no longer loyal, what use are you? Tell me where the money is hidden, and I'll make it quick for you!" the black-armored Shogun spat with malicious fury.

"Money? Hahaha, the money I earned for the Duke was promised to be used for the people, but in the end, he spent it all on your Raven Deity's Legion. Even with our lands barren, the people starving, he cares not. Hmph, more money will only fuel your greed and make the people's suffering worse. I will sever your hopes. You will gain nothing." Zheng Qian shouted with unwavering determination.

"You're seeking death!" The black-armored Shogun's eyes flashed coldly, and he kicked Zheng Qian away.

With another loud bang, Zheng Qian was sent flying, his ribs snapping, blood spurting from his mouth.

"Still not talking? Once we bring you to Great Wu City, we'll have all the time we need to make you speak." The black-armored Shogun sneered cruelly.

"Spit!" Zheng Qian stubbornly spat a mouthful of blood.

"And as for the villagers you care so much about? Heh, today you'll see the consequences of betraying the Duke. All soldiers, leave none alive, kill them all!" the black-armored Shogun ordered fiercely.

"Stop!" Zheng Qian cried out in terror.

"Don't kill me!" a group of villagers cried, falling to their knees in fear.

"Kill them!" The soldiers immediately raised their weapons, preparing to slaughter the villagers.

"Wait! I have something to say!" A sharp shout interrupted the chaotic scene.

Everyone turned to see Xiao Nanfeng slowly walking out.

"What do you have to say?" the black-armored Shogun asked coldly.

"You want to kill the people of Da Wang Village, but I am not from Da Wang Village. I just happened to pass by. You've made a mistake." Xiao Nanfeng explained earnestly.

Everyone: "..."

At a time like this, who cares whether you're just passing through? Do you really think they'll reason with you?

"This young man is indeed a foreigner. He passed through here yesterday and stayed at my home for the night. Shogun, today's calamity at Da Wang Village has nothing to do with him. Let him go." Elder Wang, barely conscious, spoke weakly.

Xiao Nanfeng glanced at Elder Wang and inwardly sighed. The old man was so innocent. Even with his own life at risk, he was still trying to shield me. Forget it, it's dangerous, but within my limits. If that's the case, I'll go all in.

"Yes, I am just passing through. Everyone, please, let me go!" Xiao Nanfeng said casually, walking toward one of the black-armored soldiers.

"Hahaha, the world is full of fools like you. It's your bad luck… Kill him!" The black-armored Shogun laughed wickedly.

Before he could finish, Xiao Nanfeng suddenly moved, his fist smashing into the black-armored soldier's temple with a thunderous crack.

Bang!

The soldier's skull shattered, and his temple exploded, blood splattering everywhere. Before anyone could react, Xiao Nanfeng grabbed the sword from the soldier's hand, threw it with deadly precision, and it flew like a streak of light.

"Ah!"

The sword pierced the chest of the soldier next to Zheng Qian, the force so great it skewered him to the wall.

"You're seeking death!" the black-armored Shogun roared in fury.

Who could have predicted that this seemingly harmless young man would suddenly erupt and kill?

In the blink of an eye, Xiao Nanfeng, having killed two men, dashed toward Zheng Qian. As soldiers raised their weapons to strike, he grabbed Zheng Qian and bolted toward the village's outskirts.

"Stop!"

"Kill him!"

"Stop that man!"

…

A group of black-armored soldiers angrily pursued Xiao Nanfeng.

Da Wang Village's rear, Xiao Nanfeng, carrying Zheng Qian, swiftly plunged into the forest, heading up the mountain, followed closely by forty-eight black-armored soldiers.

As Xiao Nanfeng darted through the trees, Zheng Qian, already severely injured, spat blood with every jarring step.

"Little brother… cough, cough… thank you," Zheng Qian managed, his voice weak.

"You're a disaster. I couldn't care less about saving you." Xiao Nanfeng replied coldly.

"Are you not saving me?" Zheng Qian asked, stunned.

"I'm saving Elder Wang's family. Surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao, understand?"

"You… cough, cough…" Zheng Qian coughed several times but did not continue speaking.

Xiao Nanfeng offered no further explanation, continuing his desperate run deeper into the forest with Zheng Qian.

Behind them, the sound of furious shouting echoed.

Xiao Nanfeng pressed on, feeling the pursuers closing in. Though he practiced pure Yang True Qi, he was still at the acquired realm—far weaker than those at the innate realm. Fortunately, a light rain began to fall, and mist quickly began to rise in the forest.

"Zheng Qian, I'm going to hide you now. Don't make a sound. I'll lead them away," Xiao Nanfeng whispered.

With that, he found a massive tree, leaped up, and carefully concealed Zheng Qian among the branches, covering him with dense leaves.

Xiao Nanfeng then disappeared into the mist.

"Ah!" Xiao Nanfeng pretended to stumble and cried out loudly.

"There! Quickly, after him!" the soldiers shouted as they rushed toward Xiao Nanfeng's direction.

High in the tree, Zheng Qian watched Xiao Nanfeng leave, his expression full of complex emotions.

"This is the boy Elder Wang mentioned? He seems to be at the acquired realm… if he had abandoned us and escaped alone, he might have made it. But instead, he risked his life to save me, putting himself in danger to buy time for Elder Wang's family? This young man's compassion is truly extraordinary!" Zheng Qian thought in astonishment.

Far ahead, with Zheng Qian no longer a burden, Xiao Nanfeng's speed increased, and the soldiers behind him became increasingly frustrated.

"Surround this valley! Split up and search—let's catch him like a fish in a barrel! I want to see where he can run!" the black-armored Shogun shouted furiously.

"Yes, sir!"

A huge valley filled with fog, the black-armored generals spread out and began a carpet search.

"No one on my side!"

"No one on my side either!"

...

"No one on my side ..."

That general had just shouted halfway through his cry when a fist steeply slammed into his face.

With a bang, the man flew out backwards in a miserable scream.

Ka-ching!

The scream didn't end before the sound came to an abrupt end.

A group of people pounced over in search of the sound, and immediately saw that black-armored general fall to the ground, his neck bone broken and dead on the spot.

"Dead?" The crowd's faces changed.

"General, that little thief is hiding in the shadows to sneak attack, telling everyone to be careful." A black-armored man exclaimed.

"Ah~"

In the distance, another scream rang out, followed by a 'click', and the screams came to an abrupt end.

"Damn! That kid's speed is just like the peak of Acquired Realm, how dare he kill us back? All of you raise your spirits and continue searching, I'm going to skin him and kill his whole family again." Black Armor Shogun roared.

"Yes!"

For a moment, everyone was on guard.

In the mountain forest shrouded in mountain fog, amidst the leaking rain, a fight began in full force.

Xiao Nanfeng was like a ghost in the darkness, appearing and disappearing, every time he could accurately find the single person of ACCEPTED Realm, and was more than capable of dodging the big capture every time he finished killing someone.

"Mist Perception Scripture" really didn't lie to me, with the help of the fog, you can let the soul power form fuzzy tentacles and sense the breath of the people around! Hmph, this group of bandit army kills like crazy, I don't know how many innocent souls are under their knives, today, retribution has come, I am your retribution!" Xiao Nanfeng eyes chilled, "As for those few innate realm... hmmm, the remaining Purple Smoke Poison Pill just came in handy."