A scream rang out, and immediately, rustling sounds came from the side room behind Lu Zheng.
Soon, the wooden window was lifted slightly, revealing two pairs of eyes peering from behind.
“It’s me, Lu Zheng, no need to be afraid.”
“It’s Young Master Lu!”
“Hey, hey, we’re not scared!”
Noises came from the backyard, as if Old Man Liu, his wife, and the Liu sisters had all been startled awake by Old Three’s scream.
“It’s you!”
The moonlight was bright, the night glowing softly, and the others clearly saw Lu Zheng’s face.
The next moment, Old Four drew a dagger from his waist and lunged at Lu Zheng.
“Old Four, be careful!”
“He’s a tough one!”
Old One and Old Two shouted while each drew a short blade, attacking from both sides.
With a fierce yell, Old Four charged forward. Lu Zheng swung his hand, but Old Four suddenly halted and shrank back, dodging the strike, then immediately closed in, thrusting his dagger at Lu Zheng’s throat.
Lu Zheng sidestepped, his long blade sweeping upward in response.
“Clang!”
Old Four blocked the strike with his dagger and quickly retreated.
By now, Old One and Old Two were closing in.
Lu Zheng caught sight of them approaching, so instead of retreating, he advanced.
You, Old Four, think you can wait for a surround attack? Not so easy!
Lie down!
Following Old Four’s retreat, Lu Zheng kicked off the ground and lunged forward.
“You!”
Old Four was startled. His intention had only been to feint and restrain, but why was Lu Zheng pressing forward?
As Lu Zheng closed in, Old Four roared, raising his dagger.
But as he lifted his hand, Lu Zheng’s left hand was already there.
Grab! Twist! Pull! Snap!
He redirected Old Four’s dagger behind him.
The long blade slashed.
“Ah!”
Lu Zheng ducked, sidestepped, and spun, positioning himself behind Old Four.
Old One and Old Three halted abruptly, watching as Lu Zheng’s blade grazed Old Four’s leg, his left hand snapping Old Four’s arm.
“Crack!”
“Ah!”
Old Four screamed, and Lu Zheng casually tossed him aside.
“A master!”
“Lu Lang?”
At that moment, Old Man Liu, his wife, and the Liu sisters appeared at the side entrance connecting the front and back courtyards.
“Hm?”
Old One’s eyes lit up, and he dashed toward them.
Old Two threw himself in front of Lu Zheng, not aiming to harm but to block and protect himself.
“Ah!” Liu Qingquan shrieked, hiding behind her sister.
Old Man Liu held a stick, his face expressionless as he stood in front of his family, while Liu Qingyan’s gaze was deep, fixed on Old One.
“Courting death!”
Lu Zheng leapt forward, his blood surging, his long blade gleaming brightly.
“A warrior!” Old Two exclaimed, instinctively stepping aside.
But the blade flashed past, still leaving a gash on his shoulder, blood spurting out.
Old Two’s cry, combined with the sharp aura approaching from behind, made Old One’s scalp tingle and his body go cold. He hurriedly rolled to the side.
The long blade sliced through the air. When Old One got back up, Lu Zheng was already standing in front of him.
As for Old Two, he was busy trying to stop his bleeding.
In just a brief exchange, all three of his brothers were heavily injured.
They were done for!
Lu Zheng brandished his blade and stepped forward.
“Wait!” Old One retreated quickly, shouting as he did, “We admit defeat, please show mercy!”
Lu Zheng chuckled, “Are you joking? Show mercy? Save your pleas for the county magistrate and Constable Liu.”
Old One hurriedly shouted, “We’re from Yaozhou’s Golden Absolute Hall. If you turn us in, you’ll only make an enemy of our hall!”
Lu Zheng’s eyes narrowed. So they had some backing?
Still, his steps didn’t falter as he casually said, “How powerful can they be? Dare you oppose the court?”
What an accusation!
-Old One retreated hastily, “Of course we wouldn’t dare oppose the court, but aren’t you afraid of Golden Absolute Hall’s retaliation?”
Lu Zheng paused, “Do you think I’m foolish? The enmity’s already made!”
Old One quickly said, “You’re a warrior, we’re just petty tomb raiders. If…..
we return safely, we swear never to bother you again!”
“Yaozhou’s Golden Absolute Hall…” Lu Zheng turned to Old Man Liu, “Uncle Liu, have you heard of this hall?”
Hadn’t Old Man Liu’s family moved from Yaozhou’s Wanfu County? Perhaps they knew something?
Old Man Liu nodded, “I’ve heard of it, a small-time gang dealing in shady business, said to have some cultivators among them.”
“Our hall has three leaders: one can subdue demons and spirits, one’s martial prowess is like a furnace, and another’s skilled in strange arts!” Old One hurriedly added.
Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered.
Old One bowed repeatedly, “You’re a generous man. Think about it, we’re just lowly tomb raiders. We admit defeat. This stays between us. Our hall master wouldn’t bother confronting you over this!
But if you turn us in, Golden Absolute Hall loses face and will have to seek revenge. Isn’t that the truth?”
Throughout history, tomb raiding has been a grave crime, as no one, especially the powerful, wants their graves disturbed after death.
The three injured men stifled their groans, breathing lightly, fearing they’d anger Lu Zheng and be handed over to the authorities.
Though Lu Zheng’s skills were formidable, he hadn’t killed them. As seasoned criminals, they could tell he hadn’t taken a life before, giving them hope.
Lu Zheng turned back. Old Man Liu, seeing his hesitation, thought for a moment and said, “Golden Absolute Hall’s reputation isn’t great, but Lu Lang, now that you’ve stepped into the martial path, they may not dare seek revenge.”
The four men’s faces shifted.
But Lu Zheng remained deep in thought, a calm glint in his eyes. After a moment, he swung his blade, “Fine, leave. But if there’s a next time, you won’t return alive!”
Liu Qingyan opened her mouth but was stopped by Old Man Liu’s hand.
Old One’s face lit up, “Thank you, Young Master! We’ll never set foot in Tonglin County again, no, not even Yizhou!”
Under the watchful eyes of Lu Zheng and the others, Old One and Old Two helped Old Three and Old Four, and the group limped away.
…
Lu Zheng turned back with a smile, “It’s fine now.”
Old Man Liu and his wife hurried forward to thank him, “Thanks to you, Lu Lang, or we’d have been in trouble tonight!”
Liu Qingyan gave a graceful bow, her beautiful eyes shimmering, “I didn’t expect you to master martial blood energy so quickly, Lu Lang.”
“Big Brother Lu, you’re amazing! Will you protect us from now on?” Liu Qingquan bounced to Lu Zheng’s side, tugging at his sleeve.
“Of course!” Lu Zheng patted Liu Qingquan’s head.
He waved to the group, “Alright, it’s late. Everyone, get some rest.”
He’d leapt over the wall to get here, but it wouldn’t do to climb back now, so Lu Zheng left through the main gate.
“Father,” Liu Qingyan frowned, “Those men’s eyes were shifty, their faces showed only relief, not gratitude. Lu Lang was kind to let them go, but I fear they…”
Old Man Liu smiled, “Do you think Lu Lang usually acts like someone who hesitates?”
“What?” Liu Qingyan was taken aback.
“You’re still young, Yan’er. Lu Lang is kind, but not to the point of being naive or timid.”
“Could it be…”
Old Man Liu chuckled, “Some things are better left unsaid. Lu Lang didn’t want to involve us or scare us. He’s a good lad.”
Liu Qingyan’s eyes sparkled, a faint smile curving her lips.
