Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Xiao Che, Xiao Jingmo, and Old Han shielded the Xiao Family’s women and children behind them.

The exiles’ gazes were hostile.

They appeared maddened by blood, greed and killing intent filling their eyes as they stared at the Xiao Family.

Though the family had just reached their place of exile after a dusty, miserable journey, everyone wore new furs made that year.

The exiles of the Heishui Garrison were another matter.

Their clothes were ragged, their feet and bodies exposed, their hair filthy and tangled, and their bodies skeletal.

Dark red bloodstains covered clothing so worn its original color was impossible to discern.

Standing outside in temperatures far below freezing, they resembled dead leaves whirling in the wind, thin and helpless.

When they saw newcomers in warm clothing and padded boots, they became hungry wolves staring at prey. How could they not feel envy?

But they did not know the Xiao Family’s strength and watched instead of rushing forward to rob them.

Xiao Che in particular had thick brows and fierce eyes. Even at rest, he inspired awe. The killing aura around him held the exiles in place.

“Father, Grandmother can’t hold on. We need somewhere out of the storm and a fire.”

Xiao Jinghao supported Old Madam Xiao. Seeing her closed eyes, purple lips, and shallow breathing, he cried out anxiously.

Jin Bao looked worriedly at her too. “Great-grandmother, don’t go to sleep, okay?”

But Old Madam Xiao was already unconscious and did not respond.

Lu Shuangshuang handed Xiao Jingyu to Madam Liu and hurried over to feel her pulse.

After a long moment, her expression changed. “Marquis, we must warm the old madam immediately. Any later will be too late.”

Xiao Che nodded and looked at the exiles.

There seemed to be around a hundred of them. They formed a dark mass before the Garrison and gradually surrounded the Xiao Family.

“Marquis, I’ve heard of the Heishui Garrison. The strong prey on the weak here. The guards do nothing and even provoke the exiles into killing each other for entertainment.”

“If someone dies, a fresh corpse is sold to nearby tribes for supplies. If they’re gravely injured but still alive, they’re left to fate. Once they die, they’re treated the same.”

Old Han watched the surroundings vigilantly as he explained in a low voice.

Xiao Che clenched his fists. How were these people any different from animals in the forest?

Was this truly a world where the strong ate the weak? Human life was worthless here.

But none of that mattered now. He had to enter the settlement quickly and save his mother.

“We have only just arrived. Would someone please guide us? My mother is elderly and cannot endure this bitter cold. I, Xiao, will repay anyone who helps.”

Xiao Che cupped his hands toward the crowd, but every face remained numb and unmoved.

Just then, the crowd withdrew and opened a path.

Three men swaggered forward. They wore stiff padded robes, felt hats, loose cotton trousers, and broken belts, with both hands tucked into their sleeves.

“Oh, newcomers? Brothers, teach them the rules around here.”

The leader was missing an ear. Frostbite covered his face, swelling it like a steamed bun. When he spoke, he revealed a mouthful of large yellow teeth, making him repulsive.

He was Hong Wu, the local tyrant.

The men behind him were Qian Kun and Jiang Qing.

They looked at the surrounding exiles and crooked their fingers.

“Whoever strips the clothes from their bodies gets a piece of jerky from Brother Hong today.”

At the promise of food-meat, no less-the exiles’ eyes lit up.
They surged forward and swallowed the Xiao Family beneath the crowd.

Qian Kun bent obsequiously before Hong Wu.

“Brother Hong, what do you think? These people don’t understand the rules, so your little brother will teach them how to behave. Afterward, they’ll obey your every command.”

Jiang Qing looked just as servile. “Brother Hong, I saw two pretty women among them. Shall we send them to your bed tonight so you can enjoy them first?”

Hong Wu’s lecherous smile, combined with the sores covering his face, was nauseating.

“Ah-”

“Bang!”

“My leg!”

“My face!”

“My jaw fell off!”

As the three dreamed of their reward, screams suddenly erupted from the crowd.

Then an even more shocking scene unfolded.

The attackers were thrown into the air one after another, then crashed down like dumplings dropped into a pot, wailing and shrieking.

Soon, dozens lay piled together in twisted positions, many with clearly broken arms or legs.

The others scrambled backward in terror.

They stared as though a man-eating monster stood before them.

Hong Wu and His Two Brothers craned their necks in shock.

As the crowd scattered, Jin Bao appeared with her lips pursed and hands on her hips, marching angrily toward the three men.

“Big meanies! You dared touch Baby’s family. Baby is angry now!”

Jin Bao clenched one small fist and flashed in front of Hong Wu.

Hong Wu rubbed his eyes. What had he just seen?

How could anyone move so quickly?

Before he could react, Jin Bao punched his knee. A sickening crack rang out, followed by a sweeping kick.

Whenever he had time during the journey, Xiao Che had taught Jin Bao and Xiao Jingyu martial arts. Jin Bao learned astonishingly fast, reproducing a technique after seeing it only once.

Hong Wu screamed and collapsed.

Xiao Che followed and subdued Qian Kun and Jiang Qing.

He lifted Jin Bao, planted one foot on Hong Wu’s squealing face, and slowly surveyed the terrified exiles.

“Anyone else? If you aren’t afraid to die, come forward.”

The exiles shook their heads frantically and fled on all fours.

Xiao Che looked down at Qian Kun. “Can you take us to our lodging now?”

Xiao Che had nearly beaten the filth out of Qian Kun. His face was so swollen that even his mother would not recognize him.

Hearing the question, he nodded desperately. “Hero, spare me! I’ll take you to Brother Hong’s home. It’s the best here and should rightfully belong to Brother Xiao.”

Hong Wu pointed at Qian Kun and cursed. “Qian Kun, you dare betray me? You spineless weed! Just wait until I-”

Before he could finish, Xiao Jingmo approached with an official saber he had pulled from Yama Zhao’s body and cut Hong Wu’s throat.

Hong Wu’s words ended abruptly.

Qian Kun stared at Xiao Jingmo in terror, unable to utter a sound.

Xiao Che frowned. “Mo’er, you…”

Xiao Jingmo dropped the saber, wiped the blood from his hands, and looked up at him.

“Father, leaving him alive would only create trouble. These men are the tyrants here. If we don’t eliminate them, they’ll cause chaos sooner or later. Killing him now establishes our authority. I asked Grandpa Han. No one from the court will come here before the fourth month next year. This is our opportunity. We cannot be softhearted now.”

Xiao Che stared. His son had matured with astonishing speed during this journey.