Chapter 15: Ruthless

Hearing this, Chen Yuan stopped in his tracks and looked at Manager Li, his eyes filled with obvious wariness.

Zhao Shan also pulled a little distance away from Manager Li. After a moment of hesitation, he asked

"Master, since we cannot escape, what should we do?"

Manager Li let out a sudden, long sigh

"It seems Wang Cong's death has caused you to misunderstand me."

"This..." Zhao Shan looked troubled. "Master must have his reasons..."

Manager Li said solemnly

"Wang Cong deceived his superiors, oppressed his fellow apprentices, and even embezzled silver. What use is there in keeping such an unworthy person?"

Zhao Shan said in surprise

"So Master knew about the things he did all along?"

Manager Li shook his head

"I only discovered it not long ago. I originally intended to wait until this transaction was completed, and then return to strip Wang Cong of his martial arts and expel him from the Tiger-Subduing Gang. I didn't expect the Black Wind Fortress bandits to kill and rob at that exact moment. I only used him as a shield because it was a coincidence... I had no choice. If I had been shot dead by Jiang Feng, none of the three of us would have escaped!"

Zhao Shan realized

"I misunderstood you, Master. Wang Cong was a man not worth pitying anyway; you were simply cleaning house!"

Manager Li smiled bitterly

"This is also my fault. I was misled by his sweet words, allowing such a menace to grow... But now is not the time for this. You and Erniu, flee for your lives immediately. I will cover your retreat and hold off that Wu Dong."

Zhao Shan turned pale with shock

"Master, why do you say that? They haven't caught up yet. If we flee now, we still have a chance to live!"

Manager Li's expression was resolute

"Enough! I have been blind, and I have personally killed my own disciple; I have no face to live in this world. If I weren't trying to lead you two to safety, I would have fought to the death with Xie Quan rather than waiting until now."

"Master!"

Zhao Shan's eyes reddened as he let out a low roar.

Manager Li sighed and scrutinized Zhao Shan closely

"Xiao Shan, I still remember when I took you as my disciple eight years ago. You were only thirteen, thin and dark. Now you have grown up. If you can make it back alive, go find your Martial Mother. She will give you the Six Yang Manual. How much you can learn from it will depend on your own destiny."

Two lines of hot tears rolled down Zhao Shan's face. Manager Li sighed again

"The only one I am worried about is Ying'er. She is still young, naive to the ways of the world, and too innocent. It is a pity I cannot see her one last time before I die. Such is fate..."

Tears streamed down Zhao Shan's face, his expression shifting wildly. Manager Li barked

"Go, quickly! Do not let my painstaking efforts go to waste!"

Zhao Shan's gaze suddenly became firm, and he said decisively

"Master, I will stay to cover the retreat. You and Junior Brother, leave first!"

Manager Li frowned

"What nonsense are you talking? That Wu Dong is a Marrow-Refining martial artist. How can you possibly stop him?"

Zhao Shan gritted his teeth

"I don't need to stop him. The terrain here is treacherous and filled with jagged rocks. With the bandits attacking from below, I only need to stall for a while—that will be enough time for you to escape."

Manager Li shook his head repeatedly

"No! How can I let you cover our retreat!"

"Faster, don't let them get away..."

At that moment, Wu Dong's shouting drifted faintly from the bottom of the mountain, much clearer than before.

Zhao Shan said urgently

"Master took me as a disciple and taught me martial arts; I have always remembered your kindness. Today is the day I repay that debt! I only ask that after you return, you look after my parents and brothers. Only then can I die in peace!"

Manager Li's expression flickered, and he let out a long sigh

"Very well. Rest assured, once I return, I will certainly report to the Main Gang to wipe out the Black Wind Fortress and avenge you. I will also bring your parents to the Li Estate to ensure they live out their later years in comfort and security."

Zhao Shan smiled with relief, then turned to Chen Yuan and instructed

"Junior Brother, you have been in the Bone-Refining stage for three years and possess outstanding talent. You should not die here today. Once you return, be sure to practice diligently and honor our Master."

Manager Li also urged

"Erniu, follow me and leave first. Do not waste Xiao Shan's selfless devotion."

While the two had been discussing, Chen Yuan had been unable to interject and had been listening silently.

Now that both men looked toward him, Chen Yuan shook his head and said

"Master, please forgive me, but I cannot obey. As for covering the retreat, I believe it would be better not to leave it to Senior Brother."

A flash of joy appeared in Manager Li's eyes

"You want to stay and cover the retreat as well?"

Zhao Shan frowned and scolded

"Nonsense! You have only just entered Bone-Refining; you can't even stop Wu Dong. Don't delay, go now!"

Chen Yuan smiled slightly

"Is that so? Since I won't survive the trip back anyway, why not stay and face the enemy alongside Senior Brother?"

Zhao Shan asked in confusion

"What do you mean by that? What do you mean you won't survive the trip back?"

Chen Yuan did not answer. He turned to Manager Li and said coldly

"Master, am I right?"

Manager Li's expression changed slightly

"Where is this coming from? Once we return, I will teach you the Six Yang Manual so you can inherit my legacy. Do not waste time; follow me now!"

Chen Yuan sneered

"Master, it's come to this, and you still want to act? You abandoned Manager Zhang to flee, and you used Senior Brother Wang as a shield. If these two things were to spread through the Gang, how would the Law Enforcement Hall punish you? You never intended for me and Senior Brother Zhao to return alive, did you?"

Zhao Shan's face changed. He took two steps back and looked at Manager Li.

Manager Li forced a smile

"How is that possible! If that were my intention, why would I have volunteered to cover the retreat?"

Chen Yuan said coldly

"You were just performing a tragedy to move Senior Brother. You know perfectly well that he respects you deeply and would never have the heart to watch you stay behind to die. You knew about Wang Cong's many misdeeds long ago, didn't you? Yet you still indulged his misconduct, letting him do your dirty work, and finally had the heart to use him as a shield. How could you possibly volunteer to cover the retreat for me and Senior Brother Zhao?"

Zhao Shan asked

"Master, is this true?"

Manager Li ignored him. He switched the Autumn Water Sword to his left hand and stared intently at Chen Yuan, his gaze exceptionally fierce

"To hunt geese all day only to be pecked by them... so you have been playing the pig to eat the tiger all along, pretending to be honest and simple while actually being incredibly cunning."

Chen Yuan mocked

"Heh, likewise. You also pretend to be a benevolent elder while actually being cold and ruthless."

Zhao Shan stared at Manager Li's face and asked with a trembling voice

"Master, is this true?"

Faced with Zhao Shan's repeated questioning, Manager Li still ignored him. He stared at Chen Yuan and asked

"Wu Dong is about to catch up. Now that you've exposed everything, aren't you afraid of dying at the hands of the bandits?"

Chen Yuan said

"We were bound to face each other sooner or later. Following you would only be more dangerous."

"In that case, let us part ways. Let fate decide our lives and deaths!"

As the words fell, Manager Li turned to continue fleeing up the mountain, but Chen Yuan extended his long blade, blocking his path

"Wait!"

Manager Li stopped and frowned

"What, do you intend to fight me? That will only benefit the bandits."

A look of mockery flashed in Chen Yuan's eyes

"Since we have already broken ties, why would I let you go back?"

A sharp light flashed in Manager Li's eyes as he brandished the Autumn Water Sword

"Then let us settle this with our skills!"

With that, he activated his footwork, his figure becoming as ethereal as smoke as he thrust his sword toward Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan's expression turned solemn, and he prepared to raise his blade to counter.

But just then, a rustling sound came from the forest. The brambles parted, and a group of people burst out—it was Wu Dong and his three companions.

Manager Li retracted his sword and turned around, and Chen Yuan also halted his steps.

Wu Dong held a Ghost-Head Saber and laughed loudly

"Haha! I didn't expect to witness such a fine show of master and disciple infighting. It certainly saves a lot of effort! Li Yong, you let your disciple take a bullet for you, and now your retribution has arrived!"

Manager Li's face looked terrible. He took a deep breath and turned to Chen Yuan

"Since you dare to challenge me, your strength must be more than just the beginning of Bone-Refining. Regardless of our grievances, let us set them aside for now. I will entangle Wu Dong; you and Zhao Shan kill those three Bone-Refining bandits, then come help me. Once Wu Dong is dealt with, we can talk about the rest. How about it?"

Chen Yuan slowly unsheathed his long blade, glanced at him sideways, and said

"No need for such trouble. I will deal with the bandits first, and then I will deal with you!"

With that, he gripped the hilt of the long blade with both hands, exerted sudden force with his feet, and in three rapid strides, charged toward Wu Dong, swinging his blade down in a heavy chop!

*Whoosh!*

The blade tore through the air with a loud whistle. Wu Dong raised his saber to meet the attack, sneering

"A mere Bone-Refining stage, and you dare to strike me!"

He did not take Chen Yuan seriously at all. He swung his Ghost-Head Saber upward in a counter-slash, attempting to strike at Chen Yuan's hands.

Unexpectedly, Chen Yuan's strike was too fast; in an instant, it reached above Wu Dong's head.

Wu Dong's expression changed drastically, and he was forced to bring his saber back to defend.

*Clang!*

As the two blades collided, the flesh between Wu Dong's thumb and forefinger split from the shock. The Ghost-Head Saber flew out of his hands into the sky, and he was sent flying backward. Simultaneously, the long blade in Chen Yuan's hands snapped into two pieces.

The force of Chen Yuan's strike was actually this immense!

Wu Dong was terrified. He hurriedly employed a "Thousand-Pound Drop" technique, but even after landing, he still stumbled back several steps, coughing up a mouthful of blood before barely stabilizing himself.

*Boom!*

Chen Yuan stomped the ground hard and charged at Wu Dong, launching the "Black Tiger Plucks the Heart" technique from the Tiger-Subduing Fist.

The punch was simple and brutal, but its momentum was incredibly fierce.

Wu Dong's internal energy was scattered. In his haste, he could only cross his arms in front of him to block.

*Crack!*

Chen Yuan's fist struck heavily against Wu Dong's right forearm. With a scream of agony, Wu Dong's arms were broken, and he was sent flying backward once more, his stance completely shattered.

Chen Yuan lunged forward, his left hand shaped like a blade, moving like lightning to strike horizontally across Wu Dong's throat!

*Thwack!*

"Ugh... ugh..."

Wu Dong's eyes bulged. He let out two raspy gasps, sounding like a leaking bellows. His hands clawed at the air twice before dropping limply as he collapsed to the ground.

*Clatter!*

The Ghost-Head Saber that had flown into the sky fell, landing beside Wu Dong.

Chen Yuan picked up the Ghost-Head Saber, turned, and charged toward the remaining three bandits.

The three Bone-Refining bandits were terrified and turned to flee into the forest.

(End of Chapter)