Chapter 119: The Gravely Injured Child

Feng Yan kicked open the door with one foot, making a loud bang.

"What happened here?" Feng Yan widened his eyes, unable to utter a word.

Feng Yan was stunned, breaking out in a cold sweat at the sight before him. The bed before him had the child's clothes stripped off, his limbs bound with ropes, exposing his genitals; the boy's back was covered with whip marks, old and new.

The child before him had already passed out, his hands still dripping blood.

The blood beneath him had pooled together, slowly congealing into a dark reddish-brown.

"Scream! Disobedient devil children, you all deserve to be beaten! Since you're here, the adults' goal is to properly reform you, to make you the pride of your parents, yet you still want to escape! Do you still have a conscience? Can you face your parents?" The man shouted loudly, swinging his whip down hard, striking the child's body again.

"Stop!" Feng Yan couldn't bear to watch any longer and shouted it out.

The executioner heard a strange sound behind him, turned around, and saw Feng Yan.

That person slowly stood up, walked up to Feng Yan, and sized him up.

Finally, his eyes locked onto Feng Yan with intense hatred, as if he wanted to tear Feng Yan apart.

He raised his hand and lightly slapped Feng Yan's face, then looked at Feng Yan with contempt, saying: "What are you? Get lost! We adults, can you afford to provoke us?"

Feng Yan ignored the man's words, shoved him aside, walked straight to the child, drew the Black Sword, and cut the ropes.

"Stop!" the man shouted again, then lunged at Feng Yan.

"Get lost!" Feng Yan spat out a single word, then kicked the man away.

Feng Yan scooped up the child before him, felt his back, which made him frown involuntarily and simultaneously showed pity.

Feng Yan shook his head and said with heartache: "Child, it seems this country is far dirtier than I imagined."

"No! You—cannot!" the man exclaimed, his eyes locked on Feng Yan, finally shouting out loud.

"Someone's causing trouble!"

As soon as the words fell, Feng Yan stood before that man, actually looking at him with contempt.

The man's scalp went numb; he wanted to rise, but the pain in his stomach prevented him from getting up quickly. He slowly leaned against the wall, slowly stood up, revealing a ferocious grin, and said to Feng Yan: "You're finished. Here, even if you're a prince, you'll lose a piece of flesh!"

Feng Yan paid no heed to the man's words, carrying the child past him, then turned to the children waiting outside, gave a gentle smile, and asked: "You've been waiting anxiously, haven't you?"

The children shook their heads, fearful expressions on their faces, while continually urging Feng Yan to take the child in his arms and leave this place.

"Big brother, hurry up and leave, or they'll come!"

"They're terrifying!"

Feng Yan watched the children say these things to him, realizing this place must be extraordinary; he glanced back at the room, saw it filled with torture devices, and further confirmed his thought.

Feng Yan nodded, preparing to lead the children away.

But, unexpectedly, he was slowly walking while carrying the child on his back!

No way! The pursuers behind said they'd come, and you're actually walking slowly?

The children looked at Feng Yan's manner, showing puzzled eyes, but suddenly a thought sprang to mind.

That is—perhaps this big brother can handle the situation at hand.

The children each turned their heads to look at one another, then nodded and blinked.

The children thought, Feng Yan will be fine, and so will we!

But, regarding the child on Feng Yan's back, they couldn't be sure. They silently prayed in their hearts, hoping the child on his back wouldn't suffer any serious harm.

One child plucked up courage, walked up to Feng Yan, tugged at his sleeve, and asked: "Big brother, big brother, is there any hope for that guy?"

Feng Yan shook his head, showing a sorrowful expression, looked back at the child on his back, and felt that the child's breath had grown very faint.

"I don't know, but even if the children died, they couldn't stay there! That place—let alone you, even I couldn't remain, for it's truly not something a human would do!"

Feng Yan's words were almost shouted, also frightening the children; they shrank back, not daring to breathe, stealing glances at Feng Yan from the corners of their eyes.

Feng Yan felt helpless, sighed, and his emotions gradually calmed; he told the children: "Hurry up, or else dogs will come after us."

The children followed Feng Yan's pace; though they were tired enough to be resentful along the way, they still kept up with him.

The reason is that the scene here is indeed terrifying for them.

At the same time, they also recalled a familiar figure.

Their parents, who always put on an act of supreme authority, had also sent them to an old man, ostensibly calling it 'discipline'.

The old man confined them in cages suspended in the air, sending only a little food each day, then waited for a Grand National Master to take the children away, and then exchange regions for a chance at promotion.

And the children were naturally just his tools for seeking credit and reward.

As for whatever persecution or abuse they might suffer, that had nothing to do with them.

It was precisely when all the children closed their eyes, waiting for their Grand National Master to take them away from here, that Feng Yan arrived, took them, and left.

Thus, the children felt, like newborns, the first ray of light—strange yet longed for.

After that, aside from eating and sleeping, the children never ventured more than ten steps away from Feng Yan.

A distance beyond ten steps is where the children feel danger, and also the distance Feng Yan cannot reach in time.

The children followed Feng Yan, Feng Yan carrying the child, step by step they came from the corridor to the gate, and Feng Yan also understood that a battle ahead was inevitable.

They had finally arrived before the gate.

Facing the gatekeeper hounds wielding weapons ahead, Feng Yan raised his head, picked up the wine flask, and took a few sips.

Before them lay a major problem; if it could not be solved, their journey would end here.

Feng Yan knew that under these circumstances, drawing his sword to fight was unlikely, and he still had to protect the child.

But what could he do?

He couldn't fight; was he to rely on the children to go ahead?

Feng Yan shook his head, patted his own head, and instantly felt a bit overwhelmed.

This was Feng Yan's problem; after drinking a few sips, he hung the wine flask back on his waist, and the child on his back moved slightly.

Besides, there were four other children, and on his back lay a half-dead child; relying solely on his sword was not enough to defeat so many foes.

Feng Yan led the children slowly forward, the gate right before them.

What lay ahead was a group of enemies holding weapons.

"Running dogs?" Feng Yan said scornfully.

Those people stared at Feng Yan, glaring fiercely at Feng Yan and the children.

The children were frightened by that gaze; some grew afraid, trailing behind Feng Yan and watching his back, which made them feel even safer.

Feng Yan walked, step by step toward the gate, while those people aimed their weapons at them, preparing to attack.

Feng Yan lowered his head, thinking about something.

How am I supposed to get out?

How can I get him out safely?

How can I kill with a single strike?

There are quite a few enemies ahead—ah, it's a bit troublesome; it would be great if I had companions.

Feng Yan sighed, then gave a scornful smile, as if he had everything under control.

"Kill!"

Those people shouted, their weapons lunging at Feng Yan!

The children closed their eyes, feeling that the big brother ahead was doomed!

Because he couldn't possibly fight with a sword!

"Clang!"

A clear metallic clang rang out; the children found it strange, opened their eyes, and discovered something very strange.

That sword actually blocked the enemies' attack on its own!

The children gaped, eyes bright with delight, and wore mocking smiles.

Feng Yan waved his hand, then said coldly: "Enough, enough, stop playing—let's finish this quickly!"

"Quickly? Finish?" The children were a bit confused; facing them were over a dozen armed people—how could we finish this?

Of course, that's what they thought; of course they still wanted the big brother ahead to settle the matter in one go.

The thugs obviously felt insulted, grew somewhat angry, and their inner fury flared up instantly.

But, more than that, they felt stifled!

The guy ahead, with just a sword, could block their attack!

If the person ahead wields a sword, just how powerful would his strength be?

Thinking this, those people broke out in a cold sweat, then everyone looked at each other, blinked, and confirmed the plan.

That is—take this chance to kill you!

Everyone brandished their weapons and shouted, lunging at Feng Yan's vital points!

But what about Feng Yan? He didn't dodge, merely stood to the side, shook his head, and sighed: "Your plan isn't bad, but do you think this sword will only defend if it leaves me?"

Suddenly, the black sword emitted a dark red light!

"What is this?" They felt something strange and stopped.

"Goodbye!" Feng Yan said calmly.

Then the black sword released a dark red sword qi, striking the ground.

"Boom!"

As the ground shook violently, Feng Yan took the opportunity to lead the children away.

The smoke and dust cleared, and everyone saw the large pit ahead, eyes wide.

The situation ahead was indeed somewhat terrifying.

The ground was split open a gap of nearly three centimeters, its bottom unseen.

Everyone swallowed, then slowly looked at their companions beside them.

One of them said: "How about we stop doing this? Although it usually relieves stress."