Chapter 146: with translation of chapter title

Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

Now is not the time to panic; he must find Xiao Yu as quickly as possible.

"Shopkeeper, stay here, I'll go look."

Having said that, Jiang Xiaomu turned and rushed out of Mu Yu Lou, disappearing into the night.

He first went to Dongjie Caishi Chang, asked several vegetable vendors, but they all said they hadn't seen Xiao Yu.

He then went to the places Xiao Yu usually liked to play, but found no trace of her.

The night grew deeper, the biting wind chilled to the bone, and Jiang Xiaomu's heart grew colder as well.

Could it be… that Xiao Yu really met with misfortune?

That thought made him shudder.

Jiang Xiaomu walked aimlessly down the street when suddenly he saw a familiar figure flash by.

Luo Shisan!

At that moment, a system voice sounded in his ear:

【Luo Shisan kidnapped Jiang Xiaoyu to draw the host's attention.】

【Luo Shisan's true target is the host, to avenge his sworn brother.】

【Luo Shisan used deceit to slay the host.】

Jiang Xiaomu's heart tightened; there was no time to think further, he immediately gave chase.

Luo Shisan seemed to notice someone following, quickened his pace, and turned into a narrow alley.

Jiang Xiaomu pursued relentlessly; Luo Shisan must know something—he surely knows Xiao Yu's whereabouts!

The alley was pitch black, you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

Jiang Xiaomu proceeded cautiously, afraid to miss any clue.

Suddenly, he heard a faint sobbing.

It… was Xiao Yu!

Jiang Xiaomu's heart leapt with joy; he followed the sound and ran over.

Finally, in front of a dilapidated woodshed, he saw Xiao Yu tied to a pillar.

Xiao Yu's mouth was gagged, her eyes blindfolded, her body covered in wounds—clearly she had been beaten.

Jiang Xiaomu cried out in anguish:

"Xiao Yu!"

He rushed forward to untie the ropes.

Just then, a cold voice came from behind him.

"Don't move! I've been waiting for you a long time."

Jiang Xiaomu snapped his head back to see Luo Shisan leaning on a wooden staff, standing behind him with a sinister smile.

"Luo Shisan! It really is you!"

Jiang Xiaomu said through gritted teeth.

"Hehe, Jiang Xiaomu, you're indeed smart to have found your way here."

Luo Shisan chuckled darkly:

"But you're still a step too late."

"What have you done to Xiao Yu?"

Jiang Xiaomu's eyes burned with anger.

"Don't worry, I haven't done anything to her yet,"

"but what happens next depends on you."

Luo Shisan paused, then continued:

"I know you're capable, but your sister is in my hands—do you dare act rashly?"

Luo Shisan's cold laughter echoed in the alley like an owl's hoot, sending chills down the spine.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart pounded; Xiao Yu's safety made him anxious, but he forced himself to stay calm.

At this moment, any impulsive action on his part could endanger Xiao Yu.

"What do you want?"

Jiang Xiaomu's voice was low.

Luo Shisan didn't answer right away; he slowly raised the wooden staff in his hand.

"I want to make you wish you were dead!"

Luo Shisan's voice was full of resentment.

Just then, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness nearby.

In the faint moonlight, Jiang Xiaomu made out the newcomer's face, and was struck as if by lightning.

"Jin… Jin Buhuan?!"

Jiang Xiaomu stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Jin Buhuan, the fat man whom Li Wenqing had ordered beheaded, was now standing alive before him!

His face was pallid, his eyes sunken, yet the corners of his mouth curled into a grim smile.

"Surprised? Jiang Xiaomu!"

Jin Buhuan's voice was sharp and grating, like fingernails on a blackboard, making one uncomfortable.

Jiang Xiaomu's mind went blank; he could not comprehend what was happening before him.

Jin Buhuan was clearly dead—why was he appearing here? Could it be… that all of this is an illusion?

Hehe, do you find it unbelievable?

Jin Buhuan seemed to see through Jiang Xiaomu's thoughts, he burst into wild laughter.

I'm telling you, this is no hallucination! Thanks to you, I've actually been reborn!

Jin Buhuan said as he walked over to Xiao Yu, roughly tearing off the cloth covering her eyes.

Xiao Yu saw Jiang Xiaomu and immediately burst into tears.

Brother! Save me!

Shut up!

Jin Buhuan slapped Xiao Yu hard, blood immediately trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Jiang Xiaomu's eyes were about to burst, he struggled to suppress the anger in his heart.

Now is not the time to dwell on why Jin Buhuan 'came back to life'; Xiao Yu is still in their hands, he must find a way to save her.

Jiang Xiaomu forced himself to look away from Jin Buhuan, gazing at Luo Shisan, he asked in a low voice:

Luo Shisan, I seem to have never offended you, why did you capture my sister?

Luo Shisan gave a cold smile, the joints of his hand gripping the wooden staff turned white.

You killed my sworn brother, the Five Absolutes Sect Leader; how do you say this debt should be settled?

The Five Absolutes Sect Leader?

Jiang Xiaomu frowned tightly, he indeed killed members of the Five Absolutes Sect, but he had never heard that the leader still had a sworn brother.

The Five Absolutes Sect commits murder and arson, running rampant; such people deserve to die.

Deserves it?

Luo Shisan's face instantly darkened, he fiercely jabbed the wooden staff into the ground, emitting a muffled thud.

You killed him, yet you dare say he deserved it? I think you're looking for death!

Jiang Xiaomu's heart sank, he glanced at Xiao Yu restrained by Jin Buhuan, his heart filled with helplessness.

He knew his martial arts were not bad, but now bare-handed, facing Luo Shisan he had no chance of victory.

Moreover, Xiao Yu is still in their hands, he dare not act rashly.

What do you want?

Jiang Xiaomu's voice was low.

It's simple: trade your life for your sister's life!

Luo Shisan's tone was icy.

Jiang Xiaomu hesitated not at all.

Good! I agree! Release my sister!

Hearing Jiang Xiaomu's answer, Luo Shisan's face showed a cruel smile.

He slowly raised the wooden staff in his hand, pointing at Jiang Xiaomu.

Excellent! You truly are a loyal and righteous brother! Too bad, you must die today!

Just then, Jin Buhuan suddenly spoke.

Hey, wait, Luo Lao Da, don't be so impatient!

Such a fun toy, not playing with it a while longer would be a shame!

He said, using his greasy fingers to gently caress Xiao Yu's cheek, his eyes full of lust.

Xiao Yu trembled with fright, struggling desperately, yet could not break free from Jin Buhuan's grip.

Jin Buhuan! If you dare touch her, I'll make sure you die without a burial place!

Jiang Xiaomu roared, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins.

Yo, you're pretty fierce!

Jin Buhuan paid no heed to Jiang Xiaomu's threat, instead intensifying his teasing of Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu, don't be afraid, brother will definitely rescue you!

Jiang Xiaomu struggled to suppress his anger; he now had to stay calm in order to find a chance to rescue Xiao Yu.