Chapter 28

At the camp gate, torches crackled and spat, sending sparks flying.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart sank, a chill crawling up his spine.

"How many?"

His voice was dry and hoarse, he struggled to stay calm.

A militiaman beside him chattered his teeth, stammering, "It… looks… more than last time…"

Jiang Xiaomu sucked in a breath of cold air, feeling a chill surge from his soles to the crown of his head.

Last time, Hu San Dao's bandits numbered over a hundred; though we won narrowly, we were badly weakened.

Now they've returned in force, even more numerous—how are we to fight this battle?

Damn it! I just took the leader's seat, my butt hasn't even warmed up, and I'm supposed to die here? This is too humiliating!

He gripped the dagger tightly; though it could restore stamina, it couldn't conjure men out of thin air!

"Brothers! Grab your weapons!"

Jiang Xiaomu let out an angry roar, trying to dispel his fear: "Let's fight them to the death!"

The militiamen, though fearful, nevertheless seized their weapons and assumed a stance of facing death without fear.

Jiang Xiaomu silently cursed: what use could this rabble be?

From the enemy ranks, a burly man rode out, firelight illuminating his face where a ferocious scar stood out—it was Hu San Dao's lieutenant, Scarface.

"Jiang Xiaomu," Scarface sneered, his tone full of mockery, "Didn't expect me back? Be sensible, surrender quietly, and I'll leave you a whole corpse!"

Jiang Xiaomu snorted coldly: "Scarface, cut the crap! Hu San Dao is dead—what makes you rabble think you can overturn heaven? Today I'll send you to see King Yama!"

"If you won't drink the toast, you'll drink the penalty!"

Scarface flew into a rage, drew his waist saber, and shouted, "Brothers, kill him!"

The bandits unleashed a deafening kill-shout and surged toward the camp.

Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath, holding the dagger horizontally before his chest.

Come on! Let's see the power of this blood-drinking dagger!

He charged into the enemy formation like a tiger descending the mountain, the dagger flashing—each swing took a life.

His stamina kept recovering, as if endless, and Jiang Xiaomu felt he possessed limitless strength!

He hacked like a madman, and the bandits fell one after another before him.

Seeing this, Scarface's face changed dramatically.

He hadn't expected Jiang Xiaomu to be so fierce, nor that he seemed an unkillable monster!

"This kid is evil! Swarm him and hack him to death!"

Scarface shouted in terror.

A gang of bandits closed in, blades raining down; Jiang Xiaomu was hard-pressed, danger on all sides. Though the dagger could restore stamina, it couldn't make him immune to blades.

Wounds began to appear, blood flowing steadily.

Damn! This can't go on! Jiang Xiaomu cursed inwardly. He needed a way to break out!

He scanned his surroundings, looking for a breach.

Suddenly he saw Scarface standing not far off, directing the fight.

Capture the leader first!

Jiang Xiaomu's thoughts raced, a plan forming.

He shot toward Scarface like an arrow from a bow, cutting down bandits along the way as if they were paper.

Scarface was caught off guard, his face paling instantly; he frantically raised his saber to block, but Jiang Xiaomu seized his wrist, twisted hard, and with a shrill scream the saber clattered to the ground.

Jiang Xiaomu's dagger immediately pressed against Scarface's throat.

"Hold your fire!"

Jiang Xiaomu bellowed.

The bandits halted instantly, looking at him in bewildered uncertainty.

Jiang Xiaomu held Scarface hostage, yet the strange sensation in his back grew stronger.

Damn it, the remnants of Hu San Dao are truly a lingering nightmare!

Jiang Xiaomu cursed silently, pressing the dagger tighter against Scarface's neck until a bead of blood welled.

"Let him go." A cold voice came from behind, a chill like ten-thousand-year-old ice making Jiang Xiaomu's heart twitch. Could it be someone from Ya Zi Po Po?

He slowly turned his head; a black-clad figure stood there behind him.

A black cloak hid his face, but the cold, killing aura emanating from him made Jiang Xiaomu's heart sink.

Playing tricks.

"Who are you?" Jiang Xiaomu asked calmly, though his tone held an edge, "If you don't want to die, get lost."

The black-clad man ignored his warning, simply repeating, "Let him go."

Jiang Xiaomu smirked, "I won't."

【You are skilled and bold, entering the bandits' lair alone, cutting down foes as easily as slicing melons and vegetables, finally capturing Scarface alive.】

【Yet you do not know that danger is silently approaching.】

【Scarface is a subordinate of Hu San Dao; when news of Hu San Dao's death reached Ya Zi Po Po, she sent a black-clad man to investigate.】

【The black-clad man is highly skilled in martial arts, his killing intent overflowing.】

【Though you resisted fiercely, outnumbered and attacked from front and rear, you were ultimately ambushed by the black-clad man, and thus fell, a generation of righteous hero.】

Jiang Xiaomu caught a glimpse of the system prompt flashing in his mind, his heart jolted.

Damn, this black-clad guy is so badass?

He was mulling over an escape plan in his mind.

Going head-on definitely won't work; this system has given everything away clearly—I'll die.

Thirty-Six Stratagems—flight is the best plan!

But Scar Face is still in my grasp, and this gang of bandits eyes us tigerishly—making a clean getaway is hard!

Wait… a Strengthening Pill!

Jiang Xiaomu's mind flashed with inspiration, recalling the pill in his bosom.

System-made—sure to be top-notch!

Give it a shot—turn a bike into a motorcycle!

He feigned a standoff with the black-clad person, silently reaching into his bosom and pulling out that black pill.

A faint medicinal fragrance spread, refreshing his spirit.

He put the pill into his mouth, chewed twice, and a warm current instantly surged through his whole body.

Jiang Xiaomu felt his body brimming with power, and his original pain instantly vanished.

He shoved Scar Face toward the black-clad person, then exploded forward like a leopard lunging at the black-clad person.

The black-clad person clearly didn't expect Jiang Xiaomu to suddenly burst forth; caught off guard, he was staggered by Scar Face's collision.

Jiang Xiaomu seized the opportunity, thrusting his dagger straight at the black-clad person's throat.

The black-clad person reacted instantly, sidestepping to avoid the fatal blow, but the dagger still slit his cloak, revealing the black tight-fitting outfit underneath.

Jiang Xiaomu's first strike missed; undeterred, he attacked again.

The Strengthening Pill took effect instantly—his speed and strength multiplied, every move lethal, and the black-clad person gradually fell to the disadvantage.

They grappled, blades flashing, killing intent filling the air.

The surrounding bandits stared dumbfounded, not daring to breathe.

Scar Face crawled up from the ground, clutching his chest where Jiang Xiaomu had shoved him, staring in terror at the scene before him.

Just then, Jiang Xiaomu spotted an opening and viciously stabbed his dagger into the black-clad person's chest.

The black-clad person gave a muffled groan, staggered back, his eyes full of disbelief.

Jiang Xiaomu, having gained the advantage, pressed forward relentlessly.

He swung the dagger again, but not at the black-clad person—instead it traced a strange arc, severing the tendon of his sword hand.

The black-clad person cried out in anguish, his long sword clattering to the ground; Jiang Xiaomu without hesitation plunged his dagger into his heart.