Chapter 256: Brother Niu, show mercy!!

Killing needs no reason, and killing Ye Erniang needs no reason either.

Niu Dingtian simply loathes the matchmaker, and he feared her as a child.

As for Mu Wanqing, he had no intention of forming new bonds with women in this world, yet upon hearing Yun Zhonghe move against her, his heart could not help but surge with a brutal killing intent.

Perhaps this is just an instinctive concern.

Gazing at the stone bridge, Niu Dingtian's calm, water-like eyes left Ye Erniang both startled and fearful.

When had she not employed such ruthless tactics on others herself?

But only now did she truly feel that bone‑chilling cold that pierced her heart.

"Today this old man admits defeat."

"Release Old Four, and we will leave at once; tonight's grudges will be wiped clean!"

After a moment of silence, Duan Yanqing fixed his gaze on Niu Dingtian, and a deep sound rose from his belly.

With his great vengeance still unavenged, Duan Yanqing truly dared not gamble.

Losing to Xiao Feng might still spare his life, but the black‑clad youth opposite him was another matter.

His martial arts were superb, his strikes ruthless.

He had proven with his actions that the rumors circulating in the jianghu were no empty talk.

"Admit defeat?"

Niu Dingtian heard the words, gave a light laugh, and a flicker of coldness flashed in his eyes.

If admitting defeat actually worked, why would I bother training martial arts?

As his profound energy circulated, Yun Zhonghe remained ferocious, his voice suddenly turning fierce.

Blood spurted from the wound, splashing onto the blue stone slab, quickly gathering into a pool; every trickle that spread outward stimulated everyone's nostrils and pupils.

Seeing this, Duan Zhengchun, shocked and horrified, could not help but furrow his brow.

The Great Reason kingdom values benevolence, governing with kindness and establishing the state through Buddhism.

When it comes to hatred of the Four Evils, none surpasses him, yet killing is merely a matter of knocking the head to the ground—why such torment? As he was about to speak, the lady in pink beside him seemed to grasp his intent and hastily grabbed his sleeve to stop him.

Don't you see? Your lover and daughter were just bullied, and now you're pleading for mercy?

Nonsense!

Moreover, Duan Yu ahead seemed to share that thought, stepping forward and about to speak, when Xiao Feng seized him, pulled him back, and gave him a look signalling silence.

Meanwhile, seeing Niu Dingtian employ such a vicious move, Mu Wanqing stared blankly at the figure, while Qin Hongmian's expression grew complex.

Only the purple‑clad girl behind him stared at Niu Dingtian with her big, gleaming eyes, her face full of excitement.

"Young Master Duan, what's happening outside?"

Just then, Wang Yuyan's voice sounded from the quiet carriage.

She had known there was a conflict outside, but she and A Bi were weary from travel, their hair disheveled, and they did not wish to show themselves; now the carriage fell silent, and upon hearing the scent of blood, she could not help but ask.

Seeing the carriage curtain about to be lifted from inside, Duan Yu started, darted forward to block it, and cried urgently, "Miss Wang, please don't look! Outside is truly brutal—Young Master Niu just tore a man's arm clean off!"

At those words, Wang Yuyan gasped and quickly let the curtain fall.

"Are you all right, sir?"

That was A Bi's anxious voice.

"It's fine, it's fine."

Duan Yu hurriedly replied, intending to console Wang Yuyan, when a girl's laughter rang out from behind:

"How laughable, how laughable! The Great Reason Duan clan truly does not deserve the title of heroes. 'Your daughters and sisters have been bullied, yet you lack the strength to avenge them, and instead blame those who take revenge for being ruthless—isn't that just a hypocrite seeking fame?'"

While they spoke, heedless of the embarrassed looks on Duan Zhengchun and Duan Yu's faces, the person hopped and skipped straight to Niu Dingtian's front.

It was precisely that purple‑clad girl.

She poked the dying Yun Zhonghe, then grinned at Niu Dingtian and said:

"Big brother, you're so awesome! Can you let me have this guy? I'll help you vent your anger, then you can go deal with the other two."

"A Zi, come back quickly!"

Seeing this, the lady in pink was both startled and angry, and hastily shouted a rebuke.

A Zi pursed her lips: "No way—my father lacks courage and responsibility, so he's not fit to be my father."

"What do you know, A Zi?" the lady snapped. "If you don't come back, my dear, see if I'll still love you!"

A Zi laughed: "What do you know, Mother? If my father were a hero, I'd acknowledge him as such. But if he's a weakling who relies on others to fight, and even hides behind others when his daughter is bullied, what's the point of recognizing him as my father?"

These clear, crisp words reached everyone's ears; Xiao Feng and Duan Yu exchanged glances, the lady in pink flared with rage, while Duan Zhengchun, face flushed with shame, glanced at Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing beside him.

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Although he was amorous, he cherished the reputation of the four words 'hero'; just as he prepared to step forward, everyone felt their skin turn cold, and in the next instant it seemed a chilly wind swept by, raising a layer of frost.

Upon seeing the source of the cold, everyone's faces showed shock and dread.

Only then did one see Niu Dingtian's palm unleash a torrent of freezing air that swiftly engulfed Yun Zhonghe's other arm, reducing it to ice crystals.

"Here, you can have it."

He tossed it aside casually, and the dying Yun Zhonghe fell into the pool of blood on the ground.

Then, without hesitation, Niu Dingtian lunged forward, unleashing his God‑Crushing Claw toward the distant Ye Erniang—fast! Unmatched speed!

Nine spiraling phantom shadows flew through the air, the lead pale white hand claw accompanied by air‑shattering vigorous energy!

In the past, Ye Erniang would have smiled sweetly at an oncoming foe and drawn her sabre, but now, with Yun Zhonghe before her eyes, she felt only trepidation and fear.

Knowing she was no match, Ye Erniang, in panic, flung the infant from her arms forward and joined Duan Yanqing in meeting the attack.

"Brother Niu, show mercy!!"

Seeing this, Xiao Feng roared, flung open his sleeves, thrust his palms forward, and flew ahead to rescue the infant.

Seeing the swaddling baby rush straight toward his claw, Niu Dingtian's heart tightened, and he swiftly withdrew his vigorous energy.

In the instant the swaddled baby was pulled into his embrace, Ye Erniang's knife, Duan Yanqing's staff, and a strand of unsurpassably soft vigorous energy all slammed into his body at once.

Just at this moment.

Niu Dingtian gave a cold snort, his right hand reaching into his waist; instantly a blue light flashed, and a blade edge brilliant as a meteor slashed toward Duan Yanqing.

Only a clear 'ding' rang out, sparks scattering suddenly, sending out a wave of qi.

In desperation.

Niu Dingtian cradled the infant, sacrificing weakness to strike strong; a single Asura Blade delivered without gathering power clashed evenly with Duan Yanqing.

Time seemed to freeze, the moves seemed to stall, and in that instant as the two were locked, a fierce gleam flashed in Ye Erniang's eyes; the blade followed after, seizing the opening to slash toward Niu Dingtian's shoulder.

"Watch out!!"

Someone below cried out in alarm.

Almost simultaneously——

Niu Dingtian's profound skill circulated, silver light burst from his whole body; Xiao Feng loftily unleashed his palm, and that vigor, originally as soft as cotton, suddenly turned turbulent! Amidst the fierce dragon's roar, before the substantive-like silver light could block the blade's glow, a dragon-shaped vigor manifested, yet it carried the momentum of a flood descending like a deluge, instantly exploding onto Ye Erniang's wrist.

"Boom——" (End of chapter)