Chapter 41: Break it! Get a new one!

Run!

Whoa!

Seeing Peng Lianhu's corpse sprawled across the mountain path and the iron pen split in two, the crowd was stunned for a moment.

After regaining their senses, they fled in a panic, scattering like birds and beasts.

Did I let you run?

Niu Dingtian straddled his horse, saw the scene, and shouted loudly from behind.

The crowd heard this, yet they cared not and kept desperately running forward.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian's face could no longer stay calm; a flash of anger rose in his heart, and he gathered his full power, shouting loudly:

Damn you! Did I let you run!

He then leapt off his horse and kicked the half of the iron pen on the ground.

The iron pen whooshed forward with a sharp sound, shooting out at high speed.

Ah!

A wail rang out; the person at the front fell to the ground, and the half iron pen pierced his knee, embedding obliquely in the earth.

Ah

The man lying on the ground bled from his knee nonstop, clutching his lower leg with both hands, his face twisted in painful wailing.

The others, upon seeing this, froze in place, trembling, daring not move forward any further.

Hmph! Show some respect, you have none!

Niu Dingtian let out a cold snort, his face stern, and strode toward the crowd.

When he reached the fallen man, he stopped, ignored the trembling bandits beside him, lowered his head, and asked the man softly:

How many people have you killed on this mountain?

Ah… no… I haven't killed anyone.

The man on the ground was sobbing and crying, and he quickly denied it.

Huh? Are you sure? If I get you to admit it, I'll twist the bone out of your other leg.

Niu Dingtian's expression grew cold, and he said in a low voice, his tone even more icy as he threatened:

Ten or so. I, the younger, can't even remember. Grandpa, spare me! Spare me!

The man on the ground dared not hide it, trembling as he begged for mercy.

What is your name? What position do you hold on the mountain?

Niu Dingtian slowly crouched, looked closely at his face, squinting slightly, and continued to ask.

Grandpa! I… I am Peng Lian—!

Before he could finish, Niu Dingtian thrust out a palm, struck his skull, and the man died on the spot.

Having killed a second person in the jianghu, Niu Dingtian felt no discomfort at all.

Dealing with this group, the scholar's method would not work.

Whenever the name "Peng Lian" was uttered, no matter what suffix followed, Niu Dingtian deemed it deserving of death!

Grandpa, spare me!

Hero, spare me!

Seeing Niu Dingtian so ferocious, the people beside him couldn't help but feel their legs go weak; many knelt and begged for mercy.

Everyone, shut up!

The clamor made his head ache; Niu Dingtian grew irritated, let out a booming shout, and the scene fell silent instantly.

Who are your second-in-command? Step forward!

Hands behind his back, turning his head, Niu Dingtian glanced sideways at the crowd and asked.

Everyone exchanged wary glances, hesitated, and dared not speak.

Deaf? Speak to me!

Niu Dingtian glared angrily with both eyes and let out a booming shout.

He—he is our second-in-command.

A man at the front forced himself to stand, his face fearful, trembling hand pointing at the man on the ground, stammering his answer.

Niu Dingtian frowned, remained silent for a moment, then spoke coldly:

From now on, I'll question you one by one! You answer one by one! Answer honestly and you'll get a light sentence. If I catch even half a lie, this man on the ground and this stone will be your fate!

Finishing his words, he waved his hand, gathered full palm power, and struck a half-man-high boulder beside him.

The moment his palm hit the stone, a booming crash rang out, followed by a "crack", and the boulder shattered.

Crystal clear.

I understand.

Seeing Niu Dingtian's ferocity again, none of them were not terrified to the bone; each trembled and answered hurriedly.

Niu Dingtian, seeing this, stepped forward and, standing before a man, asked softly:

You, how many people have you killed on this mountain?

The man hurriedly replied:

I haven't killed anyone.

Huh?

I truly haven't killed anyone! I'm cowardly and never dare to act!

Stand over there!

Then, Niu Dingtian walked over to the person beside him and asked in a low voice:

"How many people have you killed on this mountain?"

"I, the younger, have never killed anyone."

"Hm?"

"I truly haven't killed on the mountain! Before climbing up, I killed one person."

"Stand here!"

"Yes."

"And how many have you killed?"

"Three people."

"Stand here!"

After half an hour, Niu Dingtian divided the dozens of people into two groups.

Then, facing the two groups, he sneered:

"Heh heh heh, now I will give you one final chance."

"No matter how many people you killed before, you may have a chance to avoid death, but if I later discover anyone who is hiding, as for the outcome—"

"I won't waste any more words!"

He felt a bit wicked at that moment, but a villain still has to be ground by a villain.

Feeling like a villain, he suddenly felt a bit exhilarated.

After hearing Niu Dingtian's words, several people hesitated and wavered on their faces, then, reluctantly, lifted their legs and slowly walked to the other side.

Before the seven had gone halfway, Niu Dingtian instantly vanished from where he stood, and then a series of afterimages shot toward those people.

"Puff"

"Puff"

The afterimages dissipated, Niu Dingtian had already returned to his original spot, and the seven people spewed fresh blood from their mouths, flying outward, crashing onto the hillside, where they turned into several puddles of sludge.

Seeing the scene, the area fell silent as a graveyard, the slightest rustle could be heard; then only heavy breaths echoed.

Niu Dingtian curled his lip, glanced sideways over the two groups, and said lightly:

"Since the bandit leader is dead, I no longer care whether you have killed before; from now on I only care how you kill, and anyone who deceives me will meet this fate!"

Then a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he roared loudly:

"From now on, Taihang Mountain is under my command, Niu Hao Tian!"

"Do you obey?"

Having said that, his gaze flashed like lightning, slowly pressing down on the crowd.

His stare swept over them; no one dared meet his eyes, and then, in unison, they raised their hands and shouted:

"Obey!"

"Obey!"

"Obey!"

Niu Dingtian raised his hand, and the shouting ceased.

"Lead the way! Return to the camp!"

Having said that, he flipped onto his horse.

Niu Dingtian rode ahead on horseback, while a person beside him led the horse.

After slowly traversing a few miles of mountain road, they arrived at a valley.

The valley was crisscrossed with trees, deep and tranquil, and vast abandoned fields were visible.

When they reached the depths of the valley, a mountain stronghold gradually appeared; approaching the gate, Niu Dingtian looked up and saw three characters:

"Wohu Zhai!"

Niu Dingtian glanced sideways a few times, smacked his lips twice, then raised his hand and shouted:

"Tear it down! Change it!"

"Just call it."

"Woniu Zhai!"

Please point out any typos or garbled sentences, thank you.

Regarding the Shaolin Temple part, I added a few lines and made slight revisions to improve plot plausibility; those interested can take another look.

(End of chapter)