Chapter 5: The Killer, Zhao Changhe!

Chapter 5: The Murderer, Zhao Changhe!

If Yue Hongling had heard the words "leave no one alive," she would surely have regretted sending the boy she had just saved into the tiger's den.

Yue Hongling had too little information; all she knew was that there had been an "attack." Why it happened or what outcome was sought, she had no idea.

The Luo Manor was a local stronghold with a long heritage, said to have countless ties to the Great Xia royal family. Besides the manor lord, there were many experts within its walls. The Blood God Sect, however, was not particularly powerful; its strongest leader was rumored to be only at the ninth level of the Mystic Barrier. Though overall stronger than the Luo Manor, launching a full-scale extermination would require the entire sect to mobilize.

The Blood God Sect didn't even operate in this region, and as Lord Luo had said, they had "no prior dealings." By common sense, they wouldn't cross a thousand miles to mobilize en masse—such a commotion wouldn't escape the notice of the Great Xia court. It was far more likely that only a few experts had come, aiming to assassinate a personal enemy or steal some weapon or manual—common occurrences in the martial world.

In such a scenario, Yue Hongling believed she could help. Even without her, the manor, having been warned, shouldn't have faced any major problems. So she left.

She never imagined that the Luo Manor would truly be annihilated over this matter.

The enemy had indeed not mobilized en masse; only a few experts had come. But the quality of those few experts was terrifying.

Standing outside the utility shed, Zhao Changhe gazed into the distance at the manor engulfed in flames. He could faintly hear the manor lord's furious roar: "Vermilion Venerable? You're from the Four Symbols Sect, not the Blood God Sect!"

"Oh? How did you know it was the Blood God Sect?" A seductive, lazy female voice drifted faintly: "Sect Leader Xue... care to explain?"

There was no sound of explanation, perhaps too far away to hear. From this brief exchange, Zhao Changhe gathered that the main force was indeed the Blood God Sect, even their sect leader had come. But they were merely pawns; the true boss was called the Four Symbols Sect, and this woman was one of its Venerables?

He had no idea of her strength, but from Lord Luo's trembling, furious voice, she was likely terrifying: "I... my Luo family has never offended your Four Symbols Sect. Vermilion Venerable, a renowned figure in the world, why..."

"If conflict only arose from grievances, how could this chaotic world exist? Lord Luo, you are so naive." The woman's voice seemed to yawn. The clash of qi and force grew fiercer, and suddenly Lord Luo let out a scream.

Exclamations erupted around: "How dare you, witch!"

Then came another explosive roar, and the woman's laughter drifted from afar. It seemed a group of Luo family experts were besieging her, yet she still managed to wound Lord Luo amidst them, moving with ease.

"What are you standing around for?" The woman's lazy voice spread, and shouts of killing began to spread, flames spreading everywhere.

Zhao Changhe turned and ran. This was no time for watching; they were here to exterminate the family, and they wouldn't care if he had just arrived today! He darted out like a flying arrow, grabbing a single-blade from a weapon rack in the courtyard, and bolted straight for the outer gate.

He saw Luo Qi also charging over with equal agility, even faster than him opening the door. Their eyes met, both understanding each other's intent, and they rushed out together.

The next moment, they both stopped simultaneously, grimacing as they backed away.

In the firelight ahead, Luo Zhenwu, the young master of the Luo family, was fleeing blindly with his attendants, running straight toward them. Behind them, several black-clad figures with blood-red embroidery on their robes sneered, "Little Luo dog, where do you think you're going?"

The Vermilion Venerable was fighting the Luo family experts alone, while the Blood God Sect members were tasked with cleaning up the rest. Luo Zhenwu was clearly their main target...

And now this fool had run straight toward them, leading the pursuers right into their path.

Damn it! Who said this draw was a safe starting point? From Zhao Village to the Luo Manor, where exactly was the safety in that? RNM, refund!

The leading black-clad figure swooped down like an eagle spreading its wings. In the firelight, his palm glowed with a bloody red, striking straight at Luo Zhenwu's back—clearly a vicious evil technique, one that meant certain death upon contact.

Luo Zhenwu suddenly grabbed one of his attendants and shoved him backward.

With a scream, the attendant went limp and died on the spot.

The Blood God Sect disciple paused, then chuckled, "What a fine local gentleman."

Luo Zhenwu had no time to care; he used the opportunity to continue running toward Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi. The Blood God Sect disciple flicked his hand, sending a cold gleam flying. Luo Zhenwu dodged hastily but failed, screaming as he clutched his thigh and fell to the ground.

"And you call yourself a third-level Mystic Barrier expert?" The Blood God Sect disciple laughed scornfully, raising his blade to strike.

Just then, a soft sword hum came from beneath the moonlight. At first, it was barely audible, like a babbling brook, but somehow it swelled into a surging tide, a roar that pierced the heavens, making eardrums ache.

The Blood God Sect disciple looked up in alarm. A cascade of sword light fell from the sky, like moonlight spilling, like spring water flowing endlessly. Even the raging flames seemed to soften under that sword.

Yet within that tender, lover-like sword intent, the Blood God Sect disciple stumbled back several zhang in panic. His subordinates fell in an instant, all dead, even their faces bearing gentle smiles.

Zhao Changhe watched, mesmerized.

A woman stepped forward under the moonlight, her robes fluttering, as if a fairy from the moon palace had descended to earth.

Backlit, he couldn't see her face clearly, but it was clearly not Yue Hongling...

Were all women in this world this strong?

"The Spring Water Sword Technique has a tacky name, but it's still beautiful to watch." The Vermilion Venerable also flew toward them, waving her hand from afar. Several dark "projectiles" flew toward the descending woman.

The woman instinctively knocked the "projectiles" to the ground, her beautiful eyes narrowing.

They weren't projectiles at all—they were several human heads, one of which belonged to Lord Luo.

Luo Zhenwu, terrified, dragged his injured leg backward, hiding behind the woman.

The Vermilion Venerable landed gracefully, laughing lazily: "Who would have thought that Head Tang would come in the dead of night? It seems the Luo Manor indeed... heh. Unfortunately, you're too late. The old dog Luo is dead. Why trouble yourself with a sick body to fight us, Head Tang? Why not return?"

Zhao Changhe observed quietly. This Vermilion Venerable was also a woman in red, but Yue Hongling's red was a warrior's outfit, while this one's red had a ceremonial robe quality, embroidered with strange patterns.

She wore a half-face mask, revealing no features or age. The mask was shaped like a firebird, its beak covering the tip of her nose, leaving only her bright red lips exposed—very seductive. The mask didn't cover her eyes, which gleamed with clear mockery under the night sky.

The woman called Head Tang stood with her back to Zhao Changhe, wearing a thick mink coat. She coughed lightly, covering her mouth, and indeed seemed frail and sickly. After coughing for a while, she finally said slowly: "This is Great Xia."

As she spoke, footsteps approached. Other Blood God Sect members surrounded them, and a burly man in blood-red robes said solemnly: "All Luo family relatives have been executed. Only Luo Zhenwu remains."

"Thank you, Sect Leader Xue." The Vermilion Venerable smiled. "Head Tang, we don't know why you came alone, but with your illness unhealed, you can't protect the cripple behind you on your own. It would be a pity to lose yourself here."

Head Tang said nothing, merely pointing her sword at the opponent, a stalemate forming.

Zhao Changhe thought to himself that this "Head Tang" was likely some official position. She had come alone for some unknown reason, but perhaps reinforcements were on the way. The Vermilion Venerable seemed wary of her; if they could stall for a while, they might actually hold out until the authorities arrived to save Luo Zhenwu.

Looking at Luo Zhenwu, sprawled on the ground with his injured leg, Zhao Changhe's mind stirred. Suddenly, he poked his head out from behind the courtyard gate and shouted: "Who says he's alone? If Head Tang holds them off, we can carry the young master and escape!"

Beside him, Luo Qi was dumbfounded.

Everyone froze. The Vermilion Venerable and the Blood God Sect members stared at him coldly, and even Head Tang glanced back.

Zhao Changhe paid no heed to those autumn-water eyes. He strode forward and helped Luo Zhenwu up: "Young master, I'll carry you on my back!"

"Stay." The Vermilion Venerable casually flicked a red beam.

With a clang, Head Tang silently intercepted it.

Seeing that escape might actually be possible, Luo Zhenwu was overjoyed, leaning on Zhao Changhe as he stood: "Good, good, I knew you were honest and simple... pfft..."

Before he could finish, a long blade plunged into his heart.

Luo Zhenwu's eyes widened. He looked down at the blade embedded in his heart, then along the blade to the hand holding it, and finally to the hand's owner.

In the flickering firelight, Zhao Changhe's eyes held a ferocity completely opposite to "simplicity."

So what if he was at the third level of the Mystic Barrier? He wasn't invulnerable to blades!

Zhao Changhe knew that Luo Zhenwu was a trained fighter. If he had charged at him with a drawn blade, the man would have been on guard and the kill would have failed. Only by feigning loyalty could he lower his guard, and the strike succeeded.

The Vermilion Venerable and Head Tang both stopped fighting, staring in shock.

Zhao Changhe panted, speaking in a low voice: "This is my offering to join the sect... Surely, Venerable, you won't let the authorities take me away, right?"

"Right." The Vermilion Venerable's eyes sparkled, and she actually moved to shield Zhao Changhe.

Head Tang said coldly: "A traitor who betrays his master—what use is he to you?"

"Betray?" Zhao Changhe laughed loudly. "He's no master of mine!"

He viciously drove the blade deeper: "When you slaughtered Zhao Village, did you ever think of this day!"

Luo Zhenwu gurgled twice, a flicker of understanding and regret in his eyes, but he couldn't speak. Soon, he was dead.

Head Tang watched Zhao Changhe quietly, recalling the village she had passed on the road. She understood. Sighing, she said softly: "The weight of this matter is beyond your knowing. You... will regret it."

Zhao Changhe pulled out the long blade and replied loudly: "My mind is clear—what regret could there be!"

"Enough." Head Tang shook her head. "Dare you leave your name?"

The murderer: Zhao Changhe!