Chapter 119: Sacrifice

Whiz, whiz, whiz!

Captain Wang pulled out the arrows and flicked them with one hand again. The arrows transformed into several beams of faint light that shot swiftly toward the place where flames still flickered.

“Hmph!”

But just at that moment, a cold snort came from the dark Dense Forest. Then, with a few clanking sounds, the arrows seemed to be intercepted by someone. This time, no cries of pain or deaths like before occurred.

“What?”

Seeing that he had missed, Captain Wang drew out more arrows with a backhanded motion. Whiz, whiz, whiz! They turned into beams of faint light as they shot into the Dense Forest once more.

“Hmph!”

Yet another snort echoed from the forest. Suddenly, seven or eight torches flared to life in the bushes, clearly illuminating the people among the trees.

That man stood about the same height as Captain Wang, but he was less burly and far more handsome. Dressed in a green robe that merged with the night, he looked like a scholar. Only the torchlight revealed him.

Behind this person, though the exact count was unclear, at least ten to twenty people stood. Including those who had fallen earlier, this group mustered forty to fifty people at least.

“What? It’s you!”

Under the torchlight, Captain Wang instantly recognized the leader in the forest, and his expression turned pale.

Whiz, whiz, whiz!

The flying arrows continued their trajectory toward that man.

“Heh heh!”

Revealed in the light, the man shot a mocking grin once he caught sight of Captain Wang.

“Hmph!”

Unfazed by the arrows racing toward him, the man casually reached into a thicket nearby. A leaf appeared in his grasp.

Whiz!

Holding the leaf, he gave a casual flick. That plain leaf transformed into a beam of faint light, darting toward the incoming arrows. Its speed was so intense that a faint cracking sound seemed to fill the air.

“What?”

“Using a leaf to injure!”

Captain Wang and his men watched the man’s effortless act, stunned by such power, and their faces all paled.

Whiz, whiz, whiz!

Without pause, the man shifted position. He grabbed a handful of leaves and flicked them lightly. They shot toward Captain Wang and his men like throwing daggers.

Swish, swish, swish!

With just a simple flick, those leaves became sharp as blades. Had anyone blocked them with bare hands, it would have meant bloodshed and severed flesh.

“Everyone, scatter!”

Seeing the danger, Captain Wang’s expression changed abruptly. He yelled a command while sinking into a horse stance. He steadied himself and began channeling his inner energy.

Boom!

In an instant, everyone felt a powerful wave of qi centered on Captain Wang. It surged outward, scattering dust from the ground.

“So powerful!”

The men following behind that figure had their expressions changed slightly upon sensing the aura emanating from Captain Wang.

“What? So that’s the legendary Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms!”

Upon witnessing Captain Wang’s technique, the leaf-wielder’s expression shifted briefly before a surge of exhilaration crossed his face.

Roar!

Captain Wang channeled his inner strength to the fullest. Without hesitation, his hands moved in swift motions before he unleashed two powerfully charged strikes into the empty air ahead.

Whether it was illusion or not, at the moment his palms thrust forward, a deep, resonant roar, akin to that of a dragon, seemed to echo through the very air.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Captain Wang’s palms striking out instantly churned the previously calm air. Turbulent currents reversed direction, rushing violently toward the challenger. Simultaneously, the control of flying leaves and arrows vanished; they were seized by the chaotic air currents, spinning wildly out of formation.

“Excellent! Today, let this Han experience Captain Wang’s renowned Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms firsthand!”

Seeing Captain Wang deploy the famous technique, Han’s face lit up with fervor. His footwork shifted; transforming into a ghostly figure, he moved with such dizzying speed that the onlookers barely registered a blur before a whooshing sound marked his disappearance into the night.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

“Well timed!”

The moment Captain Wang saw Han vanish, he straightened his posture with a shout of approval. His own steps became fluid. In a few strides, he pivoted and threw a powerful punch into the seemingly empty space beside him.

Clang!

But the instant his fist shot forward, a sharp metallic clang rang out from that void. Han, clad in cyan robes, was forcefully revealed, his concealment broken.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

“Trouble!”

Han, realizing his most perfected art of concealment was instantly seen through, paled dramatically. He retreated at full speed, putting distance between them.

“Thinking of fleeing?”

Having successfully flushed Han out, Captain Wang saw his retreat and immediately gave chase, aiming to press his advantage.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

With every step, Captain Wang moved with surprising grace and elegance, reminiscent more of a dancer than a combatant. Yet, each punch he threw radiated formidable, earth-shattering power.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Han proved no pushover either. Though momentarily disadvantaged, his reflexes kicked in. Exploiting his superior speed, he managed, by the narrowest margins, to evade Captain Wang’s blows. He wasn’t just dodging; amidst the evasion, he launched sharp counter-attacks of his own.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The two combatants completely disregarded their audience. Their fierce duel sent wave after wave of concussive blasts echoing through the clearing.

Seeing the ferocity unfold, the spectators scrambled back to safety, gaping at the duel. At its most intense points, the clashes happened far too rapidly for their eyes to follow; they could only distinguish the relentless sounds of impact.

…

Five miles away, a figure was speeding towards the scene. Abruptly, this person halted mid-stride.

“What? What is that?”

This was none other than Tang Jinbiao. Yet, as he raced down the main road, an intense chill suddenly surged through his body, forcing him to a halt. When he looked up toward the spot where Captain Wang and the others had been fighting, stark terror flashed in his eyes.

For he saw countless white figures drifting in the air, fluttering and circling ceaselessly above that stretch of forest. On closer inspection, he faintly recognized several faces among these figures—guard members who’d accompanied the caravan just that very day.

Pop!

After hovering for a while, some of the white figures abruptly vanished with a “pop,” as if never there at all.

“Souls! Souls, I see souls!”

Seeing those white figures instantly flooded Tang Jinbiao with a bone-deep cold. He finally realized—there was something wrong with his eyes. It seemed he could see things… others couldn’t.

Pop-pop-pop!

In mere moments, most of the white figures swiftly faded away.

However, just as most of the figures dissolved, Tang Jinbiao suddenly noticed a tiny, inky black hole materialize in the sky. An immense swirl of suction erupted from it, sweeping every remaining white figure inside within the blink of an eye.

Swish-swish-swish!

The very instant the black hole formed, the final figures were swallowed whole. Instantly, the sky was empty and still.

Chatter-chatter!

Though no cold wind blew, Tang Jinbiao’s body shook uncontrollably.

…

Bang-bang-bang!

Boom-boom-boom!

Meanwhile, Captain Wang and Han, having clashed for a stretch, found they were equally matched. Exchanging fierce blows without gaining advantage, they finally recoiled, putting distance between them.

Chatter-chatter!

But then, both men shuddered violently, gripped by an intense, inexplicable cold. Simultaneously, they lifted their heads, staring up at the spot where Tang Jinbiao had witnessed the black hole—though neither Han nor Captain Wang saw anything at all.

It wasn’t just them; the remaining fighters too were hit by sudden, icy tremors. They all looked up at that vacant point in the sky.

…

Swish-swish-swish!

Right then, a figure appeared, hurtling in from afar.

Chatter-chatter!

Sensing this newcomer’s approach, everyone snapped out of their frozen stupor, instantly alert.

Swish!

Like an arrow loosed, the figure landed directly before Han.

He was garbed in spotless white robes, impeccably handsome with strikingly pale skin. He looked barely twenty.

“Why haven’t you finished these fools?” the young man asked, arrogance and disdain lacing his voice. “My sister grows impatient. She sent me to check.”

“You… you… Young Lord Chu!” Han stuttered, his face instantly paling the moment the newcomer touched down. “I’ll deal with them right away!” His tone became instantly servile, head bowed low.

“Cultivator!”

Captain Wang and his remaining guards murmured in unison, shock written plainly across their faces.

“Hmph!” snorted the newly arrived Cultivator, his expression haughty and derisive. He shot Captain Wang a contemptuous glance, turning to Han beside him. “A mere Mortal tripping you up? Even the dog I keep would be of more use!”

“Yes! Yes, my lord! This humble servant obeys!” Han replied instantly, head still bowed, his earlier discomfort apparently forgotten under this fresh wave of intimidation.

“Well, don’t just stand there! Finish off that trash!” the Cultivator barked, a vicious scowl darkening his features. “Must I dirty my own hands?”

“You die now, ‘Captain Dog’ Wang!”

Captain Wang and Han had only just retreated, yet under the Cultivator’s command, Han lunged forward again. This time, his attacks were markedly deadlier, laced with raw killing intent.

“Despicable!” Captain Wang roared, rage contorting his face, but panic was absent. The sight of Cultivator backing his foe fueled his fury, but he met Han’s charge head-on—he still held his own trump card. “Seeking help from Immortals for worldly grudges? You shame the Jianghu!”

Bang-bang-bang!

Boom-boom-boom!

Their battle erupted once more, sparks and shockwaves flying as fists met steel.

“Hmph.” The arriving Cultivator, Young Lord Chu, let out a disdainful grunt. Slightly bending his knees, he made to sit—not to watch the renewed fight, but seemingly to relax. Spotting his intent, one of Han’s men hurriedly fell to his knees, scrambling forward on all fours until he was positioned directly beneath Young Lord Chu’s rear.

“Young Lord Chu, please sit!” the prostrated man offered, voice trembling with deference.

“Mhm.” The white-robed Cultivator gave a satisfied nod and eased himself onto the human seat. His gaze, however, didn’t settle on the raging battle. Instead, he frowned slightly, tilting his head back to stare into the empty void above…