Liu Mazi (Added Update Seeking Readership)

Training Ground.

Feathery snowflakes drifted down in a flurry, covering the bloodstains on the ground.

Zhou Liang stood ramrod straight before the guards, his bloodied broadsword clenched tight as crimson dripped "drip-drop" along the blade. The fine steel edge was chipped in many places, and Zhou Liang himself bore several fresh wounds.

Though the injuries were minor, Zhou Liang realized Liu Mazi was no easy opponent. Besides the ringleader Liu Mazi, a Blood Rush Realm expert, the bandits had two more Blood Rush Realm fighters, their momentum formidable.

Even so, Zhou Liang hadn't retreated a single step.

Logically, most guards wouldn't risk their lives like this for their employer. When bandits attacked, they'd usually drop their weapons and flee.

But Zhou Liang was different.

To him, he wasn't just the head guard of the Chen Mansion—he shared a brotherly bond with Chen Yin Fu. He'd sworn long ago to protect the Chen Mansion with his life. So when teaching the other guards martial arts, Zhou Liang instilled this same mindset. As a result, every guard fought fiercely and valued loyalty.

"Master Zhou, this can't go on," Wei Heng said, walking up beside Zhou Liang with Liu Jiang, his face full of worry.

Zhou Liang replied, "I've already sent word to the Master. He'll think of something. What we need to do is hold these bandits back with our lives."

Wei Heng and Liu Jiang exchanged glances, both showing resolute determination.

Wei Heng gritted his teeth. "Half my skills were taught by Master Zhou. If you won't retreat, we'll fight these bandits to the death."

Liu Jiang wasn't one for many words, simply adding, "Same here."

The other three Five Viscera Realm guards stepped forward too. "Same here."

With the strongest guards having made their stance clear, the rest picked up their blades and stood, facing off against the bandits.

Though the lead bandit wore a mask, his pockmarked face and prominent scar were still visible—it was undoubtedly Liu Mazi.

But now Liu Mazi was in a bind.

He hadn't expected a bunch of guards to be so stubborn, risking their lives for a few measly silver coins to protect their master.

If they kept fighting, they'd win, but the losses would be heavy. It might even cost Liu Mazi's bandit gang, built over years, its foundation.

Just then, a bald masked man with a blade walked over. "Boss. Even though the yamen and guard station are off duty today, we can't stay long. We need to finish this fast. The Chen family has considerable influence—if the authorities and guards get involved, we won't escape easily."

A burly, dark-faced man two meters tall, carrying a giant axe, strode up. "Boss, Second Brother's right. Since we're here, let's just fight it out. We have to take Lu Wei and that Chen kid back, or we can't answer to Granny."

Hearing his brothers' words, Liu Mazi made up his mind. He picked up his flexible sword, stepped forward two paces, and glared viciously at Zhou Liang.

"Zhou Liang, I know you. You used to be an escort guard, and Chen Yin Fu took you in after you got into trouble. At the end of the day, you and Chen Yin Fu have no real bond—it's just about money. Whatever he pays you, I'll double it. Why throw your life away for an outsider? It's not worth it, don't you think?"

Zhou Liang leveled his blade, his eyes fierce. "You bandits know nothing of loyalty. If you want a fight, bring it on. Even if I die here today, I'm taking you down with me."

"Don't be so sure," Liu Mazi said, pulling out a pouch of silver ingots and tossing it at Zhou Liang's feet. "Ten big silver ingots, five hundred taels. Take the silver, lead your men to Spring Breeze Tower for some fun. I'm only here to take Lu Wei and ask Second Young Master of the Chen Family a few questions."

Liu Mazi had gone to great lengths to persuade Zhou Liang to stand down.

To him, the only real trouble was Zhou Liang, a Blood Rush Realm fighter. If Zhou Liang backed off, the rest could be dealt with easily. After all, besides Liu Mazi himself, a Blood Rush Realm expert, his bald second brother and axe-wielding third brother were both newly entered Blood Rush Realm fighters.

With the three of them, they could slaughter the entire Chen Mansion in no time.

Pah!

Zhou Liang spat fiercely at the pouch. "If you're scared, pack up and leave. Don't stoop to such cheap tricks."

"Refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. I think you've lived long enough. Second Brother, Third Brother, let's join forces and cut down this stubborn fool first." Liu Mazi had finally lost patience, raising his sword to strike.

The bald man raised his blade. "I've been itching for this. Let's chop him down and be done with it."

The axe-wielding man swung his weapon and charged forward.

Just then—

"Gentlemen, please don't lose your tempers. Everything can be discussed. No need for swords and spears."

Chen Yin Fu rushed out with a smile, already cupping his hands and bowing to the bandits from afar, his attitude as pleasant as could be.

Seeing Chen Yin Fu, Liu Mazi immediately called out to his brothers. "Second Brother, Third Brother, hold on."

Though hot-tempered, the bald man and the axe-wielder always listened to their boss, so they stopped.

Liu Mazi snorted coldly. "Finally, someone who can make decisions. Chen old dog, your son captured my cousin Lu Wei. How do you want to settle this?"

Chen Yin Fu walked over to Zhou Liang, his face full of smiles. "I only just learned of this. It's all my worthless son's fault for breaking the rules and offending you gentlemen. My son is gravely ill, but I've sent for him to come and apologize to you. How about that?"

Seeing Chen Yin Fu cave, Liu Mazi was overjoyed, thinking of a bloodless resolution. "If you'd done this sooner, your Chen family wouldn't have invited disaster. Is my cousin safe?"

Chen Yin Fu said, "Safe, perfectly safe. I've told my son to bring Lu Wei here. It's all my son's fault. If you gentlemen want to kill him later, that's only right. Just don't harm the rest of the Chen Mansion."

"Haha, Chen old dog knows how to play along." Liu Mazi was delighted. Having been a bandit for years, he knew merchants valued profit above all. Many would sacrifice their wives and children to save themselves.

The bald man added, "Chen old dog, we're not just taking Brother Lu Wei—we're taking your son for questioning too."

Chen Yin Fu agreed immediately, even pulling out a thick stack of silver notes and placing them on the ground, weighing them down with a stone. "Of course. Here's five thousand taels of silver. Please, gentlemen, spare the rest of my Chen family."

The bald man walked over, picked up the notes, counted them, and returned excitedly to Liu Mazi. "Boss, it's really five thousand taels. Looks like Chen old dog is truly scared. He's even giving up his own son to save himself."

Liu Mazi pocketed the notes, grinning. "Merchants—heartless and faithless. Once we see Lu Wei and Second Young Master of the Chen Family, tie them up immediately."

The bald man was puzzled. "Are we really letting the Chen family off?"

Liu Mazi snorted, lowering his voice. "Not a chance. Since we're here, if we don't kill them all, they'll report us to the authorities, and we'll be in for it. Once we've tied them up, we'll slaughter everyone in the Chen Mansion—not a single one left!"

The Bald Headed Man was overjoyed. "See? I told you Big Brother hadn't changed his ways. Haha."

Liu Mazi said, "Since we're out here robbing, we have to root out the weeds and leave no trace, or the trouble will never end. And that slut Liu Cui—she's probably hidden away by the Second Young Master of the Chen Family too. Dig her out, kill them all together."

The Bald Headed Man said, "That's only right. Heh heh... Chen Yin Fu forks out five thousand silver taels just like that—truly arrogant and overbearing. If we wipe out the Chen Mansion, who's to say we can't dig up ten thousand taels?"

Liu Mazi laughed. "Enough for us to live it up for a good while. And the silver for my breakthrough to Internal Martial Master is here too."

Just as the two were whispering in secret, four figures approached from afar.

Qiulan was supporting a sickly Brocade Youth. The youth wore brocade robes and silk, his hair disheveled, his face dark and gloomy—hard to make out clearly in the night.

Another youth, dressed in an old servant's robe, was supporting Lu Wei.

No one noticed that the youth in the old servant's robe was actually Chen Mo. And the Brocade Youth Qiulan was supporting was Ma Tie.

But with the disheveled hair and the deep night, from a distance it was hard to tell them apart.

Chen Yin Fu smiled. "Honorable heroes, my son has brought Lu Wei here."