Dead and Alive Again?

Actually, as the second-in-command among the bandits, Bald Head was quite confident in his own strength. Even after seeing that servant kill the boss and the third brother one after another, he still thought his opponent had only won through sneak attacks.

In a straight-up fight, Bald Head didn't think he had anything to fear.

Perhaps it was because Chen Mo's attacks had been so vicious and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. Instead, that only made Bald Head grow afraid.

The other dozen or so bandits were still more than ten meters away from him. But that servant was charging straight at him, terrifyingly fast. He couldn't even retreat.

Still, Bald Head had been a bandit for years, making his living with his head on the line. He was a veteran of countless battles, and quickly regained his composure. Raising his saber, he swung it at Chen Mo.

"You only got the better of me just now because you caught me by surprise. Now that we're facing each other head-on, do you really think I'm afraid of you?"

Clang!

The saber and ax collided, their shrill clash ringing across the entire Training Ground. The ground trembled, and snow flew everywhere.

They said that one blow revealed the mountain's height.

At the first clash, Bald Head was sent stumbling backward. The web of his hand split open, and blood welled up. Panic seized him.

This man isn't old, yet his blood and strength are this abundant. He's no weaker than the boss. He's clearly a master of the Five Passes: Blood Infusion Realm. I'm no match for him. I'd better get out of here.

After only one exchange, Bald Head was already thinking of fleeing.

But how could Chen Mo give him the chance? He raised his huge ax and hacked forward in a wild flurry.

In an instant, his blood surged, and his blows became immensely powerful. Chen Mo wielded the huge ax like a kitchen cleaver. It was nimble and unpredictable, yet every strike landed with tremendous force and aimed to kill. Bald Head could only brace against the blows with his saber, retreating as he fought.

Even so, after just a few exchanges, Bald Head felt as though every bone in his body was about to be smashed apart. The web of his hand had split open, and even his thumb felt ready to burst.

Their realms might have been the same, but their strength was on entirely different levels.

The fight had become a one-sided crushing.

By then, Zhou Liang had finally realized what was going on. Wasn't that servant the Second Young Master? What a clever plan!

With that thought, Zhou Liang wasted no time. He raised his saber and charged at the dozen or so bandits ahead. "The Second Young Master is mighty! Let's all get in there and smash these bandits to pieces!"

Wei Heng and Liu Jiang followed close behind.

The other guards had all been emboldened by Chen Mo's actions. They rushed forward with their sabers raised.

Without Liu Mazi and Axe Man, the two leaders, how could the other bandits be a match for Zhou Liang?

It didn't take long for the battle to turn one-sided.

Shouts shook the Training Ground beneath the night sky. Blood sprayed everywhere, staining the snow-covered ground, only to be buried soon beneath the drifting snowflakes.

"Brother, please spare me! This was all Liu Mazi's idea. I had nothing to do with it!" After taking more than a dozen blows from the ax, Bald Head finally panicked and begged for peace in the most craven way.

But the huge ax in Chen Mo's hands never stopped. He only swung it harder.

Chen Mo could feel the thrill of battle burning through him, his blood boiling.

He swung the ax with wild abandon, caught in the vortex of combat, savoring the thrill of fighting for life and death.

He had never imagined that fighting with all his might could be so exhilarating.

His courage surged rapidly, and even his bones tingled with excitement.

In the three months since transmigrating, Chen Mo had pushed himself relentlessly to master martial arts. At first, he had only wanted to cure his Mad Demon Disease, then gain the ability to protect himself in this chaotic world.

But now, he deeply felt that fighting itself was intoxicating.

"Since you came through the gates of my Chen Mansion, then... not one of you is leaving alive. Your boss and the third brother have already gone. How could you be the only one left?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Chen Mo gripped the ax handle tightly with both hands and hacked down with all his strength.

Bald Head raised his saber to block, but all he heard was a clang.

The saber had been split in two by the ax.

The ax kept falling, its force undiminished. It cleaved straight through Bald Head's body, splitting him in half.

Bald Head didn't even get a chance to cry out before he was dead.

Even then, the ax did not stop after cutting through Bald Head. It slammed into the ground, sending snow flying and making the earth tremble. The pines in the distance swayed violently.

Everyone was stunned.

Seeing that all three leaders were dead, the remaining bandits lost their nerve and had no desire to resist. They fled in every direction, clutching their heads, and the guards cut them all down.

Not one was left alive.

Only bodies remained, and blood soaked the ground. The thick stench of blood hung over the entire Training Ground, lingering for a long time.

Whew!

Chen Mo drew a deep breath, dropped the ax, and coldly glanced at Bald Head's body, split in two.

"A family should go together, all neat and tidy."

"But this is pretty boring. I've only just warmed up, and you're already gone."

Chen Mo clapped his hands, feeling that he hadn't had the chance to give it his all.

Chen Mo had actually reached the Five Passes: Blood Infusion Realm not long ago. His Fuyang Saber Technique and Mysterious Yin Hand had both reached mastery. Only the Blood Fire Seal remained unfinished.

It was only because the enemy had too many experts that Chen Mo and Chen Yin Fu had come up with this plan.

They had wanted to be cautious.

After all, Chen Mo didn't know how strong he actually was in a real fight.

Now that he thought about it...

They had been too cautious.

There had been no need. He could have simply crushed them all.

But Chen Mo didn't think there was anything wrong with that. In a chaotic world, it was always better to be cautious.

"The Second Young Master is mighty!"

Zhou Liang came over with his saber, his face flushed with excitement. "You've only been practicing martial arts for a few months, and you've already become a Blood Rush Realm expert. If you hadn't planned so well and dealt with their three leaders, the Chen Mansion would've been in trouble tonight."

Seeing Zhou Liang stagger as he walked, covered in blood, Chen Mo couldn't bear it. He stepped forward and helped him. "It's thanks to Uncle Zhou that you bought me time."

Looking up, Chen Mo saw that the thirty-odd guards in the distance had all been injured, yet every one of them stood tall and brave. They were all watching him with burning eyes—some admiring, some awed, some approving...

Then he looked at the bandits' bodies lying in the snow, and Chen Mo was deeply moved.

If the Chen Mansion hadn't had such a brave group of guards, it might not have come through today's crisis so easily.

That was thanks in part to the good guidance of Chen Yin Fu and Zhou Liang. But every one of these men was also a worthy and admirable warrior. With guards like these, the Chen Mansion had a bright future.

After all, the guards hired by other wealthy families were usually just part of a transaction. If their employer faced a life-or-death crisis, the guards wouldn't risk their lives like this.

They were all martial artists, with no shortage of ways to make a living. Why risk their lives for a few scraps of silver?

Deeply moved, Chen Mo almost instinctively straightened up and cupped a hand toward all the guards. "Our Chen Mansion made it through this crisis today. Thank you, brave men. Please return to your rooms and change your clothes. I'll bring in a physician to treat your injuries. In a few days, my father and I will host a banquet to express our gratitude."

People of the jianghu weren't only about chivalry and bloodshed. They were also about human relationships and social graces.

Those worth cultivating should be cultivated. Those worth winning over should be won over.

If Chen Mo acted high and mighty just because he was the young master of the family, ordering the guards around, they might not say anything, but they would certainly resent it. That wouldn't be good for the Chen Mansion's long-term future.

The guards were deeply moved. They all thanked the Second Young Master, then dispersed to get treated.

Zhou Liang didn't leave. He instructed a few nimble servants to dispose of the bodies. They also needed to report the matter to the authorities to avoid further trouble.

The Chen Mansion had been a powerful family for decades and had procedures for all kinds of emergencies. They only had to follow the steps; others would take care of the remaining details.

While the servants were clearing away the bodies, Chen Yin Fu hurried over to Chen Mo, his face full of concern. "Are you hurt?"

Only then did Chen Mo suppress the lingering heat of battle in his heart. He cupped his hands and said, "Your son is unharmed. We have you to thank for your convincing acting earlier, Father. You kept Liu Mazi from growing suspicious."

Chen Yin Fu gripped Chen Mo's shoulders, his eyes brimming with tears. He nodded again and again. "It was my son who was brave and clever. I only took care of a few minor details.

"Good, good! My son has truly grown up. You can stand on your own now. I'm happy from the bottom of my heart. Leave things here to Uncle Zhou. Come with me to see your mother. She's a woman, and she must be worried sick by now."

Zhou Liang added, "Second Young Master, go see Madam. I've only got a few cuts and bruises; it's nothing. Leave the aftermath to me."

Chen Mo nodded and followed Chen Yin Fu toward the central courtyard.

They had only taken two steps when a scream came from behind them. In the silent night, it sounded especially chilling.

Chen Mo stopped abruptly and turned around. He saw that a servant who had been collecting Liu Mazi's body had just had his head crushed by Liu Mazi's hand. Liu Mazi had actually risen from the snow.

Hiss!

Chen Mo sucked in a cold breath.

That was impossible...

Liu Mazi's head had a huge hole punched through it...