Lin Yue's Last Stand

Lin Yue's expression changed drastically, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

He had once heard his Senior Brothers at the Martial Arts Hall mention that the Wild Dog Gang's protectors were all Third-Turn Martial Masters.

And the Exotic Beast Wild Dogs beneath them were descendants of the Gang Leader's own Exotic Beast, exceptionally ferocious, with combat strength enough to rival a Second-Turn Martial Master.

He had only just broken through to the Martial Master Realm and had not even stabilized his First Turn. How could he possibly be their match?

Even if a Second-Turn Senior Brother from the Martial Arts Hall came, he would probably have to weigh the matter carefully.

"If this can't be done, I can only run!"

The thought had barely arisen when Lin Yue stopped hesitating.

He spun around and charged straight toward the densest part of the crowd—there were many people there, and the chaos might delay them long enough for him to escape.

This sudden change left everyone present stunned.

The Martial Master who had just stood up for the butcher with righteous indignation had, in the blink of an eye, become a homeless dog fleeing in panic. The contrast was so stark that it left people tongue-tied.

"Move! All of you, get out of my way!"

Lin Yue roared as he ran wildly, not a trace of his previous composure remaining.

Caught off guard, the crowd immediately descended into chaos. Cries of alarm and angry curses rose one after another.

Those passersby who failed to dodge in time were casually struck away by Lin Yue in his desperation, sent flying as though they were made of paper-thin paste.

Several dull thuds rang out as people crashed heavily to the ground, immediately coughing up blood. They had clearly suffered serious internal injuries.

"Th-this is a Martial Master?"

Some onlookers were both shocked and terrified. Looking at those sprawled on the ground vomiting blood, then at Lin Yue's fleeing back, their eyes were filled with complicated emotions.

Seeing this, the Wild Dog Gang protector curled his lips into a cruel smile.

"Trying to run? How could it be that easy!"

The Wild Dog immediately understood. With one leap, it crossed several meters, chasing after him with a foul wind in its wake. It was actually several degrees faster than Lin Yue.

Scarface and the others snapped out of their daze as well, following close behind with vicious grins.

The humiliation of being intimidated by Lin Yue earlier had now all turned into fuel for the chase.

Li Xiao stood at the tavern entrance, his brows furrowing even deeper.

He looked at the innocent passersby who had been caught up in this and lay groaning on the ground, then at Lin Yue's retreating, miserable figure. His gaze gradually turned cold.

So this was the power of a Martial Master?

With a casual palm strike, ordinary people had no way to withstand it.

And for his own survival, Lin Yue had actually struck innocent people so heavily. The little favor Li Xiao had felt toward him vanished in an instant.

Clearly, these Martial Masters did not regard ordinary people as worthy of notice at all.

Lin Yue had not run far before the Wild Dog had already cut him off. Threads of drool dripped from its mouth, carrying a nauseating stench.

Lin Yue had lost all composure now as he looked toward the Wild Dog Gang protector.

"I was young and hot-blooded, Protector. Could you spare my life?

"Sect Master Zhao of my Mountain Splitting Martial Arts Hall thinks highly of me too. I am willing to—"

Before he could finish, the protector interrupted him.

"I might fear your Master somewhat if he came himself. Today, only one of you and it can live."

The Wild Dog Gang protector grinned viciously. Their Wild Dog Gang had never gotten along with those who ran Martial Arts Halls. Since Lin Yue had delivered himself to their door, how could they let him go?

He raised a hand, and the Wild Dog immediately understood. It leaped again and pounced at Lin Yue.

At this sight, the last trace of luck in Lin Yue's eyes was crushed to dust, and ruthlessness abruptly rose in his heart.

The Blood Qi of a Martial Master erupted from him in an instant as he unleashed the Mountain Splitting Martial Arts Hall's ultimate technique, the Split Mountain Palm.

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His Palms crossed, and the wind from them abruptly became heavy and forceful, faintly carrying the momentum of mountain splitting and rock crushing as they met the charging Giant Dog.

This palm strike contained all the strength he possessed at that moment. It was both an act of self-preservation and a counterattack from Desperate Straits.

Bang!

His palms collided savagely with the Giant Dog's head, and the muffled impact made the surrounding air tremble.

Lin Yue felt a wild, massive force surge through his palms. His arms went numb instantly, and he was sent staggering back again and again. The Blue Stone Slabs beneath his feet creaked as he crushed them, while a thread of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

The Giant Dog was also halted by the strike. Its massive body paused in midair before it let out an enraged roar, clearly not seriously injured.

It shook its head, the vicious light in its Eyes growing even fiercer. Then it bared its Fangs once more and lunged violently at Lin Yue.

"Beast!" Lin Yue roared, enduring the agonizing pain in his arm as he retreated swiftly. At the same time, he raised both Palms again, palm wind slicing like blades as he tried to force the Giant Dog back.

But his foundation was still too shallow. Facing an Exotic Beast comparable to a Second-Turn Martial Master, he was already powerless to continue.

After only a few exchanges, Lin Yue was at the end of his rope.

The Wild Dog bit down on his right arm again.

With a tearing sound, Lin Yue's arm was bitten clean off by the Wild Dog.

"Ah!" A heart-rending scream rang out as Lin Yue rolled about on the ground in agony.

Crack, crack. The sound of bones breaking echoed out, and the Wild Dog swallowed the arm.

It took another bite. Before long, Lin Yue had lost all breath beneath the Wild Dog's tearing jaws, his entire body devoured clean.

Watching this horrific scene, Li Xiao felt nausea churn in his chest. He fought down the urge to vomit and turned his head away.

Among the people in the street, some showed pity, some were terrified beyond measure, but even more were taking delight in his misfortune.

Even lofty Martial Masters could live like them, never knowing whether they would survive to see the next morning.

As for the few people Lin Yue had struck flying, not a single person cared about them.

"Folks, our Wild Dog Gang is actually quite kind. If this kid hadn't taken the initiative to provoke us, we would not have attacked them.

"Look, Lin Yue injured quite a few people, but our Wild Dog Gang has never laid a hand on any of you."

At that moment, the Wild Dog Gang protector walked over and spoke loudly.

Although the protector's voice was gentle, the cruelty in his eyes could not be faked.

"Do you see? This is what happens when you fail to recognize the immensity of heaven and earth."

He pointed at the remaining bloodstains and scraps of cloth on the ground. They were the last traces Lin Yue had left behind.

"So what if you're a Martial Master? Dare to oppose our Wild Dog Gang, and this will be your end."

Scarface and the others echoed him with vicious grins, kicking at the bloodied ground as if flaunting a victory.

The crowd was silent as a grave. Everyone clamped their mouths shut, even softening their breaths.

Everyone understood that the protector's words were meant for them all—those who obeyed him would prosper, while those who defied him would perish.

The two butchers had long since gone pale with terror. They huddled behind their meat stall, trembling violently, without even the courage to pack it up.

Li Xiao stood at the tavern entrance with his back to the bloody scene. The churning in his stomach gradually subsided, replaced by a bone-deep chill.

It seems keeping a low profile and developing quietly is the true path. Without strength, forcing yourself into the limelight will only harm others and yourself, Li Xiao silently thought.

"Everyone, disperse." Seeing that the crowd had been cowed, the protector waved his hand in satisfaction, as though driving away flies.

"Go do whatever you should be doing. Don't block the road."

As if pardoned, the crowd scattered like birds and beasts in an instant. No one dared look back, and no one dared discuss it, as though the tragedy just now had been nothing more than an illusion.

The street soon became empty, leaving behind only the Wild Dog Gang, the mess covering the ground, and several Vicious Dogs licking at the bloodstains.

The protector patted the Giant Dog beneath him on the head. The beast wagged its tail contentedly, dried blood still staining the corners of its mouth.

The clatter of chains dragging across the ground gradually faded at the end of the street.

Only after the Wild Dog Gang had gone completely far away did Li Xiao slowly turn around.