Broken Sword

Just as the five long swords were less than three feet from Lin Qi, and the tip of Enzo's trembling sword was about to touch the bodies of those men, the metal door behind them, with its intricate and exquisite hollowed-out patterns, suddenly swung open. A figure as huge as a bear from the far northern ice plains suddenly bounded out.

"Hahaha, young master, you're back?" The voice roared like thunder, and a visible shockwave spread outwards. A thick iron chain flew out from his sleeve, accompanied by a piercing clang. A black, round Iron Hammer the size of a child's body whistled through the air.

The long swords of the five men shattered inch by inch. The iron chain, like a monstrous python, heavily swept across their waists, tearing their flesh and nearly breaking their spines. The men screamed in agony, spitting blood as they were sent flying far away, crashing heavily into the thick snow and rolling helplessly.

The massive figure landed heavily behind Arthur. Arthur, who was retreating, changed his expression. His body collided with the exceptionally sturdy body behind him, like crashing into a small mountain, unable to push it back. Lin Qi's fist landed squarely and unceremoniously. Seizing the moment Arthur couldn't move, Lin Qi's fist smashed into Arthur's face. Arthur grunted, gritted his teeth tightly, and was sent flying by Lin Qi's punch.

The instant Lin Qi's fist hit Arthur's face, a thin layer of pale golden light emanated from Arthur's body. The holy, majestic, and powerful golden light flashed and disappeared. The immense force in Lin Qi's punch, capable of shattering a bull's skull, was completely absorbed by the golden light. Arthur suffered no substantial damage.

A few tiny specks of ash trickled from between Arthur's fingers. Lin Qi retracted his fist, his face grim, and sneered, "A Talisman? Hmm, and it's a Sun God's Talisman too. Well, it's a Talisman drawn by a high-ranking cleric. It's much better than the Dawn Talisman I used last time!"

Faint golden light flickered intermittently beneath Arthur's skin, indicating the considerable power of the Talisman Arthur was using. Compared to the defective Talisman Lin Qi had used last time, Arthur's Talisman was a genuine masterpiece produced by a high-ranking cleric of the Church.

Arthur smiled faintly. Although he had been sent flying by Lin Qi's punch, he flipped in mid-air and landed steadily on the ground. He smiled and nodded at Lin Qi, saying as if nothing had happened, "Lin Qi, why do you attack me as soon as you return? What happened back then is in the past. Have you forgotten Father's words?"

Lin Qi snorted coldly. Iron Hammer, who had just rushed out of the gate and nearly beaten Arthur's five subordinates to death, also snorted coldly. Iron Hammer glared at Arthur and said grimly, "Young Master Arthur, if I see your subordinates dare to attack the young master again, don't blame me for being impolite."

The thick iron chain and the massive Iron Hammer were slowly retracted into Iron Hammer's sleeve. Iron Hammer looked at the men crying and wailing in the snow with a sinister smile and snorted, "I remember where all your families live! You should also remember the young master's face! Next time you dare to show the slightest disrespect to the young master, I swear your families will be eaten by winged sharks!"

The five men looked at Arthur with fear and despair. Arthur, with an equally displeased expression, obediently bowed slightly to Iron Hammer, smiling obsequiously, "Uncle Iron Hammer, you've misunderstood. It was just a small misunderstanding. This incident isn't what you think it is."

Iron Hammer waved his hand domineeringly and rudely. His face was grim as he said, "I don't need explanations, and I never listen to them! In short, Young Master Arthur, it's fine if you hit the young master! But if your people dare to attack the young master, I injured them this time, but next time!"

Iron Hammer made no attempt to hide his malice towards Arthur. He looked at Arthur and smiled sinisterly, raising his hand and making a throat-slitting gesture.

Arthur's expression changed again. He lowered his head and responded dejectedly. The men who had been sent flying by the iron chain struggled for a while, finally staggering to their feet and walking over awkwardly, helping the middle-aged man who had been wounded by Enzo's sword.

Another black shadow darted out from the gate. Unlike Iron Hammer, who was as huge as a bear, the man who darted out this time was short and gaunt, like a dried-up monkey. Iron Hammer was filled with heat like lava, but as soon as this man appeared, a gust of cold wind swept over, and everyone suddenly felt a chill.

"Young master, you're back?" the black shadow shouted with immense joy, circling Lin Qi rapidly like a whirlwind.

Lin Qi also shouted happily, "Uncle Butcher Knife, it's been three years!"

With a "Heh heh" sinister laugh, Butcher Knife stopped his dazzling, rapid movements. He was a thin middle-aged man, no more than five feet tall. His skin was fair, but with triangular eyes, upturned eyebrows, and a mouth full of rotten yellow teeth, his appearance was truly unbearable. His head was covered in patches of dry yellow short hair, and the rest of his scalp was scarred from burns.

Lin Qi and Butcher Knife embraced enthusiastically. The robust Lin Qi lifted Butcher Knife, like an adult picking up a child.

Butcher Knife quickly noticed the strange visual impact caused by the huge difference in size. He cursed and struggled free from Lin Qi's arms, then delivered a hard kick to Lin Qi's backside: "Three years, young master, what have you been eating in Berely? Your size is almost catching up to the master's!"

With a few "Heh heh" sinister laughs, Butcher Knife's sinister gaze suddenly fell upon Arthur. Arthur trembled and hurriedly bowed slightly to Butcher Knife. He didn't dare to say much and immediately led his five subordinates, supporting the severely injured middle-aged man, down Black Mountain Beech Mountain.

Butcher Knife smiled sinisterly and suddenly said, "Young Master Arthur!"

Arthur subconsciously turned his head and respectfully replied, "Uncle Butcher Knife!"

Butcher Knife laughed a few times. He beckoned towards the middle-aged man's lost horse sword in the snow a few steps away. A very thin black thread shot out from his sleeve, coiling around the horse sword and bringing it into his hand. Butcher Knife waved his right hand, and several extremely fine cold lights flashed. The steel horse sword, with a "Chaka chaka" sound, suddenly broke into more than a dozen sections.

Large beads of cold sweat broke out on Enzo's forehead-- Lin Qi's Uncle Butcher Knife was another monster!

Butcher Knife said darkly, "Next time I see your people disrespecting the young master, it won't be such an easy resolution!"

Arthur dared not utter a sound. He bowed deeply to Butcher Knife and then, with a face full of smiles, quickly led his men away along the main road.

Lin Qi revealed a brilliant smile. Iron Hammer and Butcher Knife grabbed Lin Qi's hands and, filled with joy, pulled him into the courtyard gate. Iron Hammer took a few steps, looked back at Enzo, waved his large hand, and a chain shot out, pulling Enzo in like a scarecrow.