Unexpected Turn

The pill Xia Xue had taken was one she had refined for Chu Xiaotian just a few days prior, specifically designed to neutralize the effects of the Bone-Softening Powder. Although neither of them knew the exact formula for the powder, Xia Xue was an alchemist who had personally suffered from its effects; analyzing its components and concocting a corresponding antidote was not a difficult task for her.

Of course, the actual efficacy was another matter entirely. As it turned out, Xia Xue's refinement was a success; after taking a single pill, she recovered within the span of just a few breaths. She struggled twice in Chu Xiaotian's arms, but seeing that she couldn't break free, she simply resigned herself to his embrace.

"Brother Xiaotian, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you again." Lifting her head from his chest and stealing a glance at him, Xia Xue spoke softly, her face flushed with embarrassment. Counting this time, she had misjudged Chu Xiaotian twice, which left her feeling deeply ashamed.

"This isn't your fault. You can only blame my strength for being too weak; otherwise, I could have just struck them down directly instead of using my little Xue as bait. But I promise you, this will never happen again." Chu Xiaotian brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, looked into her eyes, and spoke in a gentle voice.

"Mm." Xia Xue nodded lightly. Even though she knew the earlier scene hadn't been real, the sight of Chu Xiaotian turning to leave had caused her genuine, profound distress. It was a feeling she never wanted to experience again.

"Alright, don't worry anymore, little Xue. Let's go see those bastards who dared to set their sights on you and teach them a proper lesson." Chu Xiaotian pressed his forehead against hers and spoke softly. With that, he kept his arm around her slender waist and walked toward Huang Nian and his four companions.

The effects of the Bone-Softening Powder were remarkable. When Chu Xiaotian had scattered the powder over them, Huang Nian and his five men hadn't even had the chance to resist; they had collapsed to the ground instantly, lacking even the strength to twitch a finger.

The members of the Mad Blade Martial Hall had emerged from the main hall the moment Chu Xiaotian made his move. Once those five fellows lost their ability to act, they were dragged together like dead dogs. Of course, the dragging wasn't merely for transport; a little extra "care" had been added along the way. When Chu Xiaotian reached them, he saw that the men were bruised and battered, glaring at him with eyes full of rage.

The people from the Mad Blade Martial Hall were watching him as well, but their eyes were filled with gratitude. These men, who had insulted them so thoroughly, were now in this sorry state because of him, allowing them to vent their pent-up fury. Naturally, the disdain they had felt earlier when they thought Chu Xiaotian had abandoned Xia Xue had completely vanished.

"Everyone, stay calm, stay calm. You were the powerful ones a moment ago, but now the tables have completely turned. If you dare glare at me again, believe it or not, I'll gouge your eyeballs out." After offering a faint smile to the men of the Mad Blade Martial Hall, Chu Xiaotian turned his gaze toward the five men on the ground and spoke with a mocking, mirthless grin.

None of the five had the strength to speak, so they couldn't answer him. However, the rage in their eyes had vanished, replaced by threats and warnings. They were disciples of the Huang Family, one of the two great clans of Yufeng Prefecture; if he dared to harm them, he would certainly face dire consequences.

In truth, if it were only the group from the Mad Blade Martial Hall, their threats and warnings might have been effective. After all, while they might not fear death themselves, they wouldn't dare drag their families into the fray. But with Chu Xiaotian here, the situation was entirely different. He was a lone wolf, with no family for the Huang clan to target in retaliation. Most importantly, the fact that these fellows had dared to harbor designs on Xia Xue was something he could not tolerate. Furthermore, having watched plenty of martial arts dramas in his past life, he understood the principle that if you don't pull up the weeds by the roots, they will grow back with the spring breeze.

Once disciples of these great families were humiliated, even if you let them go, they would never let you go. Since the outcome would be the same regardless of whether he showed mercy, Chu Xiaotian couldn't be bothered to play the good guy and invite trouble upon himself.

"Heh, you don't have to glare; I'm really not afraid of you. Look, I even dare to step on you now." Seeing the threatening look in Huang Nian's eyes, Chu Xiaotian chuckled. As soon as he finished speaking, he planted his foot directly onto Huang Nian's face and ground it in with a heavy twist.

Huang Nian's expression was no longer visible, but the eyes of the other four guards were brimming with murderous intent. For Chu Xiaotian to humiliate their young master like this was a disgrace that could only be washed away with his blood. They had already decided that the moment they returned to the family, the first thing they would do was dispatch even stronger experts to slaughter this brat.

"Murderous intent—I can feel your murderous intent. Heh, but I'm not afraid. Unless you can kill me right now, you won't ever have another chance." Chu Xiaotian turned to look at the four guards, his expression earnest. His words sent a sudden chill down their spines, and a flash of horror crossed their eyes. They could clearly see that this teenager was not joking in the slightest. If they were truly to die at the hands of this kid with their level of strength, it would be a humiliating end indeed.

The members of the Mad Blade Martial Hall watched the shock and horror on the faces of the men who had previously refused to even look at them, and they couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. Yet, upon hearing that Chu Xiaotian truly intended to kill them, the disciples of the Mad Blade Martial Hall couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry. This guy was far too bold; if he killed these people, the Huang Family of Yufeng Prefecture would surely go berserk, and the resulting fury would be more than one or two people could withstand.

"Little brother, do you really intend to kill them? That might be unwise. The Huang Family is teeming with experts. If they go mad, the entire Greenwood Town could face total annihilation." Ba Dao stepped in front of Chu Xiaotian, speaking with concern. He wasn't just fear-mongering; if Huang Nian truly died in Greenwood Town, the Huang Family might well raze the entire town as a funeral offering. In the eyes of those great clans, only their own kin were considered human; small fry like them were nothing.

"Hall Master, you must understand: even if we let them go today, they won't let us go." Chu Xiaotian glanced at Ba Dao and spoke calmly.

Ba Dao nodded in silence. Everything Chu Xiaotian said was the truth, and he knew it well. Yet, if they really killed these men, the retaliation they would face would be severe.

"Hall Master, don't worry. I will make their deaths seem perfectly logical; no one will suspect us. However, you need to prepare a carriage for me." Seeing Ba Dao's expression, Chu Xiaotian smiled slightly. He had already devised a contingency plan in his mind and wasn't afraid of the Huang Family tracing it back to them.

Ba Dao was stunned, unable to fathom what Chu Xiaotian was planning, but he didn't hesitate to send a disciple to prepare a carriage. Just as he was about to turn back and ask for an explanation, a thunderous roar erupted from in front of them: "Brat, you want to kill us? Then you go to hell first!"

One of Huang Nian's guards had recovered and launched himself from the ground, lunging toward Chu Xiaotian. The effects of the Bone-Softening Powder weren't as potent as Chu Xiaotian had imagined; it was highly effective against those in the Body Refining realm, but the higher the cultivation, the weaker the effect. Xia Xue had taken a full day and night to recover due to her lower cultivation, but this guard was already in the Sea-Opening Realm with a dense reserve of spiritual essence. While Chu Xiaotian was distracted by his conversation, the guard had managed to purge all the powder from his system.

Chu Xiaotian was startled, instantly grasping the critical oversight, and cursed his own carelessness. Then, under the astonished gazes of Ba Dao and the others, he threw a punch toward the charging guard.

"Little brother, no!" Seeing Chu Xiaotian rush toward a Sea-Opening Realm expert, Ba Dao cried out in alarm. As the words left his lips, his body surged forward, his long blade swinging toward the guard. He still thought of Chu Xiaotian as the boy who couldn't cultivate; charging at a Sea-Opening expert like this was no different from seeking death. He tried to intervene, but he was a half-beat too slow. By the time he reached the guard, Chu Xiaotian would have already clashed with him. It was a result he didn't want to see.

Boom! A massive explosion rang out, sending gusts of wind scattering and kicking up a layer of dust from the ground. Chu Xiaotian and the guard collided, then recoiled from each other. Chu Xiaotian retreated five steps before steadying himself, and the guard did the same. A flash of horror crossed the guard's eyes—how old was this kid? He had already reached the same realm as himself! Such talent was truly terrifying.

To go head-to-head with a Sea-Opening expert and come out evenly matched was something Ba Dao found hard to accept. The first time he met the boy, he was just a third-stage Body Refining weakling who couldn't even practice techniques. Yet, in such a short time, his strength had already surpassed his own. For Ba Dao, this was a minor blow to his pride.

"Hall Master, don't worry about me. Go and cripple the dantian of the other Sea-Opening expert!" Chu Xiaotian didn't care what Ba Dao was thinking. He pointed at the other guard on the ground and spoke urgently. Before Ba Dao could react, he threw another punch and charged at the guard in front of him.

"Brat, since you're in such a hurry to die, I'll grant your wish!" Seeing Chu Xiaotian charge, the guard sneered. A long sword appeared in his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a flurry of sword shadows, enveloping Chu Xiaotian.

Chu Xiaotian's expression tightened. Fighting bare-handed against a blade was a major taboo in a duel between peers, and he didn't believe his flesh-and-blood palms could survive those sword shadows. He abruptly shifted his momentum, dodging out of the guard's attack range, appeared beside a weapon rack, snatched up a long spear, and turned to thrust it at the guard.