Chapter 19
Today's sunset was especially red, tinting the clouds in the sky and the road below with a veil of crimson.
However, compared to the color of flowing human blood, that little bit of red was nothing worth mentioning.
On the road through this wilderness, a slaughter was underway. The accompanying carriage had been cut into two pieces, while the corpses of horses and guards fell to the ground, blood flowing everywhere.
At one side of the road, three burly knights were locked in battle. The knight with the blue lake crest tattooed on his right arm was fighting two opponents alone and barely holding on, but he likely would not last much longer.
"Miss, take the young master and go! Hurry!" the knight shouted.
Behind a carriage, a pale-faced youth lay on the ground with blood flowing from his arm. Beside him, a girl tugged at him, struggling to escape.
However, it was clear that the girl had twisted her ankle. Escaping with the youth using her own strength was obviously impossible.
At that moment, another figure slowly approached. He held a longsword, blood dripping from its blade.
"Hehe, trying to run?"
The man's voice was somewhat hoarse. "Let me send you fleeing all the way to hell!"
With that declaration of death, the man raised the longsword in his hand.
The girl's face turned deathly pale, and she could not move.
"Damn it! You actually dare assassinate the Green Family Bloodline!" the embattled knight roared, but he could only rage helplessly.
He could not break free at all. Once the girl and the young master died, he would be next.
Whoosh!
Just as the man raised his sword, a Poor Quality Longsword turned into an arrow and shot through the air, aimed directly at his throat.
"Someone?" The man was startled. He hurriedly gave up on killing the girl and twisted aside, evading the attack.
Whoosh!
Another longsword tore through the air, forcing the man to widen the distance between himself and the girl.
Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop...
Two Warhorses arrived one after the other. They were none other than Luo Ning and his knight, Macken.
Luo Ning had not wanted to meddle in other people's business, but he figured that on a road like this, even if there were enemies, they would not be particularly powerful.
So, after having Macken scout ahead and confirm the basic situation, they rushed over.
Naturally, Luo Ning could not miss such an opportunity to save people and befriend nobles.
"Two knights, please lend us a hand! The Green Family will surely reward you generously!"
The fighting knight shouted, but his distraction allowed his arm to be slashed.
"Macken, save that knight first," Luo Ning ordered.
"Yes, my lord!"
Macken dismounted, drew his longsword, picked up his shield, and charged over.
But at that moment, the man who had raised his sword tossed away the weapon and quickly spread his clasped hands apart.
Luo Ning saw elemental energy gathering between the man's palms. In the blink of an eye, it formed a blade of wind.
"Careful, he's a mage!" the girl said with difficulty, warning them.
Whoosh!
The Wind Blade shot out at terrifying speed, raising goosebumps all over Luo Ning's body.
"Macken, watch out!"
There was no time for his warning. Macken halted, thrust his sword into the ground, and sent Battle Qi flowing through the blade and into the earth.
An Earth Wall rose from the ground before him.
Boom!
The Wind Blade struck the Earth Wall, slicing it cleanly into two halves before continuing toward Macken with its remaining force!
Macken raised his shield in advance and took the blow.
Fortunately, the Wind Blade had been weakened. Its residual force was not very destructive, and after it slammed into the shield, Macken merely took a small step back before blocking it.
"An Intermediate Knight?"
The mage's expression changed. "Retreat!"
Seeing that the situation had changed, he immediately fled without a second thought, not even caring about the two knights still fighting fiercely.
But how could Luo Ning willingly let him escape now?
A mage—what a rare existence. And he was even a Wind Attribute mage, perfectly compatible with Luo Ning's own attribute.
"Macken, deal with this mage. Remember, don't let him get away!"
"Capture him alive!"
"Your will, my sword!"
Macken showed no fear and charged straight at him without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Luo Ning urged his horse into a gallop and charged toward the knights still locked in battle.
"Assassinating nobles in Wushan Territory—whose faction do you belong to?"
His longsword swept out, carrying the momentum of the charging warhorse. Of the two knights, one could only leap forward to block the blow.
But under the collision of overwhelming force, the opponent's sword was knocked flying from his hand.
Luo Ning was now at the late stage of Beginner Knight, with his progress already at 95/100. His strength far exceeded that of the Beginner Knight before him.
Combined with the boost from his warhorse, this was simply not something his opponent could withstand.
He reined in his horse, turned it around, and charged again. The knight who had lost his sword no longer had any desire to resist and tried to flee into the forest to evade pursuit.
But although he was fast, he was not faster than Luo Ning's excellent quality warhorse.
Splurt!
Luo Ning caught up from behind and swept his sword across, cutting through the man's arm and the artery in his neck. Blood sprayed out.
"King of Slaughter" achievement completed: Attribute Points +30, Energy Essence +60
As the battle here ended, the knight who had just been suppressed also completed his counterkill.
Now, only the battle between Macken and the mage remained unfinished.
Luo Ning sat on horseback, watching from afar.
At that moment, green energy flowed around the mage's feet, making Luo Ning realize that a mage's speed could actually match that of an Intermediate Knight.
Unfortunately, after fleeing for some distance, perhaps because his Magic Power had run out, the energy around his feet vanished and his speed plummeted.
Even after rushing into the forest, he was quickly caught by Macken, who gave him one kick from behind and sent him crashing to the ground.
"I advise you not to struggle. You'll suffer less that way!"
Macken caught up and delivered two heavy punches, directly breaking two of the man's ribs. Then he grabbed the back of his collar and carried him back down the mountain.
Like he was carrying a kitten, he tossed the mage before Luo Ning and placed his longsword against the man's neck.
Luo Ning sheathed his sword, pulled the reins, and remained seated on his horse. "Who are you people? Why did you try to assassinate members of the Green Family?"
"Hmph!"
The mage snorted coldly. "If the initial battle hadn't consumed too much of my Magic Power, you would never have caught me!"
Macken shifted the edge of his sword and shouted, "Watch your attitude, prisoner!"
"They should be assassins from the Skull Society."
The wounded knight walked over and bowed to Luo Ning and Macken.
"Thank you both for saving us. The Green Family will remember your kindness!"
Luo Ning nodded slightly. "Go check on your young master and miss. They should be injured."
Upon hearing this, the knight did not dare delay and hurried toward the carriage.
"May the Seven Gods protect you. Young master, the Wind Blade only cut through your flesh; it did not injure your bones or tendons. Miss, you've twisted your ankle and cannot move for the time being."
Luo Ning withdrew his gaze from the Green Family members. This captive would be the greatest gain from his actions this time.
"Chahar, bring a few guards over!"
Chahar, who had been watching from afar, heard Luo Ning's call and brought five guards running over.
"My lord, your orders!"
Luo Ning pointed at the mage on the ground. "Go see what help the young master and miss need over there."
"Guards, step forward and restrain this fellow. Macken, search him and see if he has any important intelligence on him."
Searching for intelligence was naturally just an excuse. What Luo Ning really wanted to know was whether the man had a magic book on him—or at the very least, some money.
Thanks to Cangtian Yisi and several other gentlemen for your votes. The book will enter its first round of recommendations at midnight tonight. Following the latest chapters is truly crucial for a new author and a new book, so please give it a read every day. Only reading to the end of the newest chapter counts as an effective follow, and that will give it a chance to be promoted to the next round. My sincere thanks!
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