An Accident

On the mountain road.

Scattered goods and corpses were everywhere. Those still fighting, even if not martial artists, were strong individuals with years of training and abundant stamina, all of whom would likely become martial artists in the future.

Gu Family Village's decline was greatly reversed thanks to Gu Sheng's divine arrows.

Although they were still at a slight disadvantage, the trend was no longer a one-sided affair as it had been before.

After the initial continuous fall of bandits and villagers, the strength difference between the two sides was now not that significant. Sword light and shadow flashed back and forth, locked in a stalemate.

Gu Sheng spotted Gu Xiaojiang among them.

This youth, the same age as him, wielded a fine steel sword with a strict swordsmanship. His skill was not weak, and he was currently fighting a bandit martial artist alongside other village guards.

Being able to practice martial arts at fifteen was a path left open for youths outside the main family in the village. As for the youths of the main family, as long as their bones and muscles had fully developed, they could begin practicing martial arts early.

This seemed unfair, but in many villages controlled by main families, the lower classes didn't even have the opportunity to practice martial arts.

Relatively speaking.

Gu Family Village was considered quite humane, at least leaving a path for the lowest-ranking villagers.

"Everyone listen! Hold these sons of bitches for me! Gu Jingang will be here soon, and he'll make these beasts pay!"

Gu Dajiang roared with anger, his eyes blazing, continuing to boost morale.

He shook his great saber, its blade slicing through the air with a sharp whistle as it collided with the spiked mace.

His tiger's mouth went numb from the impact, but he ignored it, desperately sticking to Wang Chong, fighting with a reckless disregard for his own life.

Seeing Gu Renxu and many familiar faces fall before his eyes, this middle-aged man, who resembled an old farmer, was enraged!

Gu Family Village's morale continued to rise, filled with hope. Everyone mustered their strength and ferociously charged at the enemy, wishing they could cleave them in two.

The bandits, on the other hand, felt a growing panic.

With an unerring archer watching from the shadows, they were already under immense pressure.

Now, with enemy reinforcements about to arrive, the dual pressure made them consider retreating.

However, the Gu Family Village side had no intention of letting them go. They were determined to keep these fierce bandits, even if it meant suffering serious injuries.

Wang Chong's tiger eyes widened, the muscles in his arms bulging as he swung the spiked mace with immense force, kicking up billowing dust, intending to smash Gu Dajiang into a pulp.

But Gu Dajiang was clearly no pushover. He wielded his saber with iron palms, fighting with broad, sweeping movements that still left room for maneuver. Although at a disadvantage, he wouldn't be defeated anytime soon.

The situation had become completely deadlocked.

And this stalemate was good for Gu Family Village.

Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu watched the situation below, their moods slightly calming.

Once Gu Jingang arrived with his men, everything would be settled.

Gu Sheng observed the combat between the martial artists in the distance. Their movements were agile, their senses sharp. The remaining three Black Blood Powder arrows couldn't be shot carelessly; he needed to find the most opportune moment.

Suddenly.

A scream was heard. A martial artist from Gu Family Village had his head cleanly severed, his blood splashing three feet high!

Gu Sheng's eyes narrowed. He saw a ferocious bandit holding a simple saber, his face a sickly, unnatural red. The bandit shot a fierce glance towards the woods before quickly moving to dodge.

"It's him! The bandit who killed Steward Gu Renxu!"

Gu Sheng's gaze turned incredibly cold. He had noticed the bandit earlier, but this bandit martial artist was cunning and hadn't presented any shooting opportunities.

He never expected this man to be so sly, feigning an even match all along just to lower the guard of the opposing Gu Family Village martial artist.

Gu Sheng stopped shooting arrows. He seemed to have guessed something and suddenly burst forward, his speed increasing significantly. He instantly decapitated the Gu Family Village martial artist he was fighting with a single saber strike!

He wanted to break the stalemate, otherwise, once Gu Family Village's reinforcements arrived, the bandits would have nowhere to escape!

"Gu Nian!"

"Nianzi!"

The Gu Family Village side cried out in grief and anger. This was the first martial artist from Gu Family Village to fall.

The bandit side, however, saw their morale surge.

Wang Chong laughed heartily.

"Zhang Da, well done!"

"Second Boss, you did great!"

The bandit named Zhang Da sneered. With part of his attention on the woods, he swiftly moved towards Gu Xiaojiang.

"Gu Dajiang, you want to wait for reinforcements? I'll cut off your lineage first!!"

This arrogant laughter caused everyone's expression to change. Gu Dajiang's hair stood on end with rage, but this time Wang Chong was the one tying him down, and he couldn't break free.

Gu Sheng's heart skipped a beat as well.

This bandit wasn't stupid. He knew he couldn't interfere in the battle between Gu Dajiang and Wang Chong, both of whom were in the Blood Refining Realm. So, he decided to use a feint, aiming to capture Gu Xiaojiang to break the deadlock. If something happened to Gu Dajiang, the consequences were unimaginable. They might not even be able to wait for reinforcements!

"I can't let him succeed!"

Gu Sheng's eyes were sharp and cold. He nocked a Black Blood Powder arrow, focusing on the cautious figure, searching for an opportunity.

Zhang Da's movements were incredibly swift, clearly indicating he was no ordinary Skin Refining stage martial artist. His sudden attack sent Gu Xiaojiang and the others into a state of panicked shock.

The few of them were already at their limit dealing with one martial artist; with an even more powerful one arriving, their defensive line became precarious.

Squelch!

Zhang Da's arm strength was astonishing. His sword, like it was slicing through thin paper, effortlessly impaled a young man who had stepped in front of Gu Xiaojiang.

The others wanted to rush to his aid, but they were all locked in a fierce struggle with their own opponents.

Gu Xiaojiang's face turned ashen. The killing intent radiating from the bandits opposite him was so oppressive he could barely breathe. His eyes were filled with unwillingness.

"Am I, Gu Xiaojiang, going to die like this today... I'm not reconciled! I still want to practice martial arts, I still want to lead Gu Family Village to destroy the Black Sand Gang! How can I die here? I'm not reconciled!"

His life's journey had barely begun, and it was about to be cut short. Gu Xiaojiang's eyes began to bloodshot. Gritting his teeth, he roared, his steel sword tracing a mysterious trajectory, actually managing to parry Zhang Da's broadsword.

But that was all he could do.

A tremendous force struck him, and Gu Xiaojiang was flung high into the air. Zhang Da's strength was utterly beyond his ability to match. The sound of cracking bones echoed, his muscles and bones felt numb and useless, leaving him paralyzed on the spot.

"Kid, you've got some skill, but in front of your grandpa Zhang Da, it's not enough!"

Zhang Da sneered, the bloodstains on his face still fresh, making him look like a demon.

He leaped forward, intending to finish Gu Xiaojiang with a single blow.

Gu Xiaojiang's eyes were filled with unwillingness and bitterness. He glanced towards his father's direction and roared at the sky.

"Father, hold on! Avenge me!!"

Gu Dajiang's eyes bulged with rage. Pain and despair caused his entire body to tremble. Although he was desperately trying to rush over, Wang Chong's obstruction significantly slowed his progress. To Gu Dajiang's naked eye, Zhang Da's broadsword was already raised high.

At that moment.

Whoosh!!

The familiar sharp whistle of an arrow suddenly rang out, making everyone's spirits jolt.

Gu Sheng had made his move!

Seizing the slight lapse in Zhang Da's attack, the arrow shot forward like lightning, instantly crossing the battlefield. The arrowhead, coated with Black Blood Powder, gleamed with a faint, chilling light.

Gu Sheng's eyes were filled with killing intent.

The tragic sight of Gu Renxu flashed vividly in his mind, making him more focused than ever before. The arrow spun, its speed incredibly swift, even surpassing his previous limits.

The Gu Family Village side felt a surge of morale, a glimmer of hope igniting in their hearts.

Gu Xiaojiang, in particular, felt life rekindle in his eyes.