Zhou Qiuyi!
He had risen from humble beginnings, made his name in middle age—a late bloomer, yet no less full of high spirits!
With one hand, he had founded the fishing guild, and for a time had even suppressed the He Family.
With all the pride in his bones, when had he ever begged anyone?
But alas, he was already old. Seven or eight parts of his strength out of ten had faded away!
Yet he was unwilling!
He could not bear to watch the effort of half his life turn to ashes just like that.
To watch the vast foundation he had built be destroyed in a single day.
Though human strength would eventually run dry, at the very end—
Even if he were smashed to pieces and his soul scattered to the winds, he would leave behind a single spark of fire!
"Let them leave?"
The Old He Family Patriarch and the other man closed in once more, playful looks in their eyes as they sneered,
"Zhou Qiuyi, are you so old that the longer you live, the further back you regress?
Do you really think that is possible?
Listen to yourself. Don't you find it laughable?"
"Alas!!!"
The Fishing Master let out another long sigh, a flicker of sorrow passing through his eyes.
"Looks like there can be no peaceful resolution!"
An even more terrifying fury surged from his body once again!
His full head of white hair streamed in the air!
His robes billowed wildly without wind!
The Blood Saber in his hand rang and hummed, its patterns growing clearer as it became ever more crimson!
It was as though the blade itself possessed a spirit.
Strands of sharp edge capable of severing and extinguishing all things spilled forth!
Seeing the Fishing Master charge at them!
The Old He Family Patriarch and the other man felt their hearts tighten and secretly raised their guard.
By the look of it, he was clearly about to risk his life!
After exchanging a glance!
One to the left and one to the right, dark iron blood qi coiled around them as they struck out together with a pair of iron palms!
But unexpectedly!
The Fishing Master's body paused, then he spun abruptly, evading their killing strikes.
He then rushed toward another direction!
With one horizontal slash, blazing bloodlight cleaved a He Family martial artist in two at the waist.
"Jin, break out!"
Seeing the Fishing Master charging over with murderous momentum!
The two Bone-Tempering Realm martial artists who had been fiercely besieging Head Steward Zhao Jin!
Their faces instantly turned green!
How could they dare press forward any longer? They immediately retreated, not daring to contend with him at all.
"Zhou Qiuyi, you have no martial virtue!"
"Bullying the young with your age, you shameless scoundrel!"
The Old He Family Patriarch froze at first, then flew into a rage and cursed loudly!
He hurriedly chased after him!
The Fishing Master turned a deaf ear. Blood Saber in hand, he slaughtered his way through the crowd, leaving men and horses sprawling in all directions!
He forced the martial artists of both sides to retreat together.
No one dared step forward!
"Quick!!!"
"Alright, old man... you, you take care!"
A flash of grief crossed the Head Steward's eyes, but his expression soon hardened with resolve.
"Those who can still move, follow me at once!"
With a sweep of his hand, he took the lead, unleashing his cultivation to the fullest as he cleared a path for everyone.
"You go. I'll hold the rear!"
Behind them, Liu Sheng was covered in blood, his tall body standing straight as his scar-covered arms rose high!
He threw back his head and shouted!
In each hand, he held an Eight-Petaled Golden Gourd Hammer, each as large as an adult's head!
Each one weighed well over a hundred jin!
When swung, they howled with tiger-like force, their might terrifying to behold.
"Father..."
Liu Zhanpeng clenched his fists tightly, tears in his eyes as he mingled among the fleeing fishing guild disciples!
By now, he had already broken through to the Skin Refining Realm!
He had become a true martial artist!
But what use was that!
Before stronger martial artists, he was still like an ant, utterly useless!
At most, he was merely a somewhat larger ant!
Liu Sheng swung the great golden hammers in his hands, standing firmly at the rear as he fought with all his might.
Seemingly hearing something, he cast a glance from the corner of his eye and saw Liu Zhanpeng trying several times to rush out.
He could not help roaring!
"Get the hell out of here!"
"Dafeng, hold him back! Drag him away for me!"
"Brother Zhanpeng, let's... let's go! If we don't leave now, it'll be too late!"
Jiang Dafeng gripped Liu Zhanpeng's arm and said anxiously.
Jiang Sanxi and Jiang Fu were there as well.
Their bodies were stained with patches of blood, but fortunately, they had only suffered minor injuries. Nothing serious!
Speaking of which!
They had Liu Sheng to thank for this. Amid the chaotic slaughter, he had found them and had Liu Zhanpeng protect them.
Otherwise!
With the three of them being ordinary people without any cultivation, not even proficient in fists and kicks!
They likely would not have survived until now!
It was a pity about Uncle Fu, who had helped them earlier. He was already dead...
In the chaos just now, he had run into a He Family disciple and been cut down with a single slash.
"I wonder how Xiao Yi is doing?"
"I pray the heavens will bless him, that he is safe and sound and can escape soon!"
"There aren't many people left in our Jiang Family Village..."
Jiang Dafeng's face was filled with deep worry, yet there was nothing he could do.
He could only pray in silence.
The Old He Family Patriarch surrounded him once more. Helpless, the Fishing Master could only meet him head-on.
He had already given them their sliver of survival!
He had done all he could!
As for how many could survive, that was up to fate!
Even if only a scattered handful escaped, he would be satisfied.
Seeing a group of fishing guild disciples already rush out of the courtyard!
The Fishing Master hesitated no longer!
He directly burned the blood qi within his body, fighting one against two as he held them back with all his strength.
"Head Steward, I'll help you!"
Second Steward Han Tong, covered in blood and gripping a Three-Foot Green Edge treasure sword, rushed toward Zhao Jin!
The Head Steward nodded!
Just as he was about to respond, a sudden, piercing pain came from his chest!
Lowering his head, he saw—
A section of sword blade had entered through his back and pierced through his chest.
The sword tip protruded from his body!
Its cold gleam was fierce, yet not a drop of blood stained it!
It was a rare divine weapon!
"You..."
Zhao Jin staggered several steps!
At first, he could scarcely believe it. Then his face twisted with fury, murderous intent overflowing!
Suppressing the pain, he spun around sharply and struck out with his palm.
But Han Tong had long been prepared!
The instant his blow landed, he had swiftly retreated and evaded it early on!
"Han Tong, you traitor!"
This sudden turn of events drew everyone's attention. The fishing guild side in particular was left dumbfounded!
What was going on?
The Second Steward had defected?
He had even stabbed the Head Steward in the back!
"Hahaha, how is it? Surprised? Was it unexpected?"
Seeing Zhao Jin in such a wretched state after suffering grave injuries, the Current He Family Patriarch burst into laughter!
"You are destined not to escape!"
Han Tong, standing at a distance, could not help curling his lips in disdain,
"Traitor? Where is this traitor you speak of?"
"You are mistaken, Head Steward. Has it ever occurred to you that I was originally a man of the He Family..."
His expression seemed to say:
He had laid all his cards on the table!
He, Han Tong, was an undercover agent!
He had swallowed hardship and slept on brushwood for more than ten years, and today he had finally found his moment to be useful!
"Han Tong, stop wasting words. Kill every last one of these people for this Patriarch!
Not a single one may remain!"
"Yes, Patriarch!"
Upon hearing the He Lineage's order, Han Tong accepted without the slightest hesitation!
Then he looked toward the people before him!
His face was full of a playful look!
That gaze was like one cast upon a flock of lambs struggling at death's door.
Suddenly!
He seemed to spot something and fixed his eyes on one person!
"Liu Sheng's son, so you were here!"
"Good, good, good!"
"In the fishing guild, your old man opposed me at every turn. Then I'll start with you!"
"After killing you, I'll take your head to show your father.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what expression he'll make!
Hahaha..."