Human Lives Worth Less Than Grass

Fang Hu looked at the youth before him. He had entertained this thought before.

But first, although the youth's aptitude was good, martial cultivation was not something one could achieve overnight.

Second, he had intended to observe him for a while longer.

After all, even with talent and aptitude, martial cultivation still required diligence and hardship.

Compared with talent and aptitude, diligence and hardship were equally important.

Once, in Xiahe County Town, there had been someone blessed with the finest martial talent and aptitude. This person had entered Xiahe County First Martial Arts School under a master.

At first, relying on his exceptional talent, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. He entered the path in a day and achieved minor success in three months.

From Skin Tempering to bone forging, his realm rose steadily. For several years, he had crushed all of Xiahe County Town beneath him, without an equal.

Even many senior martial artists had been surpassed by him.

But when he reached the Marrow Refining stage, it became a task of grinding water through stone, relying chiefly on time. It often took years upon years to reach completion.

Having reached that stage, he naturally believed that, as before, he would still be the first among his peers to break through.

Unfortunately, as his strength increased and his reputation rang out,

his father took him around the various powers within Xiahe County Town.

Although they gained many benefits from it—farmland, houses, beautiful maidservants—the genius also became immersed in them, neglecting his martial cultivation.

In time, he was gradually surpassed by his peers. He had squandered his days, and by the time he came to his senses, he was already old. Coupled with his lack of restraint, his qi and blood had declined, and he never made the slightest further progress.

In the end, he no longer possessed the air of overflowing talent and had faded into the common multitude.

If Fang Hu remembered correctly, that man seemed to have been called Zhou Fangyong.

Because of that lesson, whether families or martial arts schools, all would inspect a disciple's character before accepting one or teaching martial arts. They had to possess the perseverance to endure hardship.

Thus, Fang Hu had originally intended to see whether Fang Yue could endure hardship.

But he had not expected that plans could not keep pace with change.

Fang Yue's talent and aptitude could actually continue improving. By now, it would not be excessive to call it superior talent.

He could only move the plan forward and head to Xiahe County Town, where, under his master's witness, he would formally accept Fang Yue into his school.

As for diligence and resilience, those could be emphasized later. At the very least, he would not let him waste his potential.

On the third day, before noon.

At the end of the road, a blue-gray city wall slowly emerged.

They were about to reach Xiahe County Town.

"Dad, we've finally arrived. This time, can we not go to Uncle-Master Zhang's house?"

Fang Ergou shook his head like a rattle drum.

Who knew what Fang Ergou had experienced? It was as though Uncle-Master Zhang's house contained some flood beast or savage monster.

"Hmph, why wouldn't we go? If we don't go to Uncle-Master Zhang's house, where are we staying tonight?"

Fang Hu rapped Er Gou on the head and flatly rejected him.

Then, ignoring him, he led the ox cart onward toward the County Town.

Fang Yue, following behind them, could not help but smile.

Judging from the form of address, that Uncle-Master Zhang should have been Fang Hu's senior martial brother.

Whenever Fang Hu came to Xiahe County Town, he seemed to stay at this Uncle-Master Zhang's house. Clearly, the martial brothers had a good relationship.

He simply did not know why Fang Ergou was so afraid of Uncle-Master Zhang's house.

He looked nothing like his usual honest, simple self.

"Stop!"

"Those who surrender will not be killed!"

Just then, dust billowed ahead.

Hooves shook the ground. Soon, they saw more than a dozen Knights dressed in black galloping over from another road.

Ahead of them, seven or eight burly men dressed in animal hides and carrying all manner of weapons were fleeing desperately.

"Be careful. Stay close to me."

Seeing this, Fang Hu's expression turned grave. The powerful bow on his back was already in his hand.

Fang Ergou also held a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other, remaining vigilant at all times.

"The city guards are hunting down the Mountain Folk of the Mo Shan Tribe. Those people neither pay taxes nor hand over grain. They are uncivilized savages. If they come over here, shoot them."

Fang Hu explained a little more to Fang Yue.

After all, Fang Yue had never left Daliushu Village and naturally had never seen such a thing.

The Mo Shan Tribe lived in Mo Mountain, more than three hundred li northwest of Xiahe County Town. They had originally been wild folk of the mountains, refusing to submit to the king's rule.

They refused to hand over grain or pay taxes, and in years of famine, they often attacked the surrounding villages.

Thus, they had long been placed on Xiahe County Town's wanted list. Who knew why these people had appeared near Xiahe County Town this time?

They were truly too bold. Had they come here without fearing the authorities?

In just that brief moment,

the men in animal hides were gradually caught by the Knights behind them.

How could two legs outrun four hooves?

Seeing that, the few men immediately dropped to their knees and begged for mercy.

Yet the promised mercy for surrender never came.

The long blades in the Knights' hands flashed with snowy brilliance as they swung swiftly, carving streaks through the air.

With a single slash, heads were severed. Blood sprayed, heads flew high, and landed in the Knights' hands before being placed into sacks on their horses.

The other Knights did the same. In the span of mere moments, several fresh lives had been cut short before Fang Yue's eyes.

Seeing that escape was impossible and surrender useless, the remaining men in animal hides stopped fleeing one after another. They turned around, let out cries of "Uwa! Uwa!" and began fighting the Knights for their lives.

The outcome was naturally destined.

Though the men in animal hides appeared larger and stronger, under the assault of fully armed Knights mounted on warhorses, they could not hold out for even a moment before they were swiftly slaughtered to the last.

At the sight, Fang Yue could not help covering his mouth.

His stomach churned, and a sour sensation surged upward without end.

He was only a few dozen meters away from those Knights. He could clearly see the men in animal hides being beheaded, their bodies torn apart.

He could see blood spraying, hear their wails and furious curses, and even smell the bloody, salty stench.

All those shocks crashed into his heart at once. That Fang Yue could still remain standing was already no easy feat.

"What are you people doing?"

"What are you hauling? Do you have any prohibited goods? Pull back that covering and let me inspect it!"

Just then, one of the Knights broke away from the group and came before Fang Yue and the others' donkey cart.

Looking down from above, he held his blade at the ready.

When he saw the goods on the donkey cart, he moved to lift the covering with his blade for a look.

Is he trying to extort us while he has the chance?

Seeing the Knight's manner and the greed in his eyes, the thought abruptly surfaced in Fang Yue's mind.

This is bad!

But Fang Hu had already been prepared. The instant the soldier finished speaking, he handed over their travel permit.

"Please have a look, sir. We are from the White Tiger Martial Arts School in town."

"People from White Tiger Fist?"

"Damn it."

Hearing that, the soldier muttered to himself, withdrew his blade, casually glanced over the travel permit, and tossed it back to Fang Hu.

Then he turned and left.

He returned to the group of Knights, pointed at Fang Yue and the others, and the Knights cleaned up the battlefield before turning and departing.