Chapter 42: The Lone Tree Doesn't Make a Forest
Translator: this novel has been moved from xianxiaengine.com to gravitytales.com.
Childe Guo has died.
He died very suddenly.
Everyone present, including Lord Guo Yan and the guards in the courtyard, believed that Qiao Mu had kidnapped Childe Guo for some kind of gain, be it gold, silver, jewels, or other rare treasures.
As long as Qiao Mu had any demands, Lord Guo Yan would be willing to negotiate with him.
However, nobody expected that Qiao Mu would be so decisive and abruptly take Childe Guo's life.
What could he possibly be after? After all the effort to capture such an important and valuable hostage, he couldn't have killed him just to show off in front of Lord Guo Yan, right?
The lord of the castle was also trembling.
He, who always hid his true feelings, looked at the lifeless body on the ground, and his pupils trembled.
"Why?"
He took a step forward and spoke softly.
The city lord, Guo Yan, was as strong as a tower and had a certain sense of authority. But at this moment, his eyes gradually filled with blood vessels and his breathing became slightly heavy.
He had originally thought that everything could be talked about.
The tough stance Qiao Mu displayed, along with those righteous statements, were just a way to pressure him in negotiations, nothing more than exchanging chips.
You are raising the price sky-high, claiming the moral high ground.
So as the city lord, I will bow to you, the criminal, and then we can settle other matters later.
He had been through a lot all these years.
But at this moment, he felt like he was being toyed with.
Qiao Mu kidnapped Childe Guo, but it wasn't for any benefit! He didn't want to negotiate with him at all!
"Why?" Qiao Mu smiled.
"Instead of asking me, maybe you should ask the spirits of those who died under your father and you. Do you think they also wanted to know why?"
"I'm asking you why? Weren't you just trying to negotiate? Stop pretending to be righteous!" Guo Yan yelled, his voice getting out of control.
Qiao Mu smiled.
That's the effect I wanted.
"Lord, I've already told you before."
"Coming to Yan City this time, I just want to reason with Lord of the City."
"I'm just an ordinary commoner, with no power or influence. If I don't kidnap the City Lord's son, how can I reason with the City Lord?"
"Now, I have finished explaining my reasons."
Qiao Mu held the bloody long spear and looked at the body at his feet.
"If good deeds go unrewarded, the world must be wrong!" He spoke with a determined gaze and a loud voice:
"If the world doesn't provide justice, I will!"
Everyone was shocked.
But after the initial shock, they couldn't help but recall Qiao Mu's words.
No wonder he had kidnapped Childe Guo as a hostage, yet still wanted to kill him.
It turns out his grand and righteous words were not just empty words.
It turns out he didn't hold the banner of righteousness to negotiate with City Lord Guo Yan for his own benefit.
In this world, there are brave and selfless heroes who are willing to put their lives on the line for justice!
Bank robbers need hostages because they want to stay alive and escape.
However, Qiao Mu doesn't need any hostages.
Now, let the storm become even fiercer.
With everyone's gaze fixed upon him.
Qiao Mu bent down and approached the lifeless body of Childe Guo, drawing a beautiful sword from his waist.
This sword is beautifully crafted, with intricate patterns on the hilt and a blue-white gem embedded on the top. It is obviously a fine piece, yet no one has ever seen Childe Guo use it.
Qiao Mu pulled out the long sword and threw it effortlessly. The sword flew towards Lord Guo Yan and landed in front of him, its blade sinking into the wooden floor, causing the hilt to vibrate slightly.
Guo Yan remained motionless, his expressionless face locking eyes with Qiao Mu.
"Guo Yan." Qiao Mu firmly exclaimed.
"Pick up your sword and come forward!"
"Kill me, this unruly and inflexible brute!"
Guo Yan's expression suddenly became gloomy.
He placed his hand on the sword handle beside his feet, and just as he exerted force to lift the precious sword, he suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
He was already injured, and being provoked by Qiao Mu in this way, his blood surged, and he began to spit up blood even before taking action.
However, after spitting up blood, he halted his steps.
"Are you trying to provoke me, aren't you?" he said in a low voice.
With a calm face, he no longer attempted to move forward, but instead waved his hand towards the many guards in the distance.
So, the many guards waiting in the distance quickly came forward, surrounding Qiao Mu in a small circle.
"You are not qualified to fight with me," said the lord with a gradually chilling voice.
His injuries became more severe. Although he believed he wouldn't lose to Qiao Lin, an 8th rank martial artist, there was always the risk of aggravating his injuries if he got involved.
So, why should he take this risk?
He had many guards under his command. They could wear down Qiao Mu and even if the guards died, he could simply spend money to recruit new ones. There was no need for him to take the risk himself.
At Guo Yan's level as the lord, individual strength was no longer the most important factor.
"Attack! Kill this intruder in the mansion!"
With his loud command, the guards in the courtyard rushed forward.
Not just the courtyard guards, but also groups of soldiers in the streets of Yan City received orders and dashed towards the lord's mansion, intending to surround it.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Arrows came flying from all directions.
In his earlier days of training, Qiao Mu didn't know how to use a spear. He only relied on his brute strength, but he couldn't block the arrows from the bandits.
But now, he was different.
Qiao Mu tightly gripped a long spear and spun it rapidly in front of him. The burst of power swirling around him created waves of energy, almost knocking the arrows off course.
"Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method！"
In an instant, the tip of the spear was surrounded by a shimmering aura, with a hint of blood-red gleam.
After breaking through the first wave of arrows, Qiao Mu fearlessly charged toward the enemy, holding his long spear without hesitation! Charge!
Qiao Mu had once faced thousands of bandits alone, and even when he was only a 9th rank martial artist, he had fought single-handedly against a 7th ranked martial artist.
No matter if in a group battle or in a one-on-one fight, he is now considered experienced.
Anyone who can kill him will make him stronger.
This not only refers to Qiao Mu's martial arts progress after each death and revival.
Every intense battle, every dance on the razor's edge, these fights themselves are of great benefit to the martial artist, and they are a huge test for character and martial skills.
"Come on! Kill me, Qiao Lin!"
He charged into the crowd with a spear, his individual momentum overshadowing the dozens or even hundreds of bodyguards.
"One Qiao Mu dead, there is still Qiao Lin!"
"If one Qiao Lin dies, there are still thousands upon thousands of Qiao Lins rising up!"
"Justice lies in the hearts of the people. Guo Yan, can you kill all the righteous people in the world?"
In the sound of a loud roar, Qiao Mu showed his bravery and fought his way out of the crowd of guards, impressively defeating thousands of soldiers.
Even the guards and servants from the opposing lord's manor couldn't help but feel a mysterious fear in their hearts.
Qiao Lin is about to die.
But the indomitable spirit he showed before his death will be remembered by everyone.
