Chapter 54

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Chapter 54: The Unexpected Turn

     

The group from West Cui Mountain saw the wedding procession fleeing in all directions and did not pursue them. They knew these villagers were timid and wouldn’t return for a while. Since their lives were not threatened, they wouldn’t resist. By the time they gathered the courage to come back, they would already be back at West Cui Mountain enjoying themselves.

     

Liu Qian, who was inside the bridal sedan, did not know what was happening. She heard Liu Yueyue go out and then Zhang Xiaolong speaking, indicating that someone was approaching. This was followed by Zhang Xiaolong’s cry of pain, which pained her heart. She wanted to get out of the sedan but hesitated because of the village custom that the bride should not remove her red veil before entering the bridal chamber.

     

Then, Zhang Xiaolong fell silent, and she heard Zhang Xiaohua’s cry of pain, followed by the shouts of the West Cui Mountain gang. Realizing something was seriously wrong, she steeled herself, tore off the red veil, and lifted the sedan curtain to step out.

     

The first thing Liu Qian saw upon stepping out was Liu Yueyue’s trembling shoulders and the lustful yet regretful eyes of the leader of the West Cui Mountain gang. At this moment, Liu Qian, having been nurtured by the Zhang family’s well water, was now on a different level compared to Liu Yueyue. Her skin was as smooth as jade, her eyebrows exuded a spring-like charm, and her almond-shaped eyes were captivating.

     

If she had not seemed particularly beautiful to the young ruffians in Lu Town a few months ago, she was now undoubtedly a beauty, especially with her emerging graceful demeanor that enchanted like a celestial being descended to the mortal world. The leader couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret, this flower had been plucked by Third Brother, and it was unlikely he would let her go. Such a pity that he couldn’t take advantage of the situation himself.

     

Liu Qian ignored the leader of the West Cui Mountain gang and didn’t comfort Liu Yueyue. Instead, she ran over to check on the unconscious Zhang Xiaolong. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohua stood up, enduring the burning pain on his body, clenching his teeth to hold back his tears, and slowly walked towards his big brother step by step.

     

At this time, Zhang Xiaohua had no other thoughts. The seed that had been nurtured in his heart for a long time had finally blossomed and borne fruit. He had made up his mind not to live a life where they were preyed upon by others. If he survived this day, there would be only one path for him to follow in the future, the path of martial arts.

     

Using absolute strength to protect himself, his family, and those in the world who need protection.

     

No longer allowing anyone to trample on his dignity or the happiness of his family at will.

     

At this moment, our Xiaohua transformed and matured, finding his life’s goal.

     

However, the crisis was not yet over. Despite this, Zhang Xiaohua no longer worried about it. He knew that no matter how tragic the outcome might be, time would continue to pass, and the end would inevitably come. He would face it bravely, even if it meant losing his life.

     

The people from West Cui Mountain were unaware that they added firewood to the fire and promoted the development of the Jianghu. At this moment, they were arrogantly riding back, preparing to seize the easy prey. Liu Qian ran over to Zhang Xiaolong, knelt down, and looked at his blood-soaked chest with a heart full of pain.

     

She carefully lifted his head and placed it on her chest, using her fingernails to press hard on the acupoint between his nose and upper lip. Liu Qian did not cry, she understood her situation and knew that any display of weakness would only embolden the villains further. Perhaps her fate was already sealed, but she wanted to say goodbye to her beloved.

     

When Zhang Xiaohua staggered to Zhang Xiaolong’s side, Zhang Xiaolong had already opened his eyes slightly. He looked weakly at his bride, his heart filled with immense anger. Even though the attackers had injured him without saying a word, he had already woken up and fully understood their intentions. However, what could he do to resist?

     

He looked around with difficulty, seeing only scattered belongings left by the roadside and in the fields, with no one in sight. He sighed inwardly. The arm that had just healed was dislocated again at the shoulder from the kick, rendering it immobile. Using his other hand, he grasped the hand that had been pressing on his philtrum. Without speaking, their eyes met, filled with deep love and endless sorrow.

     

Zhang Xiaohua watched his respected big brother and his beloved sister-in-law, feeling a heart-wrenching pain at the sight.

     

Seeing Zhang Xiaolong awake, Liu Yueyue, who was by the bridal sedan, quickly ran over, feeling that it seemed safer there. The leader of the West Cui Mountain gang did not stop her and slowly rode his horse closer.

     

The rest of the group also urged their horses forward, gradually surrounding them.

     

The third brother of West Cui Mountain waved his horsewhip with his hand, his eyes fixed on Liu Qian, who was wearing a wedding dress. He felt incredibly pleased in his heart. This trip was truly worthwhile, such a beautiful woman obtained with no effort at all. The future would be infinitely blissful. The second brother of West Cui Mountain had his eyes on Liu Qian, full of jealousy, secretly regretting letting the third brother get the upper hand. However, seeing the pale face of Liu Yueyue brought him some comfort. He then glanced at the greedy look on the face of the eldest brother and couldn’t help but feel a bit fortunate. Such a beautiful bride, and who knows who she will belong to after returning to the mountain. It’s better not to get involved.

     

Liu Yueyue saw everyone gathering around and couldn’t help but cross her arms over her chest, trembling as she asked: “Wh…what are you all planning to do?”

     

The second brother of West Cui Mountain leered and said: “We’re not planning anything much. It’s just that seeing this little brother getting married today makes us a bit envious. We want to try being a groom and see what it’s like. How about it? Seeing your sister as a bride, don’t you want to taste the experience as well? How about we all enter the bridal chamber together tonight?”

     

Actually, knowing the inevitable outcome, Liu Yueyue was speechless upon hearing the confirmation. She could only stammer in fear: “Y…you…”

     

Liu Qian, likewise, was pale as a sheet, terrified but holding tightly onto her lover’s hand, which kept her from trembling. Zhang Xiaolong said weakly: “Brave heroes, there are countless beauties in Lu Town. How could my humble wife’s looks catch your eye? If you spare us today, I will, in the future, give up everything I own and deliver all my wealth to West Cui Mountain.”

     

The third brother of West Cui Mountain laughed heartily and said: “Your wife’s looks are indeed to our liking. It’s your good fortune that we fancy her. If you know what’s good for you, let her come with us willingly, and you might keep your lives. Otherwise, we’ll chop off all your heads, and there won’t be any chance of marrying again.”

     

The second brother of West Cui Mountain also laughed and said: “Judging by your appearance, you don’t seem like someone from a wealthy family. What kind of gold, silver, and jewels could you possibly have to tempt us? You’d better obediently hand her over.”

     

At this moment, another person came galloping from the distance on horseback. The people of West Cui Mountain heard the sound of hoofbeats from afar and looked up, seeing it was just one person, and paid no attention. Only the eldest brother frowned and said: “Why bother talking to them? Just take the woman and go. There are often people passing by on this road. We don’t want to run into a large group. If they don’t comply, chop off their heads.”

     

Upon hearing these words, the second and third brothers’ expressions turned serious. They immediately agreed, dismounted their horses, and each rushed towards Liu Yueyue and Liu Qian.

     

Seeing the villains rushing towards his sister-in-law, Zhang Xiaohua quickly stepped in front. The third brother of West Cui Mountain reached out and grabbed Zhang Xiaohua’s neck with lightning speed, throwing him to the side of the road with a shake of his hand. Then he reached out, grabbed Liu Qian’s hand, and began pulling her towards his horse.

     

Zhang Xiaolong held onto Liu Qian’s hand with all his strength but was no match for the third brother of West Cui Mountain. He watched helplessly as Liu Qian’s hand slipped out of his grasp, and his own hand fell powerlessly to his chest, where it touched something hard. Suddenly, Zhang Xiaolong’s eyes lit up as if he remembered something. He shouted: “Brave heroes, my family has a relationship with the Piaomiao Sect, and I have a token to prove it. We are all people of the Jianghu, could you give us some face?”

     

“Piaomiao Sect?” The people of West Cui Mountain were all stunned. The second and third brothers released their grip, allowing Liu Qian and Liu Yueyue to quickly return to Zhang Xiaolong’s side. Meanwhile, the person riding on the road happened to pass by them at this moment. Originally focused on traveling, he hadn’t noticed the commotion by the roadside. Upon hearing ‘Piaomiao Sect’, his ears perked up, and he slowed down his horse. However, the attention of the people from West Cui Mountain was entirely focused on Zhang Xiaolong, and they did not notice him.

     

The eldest brother of West Cui Mountain jumped down from his horse and walked up to Zhang Xiaolong, saying: “Where’s the token? Show it to me.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong hurriedly used his intact hand to awkwardly retrieve the token from his chest, where he had inadvertently placed it. He handed it over to the eldest brother of West Cui Mountain, who accepted it cautiously. He examined both sides carefully, his face darkening. He then passed it to the second and third brothers, who also scrutinized it closely with grim expressions. They exchanged a glance, their eyes showing menace. Without another word, the eldest brother took the token back and smirked: “What kind of nonsense token is this? Would you dare call a piece of firewood picked from a pile a token? Do you even know what the Piaomiao Sect is? Claiming you have relatives there? Forget it. I was thinking of sparing your lives, but now, I’ll do you a favor and save some food for your family and send you off to the underworld to rest.

     

At this moment, Zhang Xiaohua had already stood up from the ground and walked up to the eldest brother, gritting his teeth. He said: “You, you actually want to kill us to silence us?”

     

The third brother of West Cui Mountain laughed maliciously and said: “The Piaomiao Sect is far away in the heavens. If we kill you, who would know it was us? You might as well deliver a message to them in your dreams.”

     

Just as he finished speaking, he waved his hand, and along with the second brother of West Cui Mountain, dragged Liu Qian and Liu Yueyue closer. The other four men brandished their weapons, preparing to act.

     

At this critical moment, a voice came from behind them: “Who said the Piaomiao Sect is far away in the heavens? There’s an ancient poem that says it well, ‘Far as the ends of heaven, near as before one’s eyes’.”

     

The people of West Cui Mountain turned around to see the man who had ridden past them earlier. They thought he had gone far, but now he stood by the roadside.

     

He was tall and handsome, dressed in grey garments with a long sword hanging from his waist. The eldest brother of West Cui Mountain quickly stepped forward to greet him, saying: “The Three Wolves of West Cui Mountain are attending to some matters here. May I ask how I should address you, sir?”

     

The man, Lu Yueming of the Piaomiao Sect, smiled and returned the greeting, saying: “I am Lu Yueming of the Piaomiao Sect. A pleasure to meet you. I heard there might be a relative of our sect here, so I came to take a look. Where is the token? Please allow me to inspect it.”

     

The eldest brother of West Cui Mountain replied: “Young Here Lu, there seems to be a misunderstanding. How could this person be related to your esteemed sect? We found a fake token earlier, which he attempted to use deceitfully. We’ve confiscated it. There’s no need for you to inspect it.”

     

Lu Yueming continued to smile and said: “Whether it’s true or false, it’s up to my Piaomiao Sect to decide. Please allow me to have a look. I assure you, if it’s not a token of the Piao Miao Sect, I will leave immediately.”