Chapter 35: Like Cutting Melons and Vegetables

Zhu Hao stared warily at the cave entrance as two figures stepped out slowly.

Ling Dehai exuded the formidable aura of a six-fold spirit refiner, his massive bone blade glinting with a chilling light.

"Zhu Hao, your Black Tiger Gang truly is incapable of anything honorable."

Ling Dehai shielded Qin Liang behind him, facing the shirtless brute directly. "Release them at once, and I will face you in combat."

Zhu Hao laughed at these words, mocking, "Ling Dehai, do you take me for a fool? While you are no match for me, I have no desire to fight you. Why waste the effort if I don't have to?"

"If you had just agreed to guide us, wouldn't all this have been avoided?" Zhu Hao teased.

"Your thieving heart is truly incorrigible."

Ling Dehai’s expression darkened. He said coldly, "If you dare to harm even one of them, I will ensure that the Black Tiger Gang and I are locked in a struggle to the death."

At these words, Zhu Hao’s expression shifted, his confidence wavering.

The leader of the Scorching Fire Mercenary Group, a six-fold spirit refiner, was indeed a formidable force. If they were to be locked in a vendetta, the future of the Black Tiger Gang would be fraught with difficulty.

"Big Brother, Ji Gang, he..."

Mu Chuan tried to offer a reminder, but Ling Dehai cut him off. "We will discuss this when we return."

Ji Gang was the member who had delivered the news regarding the location of this cave. The fact that the Black Tiger Gang had found them was likely tied to him. Ling Dehai was no fool; he had already guessed as much upon seeing Zhu Hao and his men.

However, as their leader, Ling Dehai did not want to believe that a brother who had followed him for years would betray him. For now, he needed to focus entirely on Zhu Hao before considering the internal affairs of the mercenary group.

"Since you refuse to compromise, I have no choice but to take you down first."

With that, Zhu Hao brandished his broad blade and charged at Ling Dehai. At the same time, he commanded his subordinates, "Go and capture that brat as well. Don't let a single one escape!"

"Yes!"

The remaining seven men moved to intercept Qin Liang.

"Brother Qin, be careful."

After giving his warning, Ling Dehai met Zhu Hao’s charge, and the two six-fold spirit refiners were instantly locked in a fierce battle.

He had seen Qin Liang slay an Iron-Bristled Wild Boar, so he was not overly worried. Those subordinates were only five-fold spirit refiners; they would likely not last long against Qin Liang.

"Brother Ling, hold out for a moment. I will come to assist you once I deal with them."

Qin Liang said, brandishing his primordial weapon sword embryo and breaking into a gale-step as he charged toward the henchmen.

"What? Did I hear that right? He said he’d deal with us? A mere wet-behind-the-ears boy daring to spout such nonsense." Hearing Qin Liang’s words, the men could not help but jeer.

The two sides collided in an instant.

One man swung his machete horizontally at Qin Liang’s neck, but it was easily dodged. The man looked surprised. "Not bad."

Before the words had even left his lips, a flash of cold sword light swept toward his own neck.

"Child's play." The man sneered, raising his machete to parry. However, his expression changed instantly.

*Swoosh!*

The sword energy slashed through, cutting his machete in two. A bloody line appeared across his throat, and then his head rolled to the ground. Blood sprayed high into the air as the headless corpse collapsed.

"This..."

His companions were struck with terror, as if facing a mortal threat.

"Everyone, be careful! This brat is not what he seems!" one shouted. They moved with heightened caution, their iron swords—cast from refined metal—dancing in a strange, intricate style.

Six men closed in from six directions, cutting off all paths of retreat as they converged on Qin Liang.

Qin Liang’s expression remained unchanged. He swept his sword embryo around him. With a deafening clang, the blades were shattered, effortlessly breaking their strange formation. He then leaped out like a soaring dragon.

His feet barely touched the ground as he moved with the wind. His footwork was fluid and his movements unpredictable, leaving his enemies stunned.

*Swoosh!*

Another sword stroke, and another head fell.

The scene turned into a bloodbath. Those cut down by Qin Liang could not even let out a scream; some did not even know from which direction the strike had come, dying in utter confusion.

Under the weight of the primordial weapon, all iron implements were like tofu, offering no resistance whatsoever.

"What is happening?"

Zhu Hao, still locked in combat with Ling Dehai, noticed the anomaly on Qin Liang's side. Seeing him decapitate a man with nearly every strike, his expression turned grim. He realized he had been careless, and he felt a surge of alarm.

How could he have expected a nameless youth to be this powerful?

"Where are you looking? Your opponent is me."

Ling Dehai did his best to hold Zhu Hao’s attention, buying time for Qin Liang. His entire body radiated spirit light as he swung his bone blade with renewed force.

Distracted, Zhu Hao lost the upper hand, and Ling Dehai forced him back ten paces.

Suddenly, Zhu Hao broke into a sinister grin. "Ling Dehai, you are indeed strong, but I wonder if that little girl, Ling Fei, can say the same."

At these words, the formidable Ling Dehai paled, his guard faltering.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhu Hao erupted with spirit light. He sprang forward like a wolf, raising his machete high and bringing it down with all his might toward Ling Dehai’s head.

*Boom!*

The blades collided, throwing off sparks. Ling Dehai was sent staggering back, his hand bleeding, leaving deep indentations in the forest floor.

"What have you done to Fei'er?" he roared, consumed by worry for his daughter.

"Want to know?" Zhu Hao taunted. "Then surrender now, and come back with me to see her."

"You shameless wretches!"

Ling Dehai was filled with fury and continued his assault. He knew that if he surrendered, there would be no chance to turn the tide. His only hope was to take down the vice-leader, Zhu Hao, to ensure his daughter’s safety.

On Qin Liang’s side, the battle was as easy as cutting vegetables. It did not take long before all the henchmen lay dead.

"Brother Qin, leave us be! Go and help Big Brother!"

Mu Chuan and the others were bound by special ropes they could not break, but seeing that Ling Dehai was in grave danger, they urged him on.

Qin Liang nodded and charged into the fray with his sword.

Had it been earlier, Ling Dehai might have held his own against Zhu Hao. But now, with his heart heavy with concern for his daughter, he was distracted—a fatal flaw in such a fierce confrontation.

Zhu Hao’s attacks were swift and savage, each strike carrying the power to cleave mountains.

Ultimately, Ling Dehai was overpowered. He was sent flying by a violent blow, crashing through a large tree. He coughed up blood, his face deathly pale. He was severely wounded, and his bone blade flew into the nearby underbrush.

"Is this your limit? Ling Dehai, it seems you really have grown old!"

Zhu Hao approached, brandishing his blade. He wanted Ling Dehai alive; broken limbs were of no consequence. He intended to sever one of Ling Dehai’s arms to ensure he could no longer resist.

Just then, Qin Liang arrived, swinging his sword embryo with a fierce strike.

*Clang!*

The collision produced a thunderous sound and brilliant sparks. Zhu Hao’s broad blade was snapped in two by Qin Liang’s sword.

"This kid..."

Zhu Hao was horrified. He threw down the hilt and retreated rapidly, terrified by the youth's sudden arrival.

Having lost his brothers, Zhu Hao was filled with grief. He had hoped to capture Ling Dehai quickly to force the youth into submission, but he had never imagined Qin Liang could move so quickly.

"Brother Ling, you all should head back. I will follow shortly."

Like them, Qin Liang suspected that the mercenary camp might be in turmoil and needed to return to handle it.

Ling Dehai did not want to abandon Qin Liang, but his concern for his daughter left him torn.

"Do not worry, I can handle this."

Qin Liang added, and finally, Ling Dehai gritted his teeth. "Brother Qin, the Scorching Fire Mercenary Group will never forget this immense kindness."

He channeled his energy to stabilize his wounds, cut the ropes binding Mu Chuan and the others, and hurried back.

Watching them disappear into the distance, Zhu Hao’s expression turned cold. "Arrogant brat. Judging by your attire, you are not a mercenary. Do you have any idea of the consequences of offending my Black Tiger Gang?"