Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Broken Sword

Just as the five longswords were less than three feet from Lin Qi, and Enzo’s drawn sword, its trembling tip, was about to touch the bodies of those men, the intricately patterned metal door behind them suddenly swung open. Out leapt a massive figure, reminiscent of a great bear from the far northern ice plains.

“Hahaha, young master, you’ve returned?” The voice thundered like a storm, its echo sending a visible shockwave rippling outward. A heavy iron chain flew from his sleeve, accompanied by a piercing clamor, and a black iron hammer, the size of a child’s torso, tore through the air with a shriek.

The five men’s swords shattered, inch by inch. The iron chain, like a monstrous serpent, lashed heavily across their waists and bellies, ripping their flesh and nearly snapping their spines. The men howled in agony, blood spraying as they were flung far into the thick snow, where they crashed and lay unable to rise.

The enormous figure landed heavily behind Arthur. Arthur, who had been retreating, turned pale as he collided with the man’s robust body, which was as immovable as a mountain. Lin Qi wasted no time; his fist struck Arthur squarely. Seizing the moment when Arthur was immobilized, Lin Qi’s punch thundered into Arthur’s face. Arthur grunted, clenching his teeth, and was sent flying by the blow.

At the instant Lin Qi’s fist met Arthur’s face, a thin layer of pale golden light erupted from Arthur’s body. Sacred, majestic, and charged with power, the golden glow flashed and vanished. The force behind Lin Qi’s punch, powerful enough to shatter a bull’s skull, was absorbed entirely by the golden light, leaving Arthur unharmed.

Tiny fragments of ash slipped through Arthur’s fingers as Lin Qi withdrew his fist, his expression dark as he sneered, “A protective talisman? Oh, and a Sun God talisman at that. Crafted by a high-ranking cleric, much stronger than the Dawn Shield I used last time!”

A faint golden light flickered beneath Arthur’s skin, attesting to the talisman’s formidable power, far superior to the flawed one Lin Qi had previously used. Arthur’s talisman was a true masterpiece from the Church’s high-ranking clergy.

Arthur smiled lightly. Though Lin Qi had struck him, he flipped mid-air and landed steadily. Nodding to Lin Qi, he laughed as though nothing had happened. “Lin Qi, why attack me the moment you return? The past is behind us; have you forgotten Father’s words?”

Lin Qi snorted coldly, and the iron hammer, who had just stormed out and nearly beaten Arthur’s five men to death, echoed his disdain. Iron Hammer fixed Arthur with a fierce glare and said grimly, “Young Master Arthur, if I ever see your men lay hands on the young master again, don’t blame me for what comes next.”

Slowly, Iron Hammer retracted his chain and hammer into his sleeve. With a cruel grin, he looked at the men crying in the snow and sneered, “I know where all your families live! Remember the young master’s face well. Next time you dare disrespect him, I swear your families will be devoured by flying winged sharks!”

The five men gazed at Arthur in terror and despair. Arthur, his own face dark, obediently bowed to Iron Hammer, forcing a smile. “Uncle Iron Hammer, you misunderstand. It was just a minor misunderstanding. Things aren’t as you think.”

Iron Hammer waved his hand dismissively, his face still grim. “I don’t need explanations, and I never listen to them! In short, young master Arthur, it’s fine if the young master strikes you. If your men lay hands on him, this time I’ve injured them, but next time…”

He made no effort to hide his malice toward Arthur, grinning sinisterly and gesturing threateningly with a hand across his throat.

Arthur’s face changed again. Bowing his head, he responded in dejection. The men struck by the chain struggled up at last, staggering over to help the wounded middle-aged man stabbed by Enzo.

Another shadow darted from the doorway. Unlike the bear-like Iron Hammer, this newcomer was short and shriveled, resembling a dried monkey. While Iron Hammer radiated a molten, scalding presence, this man brought a chill that sent shivers through everyone.

“Young master, you’ve returned?” The figure cried with delight, whirling around Lin Qi like a gust of wind.

Lin Qi greeted him warmly, “Uncle Butcher, it’s been three years!”

With a cackling laugh, Butcher halted his dizzying motion. He was a small, wiry middle-aged man, barely five feet tall. His skin was fair, but his slanted eyes, arched brows, and rotten yellow teeth made his appearance unsettling. His head was covered in patches of dry yellow hair, and his scalp bore scars from burns.

Lin Qi embraced Butcher, lifting him easily as an adult would a child. Butcher quickly noticed the oddity of their size difference, swore as he wriggled free, and kicked Lin Qi’s rear. “Three years, young master! What have you been eating in Briley to grow so big? You’re nearly as large as the master now!”

Butcher cackled again, his sinister gaze suddenly resting on Arthur. Arthur shivered, quickly bowed, and hurried away with his five men, helping the wounded down the slope of Black Mountain Beech.

Butcher grinned maliciously. “Young master Arthur!” he called.

Arthur instinctively turned back, replying respectfully, “Uncle Butcher!”

Butcher laughed, beckoning to the cavalry sword the middle-aged man had dropped in the snow. A thin black thread shot from his sleeve, wrapping the sword and drawing it to his hand. With a flick of his wrist, several thin flashes of cold light sliced through the air, and the steel blade snapped into a dozen segments with a crackling sound.

Sweat broke out on Enzo’s forehead—Lin Qi’s Uncle Butcher was, without doubt, another monster.

Butcher spoke coldly, “Next time your men disrespect the young master, things won’t end so easily.”

Arthur dared not reply. He bowed deeply, then, with a forced smile, led his men quickly away down the road.

Lin Qi’s face blossomed with a radiant smile. Iron Hammer and Butcher seized his hands joyfully, dragging him through the gates into the courtyard. Iron Hammer, after a few steps, spotted Enzo, and with a sweep of his chain, pulled Enzo inside like a scarecrow.