Chapter 86: Wipeout
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Chu Li pulled Gu Litong along and they disappeared in a flash from the house.
Gu Litong could not open his eyes because the force of the wind weighed down on his eyelids. Through a small gap between his eyelids, he could only make out distorted lights and shades, but he could not see anything else. Moreover, only the screaming of wind could be heard. Under the gale, because they stopped abruptly and charged forward repeatedly, an urge to vomit developed in his chest and that feeling gradually solidified, becoming more intense.
After a few moments, Chu Li jerked to a stop. By then, Gu Litong could no longer hold back the urge to throw up. He bent down and hurled once, then a few more times on the ground.
Chu Li studied the small courtyard in the distance and shook his head.
The Protectors of Ren Public House still would not show themselves — they were really tough. However, they were expecting the fight would turn around as they wished, where they would carry out the sudden attack only when the two parties were beyond exhausted. It would be easy to overcome those exhausted Protectors.
Gu Litong used a handkerchief to wipe his mouth clean. At the same time, he straightened his back, and his face revealed a bitter expression.
He found himself standing on the roof, as the round moon shone brightly and the night breeze blew gently. Besides, the breeze was cool and refres.h.i.+ng — what a beautiful night it was.
Whereas Chu Li stood with his hands clasped behind his back with his blue robe blowing in the wind. He was gazing off into the distance, lost in his own thoughts.
Gu Litong secretly shook his head.
Chu Li had the t.i.tle of the youth champion. At first, he thought it was ridiculous that a mere Scribe was called the youth champion. Though now, it seemed like the rumor was true because his Light-body Technique was incredible!
Chu Li activated his Omniscient Mirror and focused his attention on investigating the current situation. He was trying to see if they still had anything up their sleeves so as not to benefit the Ren Public House.
After examining the situation thoroughly, he let out a sigh of relief.
The manpower of the Ren Public House was divided into three batches — four of Gu Litong’s original Protectors, twenty Protectors who fought on the ground, and twenty in the ambush who were just 200 meters away from the courtyard.
Chu Li was being very careful, in fear that Lu Yurong had divided her manpower into four. He was also afraid that there would be Grandmasters.
Fortunately, everything was under control.
Forty people crowded and fought in the small courtyard. Both parties were equally matched, yet both refused to stand down, resulting in a tie. As time pa.s.sed, although the strength of the two sides was being worn down, they struggled on with great difficulties. They were both waiting for their backups as well.
The leader of twenty Ren Public House Protectors, who was responsible for the ambush, was a middle-aged, rough-looking man. He was like a lion, with a pug nose and big eyes that gleamed.
He squatted in the shadow of a corner, motionless while he listened intently.
He counted the time anxiously. He could not let his team suffer significant injury or death, nor could he let his opponents have too much strength. Therefore, he must find the best opportunity to wipe them out in one go. Then, it would be a job well done!
If he attacked now, his team would not suffer serious injuries, but it would give the people of Public House the strength to escape and this meant failure.
The goal this time was to exterminate the opponents, and they went to great lengths to set up this trap. At last, they were given the opportunity, but if he were to scare away the opponents, then this would be his incompetence. Not only did he not make a contribution, he would have made a big mistake.
If the attack was too late, the loss of the Public House would be too great. Those Protectors’ fury would burn him to death, and Lu Yurong might not be able to keep him alive!
“Big Brother Hu, do we attack now?” the person next to him asked in a low voice.
The middle-aged man shook his head.
“The Lady has planned very carefully, and every conceivable possibility has been taken into account. This time, we’ll let them suffer a little more!” someone snickered.
The middle-aged man turned and glared at that person. “Keep your voice down!”
“Big Brother Hu, you’re being too cautious. How can the fools from the Public House see through the Lady’s ploy?”
“Don’t underestimate the Public House!”
“I believe they have no idea that this is a trap!”
“The deed is not done yet. Don’t count your chicken before they hatch!” The middle-aged man said gruffly. “Keep it down, all of you. Keep an ear out for the situation there. If we’re late, we’ll be in trouble! ”
The crowd quieted down while they rubbed their palms together, getting ready for a good fight. A meritorious service was right in front of them, waiting for them to reach out and grab it!
However, Chu Li had already read the middle-aged man’s thoughts from a distance away.
He was waiting for the best opportunity as well. He wanted to be ahead of the rough, middle-aged man. He wanted to take them down immediately, giving them no chance to retreat.
Time pa.s.sed very slowly, as a quarter of an hour was like an hour long.
Suddenly, Chu Li threw something into the air.
“Bang!” A deafening sound filled the night sky, and a glistering golden sword appeared in the air, adding radiance and beauty to the moon.
Twenty Protectors of the Public House rushed out from the dark, then dashed into the small courtyard.
Not only were they better in their martial arts, they also had ample of vigor. Hence, after they got into the courtyard, they slaughtered the opponents as if it was a piece of cake.
In a blink, the Protectors of Ren Public House fell to the ground, one after another. When the middle-aged man reacted and brought his men into the courtyard, twenty or more Protectors of Ren Public House had been annihilated.
As soon as the middle-aged men broke into the courtyard and witnessed this situation, he immediately roared, “Withdraw!”
Chu Li let out a long and loud cry.
The Protectors of the Public House who were originally in pursuit stopped in their tracks.
Chu Li turned his head towards Gu Litong and smiled. “Brother Gu Litong, it is done. Let’s go!”
Gu Litong was baffled. He did not hear the sound of fighting that came from the courtyard as they were quite far from it.
Chu Li pulled him along again and they appeared in the courtyard.
“Brother Chu Li!” all the Protectors of the Public House greeted him with excitement and high spirit.
Chu Li possessed the t.i.tle of the youth champion in the Public House. Moreover, he had grasped the opportunity wonderfully this time. He was so amazing that people sang praises for him.
Chu Li gave a fist salute and smiled. “Dear Brothers, thank you for your hard work.”
“It was nothing.” They returned the gesture.
“Brother Chu Li, why didn’t you let us pursue them?”
“To be content is a virtue. If we were to continue pursuing, we can’t guarantee that there will be no more traps.”
“That’s an issue to take note of. This Ren Public House is too treacherous!”
They had quite a few losses because of this. Moreover, it was impossible to guard against their dirty play. Chu Li’s wariness was right.
They had killed more than twenty Innate Masters this time, and such huge victory was rare.
“At last, we got back at them!” Everyone was happy, even those who were injured smiled.
Chu Li ordered. “Everyone retreat from this place as soon as possible.”
“We’ll follow Brother Chu Li’s instruction!” the crowd complied.
Chu Li suddenly furrowed his brows and waved his hand. At that moment, everyone stopped talking and looked at him.
Chu Li frowned. “They really did come back for us. Run towards the South, quick!”
Many supported the wounded men and rushed out of the small courtyard as they ran with Chu Li towards the south.
A middle-aged man, who followed beside Chu Li, was the Protector with the highest prestige among the Protectors — Cheng Wenhui.
“Brother Chu Li, what’s wrong?” Cheng Wenhui asked in a low voice.
Gu Litong was held by two Protectors, each at his side. That way, Chu Li did not have to guard Gu Litong by himself.
Chu Li replied, “They have another ambush.”
“Thank goodness, we’re lucky!” Cheng Wenhui broke out into a cold sweat. “Ren Public House!”
Each time they were against the Ren Public House, they always fell for their plot and suffered major losses. For that, they always despised and despaired the Ren Public house, along with a hint of fear.
Chu Li said, “Four ambushes, they’re really formidable!”
From the Omniscient Mirror, he saw that the fourth batch of martial arts masters also had twenty Protectors. They were scattered in all parts of the town — some hid in houses, some were hidden in inns, and there were also some on the streets.
After receiving a signal, they gathered rapidly but they still wasted some time, which gave Chu Li the opportunity to run away.
Chu Li greatly admired this tactic of scattering the soldiers imperceptibly as it was seriously quite impossible to guard against it. Clearly, the Ren Public House managed the town effectively, and they usually did it in secret.
Chu Li led them towards the south, but they suddenly turned to the east. Then, it was followed by a change to the north, and then to the west; they were moving in circles. Even Cheng Wenhui and the other Protectors were dizzy from turning round and round. Finally, they escaped out of the town and into the boundless forest.
Chu Li led the way in front as they threaded through the woods. From time to time, they jumped up the treetops, moving rapidly under the moonlight.
They were all Innate Masters with never-ending inner energy. Thus, they had extraordinary endurance. They ran for half a night in one breath and only came to a halt when it was dawn.
Chu Li’s flapping blue robe drooped down as he turned his head and grinned. “Well, we finally got rid of them. Let’s take a break!”
All of them released a sigh of relief and laid down lazily under the trees. Even Innate Masters could not bear the tiredness after running for such a long time.
Gu Litong felt like his whole body came apart.
He was held by two Innate Masters during the run. Although he did not use any energy, going against the wind was like horse riding. It made his whole body uncomfortable.
Chu Li came to Gu Litong’s side. “Brother Gu Litong, you’re about to reach your destination.”
“Where to?” Gu Litong scoffed.
“Jing Hai Town… It’s not far from here. We’ll be able to arrive tomorrow.”
Gu Litong kept quiet and closed his eyes.
Cheng Wenhui smiled as he said, “Brother Chu Li, you can send Brother Gu Litong there. I’ll bring the others home!”
Chu Li did not say a word.
Cheng Wenhui continued, “After crossing Howling Wind Town, there’ll be people to aid us. I will be cautious as well!”
This time, because they made Ren Public House suffer great loss, Ren Public House would definitely try to encircle and encircle them in a crazy manner, mobilizing all forces to annihilate them.
Ren Public House had been increasingly powerful and prosperous in recent years, as they had infiltrated Chong Ming Town largely. Moreover, Cheng Wenhui did not know when the martial arts master from the Ren Public House might appear. So, he had to be extra careful because it would be quite impossible to prevent.
Chu Li glanced at Gu Litong and at last, he sighed. “We’ll go back together.”
“Brother Chu Li, that isn’t necessary,” Cheng Wenhui declined.
Chu Li shook his head.
However, Cheng Wenhui did not push this matter as he felt guilty too. Lu Yurong was much more intelligent compared to Master Xiao Tieying — she was truly formidable. Though it was said that the Third Lady’s intellect was better than the average people, it was unfortunate that she only supervised the Public House’s discipline. Therefore, she did not have the chance to exhibit her intelligence.
“I can go on my own, you don’t need to escort me!” Gu Litong opened his eyes wide.
As a reply, Chu Li just smiled.
Gu Litong scoffed, “They’re only thinking about you both. They will not care about me.”
“Not necessarily.” Chu Li shook his head.
After resting briefly, they continued their journey with Chu Li leading again.
The original distance was only about a thousand miles, but because they went around in circles, they had run for more than two thousand miles. It took them five days before they returned to the Public House.
On the way back, Gu Litong was escorted to the Jing Hai Town’s Defense Prefecture and there, he became the prefecture’s gardener.