Chapter 74: A Rescue in the Night

The two glanced at Che Wuyou, who was sprawled on the ground like a pile of rotten mud, and shook their heads. Without another word, they hoisted him up and left Miao Village. On the road leading out of the village, however, they were met by ten shadowy figures, all dressed in black like night travelers.

Unfazed by the appearance of the black-clad figures, the two exchanged several hand gestures and secret signals with them. Once the signals had been returned, they nodded, set Che Wuyou down where he was, and turned back toward Miao Village without so much as a backward glance. Not a single word was spoken throughout the entire exchange.

Che Wuyou was grabbed by the chest by one of the black-clad men and roughly stuffed into a small, low carriage by the roadside. After this, the group mounted their horses in unison and hurriedly escorted the carriage into the darkness.

By the banks of the Lan Zhi River, the water roared, and under the shroud of night, the river appeared ominous and forbidding. The black-clad group, escorting the diminutive carriage, walked slowly along the riverside until they stopped at a spot where the current was particularly swift.

"Do it," rasped the leader, his voice rough. They seemed to be strangers, each unaware of the other's identity, yet all were clearly conscious of the mission's purpose. At the leader's command, they paused only briefly before nodding in agreement—it was, evidently, a suitable place.

One among them, apparently designated for the task, drew his sword with sudden resolve and darted toward the small carriage where Che Wuyou was held.

"Stop!" Suddenly, a tall, thin figure among them cried out, his voice hoarse. "None of you may harm Che Wuyou... Leave now. I do not wish to trouble you, nor do I want to injure you."

The group was visibly surprised; they hadn't expected someone in their ranks to attempt a rescue, and even less so for the rescuer to speak so boldly. Not willing to hurt them? Who did he think he was?

After all, those selected for Miao Village's missions were all exceptional; though their identities were concealed according to custom, their prowess was unmistakable.

The black-clad men sneered and turned toward the tall figure, slowly drawing their swords. Surrounding him, they seemed eager to test his audacity. The one tasked with the execution, after a brief pause, treated the interruption as a bad joke and continued his rush toward the carriage, heedless of the tall figure.

"Hmph." The tall figure was clearly annoyed that his warning had been ignored. "Overestimating yourselves!" he said coldly, then moved with sudden speed. Before anyone could see his motion, a flash of swordlight erupted from his side, swift as lightning.

The swordlight, a streak like a rainbow, split into eight directions in an instant, each targeting a black-clad man with blinding speed.

"Cold Light Flicker!" one of the group cried out in shock. The tall figure had employed one of Miao Village's most basic sword techniques, yet in his hands, it was anything but ordinary. He seemed to possess the ability to turn the mundane into the miraculous, transforming a simple move into a deadly masterpiece.

In a blink, one black-clad man was sent flying by the tall figure's sword; six others were forced back several steps by a single stroke, and only the leader managed to meet the attack head-on.

The tall figure gave a soft "Hmm," as if surprised that someone could withstand his blow. He glanced at the leader, then swiftly turned and raced toward the small carriage.

The group was visibly shaken by his swordsmanship; this brash man had proven himself, holding his own against eight opponents. They watched his strange movements with caution—should they pursue? Did he have more tricks up his sleeve?

But the leader was undeterred. Seeing the tall figure move, he quickly chased after him. "If you think these tricks are enough to claim your prize," he called, "I'm afraid I can't let you."

"Not until you see the coffin will you shed tears," the tall figure replied coldly. As the leader drew closer, he drove his sword forcefully into the ground, using its leverage to vault himself like a corpse toward the carriage.

The executioner reached the carriage just as the wind shifted behind him. He spun and stabbed backward, but before his attack could gather strength, his wrist was struck sharply; his sword clattered to the ground. He was shocked—this tall, thin man was too formidable, his own hidden tricks never even deployed before his weapon was disarmed. When had such a talent appeared in Miao Village?

His mind raced; abandoning the attempt on Che Wuyou’s life, he tried to flee instead.

But the tall figure had no intention of letting him escape. Despite his retreat, the tall man delivered a powerful kick to his rear, sending him flying toward the Lan Zhi River like a kite caught in the wind.

With the threat removed, the tall figure turned calmly to the remaining men, saying, "Go. I have no desire to take your lives—do not force my hand."

"Oh? So arrogant? Are you sure you can?" the leader retorted, his anger rising. In their earlier clash, the tall figure hadn't gained any real advantage—what made him so certain of his superiority? Slowly, he raised his sword and pointed it at the tall figure, intent on measuring his worth.

As he did, a surge of powerful sword intent erupted from him, causing the surrounding trees to sway despite the still air. The other black-clad men paled; this was a master of the Return to Origin realm, perhaps even at its peak.

The tall figure was startled by the leader's transformation—such immense sword energy! He had never imagined that someone of this caliber would be among the escort, nor that Miao Village harbored such talent. How had he never encountered this master in all his years there?

Not daring to be careless, the tall figure slowly raised his sword. Driven by his desperate energy, the blade seemed to hungrily absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, forming a dense aura that pressed upon the surroundings.

His body swayed under the strain; wielding such power was clearly taxing. He held his sword level as though bearing the weight of a mountain—a mountain radiating intimidating force.

"A treasure weapon—a low-grade treasure, no wonder you dare act so boldly," the leader remarked, hesitating as he gazed at the tall figure. Finally, he retreated, putting distance between them before leaping onto his horse and riding off without a word to his comrades.

The others stared in astonishment as their leader fled, then cast fearful glances at the tall figure with sword in hand. One by one, they mounted their horses and escaped into the night.

The tall figure lifted Che Wuyou from the carriage. Seeing him still in a deep sleep, he sighed—a rare sound from him. He extended his slender, pale hand and gently patted Che Wuyou's cheek. When Che Wuyou's starry eyes finally opened, dazed, the tall man spoke coolly, "Go now. Find a place where no one will ever find you. Never return."

"Miao Village actually let me go? I killed Miao Shilin's two favored disciples, and he would let me live?" Che Wuyou looked around, bewildered by the darkness, mocking himself as he realized the situation.

"It was I who saved you. They meant to kill you," the tall figure replied helplessly. After fighting so hard for him, Che Wuyou had slept through it all, still unaware of his predicament.

"Who are you? Why did you save me? I have nothing to offer you. Though you rescued me, I won't feel gratitude, nor accept your help," Che Wuyou said with a manic laugh, his voice choked, almost like a sob.

"You... I don't need your gratitude. Just go—there are horses over there. Leave, go anywhere. Here, take this medicine; it will help your injuries," the black-clad man said, his emotions stirring as he looked at Che Wuyou.

Che Wuyou took the medicine, inspecting it closely. Suddenly, as if amused by some strange sight, he burst into wild laughter. "Ha, ha, ha! Medicine for injuries? What injuries do I have? I don’t need treatment for anything," he said, hurling the pills into the distance.