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I care not who you are. Even if you were the Emperor of Heaven himself, you would still have to die, roared Dian Wei in fury. Without the slightest pause, he unleashed another punch, sending that man flying off in the exact same manner.

Having slain two men in quick succession, terror finally gripped the surrounding crowd. The figure before them was no longer a human being; he was a manifestation of wrath incarnate, completely unbound by any fear of consequences. If anyone dared to resist further, they would undoubtedly meet the same fate. Who threw their wooden staff first was unclear, but the remaining men quickly discarded their weapons, turned on their heels, and fled, vanishing into the panicked mob within moments.

Dian Wei initially intended to pursue them, but they quickly melted into the crowd, leaving him with no choice but to give up in frustration. He turned back and walked to the side of the blood-soaked figure on the ground. By now, Wang Bo was already kneeling beside the body, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably. The fallen figure was none other than Liu Shi, who had already been dead for some time. His face and head were caked in blood, his garments soaked through, and his body bore numerous wounds—clear evidence of the brutal beating he had suffered at the hands of the mob.

Let us leave this place first, Dian Wei said to Wang Bo, suppressing the surging rage and sorrow within his chest. Otherwise, it will become difficult to escape once Li Yong arrives with his men.

Wang Bo nodded, his eyes shimmering with tears as he rose unsteadily to his feet, utterly desolate. Dian Wei quickly hoisted Liu Shi's corpse onto his back, and the two of them hurried toward Dian Wei's home. Everyone had witnessed Dian Wei's ferocious display just moments ago; no one dared to block their path. Thus, the two of them successfully escaped the marketplace.

Not long after their departure, a stern-faced man arrived at the marketplace leading a retinue of armed retainers. However, the place was already deserted, save for the corpses of their own two men.

Gazing at the bodies on the ground, the man's expression twisted in a ferocious grimace. Whoever you are, I will make you know that the penalty for offending me, Li Yong, is death. Gnashing his teeth, Li Yong turned and departed with his large contingent of guards.

Carrying Liu Shi's corpse on his back, Dian Wei arrived home just as his wife, Lady Wang, emerged from the house.

What has happened? Seeing the lingering tears on Wang Bo's face and her husband's terrifyingly gloomy expression, Lady Wang instantly realized that a grave calamity had occurred. Then, she caught sight of the figure strapped to Dian Wei's back—someone who looked remarkably like her husband's dearest friend, Liu Shi.

This— Lady Wang was struck dumb with shock.

Ask no questions, sister-in-law. Quickly gather our belongings; we must prepare to leave the city.

Lady Wang glanced at Dian Wei, who gave her a firm nod. Seeing that her husband had consented, she hastily turned back into the house to begin packing.

What does Brother Dian plan to do? Wang Bo asked, turning his head once Lady Wang had departed.

What else can be done? Dian Wei replied in a deep voice, and Wang Bo could faintly perceive the bone-chilling wrath underlying his words.

Alas, Wang Bo sighed, then asked, But what about sister-in-law and Dian Man?

Everything rests upon you, my brother, Dian Wei said heavily to Wang Bo.

Brother, what kind of talk is this? Liu Shi was your brother; does that not make him my brother as well? Since you intend to seek vengeance, naturally I must be counted among them.

Wang Bo's words deeply moved Dian Wei, but he shook his head and said, This journey leads into the unknown. I know this Li Yong; he is a tyrant of this city, once served as the Magistrate of Fuchun, and maintains extremely strict defenses at his estate. Since I cannot even ensure my own safety, how— Dian Wei left the sentence unfinished, but Wang Bo understood the unspoken meaning.

A true man should never fear death. Brother Liu Shi saved my life. Today, such a tragedy has befallen him, and if I cannot personally execute his killers with my own hands, how could I ever bear to continue lingering in this world?

Very well! Dian Wei patted Wang Bo's shoulder. Today, you and I, sworn brothers, shall turn this place upside down.

That will not do, Wang Bo said, shaking his head in rejection.

Why not? Dian Wei asked, puzzled.

As you yourself said, elder brother, Li Yong's defenses are formidable. Furthermore, since you burst forth and injured people in broad daylight today, killing several of his retainers, the guards at Li Yong's estate are undoubtedly even stricter now than before. If the two of us rush in blindly, we will merely be walking into a trap. Forget avenging Brother Liu Shi; both of us would lose our lives there. Therefore, we must devise a meticulous plan—one that allows us to slay our enemy while ensuring our safe retreat.

We shall do as you say, Little Bo. Dian Wei was clearly not rash; hearing Wang Bo's reasoning, he nodded in agreement.

While the two of them were plotting their vengeance, Lady Wang finished packing their luggage and stepped out of the house, leading the bright-eyed and sturdy little Dian Man by the hand.

Are all the belongings gathered? Dian Wei turned to ask his wife.

Yes, Lady Wang nodded, her expression tinged with anxiety.

Then let us go.

***

Wait, Wang Bo interjected, dashing hurriedly back into the house to retrieve his own bundle. He strapped it securely to his body and rushed back out.

Little Bo, why are you still carrying that tattered bundle? Dian Wei asked, confused by the strange action.

It will be of great use later, Wang Bo replied with a mysterious smile, following Dian Wei and Lady Wang toward the city gates.

The journey out was remarkably uneventful. Once outside the city, they found an abandoned, desolate dwelling to settle Lady Wang and her son. With heavy hearts and falling tears, they buried Liu Shi's remains, after which Wang Bo and Dian Wei slipped back into the city under the cover of night.

Over the past few days, Li Yong had been in quite high spirits. Liu Shi, who had long opposed him, had finally been cornered and beaten to death with clubs. This had brought him immense joy for quite some time, cementing the realization that here in Jiyu, he was the undisputed emperor of the soil. Anyone daring to pull a tiger's whiskers must be prepared to face death.

Yet, amidst his elation, Li Yong was acutely aware of how formidable Liu Shi's sworn brother, Dian Wei, truly was. Though his retainers were mediocre in martial arts, they were all robust and strong, yet none could withstand a single blow from Dian Wei. This terrified Li Yong. Consequently, for days on end, he beefed up the security around his estate, closed his doors to all visitors, and dared not step outside. However, after several days passed without any disturbance, Li Yong's nerves began to relax, convincing him that Dian Wei must have fled in terror of his authority. Thinking of this, Li Yong decided he had been overly cautious these past few days. Rising from his study, he stepped outside and found the sun shining brightly and the weather pleasant.

It is time to go out for a stroll; otherwise, these bones of mine will truly grow old, Li Yong muttered to himself, shaking his head.

Come here! Li Yong commanded.

What are your instructions, Master? a retainer asked, bowing hurriedly.

Pass the word: I am stepping out of the estate today. Also, inform my mistress.

Understood. Receiving the order, the retainer hurried off to make preparations.

Everything was soon arranged. Lady Li walked over at a leisurely pace, and Li Yong, accompanied by a retinue of armed retainers, stepped out of the estate.

It is still better outside, Li Yong remarked to his wife, gazing at the bustling crowds outside the mansion.

His wife smiled and nodded.

Just as Li Yong was indulging in his sentimentality, a dark, gloomy alleyway outside the estate hid a ragged beggar staring at Li Yong with eyes burning with fury. This beggar was none other than Wang Bo, who had been lurking near Li Yong's estate for days. After returning to the city by night, Wang Bo and Dian Wei had concealed themselves in a secluded safehouse. Wang Bo had then disguised himself as a beggar once again to scout Li Yong's residence. Li Yong turned out to be exceptionally vigilant, refusing to step outside for days while maintaining an impenetrable defense that left Wang Bo unable to find a single flaw. Just as the two men were preparing to force a frontal assault, a sudden turning of the tide occurred—Li Yong had actually stepped out.

Casting one more hate-filled glare at Li Yong, Wang Bo turned to alert Dian Wei that the time to strike had arrived.

Li Yong strolled through the city with his wife, smiling and taking in the sights. With no untoward incidents occurring, his guard gradually lowered even further.

At that moment, a burly man approached from the opposite direction, pushing a cart laden with what appeared to be leftover scraps and slops from an eatery. Li Yong covered his nose with his sleeve, intending to give them a wide berth. That was when the unexpected happened. A ragged beggar suddenly bolted from the side of the street, charging directly toward the cart pushed by the burly man. Unable to dodge in time, the man was struck, and the cart overturned with a crash.

The slops and leftovers spilled all over the ground, ruining Li Yong's otherwise pleasant mood to the absolute extreme.

Bad luck, Li Yong muttered, waving his sleeve in disgust. Still feeling unsatisfied, he noticed how scrawny and weak the beggar looked and strode toward him without his retainers, intending to vent his anger. The retainers naturally knew what their master was about to do, but the beggar was pathetically frail, clearly starving and devoid of any strength. None of the guards paid him any heed, never imagining that such a beggar could pose any threat to their master.

The beggar seemed utterly oblivious to Li Yong, keeping his head lowered as he frantically scooped up the spilled scraps and crammed them into his mouth like a starving wolf.

Get lost! Li Yong barked, arriving beside the beggar and delivering a heavy, forceful kick that sent the man sprawling. Yet the beggar acted as if he felt nothing, uttering not a sound as he scrambled back up and continued eating from the ground.

Seeing the beggar's stubborn defiance stoked Li Yong's anger even further. For a lowly beggar to dare ignore him was intolerable. Enraged once more, Li Yong strode back over and raised his foot for another kick—one carrying far more force than the last.

Onlookers winced in involuntary sympathy, imagining how painful such a blow would be if landed on themselves. Yet the beggar still acted indifferent, rising once again to resume eating.

Approaching the beggar a third time amidst the pointing and whispering of the crowd, Li Yong suddenly hesitated, wondering whether he should kick him again. After all, he was a man of status; relentlessly bullying a beggar would inevitably damage his prestige.

Sensing Li Yong drawing near once more, the beggar, still keeping his head bowed, flashed a ferocious, bloodthirsty grin. Slowly, one of his hands slipped into the folds of his tunic.

Yet, feeling deeply humiliated by the continued indifference, Li Yong decided he could not let it go. Just as he resolved to ignore the onlookers and kick the beggar once more, the situation drastically reversed. The beggar sprang to his feet with lightning speed, drew a gleaming dagger from his breast, and lunged straight for Li Yong's chest.

Li Yong had never dreamed that the beggar would suddenly launch a murderous assault. Caught completely off guard, he was struck before he could react. With all his might, Wang Bo drove the entire blade deep into Li Yong's chest.

You scoundrel Li Yong, pay with my brother's life! Roaring with fury after his successful first strike, Wang Bo yanked the dagger free and stabbed downward once more.

Seeing the blade flashing toward his chest again, Li Yong desperately tried to dodge, but he was far too close to Wang Bo. With a sickening squelch, the dagger plunged into Li Yong's chest a second time.

All of this transpired in the span of a heartbeat. It was only when the beggar struck for the second time that the retainers finally snapped out of their shock.

Protect the master! the guards roared, drawing their steel sabers and charging at Wang Bo. But at that instant, a massive warrior wielding double halberds seemed to descend from the heavens, intercepting the charging retainers head-on.

The assassins were naturally Wang Bo and Dian Wei. Wielding his double halberds like a fierce tiger, Dian Wei slaughtered his way into the group of retainers. Every sweep of his halberd claimed a life; wherever he passed, severed limbs and bloodied wreckage were left in his wake. In a flash, the bustling, lively street transformed into a gruesome slaughterhouse.

Meanwhile, Wang Bo and Li Yong were locked in a violent struggle. Li Yong had already been knocked to the ground by Wang Bo, his vacant, hollow eyes signaling the complete departure of his life force. Yet Wang Bo showed no intention of stopping, thrusting his blade down again and again until Li Yong's chest was hacked into an unrecognizable, bloody pulp. Seemingly trapped in a demonic trance, Wang Bo wore a bizarre, twisted smile as he admired his handiwork, his blood-spattered face contorted into a terrifying and grotesque mask.

Dian Wei cleaved through the final retainer. Confronted by Li Yong's cowering wife, he hesitated, finding it difficult to strike her down. Brandishing his double halberds, he stepped over to Wang Bo and struck him on the shoulder, snapping Wang Bo out of his frenzy. Looking down at the mangled mess he had made of Li Yong, Wang Bo began to tremble.

Did I truly do this? Wang Bo asked himself, choking down a wave of nausea at the overwhelming carnage.

Little Bo, we must go! Dian Wei urged, before decapitating Li Yong with a sweep of his halberd.

Realizing this was no time for reflection, Wang Bo scrambled to his feet. Catching sight of Li Yong's wife, paralyzed and weeping in terror nearby, Wang Bo spoke with chilling resolve: Brother, we cannot leave behind any loose ends.

Dian Wei sucked in a sharp breath, casting a strange, sideways glance at Wang Bo. Without a word of objection, he strode over to Li Yong's wife and ended her life with a single stroke of his halberd.

Let us move! With that deed done, the two men vanished into the labyrinth of streets.

Moments after their departure, a squad of soldiers rushed to the crime scene. Every man turned pale at the horrific, bloody spectacle before them.

As for Wang Bo and Dian Wei, they wasted no time in returning to their hideout. There, Wang Bo had everything prepared: washing away the bloodstains, discarding the gore-soaked garments, and carefully wrapping Li Yong's severed head. The two men immediately set off toward the city gates.

Fortunately, news traveled slowly in those ancient times, allowing the pair to make their way smoothly to the gates. Just as they slipped through, a rider galloped up to the guards, shouted a few hurried words, and the heavy city gates began to slowly creak shut.

Watching the closing gates, Wang Bo and Dian Wei let out a synchronized, deeply felt sigh of relief. We have finally escaped with our lives.

Clear of the city, the two headed straight to the secluded spot where Lady Wang and her son were sheltered.

Finding Lady Wang anxiously awaiting them, the heavy stones in their chests finally settled. Exchanging a glance, the two men walked together to Liu Shi's gravesite.

Dian Wei produced Li Yong's head and placed it respectfully before the mound.

With tears in his eyes, Wang Bo spoke softly, Brother Liu Shi, your vengeance has been fulfilled; you may rest in peace at last. With those words, he broke down once more, weeping bitterly.

Dian Wei's heart was heavy as well, moisture glistening in his eyes. The two men spent the entire night keeping vigil before Liu Shi's grave before finally returning to the house.

The following morning, Wang Bo sought out Dian Wei and asked, Brother, now that Brother Liu Shi's great grievance has been avenged, what are your plans for the future?

Dian Wei pondered for a moment, then shook his head with a helpless sigh. I plan to take your sister-in-law and find some secluded place to live in reclusion, far from the world.

Why not come with me to Yingchuan, brother? I now possess modest wealth and property; surely it will be enough for us to plant our roots firmly there. Wang Bo proposed. If he could bind Dian Wei to his side, it would undoubtedly prove an immense asset for his future.

Oh? Dian Wei looked at Wang Bo with a puzzled gaze, clearly wondering where Wang Bo had acquired any wealth to speak of.