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Chapter 242: Everyone's Choice
🕑 Added 2025-06-21 20:55:15 +0000 UTCAll Novels || Martial God
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Although Yuan Lixun was not from Tianluo Country, her face also darkened out of love for He Yiming. Kairong Country's actions were truly too bullying.
Moreover, she understood perfectly why He Yiming was so angry.
Since Kairong Country had even deployed its army, how could it be kept a secret?
Perhaps the high-ranking officials of Tianluo Country had long seen through this matter, but no one had stood up to speak.
At this moment, He Yiming sighed inwardly, "A weak nation is bullied." This was indeed a timeless truth.
His gaze swept around, and everywhere he looked, the merchants were tense, and the few women and children huddled together, their eyes filled with undisguised terror.
When He Yiming saw these eyes, his heart felt as if something had pierced it.
These... were the people of Tianluo Country, the people living under the protection of Shui Xuanjin and him.
Their worry and fear for the future ignited a nameless anger in He Yiming. This emotion, coming from nowhere, slowly spread until it filled his heart.
The two young men assigned to monitor them suddenly shivered. They looked towards the tent where He Yiming resided, recalling the bone-chilling cold they felt when the curtain was first opened.
They thought the cold they felt was because the tent was particularly cold. However, a perplexing question lingered in their minds: how did the three of them manage to stay inside such a cold tent?
Finally, the numerous fast horses halted about a hundred meters from the camp.
Their movements became less uniform as they approached the camp. However, even if they appeared extremely disorganized, He Yiming knew that this was merely intentional.
This group was definitely a well-disciplined, well-trained team. It was also a powerful team that could only be forged in a military camp.
Xu Su and the others had already encircled their carriages outside, forming a barrier. While this might not offer much protection, it was better than nothing.
Seeing them stop, Xu Su felt a little relieved and said, "Gentlemen, we are a small caravan from Kairong Country, passing through your esteemed territory. We have offerings to present."
A long spear suddenly flew out from the camp, drawing a brilliant line in the air, reaching dozens of meters away, and piercing obliquely into the ground a few meters in front of the bandit leader.
On the spear was a package. Although not very large, it looked quite heavy.
It undoubtedly contained yellow and white objects, and the quantity would not be small.
He Yiming's heart stirred. Xu Su was indeed seasoned; he clearly wasn't handling such matters for the first time. His actions were appropriate, employing both firmness and gentleness, neither servile nor arrogant.
If they had encountered horse bandits similar to the Red Scarf Bandits before, and they weren't led by those few peak Tenth Level of Inner Strength experts, they might actually have passed through easily.
After all, judging from the power displayed by that single spear, it indicated a cultivation of at least Inner Energy eighth level.
For these ordinary one or two hundred horse bandits, trying to kill such an expert would likely be more trouble than it was worth.
However, a thunderous laughter came from the opposite side, a voice filled with an inexpressible contempt, like a high-ranking person looking at a beggar on the roadside, full of disdain and scorn.
"Listen, people inside! Hand over half your goods and all your women, and we'll let you live."
A commotion immediately broke out within the caravan...
Yuan Lixun's expression turned cold. "Too much! They're trying to wipe us out." She paused, then said, "What are Kairong Country's soldiers thinking? Aren't they afraid of scaring everyone away, so no merchants will ever use this route again?"
He Yiming snorted, "Tianluo Country's merchants will be gone, but Kairong Country's merchants will still be here."
Yuan Lixun instantly understood. She glanced around, meeting the eyes of the women and children, and her anger grew.
Xu Su's face was terrifyingly grim. Suddenly, a fat man painstakingly and cautiously approached him, whispering, "Brother Xu, what's wrong?"
Xu Su shook his head, his voice barely audible, "Not good, big trouble."
Zhang Facai was startled, "They're only over two hundred people."
"Their two hundred people are much more formidable than our disorganized crowd here," Xu Su said coldly. "We've known each other for decades. Listen to me, take your men, abandon the goods, and escape in the chaos later."
Zhang Facai's body trembled, the fat on his face quivering. "And you?"
Xu Su gave a bitter smile, "Since I've chosen this life of licking blood from the blade, what else can I do?"
A fierce glint flashed in Zhang Facai's small eyes. He whispered, "Let's go together."
Xu Su shook his head slightly, saying decisively, "You can go, I cannot." A rare madness suddenly appeared in his eyes: "If they want me dead, I'll make sure they pay a sufficient price..."
Zhang Facai sighed. He knew that Xu Su was determined to die and could no longer be persuaded. Moreover, Xu Su was right; since he had chosen this path, if he deserted now, he would never be able to hold his head high in front of others again.
He moved his obese body back to his tent, sweeping his eyes over the valuable goods. Although that glance was full of reluctance, once he withdrew his gaze, there was no trace of attachment left, as if those things didn't belong to him.
In the distance, it seemed they had grown impatient.
The bandit leader suddenly roared, "You ungrateful wretches! If you don't hand over the people and goods, we'll kill every last one of you!"
He raised his Broadsword high, unleashing a thunderous sound: "Kill..."
Behind him, over two hundred people raised their weapons, their blades pointing directly at the camp.
"Kill."
The violent sound formed a massive wave of noise, lingering over the camp.
In an instant, the entire camp fell silent. After witnessing their formidable aura, no one believed that Xu Su and his men could withstand them.
Even the old men who had followed Xu Su for over ten years and had complete faith in him wavered at this moment.
Everyone knew that when this group charged, they would be unstoppable. And their makeshift defenses of carriages, in the eyes of the attackers, might not even be considered an obstacle.
"Waaah..." A loud cry suddenly erupted from the camp.
Although not many merchants had their families with them, the number of women and children did not exceed forty. But at this moment, some could no longer bear it and burst into tears.
Instantly, a mournful atmosphere spread throughout the entire camp, and the already terrified atmosphere expanded without limit.
Xu Su's heart sank, but to his surprise, the cavalry on the opposite side did not take the opportunity to attack. Instead, a mocking roar of laughter came from that direction. It seemed they had never worried about this operation and disdained sneak attacks.
Xu Su sighed deeply, giving a bitter smile as he looked up at the sky. His reputation, accumulated over decades, was about to be lost today.
He gazed into the distance, and in the dim light of the world, he seemed to see his wife and children waiting for his safe return at the distant doorstep.
His mouth moved slightly, and he slowly drew his longsword.
From his body, the most powerful aura he had ever possessed surged forth like a blazing inferno.
"Pass it on: once they attack, don't resist, just run. Leave the goods, save your lives, escape as many as you can..."
The people around him exchanged glances. When Xu Su drew his longsword, they all thought it was the boss showing his determination to fight to the end. But what Xu Su said greatly surprised them.
One man stepped forward and said, "Eldest Brother, aren't they just horse bandits? We'll fight them; we might not necessarily lose."
Xu Su smiled bitterly, patted his shoulder, and said, "Listen to me, do it."
Everyone around fell silent, but under his gaze, they could only obey and leave.
When the last person also left, Xu Su's face became even more bitter. He muttered to himself, "Kairong Country's military elite, what do we have to fight them with?"
Suddenly, an unexpected, low voice sounded in his ear: "Of course, it's by fighting with your life."
Xu Su was greatly startled. He turned abruptly, only to see He Yiming had arrived beside him at some point. His expression changed drastically. Hadn't he arranged for two people to watch them? How had he managed to get here?
He raised the longsword in his hand, and said coldly, "Who are you, and what do you want to do?"
He Yiming ignored the gleaming sword in his hand, merely walking forward.
Xu Su saw He Yiming's body approaching him, and the sharp sword in his hand was about to pierce his body. He involuntarily retracted his sword, retreated two steps, and cleared the path.
As He Yiming passed him, he paused and gave him a deep look.
That look contained something that made Xu Su tremble. Then, He Yiming walked out of the horse carriage circle and stopped about ten meters in front.
Xu Su stared blankly at He Yiming's back, a fierce struggle of countless thoughts raging in his mind.
Suddenly, he felt something strange around him. Looking up, he saw dozens of brothers who had followed him through Tian Luo, dancing the Nine Deaths One Life dance on the road of life and death, had already gathered around him.
The expressions in their eyes were all different, but their gazes towards him were filled with trust.
His heart warmed, but he immediately recalled the formidable strength of Kairong Country's regular army. The passionate enthusiasm that had just surged up was instantly doused, as if by a bucket of cold water.
Taking a deep breath, he waved his large hand and said, "You too, disperse. Save yourselves, one by one. Remember, live..."
He strode forward, pushed through the crowd, walked out of the carriage, and stood beside He Yiming.
He Yiming looked at him with a half-smile, saying, "Why are you still alone?"
Xu Su gave a bitter smile, "They all have families and children. I can't let them die here for nothing."
He Yiming turned his head and asked with a smile, "Then... what about you?"
Xu Su clenched his teeth, a hint of pain flickering in his eyes.
He Yiming's voice, though not loud, rang out clearly amidst the chaotic laughter, as if he were speaking right next to his ear.
"If even someone like you loses the confidence to win, then... Tianluo Country is truly going to lose."
Xu Su's mouth dropped open, his heart a mixture of emotions. For some reason, he vaguely felt that He Yiming's words contained an exhilarating power. His blood, which had already grown cold, seemed to boil once again. His body, no longer young, seemed filled with an unusual, uncharacteristic strength and fighting spirit.
He turned his head fiercely, looking at the group of cavaliers in front, who were laughing and playing like cats with mice. His eyes gradually turned red.
Red as blood...
Behind them, the dozens of men looked at each other, some with flickering eyes, but more with a growing brightness in their gaze.
Finally, a burly middle-aged man drew his waist-saber, which was almost a meter long with a thick blade.
He extended his thick tongue, licked the blade, and a trickle of fresh red liquid flowed along the sharp edge. He clacked his teeth twice, chuckled a few times, and his gaze swept across the faces of his companions.
Then, he turned and strode through the carriages, following Xu Su's footsteps.
The faces of those who had been wavering earlier, swept by his gaze, immediately turned green and then red, their internal struggle of thought laid bare.
A one-eyed, one-armed old man suddenly sighed deeply. He raised a long object from behind him and slowly moved out of the carriage, also walking towards that spot.
He was the cook of this team, always in charge of preparing meals.
He was disabled, not only missing an eye and a hand, but also lame in one leg.
In the dim night, his steps seemed even more difficult. But at this moment, no one dared to mock him.
"Damn it..."
A violent voice pierced the silent night. A strong young man stepped forward, his face flushed, whether from excitement or fear.
"If you've got guts, follow me!"
His voice was loud and deafening. Then, he hoisted a large axe, almost as tall as himself, and walked forward.
However, before his figure had even crossed the cart shaft, a small figure had already rushed out ahead of him. He dashed to the side of the old cook, like a shadow, steadying the old man's trembling body and holding on firmly.
Everyone instantly recognized that this little fellow was the orphan adopted by the old cook, a scrawny boy of only twelve.
Figures emerged one by one from behind the carriages, silently gathering behind Xu Su.
Xu Su did not look back, but if he had, he would have known why He Yiming could appear here silently.
Because among the people behind him, two were the young men he had sent to monitor He Yiming.
At this moment, the eyes of these two young men flickered with excitement, their nostrils twitching nervously. After standing up with a surge of courage, they felt the immense pressure and also generated a powerful, life-disregarding aura.
A spirit of defiance, willing to face death, radiated from them.
This atmosphere seemed contagious; the previously chaotic camp suddenly fell silent.
From the gaps of every carriage, several pairs of eyes silently watched all of this.
However, not everyone went out.
After most people had left the carriages, a few exchanged glances, their eyes filled with an unbearable dread.
Silently, they turned and left. Under the cover of the night, they mounted their horses and desperately fled into the distance.
They abandoned their companions, abandoned the caravan they were protecting. In the face of life and death, they chose their own lives, even if it meant ruin later, even if it meant fleeing to a foreign land, even if it meant being scorned and living anonymously.
But they survived...
Yuan Lixun looked into the distance, at those who had fled far away from here, and a hint of sadness floated in her eyes.
Not far away, the more than two hundred riders looked coldly at He Yiming and the others, who were less than a hundred meters away. On the faces of these riders were cruel and calm smiles.
One of them sneered, "I didn't expect to finally see a few brave men this time."
"Brave men?" The knight leader's voice was cold and showed no hint of remorse. "Brave men are only born in Kairong Country. What Tianluo Country needs is not brave men, but submissive cowards."
This person held extremely high prestige among the knights; when he began to speak, not a single person dared to interrupt.
Glancing at the eastern horizon, the knight leader smiled, "We'll attack the moment the sun rises. Remember, don't kill those who flee. Kill everyone who resists."
"Yes." A unanimous voice came from each knight's mouth.
The leading knight raised the massive scimitar in his hand, spitting lightly. "A bunch of despicable wretches dare to resist me? I'll let you know that whoever attempts to resist Kairong Country will turn to ashes. As for the leader..." He chuckled, as if narrating a trivial matter, "I'll have him torn apart by five horses."
As if sensing the gradually intensifying killing intent, the entire camp quieted down. Most people looked around blankly, completely unsure of what to do.
More than ten people also stood up, holding their weapons, and silently stood outside the carriage circle.
However, those who truly rose and stood there were less than one-tenth of the total.
Everyone, at this moment, made a choice.
Finally, the army in front began to array themselves. They seemed to have given up the pretense of being horse bandits, as over two hundred cavalry lined up in neat formation.
The distance between the horses widened, and anyone seeing this scene could guess.
These people were not undisciplined, rampant horse bandits, but well-trained elite troops.
Under everyone's gaze, they formed their ranks. The leading knight raised his scimitar high, and with a sudden roar, the first row of cavalry charged forward, yelling, like a thousand soldiers and ten thousand horses.
Chapter 243: Tian Luo He Yiming
