Chapter 83

Hao Qi has always believed that a hero is composed of two parts: the heart and the actions.

What is the heart of a hero? The heart of a hero is a spirit, a spirit that dares to face a multitude, a spirit that helps the weak in times of danger, a spirit that does not regret even unto death, a spirit that pursues righteousness, benevolence, freedom, and the good in one's heart, and does not regret even if it means death. This is the true heart of a hero!

What are the actions of a hero? The actions of a hero are resolute, a resolute spirit that values a promise more than the weight of mountains, a spirit that faces the cold winds of the Yi River, a spirit that draws the sword and strikes, a spirit that saves the weak and wields the hammer, a spirit that leaves a legacy of loyalty and righteousness, a spirit that does the most resolute actions to achieve the spirit in one's heart, without regard for the world, without regard for life and death, without regard for retreat, without regard for the bigger picture. This is the behavior of a hero!

A hero! A hero is just a person caught in a narrow gap, who must break through by headbutting the ground and breaking through the door. In breaking through this gap, one becomes bruised and battered, and this... is the portrayal of a hero.

It is precisely because of the pursuit of the good in one's heart and the choice of the most resolute actions that the saying "heroes break the law with martial prowess" has existed since ancient times. Often, pursuing fairness and justice is not the perfect ideal that everyone expects, nor is it as peaceful and elegant as a fairy tale. More often, to achieve fairness and justice, one must pay with iron and blood, fire and sword, life and death!

Many people always shift the topic, always associating heroes with villains and butchers, because they all pursue the spirit in their hearts and do the most resolute things, but... but!

This is different, because one pursues goodness, fairness, and justice, even if it offends some people and disrupts some order and laws, but this fairness and justice are to help more people, the weaker ones, those not protected by order and law. The other side, however, is purely evil, acting on their desires, and this is a stark difference!

"…Our family was betrayed and persecuted, only the two of us brothers survived, living in fear and humiliation. Finally, we received help from a benefactor, obtained a great opportunity, and achieved the Inner Strength Realm. So what's wrong with us seeking revenge!"

Hao Qi grabbed the arm of one of the Inner Strength Realm practitioners, allowing the other to strike him from behind. He twisted and broke the arm with a crisp snap, tearing it into two pieces.

"…Do you want to be a hero? Don't you know you're just a tool for others? Don't be so foolish, so naive! The two of us together can fight you to a stalemate, and the ones who benefit will be those fat politicians!"

Hao Qi's palms moved like flying flowers, enveloping several meters around him. His heart was vast, and he managed to cover both Inner Strength Realm practitioners with a single palm. Both were furious and terrified but could not escape, and had to clash with Hao Qi several times.

"…We also adhere to our principles, we also act on our hearts, we also disregard life and death for our principles. What's the difference between you, who call yourself a hero, and us! It's just that we have offended the interests of you hypocrites!"

With a loud boom, a golden Buddha seal erupted from Hao Qi's palm, crushing one of the Inner Strength Realm practitioners' chests inward. The immense force not only sent this practitioner flying but also killed over a dozen pirates who came with him. The remaining pirates immediately panicked and fled in disarray.

"…We have someone behind us, someone you can't afford to offend! No one in the entire Blue Sea dares to provoke us! Have you ever thought about why, after decades of roaming the Blue Sea, no Inner Strength Realm practitioners have dared to oppose us!? Do you really think we stopped appearing after investigating the Inner Strength Realm? No! No Inner Strength Realm practitioner dares to take on this mission! You've been deceived by the government of the Sea Kingdom! They can only deceive naive newcomers like you, who are unfamiliar with the world! If you dare to kill us, you will die in the Blue Sea! No one in heaven or earth can save you, no one will dare to save you, don't believe me, just try!"

Smack! Smack! Smack! Hao Qi punched without hesitation, without mercy, without compassion, his heart and actions filled with killing intent. Each punch landed on flesh, and the Inner Strength Realm practitioner's legs and feet were already broken. Hao Qi continued to punch, beating him almost to the point of being unrecognizable. Despite being an Inner Strength Realm practitioner with incredible vitality, he still screamed loudly. Hao Qi did not respond, continuing to punch at a steady and determined pace, which only increased the fear and the shrillness of the screams.

"…We have countless riches, enough to buy a nation, and countless cultivation techniques, including three Inner Qi Realm techniques, each capable of suppressing a sect and being passed down for a thousand years. We also have dozens of rare treasures and hundreds of materials from fierce beasts. Whatever you want, we will give it to you. The Sea Kingdom's bounty is just a ship to cross the Blue Sea, we will give you three!"

Hao Qi released the Inner Strength Realm practitioner and his hands moved like flying flowers, each palm strike powerful and swift. Another round of fierce attacks left the practitioner unable to land or escape, suspended a meter in front of Hao Qi, as if caught in a web. Gradually, the practitioner's voice faded, and he was beaten into a pulp.

"…Spare us, spare us, we are just pawns, forced to act for revenge, but also compelled by the powerful forces behind us, who need many people as slaves and materials. We had no choice, we were forced to do it, spare us, we will reform, we will never..."

Hao Qi continued to beat the man until he was almost dead, then used the Heavenly Web Palm to suspend him in mid-air. After several dozen seconds, he beat the Inner Strength Realm practitioner into a pulp, without any hesitation, without any shouting, without stopping. The entire battlefield fell silent, and everyone watched in shock as two powerful Inner Strength Realm practitioners, who could dominate in the national system, were beaten to death without any value.

The pirates knelt down, dropping their weapons, trembling as they watched. The crew of the Sea Kingdom, or the hidden naval soldiers, also trembled, not even noticing when their weapons fell to the ground. The only sound was Hao Qi's heavy breathing, covered in blood and flesh, standing between the two ships, facing the storm in silence.

"…Don't get it wrong, who would be like you? And I'm not just killing you for the Sea Kingdom. You do evil without realizing your mistakes, your thoughts are simple, simple evil, but... so what!?"

Hao Qi's voice started low, then grew louder, almost roaring by the end. He roared at the pirates, the navy, and the stormy sky: "Good and evil will be repaid, the heavens are just. If you don't believe it, look up, the heavens spare no one! Yes, you have your reasons, you have your logic, you seek revenge, you act on your desires, you are pawns, you have powerful backing, so what! Once I knew of your evil deeds, I only wanted to kill you. If you kill me, or your backers kill me, that's fine. Otherwise, from the beginning, it's a fight to the death!"

"…Why say so much!"

At this moment, Zhang Heng was worriedly watching Hao Qi. After Hao Qi finished roaring, he urgently said, "Hey, Hao Qi, I just said that Lan Ling'er turned into a mermaid and swam away. Are we just going to watch?"

"No, of course we have to help," Hao Qi shook his head. He touched his body, covered in blood and rain. After the battle with the two Inner Strength Realm practitioners, he had vented his anger, and although the practitioners were weak, he was also injured. The smell of blood and flesh was unbearable.

Hao Qi tore off his clothes and pants, leaving only his underwear, and washed his face and body with the rain. Then he said to Zhang Heng, "We'll go to the pirate island, let these pirates lead the way. Their two leaders are dead, and I don't know if there are any more Inner Strength Realm practitioners on the pirate island, but... we have to go."

"…What about Lan Ling'er!?" Zhang Heng shouted, his voice filled with anger, "Even though she turned into a mermaid, she is still Lan Ling'er, who accompanied us into the ruins and risked her life to save everyone. Are we really going to leave her behind!?"

"Trust me!" Hao Qi looked at Zhang Heng seriously, "I won't let you down, and I won't let Lan Ling'er down. Trust me, we'll go to the pirate island, and through there, we can find Lan Ling'er, then..."

Hao Qi did not continue, but Zhang Heng's expression eased, though still anxious, the anger was gone, leaving only deep concern...

The next day, the storm subsided. Hao Qi, along with the captain and several crew members, boarded the giant warship controlled by the pirates. The surrendered pirates led the way to the legendary pirate island...