Chapter 59

When Liu Wanbao and the people of Yuxu Palace led the soldiers to rush into the gate of the stronghold, Wu Xingji, along with his confidants and dozens of soldiers, also rushed into the residence where Xing Buduo lived. Although the few remaining soldiers of Xing Buduo, led by Liu Xiaoer, were still fighting to the death, they were vastly outnumbered and could not stop the advance of Wu Xingji's men. They could only retreat while fighting.

At this point, these soldiers had retreated to a large open space outside Xing Buduo's inner residence, which was where Xing Buduo used to practice martial arts. If they retreated further, they would enter Xing Buduo's inner residence. Inside the inner residence were the last hiding places for Xing Buduo and his wife and children, Liu Wanbao's wife and daughter, and Liu Wanbao's nephew. Liu Xiaoer and the four remaining soldiers knew they had nowhere to retreat, so they let go of their inhibitions. They used their last bit of strength to charge into the enemy, cutting and slashing wildly, and actually forced the soldiers who had already rushed to the front of the inner residence to retreat a bit.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Liu Xiaoer and the soldiers panted heavily, trying to recover some of their strength. From the afternoon until now, they had been fighting for more than two hours, and their strength was severely depleted, and they were all injured. They had no confidence in whether they could withstand the next charge of the enemy.

Wu Xingji, seeing that the soldiers attacking in front were retreating instead of advancing, was very anxious. Now he was a bit regretful for being too hasty after learning that Liu Erxing and Xing Buduo had a secret meeting, disregarding Shi Feibao's advice and insisting on taking action against Liu Wanbao's family.

In fact, when the attack on Liu Wanbao's residence began, the situation was not optimistic. The soldiers did not really believe the charges he announced against Liu Wanbao, that he colluded with Yuxu Palace to kill the leader Wei Dangjia. Although they had to participate in the attack due to his status, they basically did not put in much effort, and it was mainly Wu Xingji's own guards who were fighting. Liu Wanbao's adopted son Liu Xiaoer and his nephew Liu Erxing had already learned the truth about Liu Wanbao from Li Fu and were prepared for the possibility that Wu Xingji might use his wife and children as leverage once Liu Wanbao brought the people of Yuxu Palace up the mountain. Liu Erxing's secret meeting with Xing Buduo was also to hope that Xing Buduo could help Liu Wanbao achieve this.

Therefore, when Wu Xingji led people to capture Liu Wanbao's family, Liu Xiaoer, relying on his martial arts skills, led five of Liu Wanbao's guards, who had been left behind and later joined Li Fu, to safely escort his wife and children to Xing Buduo's residence. Xing Buduo chose to stand with Liu Wanbao and organized his dozen or so guards and attendants to join the fight against Wu Xingji. If not for Wu Xingji's swift execution of two消极作战的小头目, he might have already been defeated by the outnumbered Liu and Xing side. Even so, Wu Xingji's progress was very slow, and his guards were almost all gone. There was still no news from Ding Yuchang, which made Wu Xingji very anxious.

Now, seeing that Liu Xiaoer only had four people left, if he killed them, the family members of Xing and Liu in the inner residence would be like meat on his chopping board. Therefore, Wu Xingji, who usually cherished his life and always stayed at the back during battles, rushed to the front and instructed his most skilled and capable guard, Wu Quanshi, saying, "Wu Quanshi, kill that Liu Xiaoer for me, and all the treasures and women in Xing Buduo's residence will be yours."

Wu Quanshi's martial arts skills were not much different from Liu Xiaoer's. Previously, because Liu Xiaoer was well-known in the stronghold, he was somewhat intimidated and had not directly engaged him. Now, hearing Wu Xingji's generous offer, his courage grew, and he swung his large saber and charged forward. The training ground once again echoed with shouts and cries.

Liu Xiaoer was already exhausted. Facing the vigorous attack of the fully energized Wu Quanshi, he could barely defend himself, but the situation was very dangerous. Just as his guards were about to help, they were blocked by Wu Quanshi's men. After a few exchanges, Liu Xiaoer's strength was almost depleted, and his saber felt heavier and heavier. Several times, he almost got hit by Wu Quanshi. Although he managed to dodge each time, due to his lack of strength, his movements became slower, and he soon had several more wounds.

These wounds were not immediately fatal, but they bled profusely. As time passed, the loss of blood made Liu Xiaoer feel dizzy and weak, and his saber became unresponsive. In a moment of inattention, his saber clashed with Wu Quanshi's, and with a "clang!" it flew out of his hand and landed far away. Seeing the opportunity, Wu Quanshi quickly followed up, raised his saber, and swung it down at Liu Xiaoer's head.

Liu Xiaoer, without a weapon, had no way to counterattack and could only duck and dodge. Wu Quanshi, not letting up, continued to press forward, giving Liu Xiaoer no chance to catch his breath. Liu Xiaoer dodged a few times and ended up against the wall, with no place to retreat. Seeing Wu Quanshi raise his saber again, he knew he was doomed and closed his eyes to await death. At that moment, he felt a strong wind, followed by a "clang!" and then silence. He had not been hit.

Confused, Liu Xiaoer opened his eyes and saw that the large saber was only a few inches from his head, but it was being held back by a gleaming sword. No matter how hard Wu Quanshi tried, he could not move it any further. The owner of the sword, a young Taoist, looked at Wu Quanshi with disdain, as if finding his actions ridiculous.

Seeing that he could not overpower the Taoist, Wu Quanshi tried to withdraw his saber. But before he could, the Taoist changed his move. Taking advantage of Wu Quanshi's weakened grip, the sword swept along the edge of the saber, aiming for his hand. Wu Quanshi was shocked and had no time to withdraw his saber, so he had to let go and quickly retreat. The Taoist, not stopping, continued to press forward, aiming for Wu Quanshi's neck. Wu Quanshi, terrified, retreated even faster but could not escape the Taoist's sword. After retreating three or four steps, he was finally beheaded, his head flying into the air and blood splattering everywhere, even covering Wu Xingji.

This sudden turn of events stunned everyone present. Liu Xiaoer, who had narrowly escaped, was the first to react. He did not have time to thank the Taoist, but quickly picked up his dropped saber and prepared to help his remaining guards. However, he found that it was unnecessary, as the Taoist had already charged forward. After a few exchanges, Wu Xingji's confidants were either dead or injured.

Hearing the cries of his men, Wu Xingji finally came to his senses. Seeing that his confidants were almost all gone and that the Taoist who had saved Liu Xiaoer was a Taoist, he realized that Ding Yuchang's plan had probably failed. Liu Wanbao, knowing that he was going to harm him, might have really surrendered to the Taoists of Yuxu Palace and was now leading them to take revenge. Not only had all his plans failed, but he was now in danger of losing his life. His only option was to kill the Taoist and Liu Xiaoer, rush into Xing Buduo's inner residence, and use Liu Wanbao's family as hostages. Thinking this, he became furious and shouted to the soldiers behind him, "Everyone, attack! Kill this stinking Taoist and Liu Xiaoer, and I will reward you heavily."

However, no matter how long he shouted, none of the soldiers moved forward. These soldiers were not fools. The strongest among them, Wu Quanshi, was not a match for the Taoist, so they would be sending themselves to their deaths. Although many hands make light work, no one wanted to be the first to die. They all hoped that others would engage the Taoist first, and then they would join in. So, despite Wu Xingji's increasingly generous rewards, the soldiers only shouted but did not take action.

Wu Xingji knew that he had to take drastic measures. He grabbed a soldier and said fiercely, "Attack quickly, or I will kill you." The soldier, not daring to move, waved his saber a few times and shouted randomly but did not advance. Wu Xingji, seeing this, kicked him down and raised his saber to strike. But before the saber fell, it was blocked by the Taoist's sword. Wu Xingji, trying to change his move, was lifted by the Taoist's sword, exposing a gap. The Taoist kicked him in the chest, sending him flying several yards and crashing into the wall.

This impact made Wu Xingji see stars, and he felt a sweet taste in his throat. He spat out a large mouthful of blood and collapsed on the ground. The Taoist did not let him off, leaped to his side, and raised his sword to strike. At that moment, a voice from behind the soldiers shouted, "Taoist Qingchen, spare him!" Everyone turned to see Liu Wanbao, the second leader of Wuhu Stronghold, leading several Taoists and a large group of soldiers entering from the front yard.

Taoist Qingchen, though reluctant, stopped his sword and looked at Liu Wanbao, wanting to understand why he did not want him to kill Wu Xingji.

Liu Wanbao came to Qingchen and looked at the dying Wu Xingji, feeling a mix of emotions. Calming himself, he turned to Qingchen and explained, "Taoist Qingchen, do not misunderstand. I do not want you to kill him out of leniency, but to expose his crimes to the public and then deal with him publicly."

Qingchen, hearing this, understood and nodded, sheathing his sword and standing behind Zhang Weixin and the others. Zhang Weixin and the others also understood Liu Wanbao's actions and did not interfere.

Liu Wanbao first ordered his men to guard Wu Xingji and Shi Feibao, who had been pulled out of the crowd, and then went to his adopted son and the remaining guards to inquire about their injuries and the safety of his family. Learning that their injuries were not severe and that his family was safe, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. He then turned to the soldiers Wu Xingji had brought and said, "Brothers, do not panic. As long as you do not resist, I, Liu Wanbao, guarantee that you will not be harmed. I will go inside to meet Brother Xing, and when I come out, I will give you an explanation. I hope you can trust me."

After bowing, he saw that the soldiers, though suspicious, had dropped their weapons, and he led Liu Xiaoer into Xing Buduo's inner residence.

In Xing Buduo's bedroom, Liu Wanbao's wife and daughter, seeing their loved ones return safely, could not help but cry with joy. Liu Wanbao comforted them and had Xing Buduo's wife take them to the next room to wait. He then went straight to Xing Buduo's bedside.

Seeing his second brother appear unharmed, Xing Buduo's heart, which had been on edge, finally relaxed. However, his face was still very pale, and his voice was weak, indicating that he was not expected to live much longer. Liu Wanbao, seeing this, felt a deep sense of guilt. He knew that Xing Buduo's condition was likely to worsen.

Before Liu Wanbao and the others went down the mountain, Xing Buduo, though weak, had improved significantly with careful care. He could speak more clearly and his complexion had become rosier. However, his condition suddenly worsened. First, when Wu Xingji attacked his residence, Xing Buduo confronted Wu Xingji, who accused him and Liu Wanbao of colluding with Yuxu Palace to kill Wei Dangjia. Xing Buduo, enraged, spat blood. Second, the news of his sworn brother's death and his deep sorrow and depression likely contributed to his worsening condition. Additionally, Liu Wanbao, as the second leader, not only failed to avenge his brother but also surrendered to the enemy, which made him lose all hope, further exacerbating his condition.

Seeing his good brother in such a state, Liu Wanbao felt even more guilty. Fortunately, after listening to Liu Wanbao's explanation for surrendering to Yuxu Palace, Xing Buduo understood and did not look down on his second brother for enduring humiliation, which made Liu Wanbao feel a bit better.

After a while, as Xing Buduo's thoughts became clearer, he reminded Liu Wanbao to be cautious when working with the Taoists of Yuxu Palace, not to completely give up his power in managing the stronghold to show loyalty, but to demonstrate his capabilities to make the Taoists feel that his presence was necessary for their effective control of the stronghold. At the same time, he should not overdo it, to avoid making the Taoists feel that he, as the second leader, not only could not help manage the stronghold but might pose a threat to them and need to be eliminated.

Liu Wanbao, knowing that Xing Buduo was the most intelligent among the five brothers, agreed with his advice. Checking the time, he instructed his brother to rest well and then left Xing Buduo's room, went to the outer courtyard, and gathered all the soldiers in the open space in front of the assembly hall.

Standing on the steps of the assembly hall, Liu Wanbao faced nearly three hundred soldiers and detailed the events of the past two days. The soldiers who already knew the situation did not react, but those who did not know were surprised, and whispers spread through the ranks. However, under the stern commands of the leaders, the whispers quickly subsided.

After the soldiers quieted down, Liu Wanbao said, "Brothers, I know some of you disapprove of my actions, thinking I am a coward who, to save my own life, not only failed to avenge Wei Dangjia but also surrendered to our enemies. Your thoughts are understandable, and I do not blame you.

However, I want to tell you that I surrendered to Yuxu Palace not to save my own life but to protect the lives of you, who did not lose your lives at Yuxu Palace, and to protect the lives of my family. You have seen what Wu Xingji did today. If I had not surrendered to Yuxu Palace and instead died in vain to avenge Wei Dangjia, Xing Buduo and my family would have already been killed by Wu Xingji.

As for my actions to protect everyone's lives, you may not believe it. It's okay not to believe it. Time will prove everything, and the few brothers who survived the battle at Yuxu Palace can testify to my intentions. One day, you