Chapter 33

It has been three days since Xu Dong went up the mountain. In just these three short days, the once peaceful life in Beijiao Village has taken a drastic turn for the worse with the invasion of a group of bullies. The villagers, who were already struggling, are now in an even more precarious situation.

The rays of the setting sun fell on the threshing ground in Beijiao Village, where a makeshift fence had been constructed. Inside the fence, all the villagers of Beijiao were tied up, hands and feet bound, including the children. These people had been confined for nearly twelve hours, and now the fading light cast a somber glow on their faces, their eyes filled with hatred, all staring intently in one direction.

Outside the fence, several stoves had been set up, with vigorous fires burning inside. Large pots on top of the stoves bubbled and steamed, emitting a rich aroma of dog meat stewing in the pots. The strong scent of meat filled the air above Beijiao Village. In other pots, golden-yellow millet porridge was boiling, its sweet fragrance mixing with the meat aroma to create a peculiar and appetizing smell that made people's mouths water.

The self-defense team members, who hadn't eaten meat in a long time and had almost forgotten its aroma, were now shouting and talking loudly, their spirits high.

The villagers of Beijiao helplessly watched as their winter food supplies were gradually consumed. Some of the children, who were old enough to understand, couldn't help but cry out in sorrow, making the scene even more沉重.

Sergeant Stab did not join in the revelry. He moved a wooden chair and sat down with his legs spread wide, his arms crossed, looking calm and composed. His expression suggested that he was not at all worried about Xu Dong escaping.

On the main peak of Huizhong Mountain, there was a place from which one could observe the village. At this moment, Xu Dong and his two companions appeared there. Dalang immediately saw his father, who had fainted inside the fence. His eyes were red and swollen, filled with hatred. Beijiao Daxiong was no better, his breathing rapid, as if he could erupt like a volcano at any moment.

Only Xu Dong remained calm.

After observing for a while, Xu Dong felt a headache coming on. He licked his dry lips and said, "The villagers are all confined in the center of the threshing ground, with a wide-open view all around. There are no blind spots for an ambush. In other words, unless we confront them head-on, it will be very difficult to rescue the villagers quietly."

Beijiao Daxiong, his mind clouded by anger, was almost unable to hold back. He sneered and said, "If we have to confront them head-on, so be it. Do you think the two of us, as Awakened, are afraid of just one of them?"

Fortunately, Shengnan was not among the captured villagers; otherwise, with Daxiong's character, he would have already rushed out.

Dalang also agreed, "Brother Dongzi, Uncle Daxiong is right. You are already very strong, and now that you are an Awakened, you are certainly no worse than that bastard Stab. Why should we hesitate now? We should just charge in and fight them head-on."

At this moment, Xu Dong asked a question, "If we push them too hard, do you think they might panic and use the villagers to threaten us? If anything goes wrong, we won't be able to bear the consequences."

Beijiao Daxiong glanced at Xu Dong, his tone showing a hint of obedience, "What do you suggest we do?"

Even Beijiao Daxiong didn't notice his own tone. In fact, from the moment Xu Dong broke through to become an Awakened, he knew that his own strength might no longer be as dominant as before. Xu Dong, being a skilled strategist, naturally became the leader. This was only natural.

Xu Dong thought for a moment and said with a cold smile, "Since Stab has specifically named me as his target, I will be the bait. Uncle Daxiong, you go around to the back and wait for me to lure Stab away before you act to rescue the villagers. As for you, Dalang, although it may be hard for you to accept, the best way you can help us is by hiding and not being discovered."

Beijiao Daxiong asked with some concern, "Will the pressure be too much for you to lure Stab? Let me do it instead."

Xu Dong shook his head quickly, "Uncle Daxiong, you are a strength-type Warrior, while Stab is an agility-type Warrior. In terms of movement speed, you have no advantage. If you're not careful, you might be worn out and killed. So, I will be the bait. I have experience fighting him, and I have also mastered agility-type strength, giving me an advantage over you."

With that said, Beijiao Daxiong had no choice but to follow the plan. He carefully circled around and found a place to hide, waiting for Xu Dong to succeed.

As for Dalang, despite his reluctance, he had to find a safe place to hide.

Once both of them were in position, Xu Dong stood up, brushed off the grass and leaves from his clothes, and walked down the mountain with the same calm and composed demeanor, soon appearing in Stab's line of sight.

The first to notice Xu Dong were the three brothers. The tall and thin man had not forgotten the humiliation of being forced to eat mud three days ago. The taste still made him feel nauseous. Suddenly, he pointed at Xu Dong, who was walking slowly from the end of the village, and shouted hoarsely, "Lord Stab, it's that guy! He's the one who led the attack!"

At the sound of the shout, everyone turned to look in Xu Dong's direction. They had heard that a young man, with only ordinary physical strength, had managed to defeat the two Fei brothers and the Bull in just one minute and had even escaped from Lord Stab, a renowned military scout. Naturally, those who heard this story were curious about what this young man, Xiao Dong, looked like.

When Xu Dong truly appeared in the glow of the setting sun, many people frowned, thinking, "This guy looks so feminine, did they get the wrong person?"

The next second, Stab opened his eyes, and his sharp, dagger-like gaze fell on Xu Dong. How could he forget this face?

Under the moonlight, on the cliffside, this person had turned back to look at him with a smug expression, especially those eyes, which radiated arrogance and coldness, a quality that could not be changed in a short time.

Thus, Stab knew that this was the person from that night.

Xu Dong stopped about twenty meters from Stab and shouted, "I heard you specifically want to kill me?"

Stab extended his finger and made a throat-slitting gesture, "If I don't kill you today, my name will be written backward!"

Xu Dong had broken through and officially become an Awakened, a one-star, first-stage Awakened, just like Stab. However, due to the distance and the subtle nature of Xu Dong's strength, Stab had no idea that in just three days, this young man had not only broken through his speed limitations but had also absorbed a Divine Power Fruit, activating a flesh armor. Otherwise, he might not have been so confident.

At this moment, Xu Dong provocatively hooked his finger, "You can come and chase me like last time. I promise I won't get more than fifty meters away from you..."

The fifty-meter distance was a humiliation for Stab. Just hearing the number made his heart race and his face flush, though his dark skin hid it well.

"Your trick might work once, but not twice... I won't fall into the same trap again." With that, Stab coldly gestured to his subordinate, and the thin Third Brother was dragged to his side. Stab pulled out his signature triangular dagger and placed it against Third Brother's neck, then said to Xu Dong, "Don't think you can run. Come to within twenty meters of me."

Although Xu Dong had anticipated something like this, he hadn't expected Stab to actually do it. This showed that Stab was indeed ruthless and cruel.

With a slight frown, Xu Dong had no choice but to step forward, stopping about twenty meters from Stab.

Stab chuckled, "I once tried to recruit you. I thought you were a promising talent and hoped you would consider it. Now I offer you the same choice: join me... or die. If you refuse, I promise to cut you into pieces and feed you to the dogs!"

His words were full of confidence.

Xu Dong didn't hesitate for a moment. He bowed and said, "I appreciate your offer, but I have no interest in joining a gang. I don't think you have anything worth following. You're almost forty, and you're still only a one-star Awakened. Don't you find that embarrassing?"

Stab, who had been holding back, finally reached his limit. He suddenly let out a long howl, pushed Third Brother away, and shot toward Xu Dong like an arrow from a bow. With the experience from last time, Stab was using his full strength, and in the next second, he had reached his maximum speed.

The distance of twenty meters took only a few seconds, and everyone saw a blur as Stab was suddenly right next to Xu Dong.

If Xu Dong had not become an Awakened, he would have immediately activated his quick-step skill and run. Human dynamic vision has its limits, and once those limits are exceeded, it's impossible to see the opponent's movements, let alone engage in combat. The best option would be to run as far as possible.

But Xu Dong was no longer the same person he was three days ago. The power of the Divine Power Fruit had not only enhanced his physical attributes and activated a flesh armor but also sharpened his senses, including an indescribable, keen instinct.

This was why Stab had always been able to sense Xu Dong's direction. As a Warrior, his senses were much sharper than those of ordinary people, and sometimes he didn't need to "see" with his eyes but could "sense" with his keen instincts!