Chapter 43

Stepping out of the courtyard, Zhuang Wudao began to sprint. The Dongchuan Alley was only about two or three li away from the current hall of the Sword Robe Hall. At his speed, it would take only a few hundred breaths to reach. However, Zhuang Wudao was afraid that if he arrived too late, Qin Feng and the others might be in danger.

In no time, he reached the entrance of Dongchuan Alley, where a crowd had already gathered, discussing the situation outside the alley.

Fights broke out in Yuecheng every day, ranging from a few people to several hundred. The residents of the city were already accustomed to such events and had some martial arts training, so they were not afraid.

When they saw Zhuang Wudao approaching in his black-patterned iron armor, they pointed and whispered, some laughing, some surprised.

"Is this person from the Sword Robe Hall?"

"I recognize him; he's Zhuang Wudao, the deputy hall master of the Sword Robe Hall, the one who single-handedly killed Shi Hu!"

"Coming alone, is he asking for death? I just saw at least three hundred people rush into this alley."

"The people of the Iron Knife Society are really ruthless. Just because they stopped doing business on their street, they want to kill with knives. When I came out just now, the ground was stained red with blood!"

"This will be a good show; I bet a hundred or so will die—"

"Good show? If the Iron Knife Society takes over our street, will we have a way to live? The Sword Robe Hall has some human touch, but what kind of person is Feng San? Don't you know?"

Zhuang Wudao ignored them. Listening to these chaotic words would only disturb his mind. He did not enter the alley directly but climbed over the wall of a small courtyard at the entrance.

Although the alley was wide, the Iron Knife Society only needed three or forty iron crossbows to seal it off. Although he was not afraid, it would definitely waste time.

The most important thing now was to find the location of Qin Feng and the others. Then, he could make plans based on the situation.

The residents of this area were mostly merchants with some wealth. As soon as Zhuang Wudao jumped into the courtyard, the guards came to stop him.

However, they were intimidated by Zhuang Wudao's cold stare in his iron armor and did not dare to act. Seeing that Zhuang Wudao had no hostile intentions, they let him be.

After climbing over several walls, Zhuang Wudao estimated that he was close to the open area of over a hundred acres. He chose a high point and looked around. Indeed, not far away, a crowd had already gathered, all holding iron knives and exuding a murderous aura. There were more than three hundred people, some even wearing armor.

Qin Feng and the others were trapped in a corner of Dongchuan Alley, unable to advance or retreat. There were about thirty people, relying on a high wall behind them for defense.

It was a wealthy family's residence, with fifty or sixty guards behind the wall, ready for battle.

Fortunately, although Qin Feng and Ma Yuan were injured, they were generally fine. They had not relaxed their vigilance when Zhuang Wudao was participating in the competition. They wore armor under their robes and even brought a dozen large shields, surrounding them to defend against arrows.

Although these thirty people were surrounded, the Iron Knife Society did not dare to approach too closely. Fifteen two-armed steel crossbows hidden behind the shields could end the lives of three to five people in one shot.

Zhuang Wudao glanced over and felt a mix of relief and confusion. Qin Feng was indeed surrounded, but it was not as dire as Luo Gouer had described. Xue Zhi was injured, but it was not fatal.

However, in the next moment, a fireball suddenly rose from the crowd of the Iron Knife Society and flew over.

It hit a large shield in front of Qin Feng, immediately exploding with a loud bang. The immense force sent the shield and the person holding it flying, and several others were engulfed in flames.

"Magic!"

Zhuang Wudao was startled, realizing that today's situation was indeed strange.

The Iron Knife Society did have two cultivators at the Qi Condensation stage, but they were both focused on external cultivation and could only attempt to practice magic after reaching the eighth level of Qi Condensation.

However, even knowing this, he had no choice but to get involved. Could he watch Qin Feng and the others be killed one by one by the Iron Knife Society?

Knowing that he could not afford to delay, Zhuang Wudao continued to run. Using the light body skills he had practiced in the mountains, he climbed over several high walls. In a short time, he reached the stone wall.

The guards immediately shouted and thrust their spears at him. Zhuang Wudao deflected them with ease, his body agile like a monkey, and leaped over the three-zhang-high wall, landing among the people of the Sword Robe Hall.

Everyone around was shocked and looked at him. Upon recognizing Zhuang Wudao, they were all relieved.

In the eyes of the Sword Robe Hall members, Zhuang Wudao, who could kill Shi Hu, was undoubtedly the strongest in the hall.

So even though Zhuang Wudao held the position of deputy hall master, no one had any complaints. Seeing him arrive, they all felt reassured.

At this moment, another fireball flew over. As the person holding the shield in front was in a panic, Zhuang Wudao stepped forward, grunted, and the "Armor-Piercing Cone" glowed with a faint golden light, colliding with the fireball.

The force of the impact forcibly dispersed the spiritual fire! However, the heat still surged back.

But Zhuang Wudao felt no heat. The silver-threaded inner armor and magnetic force barrier prevented any heat from penetrating his body.

"Damn, you scared me to death. This magic is really freaking terrifying!"

Hearing the cursing voice, Zhuang Wudao realized it was Ma Yuan, who had almost been hit by the fireball. He seemed to still be in shock and was cursing.

"Wudao?"

Qin Feng's surprised voice came from behind: "Weren't you in seclusion? Why did you come here?"

His tone was one of surprise, not joy—

Zhuang Wudao's eyes narrowed: "Luo Gouer said you were surrounded, and Brother Xue was critically injured. He was sent by you to seek help. I didn't dare to delay, so I came here."

Now, thinking about it, what Luo Gouer said might have been problematic. However, it was too late to dwell on it.

"Luo Gouer?"

Qin Feng's eyes were first blank, then turned iron gray: "I remember he disappeared when we were surrounded, and I never ordered anyone to seek help. Even if I did, Ma Yuan's speed is nearly twice as fast. Why would I choose him? We can hold out here for half an hour until the Beiting family and the Yan army arrive. Why would I need you to come?"

Then his gaze turned cold, staring at the opposite side: "But it seems that today is not just the Iron Knife Society. If you don't show up, they will definitely start killing."

The two fireball spells were just the beginning.

Xue Zhi's face was also grim: "It's really Luo Gouer? This heartless traitor, how dare he?"

He knew that today they had been betrayed by this trusted subordinate. Although he was ambitious, he could not tolerate betrayal. Thinking about how their movements had likely been revealed to the Iron Knife Society by Luo Gouer, his eyes burned with anger.

"What's the point of talking about this? If we can survive today, we will find a way to tear Luo Gouer apart! If not, we will all end up in the underworld, watching him live freely!"

Wang Wu's iron armor on his right chest had been slashed open, with a crack about an inch long. The wound was deep, and the blood wouldn't stop. He didn't feel the pain, but when Zhuang Wudao arrived, he took off the armor and wrapped it with a piece of cloth to prevent excessive blood loss and loss of strength.

"The most urgent thing is how to break out!"

Zhuang Wudao took out the medicine he had brought and threw it to Wang Wu, then stared at the alley on the right.

This was the shortest route, but it was blocked by the Iron Knife Society, and there might be unknown traps inside.

Although it's said that the brave win in a narrow path, he did not want his brothers to suffer unnecessary losses. Qin Feng and the others were injured, and if they forced their way through, only three out of ten might survive.

The exit on the other side of the street was Yuxiong Street, the territory of the Iron Knife Society, which was not an option.

So, the only way left was behind them. The route was wide and had many obstacles, but it was not easy to be blocked. However, the dozens of walls were a problem. Whether climbing over or breaking through, it would take a lot of time. The guards, though of poor quality, were still a hindrance.

Therefore, someone needed to hold back the Iron Knife Society.

As he thought, Zhuang Wudao saw a middle-aged man in brown clothes step out from the crowd of the Iron Knife Society.

"Hu Li of the Thunder Dragon Gang, greeting Deputy Hall Master Zhuang! I also bring a message from Lord Guyue, wishing Brother Wudao well!"

The man named Hu Li bowed and smiled at Zhuang Wudao: "We were worried that if the deputy hall master didn't come out, we would have to reveal our plans. But in the end, it turned out as I wished!"

Zhuang Wudao ignored him and continued to scan the surroundings. Hu Li was not embarrassed and continued: "Deputy Hall Master, there are three hundred members of the Iron Knife Society here, five Qi Condensation cultivators, and twenty-three Bone Marrow Condensation cultivators. Even if you had wings, you couldn't fly out in a short time. Lord Guyue asks if you are willing to give up the competition? If you agree, your brothers can leave safely. He can also befriend you and give you a chance. If not, there will be bloodshed."

Zhuang Wudao still ignored him, and Ma Yuan couldn't help but curse: "Damn your grandmother! You have no good intentions. Wudao will die whether he agrees or not. Since there's no way out, we might as well fight to the death!"

He was extremely repulsed by these noble families.

Qin Feng and Xue Zhi, however, looked extremely serious. Five Qi Condensation cultivators, and they only had less than ten Bone Marrow Condensation cultivators combined.

At this moment, Zhuang Wudao was looking at the rooftops on both sides of the alley. Although there was no abnormality, they were suitable for crossbowmen to ambush and shoot down. Even with Bone Marrow Condensation strength, an unexpected attack could result in serious injury or death.

Without hesitation, Zhuang Wudao took a few steps back, used his elbow as a hammer, and smashed into the stone wall behind him. The wall, two feet thick and three zhang high, was instantly shattered, forming a neat circular opening large enough for three people to pass through.

"Go through the back, I'll cover the rear!"