Chapter 76

Seeing that the opponent had lost his weapon, Shi Manqiang became enraged and charged forward. He was now strong and vigorous, and even Chen Sheng might not be his match in a close fight. The man opposite him was no match either. After being grabbed by Shi Manqiang, he received a headbutt that left him bleeding from the nose and mouth, and his eyes were blinded. Jixiang came to help, and after a few strikes, the man stopped moving.

Liu Yong made the second charge. The person he faced was holding an iron ruler. The two met first, and Liu Yong, least affected by Zhao Jin's killing, fought fiercely. However, the man opposite him was skilled. The iron ruler blocked and slid, striking Liu Yong's arm heavily. Liu Yong cried out in pain as his short axe was knocked away. The man raised his iron ruler to continue, but at that moment, Sun Dalei, who had reacted, swung his axe down. The man tried to use the same trick, but the force of the collision was too great, and his arm was forced to change direction. With a crisp "snap," the man screamed in pain, his arm broken, and he lost his fighting ability.

It was thought that Dong Bingfeng had the strongest martial skills, so he was assigned to deal with one person alone. However, Dong Bingfeng was the most panicked. His spear thrust was already off target and lacked momentum, and was grabbed by the opponent. They began to struggle.

When Zhao Jin killed, the man holding the spear rod was so frightened that he let go. Before Dong Bingfeng could pursue, the man turned and ran. After a few steps, Zhao Jin caught up, thrusting his spear and piercing the man's calf. The man screamed and fell to the ground.

In a moment, three were dead and three were injured. In a moment, the arrogant men were completely defeated, and the young, timid people won decisively.

Everyone was splattered with blood to some extent. The three injured were still okay, but the three dead had blood gushing out.

The hot, bloody smell on their faces made everyone feel nauseous. Before Zhao Jin could speak, Wang Zhaojing began to vomit on the spot, and Chen Sheng vomited directly. Zhao Jin also felt a churning in his chest, with the urge to vomit.

Zhao Jin took a deep breath. The smell of blood filled the courtyard. He knew the matter was not over and shouted, "Bingfeng, go close the courtyard gate first!"

Dong Bingfeng, ashamed of his poor performance, was looking down. Hearing Zhao Jin's words, he hurried over to close the gate.

"We won!" Zhao Jin raised his voice.

This statement lifted the spirits of the young people in the courtyard. The nausea and discomfort disappeared, and they felt their blood boil. In their first battle, in such a life-and-death struggle, they had won decisively!

Despite the panic, despite the fear, and even the hesitation in the face of life and death, they ultimately won!

Everyone looked at Zhao Jin differently. During the fight, they had no time to think, but now, as they calmed down, they remembered that when everyone was scared and panicked, Zhao Jin had taken the first action, killing the enemy in one strike!

"Brother Zhao, you are both brave and wise, truly remarkable!" Wang Zhaojing said first, his usually elegant appearance now covered in the enemy's blood, with some on his face as well.

Everyone nodded in heartfelt agreement. The courtyard gate was now closed, and Zhao Jin waved his hand and said, "The matter is not over. Liu Yong, you and Bingfeng collect their weapons. Dalei, stay and guard the gate. The rest, follow me inside!"

On the ground were three corpses, one unconscious injured person, and two who were groaning in pain. The four who had opened the door were still in shock, standing there dumbfounded.

Seeing Zhao Jin approach, the two inside the door cried out in alarm, let go, and retreated. The man they were supporting fell again, sitting heavily on the ground. The people inside tried to close the door, but it was blocked by the middle-aged man sitting there, preventing it from closing.

Zhao Jin walked over step by step, extending his spear forward. The person trying to close the door cried out in alarm, so frightened that he abandoned the door and ran into the house. Zhao Jin walked to the door, kicked the middle-aged man sitting there inside, and followed him into the house.

Inside, the room was lit, and the statue and altar of the Nine-Tailed Lady were gone, replaced by a normal household setup with tables and chairs. The three people inside were running around like headless flies, not knowing where to go.

Although Zhao Jin walked into the room boldly, he kept his spear ready, ready to counterattack if anyone attacked. The six people outside should have been the guards here, but even with only six, it was a big surprise, as it was not anticipated beforehand.

"Kneel down!" Zhao Jin shouted, and the three people immediately froze, looking at the bloodied young warriors and trembling as they knelt down.

"Drag the one at the door over here!" Zhao Jin shouted again, and Shi Manqiang and Jixiang dragged the middle-aged man over.

As the man tried to get up, Zhao Jin's spear tip was already in front of his face, and he immediately froze, not daring to move.

"Where is she?"

Zhao Jin was surprised at how cold his voice sounded. The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, and Zhao Jin thrust his spear forward, piercing the man's skin and drawing blood.

The man's body trembled violently, and he dared not move, trembling as he said, "In the room on the left."

"Is there anyone else in the room?"

"Only two old women."

Zhao Jin pulled back his spear and said to Chen Sheng behind him, "You watch them. If anything goes wrong, cut him down."

Chen Sheng nodded and walked over with his long knife. Zhao Jin then said to Wang Zhaojing, "You come with me. I'll lift the curtain, and you protect my side."

Wang Zhaojing shook his long sword and followed Zhao Jin. The door of the room on the left was covered with a thick curtain, and there was no sound from inside. Zhao Jin walked up and lifted the curtain with his spear.

Inside the room, two women in their forties were holding scissors and short knives, trembling like leaves, standing there, not daring to move.

"Throw down your weapons and get out, and we'll spare your lives!" Zhao Jin said coldly.

Seeing Zhao Jin and the others, covered in blood and holding weapons, the two women were terrified. Their short knives and scissors fell to the ground, and they collapsed, unable to move.

"Shi Tou and Da Xiang, come in with me!" Zhao Jin put down his spear but drew the Japanese sword from his waist and walked in with Wang Zhaojing. The two he called followed.

The room was quite tidy, looking like a middle-class home. A bed was placed by the door, and on it lay Muxiaolan.

On closer inspection, Muxiaolan's hands and feet were tied, and her mouth was gagged, unable to move.

The girl's face was streaked with tears, her clothes intact but wrinkled, showing that she had struggled. Muxiaolan had already turned her head with difficulty. Seeing Zhao Jin and the others enter, she knew she was saved, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

Zhao Jin sighed with relief. He had guessed right; the girl was indeed here. If he hadn't found her tonight, he might never see her again. He had pulled Xiaolan back from the brink of disaster.

Thinking of this, Zhao Jin suddenly felt a bit weak. His goal was achieved, and he truly relaxed. The excitement of his first kill had dissipated, and fear, worry, and fatigue surged up, making him feel a bit overwhelmed.

"Brother Zhao, what are you waiting for? Quickly untie Muxiaolan's ropes," Wang Zhaojing reminded him from behind.

Zhao Jin snapped out of his daze. Wang Zhaojing smiled and whispered to the still unsure Shi Manqiang and Jixiang, "Let's drag those two old women out and let Brother Zhao comfort Muxiaolan."

The two old women were dragged out, and the curtain was lowered. Zhao Jin looked back, admiring Wang Zhaojing's thoughtfulness. A girl who had been tied up would need to be untied, and the only one qualified to do so was Zhao Jin.

Zhao Jin removed the cloth from the girl's mouth, and Muxiaolan burst into tears. He cut the ropes binding her, and the girl moved her hands and feet, crying even harder.

"Xiaojin, they said they were going to send me to the temple and give me medicine tomorrow. When I woke up, I would be taken somewhere else..."

"Xiaojin, I'm so scared!"

Muxiaolan hugged Zhao Jin and wailed, releasing all her fear and despair.