Chapter 54: Unexpected Turn of Events

The people from West Emerald Mountain saw the wedding procession scatter and flee, but they did not chase after them. They knew that these villagers were timid and would not return for a while. As long as they did not harm the villagers' lives, the villagers would not resist. By the time the villagers gathered the courage to return, they would have long returned to West Emerald Mountain, living carefree lives.

Inside the sedan chair, Liu Qian did not know what had happened. She heard Zhang Xiaolong's words after Liu Yuanyue left, knowing that someone had come. Then came Zhang Xiaolong's scream, which made her heart ache, and she wanted to get out of the sedan chair. However, the rural custom was that the bride could not lift her red veil before entering the bridal chamber, so she hesitated. After that, Zhang Xiaolong fell silent, followed by Zhang Xiaohua's scream, and then the shouts of the people from West Emerald Mountain. She immediately knew something was wrong. Resolutely, she tore off her red veil, lifted the curtain, and stepped out.

Facing her was Liu Yuanyue's trembling shoulders and the lecherous, regretful eyes of the leader of West Emerald Mountain. At this moment, after being nourished by the water from the Zhang family well, Liu Qian was no longer on the same level as Liu Yuanyue. Her skin was as smooth as jade, her willow-like eyebrows exuded spring, and her almond eyes sparkled. If a few months ago, she was not considered very beautiful in the eyes of the ruffians in Luzhen, now she was a beauty. Especially her transforming aura, which was captivating, like a fairy descending to earth. The leader could not help but regret that this flower had been plucked by the third brother, who would not let go. He rarely had the chance to take advantage, but it was a pity.

Liu Qian did not pay attention to the leader of West Emerald Mountain or comfort Liu Yuanyue. Instead, she ran over to see the unconscious Zhang Xiaolong. At this moment, Zhang Xiaohua also stood up, enduring the burning pain in her body, gritting her teeth to keep the tears from falling, and walked step by step toward her brother.

At this moment, Zhang Xiaohua had no other thoughts. The seed that had been brewing in her heart for a long time had finally blossomed and borne fruit. She had made up her mind not to live a life of being trampled on by others. If she survived today, she would only choose one path: to practice martial arts.

To protect herself, her family, and those who needed protection with absolute martial power.

No longer to let anyone trample on her dignity and her family's happiness.

At this moment, our little flower had transformed, matured, and found her life's goal.

However, the crisis had not passed, but Zhang Xiaohua no longer considered these things. She knew that no matter how tragic the outcome, time would always pass, and the outcome would eventually come. She would face it bravely, even if it meant losing her life.

The people from West Emerald Mountain did not know that they had fueled the development of the martial world. At this moment, they were arrogantly riding back, preparing to snatch the fat meat that had fallen into their mouths.

Liu Qian ran to Zhang Xiaolong, knelt down, and looked at his blood-soaked chest with a pained heart. She gently lifted his head and placed it on her chest, using her nails to pinch his philtrum. Liu Qian did not cry; she knew her situation. Any powerless actions would only make the villains more arrogant. Perhaps her fate was already determined, and she wanted to say goodbye to her beloved.

When Zhang Xiaohua, limping, reached Zhang Xiaolong, he had already opened his eyes slightly. He looked at his bride with all his strength, feeling indignant. Although the other party had injured him without a word, he, now awake, naturally knew their intentions. But what could he do to resist?

He looked around with difficulty. The road and the fields were empty, with no one in sight. He sighed inwardly. His injured arm, which had just recovered, was dislocated again, making it impossible to move. He used his other hand to hold the hand that had been pinching his philtrum, saying nothing. Their eyes met, filled with deep love and endless resentment.

Zhang Xiaohua looked at her respected brother and the sister-in-law she liked, feeling a heart-wrenching pain.

Liu Yuanyue, seeing Zhang Xiaolong wake up, quickly ran over, thinking it was safer here. The leader of West Emerald Mountain did not stop her and slowly rode his horse over.

The others also rode their horses, slowly surrounding them.

The third brother of West Emerald Mountain waved his whip, staring at Liu Qian in her wedding dress, feeling extremely pleased. This trip was worth it; he had obtained such a beautiful woman without any effort, ensuring endless happiness in the future. The second brother of West Emerald Mountain stared at Liu Qian, filled with jealousy, secretly regretting that the third brother had taken the lead. However, seeing Liu Yuanyue's pale face, he felt somewhat comforted. He also glanced at the leader's greedy expression, feeling a bit lucky. This bride was so beautiful; who knew who she would belong to after they returned to the mountain? It was better not to get involved.

Liu Yuanyue, seeing everyone gather, could not help but hug herself and tremble, asking, "W-What do you want to do?"

The second brother of West Emerald Mountain said lecherously, "We don't want to do anything. We just saw this young brother getting married today, and it made us itchy. We want to try being a groom. How about it? Seeing your sister as a bride, don't you want to taste it too? We'll all enter the bridal chamber tonight?"

Liu Yuanyue, already knowing the outcome, was speechless upon hearing the confirmation, only saying fearfully, "Y-You..."

Liu Qian's face was as white as paper, terrified, but she held her husband's hand tightly, preventing her from trembling. Zhang Xiaolong said weakly, "Gentlemen, there are countless beauties in Luzhen. How can my wife's appearance catch your eye? If you let us go today, we will bankrupt ourselves to send all our property to West Emerald Mountain."

The third brother of West Emerald Mountain laughed, saying, "Your wife's appearance is very pleasing to our eyes. It's your good fortune that we like her. If you cooperate and let her go with us, we might spare your lives. Otherwise, we'll cut off your heads, and you won't be able to marry again."

The second brother of West Emerald Mountain also laughed, saying, "You don't look like a wealthy family's son. What gold and jewels do you have to make us interested? Just give her up."

At this moment, a person on horseback rushed over from the distance. The people from West Emerald Mountain heard the hoofbeats from afar and looked up. Seeing it was just one person, they did not pay much attention, except for the leader, who frowned and said, "Why are you wasting time? Just snatch the person and go. People often pass by this road. Don't run into a large group. If they don't let go, cut off their heads."

The second and third brothers, hearing this, became serious and immediately agreed, jumping off their horses and rushing toward Liu Yuanyue and Liu Qian.

Seeing the villains rushing toward her sister-in-law, Zhang Xiaohua immediately stepped in front. The third brother of West Emerald Mountain grabbed Zhang Xiaohua's neck with lightning speed and threw her to the side, then reached out to pull Liu Qian toward his horse.

Zhang Xiaolong tried to hold Liu Qian's hand, but he could not resist the third brother. He watched helplessly as Liu Qian's hand slipped from his, and his hand fell weakly to his chest, touching something hard. Suddenly, Zhang Xiaolong's eyes lit up, as if remembering something. He shouted, "Gentlemen, I have a relative in the Ethereal Sect. I have a token to prove it. We are all people of the martial world. Can you give us some face?"

"Ethereal Sect?" The people from West Emerald Mountain were stunned. The second and third brothers let go of their hands, and Liu Qian and Liu Yuanyue quickly returned to Zhang Xiaolong's side. The person on horseback, who was passing by, had been focused on his journey and had not noticed the commotion. Hearing "Ethereal Sect," his ears perked up, and he slowed his horse, but the people from West Emerald Mountain were focused on Zhang Xiaolong and did not notice.

The leader of West Emerald Mountain jumped off his horse and walked to Zhang Xiaolong, saying, "Where is the token? Let me see it."

Zhang Xiaolong quickly used his uninjured hand to pull out the token from his chest and handed it over. The leader of West Emerald Mountain carefully examined it from both sides, his face darkening. He then passed it to the second and third brothers, who also examined it seriously, their faces darkening as they returned the token to the leader. The three looked at each other, their eyes filled with malice, and said nothing. The leader then put the token in his pocket and said with a sly smile, "What kind of fake token is this? You dare to call a piece of wood from a firewood pile a token? Do you even know what the Ethereal Sect is? You dare to say you have relatives there? We were going to spare your lives, but now, we'll do you a favor and save your family some food by sending you to the underworld."

At this moment, Zhang Xiaohua had already stood up and walked to her brother, gritting her teeth and saying, "You, you actually want to kill us to cover your tracks?"

The third brother of West Emerald Mountain sneered, "The Ethereal Sect is far away. Who will know we did it? You can tell them in your dreams."

With that, he waved his hand, and the second brother of West Emerald Mountain pulled Liu Qian and Liu Yuanyue over again. The other four, each holding weapons, were about to commit the deed.

At this critical moment, a voice came from behind, "Who said the Ethereal Sect is far away? As an ancient poem says, 'Far away in the sky, near at hand.'"

The people from West Emerald Mountain turned around and saw the person who had just ridden over from the distance. They thought he had already left but had stopped by the road.

The person was tall and handsome, wearing a gray robe and carrying a sword at his waist. The leader of West Emerald Mountain, seeing the person ride over, hurriedly greeted him, saying, "I am the third wolf of West Emerald Mountain, here to handle some business. May I ask for your name?"

The person smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "I am Lu Yueming of the Ethereal Sect. I heard that a relative of our sect is here, so I came to take a look. Where is the token? Please let me see it."

The leader of West Emerald Mountain said, "Young Master Lu, you are mistaken. How can this person be a relative of your sect? He just showed a fake token to pretend, which I have taken. You don't need to see it."

Lu Yueming still smiled and said, "Whether it is real or fake is for the Ethereal Sect to decide. Please let me see it. I promise that if it is not an Ethereal token, I will leave immediately."

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