Chapter 551: The True Face of a Gentleman
Chapter 551: The True Face of a Gentleman
Just northwest of Huaiyin lies Siyang, a neighboring county a stone's throw away.
By the time Lian Chengbi and Shen Bijun arrived in Siyang County, the bandit suppression campaign had indeed come to an end.
Outside of Siyang County, at the Li Family Estate.
Bodies were laid out in abundance, a small fraction belonging to the Li family's servants and guards, while the majority donned the blue and black attire of the aquatic bandits.
A group of martial artists were in the midst of clearing the corpses while exchanging stories of their exploits.
Spotting Lian Chengbi and Shen Bijun's arrival, two fortunate individuals who had once crossed paths with them at the Duan Estate hurried forward to greet them.
Surveying the scene, Lian Chengbi inquired, "What happened here? Where's Li Gang?"
"Young Master Lian, Lady Lian, these are the remnants of the Hongze aquatic bandits, all slain by the mighty Li Daxia!"
"Li Daxia's valor is unmatched. His iron palms strike with unstoppable force, sweeping through his opponents without meeting a single match. Those bandits fell at the mere touch of his might," the other chimed in.
The duo's harmonious narrative, laced with subtle flattery, was intended to praise Li Gang, a fellow member of the Six Gentlemen of the Martial World, assuming that Lian Chengbi would appreciate hearing of his comrade's valor.
Lian Chengbi, unfazed by their underlying motives, quickly gleaned the situation with a few succinct questions.
The aquatic bandits wreaking havoc in Siyang County numbered over fifty, far surpassing the group in Huaiyin, confirming that this was indeed the main force of the recent banditry. And yes, Shao Ying was among them.
Their accumulated wealth had been plundered during the previous raid on their stronghold, and they dared not establish another base. Thus, they prepared to flee to distant lands.
However, before embarking on their escape, they needed to amass sufficient funds, provisions, and transport.
Hence, He Ying devised this scheme, targeting the wealthy Li family on the outskirts of the county. The bandits from Qingjiangpu, Peijia Town, and Huaiyin County were all but pawns in his plan, meant to stall the martial artists in Huai'an City.
But contrary to He Ying's calculations, the group of martial artists didn't follow his script. Li Gang appeared like a divine soldier descending from the heavens, swiftly cutting through the bandits with ease.
"We've slain many bandits, and some surrendered on their knees. Only a handful managed to scatter, and they won't pose much of a threat," one of the men explained.
"That He Ying is a formidable foe, possessing exceptional martial skills. He managed to hold off Li Daxia for three moves and even took a passing lady hostage, forcing Li Daxia to exercise restraint. He used that opportunity to escape," the other added.
Lian Chengbi scanned the area but didn't spot Li Gang. "So, Li Gang gave chase?"
Nodding eagerly, the man replied, "Indeed! He Ying fled with the hostage, and Li Daxia, concerned for the lady's safety, allowed him to leave first before pursuing them."
"Li Daxia vowed that as long as He Ying releases the lady unharmed, he will let him go. But should he dare to lay a finger on her, Li Daxia swore to chase him to the ends of the earth and crush him under his palms," the other recounted with admiration.
"Truly, Li Daxia is a gentleman of the martial world, a man of his word!"
"I must say, that lady had a delicate and beautiful face, dressed simply but exuding an air of innocence. It pained me to think of her coming to any harm..."
"Tsk! Li Daxia is a true gentleman, impervious to beauty. Don't spout nonsense and tarnish his reputation!" The man's face reddened as he chastised his companion.
"Yes, yes, my apologies. I was out of line," the other man said, hastily backpedaling.
Ignoring their bickering, Lian Chengbi's gaze shifted to a narrow path leading north into the mountains from the side of the Li Family Estate. "That lady, was she clad in a jade-green dress, carrying a yellow cloth bundle on her back?"
"Ah?"
"Yes, that's her!"
"Does Young Master Lian know that lady?"
At these words, Shen Bijun's heart tightened, and she grasped Lian Chengbi's hand.
Lian Chengbi nodded, his hand clasping hers reassuringly before he soared gracefully toward the mountain path.
..."There are still people bleeding, and the battle ended not long ago, judging by the proximity." Lian Chengbi remarked.
Shen Bijun breathed a sigh of relief but then asked with concern, "Then...will Li...Li Gang...?"
"I have no idea about that." Lian Chengbi thought for a moment and laughed. "But there are still many martial artists waiting downhill. He probably won't do anything reckless."
"That's good," Shen Bijun said with a smile.
The two of them flew for several miles until they faintly saw figures at the end of the road.
They spotted two people—a man in black holding a woman in a jade-green dress. The man was looking around cautiously but found nothing.
"Li Gang, I know you're there. Come out!" The man in black shouted.
Silence filled the surroundings, only interrupted by the buzzing of insects and the chirping of birds. It seemed that Li Gang had indeed not given chase.
"As expected of Li Gang, one of the Six Gentlemen of the Martial World! Honorable and upright, a man of your word! He Ying admires you!" The man in black exclaimed loudly, then let go of the woman and fled towards the mountains.
As soon as he released her, the woman softened and slowly collapsed, now daring to cry softly, evidently terrified by what had just transpired.
Shen Bijun wanted to go out and comfort her, but Lian Chengbi held her back.
"What's wrong?" Shen Bijun asked.
"Let's watch the show. It's not over yet. If you go out now and save that woman, whose achievement will it be? Yours or Li Gang's?" Lian Chengbi replied.
"I've never taken credit away from Li Gang," Shen Bijun said in surprise.
"But if you go out there and escort this woman down the mountain, what will people think?" Lian Chengbi smiled. "Would you and I go around explaining that she was actually saved by Li Gang?"
Shen Bijun shook her head. "Of course not."
"Then that's that." Lian Chengbi smiled. "Since Li Gang has followed them here and hasn't shown himself yet, he must want to capture He Ying. If you appear now and accidentally scare He Ying away, the evil won't be eradicated completely."
Shen Bijun blinked and decided not to take any action.
The next moment, just as the man in black was about to flee into the woods, a figure rushed out from the side and collided with him. A pair of iron palms rose, one aiming for his chest and the other for his head.
"Li Gang!" The man in black screamed miserably. "You broke your promise..."
"Bang!"
A soft sound echoed as the man in black's chest caved in. He flew back several feet and crashed into a big tree before slowly collapsing. Blood poured from his mouth, indicating that he was beyond saving.
"Now that you're dead, no one will know." Li Gang said indifferently.
Without even glancing at the man in black, Li Gang turned and walked out of the woods. Soon, he arrived beside the woman.
"Th...thank you..."
Although the woman was crying, she knew what was important. She carefully looked up to express her gratitude to her savior.
However, she only managed to say half of what she wanted to say. Fear crept back into her expression.
Li Gang's gaze had changed.
His stern face, formidable as a rock, suddenly softened, and his sharp eyes, like knives, now burned with a fiery passion. The way he looked at her was like a tiger staring at its prey.
His breath quickened, and a sinister smile appeared on his face. Then, he pounced on the woman, who was so scared that she screamed. He tore open her dress with his hands and bit into the softness that was exposed.
"Ah!" The woman cried out in pain.
"Ah!" Shen Bijun was shocked and couldn't help but exclaim softly.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
