At that moment, Lu Qing's eyes gleamed with lechery. He shot Wei Xiao a lascivious glance and chuckled darkly,"Forget the others—why don't we take our pleasure first?"
The words dripped with vulgar intent as both men stepped toward Zhao Rou, certain she had succumbed to their drugged tea.
But just as Lu Qing's hand reached for her fragrant shoulder—smack! A sharp crack split the air. His wrist was seized by a pale, jade-like hand, its grip like iron pincers crushing his pulse gate.
Lu Qing's face contorted in shock and agony. Before he could comprehend, a wave of unbearable pain surged through his arm. Cold sweat drenched his brow as he screamed,"H-how… how is the drug not working?!"
Zhao Rou's lips curled into a cold smile. Her eyes glinted with frosty light. With a twist of her wrist, Lu Qing howled louder, teeth gritted in torment, body quivering helplessly."Spare me, miss… please!"
But Zhao Rou was merciless. With a snort, she swept her leg across. Thud! Lu Qing's body flew like a rag doll, crashing into a table. Wood shattered, splinters scattering. He hit the floor, spitting blood, writhing in agony, wailing like a dying beast.
At once, a pair of figures from another table rose. Their eyes burned coldly, fixed upon the scene. Wu Tong, hand already resting on the hilt of the Wolong Blade, glared with hidden killing intent. These two strangers were clearly no ordinary patrons—they had come with purpose.
Wei Xiao and Lu Qing's bravado drained away. Terror washed over them. They realized too late they had kicked a wall of steel.
Zhao Rou swept her gaze across Madam Liang and her cohorts, her voice icy as winter steel:"Your human-flesh buns are infamous far and wide. Did you not foresee this day would come?"
The strangers stepped forward. The man, tall and broad with sword-like brows and eyes sharp as blades, snorted:"Wicked innkeepers, black of heart!"
Beside him, a striking young woman with a frosty countenance declared:"Turning human flesh into buns—what vile depravity! The age has fallen indeed, when such evil thrives unchecked!"
Madam Liang's face tightened. She had not expected to face two formidable pairs this day. Forcing down her fury, she demanded coldly,"And who might you be, to dare make trouble here?"
The man strode forth, voice resounding like a great bell:"I am Fang Xiong!"
The woman followed, her tone clear and sharp:"And I am Deng Ling!"
Fang Xiong's eyes blazed as he declared,"Madam Liang, your infamous flesh buns echo throughout the land. Today, I've come to see them for myself!"
Madam Liang's pupils shrank, yet she sneered."So it's true! The son of Fang Wei, the 'Invincible Divine Palm' of Xuzhou—nicknamed 'Hero Among Men'—and this young lady, the so-called 'Wind Bell' Deng Ling?!"
The two answered in unison:"Indeed!"
The butcher Wang Han's face flushed crimson, eyes bloodshot with rage. Gripping his butcher's blade, he thundered,"And who the hell are you to meddle in my shop?!"
Wu Tong gave a faint smile. His hand closed around the hilt of the Wolong Blade. With a hiss of steel, he drew it slowly. The cold gleam lit the hall, reflecting stark terror in every face. Carved upon its body were bold, awe-inspiring characters.
Wei Xiao trembled, knees nearly buckling. His voice cracked as he whispered:"The Wolong Blade… when it appears, no demon can stand!"
Wu Tong's gaze swept the room, voice steady as stone:"Look closely at this blade. I am Wu Tong of Lingnan's Guangzhou. This is my wife, Zhao Rou."
The words struck Zhao Rou like thunder. Though danger pressed from all sides, her cheeks flushed with warmth. He had spoken the word wife before all—it filled her heart with sweetness.
Lu Qing, broken on the ground, gasped in horror."You… you can't be… the one they call—Northern Jia Yong, Southern Wu Tong?!"
Zhao Rou laughed sharply, voice clear as steel:"Exactly!"
The crowd paled. Shock and dread rippled like a wave. Each revelation cut deeper: Fang Xiong, Deng Ling, Wu Tong, Zhao Rou—every name heavier than the last. The outlaws' confidence collapsed.
Even Madam Liang faltered, her face stiff with fear. Yet her voice cracked like a whip as she roared,"What are you waiting for?! Call the reinforcements! Or we're all dead!"
Fang Xiong's roar shook the rafters:"Strike!"
Deng Ling sneered,"Call your dogs—it will not save you!"
They leapt forward, Fang Xiong's palm crashing down like a tiger from the mountains. Madam Liang barely twisted aside, his strike shattering tables to splinters.
Meanwhile, Wang Han swung his cleaver in a furious arc, intent on splitting Deng Ling in two. But she slipped aside, swift as a swallow, her palm snapping out. Crack! The blow crushed into his chest, hurling him back. His skull smashed the beam—blood and brain sprayed. He died instantly.
The inn erupted in chaos. Fang Xiong and Madam Liang traded blows, their fists and palms clashing, air shuddering with force. Madam Liang's skill was formidable, but Fang Xiong's strength pressed her back step by step.
Wei Xiao and Lu Qing scrambled up with blades drawn, charging to assist. Zhao Rou's eyes narrowed. With a cold snort, she surged into the fray beside Fang Xiong. Blades rang, tables split, crockery shattered—the inn became a storm of violence.
Suddenly—BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Cannons thundered outside, shaking the ground.
Madam Liang's lips twisted in a vicious grin."Did you think I'd sell flesh buns without preparing? You've walked into your graves! None of you will leave alive!"
Deng Ling spat back,"Boast while you can—the next breath may be your last!"
Her palm flashed, swift and deadly. Wang Han was struck again, skull bursting in a sickening spray.
Fang Xiong's palms rained like thunderbolts. Madam Liang reeled, cold sweat streaking her face as the inn's timbers groaned under the assault.
Wei Xiao and Lu Qing lunged once more, but Fang Xiong and Deng Ling cast them aside with crushing blows. Both slammed into the wall, coughing blood, sprawled half-dead.
Outside, the roar of bandits swelled. Dozens of Tiger Ridge brigands surged in, blades flashing, encircling the inn.
Madam Liang threw back her head and shrieked with savage glee."Perfect timing! Today, all of you will die and be made into buns!"
Wu Tong snorted coldly. The Wolong Blade flashed like lightning. In a single bound he leapt forth, the blade whistling. Wei Xiao and Lu Qing, not yet risen, froze in terror—then steel bit. One scream, then silence. Blood fountained across the floor as their bodies crumpled.
Madam Liang's eyes widened in horror."Help me!" she shrieked.
The second chief of Tiger Ridge, Chen Chong, bellowed and charged, blade meeting Wu Tong's in a storm of sparks. His strikes fell like a tempest, fierce and relentless. Yet Wu Tong's eyes narrowed with cold amusement. His blade twisted—Two Faces, Three Blades!
Steel split the air. Chen Chong's scream tore through the din as crimson sprayed. His back ripped open, blood soaking his tunic.
Wu Tong did not press the kill. Instead, he roared,"Those who value their lives—leave now, or be minced into bun-filling!"
Chen Chong staggered, panting, glaring murderously."Name yourself!"
Wu Tong's voice rang like thunder:"I am Wu Tong, Twelfth Lord of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness!"
The brigands gasped. Murmurs rippled through their ranks:"Southern Wu Tong… Northern Jia Yong…""They say he holds the Wolong Blade Manual—unmatched under heaven!""Even the Black Dragon Sect trembles before him!"
Chen Chong's face sank. This was no foe to fight lightly. Grimly, he called out,"Master Wu, shall we end this here?"
Wu Tong's eyes blazed."The spirits of your countless victims cry for justice! The Hall of Loyalty serves heaven's will. Stand aside, or face judgment!"
He pressed Chen Chong hard, forcing the man to yield up Madam Liang. He had no wish to make an enemy of the entire stronghold—only to bring justice to its butcher queen.
But then—the thunder of hooves shook the earth. A new wave of bandits arrived, their leader at the fore. Madam Liang broke free, rushing to him with a desperate cry:"Brother Qian Song! Save me!"
The newcomer, broad-shouldered and fierce, roared back,"While I live, none shall harm you! If Chen Chong cannot guard you, then I will!"
Chen Chong sneered bitterly."Empty boasts! Do you even know who stands before you?"