Chapter 79
As Lu Qing pursued the Heart-Snatcher Wolf, the gamblers who had been terrified in the wooden building slowly began to rise from the ground, trembling. They stared at the headless corpses on the second floor and the blood streaming down, their bodies shaking. Yet, they dared not flee the building, fearing they might encounter that deadly star outside. They could only hope that the Village Chief would kill the deadly star, ensuring their safety.
Slaying several leaders of Happy Fort took Lu Qing almost no time. When he leaped out from the second floor, he immediately spotted the Heart-Snatcher Wolf trying to escape by hiding behind a small building.
“Heart-Snatcher Wolf! You can't escape!” Lu Qing shouted, his voice echoing for miles. He landed, Blood Qi surging, and shot towards the small building.
“Kid, don't push me too far!” The Heart-Snatcher Wolf didn't expect Lu Qing to catch up so quickly. Exposed, he immediately fled in another direction.
“Today, you will die without a doubt!” The two began a deadly chase through the village.
"Lu, the young brother, has indeed infiltrated!" Outside Happy Fort, Mago, who had been waiting impatiently, heard the shouts and was overjoyed but puzzled.
“How come it sounds like Lu is gaining the upper hand inside?” Regardless, Mago didn't want to wait any longer. The entire afternoon had tormented him. On one hand, he worried if Lu Qing had been silently dealt with by Happy Fort’s people. On the other, he feared that barging in might ruin Lu Qing’s plan. This uncertainty was agonizing. In hindsight, he should have insisted on accompanying Lu Qing from the start.
“Go, they're fighting inside. Let's get ready to move.” As Mago and his men headed over, Lu Qing finally caught up with the Heart-Snatcher Wolf. Despite their similar ranks, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf was already injured, affecting his mobility. Lu Qing slashed down, and though the Heart-Snatcher Wolf blocked with his arm, he was forced back several steps, leaning against a wall, panting.
“So, it’s an arm guard. No wonder it’s so tough, blocking two of my strikes.” Lu Qing noticed the steel arm guard hidden under the Heart-Snatcher Wolf’s torn sleeve.
“Kid, must you kill me?” The Heart-Snatcher Wolf panted, eyes full of ferocity.“Scum like you can’t wash away your sins even if you die a hundred times,” Lu Qing said coldly.
“What do you want to spare me, money, or women? I have plenty, all yours!” the Heart-Snatcher Wolf growled.
“I want your life!” Lu Qing stopped talking and slashed again.
“Think you can kill me that easily?” Realizing Lu Qing wouldn’t spare him, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf went all out. His face twisted, he mustered his Blood Qi, and charged at Lu Qing. Skilled in hand-to-hand combat, he needed to get close to have a chance against Lu Qing’s long blade. But Lu Qing had seen through his intentions. The information from his abilities revealed the Heart-Snatcher Wolf’s expertise in hand-to-hand combat. As the Heart-Snatcher Wolf tried to close the distance, Lu Qing swung his blade, forcing him back with a single strike. Undeterred, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf dodged the blade and lunged again, only to be repelled once more. This time, he couldn’t entirely evade the blade. A bloody wound appeared on his right shoulder, nearly severing his arm. Already injured internally, this new wound further slowed him down.
But he had no choice. It was either him or Lu Qing. Only by closing in within three feet of Lu Qing could he hope to survive. Otherwise, he would eventually be slain.
Thus, their fight reached a stalemate. The Heart-Snatcher Wolf desperately tried to close the distance, while Lu Qing’s blade kept him at bay. Despite their similar ranks, they were evenly matched, locked in a deadly struggle.
Despair grew in the Heart-Snatcher Wolf’s heart. He couldn’t understand why Lu Qing’s blade skills were so superior. His techniques seemed simple, yet no matter what he tried, he couldn’t break through.
In a moment of despair, the Heart-Snatcher Wolf faltered and suffered another wound, this time to his leg, causing his movements to lag. Seizing the opportunity, Lu Qing’s eyes flashed with determination. He burst forth with Blood Qi, slashing at the Heart-Snatcher Wolf’s neck.
“Spare me…” The Heart-Snatcher Wolf’s plea was cut short as Lu Qing’s blade severed his head.
After decapitating the Heart-Snatcher Wolf, Lu Qing wasted no time. He swiftly moved towards the trembling members of Happy Fort who were watching from a distance. He hadn’t forgotten his goal: to annihilate Happy Fort completely.
“Ah! Spare us!” The members of Happy Fort were terrified, their fear intensified by the sight of their chief being so swiftly decapitated. They begged for mercy, but Lu Qing’s resolve remained unshaken.
A massacre began.
“Hero, spare me, spare me!”
“I have silver, it’s all yours!”
“Just spare me, and it’s all yours!”
In front of the wooden building, Zhao Lao San knelt, holding a pouch of silver, hatred burning in his heart. He had been winning big tonight, only to have everything ruined by this young man. But he dared not show his hatred, terrified that Lu Qing would kill him like the others.
Seeing Zhao Lao San weeping and begging, Lu Qing’s eyes showed no mercy. With a flick of his blade, Zhao Lao San’s pleading ceased as a line of blood appeared on his neck, his head falling. This scene was witnessed by Mago and his men as they entered Happy Fort.