Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Pale Flesh Overlord

As soon as Red Wolf finished speaking, the two women exchanged a fearful glance, their faces pale and stricken with terror.

“Madam, you have cared for us all these years. Let me handle this,” Xi Liu bit her lip, making up her mind.

“No,” Liu Wenxiang gripped Xi Liu’s wrist. “You are a maiden, not yet married. How can I let you take the fall? I am the mistress of this house, and I have already borne two daughters.”

“Madam, if you insist on stepping forward, I’ll smash my head right here!” Xi Chun’s voice was resolute as she placed herself in front of Liu Wenxiang, her eyes reddened with tears streaming down. “Don’t harm my lady. Do what you wish to me instead.”

“Well, well, who would have thought the young lady is still untouched?” Red Wolf’s eyes gleamed as he stared at Xi Chun, swallowing hard. He especially favored mature, elegant women, though such women were usually married and mothers already. To find a beauty like this, still pure, was a first for him—how could he not be exhilarated?

Such a rare delicacy—he had never tasted anything like it before.

Suddenly, a dark shadow darted in from outside the door, wielding a Black Serpent Dagger. The aura of killing intent was tightly held, so much so that Red Wolf only realized what was happening when the blade was nearly upon him. His expression twisted in fear as the dagger sliced close to his chest, leaving a bloody gash.

“Savage Ox Long Fist!”

With a thunderous boom, a fist shot forth, the air trembling as though an ancient demonic ox stampeded into the room. The explosive force erupted, unleashing the full power of the Savage Ox.

The Savage Ox Long Fist allowed the user to store a surge of raw strength, releasing it in a devastating burst when facing the enemy.

“Damn it!” Sensing the terrifying energy in his opponent’s fist, Red Wolf’s face changed drastically. He hastily raised both arms to block, panic flooding his heart. Where had a seventh-rank fighter come from to try to kill him?

With a dull thud, Red Wolf’s arm bones snapped instantly. The terrifying punch, unmitigated, crashed into his chest, sending him flying like a broken kite into the wardrobe behind him. Wood splinters flew, clothes rained down, and chaos filled the room.

With both arms broken, he was rendered powerless—a mere lamb to the slaughter.

A sharp, cold pain ran up the attacker’s fist and arm. If Red Wolf had been any tougher, perhaps it would have been his own arm that broke. If he ever faced someone stronger, he’d have to be more cautious with this move.

Red Wolf was even worse off. He barely managed to crawl up from the floor, his arms hanging limp, terror writ large across his face.

Liu Wenxiang and Xi Liu, shaken from their stupor, shrieked involuntarily before huddling behind Su Yang, trembling as they pressed their soft bodies close for protection.

“From the Black Wolf Gang?” Su Yang asked.

“Su the Scholar? Impossible!” Red Wolf stared at Su Yang in disbelief. “Weren’t you only ninth rank?”

“Who told you I was ninth rank?” Su Yang’s lips curled in a cold sneer as he stepped forward. “I’m afraid your life ends here.”

Red Wolf gritted his teeth, struggling desperately. After a flurry of fists and kicks, his arms useless, he was no match for Su Yang and finally fell with a punch straight to his heart—dead on the spot.

The commotion in Liu Wenxiang’s room had awakened the maids and servants in the courtyard, who crowded nervously outside the door. Fearing stray blows, Liu Wenxiang and Xi Liu also retreated to the door.

“Uncle… Uncle, is he dead?” Liu Wenxiang, chest heaving, pointed fearfully at Red Wolf’s body inside the room.

“Rest assured, Mother-in-law, the villain has been dealt with,” Su Yang replied, exhaling deeply, his strength nearly spent. Fortunately, his surprise attack with the Savage Ox’s power had succeeded—otherwise, the outcome might have been different tonight.

“That was terrifying. Son-in-law, who were these people?” Liu Wenxiang asked, gesturing at Red Wolf’s corpse.

“They were from the Black Wolf Gang. They saw our family’s weakness, thinking only a single ninth-rank stood guard, and sought to plunder us. However, I have already broken through to eighth rank. Besides this man, there are two more ninth-rank Black Wolf thugs dead in the courtyard. We’ll need to deal with their bodies together.”

Su Yang realized there was no point in hiding his eighth-rank strength any longer. Better to reveal it and deter the lowlifes lurking in the shadows.

“Son-in-law, the Black Wolf Gang has targeted us?” Liu Wenxiang’s face paled.

The Black Wolf Gang had more than just eighth-rank fighters—they had seventh-rank as well. If word got out that their men had died here, they would come for vengeance, and the Wang family would be doomed.

“Don’t worry, Mother-in-law, this wasn’t an act by the Black Wolf Gang at large. It was just these three. If it were an official action, they’d have brought more men—not just four. I questioned the two I killed earlier; they came only for our family’s secret braised pork recipe. They wanted to steal it, but upon seeing your beauty, their wicked intent turned to something else. That's how all this came about.”

“Don’t spread word of this. The city is in chaos; death is common. The Black Wolf Gang might investigate, but they won’t dwell on it. As long as everyone keeps quiet, we’ll be safe.”

“Though, I wonder how well you all can keep a secret.” Su Yang’s gaze flicked to Qiu Ju, Old Madam Shen, Green Bamboo, and Ping’er—all solid maids and housekeepers in Liu Wenxiang’s service, the first to arrive.

“Don’t worry, uncle. We’ll keep our lips sealed. Ever since the rebels surrounded the city, we haven’t even left the estate. How could we spread such news?” the maids replied, trembling on their knees. “Besides, the Wang family is our only shelter. If we bring ruin by speaking, we’ll have nowhere to go but the brothels—forced to sell our bodies.”

“These girls were raised here from childhood. They can be trusted,” Liu Wenxiang assured him.

“Uncle, you said there were four intruders. We caught two in your room and one here. Where’s the last one?” Xi Liu suddenly asked.

“Not good—the last one must be in the eldest miss’s room.” Su Yang’s heart sank. He hurried toward Wang Chunxiao’s quarters, with Liu Wenxiang urging him on. He could no longer afford to play the fool.

When they arrived, there was no sign of the fourth Black Wolf thug. Wang Chunxiao insisted no intruder had entered her courtyard. For safety, Su Yang gathered everyone in Liu Wenxiang’s quarters, including Peach Blossom, Plum Blossom, and Xi Chun.

Li Doukou was hiding in the Hundred Flowers Pavilion’s wardrobe, so she was likely safe. The house guards kept watch outside, blades in hand as per Su Yang’s orders.

An hour later, Su Yang found a corpse in an unused wing. The body was shriveled, all blood drained, nothing left but a dry husk. Yet the clothes were new, and a Black Wolf Gang badge hung from the belt.

Had someone drained the man of blood while he was still alive?

Staring at the corpse, Su Yang gulped, his nerves taut again.

Originally, four Black Wolf members had come. Three were slain by his own hand. If even one escaped, the gang would learn of it and the Wang family would be in grave danger. That’s why he searched so relentlessly for the last one.

Now the fourth body was found, but Su Yang felt no relief.

Such a method—could it be a demon?

Was there a demon hiding in the Wang household?

Whether demon or man, such a being could easily crush a ninth-rank martial artist—perhaps even those above eighth rank.

Was this creature just passing through, or was it concealed within the Wang family?

Su Yang regretted revealing his eighth-rank strength. Now, his only remedy was to break through to seventh rank as soon as possible.

After a while, Su Yang calmed himself. If this being had been lurking in the Wang family for some time and meant them harm, it would have acted long ago. Moreover, its victim was an enemy of the Wang family—a Black Wolf gang member.

In other words, this thing was protecting the Wang family, and thus posed no threat to them.

If it was only passing through, so much the better.

So, the Wang family was safe, and so was he. In fact, perhaps besides himself, there was another guardian watching over the household—though its nature and strength remained unknown.

Finally, a weight lifted from his heart.

He disposed of the four bodies by the river far from the Wang estate, slitting open their bellies and removing the organs to prevent them from floating to the surface like balloons. After binding the remains with stones, they would soon become food for fish and shrimp.

With the bodies dealt with, Su Yang wasted no time. The Black Wolf Gang’s Red Hall chief’s home must be filled with valuables.

Red Wolf had a residence, his parents long dead. His wife lay asleep in bed. Su Yang did not hesitate or show mercy—he woke her and forced her to reveal where the valuables and silver were hidden, then ended her life in terror. After searching thoroughly, he treated her corpse as he had the others.

He acquired a thousand taels of silver, some jewelry, a martial arts manual, and a box of white, fleshy “Tai Sui” fungus.

For a gang member, to save a thousand silver was already impressive. The martial arts manual, “The Compendium of a Hundred Demons,” though incomplete, was more advanced than basic fist techniques. The white Tai Sui, while helpful for martial artists seeking to advance, was of the lowest grade—useful for ninth-rank, but of little value to himself at eighth.

The white, fist-sized fungus was covered in pits and hollows. Su Yang kept it—it might prove vital for completing his second task.

After disposing of Red Wolf’s wife’s body, dawn approached. Su Yang gathered up the silver and jewelry and returned home. Liu Wenxiang and the others, reassured by news of his success, had long since retired to their own quarters.

The next morning, Uncle Jiu from the mortuary arrived, bringing the heart-eating worms Su Yang had requested—four in total, a decent haul given the city’s famine. Many died of hunger, usually slipping into unconsciousness before passing—death in sleep, of a sort.

The mortuary handled piles of bodies daily, not including those claimed by the city militia or relatives. During the rebel siege, the militia bore the brunt of the fighting; the official soldiers rarely fought directly, instead supervising and preventing desertion or laziness.

So, few soldiers died—mostly the militia perished.

Su Yang paid Uncle Jiu some silver and instructed him to continue catching as many worms as possible. In twenty days, they could be raised into Heart-Control Parasites.

He didn’t know if they could control eighth-rank martial artists, but ninth-rank was certainly within their power.

If he could breed a thousand Heart-Control Parasites, he could command a thousand ninth-rank fighters’ lives—a force so fearsome it would ensure his survival even in chaotic times.

Because of the previous night’s events, Liu Wenxiang was still shaken at breakfast. Only when she saw Su Yang did she truly relax, pulling him to sit beside her—his presence was her reassurance.

“Son-in-law, is this really appropriate?” Su Yang asked.

“Ah, after last night, I’m still frightened. Only with you beside me do I feel safe. My good son-in-law, I owe you so much for last night,” Liu Wenxiang said, her soft white hand clutching his.

“Yes, brother-in-law, when I heard of mother’s danger, I was so scared I couldn’t sleep all night and insisted on sleeping with her,” Wang Xiahe, tall and graceful, quickly chimed in.

Wang Chunxiao said nothing, considering it all the work of petty thieves. If not for her need to hide her strength, what would eighth rank matter?

Gazing at the blue sky outside, Wang Chunxiao sighed inwardly. She must continue her concealment. When that person finally fell, she could reveal her power. Then her mother and sister would have her to rely on.

“Mother-in-law, I am the only martial artist in our household. The guards and martial servants can’t patrol all night, and the high walls are little barrier to those with the will to enter. There are no constables on the streets. If something like last night happens again, it could be dangerous.”

“After all, I can’t always be there to know when you’re in danger. So, I have a suggestion—would you consider it?” Su Yang asked.

“What is it?” Liu Wenxiang inquired eagerly.

“We’re few in number. I propose we all live together in one place. That way, if anything happens, it can be discovered quickly, and the guards’ night watch will be easier.”

“You, Mother-in-law, can remain here, while the eldest and second young ladies move into the left wing. The personal and regular maids would live in the four rooms of the right wing.”

“As for myself, Peach Blossom, Plum Blossom, Xi Chun, and the wet nurse, we would live in the neighboring courtyard. We’ll break through one wall to connect the houses, forming a compound with several doors. Each room would have a bell, to be rung in emergency.”

“In this way, the martial servants can protect us better, and I can come quickly if needed. What do you think, Mother-in-law?” Su Yang laid out his plan.

“No. If we all crowd together, it will be a mess. I can stay in my own courtyard—I’ll be safe there,” Wang Chunxiao objected, not wishing for such close quarters.

“You silly girl, you used to have good ideas. How come you’re so muddle-headed now?” Liu Wenxiang scolded. “Your uncle is right. Living together is safer. In these troubled times, what matters more—comfort or safety?”

She turned to Su Yang. “My good son-in-law, I fully support your proposal. It will keep us all safe.”