Chapter Forty-Seven: A Hero Rescues the Maiden
The thunder of hooves echoed down the main street of Green Forest Town as several towering horses strode forward, their riders oblivious to the scattering pedestrians forced to dodge aside. Lu Zhe, too, wisely stepped out of the way. At the head of the group rode Huo Lang, the young captain of the "Ghost Fang" mercenary band.
A broad grin stretched across Huo Lang’s face as he sauntered along, his gaze frequently drifting to the girl bound and lying atop the horse before him.
As they moved forward, Huo Lang’s eyes caught sight of Hong Lei sprawled on the ground ahead. He laughed heartily, dismounted, and strode over to stand above him, leaning down to say, “My dear brother-in-law, you can rest easy now that your sister is in my hands. I won’t treat her badly.”
Hong Lei glared up at him, spitting back, “You despicable scum! Using my father to threaten my sister—beware, you’ll get what’s coming to you!”
Huo Lang took the insult in stride, laughing again. “In our line of work, you never know when death is coming. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow. That’s why I intend to enjoy myself while I still can, you see?” His laughter rang out, brash and unrestrained.
He turned to leave, but suddenly felt a tug—Hong Lei had seized his leg. “You beast!” Hong Lei growled. “I’d rather die than let my sister fall into your hands!”
With an amused snort, Huo Lang crouched down, grabbing Hong Lei’s chin in a vice-like grip. His voice chilled. “And what right do you have to defy me now? In your prime, maybe I’d have lost to you. But now? You’re as good as dead. If I wanted, I could end you here and now. What would you do then?”
He punctuated his words with a vicious kick, sending Hong Lei sprawling.
Returning to his horse, Huo Lang glanced at the girl slumped over the saddle—Hong Xiu’er. He stroked her delicate, fair cheek, grinned, mounted up, and with a shout, rode away.
Lu Zhe watched Hong Lei’s motionless body, shook his head, and was about to leave when the murmurs of bystanders caught his attention.
“Alas, another girl defiled by Huo Lang,” one said. “I heard not long ago, he set his eyes on another young woman. When she refused him, he slaughtered her entire family. Truly terrifying.”
Another voice joined in, “Indeed, and after he had his way with her, he handed her over to his men—those brutes are like wolves! They ravaged her for three days and nights until she died from exhaustion. Inhuman, the lot of them.”
A third sighed, “Who knows what fate awaits this poor girl. Pitiful, truly pitiful.”
The conversation sent a chill through Lu Zhe. He glanced back at the departing group, hesitated, then quietly followed them.
He trailed them at a distance. They seemed unhurried, strolling leisurely down the street. After pondering for a moment, Lu Zhe picked up a small stone and hurled it with precision at the hindquarters of Huo Lang’s horse.
The stone struck with a sharp crack. Startled, the horse bolted forward. Huo Lang, caught off guard, yanked at the reins, causing the horse to rear with a loud whinny.
Seizing the moment, Lu Zhe flipped his coat collar up to conceal his face, gathered his strength, and with a single leap, launched himself at the horse. As the animal’s forelegs rose, he kicked Huo Lang off the saddle.
Huo Lang hit the ground, having never expected a rescue attempt.
Lu Zhe landed in the saddle, seized the reins, and shouted, “Hyah!”
The horse charged forward, leaving the entire town in shock.
Huo Lang, momentarily stunned by his fall, quickly regained his senses. “After them!” he roared.
His men spurred their mounts, galloping in pursuit. Huo Lang mounted another horse and joined the chase.
Hong Lei, lying on the ground, watched the unfolding chaos with a faint murmur, “I leave everything to you, my benefactor.”
Lu Zhe sped out of Green Forest Town, heading toward the deep mountains beyond. Hong Xiu’er, regaining her senses, lifted her head and stared in confusion at the masked figure who had come to her rescue.
He pushed the horse ever faster into the woods, the pounding of hooves behind signaling his pursuers’ approach.
Glancing back, Lu Zhe saw four or five men closing in—the same ones who’d been following Huo Lang earlier. He knew escape by horse alone was futile; they knew the local terrain far better than he did. If he kept to this path, they would eventually catch up.
He took a steadying breath, seized the terrified Hong Xiu’er, and channeled his inner energy from his spirit core into the black tattoo on his back.
With a rush of air, a pair of black wings, each nearly thirty feet long, unfurled from Lu Zhe’s back. He beat them lightly and soared skyward, holding Hong Xiu’er tightly.
The men chasing them—including Huo Lang—reined in their horses in utter shock, frozen as Lu Zhe took flight before their eyes.
“Spirit power wings—the strength of a Spirit King?!” one of the burly men exclaimed in disbelief.
Huo Lang, watching Lu Zhe’s receding figure, narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the wings. “That doesn’t look like spirit power wings,” he murmured.
He fell silent, brows knit in concentration. But no matter how he pondered, he couldn’t imagine any means of flight other than the Spirit King’s power—flight techniques were exceedingly rare, reserved for the most eminent sects and families. Even in a crossroads like Green Forest Town, none had ever witnessed such abilities, which only deepened Huo Lang’s confusion.
He turned his horse around. “Let’s go,” he ordered. “We’ll ask my father. He should know.”
With that, he led his men back toward town.
Lu Zhe, holding Hong Xiu’er, flew for a time until he felt his spirit core nearing exhaustion. After confirming there were no pursuers in sight, he descended into a secluded grove.
He set Hong Xiu’er down gently, drew a knife to cut her bonds, then unfastened his collar and drew a deep breath.
Seeing his face for the first time, Hong Xiu’er was startled, then fell to her knees. “Thank you for saving me, benefactor.”
Lu Zhe regarded her coolly. “So you know it’s a second rescue I’ve given you.”
Hearing the implication, Hong Xiu’er lifted her gaze. “I had no choice,” she said quietly.
He waved her to her feet. “You want to say you only went with him to save your father, don’t you?”
She nodded, lips parting as if to explain further, but Lu Zhe cut her off with a raised hand. “Don’t expect me to save your father. Saving you was already the limit. As for your father—sorry, you’ll have to find someone else.”
With that, he turned to leave.
He’d taken only a few steps when her voice called out behind him, “If you save my father, I will give myself to you.”
He didn’t so much as look back. “Thanks, but I’m not interested. Farewell.” Then, as if remembering something, he glanced over his shoulder. “No—let’s not meet again.”
With that, he strode away, lengthening his steps.
He had barely gone a few paces when a faint sound caught his ear—the rustle of clothing. With his keen senses, he recognized it instantly.
He spun around, confirming his suspicion: Hong Xiu’er stood behind him, half-undressed, her upper garments already slipped off. Her flawless skin glowed pale and unblemished in the sunlight, her slender waist graceful, the gentle curves of her not yet fully developed figure revealed. It was enough to make any man’s nose bleed—no wonder Huo Lang had been so determined to have her.
Her lovely face was flushed with embarrassment as she fumbled with her belt, averting her eyes.
Lu Zhe’s cheeks reddened. He hurried to her side, draped her clothing over her shoulders, and said, “Beauty won’t sway me. Don’t waste your efforts.”
Suddenly, Hong Xiu’er seized his hand, tears welling in her eyes. “Please, I beg you—save my father.”
Looking at her delicate, tearful face, Lu Zhe felt a pang of sympathy. He sighed. “All right, all right, you win. I’ll do it—satisfied?”
Her sorrow vanished, replaced by instant joy, the speed of her change making Lu Zhe wonder if he’d been tricked.
He sighed again. “You and your brother really are a handful.”
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