CHAPTER 154: CHAPTER 154: THREE PEOPLE’S NIGHT ATTACK ON LI MANSION (REQUESTING MONTHLY VOTES)

Hero Xu Xian, having undergone Cyclic Resurrection, walked out of the Middle Courtyard of Xiaoxiang Villa with a frustrated expression, then headed outside with light steps.

Inside the Pavilion, Xu Nian saw his changed appearance and knew the fellow had died once. He couldn’t help but wonder. What on earth did this fellow do to get himself killed?

After Hero Xu Xian left Xiaoxiang Villa, he was immediately sought out by the Top Archer in the National Server and Dung Beetle.

"You two are so unfair, not even giving me a heads-up!" Hero Xu Xian complained resentfully. "There were so many Brocade Guards, I almost got caught."

Seeing his reaction, the two sighed. "Brother, we can’t be blamed for this. Who told you to suddenly attack?" one of them said. "We didn’t even have time to react before you slapped her. I was stunned, you know?" the other immediately started explaining.

The slap from Hero Xu Xian had indeed been beyond their expectations. This guy is serious. He really is ruthless when it comes to hitting a woman! Even the toughest of them, Dung Beetle, was impressed at that moment. Hitting a woman! He must be the second player daring to do this, right? Dung Beetle was the first, of course. Back then at the Profound Yellow Sect, Guan Guan Jujiu got beaten up and eventually ran away in the middle of the night. But none of them expected Hero Xu Xian to strike in the middle of the street. If you’re talking about boldness, this guy takes the lead.

"I was surrounded by Brocade Guards. I fought my way out, then killed myself to undergo Cyclic Resurrection," Hero Xu Xian said with a dark expression. "That woman is from Li Mansion, most likely related to Li Baiyang."

What a coincidence! The victim was from Li Mansion? Did they unintentionally alert the enemy? If Li Baiyang increases his guards at Li Mansion tonight, wouldn’t they be in trouble?

"It’s all your fault! Why did you hit her for no reason?" the Top Archer in the National Server said, rolling his eyes. "Because of that slap, our task tonight just got tougher."

"Scared of what? Don’t forget our Task Reward!" Hero Xu Xian said carelessly. "We just need Li Baiyang, right? Compared to the reward, he’s nothing. I wouldn’t even mind taking on His Majesty himself!"

That argument actually made sense. For players, they indeed didn’t care about such things. In that case, their operation tonight would remain unchanged. At worst, they would just give that Female NPC another beating. It made no difference to them.

At this moment, Li Rou’er had no idea whom she had offended, nor did she know that she had been targeted again. Once a player holds a grudge, even Zhao Qixian would be wary.

Just after Zhao Yuwei arrived at Li Mansion, she heard that Li Rou’er had been beaten at her own doorstep and the perpetrator was already dead. Concerned, Zhao Yuwei immediately went to check on Li Rou’er. Seeing Zhao Yuwei arriving, Li Baiyang gestured for her to come in.

"Rou’er is in a bad mood, Miss Zhao. Please keep her company," Li Baiyang sighed, his steps heavy. Little did he know that he had been marked by Xu Nian, and even his granddaughter had caught the attention of Xu Nian’s Disciple. If he knew that, the celebrated champion might have taken up arms and stormed Xiaoxiang Villa himself.

「In the room.」

Li Rou’er was applying a cold compress to her face with a cloth bag filled with ice cubes, an aggrieved expression etched on her features. Seeing Zhao Yuwei arrive, she immediately burst into tears, overwhelmed with distress. "Yuwei..."

Seeing half of Li Rou’er’s face swollen, Zhao Yuwei frowned. One shouldn’t hit someone in the face. The attacker was indeed way out of line! How could someone strike a woman so viciously, and on the face!

Li Rou’er threw herself into Zhao Yuwei’s arms, sobbing, "I didn’t provoke him! He just stood up and hit me. That slap knocked me out instantly. He’s truly awful!"

"It’s alright now. The villain who hit you has been killed by the Brocade Guards," Zhao Yuwei said, patting Li Rou’er’s back consolingly. "The Brocade Guards will investigate this. You just focus on your recovery."

"No, no, no! The one who attacked was killed, but he had two accomplices!" Li Rou’er exclaimed in panic. "Do you think they’ll seek revenge for their partner and come to kill me?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhao Yuwei’s brow furrowed again. He had accomplices? She hadn’t heard the Brocade Guards mention this. Could it be that the Brocade Guards were also unaware?

"Don’t worry. Li Mansion is surrounded by Brocade Guard patrols. Even if there are accomplices, what could they possibly do? Would they dare attack someone right in front of the Brocade Guards?" Zhao Yuwei reassured her. "Rest assured, I’ll stay with you tonight and for the next few days. No one will bully you!"

Hearing this, Li Rou’er finally calmed down. But the thought of being beaten at her own doorstep still made her fume. She couldn’t swallow her anger. It was totally unacceptable! It was the first time in her life she had ever been hit, and right at her own front door! The culprit got off easy. If he had been apprehended, she would have flogged that scoundrel thoroughly! No, no, no! She’d even make him drink chili pepper water and endure the Tiger Bench! That scoundrel should experience all the tortures of the Brocade Guards!

「At night.」

Indeed, there were many more Brocade Guards stationed around Li Mansion. Zhao Yuwei informed Li Baiyang and the Brocade Guard Chief about the accomplices. Concerned for his granddaughter, Li Baiyang immediately had the Brocade Guards increase their patrols. Since Li Baiyang himself had personally made the request, what could the Brocade Guards do? They had no choice but to reallocate personnel and patrol Li Mansion more frequently.

「In a dark alley nearby.」

Dung Beetle and his two companions glared at the Brocade Guards patrolling the entrance of Li Mansion, each looking more displeased than the last. Good grief. The jinx had really come true. There were more than twice as many patrols as during the daytime!

"What do we do now? With so many on patrol, we’ll be discovered as soon as we get close," Dung Beetle said, squatting and drawing circles in the dirt with a stone. "We can’t just go up and knock them all out, can we?"

"I thought you were tough?" Hero Xu Xian glanced at Dung Beetle and asked. "You can’t handle these guys? Their Chief is only at the Second-Grade Martial Artist Realm, and the rest are no match for the three of us. Are you scared?"

Scared? Dung Beetle threw down the stone he was holding and walked out, his face dark. Him, scared? He reached behind his waist, grabbed a leather pouch, and expertly pulled something out. The item was tightly wrapped in some kind of animal fur. Just a bunch of Brocade Guards. He alone could handle them all!

As he appeared, the Brocade Guards noticed him.

"Who goes there?" one shouted.

"What are you doing here so late? Leave immediately!" another yelled.

"Go inform the Chief! Someone’s at the main entrance of Li Mansion!"

"Catch him first! Don’t let the brat escape!"

The patrolling Brocade Guards quickly surrounded him, with more guards rushing over. Seeing that enough of them had gathered, Dung Beetle tossed the item in his hand. Instantly, an indescribable stench assaulted their nostrils. The Brocade Guards who merely caught a whiff were forced to retreat immediately. Several who had rushed to the front, eager for merit, were unlucky enough to be splashed by Dung Beetle’s Stinky Tofu. The overwhelming smell made them roll their eyes and faint on the spot.

"It’s poison! Retreat!"

"Damn thief, carrying such a foul poison!"

"UGH—"

"Old Niu, how are you? Hang in there!"

Watching the Brocade Guards being pushed back by Dung Beetle alone, both the Top Archer in the National Server and Hero Xu Xian looked on with admiration. Awesome! If anyone knew how to play, it was Dung Beetle. Single-handedly taking on a group of Brocade Guards, forcing them back so they couldn’t even get close! That smell could even affect a First-Grade Realm expert like Guan Guan Jujiu. How could these mere Brocade Guards withstand it? Just one confrontation, and several were knocked out cold by the stench.

"Charge!" Hero Xu Xian shouted, activating his Golden Bell Iron Shirt and charging forward fearlessly. Faced with this reckless, headlong charge, like the onslaught of a Fully Filled Barbaric Ox, the Brocade Guards were immediately thrown into disarray. The Top Archer in the National Server even pulled a small crossbow from his trousers and started shooting at the distant Brocade Guards. In no time, no one dared approach the main entrance of Li Mansion.

「Inside Li Mansion.」

The Brocade Guard Chief, upon hearing the news, was visibly upset. Someone dared to barge into Li Mansion at night and had wounded many of his guards! What audacity! Before he could lead people to support them, the main gate of Li Mansion was kicked open, and three figures swiftly rushed in. The Brocade Guards in the courtyard didn’t even have a chance to react before they were knocked down.

"Courting death!" the Chief roared, drawing the saber from his waist. He swung it fiercely, channeling all his Internal Energy. His Xiu Chun Saber, gleaming with a cold light, slashed towards Hero Xu Xian.

DING!

Hero Xu Xian raised his hand to block. The Xiu Chun Saber only managed to cut his sleeve, not harming his body.

Seeing it was the Brocade Guard Chief who had led the men to surround him during the day, Hero Xu Xian felt his anger rise. So it was you who led the ambush today? Think you’re so tough with your numbers, huh? He punched out furiously, the terrifying force sending the Chief staggering back several steps. Before the Chief could regain his footing, Hero Xu Xian attacked again, leaping up and delivering a kick fueled by Internal Energy. Foshan Shadowless Kick!

BANG!

One kick. The Brocade Guard Chief spat blood and stumbled back, his expression dark and menacing. Three opponents, all at the Second-Grade Martial Artist Realm! He stood no chance against them alone! Damn it!

A warning cry rang out, "Watch out!" The Chief sensed something flying towards him and instinctively raised his saber to block.

SPLAT!

The object hit the flat of his blade, and a foul stench quickly spread. Even the Chief couldn’t help but vomit. He threw up everything he had eaten that day, collapsing to the ground, completely weakened. In a few breaths, he lost the ability to speak, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

"Damn it, Dung Beetle, are you stealing my kill?" Hero Xu Xian glared, his face darkening.

"You were too slow. Now you’re blaming me?" Dung Beetle shrugged. "Stop wasting time. Let’s grab the person and leave before the Brocade Guard Centurions or Chiliarchs arrive, or we’re all dead!"

With such a commotion and so many Brocade Guards injured, it would be strange if the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition didn’t respond. All three of them were Second-Grade Martial Artists. A few Centurions, or even one Chiliarch, could easily take them down.

The Top Archer in the National Server tucked his mini crossbow back into his trousers. "Quick, grab the target and let’s go!"