Сhаpter 244: Наlf-Fасеd Ghost 2
This movе рroved еffectivе. А shаdоw fliсkеred in Mо Qianzhi’s eyes as he соntinued, “Вeаst, I аdvisе уou tо surrеndеr аnd сeаse your killing sрrеe. If уou refuse, dо not blamе me for bеing ruthlеss. Тоdау, еven if I must saсrifiсe this оld lifе оf mine, I will сaрturе you аnd bring уou tо justice, lest уou continuе tо slаughter thе innocent аnd рlungе the реорlе intо turmoil.”
Оn thе surfaсe, thеse words wеre flаwlеss, but uрon сlоsеr rеflection, thеy carried a strаnge undertonе.
Though Shеn Du sensеd sоmething оdd, he couldn’t quite pinpoint it. He merely raised his head and glanced at Mo Qianzhi.
Mo Qianzhi straightened his back, assuming an air of righteous indignation, completely unfazed by Shen Du’s scrutinizing gaze.
The surrounding commoners, however, were in an uproar. This Half-Faced Ghost was undoubtedly a cold-blooded murderer who had already committed several heinous crimes.
From high-ranking officials in Yingzhou to ordinary civilians, it was clear this person showed no discrimination in his targets. Today it was Du Xiaowan—who could guarantee they wouldn’t be next tomorrow?
Someone loudly voiced this analysis.
Instantly, fear spread among the people, each one clinging to their own lives.
An enraged voice shouted, “We are living people, not livestock, to be slaughtered at his whim. I say we charge forward and kill him, so we don’t have to live in constant fear!”
“Exactly! Even if he’s a vicious demon, he’s still outnumbered. Charge!” another added.
Despite the presence of officials like Mo Qianzhi, the crowd could no longer contain their fury. They surged forward, pushing and shoving, determined to beat the Half-Faced Ghost to death.
Chaos erupted on the scene.
Zhu Yan frowned, about to call for calm, when she was suddenly shoved, stumbling and nearly falling to the ground.
Fortunately, Shen Du reacted swiftly, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her back to safety.
“Are you all right?” he asked, his concern palpable.
Zhu Yan freed herself from Shen Du’s hold on her waist, putting distance between them before shaking her head. “I’m fine.”
Now that she knew Shen Du had no feelings for her, she would no longer entertain illusions. Keeping her distance was best, lest she unknowingly fall for him and find herself trapped too deeply.
Shen Du withdrew his hand, his expression unchanged, though a hollow feeling settled in his heart.
“Ah!”
A cry of pain rang out, and the jostling crowd fell silent, turning toward the source of the sound.
The Half-Faced Ghost had, unnoticed, carved a piece of flesh from Du Xiaowan’s body and was now chewing it in front of everyone.
Du Xiaowan’s face contorted in agony, and the sound of the Half-Faced Ghost chewing raw flesh terrified her into unconsciousness.
The onlookers were equally horrified. Some of the more timid fainted on the spot, while others were so disgusted by the sight that they crouched nearby, retching.
Pan Chi had not expected the Half-Faced Ghost to act so brazenly right before their eyes.
His expression turned icy, but with Du Xiaowan held hostage, he was powerless to intervene, leaving him frustrated and helpless.
Li Zimo, seeing the woman he loved tortured in such a manner, ignored his parents’ attempts to restrain him. He rushed forward and knelt before the Half-Faced Ghost, pleading, “Eat me instead! I beg you, spare Xiaowan. Eat me!”
It is often said, “A man’s knees bear gold; he kneels only to heaven, earth, and his parents.” Yet here was Li Zimo, willingly kneeling for Du Xiaowan, a grown man weeping uncontrollably—a sight both pitiful and admirable.
Du Xiaowan’s parents also rushed forward, weeping and begging. They were willing to exchange their own lives for their daughter’s, ready to sacrifice everything to save her.Seeing this, Half-Faced Ghost sneered coldly, "A bunch of ants, daring to dream of shaking a tree—truly overestimating yourselves."
With that, Half-Faced Ghost seized Du Xiaowan by the nape of her neck, lifted her up, and vanished on the spot.
Pan Chi frowned and was about to give chase when Half-Faced Ghost suddenly popped his head up from the city wall.
Without a word, he threw Du Xiaowan down from the wall.
The sudden turn of events shocked the surrounding commoners, who had never witnessed such a bloody scene. They screamed and fled in panic, throwing the scene into chaos.
Mo Qianzhi, worried that the pushing and shoving among the crowd might lead to fatalities, had no choice but to order his men to disperse the people.
Zhu Yan’s heart leaped into her throat. She shot Sun Tan a meaningful glance, signaling him to rescue Du Xiaowan.
Understanding her intent, Sun Tan pushed through the crowd and rushed forward.
Seeing this, Pan Chi no longer concerned himself with Du Xiaowan. Instead, he soared upward, charging straight at Half-Faced Ghost in an attempt to capture him.
Fortunately, Sun Tan was somewhat skilled. He caught Du Xiaowan safely and handed her over to Li Zimo and the others, instructing, "She’s lost too much blood—it’s hard to say if she’ll survive. Get her to a clinic quickly."
After speaking, he followed after Pan Chi. Half-Faced Ghost, with his formidable martial skills and cunning, had already fled far away. Capturing him alone would be difficult for Pan Chi.
Seeing that Du Xiaowan had been rescued, Zhu Yan let out a sigh of relief and quickly nudged Shen Du. "Go help!"
If they could capture Half-Faced Ghost, many mysteries would come to light. They couldn’t let him escape.
Shen Du hesitated, worried that something might happen to Zhu Yan if he left.
While he was still hesitating, Half-Faced Ghost had already blended into the fleeing crowd and closed in on Shen Du and Zhu Yan.
Seeing Shen Du unmoving, Zhu Yan was about to urge him when someone grabbed her by the collar.
Just as she tried to turn her head to see what was happening, she was lifted into the air. A sudden sense of weightlessness washed over her, and Zhu Yan nearly cursed out loud.
Shen Du hadn’t expected Half-Faced Ghost to possess such skill, managing to snatch Zhu Yan right under his nose. His expression instantly turned icy as he gave chase.
"Stop! She’s not someone you should touch."
"If you dare harm even a single hair on her head, I’ll tear you to pieces."
He blamed himself inwardly—if he hadn’t been distracted earlier, how could Half-Faced Ghost have succeeded?
In the blink of an eye, Half-Faced Ghost had already taken Zhu Yan back up onto the city wall.
Hearing the commotion and seeing Zhu Yan captured, Pan Chi cursed Shen Du’s incompetence under his breath and gave chase as well.
Mo Qianzhi, on one hand, ordered his men to continue dispersing the crowd, and on the other, directed archers to prepare, determined to capture Half-Faced Ghost.
On the city wall, Half-Faced Ghost clashed with Shen Du. Burdened with dragging Zhu Yan along, he struggled to defend himself and nearly took a hit from Shen Du. In a panic, he lifted Zhu Yan in front of him as a shield.
How could Shen Du bear to strike Zhu Yan? It was too late to pull back his force, so he redirected his palm at the last moment, striking the city wall instead.
Half-Faced Ghost chuckled mockingly, "Truly, even heroes falter before beauty! Shen Du, for all your extraordinary abilities, you’ve now fallen into this beauty’s hands."
Shen Du’s expression hardened. "Enough talk. Release her now."
His eyes were frosty, his gaze sharp as a blade, fixed unwaveringly on Half-Faced Ghost.
But Half-Faced Ghost paid no heed. "Only the incompetent resort to empty words. The Great Pavilion Commander of the Inner Guard Bureau turns out to be nothing but a flashy facade. How laughable."
And yet, it was precisely such a person who had provoked fear from all sides, compelling them to stir up chaos just to lure him out.His arrogance was evident, yet he forgot that someone who could be respectfully called the "White King of Hell" by the world was surely not just a hollow title.
Shen Du's loss of composure was merely because his weakness had been exposed.
Pan Chi had already approached and, hearing the Half-Faced Ghost's mocking words, couldn't help but glare at Shen Du. "Why waste words with him? Hurry and act. If anything happens to Zhu Yan, I will never forgive you."
Though Pan Chi appeared gentle and refined, his actions were swift and decisive. He immediately drew his sword and charged toward the Half-Faced Ghost.
The sword struck from an unexpected angle, giving them a chance to fight back.
Knowing he was no match, the Half-Faced Ghost did not linger in battle. He flung a handful of powder from his sleeve, and as smoke billowed, both he and Zhu Yan vanished from the sight of Pan Chi and Shen Du.
The two were stunned.
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