Chapter 26: "Do I Resemble You?"...
As they finally approached the man, two officers moved to drag him away. Unexpectedly, the seemingly exhausted man erupted once more, his throat emitting beast-like roars as he swung his firewood knife horizontally, carving a bloody arc through the air. Beneath his disheveled hair, a pair of blood-soaked wolf eyes glared with ferocious intensity.
The two officers clutched the gashes across their abdomens and stumbled backward in panic.
Outside the alley, a Huo family guard frowned at the scene and prepared to draw his bow again when a soldier rushed over: "Sir, the Binding Unicorn Chain has been brought!"
A junior officer nearby spat toward the chain carried by two soldiers: "This little ruffian really thinks highly of himself. Before you arrived, I sent for this Binding Unicorn Chain used on battlefields to capture generals, just to take him alive for the general."
The so-called Binding Unicorn Chain was originally named Binding Dragon Chain - a set of chains used in earlier battlefields to capture fierce generals. Thrown from a distance to entangle limbs and tightened by soldiers from four directions, even the mightiest warrior would be lifted helplessly into the air.
Later, the character for "dragon" became taboo for imperial reasons, and it was renamed Binding Unicorn Chain.
Glancing into the alley with interest, he remarked: "This little ruffian shows remarkable skill. Had he joined the army under the general's command, he might have achieved great things. What a pity."
He ordered his subordinates: "Since it's here, use it on him."
Hearing this, the Huo family guard seemed to agree that using the Binding Unicorn Chain was safer and put away his bow.
Xiao Li leaned on his knife for support, his ears filled with the increasingly loud pounding of his own heart. The voices outside the alley had become indistinct to him now. Thick snowflakes drifted into the alley, melting into the blood-stained mud.
He blinked slowly, peering through blood-and-sweat-matted strands of hair at the leaden sky.
Had it reached the third quarter of the hour of Si?
As crows took flight from barren branches, chains of tempered metal coiled like living creatures around his ankles, then dragged him forcefully toward the alley's entrance.
Xiao Li felt his body suddenly lose balance. The pale gray dome of sky and the skeletal trees that seemed to support half the firmament all rushed backward in an instant.
The moment he fell backward, he instinctively hurled his firewood knife toward the direction of the dragging chains. As he hit the ground, he twisted desperately to land on his right shoulder blade, protecting the arrow wound on his left side from further pressure.
Despite this, he was dragged nearly half a zhang across the ground. The hand that had thrown the knife became entangled in the chains the moment it extended.
Fortunately, the firewood knife struck one of the officers pulling the chains at the front. Startled officers behind loosened their grip slightly, giving Xiao Li an opportunity to brace both feet against the alley's brick walls as leverage. He gathered the chains wrapped around his arms and began a tug-of-war with the multiple officers pulling from outside.
The officers strained with grotesque expressions, exerting every ounce of their strength. Xiao Li's teeth were stained with blood, his crimson eyes swirling with raging murderous intent - like a savage wolf or vengeful ghost. Against all odds, he refused to yield another inch to the officers' pulling.
The junior officer and Huo family guard outside the alley felt a surge of terror, experiencing genuine fear for the first time. Even when subduing battle-hardened generals, they rarely encountered such resistance.
A single thought dominated their minds: If this young man lives, he will become a grave threat in the future!The Huo family's personal guards had already tightened their grip on their bows when Xiao Li let out a ferocious roar. His muscular arms seemed to burst with immense strength, yanking the chain so violently that the soldiers holding it were dragged forward. The one at the front, still clutching the chain, was flung directly to Xiao Li’s feet, where Xiao Li wrapped the iron chain around his throat and snapped it with brute force.
The soldiers were terrified by this sight, scrambling backward in panic as they screamed, "He’s not human! He’s not human!"
Xiao Li released the chain, letting the soldier whose throat he had crushed collapse into the blackened mud of the alley. His bloodshot eyes fixed sharply on the Huo family’s personal guard and the squad leader outside the alley.
Both men felt a chill under his gaze, sensing a murderous aura more oppressive than any they had ever felt even in Huo Kun’s presence.
In the brief silence that followed, the distant thunder of hoofbeats echoed, and the commanding voice of a mounted soldier pierced the air: "The Governor of Yongzhou has dispatched the garrison to surround the General’s residence! The General orders an immediate return for reinforcement—this man need not be taken alive!"
The squad leader and the Huo family guard exchanged glances, shock evident in both their eyes.
Hearing this, Xiao Li laughed breathlessly, sliding down the stone wall in exhaustion as he muttered, "It’s done."
The squad leader cursed furiously, "Damn it! So it was a delaying tactic all along! Playing me for a fool!" He drew his saber, intent on charging into the alley to vent his rage on Xiao Li, but the Huo family guard stopped him. Eyeing Xiao Li warily, the guard said, "Take the troops back first. Leave this man to me."
Knowing that reinforcing the General’s residence was the most urgent matter, the squad leader reluctantly sheathed his saber, mounted his horse, and shouted, "Follow me back to the General’s residence!" The soldiers galloped away after him.
The Huo family guard nocked an arrow, aiming squarely at Xiao Li’s forehead. Having witnessed Xiao Li’s ferocity, he felt an inexplicable dread lingering in his heart. He declared, "Boy, if this arrow doesn’t kill you, then heaven wills you to live. Fate cannot be defied. After this shot, whether you live or die, I will interfere no more."
Xiao Li’s damp, disheveled hair clung to the corners of his eyes, his bloodshot pupils reflecting the cold glint of the arrowhead. As the guard released the bowstring, his body suddenly trembled, causing the arrow to veer slightly off course. In that instant, Xiao Li pushed off the ground and rolled sideways. The arrow, robbed of its force, merely embedded itself shallowly where he had been sitting.
Gasping for breath, Xiao Li looked up and saw the Huo family guard himself struck by an arrow through the chest. As he knelt and collapsed, his eyes remained fixed rigidly on Xiao Li, blood spilling from his lips as he uttered two final words: "Heaven’s will…"
Armored garrison soldiers surged in from behind him, calling out from a distance, "Are you Xiao Li, the Martyr?"
The voice sounded so faint that Xiao Li could barely make it out. With the tension finally broken, he felt the world spin around him, his head throbbing from the stench of blood, and a wave of nausea washed over him.
The Yongzhou garrison soldiers entered the alley, horrified by the bloodshed everywhere, unable to imagine the brutal fight that had taken place. Several soldiers stepped forward to help him up. Struggling to speak, Xiao Li said, "Please… take me to the old alley in the western part of the city."
One soldier replied, "Sir, we were already ordered to search the old alley in the western part of the city, but we found no trace of your family there."Xiao Li's expression changed abruptly. Shaking off their supporting hands, he stumbled forward hastily on his own toward the outside.
At the Provincial Governor's residence.
Wen Yu sat with Madam Zhou by the table, awaiting news, but even after the tea had been reheated several times, no report of victory had arrived.
Though she typically kept her emotions well-hidden and maintained a calm demeanor, Wen Yu remained composed. Madam Zhou, despite offering words of comfort, repeatedly glanced out the latticed window, clearly growing anxious, murmuring, "Why hasn't there been any word yet?"
Seated by the window, Wen Yu propped her elbow and quietly watched the hourglass on the table. When the sand inside flowed past the fifth mark of the si hour (around 10:15 AM), the incense-stirring stick in her hand snapped with a sharp "crack," and a trace of restlessness finally surfaced in her eyes.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard.
Wen Yu and Madam Zhou looked up almost simultaneously toward the sound.
A guard hurried to the moon gate, knelt on one knee, and clasped his fists, reporting, "Madam, a great victory—"
Madam Zhou stood up, leaning on the table, weeping with joy as her suspended heart finally settled. Yet, in the midst of such emotional extremes, she grew dizzy and nearly collapsed, saved only by Wen Yu's timely support.
Wen Yu said, "This is a joyous occasion, Madam. Please do not cry from both happiness and relief—it harms your health."
Tearfully nodding as if spared from disaster, Madam Zhou asked the guard, "Where is the Governor now?"
The guard replied respectfully, "Although Huo Kun has been subdued, his followers are fleeing in all directions. The Governor is currently rounding them up."
Only then did Madam Zhou feel completely at ease.
Wen Yu then asked, "Has that Martyr surnamed Xiao and his family been found?"
The guard did not recognize her, assuming she was a maid serving Madam Zhou, and answered respectfully, "The Martyr surnamed Xiao has been found, but in the old alley west of the city, his family was not located."
Wen Yu frowned, quickly considering who might have taken Xiao Huiniang and the others.
She asked, "Did you find any women over thirty among Huo Kun's subordinates?"
The guard shook his head.
Wen Yu almost instantly pinpointed the target: if it wasn't Huo Kun, then the only one who would go to such lengths to find Xiao Huiniang and the others had to be the Proprietor of the gambling house where Xiao Li worked!
Turning to Madam Zhou, she said, "Madam, may I trouble you to assign me more troops to search all the properties registered under the Cosmos Gambling House's Proprietor?"
The places where that man surnamed Han could hide people were likely limited to his own establishments.
Cosmos Gambling House.
The gambling house had been smashed to pieces the previous night and was not open for business today.
The main door was slightly ajar, allowing only a sliver of light to seep in, making the hall appear even dimmer.
"Speak! Where have you hidden Xiao Li's whore mothers?" A large-headed, square-faced man delivered another vicious kick to the person on the ground.
The young man was covered in blood, curled up in pain, his eyes glazed over. Through blood-soaked lips, he could only utter the same words: "I don't know…"
Infuriated, the man had worked up a sweat from the beating. He tugged at his collar to cool off, then crouched down, grabbing Hou Xiao'an by the hair and forcing his head up. With a menacing grin, he snarled, "You don't know? Last night, the entire gambling house and the homes of our brothers were searched by the authorities. Zheng Hu and the others are still in prison. You're the only one who managed to hide—dare you claim you weren't with that bastard surnamed Xiao?"
Blood dripped from Hou Xiao'an's chin onto the ground, his eyelids barely able to lift. He did not respond.The man radiated viciousness and sneered, "Playing dead, are you?"
He grabbed Hou Xiao'an by the head and smashed it hard against the ground. After just a few impacts, fresh blood gushed out again. Hou Xiao'an's cries weakened to the faint mewling of a kitten, as if he truly couldn't hold on any longer.
Still unsatisfied, the man threw him to the floor, his fleshy face twisted with perverse satisfaction. "You strut around all day following that bastard who doesn't even know who his father is, acting so high and mighty. These beatings are what he once gave me for killing a prostitute—consider yourself taking them in place of your precious bastard of a second brother!"
As he raised his foot to kick again, a voice came from the dim light: "Enough."
The man looked up at Han Tangzong, who sat with his back turned in an armchair, and withdrew his foot. Smiling obsequiously, he said, "Proprietor, this little brat's lips are sealed tight. If we don't get rough, he'll never talk!"
Han Tangzong didn't respond. He stood up, his expression dark as he gazed at Hou Xiao'an curled on the floor like a puppy. Approaching, he adopted a kindly demeanor, half-crouching as he said, "Xiao'an, you're a child I've watched grow up. When Xiao Li came to the gambling house, he was already fifteen, but you were only ten. I saw you sprout a little taller each year until you reached this height."
He gestured with his hand, momentarily resembling a genuinely affectionate elder, and continued softly, "I still remember when you first arrived at the gambling house—skin and bones, hardly speaking a word, trailing behind Xiao Li all day like a shadow. I know you cherish the kindness he showed by taking you in. In the entire gambling house, you're the closest to him. But Xiao'an, don't forget: while he picked you up, I'm the one who let you stay. Not only is Xiao Li your benefactor—I am too, aren't I? I kindly gave you a bowl of rice. You can't repay kindness with betrayal like this. Good child, just tell me where Xiao Li's mother is, and I'll call a doctor right away. I'll even adopt you as my godson and entrust the gambling house to you in the future. How does that sound?"
As if worried Hou Xiao'an still had reservations, he added, "Don't worry, I won't harm a few women. I only want to persuade Xiao Li to turn himself in. Afterward, I'll even provide for them properly on his behalf!"
Hou Xiao'an seemed swayed by his words, his lips trembling slightly.
Han Tangzong couldn't hear him and leaned closer. "What?"
Hou Xiao'an's lips continued to move, his voice barely audible.
Han Tangzong had to press his ear to Hou Xiao'an's mouth to make out what he was saying.
Unexpectedly, Hou Xiao'an clamped down on his ear with his teeth. Han Tangzong screamed in agony, struggling desperately to break free, but Hou Xiao'an refused to let go.
The nearby thug, seeing this, promptly punched Hou Xiao'an in the stomach. Hou Xiao'an convulsed in pain, releasing his grip.
Han Tangzong collapsed nearby, clutching his ear—his hand came away covered in blood. Hou Xiao'an had nearly bitten off half of it.
Beaten and spitting blood, Hou Xiao'an still managed a broken, mocking laugh at Han Tangzong. "Don't think I don't know... all these years, my food and lodging at the gambling house were deducted from my second brother's wages. Spare me your hypocritical kindness..."
Han Tangzong's weathered face, like pine bark, darkened completely. Holding a handkerchief to his bleeding ear, he was helped to his feet and spat venomously, "Ungrateful wretch! Beat him to death!"The scoundrels guarding the door immediately swarmed over again, kicking the motionless figure indiscriminately with alternating blows.
Hou Xiao'an struggled initially, but eventually curled up and barely moved anymore.
Just then, the half-closed door of the gambling house was pushed open, flooding the interior with daylight that illuminated Hou Xiao'an's blood-soaked clothes. The gambling house manager rushed in with a panicked expression, exclaiming, "Proprietor! Huo Kun has been arrested and executed by the Governor!"
Han Tangzong's furious expression instantly transformed into delight upon hearing this. He cried out, "Heaven has not abandoned me!"
Yet the manager showed no relief, instead growing more apprehensive as he reported, "There are large troops of government soldiers heading this way on the street!"
Remembering that his account books were still in Xiao Li's possession, Han Tangzong's face paled with panic. Cursing under his breath, he hastily fled with his followers.
The snow fell heavily, the bitter wind having frozen Xiao Li's sweat-dampened hair stiff.
His stiff, aching, and battered hands pushed open the gambling house's slightly ajar door. Seeing the figure lying on the ground, he seemed to freeze, the crimson in his eyes deepening at that moment.
The government soldiers accompanying him started in shock at the sight of the young man beaten beyond recognition. Noting Xiao Li had already moved to examine the youth, they began searching the gambling house for others.
Seeing Hou Xiao'an's broken forehead, blood-smeared face, and grotesquely twisted fingers, Xiao Li felt as if all the coldness in the world had suddenly howled into his lungs, needling him with piercing pain.
He hardly dared touch Hou Xiao'an. Only upon feeling a faint pulse when his hand brushed the boy's arm did he attempt to lift him, saying, "Xiao'an, your second brother will take you to a physician."
Hou Xiao'an's blood-caked eyelids fluttered as his body was moved, slowly cracking open to reveal a sliver of awareness. Recognizing the newcomer, he whispered weakly, "Second Brother..."
Just then, the government soldiers who had finished searching the gambling house reported, "No one else was found in the gambling house!"
Hearing this, Hou Xiao'an strained to speak: "Auntie... I hid Auntie and the others in Mute Uncle's slop cart... sent them to safety... Don't... don't worry..."
Xiao Li's throat felt stuffed with sand, his voice rough and strained: "Why didn't you go with them?"
Hou Xiao'an shook his head slightly. "No... no time... I... I had to lure them away... or else... none of us could escape..."
"That old bastard Han... Han Tangzong... searched all of West City's old alleys... but couldn't... couldn't find anyone... Seeing him so furious... felt so satisfying..."
Hou Xiao'an tried to flash his usual triumphant expression, but on his brutally beaten, bloodied face, it only manifested as heartbreakingly pitiful.
"Don't speak now. Second Brother will take you to a physician. Once you're treated, you'll recover. After you heal, I'll take you to Luodu to see the Gathered Gold Pavilion and the Wild Goose Pagoda..."
As Xiao Li tried to lift him, Hou Xiao'an inhaled sharply through gritted teeth. "Second Brother... it hurts..."
Xiao Li then realized multiple bones were broken throughout his body. Not daring to move him further, the veins on his neck bulged as he suppressed his choking emotions. "Wait here for Second Brother. I'll fetch a physician and return quickly."
Hou Xiao'an weakly grasped his sleeve to prevent him from leaving, smiling as he asked, "Second Brother... am I like you now?"Xiao Li felt a dull ache in his chest. Gazing at the bloodstained smile on the other's face, he clasped Hou Xiao'an's grotesquely twisted hand and said hoarsely, "Yes, it does."
Large teardrops immediately rolled from the corners of Hou Xiao'an's eyes, yet he still managed to smile. "Second Brother... in our next life... I want to be your... real brother."
Xiao Li replied, "You're already my real brother in this life."
Hou Xiao'an's smile grew more content. As the light in his eyes gradually faded, he whispered faintly, "Brother... I protected... our mother... well..."
The hand with twisted fingers resting in Xiao Li's palm finally went limp and slowly fell.
Outside, the howling wind and snow grew fiercer.
After carefully arranging Hou Xiao'an's body, Xiao Li's clenched fist hanging at his side—still coated in fresh blood—revealed bulging veins threatening to burst through the skin.
In an almost inaudible voice, he said, "Xiao'an, your brother will avenge you."
Author's Note: Sorry, dear readers, for missing the scheduled update yesterday. I'll be sending red envelopes in the comments section as an apology~
Future updates will remain at 0:00 and 12:00 noon.
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or provided nutrient solutions between 2023-12-09 02:13:42 and 2023-12-11 06:43:17~
Special thanks to: Qing Shan Bu Gai, Xiao Xiao, Lick Men's Crematorium Get Out of Women's Fiction, September Ninth Drunk Climbing Nine Floors, Ai Kan Xiao Shuo De Fei Fei for throwing landmines.
Gratitude to the nutrient solution providers: GREEN (34 bottles), Xu Fang's Little Fairy (20 bottles), Mu Mu, Crab Boss, ., Ni Ni (10 bottles each), Su Nian Chu Meng (6 bottles), ㏄ Ya, Yun Zhao Zhao, Yan Qing, Mian Ruo., LikeDaylight. (5 bottles each), Han Ye Ti Deng, Mo Er Xiao Xiao, Jing (3 bottles each), 56766146, , jenniferCA, Xiao Xiao Le, Jin Duo Duo, dakoubangzhu, Tang Zai Bei Wo De Xiao Duo Yu, kfpy_L, Sincerity07, Wwi, Bo He Xiang Qi, Ke Ke Ai Chi Tao, 65140677 (1 bottle each).
Thank you all for your support—I'll keep working hard!
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