Chapter 5: Clearing Skies After the Rain, Slaughtering the Eagle Gang
Page 1/3
The torrential rain had just ceased, sunlight suddenly breaking through the clouds. The sky was a brilliant blue, and the air crisp and refreshing. Although the sun was nearing the horizon, people who had long stayed indoors began to emerge from their homes. Adults stretched lazily to dispel the dampness, while children dashed about laughing and playing, releasing the energy they had pent up for over ten days.
The streets and alleys grew livelier, bustling with activity.
Deep within a narrow alley stood a sizeable courtyard, complete with a gatehouse, east and west wings, a front yard, and a back courtyard, containing dozens of rooms. In the front yard, about forty people gathered, most of them crammed into the main hall of the front building, roasting meat and drinking wine, playing finger-guessing games and taking turns issuing challenges. A few others lingered in the surrounding rooms.
Hearing the long-absent clamor outside, a burly black-haired man drained his bowl of wine and laughed heartily, “After more than ten days locked up, those bastards have probably grown moldy. It’s time to go out and air out the lice.”
A coarse-faced, muscular man responded, “Indeed, it’s time. Though the afternoon sun is brief, its warmth penetrates the body. It warms the body, offers a visual delight, and gets rid of fleas—a true pleasure.”
His flowery words, at odds with his rough appearance, provoked raucous laughter among the others.
“Wu the fool, you’re as shameless as ever.”
“First, your sentences don’t make sense; second, I admire your barefaced audacity, haha.”
“...”
One after another, the men stepped outside and lined up on the corridor to watch the sunset.
As three figures approached from the gallery, everyone quickly clasped their fists and bowed, “Greetings, Chief, Deputy Chief, and Advisor.”
Had Qin Anyu been present, he would have recognized the Advisor immediately—he was none other than Shopkeeper Wang from the grocery store.
The Chief, You Xikun, spoke, “Our Eagle Gang has a ninety-five percent success rate on all missions. The few failures were due to force majeure, but even then, they were eventually completed.”
“This time, our gang took on a mission and sent twelve men. Some of you participated, but five brothers will never return.”
“They can’t come back, but that fool has—swaggering through the storm, strolling boldly through the streets.”
“That’s flaunting, a provocation against our Eagle Gang. What do you say we do?”
You Xikun was skilled at stirring emotions; the rough men tightened their fists and growled lowly, “Kill! Keep killing!”
The murderous aura filled the courtyard but did not spill beyond the walls. Truly, the famed gang of Tanzhou Prefecture was disciplined and orderly.
After the shouting subsided, the Chief said, “Next, listen to the Advisor’s orders.”
Shopkeeper Wang clasped his fists and bowed before speaking, “Everyone, that fool has returned to the Qin estate. We hadn’t informed you earlier because it wasn’t safe to act.”
“Now we can. That fool left the Qin estate and even took down the estate’s plaque, allowing us to act without hesitation.”
“Wu Rui, take four men and drive him out of the city; Zhang Qi, take ten men and pursue him beyond the city…”
“No need for such trouble. This young master is here.”
“Bang…”
A loud noise came as the main gate slammed open, bolts shooting up. A figure slowly entered.
Page 2/3
It was unmistakably Qin Anyu, carrying the sword embryo on his back and holding a bulging large bundle dripping with red liquid.
After entering, he shut the gate and tried to reinsert the bolt, but found the groove had separated from the door, making it impossible. He gave up.
The Eagle Gang burst into laughter at his antics.
No one questioned how, after being severely injured and cast down the Death Cliff over ten days ago, he could now come in one piece.
“Qin Anyu, he dares to come here?”
“Haha, this saves us a lot of trouble.”
“Trying to bolt the door again? Does he want a silent death or what?”
“...”
Ignoring the jeers, the simple-faced Qin Anyu said, “Two questions: who hired you to kill me, and what do you know about my parents? Speak, or beg me to end your miserable lives.”
This caused the Eagle Gang to laugh heartily.
“The fool can threaten now—progress!”
“After all this rain, he must have water in his brain.”
“...”
Amid their jeers, Qin Anyu tossed his bundle onto the grass.
Six heads—no, six pumpkins—rolled out, eyes wide open.
Twelve eyes stared back, filled with terror, confusion, despair—various emotions.
Silence fell over the courtyard, not a bird stirred. Every Eagle Gang member’s heart pounded, breath caught.
Shopkeeper Wang was horrified. These were spies watching Qin Anyu, now displayed in such a gruesome manner.
Though three were ordinary men, three others cultivated energy, the highest at the fourth level. With their cunning and speed, how could they have failed to escape?
As he pondered this, You Xikun roared, “Who’ll kill him?”
Wu Rui, with his coarse, scarred face, stepped into the clearing, “I will… and cripple you!”
He leapt into the air, throwing a punch at Qin Anyu.
The Eagle Gang relaxed.
Wu the fool was an eighth-level energy cultivator, incredibly strong and explosive, able to contend with ninth-level fighters. With his strike, fifth-level cultivator Qin Anyu would be crippled for sure.
What followed stunned them.
Wu the fool was thrown aside.
His chest caved in, blood spouting from his mouth, accompanied by a low groan.
Page 3/3
Qin Anyu stood where he was, muttering inaudibly, “Too weak. Killing chickens requires effort. Coming one at a time like this will wear me out.”
As Wu Rui collapsed, Shopkeeper Wang realized the change and shouted, “He’s not the same as before! Everyone, attack together—use weapons!”
Someone dashed into a room and threw weapons outside.
Big broadswords.
One after another, Eagle Gang members grabbed the broadswords and charged onto the open ground, fanning out to encircle Qin Anyu.
Seeing this, a pleased look appeared in Qin Anyu’s eyes as he mumbled, “Now you understand me.”
He removed the sword embryo from his back, stepped out to the porch, and met their charge head-on.
Clang! Bang! Ping! Crash!
The sounds ceased; people were severed in two.
Moans arose amid a ground strewn with severed limbs and blood.
The Immortal Emperor’s hand left a trail of blood and carnage.
Nearly twenty Eagle Gang members lay on the ground, each missing two limbs—a gruesome, brutal sight.
Qin Anyu stood proudly among them, his bearing extraordinary, looking down on all, “My earlier words still stand.”
Nearly half the gang was crippled; the rest retreated in fear.
When did this fool gain such formidable combat power? When did he become so ruthless?
The Chief and Deputy Chief’s eyes blazed with fury, yet their flames carried deep wariness.
His speed was too fast; no one saw how he struck. Only after he left did they see his trail of severed limbs.
Shopkeeper Wang’s heart sank. “That sword embryo didn’t appear last time. Killing enemies with an unsharpened sword embryo shows mastery. Yet in less than eight breaths, he severed so many limbs—all at least third-level energy cultivators, some fifth-level—it’s incomprehensible.”
Suppressing his fear, he clasped his fists and said, “Young Master Qin, we admit defeat. Let us go in peace?”
When defeated, they sought peace—typical Advisor style.
But Qin Anyu, soul of the Immortal Emperor, was unmoved. Coldly, he asked, “Did you not hear what I said?”