With the Blade

So, these young people really couldn’t understand who would dare intercept something that Forget Sorrow Village wanted—it’s understandable if it were gold and silver, but they’re just hauling a few carts of compost this time. What’s the point of robbing that stuff?

"So what’s going on here? Can you explain it?"

"We... mentioned the name of Forget Sorrow Village, but it was useless."

A few of the overseers gritted their teeth and spoke up.

"Those two masters said they were specifically targeting you guys. Maybe they have a grudge against you? Anyway, we don’t know what the masters are thinking."

"Specifically targeting... us?"

The young people exchanged glances.

Immediately, they turned the carts around and bolted away.

There was no reason to stay—they’d been told before leaving, "If you encounter danger, just come back immediately, losing the goods is no big deal." Those carts of compost weren’t important, but the danger was real; someone seeking revenge on Forget Sorrow Village is intolerable!

To think about it, people from Forget Sorrow Village rarely go outside and wouldn’t have grudges with outsiders. If someone from the village is known for going out and killing people, it’s either Mr. Cui, who practices with the sword, or Mr. Du, who founded the village.

Clearly, regardless of whether the masters in Dengzhou City are enemies of either of these two, it’s not something ordinary people like them can handle.

Moreover, to have the audacity to provoke in such a direct manner...

"Are they really that bold?"

In a hidden valley, Du Chengfeng, who was researching how to cook crocodile meat at home, was shocked.

"But this doesn’t seem like my enemy, right? After all, those I’ve fought with are mostly dead... Xiao Cui, could it be an old acquaintance of yours?"

"I don’t leave enemies alive either."

Cui Yuan, who was forcibly brought over to taste the new dish, was also puzzled.

"However, in my opinion, this might not be a bad thing."

"Indeed,"

Du Chengfeng nodded as he washed the dishes.

In any case, having a fight is always good, after all, it gives him a renewed sense of urgency to get stronger—of course, this wasn’t supposed to happen. After retiring in Forget Sorrow Village, he was supposed to live a leisurely retired life, doing what he enjoys.

But then again, damn Wu Zhao had to stir up trouble, forcing new enemies onto him...

"Wait?"

Suddenly, Du Chengfeng slapped his forehead.

Oh, in the past, he had no grudges because he’d killed all his foes, but now... it’s true he hasn’t created any new grudges, but the troubles Wu Zhao brought him, they’re not over yet.

The mysterious figures Wu Zhao called Ascenders claim this world as their home, and now they want to return, dealing with Du Chengfeng, and possibly others as well—after all, the note left behind had "you all" instead of "you," who knows how large the target range would be or how many would end up on this death list.

To boast with such grandiosity, they’re either making empty threats or truly have the confidence to destroy everything.

Du Chengfeng believes it to be the latter.

After all, if Wu Zhao couldn’t defeat these so-called "Ascenders," it means they are definitely not some mediocre fighters.

And they are the only enemies he has left outside.

"So soon..."

Du Chengfeng couldn’t help but glance at the stove beside him.

The pot was still simmering, the crocodile meat inside only halfway cooked.

He really wasn’t prepared.

"But for this sort of thing... sigh."

Taking a deep breath, Du Chengfeng laughed.

Yes, he should have known, when it comes to action, no one waits until you’re fully prepared to fight you—after all, if it were a life or death struggle, even he wouldn’t adhere strictly to martial codes, it makes sense to take advantage, wait until the opponent is fully prepared, and the one dead might be himself.

It’s just...

Kind of a pity.

Despite always saying he wants to face strong enemies, thinking about how to become stronger, when it comes to life...

He’s still studying recipes.

Ultimately, he got a bit slack.

"Well, I suppose this is my fate."

Sighing, Du Chengfeng stood up.

There’s no more time to prepare; the enemy is already at the door. This time, he’ll have to pay for his negligence—there’s no way to avoid it, he just has to grit his teeth and endure, because paying the price isn’t optional.

"Then let’s fight for our lives."

With this in mind, Du Chengfeng began organizing his gear.

Two large knives hung on him, the Bladeless Sword at his waist, his favorite weapons, the repaired staff and sling wrapped in his saddlebag, and an array of other weapons gathered together. Carrying more weapons might not guarantee victory but could have unexpected effects—even the dead horse-cutting saber from the warehouse was wrapped up, ready for use.

If he’s going to risk his life, he has to go all out, Du Chengfeng thought.

The phrase goes, a lion uses all its strength even to catch a rabbit.

Since there’s no more room for effort, all that’s left is to go all out—it may not compensate combat-wise, but if he loses, at least he won’t regret anything.

"What... happened?"

As Du Chengfeng silently sorted his weapons, the people of Forget Sorrow Village gathered around.

Looking at the saddlebag spread on the ground, filled with weapons, everyone felt a long-lost solemnity.

"Is it very serious?"

After a moment, it was the wooden man, Li Mason, who stepped forward first.

"The last time I saw you like this, it was in Jizhou."

"Huh? Is it that scary?"

Du Chengfeng was stunned, then patted Li Mason’s shoulder repeatedly.

"No need to worry, old brother, I’m just going out for a bit. I’ll be back soon."

"Then... good luck."

The wooden man Li Mason was silent for a moment but eventually patted Du Chengfeng’s shoulder without saying much more.

Perhaps this is the way men communicate, no crying or fuss, Li Mason, Cui Yuan, Liu Bolun, Old Yang, the gatekeepers, even Tao Wuli... they might have all more or less realized something, but they just patted Du Chengfeng’s shoulder without adding any more words.

Some things you have to face yourself.

Just like some battles, you have to fight on your own.

"Let’s go!"

With the saddlebag on his back, Du Chengfeng leaped up, quickly disappearing from sight.

He doesn’t know how strong these Ascenders really are, nor what they intend to do, but even for those hands that just patted his shoulder, for those people’s survival, he has to kill all the Ascenders.

This isn’t even about strength or fighting for power anymore, this battle holds a much weightier significance.

Thinking this way, Du Chengfeng’s figure soared across the sky, landing straight into Dengzhou City.

"Come out! I know you’re here!"

In mid-air, Du Chengfeng shouted loudly at the entire city.

"Since you’ve come to my doorstep, why hide? Come out! Fight!"

"..."

On the ground, Bai Wujiu gulped with difficulty.

Then, he turned to look at the unconscious Jiang Wenyuan beside him, and the bloodshot-eyed Shan Bing.

"It’s him. He’s our real boss."