11: Chapter 11 The Shadow of the Hoe Cuts Off the Path to Life

Buzz-cut Man heard what Lang Xiao said, and his pupils constricted sharply.

Panic and struggle surged in his eyes.

The safety of his family struck his heart like a heavy hammer, while guilt and remorse gnawed at his conscience like venomous snakes.

His trembling right hand uncontrollably clutched the wooden plaque and the porcelain bottle.

He dared not look back at the Man in Bamboo Hat and the others, turning and stumbling away in flight.

Gravel splashed beneath his feet, and dust enveloped his panicked figure.

The wind whistled in his ears, but it could not blow away the anxiety filling his heart.

"Son... the medicine is here!" His hoarse shout pierced the dead silence, echoing through the empty valley.

Seeing Buzz-cut Man move away, Lang Xiao curled his lips into a sinister smile, his eyes revealing a fierce light.

His right arm transformed into sharp claws, striking directly at the throat of the Man in Bamboo Hat.

Having just been betrayed by a brother, the Man in Bamboo Hat was still caught in shock, standing stunned on the spot when faced with this sudden killing blow.

"Boss, look out!" Thin Man roared, his figure flashing over like lightning.

His palms moved like spirit snakes probing a hole, firmly gripping Lang Xiao's claw-wrist.

Stepping with the Bagua footwork, he attempted to deflect this fatal blow.

However, Lang Xiao's strength far exceeded his imagination; his left arm swept across like an iron hook, bringing with it a biting palm wind.

Thin Man could not dodge in time, and four bloody gashes instantly appeared on his face.

Several teeth mixed with blood sprayed out, and his whole body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground.

The fat man roared and stood before the Man in Bamboo Hat like an iron tower.

Mohawk Man also flew over, cursing: "Despicable villain! Boss, run! We'll hold them off!"

Lang Xiao sneered and waved his large hand: "Attack!"

The nine men behind him pounced like hungry wolves.

Cold light flashed as a longsword struck directly at Mohawk Man's throat.

He dodged sideways in a rush, barely avoiding it.

On the other side, two burly men swung heavy hammers toward the fat man.

The fat man shouted, meeting them with arms like iron pincers.

Amidst a loud "Boom," the fat man's feet sank deep into the ground, but he gritted his teeth and withstood the thunderous blow.

Lang Xiao and six others surrounded the Man in Bamboo Hat.

His waist wound throbbed; every movement pulled at the excruciating pain.

Cold sweat soaked his clothes; he gripped the mining hoe in his hand, his eyes scanning the surroundings like a falcon, searching for a chance to break out.

Suddenly, he shouted and swept his heavy mining hoe across the ground.

Gravel shot out like a rainstorm, and the crowd hurriedly swung their weapons to block.

Taking this opportunity, the Man in Bamboo Hat endured his pain and leaped two zhang high like an arrow released from a bow.

The mining hoe in his hand struck down with the force of a thousand jun.

This move, "Earth-Breaking Heaven-Opening Style," had an Aura like a rainbow, with flashing cold light that chilled the soul.

The moment he landed, the mining hoe swept across again, sending another wave of gravel shooting out.

Borrowing this momentum, the Man in Bamboo Hat dashed into the group of Miners with a few strides.

His figure was agile, leaping lightly over everyone's heads like a goshawk.

His toes lightly tapped a Miner's shoulder to gain leverage, and like a sparrowhawk turning its body, he leaped onto the giant rock above the Mine Cave.

A thrilling life-and-death pursuit continued.

The Man in Bamboo Hat stood atop the giant rock at the cave entrance, the howling wind whipping up his blood-soaked sleeves.

He looked toward the unconscious Thin Man not far away, a subtle tremor flashing deep in his eyes.

He then turned to Mohawk Man and the fat man, saying in a deep voice: "Go!"

This command carried an unquestionable pressure that pierced through the clamor of the battlefield.

Before his voice had even faded, his legs crossed like phantoms, the Gale Leg energy surging.

Every step onto the mountain rocks was accompanied by a muffled sound, the kicked-up gravel splashing like stars.

He endured the sharp pain in his waist, his eyes fixed firmly on the billowing clouds at the mountain peak.

"As long as I can escape into that sea of clouds, I will definitely be able to shake off the pursuers."

Lang Xiao swatted away the last flying stone and looked up to see the Man in Bamboo Hat had already leaped to the high ground.

Meanwhile, the path below was blocked by layers of Miners.

He was furious: "You're courting death!" He roared, his hands reaching out like eagle claws, simultaneously gripping the shoulders of two Miners.

Excruciating pain shot through their bodies like an electric current; before they could even scream, they were flung several zhang high by Lang Xiao.

"Bang! Bang!"

The two slammed heavily into a pile of gravel, already still, their fate unknown.

"Run!"

Someone screamed in alarm, and the Miners scattered like frightened birds.

The fat man charged through the blockade like a savage bull, his arms swinging wide to repel the enemies.

"I'll cover the rear! Take the Thin Man and go!" His bloodshot eyes gleamed with ferocity, his formidable Aura causing his opponents to shudder in fear.

Mohawk Man seized the opportunity to flash to the Thin Man's side, his movements as fluid as flowing water.

Half-squatting, lowering his shoulder, and lifting in one smooth motion, he steadily carried the Thin Man on his back and quickly ran toward the outside of the Mining Site.

Lang Xiao watched the Man in Bamboo Hat escape into the clouds at the peak, his figure gradually blurring.

His killing intent surged, and he charged into the crowd of Miners like a starving tiger pouncing on prey.

"Ah!"

Screams rang out wherever his palm wind passed.

Just then, a clear, resonant sword chime pierced the sky.

A three-colored stream of light descended like a meteor, the sword body shimmering with a glaze-like luster, yet carrying a world-destroying killing intent.

The sword speed was as fast as lightning; with a "Puff," it pierced through Lang Xiao's chest.

As blood sprayed, he widened his eyes, his face full of horror and unwillingness.

Even more bizarrely, after piercing through his body, the sword actually began to dissipate.

The three-colored light faded like morning mist, the sword body gradually becoming transparent, and in the blink of an eye, it vanished without a trace.

It left only Lang Xiao's slowly falling body, and the scent of blood that had yet to disperse in the air.