79: Chapter 79 Illusion Array

"Let her go!" Yun Song roared, lifting his mining hoe high as he charged straight at the big man.

Hearing the sharp shout, the man turned his head.

Seeing the incoming mining hoe, his eyes were filled with extreme terror.

No longer caring about the woman in front of him, he turned and ran for his life.

Seeing the bully flee in panic, the woman's tense nerves instantly relaxed. Her legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.

However, she forced herself to stand, tears in her eyes, while a smile of survival flickered at the corners of her mouth as she slowly approached Yun Song with unsteady steps.

"Many thanks to Young Master for your intervention. If Young Master hadn't arrived in time, I fear I would not have escaped today."

The woman's voice still trembled slightly as she raised her sleeve to gently wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes and performed a graceful curtsy.

Yun Song stepped forward quickly, reaching out to support the woman with a gesture, a gentle smile on his face.

"Miss, there is no need for such formalities. When one encounters injustice, it is only right to step in and help."

"May I ask why you are here all alone, Miss?"

The woman lowered her head slightly, her expression somewhat downcast.

"I was just passing through. I intended to go to the market ahead to purchase some household goods,"

"but unexpectedly, I happened to run into that man on the road. Seeing that I was alone, he harbored evil intentions."

Just as Yun Song was talking with the woman, when the atmosphere seemed peaceful, the woman's initially weak and grateful expression instantly vanished.

Taking advantage of Yun Song's lack of vigilance, she suddenly drew a gleaming dagger from her waist and stabbed it fiercely towards Yun Song's abdomen with lightning speed.

Yun Song's eyes widened, his face filled with shock.

He never expected that this woman, who had just been begging for his help with such a pitiful appearance, would suddenly turn against him.

The woman laughed as she snatched Yun Song's pack, her eyes filled with greed.

At the same time, a burst of hurried footsteps came from the distance.

Yun Song endured the severe pain in his abdomen and turned to look. It was the very man who had just fled, now charging towards them with a fierce Aura, a cunning smirk of success hanging on his face.

"Sigh!"

"The human heart is like an abyss; it is neither deep nor shallow, and behind a smile often hides a dagger."

Inside the room, Steward Wu and the Sect Master watched this scene and shook their heads helplessly.

"This kid is kind-hearted but lacks even a shred of defensive awareness. He fell for such a simple trap! Foolish."

The Sect Master's expression was grave: "While chivalry and righteousness are good, without vigilance, one is merely a brute with raw strength who will struggle to achieve greatness."

He suddenly released a shimmering red and yellow light from his right fingertip, casting a spell into the jade stone held in his left hand.

In an instant, the jade stone flashed with the two colors.

The place where Yun Song stood suddenly changed.

He looked bewildered, his heart full of confusion, unable to understand why he had suddenly appeared there.

Just then, ripples suddenly appeared on the calm creek water.

He instinctively looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a graceful woman half-hidden in the water.

Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, resting wetly on her fair, jade-like shoulders.

Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, and her eyes, like autumn water, gazed at Yun Song with deep affection.

She parted her crimson lips, her voice as melodious as an oriole leaving the valley.

"Young Master, I accidentally fell into the water and am now completely exhausted. I hope Young Master will extend a helping hand."

The woman flicked her fingertips, and her moon-white feather garment slid down to her elbows.

Her snowy chest was half-exposed, like shattered jade falling into a pool.

Yun Song's heart tightened, and he turned his head away: "Miss, please have some self-respect. Men and women should keep their distance; I hope you will come ashore yourself."

Seeing that Yun Song was unmoved, the woman put on a pitiful expression and said in a coquettish voice,

"Young Master, I shall come ashore myself."

As she spoke, she raised her jade-like arms, brushing aside her wet hair, while the scenery at her chest trembled slightly.

She slowly came ashore and arrived beside Yun Song, her moth-like brows slightly furrowed, tears glistening in her eyes as she said, on the verge of weeping,

"Young Master, in this desolate wilderness, I only hope that you will allow me to stay for a moment. Being all alone, I truly do not know where to go."

"If Young Master dislikes that my body is cold and wet, I will just build a fire nearby to dry my clothes and will absolutely not disturb you."

As she spoke, she gently wiped the corners of her eyes with her wet sleeve, revealing a pitiful appearance, her eyes filled with pleading and helplessness.

Yun Song retreated repeatedly, his gaze firm as he said: "Miss, please have some self-respect."

Seeing that Yun Song was so resolute, the woman simply stopped pretending and let out a seductive laugh.

"Young Master, being so unromantic means you will miss out on a beauty like me."

As she spoke, her moon-white feather garment slid down a little further, her skin like snow, radiating a bewitching Aura.

Yun Song turned and walked away, silently reciting in his heart: "No matter how you tempt me, I will remain unmoved."

Inside the room, Steward Wu and the Sect Master had been keeping a close eye on the movements over at Yun Song's side.

Seeing Yun Song successfully resist the honey trap, a trace of gratification flashed in Steward Wu's eyes, and he could not help but speak.

"Heh, this kid has finally learned a lesson and wasn't dizzied by that honey trap again."

The Sect Master nodded slightly, his expression also relaxing a bit.

"Mm, although he was reckless before, being able to hold his ground this time shows he still has some potential."

The Sect Master's expression was serious as he raised his hand again, light gathering at his fingertips, and cast a spell into the jade stone.

A strong light flashed before Yun Song's eyes, and the world spun.

Suddenly, a thick, ink-like fog surged ahead, and when the fog slowly dissipated, Yun Song's eyes widened to find that he had returned to the village.

His heart was filled with disbelief as he looked at everything appearing before him.

The old Village Chief, once so kind-faced and always offering Yun Song care and guidance, was now like a different person.

The old Village Chief was surrounded by eerie Devilish Qi, his eyes blood-red, revealing endless madness and brutality.

A long blade in his hand dripped with fresh blood, each drop striking Yun Song's heart like a heavy hammer.

Beside him, the corpses of villagers lay scattered about; the scene was too horrific to behold, and the air was filled with a nauseating smell of blood.

"No... this isn't real. Old Village Chief, how could you become like this..."

Yun Song stood frozen on the spot, his voice trembling, filled with deep disbelief and choked sobs.

The old Village Chief seemed completely unaware, merely swinging his long blade mechanically, hacking at a villager who had collapsed to the ground in terror nearby.

"Help,"

"Ah!"

The villager screamed in despair, reaching out a hand helplessly to call for help in Yun Song's direction.

Yun Song's feet seemed nailed to the ground, his heart in agonizing turmoil.

On one side was the old Village Chief, whom he respected and felt closest to, like a family member.

On the other side were the desperate screams of innocent villagers and their constantly ebbing lives.

"Village Chief, wake up!" Yun Song shouted at the top of his lungs, tears flowing uncontrollably and blurring his vision.

Yet the old Village Chief continued his frenzied slaughter; each blade that fell seemed to be cutting into Yun Song's heart.

Yun Song clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hands, his heart struggling in agony.

"This is the old Village Chief; how can I raise a hand against him... But if this continues, more people will die..."

Watching another villager fall under the old Village Chief's blade, Yun Song's face was covered in tear stains. Finally, he gritted his teeth and gripped the mining hoe.

His lips trembling, he said with endless sorrow: "Old Village Chief, I am sorry..."

Having said that, he charged towards the old Village Chief, his steps heavy yet resolute, and with helplessness and pain, he brought the mining hoe down fiercely on the old Village Chief's back.