30: A delicate heart

Half an hour later, when the last man, covered in blood, emerged from the village, Xu Sanyan turned around and asked, “Are you done?”

“Don’t worry, Gang Leader, not a single person was left alive.”

These men were covered in blood, looking terrifying, yet no one dared to meet Xu Sanyan’s gaze directly.

Only now did they truly understand the ruthlessness of their new Gang Leader.

“Hm.” Xu Sanyan, still uneasy, checked once more, only stopping when he was certain everyone was dead.

Counting the people behind him, besides the one he killed, another had died in the chaotic battle, leaving only eighteen.

“Dismount.”

Xu Sanyan spoke, and everyone complied without question.

“Ah, you all have traveled so far with me; how should I reward you?” Xu Sanyan scratched his hair, seemingly troubled.

The Concept in the field was silent for a moment, then someone spoke, “It is our duty to serve the Gang Leader; we dare not ask for rewards.”

“No,”

Xu Sanyan turned, a smile on his face, “If I am to reward, I will reward your family members with a thousand taels of silver.”

Everyone was puzzled, not understanding why the reward was for their family members, but they still cupped their hands in thanks, “Thank you, Gang Leader.”

Suddenly, a flash of a blade streaked through the darkness, and three heads fell from their necks, blood splattering from their throats and covering the faces of those standing nearby.

Someone exclaimed in shock and anger, “Gang Leader, what is the meaning of this?!”

“Heh heh, your wives and children, I will raise them myself. Go in peace.”

In an instant, flesh and blood flew everywhere, and limbs were scattered. The swordsmen fought back fiercely; even if they were no match, they would not simply offer their necks to be slaughtered.

A moment later,

Xu Sanyan plunged his long blade into the last man’s heart, slowly closing his eyes for him. “Go in peace. When you get to the underworld, remember to say hello to the Song family siblings for me.”

Zzz—

Pulling out the long blade, a gush of fresh blood spurted from the heart, splashing all over him.

Xu Sanyan thought for a moment and then plunged the small blade in again. The corpse instantly shriveled, much faster than the Fang Family youth before, and the blood drops on the hilt were also much fewer, less than half of what they were previously.

It seems this small blade condenses blood drops based on strength or Physical Body intensity.

Looking at the scattered corpses on the ground, Xu Sanyan took the small blade and absorbed the vital blood from each one until the eighth corpse, when the small blade no longer reacted.

“This thing also has its limits.” This was also within his expectations, just like the heaven and earth treasures “Wine Goblet” that Song Zhu had mentioned before, which also had a limit of one cup of wine per day.

Xu Sanyan swallowed the blood drop in one gulp. The burning sensation swept over him again, though it was weaker than before.

“Hoo…”

After fully absorbing the blood drop and feeling his body strengthen once more, Xu Sanyan clenched his fist tightly.

Now, if he were to face Song Zhu again, he was confident he could take her down within two moves.

Looking at the corpses covering the ground, Xu Sanyan gathered them together and lit a large fire. A moment later, even the outhouses in the village began to burn.

Smelling the strong scent of burnt corpses in the air, Xu Sanyan felt a sense of calm.

“Don’t hate me when you go to the underworld. The world is just like this: weakness is the original sin.”

With that, he turned, mounted his horse, and galloped toward Taian City.

In the deep, dark night, beneath the soaring flames, a figure covered in blood emerged. Long hair was casually tied behind his head. The young man’s face was calm, and his slightly lowered eyes were filled with indifference toward life.

He never found pleasure or guilt in killing; he did not kill for the sake of killing, but to achieve certain objectives.

…

The sky gradually brightened, and Xu Sanyan returned to Taian City.

As soon as he entered the gate, the Chieftain’s Wife heard the exclamations of the servants and rushed out. Seeing Xu Sanyan covered in blood, she quickly asked with concern, “Fourth Master, are you injured? I’ll go fetch a physician right away.”

“No need, I’m fine. Just help me get some water and a clean set of clothes,” Xu Sanyan said.

The Chieftain’s Wife nodded, quickly hurrying off to make arrangements. Having seen much bloodshed in the bandit lair, she was not particularly surprised and did not ask too many questions, knowing well that curiosity kills the cat.

After Xu Sanyan finished washing and changed his clothes, he walked out of his room, ate a quick bite, and then headed towards the Gang.

Along the way, he felt the small blade in his embrace and pondered, how should he extract blood drops?

Randomly slaughtering common people was definitely not an option; it would easily attract the attention of the authorities. Even with his increased strength, he was certainly no match for the government.

Perhaps he could try cooperating with the County Lieutenant Zhu Yong. He was in charge of the city’s prison and might be able to get some prisoners out.

While thinking, he had already arrived at the Gang.

Early in the morning, the Gang Disciples were not yet awake; only two were exercising their Qi in the courtyard. Seeing him, they quickly greeted him, “Gang Leader, you’re here.”

Xu Sanyan nodded, “Call Wang Gang.”

“Alright.”

Soon, Wang Gang rushed over, “Gang Leader, you called me?”

“Yes, I was ambushed on this trip, and all those brothers died. Give each family a thousand taels as a settlement fee.”

Wang Gang’s pupils suddenly constricted. His lowered head concealed his expression, and he simply replied, “Yes, your subordinate will arrange it right away.”

Xu Sanyan watched his retreating back, thinking to himself, this person cannot be kept. Tonight, I will send him to meet the Song family siblings.

The news of the heaven and earth treasures simply cannot be leaked. With such a treasure, even the slightest leak would mean Xu Sanyan would die without a burial place. The risk must be minimized.

Leaving others aside, General Bai Wuxia alone would surely kill him.

That night, it was late.

Xu Sanyan walked to the outside of Wang Gang’s small courtyard, climbed over the wall, and saw a faint light still burning inside the house.

Creak—

Xu Sanyan pushed open the door and saw Wang Gang sitting on a chair, holding a book.

Hearing the sound, he looked up. He showed no surprise at Xu Sanyan’s late-night visit; instead, he stood up and bowed, “Greetings, Gang Leader.”

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you curious why I’ve come?”

Wang Gang shook his head, “Your subordinate has already guessed. I have never revealed the matter of the Gang Leader’s outing to anyone else.”

Xu Sanyan shook his head with a wry smile, pacing to sit on a chair, “It seems I underestimated you.”

He hadn’t expected Wang Gang to have anticipated his arrival tonight and to be waiting for him. Such intelligence made him somewhat reluctant to kill him.

Wang Gang placed the book aside and knelt on the ground with a thud, “Gang Leader, my death is insignificant and not worth regretting, but my wife and children know nothing of this matter. I have already sent them out of the city and humbly request the Gang Leader to spare their lives.”

With that, he prostrated himself, remaining silent for a long time.

Xu Sanyan looked at the bright moon through the window. After a long moment, he said softly, “If you could send your wife and children away, why didn’t you leave?”

Wang Gang was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, “If I do not die, the Gang Leader’s heart will not be at ease, and he will surely eradicate my family of three. For my young son, your subordinate is willing to die.”

“Heh heh…”

Xu Sanyan let out a laugh with an unclear meaning, “I always cut the grass and pull out the roots when I do things.”

Wang Gang’s heart fluttered in panic. Just as he was about to speak, Xu Sanyan interrupted, “Enough. Today, I will make an exception for you. I hope you hide their mother and son well. If they actively come before me, I will not show mercy.”

Wang Gang’s heart relaxed, and his brow unfurrowed considerably. Xu Sanyan’s meaning was that he would not expend effort to search for them, so their mother and son should be able to survive.

“Thank you, Gang Leader. I can die without regrets.”

Wang Gang pulled a dagger from his embrace and plunged it into his heart without hesitation. A streak of fresh blood flowed from the dagger, and his eyes gradually lost their luster.

In his dying moments, his gaze lingered on the crescent moon in the sky, as if he saw his wife and children smiling at him from outside the window.

“Ah…”

Xu Sanyan looked at the corpse on the ground, feeling a slight sense of emotion. This Wang Gang was also a perceptive person, having sensed his impending death and arranged his affairs in advance.