48: Chapter 48 The Yellow Beard Squad

Hearing this, Tang Long silently gave Old Lu a thumbs up.

Why go to the trouble of spouting nonsense to trick a naive boy? Wasn't it just to make him feel grateful?

Although Lu Xiaohu didn't say anything, his face was clearly filled with shame and guilt, looking terrified and uneasy.

However, this wasn't enough.

Tang Long pondered for a moment and said, "Elder Lu, didn't you want to take Xiaohu into Song City? Rest for a while, and then you two should leave first."

Lu Pingan gave a bitter laugh, "That was the original plan. But now, with two Bounty Hunters dead at Xiaohu's hands, once they investigate, we probably won't be able to stay in the surrounding wilderness anymore."

Tang Long shook his head, "You don't need to worry about that. Their lives are on me. I will stay here and wait for the other Bounty Hunters to arrive before leaving; no one will know what you did."

The grandfather and grandson of the Lu family were both shocked, completely unable to imagine that Tang Long would be willing to go this far for them.

No matter how much of a bumpkin they were, they understood what this meant.

Tang Long was originally only wanted as a criminal suspect; one could tell from the bounty amount that his crimes were likely not severe.

But if it was for killing Bounty Hunters, the bounty system would immediately offer a reward that no Bounty Hunter could resist, and he would face an almost certain death in the extermination hunt.

"How can that be!"

"There's nothing impossible about it. I'm already being hunted, and I've already been targeted by Bounty Hunters, so it doesn't matter if I take on a few more charges."

"Furthermore, I mentioned my friend Man Hai to you. We have a bond forged through life-and-death, and he was the one who taught me the Barbarian Blood Breathing Technique. Since the Man King's descendants and the Barbarian Blood Warriors share the same lineage, if he were here, he would surely do something for you as well. I'll just consider this doing my part on his behalf."

"And the most important point is that I am strong enough. A squad of Bounty Hunters shouldn't be able to kill me, and I have a high chance of surviving while on the run. But if it were you two, you would die."

Tang Long's first reason was completely unconvincing. The second reason was also hard to say; after all, the Barbarian race had almost perished, and how much loyalty the scattered descendants still had for their ancestors and the bloodline was completely unknown.

But the last reason was irrefutable.

With decades of experience, Lu Pingan had long sensed that Tang Long was powerful. The series of battles tonight had intuitively confirmed this. He felt that even if Tang Long hadn't reached the Upper Realm, he was undoubtedly a standout among those at the Sixth Stage.

The Bounty Hunter forces were vast and numerous, but their highest realm was only the Sixth Stage. The Bounty Hunter squad currently on their way was led by a Fifth Stage hunter, with the rest being Fourth Stage; Tang Long should be able to handle them.

Most crucially, this could resolve his grandson's crisis, and as a grandfather, he truly couldn't refuse.

At this moment, Lu Xiaohu also started shouting.

"Why do we have to separate! We can go together! Grandpa, can we not go to Song City? I've already become stronger, I can protect you and fight side-by-side with Brother Tang!"

But Lu Pingan didn't answer; instead, he patted his head, "Xiaohu, kneel down for Mr. Tang."

Although Lu Xiaohu didn't understand why, he didn't hesitate in the slightest and immediately bent his knees to kneel. At the same time, Lu Pingan also knelt down.

"What are you doing? Get up quickly!"

Tang Long hurriedly reached out to help them up, but Lu Pingan stopped him.

"Mr. Tang, I am old and may not have the chance to repay you. Xiaohu will remember this kindness for the rest of his life, and in the future, he will surely repay you."

"Future matters can be discussed in the future. Get up, get up quickly!"

After eating and resting for a while, Lu Xiaohu's condition improved, and Lu Pingan took him to bid farewell and leave.

Tang Long also seized the time to continue his cultivation.

Upon practicing, he was surprised to discover that the proficiency of his cultivation technique had accelerated significantly.

It had increased by at least thirty percent!

What was going on?

Could the newly granted special skill have hidden effects?

————

When the sky brightened, the wind and snow gradually ceased.

Yellow Beard stepped through the thick snow and finally arrived at the edge of the camp, then looked toward a teammate in a large tree.

"Boss, something is wrong. My Scent-tracking Mouse smelled blood. Did something happen to Monkey and the silly Mu Dayong?"

Yellow Beard nodded expressionlessly.

Bounty Hunters' communication devices had a direct connection function, and at such a close distance, there were no interference issues. But he sent messages several times, and neither Hou Qiang nor Mu Dayong responded.

After waiting for a while longer, two other Bounty Hunters approached from the left and right sides respectively.

"Boss, we used the Scent-tracking Mouse for cross-sensing; the target should still be in the camp."

Yellow Beard acknowledged, then turned to face his other subordinates: "Those two pieces of trash, Hou Qiang and Mu Dayong, must have been taken out. But that kid didn't leave after killing them; it seems he is resting in our house."

The hunters were silent for a few seconds, then burst into laughter.

"That kid has guts, I like it."

"He probably felt that with last night's heavy snowstorm, it wouldn't hurt to rest for a night. Maybe he's sleeping soundly right now."

"I'll say something a bit discordant: Monkey and Silly Mu died well; they deserved to die long ago."

"You mean to say that with two fewer people, there will be two fewer shares to split, right?"

"Hahaha~~"

Amidst the laughter, Yellow Beard waved his hand.

"Old Qi and Old Qu, flank from the rear; Da Lin and Xiao Lin, surround from the right. Guo Xiaopeng and You Guang, you two block the left. Everyone, load your crossbows and strive to kill him in one shot. If any accidents occur, drive him toward my direction."

Several people agreed one after another and quickly dispersed.

However, no one knew that Tang Long inside the wooden house was staring at them right now, and he revealed a hint of a pleased smile.

It must be said that Bounty Hunters were indeed stronger than scattered soldiers. They had organization, tactics, and superior equipment. Using a four-sided encirclement tactic with seven people against one person could not be considered underestimating the enemy.

What was unexpected was that their captain, Yellow Beard, was actually one of the Blasphemers.

Following the direction of Yellow Beard, Tang Long quickly discovered Elder Ming more than a mile away.

This was interesting.

Tang Long had originally just managed to transition from a mine slave to a free man, had recently been put on a wanted list, and now he had to shoulder the major crime of killing Bounty Hunters; the free man was about to become a fugitive.

Although this was the necessary price to pay for the early investment in Lu Xiaohu, this investment actually wouldn't see returns in the short term, and becoming a criminal just like that was truly a bit of a pity.

But the sudden appearance of one of the Blasphemers made him vaguely see the possibility of clearing his name.

A character like a Blasphemer, who was hated by the gods and despised by dogs, was the perfect candidate to take the blame.

After thinking for a few seconds, a plan quickly formed in his mind. He first found several layers of thick hide to pad his chest, then walked out from a broken wall on the side.

The ones flanking from this side were two older Bounty Hunters. When they saw Tang Long walk out of the house, they immediately raised their crossbows and launched an attack first.

Two crossbow bolts let out a piercing whistle; one missed, while the other shot into his shoulder socket.

Tang Long immediately collapsed, but with abnormal speed, he performed a series of rolls and retreated into the house.