Chapter 7: Slaying the Tyrant in the Grove

The mule cart rounded a bend, and at that moment, there was no one around. Ahead stood a figure dressed in black, hands clasped behind his back, blocking the path—an image of a martial arts master.

Chu Dazhuang's eyes sharpened, and his heart skipped a beat: This is it, we've run into highway robbers.

He turned to Chu Chen behind him and said, “Nephew, I’m afraid we've encountered bandits. I’ll hold them off; you take the silver and run.”

Chu Chen smiled warmly at his second uncle, thinking to himself how reliable he truly was.

Feigning fear, he replied, “If I run, what will you do?”

“No worries, nephew. Don’t worry about me—I’m a soldier by trade, far tougher than you, a mere fledgling who couldn’t even outwrestle a chick,” Chu Dazhuang said confidently.

Perhaps to avoid alarming Chu Chen, Chu Dazhuang fell silent, his cold gaze fixed on the “martial arts master” before them.

At that moment, Chu Chen calmly stepped down from the mule cart, holding a dark stick in his hand. Without hesitation, he handed the dagger to Chu Dazhuang.

“A modern man like me isn’t about to get robbed in a place without law and order,” Chu Chen thought as he advanced.

Suddenly, three more men burst from behind the mule cart, each with a fierce and menacing look, surrounding the cart.

“Master ahead, why do you block my mule cart’s path?” Chu Chen asked.

“Hah, bold words—you remain calm even in this situation,” the man in black replied leisurely.

“Times are tight for us lately, young sir. How about lending us some money for fun?” he added with a sly grin.

Lending money? Just rob them outright, then.

“Look at us, dressed so poorly. If you’re going to rob someone, pick a wealthier target,” Chu Chen said again.

“Ha! That’s none of your concern. Leave the mule cart here and be on your way,” the man said.

Chu Chen brandished the electric baton in his hand.

“How much did the pawnshop owner pay you? Kill him when you get back, and I’ll double it, alright?”

When the four heard the mention of the pawnshop owner, their expressions tightened. The matter was out in the open.

“Kid, we didn’t want to kill anyone, but since you know, there’s no reason for you to live,” the leader said, gesturing to his men.

They drew long knives and moved to surround the two.

Chu Dazhuang tightened his grip on the dagger, shielding Chu Chen behind him.

Chu Chen was touched—this second uncle of his, he’d have to treat him well from now on.

“Wait!” Chu Chen shouted, causing the men to hesitate.

“Kid, any last words? Speak up, don’t say we didn’t give you a chance,” the leader said.

“No, I just want to show you a treasure,” Chu Chen said, bringing the long electric baton close to the man in black.

The man looked curiously at the dark stick and reached out to grab it.

In a flash, Chu Chen jabbed the baton forward and pressed the switch.

The man convulsed violently and collapsed to the ground.

Before the others could react, Chu Chen’s baton struck another.

That man, startled by the strange weapon, grabbed a nearby companion to shield himself.

Sure enough, both convulsed and fell.

Chu Chen then looked up at the last man, who was already clutching his thigh with a dagger from Chu Dazhuang, wailing in pain.

Chu Chen stepped forward, delivered an electric shock, and the man fell silent.

Chu Dazhuang looked at Chu Chen with disbelief and horror.

Chu Chen gave no explanation but instructed, “Second uncle, drag them into the forest quickly.”

“What are you doing?” Chu Dazhuang asked.

“Don’t argue. Hurry, before someone else comes,” Chu Chen ordered.

Without another word, Chu Dazhuang dragged the four into the thicket, staring blankly at Chu Chen’s next move.

Chu Chen grabbed the dagger from Chu Dazhuang’s hand and swiftly slit the throats of all four.

Even Chu Dazhuang, a battle-hardened veteran, was shaken to the core.

When had his nephew become so ruthless—each strike decisive and fatal?

“Since they’ve seen this divine weapon in my hand, they can’t be left alive,” Chu Chen said coldly to Chu Dazhuang.

They then concealed the traces of their struggle.

Chu Chen glanced at the sky, dark clouds gathering, signaling an impending heavy rain.

He called for Chu Dazhuang to drive on. After the storm, no one would suspect them of the killings.

On the cart, Chu Dazhuang looked at the dark baton in Chu Chen’s hand.

“Nephew, did that come from that immortal old man you mentioned?”

Chu Chen felt relieved—his white-bearded benefactor had made the right choice.

“Exactly. Look at your dagger; doesn’t it seem different?” Chu Chen said to Chu Dazhuang.

Only then did Chu Dazhuang realize, picking up the dagger. Its blade was sharp and crafted from a material far superior to any in this era.

Even their military weapons weren’t made from such resilient and sharp metal.

“This... must be the legendary celestial weapon,” Chu Dazhuang said, handling the dagger with awe.

“Call it what you will. If you like it, it’s yours,” Chu Chen said.

“Ah, such a precious thing, you’re giving it to me? Nephew, you mustn’t,” Chu Dazhuang said in disbelief. This item could fetch tens or hundreds of taels at the market.

“I insist. You’re my second uncle and have always taken care of me. It’s just a dagger,” Chu Chen said casually.

To Chu Dazhuang, however, it was different. Being gifted such a rare treasure meant his affection had not been in vain.

He put aside his reservations, tucked the dagger away, and drove toward Mashan Village.

Night fell as they finally reached the village entrance.

Under the old locust tree at the information exchange center, about a dozen villagers sat gathered.

“Look, who’s coming? Which wealthy family’s son is visiting Mashan Village?” someone exclaimed.

The crowd turned toward the village entrance, where, under the dark sky, a mule cart slowly approached.

As it neared, they recognized the driver—Chu Dazhuang.

The information center erupted in excitement.

“Isn’t that Chu Dazhuang? He’s actually driving a mule cart now!”

“Yes, I saw him this morning heading into town with that wastrel nephew of his. Could he be back with some fortune?”

An older man called out to Chu Dazhuang, “Dazhuang, where’d you strike it rich? Buying a mule cart now?”

“This? It’s my nephew Chu’s cart. I can’t afford such a thing,” Chu Dazhuang replied proudly.

Chu Chen also climbed down and greeted the crowd.

“Chu, didn’t expect you to make it big,” someone said.

“Not really, just earned a little,” Chu Chen replied modestly.

“Chu, making money is one thing, but living well is the real deal. Stop wasting it on flashy stuff,” an elder scolded with a heavy heart.

Chu Chen was momentarily speechless—his reckless reputation was well known.

He shrugged it off with a laugh and headed toward his shabby home.

From a distance in the night, Chu Chen saw a slender figure waiting expectantly inside the dilapidated house, looking out for him.