C5 Don't Use Immortal Disciples to Suppress Me!

In a flurry of motion, three distinct sounds echoed in succession: a thud, a crack, and a splatter. Everyone present was stunned. Ho Liao had swung his stick, striking the henchman's rod with a dull thud. The iron rod snapped under the force, and Ho Liao's stick continued its trajectory, cracking against the henchman's head. Instantly, blood and brain matter splattered everywhere.

Witnessing this terrifying blow, the martial artist knew he couldn't match such power. Trying to save face, he shouted, "You just wait! I'm not feeling well today. We'll settle this in a few days!" With that, he turned and fled the village, disappearing in an instant.

The remaining henchmen looked around in confusion until Scarface snapped to attention, yelling, "He's not human! Run for it!" In a flash, all of the henchmen vanished, leaving behind two lifeless bodies. Even the unconscious one had somehow managed to escape. It was a classic case of bullies scattering when faced with real strength.

The villagers who had gathered to watch quickly dispersed as well.

Ho Liao paid them no mind and walked into the large estate. Just inside the gate, he saw an old woman trembling and unable to move. The vast courtyard was eerily empty. Standing in the middle, Ho Liao shouted, "Master Wang, come out here! Weren't you the one who wanted to kill my sister and me?"

After calling out for a while, an elderly man who looked like a butler emerged from the main house, stammering, "Young master, my employer knows he was wrong. Whatever demands you have, feel free to state them, and he'll do his best to meet them!"

Looking at the butler's fearful expression, Ho Liao suppressed his disgust and said, "First condition, have Mr. Wang come out and apologize to me!"

The butler, trying to muster some courage, replied, "Young master, don't push it too far. Our third young master was chosen as a disciple by the Burningbrand Sect and has been training there for three years. He'll soon be eligible for a visit home. Aren't you afraid he'll come back to seek revenge on you?"

Hearing that Mr. Wang's third son was also a cultivator and a disciple of some Burningbrand Sect piqued Ho Liao's curiosity, so he asked, "What level has your third young master reached?"

The butler thought to himself that the reputation of the sect was indeed useful. Although he had heard Mr. Wang mention cultivators before, Mr. Wang barely understood it himself, and the butler knew even less. Still, he couldn't admit his ignorance, so he bit the bullet and said, "The last letter we got from him said he could already fly around in the sky!"

Flying around in the sky suggested he had reached the True Spirit level, but remembering his mentor's description of how difficult it was to achieve that level, Ho Liao quickly realized the butler was bluffing. He said, "Well, let your third young master come for revenge when he can. But for now, I want your employer to come out and apologize to my sister!"

Seeing that even mentioning his third son couldn't intimidate Ho Liao, the butler urgently shouted, "Sir, just come out and apologize! It's better to lose face than lose your life!"

The main hall door creaked open, revealing a narrow gap through which an old man with a face as round as a pig's head and graying hair and beard appeared, wearing an ornate crown.

He looked fearfully at Ho Liao in the courtyard and pleaded, "Young master, I apologize, I offer my regrets. Just spare my life, and I'll do whatever you ask!"

Ho Liao stared coldly at Mr. Wang and said, "Come over here and bow!"

With no choice, Mr. Wang shuffled over to Ho Liao, knelt down, and said, "Please forgive me, young master. I apologize to your sister, Miss Achou, and admit my mistakes!"

Ho Liao snorted and said, "Now, take your entire family and leave this estate immediately. You're never allowed to return. Leave everything behind and go right away, or don't blame me for being harsh!"

Mr. Wang and the butler exchanged glances, seeing the fear and helplessness in each other's eyes.

After Mr. Wang's family had completely left, Ho Liao wandered through the front and back yards of the Wang estate, gathering a large bag of gold and silver. As he was about to leave, he remembered the wedding quilt his sister made. Searching the new house, he found the festively decorated bridal chamber in the west wing of the backyard. But as soon as he stepped inside, he heard some strange noises.

Looking toward the sound, he saw a young girl in a bright red dress tied to the bed. She couldn't have been more than 18, and despite the cloth stuffed in her mouth, her face was defiant, without a trace of tears or pleading. It was clear that this was an abduction, not a wedding.

Cursing under his breath, Ho Liao walked over to the girl, untied her, and removed the cloth from her mouth. "The Noucwell family has been driven away. You should head home quickly!"

The girl glanced at the boy, who seemed even younger than her, and said, "Thank you. Are you a cultivator? Otherwise, how could you have driven off those bullies from the Noucwell family?"

Hearing her use the term "cultivator," he quickly responded, "You're a cultivator? If so, how did the Noucwell family manage to capture you?"

Her expression darkened as she replied, "I'm not a cultivator, but my brother was with the Burningbrand. Back then, the Noucwell family treated me like royalty, claiming we were relatives. But last year, my brother reportedly went into the Dark Desert with his sect and never returned. They say he's dead. After the Noucwell family’s third son brought back the news, their attitude toward me changed. The head of the family wanted to make me his concubine, and when I refused, they kidnapped me!"

"The Noucwell family is truly despicable!" Ho Liao couldn't help but exclaim.

"Then why did you let them go?" the girl asked.

"I've never killed anyone before. The first two times were accidents," Ho Liao explained sheepishly.

"Are you taking over the Noucwell estate?" the young woman asked, staring at Ho Liao.

"No way. Taking it over would just make us a target," Ho Liao replied.

"Fine then, let's burn it down. That'll teach them a lesson. When they come back, they'll find nothing!" she said fiercely.

Ho Liao nodded and, as he started to leave, said, "Do what you want. I'm taking my sister and getting out of here. You should grab some money and go too."

"Wait, you have a sister?" the young woman called after him. "My brother's fate is unknown, and I'm all alone. If you're willing, let me join you and your sister. That way, you can protect me too. Otherwise, I won't escape Noucwell's clutches on my own!"

Ho Liao hadn't expected her request, but realizing they shared a similar plight, he agreed without hesitation, "Set the fire. Burn Noucwell's mansion. Let's go!"

The young woman found a match and started igniting the flammable clothes in the room. Soon, the new house was engulfed in flames, showing just how deep her hatred ran. She poured all her resentment into that fire, leaving nothing behind.