Chapter 335: Jia Hao Finds a Troubled Beauty (Again)
Chapter 335: Jia Hao Finds a Troubled Beauty (Again)
*BOOM! BOOM!*
It was like something exploded twice in the air, creating soft booming noise. The bandit leader felt a sharp pain as he fell on the ground.
" ARRGHH! MY KNEES!"
He glanced below and saw that both of his kneecaps had exploded, as bits of bone splattered around with blood.
He tried to crawl on the ground, but he felt like he was going to faint from the pain.
" Interesting. Looks like using the wind element, I can easily fire projectiles with great speed." Jia Hao chuckled. " It will be perfect if I paired it with archery, no?"
" Speaking of which, you used a rather interesting object. I wonder where you got it?"
It was pretty surprising that the leader managed to get up and escape despite taking a heavy punch from Jia Hao. It turned out to be a treasure that saved his life!
" Kheughh! DON’T! DON’T KILL ME!" The bandit leader screamed as he turned towards Jia Hao, " Le-Leave me! I will tell you where I have hidden the money!"
" I... I was forced! I didn’t..."
" Save it for the afterlife." Jia Hao spoke calmly, " If you live by the sword, you will die by the sword."
" NOOO!"
Jia Hao waved his hand as a gush of wound appeared on the man’s neck, making him fall on the ground. Jia Hao squatted down and snatched a pendant from the bandit’s neck.
" Young Noble, are you alright?"
Jia Hao turned around and smiled at Luo Bin, " Has everything been cleaned up?"
" Yes, everything is over." Luo Bin smiled, " The horses are fine too. So there won’t be any issues. Still, I have to thank you, Young Noble. If you weren’t here..."
He bowed before Jia Hao out of gratitude, but Jia Hao lifted him up.
" It’s alright, I did what I had to." Jia Hao smiled, " Let’s go then."
[ Beastly Finger Charm: Crafted with an Otherworldly Monster’s Blood and Finger. Needs to devour a certain amount of blood to activate. Creates an invisible Blood Armor or a Curse Ray]
’ Hoh? This is interesting. This method is certainly different than traditional rune inscription.’
With Jia Hao’s Divine Sage’s Eyes, he could see the layout of the charm.
’ So this is what you call Magic? Hmm, it’s certainly something I should learn if I get a chance.’ Jia Hao thought inwardly.
He understood why the bandit leader managed to stay alive despite being hunted. With this little trinket, as long as he stays cautious, he can escape from most precarious situations.
’ Does that mean someone else is behind the bandits? After all, no way a bandit like him will get a magical treasure which can be re used.’
Jia Hao smelled the stench of conspiracy. However, he didn’t bother to think any longer. As long as he doesn’t get into the mess, he won’t mind anything at all.
Days later, they finally arrived at a large village. Luo Bin cupped his fist, " Young Noble, this is already the outer edge of the Bloof Leaf City. If you go north, you will find the city gate there."
" I would have taken you there, but there is some work here that may get you delayed. So..."
" No need for an apology. You guys helped me a lot." Jia Hao didn’t mind as he turned around to leave. " It’s already late. At night, they probably close the city gates. I should be hurrying, I guess."
" Farewell, Young Noble." Luo Bing cupped his fist as he bowed. He couldn’t help but sigh when Jia Hao left.
’ To think he possess such extraordinary strength at such young age. I wonder which powerful faction he belongs to?"
.
.
.
.
Inside the outskirts, the streets buzzed with that classic ancient hustle, merchants yelling about fresh spirit herbs, treasures, and medicinal pills. Jia Hao noticed an abundance of beast materials and talismans. In fact, he also noticed a few things that could be considered as otherworldly products.
Lanterns were already flickering on, red paper ones swinging in the evening breeze, and the air smelled like grilled meat mixed with spicy herbs. The Bloof Leaf City was also filled with a strange kind of tree, which looked like red maples in spring.
He picked up the pace, robes fluttering with the wind. He wasn’t in a hurry, but wasn’t slow either.
’ Hmm, I should arrive at the time. I hope the City Guards don’t recognize me. But again, I have a few ways I can sneak inside.’
Before he could finish cursing the gate guards, shouts erupted from the treeline to his left. "There she is! Don’t let that bitch escape!"
Jia Hao’s head snapped around just in time to see a blazing spear of flame, thick as his thigh and glowing like molten rage, shooting straight at his chest.
"What the actual fuck?!"
He slammed his foot down, qi surging as Earth Traversal kicked in. The ground rippled under him like water, swallowing his body halfway into the dirt in a blink.
The spear screamed past overhead, exploding against a boulder with a deafening boom that showered him in dirt and sparks. Flames licked his sleeves anyway, singeing half his outer robe black and filling the air with the stink of burnt cloth.
Jia Hao popped out of the ground, coughing, patting at the embers on his shoulder. "Son of a bitch! Who the hell throws fire spears at random travelers? My remaining robe, you prick!"
He spun around, eyes scanning the fading light, murderous energy already bubbling up. Footsteps pounded closer, then a soft body slammed right into his chest hard enough to make him stagger back a step.
"Ow! Hey!"
Jia Hao caught the girl instinctively, one arm wrapping around her waist to steady her. She was light, breathing ragged, her simple green robes torn at the sleeves and hem, long black hair messy and sticking to her flushed face. Her eyes, sharp and desperate, locked on his for a split second. "Run! They’ll kill you too!"
Behind her, five men burst from the bushes, weapons drawn. The leader was a burly bastard with a scarred face and a qi aura that screamed mid-stage Profound Awakening. He sneered, twirling a blood-stained axe.
"Well, well. Another witness? Kill the kid and grab the girl. We ain’t leaving any loose ends tonight. Boss wants her alive! Make it quick!"
One of the grunts laughed, cracking his knuckles. "Heh, easy pickings. Kid looks soft. Bet he pisses himself before I even swing."
The girl twisted in Jia Hao’s grip, trying to push him away. "Let go! You don’t have to die for this! Just run, idiot!"
Jia Hao didn’t budge. His lips curled into a slow, dangerous grin as he cracked his knuckles one by one, the sound sharp in the evening quiet.
Murders? Chases? Some random flame spear trying to barbecue him? Nah. This was exactly the kind of bullshit that got his blood pumping.
"Kill me? Snatch her?" Jia Hao’s voice dropped low, eyes narrowing as killing intent rolled off him like a storm cloud. He gently but firmly set the girl behind him, patting her shoulder.
" Hah! You motherfuckers." Jia Hao rubbed his face with cold laughter, " To think you guys run into me out of everyone else. Such a bitchy luck you have."
" But ah... Only a hero can save a beauty in distress after all."
The girl: " ..... "
The leader: "....."
The henchmen: "?????"
The leader barked a laugh. "Big words from a brat in burnt rags. Boys, chop him up. Girl’s mine after."
Two grunts charged first, swords flashing under the lantern light. "Die!"
Jia Hao didn’t even draw a weapon. He stepped forward, Earth Traversal flickering under his feet again, and slammed a palm into the first guy’s chest like swatting a fly. Bones crunched. The man flew back ten meters, smashing into a tree with a wet thud.
"Next," Jia Hao said casually, wiping his hand on his ruined robe. "Who wants to be number two? I’ve had a long day, don’t make me drag this out."
The girl behind him blinked, mouth half-open. "You... you’re crazy. Those are Black Saber Guild’s enforcers! They’ll-"
Jia Hao gave a mischievous flash of a grin to the girl, putting a confident air, " No need to worry, Miss. I will handle everything."
At that moment, four more henchmen already charged forward, swinging sabers at Jia Hao.
" Four Pole Fist! Diving Bird!"
Jia Hao’s fist shot like an eagle diving for its prey. Within an instant, he struck the four men, crushing their ribs and organs into a gruesome mush.
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*
Jia Hao used nothing more than his pure physical strength to crush these men. After all, his physical body itself is comparable to a Profound Awakening Realm Martial Artist.
The leader’s expression darkened when he saw Jia Hao taking out his men with ease.
" Hmph! Brat, you dare to mess with our work? Courting death!"
A sudden whistle rang, making Jia Hao frown. Within an instant, four arrows shot towards him from the darkness.
" Wind!"
Jia Hao shouted, and a surge of wind rose around, slowing the arrows enough for Jia Hao to crush them bare-handed.
" Sneak attacks, huh?"