SWORD OF FLAME

The Act of Rescue

Fang Yun stood tall. "Don’t kill me, Uncle. I’m just looking for my kite. I think it fell here."

He climbed down slowly, pretending to be afraid. "Uncle, can you get me a ladder?"

"Don’t be ridiculous! You climbed up, so climb down. Jump!"

Fang Yun smiled inwardly, having formed a plan. He jumped and feigned a twisted ankle.

"Ow… it hurts! My ankle… Is there a healer here?"

His silly question enraged the robbers.

"There’s no healer here, only butchers! What were you doing on that roof?!"

"Looking for my kite, Uncle. I think it landed there."

"Liar! Who flies kites at night? You must be spying on us!"

"Get ready, Qiang Mo. They’re not interested in talking," Fang Yun thought.

"You fool! Of all the excuses, kite flying at night? Can’t you come up with something better?" Qiang Mo grumbled.

"Why are you silent? You must be a spy. Answer me!"

More and more robbers gathered around Fang Yun, brandishing various weapons and glaring at him with murderous eyes.

Fang Yun once again calculated his chances of escape. Facing hundreds of men was no easy feat, especially since this was his first time in such a dire situation.

Since he still didn’t respond, one of the robbers shouted an order.

"Kill him! Don’t let him escape!"

A dozen men immediately charged forward, swinging their weapons toward Fang Yun. Trapped and unable to dodge or flee, Fang Yun was forced to draw the Water Core Machete strapped to his back.

With swift movements, he spun and slashed his blade around him.

"Qiang Mo...!" Fang Yun shouted, calling upon the spirit.

Instantly, a wave of blazing fire burst forth, scorching the robbers nearby. Over twenty men were engulfed in flames, screaming in agony as their bodies burned.

"Be careful! He’s not an ordinary youth!"

Those who had surrounded him now kept their distance. None dared to approach, fearing they’d be incinerated like their fallen comrades. After all, a sword that could unleash fire was no ordinary weapon.

Fang Yun took advantage of the moment, slowly inching toward the gate at the hideout’s entrance.

"Kill him, or I’ll kill you all!" roared a tall, burly man.

He was clearly the leader of the robber gang. His words were immediately obeyed by his followers.

"At least burn half of them with my flames first, Fang Yun. Then you can choose to flee or strike," Qiang Mo advised.

Fang Yun spun again and slashed his sword. Flames from the Water Core Machete lashed out, scorching any robber who dared to come near.

Over forty robbers were already burned alive for getting too close. Screams of death echoed through the camp.

Burning bodies running around scattered the robbers, breaking their formation. Fang Yun seized the chance to sprint out of the hideout and leapt into a tall tree to hide.

"Safe… I made it," Fang Yun thought.

"Keep chasing him! Find him no matter what! We can’t let our hideout be exposed!" the robber leader kept shouting orders, sending his men out to search for the youth who had brought chaos to their base.

Unaware, the robber leader stood alone in front of the hideout. Fang Yun wouldn’t miss such a chance. He leapt from the tree and approached the leader of the Panther Fang gang.

"You’re a fool! You sent your men to look for me while you remain here alone."

"You... how are you still here?!"

"No more words! I’m here to avenge the death of my parents you murdered three years ago."

The Panther Fang leader looked around frantically, hoping one of his men was still nearby.

"Looking for help? Don’t expect to escape death tonight!"

"You bastard! Do you think I’m afraid of you?!"

"Your face says otherwise, but look at your legs—shaking like someone about to wet himself!"

The robber leader drew his sword. "Die!"

"You first!" Fang Yun retorted, dodging the blade aimed at his neck.

Fang Yun had no intention of dragging the fight out. He feared the other robbers might return, which would complicate things.

Using his speed, Fang Yun quickly overwhelmed the tall man, even though he fought barehanded.

With a swift strike, Fang Yun landed a powerful kick right into the man’s incense pouch—his groin.

The Panther Fang leader rolled on the ground in agony, clutching his groin as though it had been crushed.

"How does it feel to be so close to death?" Fang Yun asked, crouching beside him.

The man couldn’t speak. He only moaned in pain, clutching his lower body.

"Since your weapon no longer works, there’s no point in letting you live."

Fang Yun grabbed the man's head and twisted it with his right hand until a cracking sound echoed.

The man died a grim death, eyes wide open, hands still clutching his groin.

After killing the Panther Fang leader, Fang Yun scanned the area. Once he felt safe, he re-entered the hideout and headed for the large house belonging to the man he had just killed.

Upon reaching the front of the house, Fang Yun went inside and searched for anything valuable to take.

After a while, he found two small chests filled with gold and silver coins hidden under the bed. Without hesitation, Fang Yun carried them out, even though they were quite heavy.

Outside, he looked around until his eyes landed on a stable not far from where he stood.

Jogging over, the youth selected a horse and tied the two chests securely onto its back.