THE GOD'S OF CHOSEN WARRIOR

Revenge 3

Upon arriving in front of the village head Cheng Xi’s house, which also served as a martial arts school, six gate guards immediately drew their swords upon seeing Qian Li arriving with a young man ready to take the life of the wealthy merchant. They knew that Qian Li was the close friend of Cheng Xi, who was also their teacher, and they felt it was their duty to help him.

"Release Merchant Qian Li if you don't want us to behead you!" one of them shouted.

Li Jie smirked cynically at the low-skilled gate guards who dared to threaten him.

"I'll release this man if you call that despicable village head here!"

"Watch your mouth, scum! Our master is not worthy of meeting the likes of you!" the guard retorted.

"That's true... That vile man is not worthy of meeting me. His heart and actions are rotten."

The gate guards could not accept the insult from Li Jie. They immediately moved forward, but Li jie pressed the blade he was holding against Qian Li’s neck. Blood trickled from the wealthy merchant’s neck, making him grimace in pain.

"One more step, and I'll behead this bastard merchant!"

The six guards instantly halted, unwilling to risk Qian Li’s life.

One of them finally ran inside the house, which also served as a martial arts school.

Moments later, Cheng Xi hurriedly emerged from the gate after being informed by his men. His face was filled with anger upon seeing Qian Li’s life in danger.

Behind the village head, who was also the leader of the martial arts school, more than twenty of his disciples stood in line, gripping the hilts of their swords.

Seeing Cheng Xi appear, Qian Li sighed in relief. He was confident that his life would be saved this time.

"Master, help me!" he pleaded weakly.

"Release Qian Li, and I'll let you leave here alive!" Cheng Xi shouted. His face turned red with rage as Li Jie threatened the life of his dear friend.

"Have you lost your mind, you despicable village head? I came here to settle a score with you, and now you're telling me to leave?"

Cheng Xi’s anger flared instantly. No one had ever dared insult him so brazenly before, but now, a mere young man openly humiliated him.

At that moment, Yung Fei also emerged from the gate, following his father. His eyes widened when he saw Li Jie reappear in the village.

"So you're the one daring to cause trouble here, coward. Where have you been hiding all this time from my hands and feet?"

Li Jie chuckled softly, unfazed by Yung Fei’s taunts. Instead, he sneered at Cheng Xi’s favorite son.

"So, the little prince has come out too. You also need to be taught a lesson so you realize that your father’s power won’t save your life!"

"You know him, Yung Fei?" Cheng Xi asked his son, who was visibly furious at Li Jie’s insult.

Yung Fei nodded. "He's just a worthless coward who stains our village, Father. Over a year ago, the villagers beat him up for trying to rob a merchant’s stall."

Cheng Xi was slightly taken aback by his son’s words. He still remembered the information he received a year ago about the villagers searching for a thief. Cheng Xi also knew that the thief in question was the son of Li Hao and Hua Wen.

"So you're the son of the thieving couple who were executed by the villagers fifteen years ago?"

"I'm glad you remember. That saves me the trouble of introducing myself. It’s time for you to pay for the grave crime of framing my parents!"

Cheng Xi suddenly burst into laughter, considering Li Jie’s words the most ridiculous joke he had ever heard.

"Ungrateful brat! You should remember what your father requested before his execution. Back then, he begged for your life to be spared. And yet, here you are, coming back just to throw your life away."

Li Jie responded to Cheng Xi’s arrogance with a faint smile. "At least the false accusations against my parents were nothing but lies. And you were the one who framed them!"

Li Jie pressed his sharp blade against Qian Li’s neck again. The wealthy merchant struggled slightly, but Cheng Xi still made no effort to save his life.

"Watch your mouth, boy! I am the village head and the leader of this school. Do you really think I would commit such a disgraceful act?" Cheng Xi barked. He did not want the shameful secret he had kept for the past fifteen years to be exposed.

"It seems you don’t care about your friend’s life! You can deny your vile actions all you want, but I have a key witness who knows how you and your accomplice planned the scheme to frame my parents."

Suddenly, Li Jie struck Qian Li’s stomach, making the large merchant fall to his knees in pain.

Li Jie then pressed the sharp edge of his sword against Qian Li’s neck, applying more pressure.

Fresh blood trickled from Qian Li’s throat, making him groan in pain. His eyes pleaded weakly toward Cheng Xi, who still showed no concern.

"Master, help me," Qian Li whispered.

"Why should I help you? You brought this upon yourself because of your uncontrollable lust for Hua Wen"

Like being struck by a hammer, Qian Li’s eyes widened in disbelief at Cheng Xi’s words. The old man, whom he considered his friend, clearly had no intention of saving him.

"You were the one who planned the scheme against Li Hao and Hua Wen, yet you refuse to take responsibility. What kind of friend are you?" Qian Li shouted.

"Don’t drag me into this, Qian Li! I only gave you advice back then."

"Just advice? Have you forgotten who buried the golden statue behind Dirga’s house? Are you senile now, Cheng Xi?" Qian Li sneered. He no longer cared about maintaining their friendship.

Li Jie simply listened and let them argue. The more they quarreled, the closer the truth came to light.

"Where is Du Xia now? Call the man you ordered to bury your golden statue behind Dirga’s house that night!" Qian Li’s voice boomed, loud enough for the villagers gathering outside to hear clearly.

Unbeknownst to Qian Li, Cheng Xi had already killed Du Xia. The village head feared that the man he ordered to bury the golden statue would eventually reveal the truth.

"Have you forgotten that Dua Xia is dead, Qian Li?"

"I haven’t forgotten, Cheng Xi! And I also know that you ordered your men to kill him in the forest," Qian Li quickly replied.

The villagers who had gathered at Cheng Xi’s house finally believed the information they had previously heard from Zou Fei and Pan Wen regarding the false accusations against Li Jie’s parents.

Regret immediately filled their minds, especially those who participated in the execution fifteen years ago. Because of Cheng Xi and Qian Li’s lies, Li Hao and Hua Wen—who had once been highly respected—had become victims of their wicked plot.

"My fellow villagers, the truth has finally been revealed today. My parents’ good names have been restored. However, that doesn’t mean the punishment for these two criminals will be lifted. Today, I will execute them both!"

Cheng Xi grew even more furious as his dark secret was exposed. He realized he had no way out and decided to continue his evil ways. His next targets were Qian Li and Li Jie—if both of them died, the villagers would never dare to question his crimes.

"You both must die!" he roared.

Cheng Xi swiftly drew his sword and lunged at Li Jie. However, the young man quickly leaped backward, causing Cheng Xi’s attack to land directly on Qian Li’s neck.