Chapter 26: An Outburst!

If it had been people from another village who had set their sights on him, they wouldn't have known so clearly what he’d been doing for the past six days in the village. This was clearly someone who had been watching him for a long time, even aware of exactly how much he earned each day.

Although outsiders knew he was shoeing hooves, he’d gone door to door in those villages, and not many had followed his movements the whole time. No one else could possibly know his earnings in such detail. Only in Li Family Village had he spent the entire time working at Ninth Aunt’s place. There, many idle villagers had lingered around from morning to night, watching him work. Only in that way could someone know precisely how much he made each day.

His heart sank, but Li Mu forced himself to remain calm and explained, "Since you know I made quite a bit, you should also know my situation. The money I earned is all at my Ninth Uncle’s house. If you want it... I can go back and get it for you."

It was evening; by now, Ninth Uncle should have returned home, Li Mu thought to himself.

"You’ll go get it? Really?" The fierce masked man’s eyes lit up instantly.

But the man behind him spoke coldly, "Do you take me for a fool? Let you go back to the village so you can call for help?"

At these words, the fierce one hesitated, then realized and glared at Li Mu, murderous intent flashing in his eyes. "You’re playing tricks on me?!"

Li Mu shook his head. By now, he was much calmer and said, "I’m not deceiving you. This is all the money I have on me. I know it’s not easy for you to come all this way, so I’m willing to give you everything. If you’re not satisfied, I can go fetch more for you... But if you think I’m lying and won’t let me go, then tell me—what do you want? As long as you don’t take my life, I’ll agree."

After he spoke, the two masked men grew uncertain, glancing at each other. The one with the fierce eyes hesitated, lowering his voice to confer with his companion. They were far enough away that Li Mu couldn’t hear what was said, but it was obvious these two had been watching him for a long time. They must have assumed he carried his earnings with him...

It made sense—his parents were dead, his house collapsed, and everyone in the village knew it. If he had earned money, he’d most likely keep it on his person. After all, Ninth Uncle’s house wasn't his own, and their relationship, as everyone knew, was distant—they weren’t even close kin anymore, just distant relations.

In the minds of villagers in this world, who would feel at ease leaving so much money in someone else’s home?

But in Li Mu’s case, that was exactly what he had done.

And that, obviously, had thrown their plans awry. Judging by their behavior, their initial intent had been to rob him of all he had earned these past days. Now, finding only one day’s takings, their expectations had been dashed, and they were unwilling to accept it.

The thought made Li Mu tense. Disappointment would breed resentment, and once people were driven by resentment, their next actions would hardly be surprising.

Just then, Li Mu keenly sensed the two men’s conversation had shifted, and they were now glancing at the sturdy ox beside him.

A chill ran through Li Mu’s heart...

They were dissatisfied with just a small sum, yet wouldn’t let him return for more, knowing he’d never obediently fetch money for them. To make up for their frustration, their greed now extended beyond his money—they wanted the ox as well!

In these times, an ox was as valuable as gold. Such a large, healthy beast in its prime could fetch at least fifty or sixty taels of silver!

Li Mu, now highly alert, said in a low voice, "Think carefully."

"This ox belongs to Li Jiu. He’s a man of force."

"There’s not much money here, but it’s seven or eight taels—enough for your effort tonight."

"But if you take Li Jiu’s ox, you’ll make an enemy of him... For this amount of money, is it really worth it?"

Li Mu knew full well—if they set their sights on the ox next, their intent would shift from robbery to murder. Only by killing him would they have enough time to deal with the ox.

His words struck home. The fierce-eyed man’s gaze flickered with a trace of fear, and he instinctively looked to his companion for guidance. Clearly, the latter was the one in charge.

The masked leader hesitated, then gazed at Li Mu, his eyes growing ever colder.

"We’ve schemed so long, and all we get is seven or eight taels? Wouldn’t that make all my planning for nothing? What can Li Jiu do? If I dare take his ox, I have the means to keep him from finding me."

With these words, his mind was made up. He gripped his hatchet and stepped toward Li Mu.

The fierce-eyed one, hearing this, hesitated for a moment, then his gaze hardened and he looked menacingly at Li Mu.

"Kid, bad luck for you tonight. With all that money, how could you leave it at someone else’s house?"

His tone was thick with resentment and anger. But before he could finish, there was a sudden, sharp sound. Blood burst from his head in a crimson mist!

His body toppled stiffly to the ground, motionless.

The sudden violence left the other masked man momentarily stunned.

Before he could react, he saw Li Mu crouching in pain, but then, gritting his teeth, Li Mu snatched up another stone from the ground.

With a ferocity that seemed almost to shatter his own teeth, Li Mu hurled the stone at the masked man.

Instinctively, the masked man raised his arm to block.

Bang!

A dull thud rang out. The masked man groaned in pain as a tremendous force slammed into his arm, sending a searing pain shooting through it.

Panic seized him—his arm was surely broken!

Simultaneously, the force threw his body backward, sending him sprawling.

He was dazed. He’d seen his attacker—just a stone, no bigger than a fist—yet it had broken his arm?

More than that, the sheer power of the blow, channeled through the stone, had flung him off his feet?

A martial artist?!

The terrible realization flashed through his mind. Next moment, lying sprawled on the ground, he looked up in terror.

By the moonlight, he saw his target—the once docile Li Mu—now wearing a twisted grimace, his arm limp at his side, already charging at him.

In his left hand was a stone; through his contorted features, one could see he was enduring intense pain. Without hesitation, he brought the stone down toward the fallen man’s head.

Whoosh!

He even heard the wind whistle with the force.

Instinctively, the man raised his good arm to shield himself; all the menace in his eyes replaced by terror.

"Spa—"

He didn’t finish the plea.

Bang!

A mighty force crashed down on his uninjured arm.

Crack—a sharp snap as the limb broke.

Next, that unstoppable power pressed down on the shattered arm and, in an instant, struck his chest.

With a brittle crack, his ribs caved in as if they were dry twigs.

Blood spewed from his mouth, soaking the cloth that covered his face.

His body curled like a shrimp, eyes wide with disbelief as Li Mu loomed over him.

He gurgled twice; then, with his eyes still wide, his head lolled to the side—dead.

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