Chapter 36: If the World is Unjust, Then Raise the Butcher's Blade Yourself!

At this moment, everyone stared in stunned silence at the severed head of the barbarian chieftain wrapped in white cloth. They were unaccustomed to such gruesome sights.

In stark contrast, Jiang Changhong’s pupils contracted sharply. He recognized the head instantly—it was the very barbarian leader with whom he had been trading. To think that someone had actually decapitated him! A jolt of terror ran through Jiang. If this were known... did it not mean his dealings with the barbarians had been exposed?

His breathing grew ragged as he scanned his surroundings. "Who is it? Get out here! Stop playing these games!"

At his roar, Su Mu leaped down from the second floor and stood before him, his expression indifferent. "Playing games? Corporal Jiang, I think you’ve misspoken. As for this man’s identity, I believe you know it all too well."

Jiang Changhong clenched his teeth, his face turning an unsightly shade of pale. So, it was true! He had suspected this had something to do with Su Mu. "What exactly do you want?" he hissed through gritted teeth.

Su Mu spread his hands, fixing Jiang with a meaningful gaze. "If you don't want people to know, you shouldn't have done it in the first place. Do you really think you can hide your dirty secrets? By tomorrow, the news of your collusion with the barbarians will spread throughout Qinghe Town."

Jiang Changhong’s pupils constricted, and he staggered back, his body trembling involuntarily. He pointed a finger at Su Mu, furious. "Fine! Just you wait! This isn’t over!"

He turned and stormed off in a rage. He knew he had to flee Qinghe Town before the news spread, or else Lei Yan and Chen Jun would surely use him as a scapegoat. As he departed, the others followed one by one, leaving only Song Hui and Su Mu in the hall.

Watching Jiang’s retreating figure, Song Hui shook her head and sighed helplessly. "By offending such a petty man, you’ve likely invited a great threat that will strike when you least expect it."

Su Mu narrowed his eyes and chuckled softly. "A threat? That’s only if he makes it back to the capital." He glanced at the long saber at his waist, his fingers tracing the blade. "After today, he will surely flee Qinghe Town under the cover of night to reach the capital. As long as he dies on the road..."

Song Hui gasped. She hadn’t expected Su Mu to take direct action. "I understand what you mean. If that is the case, I suggest you prepare yourself. Once people from the capital arrive, you’ll need a foolproof plan."

Su Mu nodded. "Rest assured. I have already made arrangements regarding Jiang Changhong. Regardless of what he chooses, he will not escape death today."

Song Hui felt a sense of helplessness. "By the way, how was your mission? Since you led it yourself, you must have reaped quite a harvest." She looked at him with curiosity. Given Jiang’s reaction, the barbarian leader was clearly no small fry, which suggested that the number of barbarians Su Mu’s group had engaged was significant.

"We killed a thousand barbarians and captured six hundred warhorses. It’s a pity that three of our men were seriously wounded; I consider that a failure."

Song Hui covered her lips, staring at him in shock. A thousand? Six hundred horses? Was this for real? "How many were killed in action?" she asked, trying to steady herself.

"Killed?" Su Mu shrugged nonchalantly. "None."

Song Hui took a deep breath, completely stunned. If this feat were to reach the public, it would cause a massive stir. To many in the Great Liang, the barbarians were elite warriors—demons who devoured men whole. Yet, Su Mu had led a newly formed unit of barely a hundred men to overcome impossible odds and slaughter over a thousand barbarians. It was a miracle.

"It seems I should congratulate you in advance. With this merit, you are certain to be promoted," Song Hui said with deep emotion. She had placed her bets on Su Mu because of his ability, and it appeared her judgment had been exceptionally sound.

...

Outside Qinghe Town, Jiang Changhong rode his horse, looking back toward the town with eyes full of resentment. "That bastard Su Mu! When I return to the capital, I will make you pay! And that woman, Song Hui! I will make you regret the day you were born!"

Just then, a flash of lightning illuminated the night, turning the sky as bright as day. In that brief radiance, a figure appeared on a nearby hillside. Jiang’s pupils shrank in disbelief. "Who’s there!" he shouted, stopping his horse and drawing his sword, his heart pounding.

Under his gaze, the figure slowly drew a long blade and began to walk toward him, step by step. Jiang swallowed hard. "Who are you trying to scare? I am the second young master of the Jiang family! If you dare touch me, you’re asking for death!"

As he spoke, the figure charged. Another bolt of lightning tore across the sky. In the close quarters, Jiang finally saw the figure beneath the black cloak. The person leaped into the air, severed the horse’s legs in one swift motion, and then, in a smooth, fluid movement, struck downward at Jiang.

The blow was clean and decisive. Before Jiang could even react, he felt a sharp pain in his neck and tumbled from the horse, unable to believe he was dying at the hands of a commoner.

Looking down at the fallen man, the figure in black sheathed the blade and vanished back into the darkness.

Late that night, in the Xilin Army camp, Lei Yan rubbed his temples while looking at an elderly man. "What do you make of Jiang Changhong’s collusion with the barbarians?"

The old man nodded gravely. "It is most likely true. Jiang has always been idle, and since his arrival, all our tactical deployments have been seen through by the barbarians. I had suspected him before, but as the second son of the Jiang family, moving against him without evidence would have had dire consequences."

Lei Yan snorted, his hands behind his back. "So, he must have caught wind of the rumors and fled the city, hoping to make it back to the capital."

"General," the old man asked, "if he hadn't fled, how would you have handled him?"

Lei Yan raised his hand to make a throat-slitting gesture, but paused and lowered it. "I would have sent him back to the capital to await the Emperor’s decree. But in all likelihood, he would have only received a reprimand; his father would have found some way to protect him." Lei Yan sighed. In this world, some things were simply unjust.

Just then, a soldier rushed in, looking terrified. "General, there is trouble! Corporal Jiang... he is dead!"