Chapter 19: Mercy for the Brave!

The massive figure descended from the air with a series of creaks, followed by the landing of five more men, each one brawny and robust.

The small courtyard suddenly seemed packed to capacity. A dark, gloomy presence filled the space; all six intruders were clad in night-traveling black garments and masked with black cloth.

Yet, the gleaming blades in their hands caught the moonlight, radiating a chilling, murderous intent.

Su Wu did not falter. Reacting with lightning speed, he stepped back until he stood at the threshold of the main hall, demanding, "Who goes there?"

The massive figure took a step forward. He spoke in a hoarse, terrifying voice: "Since we are face-to-face, Captain Su, someone wants your life and has hired us to collect it. My apologies."

This was hardly unexpected, nor was there need to guess the culprit. Su Wu merely asked, "What is the price?"

"For your life, five hundred strings of cash. And there is a bonus—his life—for one hundred strings." The giant, wielding a heavy broadsword, took another step forward, clearly brimming with confidence.

Behind Su Wu, a voice rang out: "Who is the bonus?"

"Haha... you are the bonus," the giant replied.

Wu Song had clearly awakened, his alertness sharp. Upon hearing he was merely a "bonus," his temper flared instantly, as if he intended to stride past Su Wu and out of the hall in a single move.

Li Cheng also emerged, clutching a quilt. Su Wu immediately commanded, "Xiao Cheng, go back inside. Do not let Donghuan come out."

Li Cheng obeyed, clutching the quilt and turning back into the room.

The giant remarked, "Two more? I won't charge for them; consider them a gift."

"May I ask for the hero's name?" Su Wu inquired, seemingly entirely unperturbed.

The masked giant stepped forward once more, bringing the threshold of the hall well within the reach of his massive broadsword.

He then tore the black cloth from his face, revealing a visage over two meters tall, covered in bristling whiskers and coarse, bulging flesh.

The giant answered, "It is not that I insist on hiding my head and tail, but the one who paid is overly cautious. I do not fear letting you know—I am Yu Baosi, known in the underworld as the 'God of the Dangerous Path.' When you become ghosts, do not report the wrong name."

Yu Baosi, the God of the Dangerous Path?

In the legends of the Water Margin, the future ranking of the one hundred and eight heroes of Mount Liang placed Yu Baosi at one hundred and fifth, corresponding to the Earth-Health Star.

To encounter him so suddenly—it seemed this man truly possessed formidable skills in the underworld; no wonder he was so confident. Such a notorious bandit, coming at night to slay a minor captain of the county yamen, had every reason to be this self-assured.

"What god of the dangerous path? You are but a dog, a pig! You dare to call yourself my grandfather? To me, you are nothing but a clown, a soul already destined for the underworld!"

Wu Song was enraged. He had already turned back to his couch to retrieve his short saber. Still reeking of wine, he stood before his brother, Su Wu, waiting only for a command.

Wu Song’s torso was half-bare, his muscles taut and rippling as if they might burst through his skin. He crouched, saber in hand, like a tiger or leopard ready to pounce.

Su Wu murmured, "Shandong is truly a land of heroes!"

Yu Baosi, who had been wielding his broadsword with one hand, shifted to a two-handed grip, holding it horizontally. He looked back and ordered, "Surround them! Let me kill them one by one!"

Su Wu stepped out of the hall and onto the stone steps. Wu Song leaped forward, shouting, "You are far too noisy!"

The official saber of the county yamen was drawn; it was of poor quality and poorly sharpened, failing to reflect even a sliver of the cold moonlight.

Wu Song lunged, and Yu Baosi swung his massive blade, roaring with confidence, "You have guts!"

*Clang!*

The blades clashed in the air, sending sparks flying.

Yu Baosi’s frame faltered, and Wu Song stood his ground. Despite the vast difference in their physical stature, they had traded a blow, and Wu Song had not lost an inch of ground.

Yu Baosi’s eyes widened in surprise. "This bonus actually has some skill."

Wu Song said nothing. He glanced at the large notch that had appeared in his saber, then moved again with speed unmatched by any tiger or leopard.

In the dark of night, sparks flew again. Yu Baosi faltered once more, and as he looked down, he saw Wu Song rolling directly beneath his feet.

What kind of underworld figure was Yu Baosi? Panic flared in his heart. He swung his broadsword down, desperate to catch the rolling Wu Song.

"Ah!!!"

In an instant, Yu Baosi let out a miserable scream. His body went limp, and he dropped to one knee. The two-meter-tall giant was suddenly reduced to a height of one meter seventy.

Wu Song, who had rolled away, stood upright, his saber stained a vivid red.

"Is that all your ability? Relying on your size to intimidate people?" Wu Song laughed, flicking his blade to shed the droplets of blood, showing no sign of haste.

Looking at Yu Baosi, the calf of his right leg was a mess of gore. Yu Baosi’s reaction was swift: "Attack together!"

The five shadows rushed toward Wu Song, their five long blades gleaming with lethal sharpness.

Su Wu, already armed with his own saber, charged forward. In a fight for survival, he threw caution to the wind—he would not be looked down upon.

In the dark of night, a cacophony of clashing steel and the grating, skin-crawling friction of weapons echoed through the yard.

Two masked men fell to the ground. Su Wu lunged forward; his blade work was unrefined, relying on wide, protective strokes while he delivered lightning-fast kicks, striking another man down.

He did not pause for the fallen, instead pressing forward with his blade. With two swift slashes, blood sprayed into the night. It did not seem grotesque; Su Wu felt only the wet, searing heat of it splashing across his face.

Suddenly, screams filled the air. In the street, dogs began to bark incessantly, and many who had been sleeping were startled awake.

Looking back, Yu Baosi had actually forced himself to stand despite the pain, swinging his massive broadsword in a horizontal sweep.

This was Su Wu’s first time killing in such a manner. Relying on his subconscious combat instincts, he rolled on the ground and slashed at Yu Baosi’s legs.

Yu Baosi retreated toward the hall, finally realizing that the "main target" and the "bonus" were both extraordinarily dangerous.

Five hundred strings for one, one hundred for the other!

*Damn it, I’ve been cheated!*

Before Su Wu even stood up, he leaped forward, his saber held high. He hadn't learned much from Wu Song in these two days, but he had mastered the art of wide, powerful strikes—a "Mountain Splitting" blow.

Yu Baosi, his legs hindered, retreated further and raised his broadsword to block.

*Clang!*

Metal struck metal, the sparks illuminating their faces. Su Wu saw Yu Baosi’s face clearly—it was twisted in terror.

In Yu Baosi’s eyes, he saw not only Su Wu but also Wu Song, who had just finished off two more men and was turning back.

Of the six, only Yu Baosi remained.

Su Wu’s face was covered in red. He raised his blade and struck again!

Wu Song, half-naked and drenched in blood, his eyes glinting with ferocity, also turned to strike!

"Hero, spare my life!"

The words escaped Yu Baosi’s lips almost instinctively.

"The King of Hell may know you, but my blade does not!" Wu Song roared from behind.

Before him, Su Wu’s blade descended.