Chapter 3, Ruthless

The cold-hearted one said that this city was originally a stronghold of the Wu Kingdom, and is now a territory of the Zhao Kingdom, located far from the wilderness where Hao'er was abducted. There is no doubt that all of this is a conspiracy. Fortunately, Hao'er is safe and sound

Hao'er stuck out his tongue at me, reverting to the dining etiquette I had previously taught.

Two more men in black joined the fray, while the four men in black holding onto Hao'er and me hurriedly dragged us away. I wanted to resist, but my limbs felt weak, and Hao'er's swordsmanship lacked lethality, leaving us with no choice but to submit to our fate

The sword energy remains domineering, yet the sword techniques have already slowed down. One sword clashes against four, and the merciless sword brows faintly furrow, as if enduring immense pain. Hao'er rushes forward, drawing his sword from its sheath, and fiercely thrusts it into the back of the man in black. Another man in black turns to attack Hao'er, who retreats three steps, his wrist trembling slightly, his gaze flickering uncertainly, swallowing hard in his throat.

The long sword gleamed coldly, exuding an imposing aura. As several sword tips simultaneously thrust towards him, Wu Qing leaned back, blocking with his sword in front of his chest. He then sprang up, leaping straight upwards, sweeping his sword horizontally. The fierce brilliance of the blade pierced through flesh, repelling a group of men in black.

This city is not particularly prosperous, and Wuqing brings rare medicinal herbs and game from the mountains in exchange for the rice and coarse cloth we need. When Wuqing handed a silver sword to Hao'er, Hao'er jumped up in surprise, took the silver sword, and gently caressed it, her pair of ink-black pupils shining brightly.

With great alarm in my heart, I forced myself to calm my mind, "As long as you release my child, I can agree to any request you make."

A faint sound of footsteps came from the left front, barely audible. I did not know what the assailant intended, so I took the initiative to say: "Who has brought me here? Show yourself at once."

Unbeknownst to when, Wu Qing stood in front of the house watching Hao Er dance around like a monkey, with his arms crossed over his chest, making it impossible to discern his expression

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced my eyes, and I felt a chill creeping up to my brow. Turning my head, I saw a long sword already pressed against my neck

I evoke a hint of a cool smile, "Therefore, I am very conflicted"

I was cooking over the fire while Hao'er held a branch, jumping and leaping about. At times he struck this way, and at other times that way, yet he always seemed to miss the mark, occasionally falling to the ground. The teacher who was instructing him in archery taught him some rudimentary swordsmanship, and he practiced it with great enthusiasm, but the teacher's own swordsmanship was quite basic, and he did not learn much.

What you wish for in your heart is not what Hao Er thinks in his heart

It is evident that these individuals in black are well-trained, their attacks are measured, and their coordinated assaults are orderly; they are all exceptional warriors with remarkable skills

Suddenly, a sharp pain struck my neck, and I fainted

I do not know how long I have slept, but as someone who has always been a light sleeper, I was suddenly awakened by a faint sound. Hao'er was no longer in the carriage, and in a state of panic and urgency, I dismounted to search for him. The mountains and fields were eerily silent, and the pure moonlight, like gauze, enveloped the entire world. The army lay on the ground, a dark mass stretching endlessly, utterly still as if lifeless.

The ruthless swordsmanship is far more exquisite than that of Chuno, yet no matter how extraordinary the swordplay may be, can it withstand the vicious techniques of these black-clad individuals?

"Uncle Ruthless, please make an exception just this once. I will definitely follow your teachings, practice swordsmanship diligently, and become an unparalleled swordsman of our time," Hao'er vowed earnestly, showing an unexpected obsession with swordsmanship at such a young age

When I woke up, my whole body was in pain

"Hurry up!" The voice was urgent as he pushed Hao'er away mercilessly

During the meal, Hao'er turned his black eyes a few times and earnestly requested, "Uncle Wuqing, I wish to take you as my master and learn swordsmanship."

The assailant once again covered Hao'er’s mouth, immediately becoming still and silent

He is truly a taciturn and reticent oddity

Hao'er swallowed two bites in a hurry, then wiped his lips with his sleeve, "Mother, I am full now, and I am going to practice swordsmanship."

How did I end up here? Why am I injured? What about Hao'er? Has he been captured by the assailants?

Emotionless, he remained expressionless, only his lips moved slightly as he spoke, "First, rise at the hour of the rabbit each day to practice swordsmanship with me; second, accompany me to the mountains to hunt and return with a load of firewood at noon each day; third, only after chopping firewood at night can one rest"

I see, the faces of those people are gradually becoming clearer in my mind

Two men in black approached to intercept him, but Wu Qing calmly wielded his sword without mercy. Even though these two individuals were more skilled than those who had died, Wu Qing remained confident of victory.

Meng Tianyu returned to the capital with his troops. Half a month later, the army arrived at a flat mountainous area and ordered a rest.

These days are the most serene, simplest, and calmest days of my life

I fell onto the wooden bed, sweat beading on my forehead, biting my lip tightly to suppress the inexplicable pain

In the past month, Hao'er has made remarkable progress in swordsmanship, gaining strength, becoming more robust, and developing a darker complexion. He is able to perform a commendable set of sword techniques, but he lacks practical combat experience, which diminishes their effectiveness. Nevertheless, Hao'er indeed possesses considerable talent in swordsmanship.

I am even more perplexed, urging the horse to advance

Meng Tianyu did not know where to rest, I looked around but could not see Hao'er’s shadow, my heart grew increasingly anxious. Just as I was about to seek Meng Tianyu's help in searching, I suddenly spotted in the distance to the east, a rider galloping away, seemingly with two people on horseback.

In unarmed combat, the ruthless shadow of the hand is mesmerizing, and the leg techniques are ever-changing. Within three moves, the long sword of the man in black is seized with a swift strike.

"I never take on disciples, and besides, I have nothing to teach you," said the cold and indifferent one

He turned and left, swift as the wind, and soon returned with a bowl of dark, thick medicinal soup in hand. He handed me the soup silently and then went out again.

"Why did I take Shao Er as my disciple?" I stood behind him

Suddenly, ahead, a torch lit up, illuminating Hao'er’s terrified face and the masked black-clad villain.

Emotionless and silent, the body is completely stiff

"No. " He spoke in a cold and low tone, "Have another bowl, and rest for a moment after the meal before practicing the sword again"

"How did I teach you on weekdays?" Without emotion, he shouted in a low voice while fighting with two men in black, "Kill him!"

The indifferent one rarely converses with me and shows no sign of disdain regarding our arrival and stay, although I find his attitude quite perplexing, I still feel at ease settling down

Hao'er struggled to shake off my hand, "I want to help my master, I want to kill those bad people..."

I frantically lashed the horse with the whip, hoping to quickly catch up with the assailants ahead

I gently called out, "Hao'er." I signaled him with my eyes not to go too far, "Uncle Wuqing is very busy and has no time to teach you. Besides, what do you want to learn swordsmanship for? To kill chickens or dogs?"

Four men in black released us and engaged in a ruthless battle to the death.

The perpetrator is just one person, why does he not speak? He has captured Hao'er to lead me here, what is his true intention?

The swordsmen of the world, I know nothing of them, as mysterious as he is, piquing my interest

Heartless. Heartless. Heartless.

The clash of blades emitted a sharp ringing sound

What about the perpetrator? What about Hao'er?

A cold and emotionless voice casually sounded, "If you agree to three conditions, I can teach you."

On a morning, the thin mist flows gently through the mountains and fields, the morning breeze is cool, mingling the fragrance of wildflowers with the scent of green grass, refreshing the heart and mind. For many years, I have never experienced such fresh and natural mountain charm, nor have I lived such a relaxed and carefree secluded life, my body feeling loose and languid, allowing me to temporarily cast aside the troubled memories of the past.

As he finished speaking, he rose and knelt down, saying, "Master, I bow to you as your disciple."

My hand slowly tightened, and my palm was full of sweat

I added firewood to the stove, and when I got up, I unexpectedly saw Wuqing supporting Hao'er’s arm, instructing him on how to strike. Under his guidance, Hao'er surprisingly executed a few moves quite skillfully, fluidly and powerfully, making rapid progress

I cannot say I am happy, but I have a sense of fulfillment

I raised my eyes and saw a tall and strong man standing at the door, dressed in coarse black clothing. His disheveled hair obscured his face, yet I felt that his gaze was sharp enough to penetrate through me

After taking the medicine, Haoer fell into a deep sleep, and I only then realized that it was already quite late

The enigmatic figure is indeed shrouded in mystery. Although he lives in seclusion in the mountains, his stature, physique, and demeanor clearly indicate that he is no ordinary rustic. Judging by the swordsmanship he imparted to Hao'er, he must be someone of considerable skill. I cannot help but wonder, who exactly is he? Why does he choose to live in such isolation?

Let it be.

He never inquired about my surname or the matter; it is not that he has no questions or suspicions regarding us mother and son, but rather that he looks down upon knowing and does not wish to know

I hurriedly ran, pulling Hao'er along as we fled without a care, for neither Hao'er nor I could offer him any assistance, only dragging him down.

"Yes, Master." Hao'er went all out, shouting loudly as he launched his attack.

A cold shake of the head, indicating that there is no harm done

I am concerned about Hao'er’s health and have persuaded General Meng to rest here for the night, continuing the march early tomorrow morning

The men in black once again surged forward, their murderous intent intensifying. Meanwhile, the cold, icy aura emanated from the pair of black eyes, obscured by disheveled hair, flickering in and out of visibility. With a sudden twist of the wrist, the long sword was swung, unleashing a dazzling flash of sword light that rang out with a resounding clang

The branches rustle softly, and there seems to be unusual movement among the trees. I sense a murderous intent approaching from behind, swift to the extreme, chilling me to the bone

After nightfall, Hao'er began to develop a fever, which greatly alarmed me, so I summoned the physician from the army to provide treatment

His gaze fell upon me, but it seemed as though I was merely a wall; he was not looking at me, "playing outside."

Hao'er is unwilling to leave, "Then we cannot abandon our master."

However, Hao'er was truly too weak, and his sword techniques lacked any deterrent power, causing him to be forced into a retreat by the man in black. Fortunately, Wu Qing arrived in time, allowing Hao'er to evade that fatal sword strike, though it could be considered a training of his courage.

Unsmiling, profound and indifferent, with disheveled hair obscuring the face, indeed exuding a sense of ruthlessness

Hao'er has been pampered since childhood. Although I hired someone to teach him archery and advised him to strengthen his body, this is still the first time he has experienced such continuous marching day and night. The bumpy carriage, combined with the blazing sun overhead, inevitably makes him feel dizzy, weak, and sweat profusely.

Hao'er was taken aback for a moment, but then immediately agreed without hesitation, "As long as I can take Uncle Wuqing as my master, Hao'er will agree to anything."

Hao'er called out, and Wu Qing eliminated the last man in black, walking towards us step by step

Several leaves gently drift down

You are not wrong in what you say; I hope Hao'er can cultivate excellent martial skills to avoid being bullied in this chaotic world. However, I hope even more that he can live a simple and unremarkable life in the mountains and fields.

It turns out that this person saved us. I sincerely thank you, "Where is Hao'er now?"

After all, still possessing a childlike heart, Hao'er can finally take on a master to learn martial arts, how can he conceal his joy and excitement!

Hao'er kept calling out: "Master ... Master ..."

Hao'er exclaimed excitedly: "Master, he is dead."

I scolded in a low voice: "No nonsense allowed!"

I do not know how much longer such days can last, nor do I know how to choose the path ahead. Should I return to Qin, or should I take Hao'er and retreat from the world to live in seclusion? These two choices have been battling in my heart, how should I decide?

Yet I did not expect that the heavens had already arranged everything for me, leaving me with no choice at all

Now, Hao Er is completely different from Ying Hao in the Wu State's hostage residence; he has shed his caution and repression, becoming lively, active, and innocent.

With a loud bang, he fell to his knees, his longsword clattering to the ground, and blood spurted from his mouth

Seeing that the rider was about to disappear, in a moment of urgency, I disregarded everything else and spurred my horse to pursue

Isn't this what you hoped for? His voice showed no signs of joy or anger

I carefully smelled the medicinal soup and only drank it after confirming its authenticity. Then I examined the injuries on my body; they were all superficial wounds, not serious. However, the injury on my left ankle was more severe, with a purplish-red area, indicating that he had already applied medicine to it.

The sword strikes became increasingly swift, and the sword energy grew ever more intense. Wu Qing seemed intent on a quick resolution, as the sword's edge stirred an exceptionally strong and domineering killing intent, forcing the black-clad figures to retreat step by step. Soon, they launched another attack, but Wu Qing no longer held back. The killing intent surged from his wrist to the sword blade, erupting forth with unstoppable force, resulting in widespread death and injury.

Perhaps it is our good fortune, or perhaps the heavens have not yet allowed us to tread the path to the underworld, thus saving us from our fate.

"Yes, Master." Hao'er obediently sat down and quickly ate.

More than ten of our men in black had been lurking in the shadows, and only when they saw that half of their companions were dead or injured did they finally take action

Facing one against thirty, the situation is dire. Indifferent, he stands quietly, allowing the green leaves to fall. Yet, I sense his aura gradually intensifying. A gust of warm wind sweeps by, his hair gently swaying, the black robe slightly lifting, yet he remains as steadfast as a mountain, unmoved even as the black-clad figures rush towards him.

I leaned wearily against the car wall, closed my eyes, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The sound of the flowing stream is melodious, leaping with fragments of gold, as streaks of white light sweep across.

I perked up my ears, listening intently to the sounds around me, my palms sweating, my heart pounding, almost wanting to leap out of my chest

"Hao'er is doing well, no need to worry." A deep voice suddenly entered the ear without any warning

I see a face concealed beneath the unkempt, merciless hair, evoking a smile that is both faint and elusive

A cold smile, faint and powerless

Unfeelingly, he uttered a "hm" and said no more

Why did the perpetrator do this? What is their intention? Moreover, when Hao'er was abducted, not a single person in the Qin army was alerted. Given Meng Tianyu's vigilance, it is impossible for him to be in such a deep sleep. This fact is indeed puzzling, and the more I think about it, the more alarmed I become. If I am not mistaken, the incident involving Hao'er and me on our way back to Qin was not an accident, but rather a premeditated act.

Hao'er was also captured by the men in black, who threatened us with long swords to force us to go with them

"Master, what is wrong with you?" Hao'er asked in panic as she supported him

Before long, we returned to the mountain.

The assailant released the hand that was over Hao'er’s mouth, and Hao'er shouted: "Mother, save me..."

The shadows of the trees flickered, and dark shapes loomed heavily. I held the reins and slowed my horse, proceeding cautiously. Suddenly, a strange sound broke the silence; it was the night birds taking flight in alarm. For a moment, the bizarre calls echoed in my ears, adding an eerie and terrifying quality to the tranquil forest.

As far as the eye can see, there is a simple bamboo hut, devoid of any decent utensils or seating.

Who is trying to capture my child

According to him, on that day, while he was returning from hunting, he saw me and Hao'er lying unconscious on the grass, with multiple minor injuries, but none were fatal. It seemed we had fallen from the mountain. He said we were very fortunate; falling from such a high mountain, one would normally expect to suffer severe injuries or even death, yet we did not sustain any serious harm

Many times, "not wanting to know" is more wise than "wanting to know"

After resting for three or four days, I am already able to get out of bed. Hao'er only has some abrasions, which are naturally not serious; he spends all day with the man in black. Upon hearing Hao'er call him "Uncle Wuqing," I realized that the man in black is named Wuqing

The wind tousled his disheveled hair, and I saw his face tightly strained, his gaze sharp as a blade

Haoer desperately twisted the assailant's hand, struggling incessantly

I could not resist him and could only stand by and watch.

No one responds, and all is silent.

After a month of recuperation, I have recovered and am now washing clothes and cooking for them. Hao'er and Wuqing have gone up the mountain to hunt, enjoying themselves immensely

Hao'er cheered, "What conditions? I can definitely do it."

Montianyu's conspiracy? Someone's conspiracy in the Qin Palace? The purpose is to prevent Hao'er and me from returning to Qin

On this day, Wu Qing was to go down the mountain to the nearby town to exchange for some rice. Hao Er pleaded with him to take us along, and he agreed

Hao'er lowered his head in grievance and said, "Mother, the child really likes swordsmanship."

Thirty men in black, wielding long swords, with fierce expressions

I have never taken the initiative to bring it up, not because I do not wish to speak, but rather to protect myself and Hao'er.

I saw Hao'er suddenly widen his eyes, filled with a look of horror, making a sound of "wuwuwu" from his mouth

It is not advisable to eat too quickly said Wu Qing coldly

Hao'er felt that we had all stopped, puzzled, and ran back to ask: "Master, why have we stopped?"

Uncertain of how long I had been running, the assailant exhibited peculiar behavior, at times urging his horse to gallop swiftly, and at other times deliberately slowing down, always maintaining a distance that was neither too far nor too close. After a short while, the assailant dashed into the woods, and I followed suit, galloping into the darkness, where the path ahead became obscured.

Feeling anxious in my heart, I forced myself to get up, but as soon as my feet touched the ground, I realized that my ankle was in severe pain, making it impossible for me to move.

While passing through the mountain village by the stream, Hao'er, who was running in the front, was bouncing along, when Wuqing, who was walking in the middle, suddenly came to a halt. I also stopped in my tracks, focusing intently to listen.

On that afternoon, he ascended the mountain with indifference, returning only near dusk. Indeed, he came back carrying a load of firewood, and after dinner, he tirelessly chopped the wood despite his fatigue

When the relentless pursuer caught up, only four men in black remained, but I noticed that he seemed to be injured and lacked strength.

Emotionlessly standing beneath the starry sky, as if a stone sculpture timeless and distant

The night sky over the mountains and fields is adorned with countless brilliant stars, while the vast Milky Way emits a glow that is either faint or sparkling. As time flows, the heavens and the earth remain eternal

Hao Er watched the battle intently, with a face full of admiration and reverence

I breathed a sigh of relief, as the earlier heart-stopping moments of danger and fear dissipated. At the same time, I was astonished to realize that the ruthless swordsmanship was exquisite, far beyond my expectations. Although I know little about swordsmanship, such skill must belong to one of the top swordsmen in the world today