Chapter 6, Emotional Investment

His exceptional skill indicated that this strike would be successful, and Zhao Kuo would lose his ability to resist. At this moment, he felt a bit hesitant; should he kill Zhao Kuo or not? This was a question.

Li Mu's expression changed dramatically upon seeing the ragged roadblock. He whispered in Zhao Kuo's ear: "Young Master, be careful, he is a master from the Mo family, and has previously hunted me down. His swordsmanship is exceptional"

Zhao Kuo treated the wound on Li Mu's leg with Sanqi grass, then turned and said: "Come up, this is not a place to linger; we cannot guarantee that those assassins do not have accomplices nearby"

With the saber in hand, Zhao Kuo coldly gazed at the assassins before him. The assassins silently watched Zhao Kuo and Li Mu, aware of Zhao Kuo's identity due to the events in Handan City. However, this assassination attempt had already received the approval of Lord Zhao Sheng of Pingyuan. Zhao Sheng had stated that if Zhao Kuo interfered with this operation, the assassins need not consider Zhao Kuo's identity and could kill him on the spot.

"You, who are devoid of virtue, should be the one unable to survive." Gao Chao suddenly shouted loudly, brandishing his sword as he charged towards Zhao Kuo, resembling a fierce tiger descending the mountain, intent on tearing Zhao Kuo and Li Mu to shreds

The old servant of the Zhao residence was startled to see Zhao Kuo, covered in blood, carrying someone as he entered through the back door, and said: "Second Young Master ... ... "

"Young Master, has Li Mu made things difficult for you?" Li Mu asked upon seeing Zhao Kuo return. He had only learned today that the person who had been relentlessly pursuing him to seize the secrets of the Mo family was Zhao Sheng, a powerful minister of the Zhao state. Everyone, even a three-year-old child, knew how influential Zhao Sheng was in Zhao. If his own troubles were to cause difficulties for Zhao Kuo and the Zhao family, it was certainly not Li Mu's intention.

One misstep leads to another, and the spirit of Zhao Kuo's recklessness has resulted in a series of dire consequences. Gao Chao, seizing the opportunity, is merciless in his pursuit, striving to inflict wounds upon Zhao Kuo. Before long, Zhao Kuo's appearance becomes even more disheveled than Gao Chao's, truly embodying the phrase "blood-stained elegance"

Hello

Which general is on duty at the city? Zhao Kuo arrived at the foot of the city, feeling somewhat reluctant; now he could only try to see if the reputation of Ma Fu Jun was effective or not

Clang.

Zhao Kuo held a dozen or so wooden spears, each as thick as a finger. He hurled these spears like javelins, and his sudden appearance caught the assailants off guard, resulting in three of them being impaled on the spot. This also pulled Li Mu back from the brink of death

A good man aspires to the four corners of the world; how can he set his ambitions to be a servant? From now on, do not speak such unambitious words again, do you understand? Zhao Kuo said, pretending to be angry

"Change out of your clothes. Wait for the hot water to arrive before wiping yourself down. Get a good night's sleep tonight, and your injuries will feel much better by tomorrow morning." Zhao Kuo came in and handed a set of clothes to Li Mu.

Zhao Kuo nodded and said, "Mother, you can rest assured! When Father returns, I still want to give him a surprise!" Seeing Yan Shu smile and give him a glare, her eyes filled with a mother's love for her son, Zhao Kuo suddenly felt that having parents to care for him was not so bad after all

Li Mu looked at Zhao Kuo's back, and his nose involuntarily tinged with a sense of bitterness. The disparity in their social status was immense, and he had even deceived Zhao Kuo. Yet, Zhao Kuo seemed completely unconcerned, instead risking his life once more to save him. This left Li Mu so grateful that he was at a loss for words, and he choked out, "My lord... I can still walk..."

Zhao Kuo did not wish to give the assassins a moment's respite; his knife, fists, and legs were all fully engaged, swirling among the assassins like a force of a level 10 typhoon. By the time Zhao Kuo came to a halt, the assassins were either dead or severely injured, while Zhao Kuo himself was splattered with blood, resembling a bloodthirsty demon

The swords clashed several times, with the skilled ones merely grazing and retreating, fearing that their treasured swords might be damaged. However, Zhao Kuo still felt the power transmitted through the sword, nearly sending his military knife flying on several occasions

Zhao Kuo would certainly not stand there waiting to be slaughtered; he exerted himself to throw Li Mu aside and instead rolled towards the ground using the momentum.

Zhao Kuo looked up and said, "Inform the commanding general that Zhao She’s son, the Marquis of Ma, is here; please ask him to come out and speak." After Zhao Kuo finished speaking, he noticed a commotion on the city wall; it seemed that the title of Marquis of Ma was quite effective.

After Li Mu fell to the ground, he felt a darkness above his head and discovered that Gao Chao was descending with a sword in hand. Faced with this unavoidable strike, Li Mu could only await his fate, but just as the sharp blade was about to pierce his body, the sound of clashing metal rang in his ears

Gao Chao chuckled twice, reaching for the iron sword at his waist. With the sword in hand, Gao Chao appeared much more coordinated. Although he did not exude any so-called killing intent, everyone knew that if he did not strike, it would be fine, but once he did, it would be a lethal move

Le Xian heard Zhao Kuo's shout, and by the time he descended to the city, Zhao Kuo's figure had already vanished. He couldn't help but laugh, saying, "What is this kid up to?"

Li Mu sat up with great difficulty and said, "Young Master... the secret techniques of the墨者 family actually..." Upon seeing Zhao Kuo's current state, Li Mu felt that he owed the other party far too much. The only thing he could offer at this moment was the secret techniques of the墨者 family.

The so-called "earthen cannon" is a handful of soil that Zhao Kuo picked up on the spot. The soil is loose and dry, and as soon as it is thrown, it raises a cloud of dust. It is quite fitting to call it an earthen cannon, and moreover, this earthen cannon has considerable lethality. Those who have not experienced such unscrupulous tactics are immediately caught off guard, with their eyes being struck directly by the earthen cannon.

The superb offensive was like a storm, with the sword striking towards Zhao Kuo's throat like lightning in a tempest. The blade was at times sharp as thunder, at times drifting like willow catkins. Zhao Kuo could not have imagined that someone dressed like a beggar would possess such formidable martial skills, truly exemplifying the saying that one should not judge by appearances.

Li Mu took the clothes and had not yet spoken when someone outside the door said: "Second Young Master, the Madam requests your presence."

If this continues, he will surely perish. Zhao Kuo did not know how many swords he had endured; the blood flowing from his wounds must have exceeded 300 CC. He stole a glance at Li Mu beside him and found that although Li Mu was trembling uncontrollably, his gaze was sharp, indicating that he was looking for an opportunity to assist. However, given Li Mu's condition, joining in would only complicate matters.

Gao Chao retracted his sword, and upon closer inspection, he noticed a grain-sized nick on the blade. The treasured sword, which he valued above his own life, had been damaged, causing him to fly into a rage. Li Mu, who was outside the situation, remained indifferent, but Zhao Kuo felt as if he had been struck by lightning, as if he could see the unnamed fury towering three thousand zhang behind Gao Chao.

Zhao Kuo saw that only this one "hero" was blocking his way and thought nothing of it. He arrogantly said, "Since you know my father is Zhao She, why don't you quickly clear the road? I have just killed someone and shed blood; don't get in my way."

Upon hearing Li Mu mention the secrets of the Mo family, Zhao Kuo immediately understood what Li Mu intended to convey. Although Zhao Kuo was also eager to see what was written in the Mo family's secrets, whether there were invincible sword techniques, he decided to accept the current situation with a sense of gratitude and to take a long-term approach. To put it more bluntly, Zhao Kuo's treatment of Li Mu could be seen as an emotional investment; he had already won Li Mu's friendship, and sooner or later, there would come a day when he would have the opportunity to see the Mo family's secrets.

The assassins did not anticipate that Zhao Kuo would be so swift. Before the assassin could react, Zhao Kuo had already lunged in front of him, the sharp military knife swiftly slicing across the assassin's neck. Before the blood could spurt out, Zhao Kuo had already pounced on the next target

Li Mu had once escaped death at the hands of Gao Chao and was well aware of Gao Chao's formidable nature. He and Zhao Kuo had just gone through a fierce battle; although they were not completely exhausted, they were not in a much better state either. Faced with such a powerful enemy, he could not help but feel a sense of impending doom.

Upon hearing that the person on the city wall was Le Xian, Zhao Kuo joyfully said, "I am Zhao Kuo. I have urgent matters to attend to at the residence, and I hope Vice Commander Le can assist me." Le Xian is the eldest son of Le Yi. Since Le Yi was abandoned by King Yan, he returned to Handan. King Zhao Huiwen treated Le Yi well, granting him the title of Wang Zhu Jun. Moreover, Le Yi had a close friendship with Zhao She. Upon learning that Le Xian was on duty tonight, Zhao Kuo realized that there was hope for using this back door.

Without any warning, Zhao Kuo sprang forward like a robust kangaroo, lunging at the nearest assassin. Zhao Kuo's tactic was to achieve a swift resolution; he did not seek to kill, but aimed to end the battle in the shortest possible time. He was unaware if these assassins had any further plans. Should he and Li Mu find themselves surrounded by the assassins again, they would likely not be so fortunate.

A kind word warms three winters; upon hearing Zhao Kuo's words, Li Mu felt as if there were a small stove roasting in his heart, providing a warm and comfortable sensation. Before he could express his feelings again, Zhao Kuo turned and left.

As expected, Le Xian showed no hesitation and instructed, "Young Master Kuo, please wait a moment. Someone, open the city gate."

Zhao Kuo kept his thoughts to himself, but his words were anything but forgiving. He laughed and said, "You must be from a distinguished family of scholars, right? Just look at your attire; can you not afford to dress better?"

Zhao Kuo waved his hand and said, "I am not dead yet! Help me tend to my wounds; I am almost like a fishing net."

Upon hearing that Yan Shu was looking for him, Zhao Kuo quickly changed out of his blood-stained clothes and said, "Li Mu, you stay here for a moment; I will be back shortly."

With a single strike, Zhao Kuo showed no mercy as his military knife flew towards Gao Chao's neck. Poor Gao Chao thus became a victim of Zhao Kuo's blade. Both fell to the ground, but one was still alive while the other had already been decapitated.

"It won't be so easy if you want to leave; you might as well hand over your belongings! For the sake of General Zhao She, I will spare your lives." As Zhao Kuo carried Li Mu out of the woods, he soon saw a person who resembled the leader of the Beggar's Sect blocking the path in the middle.

With a masterful strike failing, the body twists and leaps into the air

Li Mu did not miss the opportunity to ruthlessly strike the drowning dog; not a single wooden spear in his hand was wasted. Those assassins who were still groaning were all pinned to the ground by him. This series of actions left him panting for breath, and even the excruciating pain in his calves felt significantly alleviated.

Zhao Kuo assisted Gao Chao in resolving the dilemma of whether to kill or not. Suddenly, the fallen Zhao Kuo sprang to his feet, raised his left hand vigorously, and shouted: "Look at the earth cannon"

Although the assassins were slightly delayed, they were by no means lambs to be slaughtered. Especially the leading assassin, whose iron sword traced a most peculiar arc as it lunged towards Zhao Kuo's ribs, aiming to stifle Zhao Kuo's momentum.

Li Mu's face instantly turned red as he took the wooden spear and said, "Young Master, rest assured..." He wanted to say more, but he did not know what else to say.

Gao Chao skillfully utilized the flexibility of his sword, completely suppressing Zhao Kuo's ability to retaliate. Years of diligent practice had honed his combat techniques, allowing Gao Chao to effectively evade the threat posed by Zhao Kuo's military saber. He felt a strong curiosity about the oddly shaped weapon in Zhao Kuo's hand and resolved that after dealing with Zhao Kuo, he would certainly take the opportunity to examine it closely.

In the night, Zhao Kuo watched as the city gate closed in the distance and cursed under his breath. He was afraid that the city would be locked down, but despite his hurried run, he still arrived too late. It was truly a shame for all the sweat he had worked up.

Li Mu did not expect Zhao Kuo to make a remarkable comeback; the seemingly fatal situation was completely reversed due to the earth cannon. Seeing Zhao Kuo fall to the ground, his heart sank. He hurriedly approached Zhao Kuo and said anxiously: "Young Master ... ... "

Yan Shu sighed and said, "Kua'er, I heard that when you returned just now, not only were you covered in blood, but you were also carrying a stranger. What exactly happened?"

Li Mu was deeply moved to the point of tears by Zhao Kuo's actions, and he excitedly said: "The kindness of the young master is something Li Mu will never forget in this lifetime. I am willing to serve the young master with my life..."

Haha ... ...

Zhao Kuo laboriously raised his arm to take a look; the wound had already scabbed over, and it seemed that it would be completely healed in no time. This was a phenomenon that completely contradicted the laws of nature. Could it be ...? ... the result of the fundamental factors? Only this explanation seems reasonable

Strength does not allow for the slightest deception; the gap between Zhao Kuo and Gao Chao is not trivial. Initially, they could compete on equal footing, but as physical strength waned, the situation became increasingly dire. Zhao Kuo's physical endurance is inferior to that of Gao Chao, yet human intelligence can extend and transform infinitely, even determining life and death, for it is intelligence that governs the body

Ah! Li Mu let out a painful groan and said: "Young Master, over there is the three-seven herb, which can stop the bleeding"

"Stop wasting time, hurry up. If we encounter another assassin, we won't be so lucky. Move quickly," Zhao Kuo urged.

After Zhao Kuo understood, he smiled and said, "Why talk about those external matters? First, let's see if the injury is serious." As he spoke, he got up to check Li Mu's injury

Zhao Kuo and Li Mu exchanged glances and burst into laughter. Zhao Kuo noticed that Li Mu's smile was quite unique, and upon closer inspection, he discovered that there was a crossbow bolt lodged in Li Mu's leg. He hurried over and used his military knife to shave off the arrowhead, saying, "Li Mu, bear with the pain..." Just as Zhao Kuo finished speaking, the broken arrow had already been pulled out.

Zhao Kuo was originally a mental laborer, adept at creating conditions favorable to himself. When he believed that continuing to engage with Gao Chao would surely lead to losses or even death, he began to contemplate ways to turn the tide of battle. However, the consequences of a lack of focus at such a critical moment were extremely severe. Zhao Kuo merely pondered for a moment, resulting in a wound approximately two inches long on his shoulder. Although it was a flesh wound, it caused Zhao Kuo considerable pain, making him grimace.

Not long after, a head popped out from the city wall, saying: "I am Le Xian, the Deputy Commander of the City Guard. Is the young master Kuo down there?"

Yan Shu, upon hearing Zhao Kuo say this, found it inappropriate to voice her reproaches and said: "As long as you are aware of the situation, that is sufficient. Your father will be returning soon, and he is quite strict with you. Do not engage in actions that would provoke his anger, otherwise, even your mother will not be able to assist you"

Zhao Kuo gave Li Mu a look that conveyed his complete understanding. Who was he trying to save? It was Li Mu! If Li Mu were to die just like that, Zhao Kuo would immediately feel as though a label of historical sinner was affixed to his forehead. Moreover, providing timely assistance is always more heartfelt than adding embellishments to an already flourishing situation. Having a friend like Li Mu, or even a brother, is beneficial and harmless for Zhao Kuo.

Zhao Kuo struck the exquisite sword with his military knife and said: "Isn't Mozi advocating benevolence? How can you still lay hands on the wounded? If Mozi were to find out, be careful he might jump out of his coffin to teach you a lesson for being such an unfilial disciple"

Zhao Kuo pondered for a moment and said, "Mother, I have my own ideas about this matter. You can rest assured that I will not cause any trouble. What I am doing will bring great benefits to our Zhao family. Don't you trust Kuo?" Zhao Kuo knew that such words lacked persuasiveness, but he could not say that the person he was saving would later become the undefeated war god of the Warring States. He feared that if he spoke such words, not only would no one believe him, but they might also suspect that he had mental issues.

In the real world, it is impossible for individuals to exist like the martial arts masters depicted in novels. During the cold weapon era, human physical strength was the sole medium of combat, complemented by the weapons used. This inevitably meant that each person had a limit to their combat capabilities. For instance, Zhao Kuo's current combat limit allows him to remain undefeated against thirty ordinary individuals who have not undergone any martial training. In contrast, a highly skilled combatant could easily handle one hundred to one hundred eighty ordinary people. This forms the comparative system of individual strength during the cold weapon era. Claims of being able to topple a mountain with a single punch or being invincible against thousands are likely to exist only in the realm of imagination.

After Zhao Kuo entered the city, he did not dare to meet with Le Xian. Behind him was Li Mu, who was determined to achieve his goals under the auspices of Pingyuan Jun. It would be better to return home quickly, but Zhao Kuo still shouted loudly: "Thank you, Deputy Commander Le. I, Zhao Kuo, am grateful for your kindness. I will treat you to a drink another day"

Zhao Kuo laughed and said, "What is there to be troubled about? Just rest here and recover from your injuries!" Zhao Kuo thought to himself, even if Zhao Sheng knew that Li Mu was in his home, would he still dare to come and take him away? The title "Marquis of Ma" is not just a mere title. However, the unexpected turn of events that occurred the next day left Zhao Kuo somewhat unprepared

Li Mu quickly checked Zhao Kuo's injuries. When he lifted Zhao Kuo's tattered clothing, he was taken aback and exclaimed, "Young Master, the wounds are no longer bleeding..."

"Stop talking nonsense and close the door," Zhao Kuo said as he walked towards his room with Li Mu. Once inside, both of them lay down on the floor and immediately began to chuckle.

Zhao Kuo, confident in his military knife's ability to cut through gold and jade, struck fiercely at his opponent's iron sword. At the moment the military knife severed the iron sword, his fist also landed heavily on the opponent's jaw, knocking out two of their teeth

To sacrifice a pawn to protect the chariot, Zhao Kuo believed this was the only strategy he could employ at the moment. When the exquisite sword once again traced a red line across his shoulder blade, Zhao Kuo did not dodge as he had before; instead, he advanced, pressing against the exquisite sword and falling down. The consequence of this action was that the exquisite sword made a counter-cut, leaving a nearly one-foot-long gash on Zhao Kuo's back

"Is there something you need from me?" Zhao Kuo entered Yan Shu's room and noticed that her complexion was not very good.

When small animals encounter their natural enemies, they often become paralyzed, even standing there in a daze, which is a manifestation of extreme fear. This was the first time Zhao Kuo experienced such a feeling; he realized that the so-called invisible killing intent often mentioned in novels was not unfounded. Faced with an overwhelming aura, he truly felt his legs weaken, yet he did not dare to act rashly, for the initiative was not in his hands. This was the first time Zhao Kuo experienced such a feeling; he realized that the so-called invisible killing intent often mentioned in novels was not unfounded. Faced with an overwhelming aura, he truly felt his legs weaken, yet he did not dare to act rashly, for the initiative was not in his hands

Li Mu, seeing Zhao Kuo's insistence, also recognized that Zhao Kuo was right. He had no choice but to grit his teeth and climb onto Zhao Kuo's back. Although he did not say anything, he secretly vowed that he would never forget this kindness from Zhao Kuo for the rest of his life

Zhao Kuo relied on his sword to confront the enemy, his steps moving faster than a rabbit, and his defense was quite stable and secure.

Zhao Kuo did not wish to turn Li Mu into his subordinate. If a single word from him were to cause Li Mu to vanish from the annals of Warring States history, it would indeed be a grave sin. When everyone comes to recognize Li Mu's prowess, how fulfilling it would be for Li Mu to stand up and call him brother!

Zhao Kuo began practicing martial arts with his father Zhao She at the age of five. By the age of seven, he had already become Zhao She's sword attendant. For over a decade, he practiced diligently without pause, and his skills had become quite remarkable. Moreover, the enhancement from the special potion significantly improved Zhao Kuo's physical abilities and potential, to the extent that he was unaware of the full extent of his martial prowess. This was also the source of his confidence in daring to rescue Li Mu

What the assassins never expected was that the person they thought was a soft target had turned into a hedgehog. Since they entered the woods, they have already lost more than ten men. Originally the hunters, they now appear more like the prey of others

"Do not be so reckless in the future; think about the consequences before making any decisions, otherwise I will think you lack common sense." Zhao Kuo handed the remaining wooden spears to Li Mu and instructed, "Use these to keep an eye on them, so they do not launch any surprise attacks again." Setting up the crossbows takes time, which is clearly slower than throwing javelins, thus Zhao Kuo was not afraid of the assassins' ambushes. He believed that Li Mu would ensure those assassins were pierced by javelins before they could finish loading their crossbows.

The soldiers on the city wall poked their heads out and said: "Go back! The city gates have been closed. Come back early tomorrow to enter the city."