Chapter 95

"Ah...!!!"

The screams began last night and continued until dawn. The heart-wrenching cries were filled with exhaustion, pain, regret, and pleas for mercy... They no longer sounded human.

Inside the Peach Blossom Fort.

Tong Wei knelt before the bodies of his parents, utterly dazed. His tightly clenched fists had his nails piercing his palms, blood flowing steadily, but he was completely unaware.

Tong Rui held the two children, Tong Ying and Tong Wu, who had cried themselves to sleep, still trembling with fear, forgetting the injuries on her neck and forehead... Shan Xiongxin had saved her life, but could not ensure her safety. The injury on her neck was an accident, caused by the wolf-tooth spikes on the golden-nailled spear.

Every time he heard the screams from the house, Zhai Rang's heart couldn't help but twitch. He muttered softly, "Inside... is everything okay? This can't go on... Killing someone is just a matter of a nod, isn't it... too much?"

"What's not okay? What's this and that?" Shan Xiongxin glared at Zhai Rang and snorted, "The hatred for my brother's killer is as deep as the sky! If I...," his voice suddenly dropped, his eyes filled with frustration and disappointment, then turned to immense anger, gritting his teeth, "If I ever catch the villain who killed my brother, I will torture him for three days and three nights before my brother's spirit, and then cut off his head to pay respects!"

Shan Xiongxin, known as "Second Master Shan" in the martial world, was the second son in his family, with an elder brother and a younger sister. Years ago, his elder brother was unjustly killed in the Taiyuan region. Due to the high status of the killer, he could do nothing, and thus harbored deep hatred, becoming a bandit and making many friends, all while hoping for the day he could avenge his brother's death. Now, seeing Wu Fan's brother and sister-in-law killed, and feeling somewhat responsible, he could only imagine the pain and guilt in his heart—full of sympathy and remorse.

"Ah...!"

Sighing deeply, Shan Xiongxin walked to Tong Wei's side, helping to tidy up the clothes and appearance of the Tong Jian couple. He patted Tong Wei's broad shoulder hard and said, "Child! Learn martial arts well from the Heavenly King to avenge your parents! " He paused, looking into Tong Wei's eyes, "This... is not your uncle's fault. It's our fault, and the fault of the Maitreya Sect's villains... Remember! You are the eldest brother, with two younger brothers. Be strong!"

Tong Wei's lifeless eyes finally regained some spirit. He slowly stood up, bowed to Shan Xiongxin, and said, "Thank you, Second Master! I understand! I will learn martial arts well from my master to avenge this deep hatred!"

"Good! That's more like the disciple of Xiong Kehai!" Xiong Kehai roared in approval, thumping his chest, "I will teach you everything I know without holding back!"

Tong Wei nodded, still somewhat dejected.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, a loud door slam was heard. Wu Fan, with bloodshot eyes, kicked the door open and looked around before walking towards Tong Wei. He grabbed Tong Wei and dragged him into the room, extremely brutal.

Inside the room, the black-faced man of the Maitreya Sect had been tortured to the point of being unrecognizable, tied to a pillar like a lump of rotten flesh, barely breathing.

Wu Fan took out a fine steel sword from the scabbard and stared at Tong Wei, saying, "Cut off his head! Place it in front of your parents' spirits!" Seeing Tong Wei hesitate, Wu Fan flew into a rage, "What are you waiting for? Are you deaf? He! He is one of the villains who killed your parents! What are you waiting for? Are you going to let him die easily?"

Having never seen blood before, even though he was filled with hatred, Tong Wei couldn't bring himself to do it. Only when Wu Fan roared did he steel himself, viciously stabbing the black-faced man of the Maitreya Sect several times, killing him, and then cutting off his head.

Tong Wei, holding the knife in one hand and the bloody head in the other, was deathly pale, but his eyes were fierce.

He had grown.

Wu Fan staggered out of the room, walked to the bodies of the Tong Jian couple, and sat down on the ground. Torturing someone was exhausting, especially when Wu Fan had to ensure the victim suffered for a long time without dying. He was completely drained, with no strength left.

Sitting there, looking at the bodies of the Tong Jian couple, he silently said, "I'm sorry." He reached out to touch the sleeping faces of Tong Ying and Tong Wu, saying, "From today, I am your father, and your aunt is your mother! We will take good care of you three and help you grow... to bring glory to our ancestors! To comfort the spirits of your brother and sister-in-law in heaven!"

Struggling to stand up, Wu Fan bowed to Shan Xiongxai and the others, saying, "Thank you, brothers, for your hard work and assistance! I am deeply grateful!"

"Brother! If you say that, you're being too formal!" Xiong Kehai said unhappily, "Isn't this what we should do?"

Zhai Rang nodded, saying, "Since we are brothers, we are like family! Your affairs are my affairs! No need to thank us!"

Shan Xiongxin pursed his lips and said, "Brother Zhai is right!" He paused, then said, "Though it may not be appropriate, I can't keep things to myself. Brother, your high moral standards! Because of us, your brother and sister-in-law were killed... I feel deeply guilty! But... the dead cannot be brought back to life! You have lost a brother, but you still have us three brothers! I hope you won't abandon us. Let's swear an oath of brotherhood, what do you say?"

Xiong Kehai said loudly, "I agree!"

Zhai Rang had no objections either.

All three looked at Wu Fan.

Wu Fan, with his head down, a flash of determination in his eyes, looked up and smiled bitterly, saying, "How could I refuse! I'm just afraid that the three of you will think I am overstepping!"

Shan Xiongxin said, "We are brothers, united in spirit, regardless of status!"

"Good!"

Wu Fan nodded, agreeing readily. He then looked at the bodies of the Tong Jian couple and sighed, "Today is not a good day, so it won't do. Besides...," Wu Fan paused, his voice filled with hatred, "The Maitreya Sect villains killed my brother and sister-in-law, and they have gone too far! I will cut off their roots! Let them taste the pain of loss!"

Shan Xiongxin and the others looked at each other, not understanding.

Wu Fan gritted his teeth, walked over, and said softly, "I need the three of you to find... a hundred boats, of any size. Equip them with sailors and a few dozen trustworthy divers! I want to pull off a big job! As a gift before our gathering, I will ensure a great fortune for the three of you!"

Zhai Rang blinked and said solemnly, "Our Wagon Fort may operate on land, but we can gather the manpower and boats. Leave it to me!"

"Good! Brother, first gather the manpower and hide them in the Xingyang region," Wu Fan continued, "The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. Make the boats look good! Also, tie two or three ropes to the stern of each boat, at least five zhang long! Larger boats can have more."

Wu Fan panted, his anger and frustration evident, "This time, I will show those villains what they deserve!"

After discussing the plan.

Wu Fan sighed and requested, "I need to trouble the three of you with one more thing. Find two carriages to... to send my brother and sister-in-law to Xingyang."

Xiong Kehai quickly said, "Leave it to me!"

...

PS1: Request for favorites, recommendations, likes, and small red packets, anything helps.

PS2: Sorry, there was a power outage today, just got back.

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