In the darkness, three agile figures surrounded the Eighth Hero and Yu Xiaowen, cutting off all their escape routes.
Yu Xiaowen, still holding little Momo in her arms, was quite hampered in her movements. The Eighth Hero was single-handedly holding the line, struggling desperately.
“Big guy, I suggest you be sensible. Your so-called brothers look down on you, so why work for them? Why not join us? With your strength, you’d at least earn everyone’s respect.”
The Eighth Hero’s gaze was firm. The Bloodthirsty Rod in his hand was as solid as a bronze pillar, its shimmering red light fueled by the essence he had sacrificed to it.
“Impossible. Lord Yaxian treated me like his own. I could never betray him.”
“Treated you like his own?” one of the figures sneered. “That’s just the dirty tactics of important people, only fit for fooling brainless idiots like you.”
The Eighth Hero gritted his teeth in anger, but considering he still had to protect the hostages, he suppressed his rage and roared, “As long as I’m here today, no one will harm them!”
“Heh, looks like you’ve fallen for this woman. A young man in his twenties fancying a married mother? Tsk, tsk. Can’t say you don’t have taste.”
“Bullshit!”
Their location was relatively remote, with few pedestrians passing by. But the Northern Dipper’s efficiency was notoriously high. To avoid unnecessary trouble, the three assassins had to finish this quickly.
“Enough talk. Let’s end this, fast!”
One of them struck first, the other two following closely. The three closed in like a pack of hyenas, while the Eighth Hero was the injured lion at a disadvantage.
The Eighth Hero’s Bloodthirsty Rod vibrated, its immense power smashing against the blade of one assailant. The man immediately coughed up blood from the impact.
The Eighth Hero wasn’t faring well either, his face paling significantly.
One of the three consistently feigned attacks against the Eighth Hero while repeatedly closing in on Yu Xiaowen. If not for the Eighth Hero’s ferocious combat strength, their coordination would have been seamless.
To avoid being a burden, Yu Xiaowen steadied her mind, refusing to let fear overwhelm her.
Having been chased all this way, her impression of the Eighth Hero had long since changed. This young man, who seemed a bit fierce at first glance, had a kind heart and had been injured multiple times protecting her and her daughter.
This wasn’t just about the mission. She had once suggested she draw the assassins away while he escaped with Su Mo, but he had refused outright.
His exact words were: “I don’t want my brothers to die because of me!”
He knew very well that if either mother or daughter came to harm, Li Kui and the others would not leave Tianyu City alive.
The night was heavy, and in the fight, accidental injuries were inevitable. The Eighth Hero couldn’t offer 100% protection. Yu Xiaowen was already wounded in multiple places, her clothes stained with blood. Only little Su Mo in her arms remained unharmed.
They fought while retreating, eventually forced into a dead-end alley.
Seeing no way out, the Eighth Hero suddenly clenched his jaw and struck his own chest with his palm. A large mouthful of essence blood sprayed onto the Bloodthirsty Rod, activating a dazzling, brilliant red light.
The red light was both energy and solidified killing intent.
Empowered by the rod’s feedback, the Eighth Hero’s aura surged, finally breaking through to C-Class.
However, no phantom image of towering snowy peaks materialized around him.
“Not good! He’s awakening an ability! Looks like C-Class!”
“Stop him, quick! Or we’ll all die today!”
The three assassins threw caution to the wind, attacking the Eighth Hero frantically, trying to interrupt him. But unexpectedly, his aura continued to climb. The pressure emanating from his lifted gaze was terrifying; a mere glance was enough to intimidate them.
“Wait, this feels like B-Class now, damn it! We’re finished!” one assassin exclaimed, turning to flee. But the other two were faster, having already retreated dozens of meters away. One even threw a smoke bomb, blocking the line of sight between him and the Eighth Hero.
“You ruthless bastards!!!”
The Eighth Hero descended like a God of Slaughter. With one swing of his rod, he shattered the fleeing man’s skull, giving him no chance to resist.
After killing this man, the Eighth Hero’s gaze sharpened. The overwhelming killing intent blotted out the sky like a dark cloud, instantly enveloping the two who had escaped.
“Aah—” Screams rang out as they died instantly.
The Eighth Hero stood, Bloodthirsty Rod in hand, like a true God of Slaughter.
Suddenly, the blood-red cloud of killing intent began to dissipate. The Eighth Hero’s pale face looked particularly frightening in the night.
He stood motionless. Yu Xiaowen, unsure if he was alive or dead, hesitated for a moment before slowly approaching.
Sensing someone nearby, the Eighth Hero spoke weakly, “Don’t come closer. It might scare her.”
Yu Xiaowen stopped, her expression complex. “Are you okay?”
The Eighth Hero didn’t answer directly, instead murmuring to himself, “So they were lying to me… they really were lying to me…”
His voice was faint, his breath unstable, as if he might collapse at any moment.
Suddenly, a long sword shot through the night sky. Though covered in rust, its presence was overwhelming, like a meteor in the darkness, emitting a dark, cyan light.
“Wait!” Yu Xiaowen realized something and called out urgently. The sword stopped precisely an inch from the center of the Eighth Hero’s forehead.
Su Mo landed lightly, placing his blade against the Eighth Hero’s neck. Due to the height difference, he had to look up at the giant.
But his mind wasn’t on that. His gaze anxiously scanned over his mother and sister. When he saw the wounds on Yu Xiaowen, a crimson hue flickered in the depths of his eyes.
“Xiao… Qingyi, don’t fight. He saved Momo and me,” Yu Xiaowen quickly explained.
Su Mo glanced at the giant, whose life force was rapidly draining away, his flesh withering. He sheathed his long sword and ran to Yu Xiaowen.
Yu Xiaowen was seriously injured. She had been holding on strong all this way, but seeing Su Mo, her strength finally gave out. If not for Su Mo’s quick reflexes, she would have collapsed to the ground.
Su Mo pulled out numerous bottles and jars from his white jade ring. He found a hemostatic pill for her to take and performed simple first aid on her wounds.
It had to be said, the medicine obtained from Chu Yuan was truly effective. It started working almost immediately.
After finishing, Su Mo let out a long sigh of relief.
Suddenly, he felt a tug on his clothes. Looking down, he saw it was Momo. He had been so focused on treating his mother’s wounds that he had almost forgotten her.
Su Mo carefully picked her up. She was so small, neither crying nor fussing, her bright eyes smiling as she stared at him.
A doting, almost auntie-like smile spread across Su Mo’s face. He couldn’t help but kiss her pink, chubby cheek, saying excitedly, “Momo, call me ‘brother’!”
Ahem, ahem, ahem… Yu Xiaowen suddenly started coughing violently. A trace of helplessness showed on her pale face. “…She’s only three months old.”
Su Mo was taken aback, his expression suddenly turning a bit silly. “Oh, right. And she shouldn’t call me ‘brother’ anyway, it should be ‘sister’. Can’t confuse the child.”
He nuzzled the little one’s face, the adoration in his eyes seeming to overflow.
Yu Xiaowen glanced warily in the Eighth Hero’s direction. “Shh, keep your voice down. Don’t let others hear.”
She was referring to the ‘brother’ part.
Su Mo smiled. “It’s fine. He can’t hear.”
After doting on his sister for a good while, Su Mo reluctantly put her down. The Northern Dipper members arrived at that moment.
An ambulance from the hospital came with them.
While the miraculous pills were effective, only a full checkup at the hospital could ensure Yu Xiaowen’s wounds were completely healed.
“Elder Ye, I’ve already sent people after Li Kui and the others. They won’t escape Tianyu City,” the Tianyu City Commander assured him.
Su Mo gave a noncommittal “Hmm” and got into the ambulance with his mother. “Thank you for your help tonight.”
The Eighth Hero was also taken away by the ambulance.
Arranged by Su Mo.
…
As the ambulance drove away, the Commander let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness there were no fatalities.”
Then, someone beside him said with some concern, “Li Kui and his group are quite powerful. They won’t be easy to catch.”
The Commander glared at him, annoyed. “We just need to show we’re making an effort. Someone else is really going after them.”
His expression turned serious. “No matter how much a daughter-in-law cares for her mother-in-law, it’s partly because she’s her husband’s mother. But a son’s concern for his mother is different. If it were you, would you let Li Kui go?”
The man was stunned for a moment, then understanding dawned on his face. “I almost forgot… there’s more than one God of Slaughter…”