Chapter Fifty-Three Time Was Running Out

  Only the adventurer in the coarse linen coat loudly said to the yellow-robed merchant: "Brother Ma, it's been about ten years since we last met, right? This time I've noticed that both of us have aged a lot... Alas, time flies, and after all these years of struggling in this godforsaken place, I'm still neither human nor ghost. This time I've made up my mind to follow Brother Ma to the capital to make a name for myself!"

  Haha, good, good! Old Chen brother, actually ten years ago, you should have gone to the capital with me. Indeed, to put it bluntly, if one doesn't go to the capital and experience what's called a colorful world, then they've lived in vain! Come on, let's drink! With your abilities, going to the capital will definitely bring prospects! Haha!

  Lao Chen sighed and said in a low voice, "Alas... Brother Ma, this time I chose to follow you to the capital, not because I'm infatuated with luxury and wealth, but because I really can't make a living here... It's hard to leave one's hometown, if it were possible, who would abandon their own hometown?"

  Ma Ge was taken aback and asked: "Old Chen, what do you mean by that?"

  Lao Chen smiled wryly and said, "Brother Ma, you're not a local, so you don't know that in this Qingyang Town, wolves are rampant, even more ferocious than the demonic beasts in the Xuanyuan Forest. The demonic beasts in the Xuanyuan Forest won't come out to harm people if they're not provoked, but these wolves will take the initiative to find and devour people, leaving no bones behind! Brother Ma, did you see it during the day? Under broad daylight, five innocent people were forcibly taken away just because that young girl was born beautiful. Alas... according to the nature of those wolves, those four people are certainly doomed!"

  That horse big brother nodded and said: "This matter, I have heard several people say. It is said that due to internal disputes, the wolf has not had a chance to lay hands on the little girl yet, but it's only a matter of time... Poor little girl, she's about the same size as my daughter..."

  Upon hearing this, Ning Chong's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself: "From what Old Chen said, it seems that Ning Jing and the others are still alive and safe for now, but time is running out..."

  At this time, Ning Chong's heart slightly put down a bit, and he couldn't help but think that maybe he should ask Old Chen about the location of the Black Tiger Mercenary Corps' headquarters to go rescue people.

  At this time, a cold voice suddenly laughed and said: "Heh! Good thick skin, dare to speak ill of me behind my back, slander our Black Tiger Mercenary Group! Humph, Chen Shan, I don't need to guess that it's you!"

  In a cold voice, a man with extremely large ears and a ferocious face led in several ruffians who were grinning from ear to ear.

  The big-eared man walked with an air of arrogance, his hands clasped behind him, neither fast nor slow, his nose upturned as he approached Old Chen and Ma Dagou. He was extremely majestic. Behind him, several followers burst into laughter, their faces twisted in a mixture of scorn and cold smiles, casting glances at Old Chen and Ma Dagou that seemed to bore into their very souls.

  "Terrible! It's Lai San!"

  Lao Chen suddenly stood up, his forehead covered in cold sweat, a hint of panic on his face.

  Lai San walked up with a smile and said proudly: "Heh heh, Chen Shan, last time you already lost three fingers on your left hand, but you still don't change your ways, secretly slandering my Black Tiger Mercenary Group! Hmph, no matter how careful you are, you definitely didn't expect that my 'Spirit Ear' skill has advanced again and reached the Small Success realm! Within a hundred meters around me, any conversation that dares to slander my Black Tiger Mercenary Group, I, Lai San, can hear clearly!"

  Lao Chen's forehead was covered in cold sweat. This Qingyang Town was the territory of the Black Tiger Mercenary Group, and the Black Tiger Mercenary Group dominated the town with an iron fist, doing as they pleased. Even though Lao Chen's martial arts skills were not weak, being a third-stage warrior, he was still powerless to resist under the watchful eyes of the Black Tiger Mercenary Group in Qingyang Town, just like an ant.

  Lao Chen vaguely saw his own downfall, knowing he couldn't escape, so with a pleading tone, he begged Lai San to spare Ma Ge: "Lai San, one person does something and that person takes responsibility, I was the one who spoke, please show mercy and let Ma Ge go."

  "Hah, too late! This Ma surname merchant and you are accomplices, just right to use as an example together with you, kill the chicken to scare the monkey! So that people won't be restless, whispering behind my back, slandering the Black Tiger Mercenary Group!"

  Lao Chen listened and felt that he could only stake his life on it. He was about to draw out the big axe from behind him when suddenly, a voice cursed: "Where did this wild dog come from? It's disturbing people so much that they can't even eat their meals!"

  The tone is flat and bland, but anyone with discerning ears can tell that the stray dog in this sentence refers to people like Lai San.

  Lai San's face suddenly turned green and red, he joined the Black Tiger Mercenary Group, and had been rampant in this town for over a decade, yet it was the first time someone dared to openly scold him as a wild dog, truly what great audacity!

  "Who is it! How dare you!"

  Lai Sanda roared with anger, looking around for the source of the sound, but instead saw a white-robed young man sitting in a corner of the hotel, wearing a sword on his back, with clear eyebrows and eyes, and a slender figure that looked more like a scholar.

  No need for Lai San to make eye contact, several ruffians immediately rolled up their sleeves and "brushed" out the knives they carried with them, ready to chop down the young man.

  A few lackeys who delivered themselves to his doorstep, Ning Chong wouldn't have paid them any mind, and just as he was thinking of catching a tongue to guide the way, Lai San and others automatically delivered themselves to his doorstep, what more could he ask for!

  Bang!

  With a slap on the table, the chopsticks in the bamboo tube on the table suddenly jumped up. Ning Chong didn't even look at them and waved his right palm.

  Whoosh whoosh whoosh——

  A loud whooshing sound filled the air as over a dozen chopsticks shot out like arrows, flying towards Lai San and the others.

  These chopsticks are incredibly accurate and numerous, and their speed is even more astonishing!

  Lai San and others reacted, they had already fallen into the trap. At that time, amidst the cries of agony, people and horses were overturned, and the thugs were either shot through their eyes, throats, or hearts, all dying unnatural deaths.

  It was strange that Lai San emerged unscathed from the hail of chopstick arrows. Everyone could naturally see that this was obviously because the white-robed youth had spared his life.

  That white-robed youth not only had extremely strong abilities, but also was ruthless in his attacks, showing no mercy at all. The aura of killing and the cruel methods he used were completely inconsistent with his elegant appearance, truly making people look at him in a new light. Many adults who had blood on their hands couldn't even compare to him.

  Lao Chen and the others were still worried about Ning Chong, but when they saw Ning Chong easily defeat Lai San and the others, they immediately felt at ease. Old Chen stepped forward to thank him: "Thank you, young brother, for lending a hand! However, young brother, this is the lair of the Black Tiger Mercenary Group, so be careful!"

  Ning Chong just nodded, not saying much, and grabbed the collar of Lai San's clothes, which had been scared stiff for a long time. He unfolded his body method, flew out of the hotel, and disappeared into the vast night.

  Lao Chen and Ma Ge were amazed by Ning Chong's bravery, strength, and age, but considering the power of the Black Tiger Mercenary Group, they didn't dare to stay any longer and quickly left the hotel together, planning to leave Qingyang Town.