Shi Clan members raced deep into the mountains where the aftermath of a ferocious battle remained—towering trees were severed, ancient vines reduced to tattered remains, and beast blood painted a chaotic canvas across the forest. Two monstrous creatures had waged fierce war here, causing a catastrophe that left a trail of dead beasts. On top, the Beis had intercepted Shi Fei Jiao and others, further turning the place into a wreckage. The heap of animal carcasses large as hills had already been carried off by the Beis; nothing remained but a stark emptiness. Shi Lin Hu and the others gritted their teeth upon arriving at the grim scene—it was an inexcusable provocation. The hard-earned bounty the villagers had hunted so strenuously were robbed cruelly. “Pursue!” without hesitation, they charged towards the Bei village, convinced that carrying the great beasts couldn’t let those thieves get very far. There was a clear path left among mountains—a trail of feline fur, bloodied droplets, scales; they all indicated the way the Beis had fled. “Look out!” warned Lin Hu with a decisive motion of his hand. All came to a halt as he spread wide layers of withered leaves in front of them, only to uncover a black pit lined completely with upward-pointing iron daggers. Falling would mean becoming a sieve riddled with wounds. “The little Bei villains really play ruthlessly!” The Shi clan grew even more angered by the realization—only a mere step inside their own domain, and the Bei clan showed absolute recklessness. Such preparations threatened certain bloodshed tragedy. Traversing approximately eight to nine li, the tranquil ambiance was soon broken by a gust, suddenly hurtling toward Shi Lin Hu’s neck. A blade of frigid light akin to one from the netherworld sent chills down to souls—one monstrous steel arrow nearly two meters long, swifter than thunderclap itself, able to snuff life within instants. Such terror of force and speed was sufficient to drill through the hide of Longjia Xiang; indeed no wonder that it easily pierced the triple-thick steel armours of village youths, exuding true terror. Its ambush was absolute—an arrow this fearsome, sprung from dense underbrush so impossible to evade! Yet Lin Hu, valiant as he was, was quick enough to twist swiftly aside with great timing just before the chill blade scraped along his neck, trailing a spray of crimson, tearing through only a piece of skin—barely escaping an arrow straight through from a millimeters-wide distance. Only after that dreadful moment did the high-piercing whistling arrive, the shriek from the speeding shaft lagging behind, clearly illustrating this terror’s velocity. “Clang!” Embedded deep inside distant rock, the projectile vibrated with resonant echoes and violent sparks of impact. That power, how many would risk opposing, when even a touch would leave one thoroughly impaled—pierced heart indeed! No bird chirped nor wind breathed in the aftermath; Lin Hu gently touched his torn flesh, eyes ablaze from nearly losing his life. On undisturbed hills afar, a boy stood grasping an enormous bow, visaged cold and resolute. Glints from his steely gaze fixed upon the group’s position.
“It’s that little devil again!” Shi FeiJiao and the party boiled with rage. Such an impassively brutal lad already wounded several strong adults from their village. Around a teenager—elegant at 14 years or so—at a height exceeding normal, hair lustrous and smooth, skin as clear like silk, his countenance charming indeed—but for those frostbitten eyes diminishing allure, conveying a primal brutality instead. Behind him, seventy or eighty dragged one monster after another down mountain paths, leaving droplets of crimson along flattened grass and splintered thistles alike.
“What’s all that little bastard from Bei Clan good for but backshouting arrows?! Be a man! Just one swipe, and I’d flatten him,” shouted one Shi clansman heatedly toward the distant youth.
Hearing so, cold flames flickered through the boy’s eyes—he strung the mighty bow again at that challenge in an instant.
Without a whisper, Lin Hu immediately pulled out a giant ebon-bone recurve bow almost taller than him—string strung tight before an iron bolt was shot off in response.
“Crash!” Mid-air struck—a brutal clash between twin monstrous shafts sending sparks spiraling. Resonant screech reverberated until both fell impotently earthbound. Gasps filled the crowd—precocious archery and brute strength from such adolescence astoundingly rivalling their fiercest member! “Screeech…” Again and repeatedly came piercing noises—over a dozen iron projectiles collided head-on amidst flying sparks within trees—falling one after another—no different than rain of shooting stardust, shaking all listeners’ eardrums with impact thunderous.
The prodigious archer stood even-foot against the mightiest man of Stone Village as equal, astonishing all present. If his limbs, with one motion, effortlessly lifted five hundred jin (c .3.3 tonnes) bronze cauldrons easily, what incredible young master this was—an infantile prodigy already bearing the strength to stir apprehension in elders. “We beg for your lenience, good folk from Shi Clan.” The loud plea came from a Bei representative, age-marked yet robust. “We are in need of many beasts at present—grant us today’s hunt. Gratitude and return shall follow.” “How dare you kill us mid-path for taking our game—your shafts burrowed into life-blood organs. Many lay dying from your cruelty! And still demand we grant pardon, unrepented evil?—what justifying law allows this?” bellowed Lin Hu. The Bei hunting chief then spoke calmly, “In every dispute, conflict follows—it costs blood. That’s law known universally across the Wilderness—accepted amongst strong men.” A senior Bei, larger than most, standing a full head near two meters plus, replied even more staunchly: “Unsatisfactorious? Then draw sword if dared!” Enraged nearly past words, the Shi felt their heart boiled—ambushed, looted—then face audacious, unflinchingly brutal enemies offering empty bravado? Little more needed said.
“Then war it is!” shouted FeiJiao furiously!
“Tyring!” roared back the opposing hunter, standing over them. Blades hissed and gleamed as metallic ring reverberated all around. Great swords swung, half taller than an average man’s body, flashing deathly glitters in air, their killing might even rustling leaves.
“You shall return! Dare proceed but one step, I end each of your pathetic existences—none remain this time, understand! My arrows spare nothing, and my promises won’t flinch anymore!” the graceful Bei youth coldly threatened once more—an arrogant statement that stirred outrage, prompting wishes for immediate vengeance against the insolent boy! Lin Hu responded fiercely: “Boy—you wield a gift greater than yours even as an undeveloped youth. But arrogant deeds, ruthless methods—you cannot escape dire retribution!” Without further talk, he loosed another iron bolt. If there wasn’t room for reasoning, only one option remained—violence in the name of combat! “Crack!” Once more the projectiles smashed—one into another, vibrating trees with their sonic aftershocks!
“Kill!” Shi warriors now either drew bows, gripped great long swords, swung spiked mauls—fierce as beasts unleashed, their charge stirring whirlwinds and rustling the air violently, lifting a flurry of dead leaves.
In turn Bei warriors—towering, broad, and mighty—charged equally with equal fury into collision’s dawn as battle imminent. Then, from behind, small swift shape darted into position, shouting out, “Why take our food—the food my home eats just to survive!” His face turned red, his tiny hands curled into balls of clenched fury. His bright, teary eyes overflowed with anguish from witnessing the love and warmth of this community threatened. Such savageness—never encountered before. “Nice Uncle AFu! Kind-hearted to you all, almost DEAD from YOUR arrows!”
Beis looked, laughed aloud in disbelief—a mere child accompanying adult fighters was unexpected indeed—how ridiculous an impediment brought by the innocent lad of their adversaries! “Shhhoooeee~!” The steel shaft pierced again—the young Bei lad, aged near fifteen, showed no hesitation in releasing another shot to finish the small intruder with a steely, dispassionate face, his massive and dreadful bow already strung taut. Shi warriors howled with pure rage—such a heinous act—to shoot down a youngling?! Tiny Xiao Bud was sweet-hearted, affectionate to the whole village, and this cold youth dared take his life! Enraged, Lin Hu readied a shaft of steel in desperation to shield the tiny target… only for horror striking realization to appear suddenly across his furrowed brows. For from the archer came not one, BUT FIVE—five terrifying bolts, blazing like lightning itself. While Lin Hu’s own hand released barely three in desperate defense, the boy exceeded all comprehension.
“Kaaang! Kaaang~” Three pairs slammed together mid-air, crashing groundward, though… yet another remaining one of those two meter-plus, monster iron shafts sped with deadly grace—heading directly to slice the baby Xiao Bud’s tiny slender throat. Frigid, deadly—only a moment passed… while Xiao Dudu extended his small hand—seized toward the oncoming arrowhead. Amid fearful clamor from villagers—”Evade quickly!” echoed—many knowing young Shao Hao did possess unusual gifts since infancy—he had once actually lifted a whole 1000 jin c (336kg)—yet this Bei opponent towered, already older, displaying a power eclipsing even, capable of lifting 6 or more cauldrons and still being near Shi’s elite! “You dare strike down a CHILD!” the villagers raged, voices rising. “Klaang~!” Amazing indeed— Xiao Dian’s palm sliced sideways across flying arrow—the massive iron shaft suddenly deflected sideways in stunning display of raw might that surprised the gathering watching. Few had caught a symbol flash, blinking through hand briefly before vanishing. “Whoosh!” Immediately leapt Xiao Xiao, soaring straight toward the icy-eyed Bei youth like an avenging flame…
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