Chapter 117: Even Immortals Find It Hard to Save

“What is there to fear? At worst, it’s just death! In life, one must be true to one’s conscience. A man of honor knows what to pursue and what to refuse, aiming for a clear conscience and peace of mind. Brother Mu, I cannot stoop to such shamelessness as letting others be scapegoats. As it stands, the four of us have only one choice: to fight to the death. Whoever escapes, escapes. Selling out comrades is out of the question!” Kong Sheng’s voice was low but resolute, firm and filled with passionate conviction.

Mu Changfeng exhaled deeply at these words and laughed loudly and wildly. “What a true man, knowing what to do and what not to do! Young Master, now I truly admire you! You, a mere scholar, still understand righteousness and preserve your honor. I am but a lowly rogue of the martial world—what have I to fear? A scar on my head is nothing; come next year, I’ll be a hero once more. Wu Xian and Wu Jie, why are you both still hesitating? Draw your blades and fight alongside me to protect the Young Master and break through this encirclement! Charge!”

Moved to tears, Wu Xian and Wu Jie suddenly drew their curved swords, bowed hastily from their horses to Kong Sheng, then shouted fiercely as they spurred their mounts forward into the fray.

Mu Changfeng laughed madly as he charged on horseback, the long sword in his hand darting unpredictably, striking east and west. Amid the encircling flood pirates, he moved as if through empty space, and soon several of the pirates fell wounded beneath his blade.

Wu Xian and Wu Jie, throwing caution to the wind, fought desperately as well. It was now a matter of life or death—either they or their foes would survive. They were moved by Kong Sheng’s earlier sincerity in not abandoning his companions, and for his sake, and for their own survival, they threw themselves headlong into the battle, striving to carve a bloody path for Kong Sheng’s escape.

A warrior dies for a friend who understands him—how much more so when one’s own life hangs in the balance.

Chaos erupted suddenly; cries of battle, shrieks of pain, the neighing of horses, and the clash of steel filled the air without cease. Nangong Wang frowned, slowly retreating to a hillside under the protection of several subordinates. He had not expected Kong Sheng to refuse his “kindness” and to strike first, catching the killers off guard.

“This young man’s mind is strong, far from ordinary,” Nangong Wang observed from his horse, watching Kong Sheng wield his sword with furious skill, darting left and right. A flicker of regret crossed his mind. Was it worth killing two lowly lackeys only to face a prodigy like Kong Sheng? If they could wipe out all four, it would be easier to rest, but if Kong Sheng and the others escaped, it would be a lingering threat.

Nearby, Li Xuan’s expression was one of astonishment. The battle had come so swiftly and unexpectedly that she had never imagined Kong Sheng would rather die than abandon his two attendants, fighting to the bitter end in a hopeless situation. Such reckless sacrifice seemed foolish to her.

“This foolhardy brat! Fighting to the last breath with the arrogance of a scholar—he’s doomed!” Li Xuan sighed softly.

Her emotions were tangled and conflicted. On one hand, she hated Kong Sheng deeply for his earlier disrespect and offense; on the other, she secretly pitied his talent and did not wish to see such a gifted young man perish at the hands of mere pirates. Her decision to withdraw her troops but not flee was a subconscious attempt to pressure Nangong Wang’s band, a covert rescue of sorts.

No matter how wretched Kong Sheng was, he was still better than these pirates. To rescue or not? Li Xuan’s thoughts raced, a subtle lift of her brow betraying her hesitation.

Zhang Zhao, leader of the cavalry, bowed from his saddle. “Your Highness, Princess…”

Zhang Zhao knew nothing of Kong Sheng’s true identity, nor the nature of his relationship with Li Xuan. Upon hearing the report that the princess had been captured, he had rapidly led a hidden squad stationed at Chu Prefecture’s outskirts to reinforce her. Now, seeing Li Xuan safe but Kong Sheng and his companions besieged by pirates, their lives hanging by a thread, Zhang Zhao wished to act, but dared not without the princess’s command, for their sworn duty as northern official troops was to exterminate bandits.

Li Xuan’s face darkened as she snorted coldly, silent and stern on horseback, her gaze fixed on the chaotic battlefield ahead.

The four men were far tougher than Nangong Wang had anticipated. He had believed that dozens of men attacking three or four would be an easy victory, but Mu Changfeng at the front, Wu Xian and Wu Jie in the middle, and Kong Sheng at the rear, all coordinating seamlessly with fearless ferocity, showed signs of breaking through the encirclement.

A burly man in purple with a braided beard saw several of his comrades fall wounded to Mu Changfeng’s sword, blood spraying with agonized cries. Enraged, he shouted and spurred his horse forward, brandishing a shining silver spear as he lunged down the slope.

“Capture the leader first!” Nangong Wang shouted loudly from the hillside.

“Prepare to die!” Tang Genshui sneered savagely, riding with the momentum of his charge like a streak of violet lightning cutting through the battlefield from the flank. His silver spear glittered fiercely as he swung it in a dazzling arc, aiming a deadly thrust at Kong Sheng’s throat.

Tang Genshui, leader of the bandits, had arrived too swiftly. His spear skills were formidable, marking him as a man of exceptional valor and strength. Had he charged Mu Changfeng instead, the latter would not fear, and the spear would likely miss. But he was clever: knowing Kong Sheng was the leader, killing him would inevitably shatter the others’ will to fight. His ferocity like a falling star, Kong Sheng had to fend off the surrounding pirates and dodge this powerful, precise strike—a near-impossible task.

In that instant, even Kong Sheng felt there was nowhere to dodge, no escape from that spear. Even if he did not die immediately, he would suffer grievous wounds.

Since he could not avoid it, and death was certain, Kong Sheng chose to stop dodging. If death was to come, he would take at least one enemy with him! The fierce spirit hidden deep in his blood surged forth like a torrent.

He roared, wielding his broken enemy’s sword with all his might, slashing at a nearby pirate’s wrist holding a blade, severing it cleanly. Blood splattered everywhere, staining Kong Sheng and his horse. Amid the crimson haze, Kong Sheng watched the gleaming spear tip surge toward the vital spot at his throat, only able to lift his head and unleash a roar filled with unwillingness, fury, and despair.

“Young Master!” Mu Changfeng, unable to reach in time, shouted toward the heavens, his face twisted with rage, hair bristling as he leapt from his horse, flying through the air to intercept.

Wu Xian and Wu Jie, equally frenzied, turned their horses and brandished their curved swords in a desperate attempt to fight back—but it was too late. They could only watch as Tang Genshui, a terrifying demon of death, barreled forward, the silver spear like a serpent emerging from its hole, poised to strike at Kong Sheng’s fatal spot.

“It’s over. That brat is dead for sure.” From a distance, Li Xuan’s face paled, her shoulders trembling. She turned her head away, unwilling to watch. Even if she wished to save him, now, it was like trying to quench a fire with distant water. No miracle could save Kong Sheng’s life in this moment.

At this moment, a wave of deep regret surged within her heart.