The banquet was drawing to a close, and many were already drunk. The village children, having had some fruit wine, were sprawled in drunken slumber. The High Priest brought blankets and covered the children.
Xiao Man went to help when, suddenly, a sound of breaking air came from behind her. Xiao Man reached out and caught a sneak attacking arrow. The arrow was so potent that it numbed her arm. She then flung the arrow back the way it came, and a scream was heard.
"Enemy attack!"
The warriors, who had been somewhat tipsy, grabbed their weapons upon hearing of the attack. "Take the children back inside!"
The women of the village quickly carried their children indoors to hide.
Huo Lei, holding his battle axe, stepped in front of Xiao Man. "You should go inside and hide too."
Xiao Man didn't move. "I've always hated scoundrels who attack children."
The High Priest, holding his staff, stepped forward. Outside the village, a line of people stood with bows and arrows. The leader wore a tiger-skin coat and had ferocious scars on his face, making him look exceptionally menacing.
"Old man, you haven't paid tribute yet," the man said, sitting on a large rock outside the village and sharpening his knife. The sound of sharpening echoed eerily in the night.
"Black Tiger, we paid tribute just last month."
"Last month's tribute was for last month. This month's tribute hasn't been paid yet." Black Tiger looked up, his gaze like poisoned blades, sinister and vicious. "No tribute, yet you hold a banquet? White Wolf Village, you have some nerve."
"Black Tiger, we pay tribute once every three months. We just paid last month, why would we have to pay again this month?"
"Tribute is monthly now." Black Tiger tested the freshly sharpened blade. It was incredibly sharp, capable of cutting hair and undoubtedly could sever a neck with ease.
"Black Tiger, don't push your luck!"
"Push my luck?" Black Tiger's lips curled into a cruel smile. "If you don't pay, we'll wipe you out today..."
Black Tiger's gaze fell on Xiao Man behind Huo Lei, a flash of stunning beauty in his eyes. Huo Lei was startled and quickly tried to hide Xiao Man behind him. Two others also squeezed in, blocking Xiao Man from view, frantically gesturing for her to hide.
Black Tiger suddenly laughed. "I never noticed White Wolf Village had such a beautiful young woman."
"Black Tiger, what do you want?"
Black Tiger stepped forward, shoving aside those blocking his path, and stood before Xiao Man. He reached out and lifted her chin. "What a beautiful young woman."
"Don't touch her," Huo Lei said, swatting Black Tiger's hand away. "If you have something to say, say it to me. What kind of skill is it to bully women and children?"
"Huo Lei, our Blazing Tiger Village is among the top three strongest among the twelve villages. Do you know the consequences of offending us?" Black Tiger looked past Huo Lei. "How about this: hand her over to me, and all your tribute for this year will be waived. What do you say?"
"Dream on."
"Alright," Xiao Man said, agreeing, and even stepped forward despite Huo Lei's attempt to stop her. "If I go with you, will you waive White Wolf Village's tribute for a year?"
Black Tiger's eyes lit up when Xiao Man stepped forward. "Yes, as long as you come back with me, I'll waive White Wolf Village's tribute for a year."
"It's just tribute, we can afford it!" Huo Lei grabbed Xiao Man's wrist and pulled her back. "Don't be foolish. This Black Tiger is known for his lust. If you fall into his hands, you'll suffer. Besides, he already has several women with him."
Xiao Man patted Huo Lei's hand, signaling him not to worry. She took two steps forward, appearing shy and timid. "I'll go with you. Will you bully me?"
When had Black Tiger ever seen such a delicate and captivating girl? His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Don't worry, I won't bully you. I'll cherish you dearly!"
"Cherish me?"
"Yes, cherish you. I promise to cherish you."
Xiao Man fiddled with her skirt, biting her lip, her words hesitant. "Then, can I let you cherish me?" Sudan Novel Network
"Of course, you can let me cherish you. I will cherish you very, very much..." Before Black Tiger could finish, Xiao Man kicked him hard in the groin. Black Tiger's lecherous smile shattered. Moments later, screams echoed through the night sky as he clutched his lower body, writhing on the ground.
Xiao Man's shy demeanor vanished. "You will indeed hurt very, very much."
"You slut, I'll kill you!" Black Tiger's roar was like a thunderous bell, startling sleeping birds from their nests, causing them to flee far away. "Attack! Kill them all, except the women!"
Xiao Man sneered and kicked over an approaching enemy, snatching their knife and slitting their throat. She then charged at another. By the time the people of White Wolf Village reacted, Xiao Man had already killed several people.
"Charge! Kill them!" Huo Lei joined the fight with his battle axe. Black Tiger never imagined his reputation would be ruined by a woman!
Xiao Man launched a surprise attack, killing three more, and charged directly at Black Tiger.
Black Tiger struggled to his feet, snatched a knife from one of his subordinates, and swung. Though he didn't seem to put much force into it, Xiao Man felt a sense of danger and dodged. The rock behind her was split in two by the blow!
Xiao Man looked behind her, then at Black Tiger, her heart filled with confusion. The arrow earlier was the same. With her skill, catching it should have been easy, yet it numbed her arm and cracked her tiger's mouth. These people didn't look particularly skilled, yet their seemingly ordinary attacks were incredibly powerful!
"Don't get distracted!" Huo Lei grabbed Xiao Man's waist and pulled her away, making her dodge repeatedly.
Xiao Man's gaze was drawn to the pursuing Black Tiger. When he attacked, something was wrapped around his blade. Before Xiao Man could get a clear look, Black Tiger attacked again. Huo Lei pushed Xiao Man away and met the attack.
Xiao Man stood to the side, observing the fight between the two. Their fighting styles were not complex, but what intrigued her was the layer of "qi" covering their weapons. Was the truly powerful thing this qi? A qi completely different from spiritual energy, what could it be?
"Careful behind you."
Xiao Man dodged an attack and grabbed the assailant's arm, using leverage to dislocate it. These people's attacks were very powerful, but their defenses were generally weak. However, their physical strength was far greater than ordinary people. Apart from the few she had initially killed with surprise attacks, she hadn't managed to kill anyone else since.
"Huo Lei, your White Wolf Village is finished!" Black Tiger roared. "Dare to kill people from our Blazing Tiger Village, and you will be prepared for annihilation!"
"You attacked first," Huo Lei calmly replied. "Your Blazing Tiger Village bullies others, oppressing the villages you control. One day, you will face retribution."
"Retribution?" Black Tiger landed a punch on Huo Lei, forcing him to retreat. "I, Black Tiger, don't fear retribution!"