Chapter 29: Kill Everyone Except Him

Yes, once upon a time, they all lived in dire straits, never daring to resist in any way. Over the years, under the oppression of the Liu family, they had grown accustomed to such a life. No matter how the Liu family treated them in daily affairs, they had learned to endure. In time, almost everyone harbored a deep sense of frustration, angry but unable to speak out.

Now, someone had stepped forward to confront the Liu family so boldly and fiercely. Coupled with the earlier killing of Liu Hai, many saw this as a breath of fresh air, a release of pent-up resentment.

Hearing these words, the leader’s expression soured. Clearly, he knew well enough what the Liu family was like.

“Hmph! Wan City is our domain. We are the law here.”

“If you dare act out here, you deserve to be taught a lesson!” the leader barked, trying to muster his courage.

Liu Xie merely sneered at his words. He could see now—no matter what he said, they had only one intention: to deal with him by force.

“Well then, if that’s the case, let’s get straight to it,” Liu Xie said. “But I’ll make one thing clear first. If you’re going to fight, you’d better consider the consequences.”

Liu Xie wasted no more words. Since they wanted a fight, so be it. Words were pointless.

The leader’s face grew serious. He hadn’t expected Liu Xie to be so direct.

“Fine. You said it yourself,” he replied, stepping back as his followers began to surround Liu Xie. Even the soldiers stationed outside the manor surged inward.

“Master, give the order!” The members of the Wolf Shadow Squad behind Liu Xie were already itching for action. Since their training began, they had never faced a real confrontation. Now, they would see whether their twenty could stand against the hundred-odd adversaries before them.

“Except for him, kill the rest,” Liu Xie ordered without hesitation. His command was simple: spare only the leader; kill all others.

At his command, the twenty Wolf Shadow Squad members drew their curved blades and charged forward without a word.

Battle was about to erupt.

Under Liu Xie’s command, the twenty formed a most peculiar formation—one that balanced offense and defense. Despite the enemy’s numbers—

But against twenty well-trained fighters, with Liu Xie directing them, their formation was like a wall of iron. Anyone who came near was met with death, without exception.

The screams of the dying echoed ceaselessly.

The leader, watching from not far away, felt his composure crumble. He had never seen such formidable soldiers—ruthless, each blade striking for the kill.

Within moments, dozens of his men had fallen to the Wolf Shadow Squad, while Liu Xie’s team suffered not a single casualty. Instead, they grew fiercer, their faces showing not a trace of fear.

Outside, more and more people gathered in the street, their attention wholly drawn to the turmoil within.

“What do you think is happening inside?”

“Oh, come on! With all this commotion, you can’t figure it out?”

“I bet Young Master Liu is fighting them.”

“But who knows how things are turning out.”

Many worried for Liu Xie. In truth, they now felt united with him—this man who dared speak for them was a rarity.

“Do you think, if it comes to it, we should go in and help?”

Someone timidly suggested.

“Are you crazy?”

“What help? If you anger the Liu family or the Wan City garrison, do you think you’ll live?”

As soon as someone made the suggestion, another retorted sharply.

For a while, many fell silent.

Yes, Liu Xie had spoken up for them, and it moved many deeply. But to risk offending the Liu family, or the city’s soldiers—what consequences would follow? No one dared imagine it.

Thus, most chose silence, afraid to say more.

As time passed, the sounds from the manor gradually faded. The cries ceased, and calm returned.

Everyone knew the fighting was over.

But who had won? Who had lost? That, no one could say for sure.

In truth, folk had their own guesses. Those hundred men were all soldiers of the Wan City garrison. And inside, Liu Xie had only twenty.

So, in their minds, the outcome seemed obvious.

But what happened next was far beyond anyone’s expectations.

The manor gates swung open.

A man in armor stumbled out, hat knocked askew, utterly disheveled. Behind him followed, in perfect order, Liu Xie and his twenty subordinates.

People saw that, as the gates opened, the manor was littered with corpses.

The man who had fled barely managed a few paces before collapsing to the ground.

Liu Xie and his men advanced, each gripping a curved blade.

Liu Xie looked down at him, his expression cold.

“What—what are you going to do?”

“I—I am a standard bearer under General Hu Che’er of the Wan City garrison! If you dare harm me, I—I'll never let you off!”

The leader’s face was filled with fear, his voice trembling as he looked at Liu Xie and his men.

The scene inside the manor was still fresh in his mind—the merciless blades reaping lives. In barely any time at all, his entire force had been wiped out. The enemy, meanwhile, remained unscathed.

Desperate, he tried to leverage his connections, hoping to pressure Liu Xie.

But Liu Xie had no regard for such threats. He feared neither Cao Cao, nor Hu Che’er.

Of course, Liu Xie knew of Hu Che’er. In the history of the Three Kingdoms, he was a fierce general. Though not as famous as the top-tier commanders, his strength was formidable. He had played a major role when he and Zhang Xiu attacked Cao Cao—slaying Dian Wei and Cao Cao’s eldest son, Cao Ang; feats that were counted among his military achievements.

It was just unexpected that Liu Xie now found himself confronting Hu Che’er’s men.

“Hmph! Hu Che’er is indeed a great general. How can he have subordinates like you? An utter disgrace.”

“Listen: I’ll spare you today. Go back and deliver a message to the Liu family.”

“Tell them I give them three days.”

“In three days, they must return all the property they stole from Jia Yu.”

“Otherwise—hmph.”