A person sacrifices himself to become a saint in a chaotic world of martial arts.

Chapter 119 Counterattack

Ning Yuechan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling completely exhausted, and leaned against the wall.

She looked down at Su Bai in her arms, at his pale face and tightly closed eyes, and a complex emotion welled up in her heart—gratitude, heartache, and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on.

She just held him like that, without moving.

The sounds of fighting gradually subsided.

When the demons of the Reincarnation Sect saw that all three leaders had been killed, their morale collapsed, and the remaining rabble scattered and fled faster than rabbits.

The guards and constables had escaped with their lives. Some collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, while others were busy treating the wounded and still chasing after any who had escaped.

Wei Zhiyao, covered in blood, staggered over.

His face was also very pale, and his chest was heaving violently, clearly indicating that he had also suffered a serious injury.

He saw Ning Yuechan sitting against the wall with Su Bai in her arms, and he quickly went over to her.

"My lord, you—" He had just opened his mouth when Ning Yuechan raised her hand to stop him.

"I'm fine." Ning Yuechan's voice was hoarse, but it carried an undeniable authority. "Have someone guard the surroundings to prevent any further mishaps."

Wei Zhiyao glanced at Su Bai in her arms, then at her sunken left shoulder, hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded and turned to make the arrangements.

Time passed little by little.

Sunlight streamed down from overhead, illuminating the open space, the corpses and bloodstains, and Ning Yuechan and Su Bai. Ning Yuechan remained motionless, holding Su Bai tightly, her gaze fixed on his face, unwavering.

After an unknown amount of time, Su Bai's brows suddenly twitched.

Ning Yuechan's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked down.

Su Bai's eyelids trembled, then slowly opened.

His eyes were somewhat unfocused, lingering in a daze for a moment before slowly refocusing. He saw Ning Yuechan's face, saw the concern and exhaustion in her eyes, and paused, then spoke in a hoarse voice, "My lord—"

"Don't move." Ning Yuechan quickly pressed him down. "You're badly injured and just took medicine. Don't move around."

Su Bai then realized he was lying in Ning Yuechan's arms. His face stiffened slightly, and he struggled to sit up, but Ning Yuechan held him down.

"I told you not to move." Ning Yuechan's voice carried a hint of reproach and helplessness. "Even if your invincible shield is strong, it can't withstand this kind of torment."

Su Bai stopped struggling, only letting out a soft breath as he scanned his surroundings. He saw the three corpses on the ground, the constables cleaning up the mess, and then looked at Ning Yuechan's sunken left shoulder, his brows furrowing.

"The adult's wounds—"

"I won't die." Ning Yuechan interrupted him, her tone indifferent yet revealing a stubbornness. "It's much less serious than your injury."

Su Bai remained silent for a moment, then said nothing more.

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from afar.

The sound grew louder and louder as it approached, soon reaching the prison gate. Su Bai and Ning Yuechan looked up at the same time and saw a group of people dismounting, led by Zhou Changqing.

He was dressed in a blue brocade robe, a long sword hanging at his waist, and his face showed a mixture of urgency and concern as he strode towards them. Behind him followed a dozen or so constables from the Northern Garrison, each one agile and clearly an elite force.

"Officer Ning!" Zhou Changqing strode forward, and upon seeing Ning Yuechan and Su Bai's appearance, his expression changed, filled with shock and concern. "What happened? I heard that the Reincarnation Sect demons launched a surprise attack, so I rushed here with my men, but I didn't expect—"

His gaze fell on Ning Yuechan's sunken left shoulder, then on Su Bai's blood-soaked appearance. His brows furrowed, and his voice was full of heartache: "Officer Ning is so badly injured? And Prison Warden Su too—someone, quickly fetch a doctor!"

Immediately, someone behind him responded and left.

Ning Yuechan looked at him calmly and simply nodded: "Lord Zhou is very kind. The demons have been repelled, and all three leaders at the True Qi Realm have been killed."

Upon hearing this, a strange light flashed in Zhou Changqing's eyes. The light flashed so quickly that it was almost invisible, but Su Bai, who had been watching him closely, caught the change in that instant.

"Three True Qi Realm cultivators?" Zhou Changqing's voice held surprise, along with a hint of barely perceptible doubt.

Were they all killed by Constable Ning?

Ning Yuechan shook her head: "It was Su Bai who killed him."

Zhou Changqing's gaze suddenly fell on Su Bai.

His gaze was complex, containing surprise, scrutiny, apprehension, and a hint of deeply hidden killing intent. He stared at Su Bai for a moment, then suddenly smiled, a smile that carried approval, but also something else entirely.

"Inspector Su is truly a man of few words," he said, his tone sounding sincere. "No wonder Constable Ning values ​​you so much."

Su Bai didn't reply, but simply nodded. He was currently seriously injured, and saying anything more would only make things worse, so silence was the better option.

Zhou Changqing didn't care. He turned to the people behind him and ordered, "The Reincarnation Sect's demons have attacked the prison; their crimes are heinous. Search everywhere immediately and make sure to capture all the escaped demons. Don't let a single one escape!"

"Yes!" the constables replied in unison, then dispersed and chased after the surrounding streets and alleys.

Zhou Changqing looked at Ning Yuechan and Su Bai again, his concern deepening: "Officer Ning, Warden Su, you are both too badly injured to lie here. Someone, quickly help them to the guardhouse to rest and wait for the doctor to come and treat them."

Several constables stepped forward and carefully helped Su Bai up. Ning Yuechan was also helped to her feet; her left shoulder ached terribly, but she refused to utter a sound.

The guards' quarters were right next to the prison. It was a small room used by the guards on duty to rest. The furnishings were simple: a table, a few benches, and a narrow bed against the wall.

Su Bai was helped to lie down on the bed, while Ning Yuechan sat on a bench beside the table. Zhou Changqing also came in and sat down at the table, inquiring about the battle situation with concern. Ning Yuechan said a few words briefly and then said nothing more.

A short while later, a servant brought in hot tea and then left.

Zhou Changqing picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his gaze swept back and forth between Su Bai and Ning Yuechan. His gaze seemed concerned, but it carried an indescribable chill, like a venomous snake scrutinizing its prey.

"Officer Ning really got lucky this time." He put down his teacup and sighed. "Three True Qi Realm cultivators—if it were me, I probably wouldn't have been able to hold on. Luckily, Warden Su was there, otherwise—"

He paused, then suddenly stood up, walked to the door, and looked outside. Then he closed the door and turned around.

Ning Yuechan frowned slightly: "Lord Zhou, this is—"

Zhou Changqing waved his hand, a serious expression on his face: "Officer Ning, there are some things that are inconvenient to say outside. On my way here, I saw some suspicious figures. I suspect they are escaped members of the Reincarnation Sect, and they may still be lurking nearby. You are injured like this; if they target you, the consequences will be unimaginable."

He walked up to Ning Yuechan and lowered his voice: "I've sent my men to chase after them. It's just the few of us here for now. You all get some rest. I'll keep watch. Everything will be alright."

Ning Yuechan looked at him, a strange glint in her eyes. She didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly.

Zhou Changqing turned around, walked to Su Bai's bedside, and looked down at him. His gaze lingered on Su Bai's face for a moment, then slowly moved down to the bloodstained knife at his waist.

"Warden Su, your swordsmanship is truly remarkable." He spoke, his tone filled with admiration. "Three True Qi Realm cultivators, killed without a second thought. In my entire life, Zhou Changqing has never seen such a formidable warden."

Su Bai lay on the bed, looking at him without saying a word. His hands hung limply at his sides, seemingly powerless, but secretly clenched into fists.

Zhou Changqing smiled again, turned around, and walked back to the table.

"Officer Ning, you all rest for a bit, I'll go take a look outside." He said, reaching out to pull the door open.

He opened the door a crack, but instead of going out, he slammed the door shut and then slapped Ning Yuechan with his backhand!

That palm strike was swift and ruthless, striking Ning Yuechan directly at the top of her head without warning. The palm wind howled, carrying the powerful internal force of a True Qi Realm expert, enough to kill her with a single blow.

Ning Yuechan's pupils suddenly contracted.

She was severely injured, her left shoulder shattered, and she was powerless to dodge. The palm strike came too fast; she could only watch helplessly as the hand grew larger before her eyes—

In that instant, a figure sprang up from the bed.

The blade flashed like snow.

"clang!"

The blade and palm collided, producing a loud bang.

Zhou Changqing's palm strike was cleaved in two by a blade, and he took a step back. His expression changed, and he turned to look, only to see Su Bai already standing on the ground, holding his blade horizontally, blocking Ning Yuechan's path.

"You—" Zhou Changqing stared wide-eyed at Su Bai in disbelief. Su Bai had just been critically injured, unable to even stand, how could he now—

Su Bai's face was still pale, and blood still clung to the corner of his mouth, but his eyes shone with an astonishing, frightening light. His hand holding the knife was steady, as steady as if it were cast in iron.

"Zhou Changqing," he said, his voice hoarse but clear and distinct, "you finally couldn't hold back anymore."

Zhou Changqing was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

That smile held a hint of ruthlessness, madness, and a touch of admiration.

"Good, good, good." He said "good" three times in a row. "Su Bai, you are indeed extraordinary. Even so severely injured, you can still get up. However—" He paused, his gaze sweeping over Su Bai's swaying body, "How much longer can you hold on? That last strike must have used up all your strength, right?"

Su Bai did not answer, but simply gripped the knife tighter.

Zhou Changqing wasn't in a hurry. He stood with his hands behind his back, watching him with a leisurely air. His gaze held both mockery and an unwavering confidence.

"Ning Yuechan is seriously injured, and you are seriously injured too. There are only the three of us here." He spoke slowly, "You fought bravely against the demons of the Reincarnation Sect, and your injuries succumbed to, leaving you dead here. Is that reason good enough? I only need to go out and say that the demons were lurking in the guardhouse and ambushing us. By the time I arrived, you were already—tsk tsk, what a pity."

He shook his head, but his face was full of smugness.

"Su Bai, do you know how long I've waited for this day? You killed Mao Ya, you slapped me in the face, and I've wanted you dead for a long time. Today, the opportunity has finally arrived." His smile vanished, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you die a quick and painless death."

As soon as he finished speaking, he pounced on her.

This time, he went all out, striking with both palms simultaneously, one towards Su Bai and the other towards Ning Yuechan.

The palm strike was powerful and imposing, far surpassing the previous fake constable.

Su Bai's eyes narrowed.

He did not retreat, nor could he retreat.

He gritted his teeth and slashed out with his sword.

Zhenyue Saber Technique, First Form.

The blade flashed like snow, slashing straight at the palm strike that Zhou Changqing was about to deliver.

"clang!"

As their blades clashed, Zhou Changqing's expression changed.

He felt an overwhelming surge of internal force emanating from the blade, which numbed his arm and sent him staggering back three steps. He regained his footing and looked up to see Su Bai still standing motionless in the same spot.

"You—" A look of horror flashed in Zhou Changqing's eyes.

Su Bai didn't speak, but slowly raised the knife, the tip pointing at him.

In that instant, an invisible aura emanated from Su Bai, like a mountain descending and suppressing all directions. Zhou Changqing felt the surrounding air become heavy, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

"This is—" His eyes widened in disbelief. "Sword intent? You've comprehended sword intent?"

'

Su Bai did not answer.

He has only taken one step.

With that step, the power intensified, like an invisible mountain pressing down on Zhou Changqing, making his legs weak and almost causing him to kneel.

Zhou Changqing's face turned pale. He finally realized what a huge mistake he had made.

This jailer is someone he simply cannot handle.

He turned to run away.

But Su Bai was faster than him.

A flash of light, and a slash was unleashed.

Zhenyue Saber Technique, Ninth Form.

The blade's momentum was as strong as a mountain, advancing relentlessly.

Zhou Changqing felt a chill run down his spine. Looking down, he saw a knife tip protruding from his chest, dripping with blood. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but nothing came out. Then he fell straight down, crashing to the ground with a thud.

Blood spread from beneath him, staining the ground red.

Su Bai sheathed his sword, stumbled, and nearly fell. He used the sword to brace himself against the ground, panting heavily, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

Behind him, Ning Yuechan stood up and walked to his side.

She looked at Zhou Changqing's corpse on the ground, then at Su Bai, her expression complex. After a long while, she slowly opened her mouth, her voice soft: "You saved me again."

Su Bai didn't turn around, but simply shook his head gently.

Ning Yuechan looked at his swaying figure and suddenly reached out to support his arm.

"Don't push yourself," she said, her voice carrying a gentleness she'd never shown before. "Let me help you sit down."

Su Bai did not refuse.

The two slowly walked to the bedside. Su Bai sat down, and Ning Yuechan sat down beside him.

Outside, the sun is shining brightly.

The room was quiet, with only the sound of the two breathing and the faint noise coming from afar.

Ning Yuechan stared at Su Bai's pale profile, remaining silent for a long time before suddenly asking softly, "You just—you really almost died. Why did you save me?"

Su Bai turned his head and looked at her.

Although those eyes were tired, they were still bright and clear.

"Because," he said, "you're good to me."

Ning Yuechan was stunned.

She looked at Su Bai, at his pale face and bright eyes, and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, yet it conveyed an indescribable tenderness.

"Fool," she said softly.