Chapter Nine: Kicking the Village

"Who are you? Don’t you know this is the territory of the Golden Axe Gang?" On the sentry post, a man holding a long spear shouted at the shadow below.

Seeing the shadow unmoved, the man was momentarily stunned, then shouted again, "Are you deaf? I’m talking to you!"

Still, the shadow didn’t move. The man grew furious and was about to shout once more when he suddenly realized—the shadow that had been there a moment ago had vanished.

Just as he was bewildered, he felt a sudden chill on the back of his neck. Whipping around in alarm, he discovered that, without his notice, a young man was now standing behind him.

As he began to back away, the youth suddenly lunged with his right hand—so fast it was nearly a blur. Before the sentry could react, his neck was seized in a vice-like grip.

"Did your mother never teach you to treat guests properly when they come to your home?" Void, clutching the sentry’s neck, spoke coldly.

"You—"

Before he could finish, Void’s hand tightened. The sentry struggled briefly, then went limp.

Void tossed the sentry’s body off the rampart without a care and dusted off his hands. Just as he was about to descend, he suddenly sensed a murderous intent behind him and instinctively dodged to the right.

Whirling around, Void saw another guard, dressed just like the first, no doubt another sentry.

Seeing Void evade his attack, the man did not hesitate. Twisting his blade, he swept it toward Void’s neck in a deadly arc.

Void gave a cold snort as the blade swept toward him. He extended his right hand.

A metallic clang rang out as Void’s hand caught the incoming blade.

The man was astonished, instinctively trying to wrench his sword free—only to find it immovable. His face changed dramatically. In panic, he released the blade and sprang backward.

Void’s expression was indifferent as he watched the guard retreat. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the sword into the air, caught the hilt, and, with a sudden motion, hurled it like a meteor at the fleeing sentry.

With a sickening thud, the blade drove deep into the man’s chest, its force carrying him backward until he was pinned heavily against a pillar.

Though it seemed a long time, less than a minute had passed since Void arrived atop the wall and slew the two guards. Yet within the stockade, no one suspected the sentries were already dead.

Without pausing, Void vaulted over the rampart.

No sooner had he landed than a dozen men, torches in hand, surrounded him.

"Who are you? How did you get in?" shouted a man on the left.

"Old Nine! Old Nine!" another called toward the rampart.

Just as the man was about to shout again, one of the torchbearers seemed to notice something and hurried to the base of the wall.

"Fifth Master, bad news! Ninth Master is dead!" he cried.

"What? Dead?" Fifth Master exclaimed in shock, moving to confirm.

"It’s true. He’s not breathing," the man added.

"You bastard, was it you?" Fifth Master roared at Void.

"So what if it was?" Void replied indifferently.

Hearing this, Fifth Master’s veins bulged with rage. He hurled his torch to the ground and drew his sword, charging at Void.

Void watched the gleaming blade draw closer, his expression cold. He tilted his head aside, dodging the sword, and seized the opening to clench his right fist and lunge at Fifth Master.

Fifth Master, startled by the failed attack, saw Void’s murderous gaze and hastily gathered his spiritual energy to his chest, bracing for impact.

Void’s fist crashed into Fifth Master’s body with a resounding crack.

With a tearing sound, the force ripped open the back of Fifth Master’s tunic.

Blood gushed from his mouth as he reeled from the blow, agony radiating from his chest.

All this transpired in the blink of an eye. When the others finally saw clearly, Fifth Master was already sprawled motionless on the ground.

"Fifth Master! Fifth Master!" the others cried in alarm.

Fifth Master lay still. Two men rushed to check on him. One felt for his breath, then exhaled with relief, "He’s alive. Not dead."

The others’ tense faces relaxed slightly, but soon their eyes burned with fury as they glared at Void, who was casually wiping his fist.

"Seize him!" someone shouted, and the rest lunged at Void like starving wolves.

Void snorted coldly, and suddenly a torrent of powerful spiritual energy erupted from him, sweeping out in every direction.

The oppressive force made everyone’s faces change instantly. One by one, they collapsed to the ground, unable to rise.

Void glanced indifferently at the fallen men, then, without pausing, strolled toward the main hall.

Inside the hall, the leaders were discussing Old Six You’s family. As the discussion wound down, the Golden Axe King, who had been sitting with eyes closed in repose at the head of the hall, suddenly opened his eyes wide, his face darkening as he stared at the entrance.

"King, what’s wrong?" someone asked, puzzled by his sudden reaction.

"This… this is a spiritual pressure," the Golden Axe King muttered.

"In Green Creek Town, aside from myself, only that old fellow in the Penal League is a Grand Spirit Master. Has he come to wipe us out again?" he mused uncertainly.

"Report, King! Someone is killing their way in!" a man burst into the hall in panic.

"Is it that old fellow from the Penal League?" the Golden Axe King bellowed.

"No, it’s—"

Before he could finish, the Golden Axe King, staring at the doorway, waved a hand, signaling him to stop.

As the messenger hesitated, he suddenly turned and, to his shock, saw a figure now standing two feet behind him. Looking closely, it was none other than Void, who had stormed the mountain stronghold.

The messenger scrambled to his feet and staggered to the right.

In a flash, Void appeared in the center of the hall.

The people in the hall, seeing Void, hurriedly drew their weapons and encircled him, blades gleaming menacingly.

"You must be the Golden Axe King," Void said, fixing his gaze on the middle-aged man at the head of the hall.

"Hahaha, truly, heroes are born young," the Golden Axe King laughed heartily in admiration.

"Enough with the nonsense. I’m here for one reason. We’re all men of the world—there’s no need for idle talk," Void replied bluntly.

"Hahaha, may I ask how to address you, brother?" The Golden Axe King, undisturbed by Void’s brusqueness, asked as though making friendly conversation.

"Oh? Didn’t your men tell you?" Void glanced at a man of about twenty.

It was the black-clad man Void had spared earlier. Now, his face was ashen with terror—the look of a rabbit confronting a tiger.

"Ah, my men are all useless. Don’t take offense, brother. May I trouble you to introduce yourself again?" the Golden Axe King sighed.

"Void," came the crisp reply.

"Hahaha, Brother Void is a straightforward man. If I, the Golden Axe King, could call you friend, it would be the fortune of a lifetime," he laughed.

Though he spoke warmly, his thoughts churned. If he could draw this man into his Golden Axe Gang, he’d no longer fear the Penal League. After all, the Penal League had only one Grand Spirit Master, but with two on his side, he could dominate Green Creek Town. He resolved: tonight, either recruit him or ensure he never leaves. The Penal League’s old fox would think the same—if Void joined the Penal League, the Golden Axe King would have to pack up and leave, lest he lose his life here.

But Void’s next words chilled him instantly.

"Your good intentions are noted, Golden Axe King, but do not set your sights on me. If I wish to leave, no one here can stop me."

The icy words sent a shiver through the hall. The King’s face changed, but he managed a strained smile. "Brother Void, you overstate things. If you wish to go, I’d be more than happy to see you off. How could I dare detain you?"

Looking at the awkward smile, the gleaming weapons, and the door that had been silently closed behind him, Void found the King’s words almost laughably insincere.

"Let’s not digress. I’m here to ask you: who hired you to assassinate Old Six You?" Void brought the conversation back to the point, his right index finger leveled at the Golden Axe King.

"Aiya, it was just a misunderstanding. I didn’t know you were at Fatty You’s house. I apologize. One day, I’ll come in person to make amends. Besides, you’ve already killed some of my brothers—let’s call it even, shall we?" the Golden Axe King pleaded, his tone nothing like the burly, broad-shouldered man he was—more like a frail woman begging for mercy.

His followers were dumbfounded. In all the years they’d served him, never had they seen him so humble, even pleading. Normally, he’d have raised his twin axes and chopped the intruder to pieces.

But the Golden Axe King didn’t care what his men thought. He was desperate to avoid a direct clash with Void, knowing that Void was also a Grand Spirit Master. Even if he won, he’d likely be gravely injured, and then the ever-watchful Penal League would swoop in. Numbers meant nothing before true power—cannon fodder at best. The Penal League hadn’t wiped out the Axe Gang because he, too, was a Grand Spirit Master. They weren’t fools—they wouldn’t pass up such a golden opportunity. That’s why he was so determined to avoid a direct confrontation.

"Will you speak or not?" Void ignored the King’s entreaties, his voice still icy.

"This… it wouldn’t be right. Every house has its rules. Even in our line of work, there are codes to follow. Forgive me, I cannot say," the Golden Axe King hesitated, then shook his head.

Void paused briefly, then, without a hint of hesitation, unleashed a torrent of spiritual energy that surged through the hall, his eyes blazing as he stared at the King. From the depths of the underworld, his voice thundered, "Then you leave me no choice."

Sensing the flood of power from Void, the Golden Axe King’s brow furrowed. In response, his body trembled, and an equally formidable surge of spiritual energy erupted from him, colliding with Void’s in a series of explosive booms.

"Let me see just how strong you are, Brother Void."