Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Chapter 80: 80 Killing Intent, Black Shadow

The time was Xu hour.

”Bang!”

”Haha, the city has fallen!”

”Kill them for me!”

”I want to eat meat!”

...

Celestial River City.

Luo Mansion.

Luo Qiao had only one daughter, named Luo Zhen.

Born to him in his old age, Luo Qiao, already wealthy beyond measure, started to do good deeds in recent years to thank heaven’s beneficence. He built a reputation in Nanyang County, known as the Great Philanthropist Luo.

His only daughter, Luo Zhen, determined to inherit her father’s business and ensure he would have support in his old age, swore to never marry and learned commerce from him.

Because doing business required public appearances, and Luo Zhen was exceptionally beautiful and proficient in the arts, she earned the title of Nanyang’s First Beauty.

In an ancient-scented room in the back courtyard of Luo Mansion, the sound of a zither occasionally drifted out, sometimes slow, sometimes urgent, the melody pleasing and intoxicating.

Just then, a maid hurriedly ran into the room, anxiously shouting to the white-dressed woman playing the zither: ”Miss, it’s not... not good, the refugees outside the city have forced their way in, killed many people, and are heading towards Luo Mansion. The county magistrate has sent people to escort us to the County Government Office, Miss, please leave...”

”What.”

...

As Luo Zhen and her entourage were just leaving the room, outside Luo Mansion, thousands of refugees surrounded it, led by a man holding a torch:

”Listen up, everyone, this Luo family’s wealth is immense. Look at this courtyard, so beautiful, so luxurious, they certainly don’t lack food. As long as we kill our way in, we won’t worry about having enough to eat or drink. Then we can feast and drink to our heart’s content.

I heard that the only daughter of the Luo family is Nanyang’s First Beauty, we must have a good encounter with her...”

”Kill them with me!”

”Attack!”

”Attack!”

”Attack!”

Many weakly raised sticks, some carried kitchen knives, their blades stained with blood, their mouths greasy, obviously having wreaked havoc elsewhere before coming to Luo Mansion.

They staggered towards Luo Mansion, their strength lay in their numbers, making a formidable presence.

The guards of Luo Mansion, having never seen such a scene, were immediately sweating bowls as they clung to the courtyard wall observing.

The steward of Luo Mansion stood in a high place, shouting: ”Everyone, stay calm, our master is known throughout Celestial River City and all of Nanyang as the Great Philanthropist. The porridge shelters built outside the city recently were funded privately by our master, saving many of your lives.

And now you want to attack our master’s manor, isn’t that ungrateful and deserving of divine retribution? Retreat quickly before disaster strikes.”

This shout had some effect.

People looked at each other, uncertain.

But then a loud voice arose from the crowd:

”Then why is the porridge less each day, barely anything but water, who can eat this? Who can be satisfied?”

”While you all feast on fish and meat, why don’t you distribute more?”

”Exactly, we want meat, if there’s no meat, we won’t leave.”

”Yes, we won’t leave.”

”...”

Hearing this bandit logic, the steward of Luo Mansion was instantly furious, shouting again: ”The granary of Luo Mansion is already empty, these days, even our master and miss are drinking thin porridge. You better retreat quickly and not make a mistake. The county magistrate is our master’s brother, and when he arrives with soldiers, you won’t be able to leave...”

With these words, the refugees’ expressions changed, panic spread among them.

Since ancient times, the civilians never fought... authority.

Previously, they were somewhat blinded by their rage.

But now, with a shout, some regained clarity.

The man leading them was seeing the situation turn, and from nowhere, produced a dagger, throwing it towards the steward of Luo Mansion, saying:

”Folks, we have no retreat now, since we killed the official soldiers, we carry the crime of a beheading.

Don’t listen to him, my friend is a servant in Luo Mansion, he says their food is stacked several stories high, enough for endless consumption. Let’s charge!”

”Charge!”

”Charge!”

”Charge!”

The steward of Luo Mansion dodged the incoming dagger, and asked the people below: ”Have the master and miss left?”

”They’ve gone to the back door, attempting to break through.”

”Alright, the master has favored us, hold on a bit longer, and then we leave.”

”Yes.”

...

Meanwhile, at the rear of the refugees, some individuals, whose attire clearly indicated they were not refugees, whispered among themselves.

”Sir, scouts report that people from Luo Mansion are heading behind.”

”Quickly, strengthen the defense, we absolutely cannot let Luo Zhen escape. Nanyang’s First Beauty, if we capture her and offer her to the higher-ups, our achievements won’t be small.”

”Understood.”

...

Luo Mansion back courtyard.

”Master, it’s bad, more and more bandits are coming, our people are suffering heavy losses, we can’t hold much longer.” A guard wielding a large sword, face bloodied, bowed to an old man wearing a fine robe, hair slightly grayed at the temples, approximately fifty years old.

That old man was Luo Qiao, his piercing gaze and fierce visage were utterly unrelated to the name Great Philanthropist Luo.

”Indeed, the massacres I committed in my youth cannot be undone by countless good deeds, now, retribution has arrived.”

Luo Qiao whispered within himself, then raised his hand and stroked the head of his only daughter nearby, saying: ”It seems, not letting you learn martial arts was a mistake...”

After speaking, Luo Qiao’s expression turned fierce, saying: ”Qing Lao, take the miss and leave, I’ll cover you.”

”Yes, master.”

”Granny Qing, you...” Luo Zhen seemed to have seen something incredibly shocking, only to see an elderly woman with completely white hair, leaned over a cane, emerge, stand before her with the once bent back now straight, the cane in her hand transformed into a sharp sword-like weapon.

Clearly unlike the Granny Qing that Luo Zhen knew.

”Go.” Luo Qiao’s robe exploded, his exposed muscular body quivering, a fierce tiger tattoo intimidatingly visible.

”Father...” Luo Zhen’s face changed, was this the father who gasped for air after a few steps?

”Qing Lao, take the miss and leave...”

”Kill!”

At that moment, the rear door was breached, a large number of refugees surged in.

Luo Qiao picked up a large sword, chopping like watermelons, his hand rising and falling, cursing vehemently.

”Miss, be careful.”

The old woman’s cane thrust forward, piercing through the chest of a man trying to grab Luo Zhen.

Blood froth gushed from his mouth, life extinguished.

The two fought their way left and right with guards, eventually breaking out of the encirclement...

At that moment, a Black Shadow appeared before Luo Qiao, saying: ”Mountain Tiger, long time no see, I didn’t expect you to be hiding here.”

Black Shadow glanced at the scar on Luo Qiao’s wrist, then said: ”Didn’t expect you to use this method to conceal your identity.”

”Black Shadow.” Luo Qiao’s expression changed drastically.

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