Chapter 21: Letting You Rediscover the Joy of Revenge
Compared to before, Zhao Datou had aged considerably, his face lined with deep wrinkles.
Xu Ning had once asked the thatched hut why its longevity-enhancing properties had no effect on Zhao Datou.
The thatched hut replied, "Without my longevity-enhancing properties, he would probably be dead by now!"
The thatched hut also said that Zhao Datou's lingering strength was due to his hatred, a strength that even gave him an unusual amount of energy.
But upon leaving Mengxi City and learning of his enemy's death, Zhao Datou finally resolved his long-held inner conflict, and the life force that had sustained him dissipated.
This led to Zhao Datou's health deteriorating day by day.
Xu Ning understood that Su Wei and Zhao Datou were roughly the same age, and Su Wei had already died. Zhao Datou's longevity was largely due to the thatched hut's longevity-enhancing properties.
After all, Zhao Datou had suffered many hidden injuries in his youth, not much less severe than Su Wei's.
In the following days, Zhao Datou's health worsened day by day, and after a few days, he was even bedridden.
Xu Ning watched, his heart aching, lost in thought, his face etched with hesitation.
That day, a commotion erupted in the village.
"Bandits are here! Everyone hide!"
"Bandits are here! Run!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Ning immediately stood up, his resolve hardening.
He grabbed a rope and went straight to Zhao Datou's bedside.
"Xu boy!" Zhao Datou looked at Xu Ning weakly, a smile on his face.
"Don't talk, old man. Remember? I said I'd take you on a journey of revenge!" Xu Ning said, tying the rope around Zhao Datou's body.
Zhao Datou's smile widened. "Revenge? With your cowardly nature? Hahahaha!"
"Old man, you underestimate me!" With that, Xu Ning finished tying Zhao Datou up, then with a powerful lift, hoisted him onto his back and secured him in front.
Zhao Datou exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing? Don't take me with you anymore! Killing me is the best solution for you right now! Taking me with you will only make me a burden!"
Xu Ning asked in surprise, "You thought I was going to kill you? Then why were you laughing?"
Zhao Datou replied, "I'm happy to lighten your burden!"
Xu Ning said, "That's not important. What's important is that you don't believe me and even suspect I'm going to kill you!"
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Zhao Datou said, "Stop talking nonsense! Put me down and run away by yourself!"
Xu Ning didn't speak, but walked to the wall, raised his arm, and, to Zhao Datou's disbelief, took out a miniature thatched hut.
At the same time, many important items inside the hut disappeared.
This was the ability of a legendary mortal-level thatched hut; anything placed inside could be taken away.
"I knew you weren't simple, kid. Are you an immortal?" Zhao Datou couldn't help but ask.
Xu Ning shook his head. "No, it's just that I have a lot of secrets and I'm afraid of being discovered, so I'm timid!"
Zhao Datou laughed. "Now I've found out!"
Xu Ning silently said, "Actually, you should have found out a long time ago!"
After saying that, without Zhao Datou understanding, he carried him out of the thatched hut.
Outside, Tie Dan was already standing there, pulling an oxcart behind him.
This was something Xu Ning had someone build, specifically for his use when he was on the run, and it had already been upgraded by Xu Ning to a high-grade mortal level.
On the oxcart were a manure bucket, a kitchen knife, and a hoe.
Carrying Zhao Datou on his back, Xu Ning jumped directly onto the oxcart. "Old Tie, let's go!"
Upon hearing this, Tie Dan instantly moved, quickly running forward. The oxcart wheels rolled up and down on the uneven ground, as if they were about to fall off at any moment, but they never did.
When they arrived at the village road, Tie Dan was about to run into the mountains.
Suddenly, Xu Ning spoke up. "Old buddy, turn around and head out of the village!"
Upon hearing this, both Zhao Datou and Tie Dan showed expressions of disbelief.
This was completely out of character for Xu Ning; normally, he would have already run away, not waited until now.
After all, Xu Ning's ability to foresee danger was always exceptional.
After standing still for a long time, Tie Dan finally reacted, turned around, and headed out of the village.
Xu Ning picked up the manure bucket and said to Zhao Datou on his back, "Old man, get ready to see what true revenge is!"
As he spoke, Tie Dan had already led Xu Ning to the village entrance.
At this moment, a group of bandits on horseback were charging towards them, the thunderous sound of hooves echoing everywhere.
Soon, the bandits saw Tie Dan charging towards them, and Xu Ning on the oxcart behind him, their faces immediately turning ferocious.
"Brothers, charge!" the bandit in the lead roared.
Seeing this, Xu Ning remained completely calm. He picked up his axe and tucked it into his waistband, then lifted the manure bucket.
With a deafening roar, Tie Dan was instantly engulfed by the mounted bandits, and the bandit charging at Tie Dan, horse and all, was sent flying by Tie Dan's charge.
Seven or eight bandits nearby immediately attacked Xu Ning, their longswords and sabers slashing down.
Xu Ning quickly raised the manure bucket, blocking all the attacks.
A top-grade mortal-level manure bucket was simply beyond the reach of ordinary weapons; even mid-grade mortal-level weapons couldn't harm it.
Then, Xu Ning forcefully pushed with the manure bucket, the immense force sending all the bandits' weapons flying.
Xu Ning then leaped up, raising the manure bucket high and smashing it straight at the bandit on horseback.
The bandit, startled, hastily raised his weapon to defend.
Bang!—
A muffled thud, and the bandit's longsword was sent flying back by Xu Ning's manure bucket, slamming heavily into his face, the sound of bones breaking ringing out.
The bandit lost his balance instantly, flying off his horse and crashing to the ground, his fate unknown.
Seeing this, the other bandits immediately attacked Xu Ning. Realizing that continuing to fight with the manure bucket would be too difficult, Xu Ning tossed it aside and drew his axe.
The manure bucket, flying through the air, seemed to cry out, "I'm done for!"
Xu Ning ignored it, and had no time to pay it any mind.
Seeing the bandits' weapons growing larger, he gripped the axe tightly with both hands, then leaped up and brought it down with all his might.
Clang! Clang! Clang!—
A series of crisp sounds rang out immediately, and all the swords and knives struck by the axe were cleaved in two.
Holding the broken longswords or knives, the group of bandits were terrified.
One of them immediately reacted and shouted, "Fourth Master, this is a peerless divine weapon!"
The Fourth Master's eyes lit up. "Hand it over, and I'll spare your life!"
Xu Ning was speechless when he heard their words. Shouldn't they be thinking about whether they can save their own lives?