Chapter 6: The Guardian—Offering Your Blood as a Sacrifice to the Afterlife

Shhh—shhh—

Suddenly, blades and swords flashed, slicing through the air. Attacks came from all directions, sealing off every escape route. The assailants were ablaze with fighting spirit, murderous intent surging forth, their combat prowess at its peak—every move deadly, no room for error.

“Hmph!” Du Gu Farewell let out a cold snort, his expression frosty as his back arched slightly. His spine crackled, and beneath his feet, the fountain of strength rumbled, power surging upwards like a torrent. In an instant, he shot forward.

Crack—

In midair, he unleashed a whip-like kick with all his might, striking a wolf squarely at the waist. The wolf’s body twisted grotesquely, folding so that head and feet met.

Its eyes bulged with rage, but the light in them faded. Its fingers could no longer grasp, and with a mournful cry, its blade slipped from its hand and fell to the ground. Du Gu Farewell twisted in midair, snatched up the blade, and, carried by momentum, dragged it through the void, leaving a dazzling arc of sword light.

“Farewell—Blade—!”

Shhh—

With a single swing, the blade sliced through the divide of life and death, its fierce, unyielding intent surging from the cold steel. Radiant light formed a blade a meter long, sweeping through in a flash, cutting down two more wolves.

“Die!” One wolf raised its sword with both hands, splitting the air like a mountain, but its defense was riddled with flaws. At the same time, several wolves closed in, slashing madly from every angle, covering each other’s weaknesses.

Du Gu Farewell’s gaze flickered, instantly assessing the situation. He reversed his grip, forcing back the enemy behind him, while his body slipped forward, colliding with another wolf’s chest. The wolf prepared to strike, but the target suddenly approached, and in surprise, it tried to strike down with its elbows and retreat. Yet before it could act, its body stiffened as blood, vitality, and fighting spirit drained uncontrollably away. Boundless darkness enveloped its soul.

“How exhilarating! I feel as though my strength will never run dry. If I punch, I could pierce the heavens!” Du Gu Farewell grew braver as he fought, his power inexhaustible. Battle experience from his past life fused with his actions, countering every move, breaking every form, making connections where once there were gaps.

Meanwhile, the thirteen wolves fell one after another, hot crimson blood splattering the ground with a hiss, smoke curling up, the stench thick.

Thud—

Another wolf perished, sliced cleanly by the blade, its corpse split in two. The last two wolves, seeing this, finally felt fear. Realizing they’d met a fiercer foe, they turned and fled.

“Trying to run?” Du Gu Farewell licked his lips, bloodlust gleaming, and hurled his blade light. One slow runner was struck down instantly. But this delay allowed the last wolf to escape a few meters beyond the blade’s reach.

“Farewell…Blade!” Du Gu Farewell drew a deep breath, standing still. He gently raised his right hand and let it fall.

Hiss—

The blade light shot forth, piercing the body and covering several meters.

The wolf glanced back, catching the glint in the corner of its eye. Terror shattered its soul, and it raced for its life, just barely escaping to where the blade’s power faded, feeling a cold chill down its back.

“Hahaha…” The wolf, surviving by a hair’s breadth, laughed aloud. “Even if you were ten times stronger, what could you do? Come, slash me again—I’ll just wait right here…”

“When death is near, the arrogant are happiest for a fleeting moment. There won’t be another chance.” Du Gu Farewell shook his head in disdain, turning away.

“Such a pity, one escaped. Who knows what trouble he might bring in the future,” the village elder sighed, and all agreed. But soon, their gazes froze in disbelief as they stared into the distance.

The last wolf was still laughing.

He was triumphant, as if he hadn’t just survived a brutal slaughter.

His smile blossomed on his face like an elegant flower, opening naturally in the right season, bathed in sunlight, fragrant and fresh.

But as he laughed, the wrinkles from his smile lingered, growing stiff, etched on his skin. He sensed something wrong within him, as if another living thing was awakening from long slumber, wanting to stretch…

Then, a strange force erupted, sharp and unstoppable, marking separation. From head to waist, a straight crimson mist shot forth!

“How…can this be?” The wolf stared at Du Gu Farewell, unwilling to accept his fate. Not wanting to die without answers, he used his last strength to ask, “How…did you…kill me…”

“I’ve honed my blade technique so that the blade light contains my will, and its force is unmatched. Though you evaded my intent, the force remained. If you’d only fled, you might have escaped. Alas, alas.” Du Gu Farewell spoke softly, already bending to cradle the child, pulling his little sister close, turning to the villagers without another glance.

The outcome was long set in his heart.

“What is…blade force…” The wolf yearned for answers, but time ran out. The force inside him erupted, cutting and splitting from within, dividing him in two. His organs fell to the ground with a sickening splatter, emitting a foul stench. Under the harsh light, they quickly shriveled, completely dehydrated.

“Big brother…” Du Gu Little Sister called softly, her expression complex.

Du Gu Farewell stopped, about to ask what was wrong, when he saw the old, young, sick, and infirm villagers approaching in unison. In their eyes was a fervent hope, the same as in his sister’s.

“What is this?” Du Gu Farewell was puzzled, not understanding why the villagers surrounded their benefactor.

“May I ask, are you a Commander?” The village elder stepped forward and asked on behalf of all. In his experience, only a Commander could kill so easily, wiping out thirteen warriors. The only Commander he’d ever seen was the Lord of Skyglow City.

So, he spoke with utmost respect and humility.

“Me? Commander?” Sensing no malice, Du Gu Farewell smiled and shook his head. “I’ve only opened two springs of strength, just a Warrior.”

“That’s wonderful!” The elder leaped with excitement, surprisingly agile for his age. Realizing he’d been too exuberant, he quickly bent low, his manner full of hope. “Then…may I ask, honored Warrior, would you be willing to stay and protect our Du Gu village?”

“Big brother…” Du Gu Little Sister timidly tugged his arm, whispering, “Would you?”

Du Gu Farewell fell silent, feeling his nose sting. Hearing his sister’s pleading voice, seeing her anxious, fearful expression, he had to reconsider the request he’d deliberately ignored.

“Fine, I have to protect these sisters anyway, and they live among the villagers. It’s just a small effort. I should agree. The vow still stands—I can’t let her down or make her sad!”

With his mind made up, Du Gu Farewell gently patted his sister’s fragile shoulder, cradled the child, and stood tall at the center. His gaze swept across the hopeful faces. Raising one hand to the sky and pointing to the earth, he declared his decision with a resounding voice.

His words rang out, full of heroic spirit, like a lion proclaiming its territory. “From today onward, I, Du Gu Farewell, am your guardian. I will use all my strength to protect you, so you may enjoy peace and happiness, free from bullying, pillage, insult, or harm. Whoever violates my word, whether above or below, shall be slain!”

“Thank you, big brother.” Amid the villagers’ cheers, Du Gu Little Sister spoke with excitement, tears streaming down her cheeks. The child, seeing her sister cry, whimpered as well. Her nose twitched, and her big eyes blinked, genuine joy shining through, evoking both pity and affection.

Du Gu Farewell, who’d just fought fiercely without flinching, felt his heart stabbed by an overwhelming force, making him tremble, utterly defenseless. He panicked. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Since you call me brother, I’ll never let you suffer again. From now on, every day must be happy…please, don’t cry, alright…”

His sister nodded emphatically, leaning her head in close. She closed her eyes, tears still glistening, feeling a gentle itch. Yet she remained still, savoring the warmth of his embrace, as if her father were still alive.

……

The forgotten Du Gu village, after years of silent suffering and struggle, finally ushered in a new chapter. With his sister and the child in tow, Du Gu Farewell met the villagers formally under the elder’s lead, establishing his place.

From this moment, he began to integrate into the primordial world.

And his head began to ache.

A man who only knew fighting and killing found himself stymied as he tried to fulfill his duty as guardian.

Water!

Scarce!!!

In conversation with the elder, he learned the dire situation. It was bleak.

Because of its ominous reputation, Du Gu village was abandoned by all factions, becoming a no-man’s-land. Where other villages received monthly water supplies, Du Gu village had none, surviving only on the scant rainwater collected during lunar shadow days.

To combat this, able-bodied men had to leave, joining military units, escorting water, or exploring dangerous lands, sending their hard-earned gains back home.

Batch after batch left, gradually dying. By two months ago, there were no healthy adult men left, only the old, young, women, and disabled. At its peak, the village had tens of thousands. Now, barely over a thousand remained.

With no extra water, relying solely on rain, they could last only until the end of the month. If they couldn’t solve this, death awaited them in the near future.

What to do?

The only guardian who needed no support from the villagers, but bore their livelihood, tore at his hair in frustration, lost in deep thought…

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