Chapter Nineteen: A Desperate Battle

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This mountain road only leads to Chaiping Town, and usually there are few vehicles passing through, let alone in the dead of night. Now, with two cars approaching from both front and back, even the dull-witted Nie Yunyang understood what was happening.

To the left of the mountain road lay a ravine; to the right, green hills. Fortunately, it was not a sheer cliff—otherwise, they would be doomed tonight.

Mu Yin, driving ahead, was completely unaware of the situation, still expecting the oncoming car to give way. Luckily, Old Qiu, sitting in the front passenger seat, was fully alert. He pulled the steering wheel hard to the right and shouted, “Hit the brakes!”

Bang!

Mu Yin was stunned but instinctively pressed the brake. The Tuang SUV veered sharply toward the hillside, crushing bushes along the way before crashing into a large tree and finally coming to a stop.

Old Qiu, now past his sixties and having endured countless storms in life, reacted swiftly. As the SUV lost control, he unlocked the door, threw it open, and leaped out, rolling several times on the ground. Though his appearance was disheveled, he was unharmed.

Behind, Chang Zhicheng was much smarter than Mu Yin. Knowing there was no escape, he drove directly toward the hillside. Trees were everywhere, and he too was forced to stop.

“This vehicle’s no longer drivable; run!” Chang shouted urgently, panic in his voice.

Nie Yunyang opened the car door without hesitation, jumped out, and grabbed Mu Qingyao, charging up the mountain.

Old Qiu and Chen Zhicheng followed closely. Their opponents were strong and aggressive; staying put meant certain death.

Even if they called the police now, by the time officers arrived, they would already be dead.

As for Mu Yin, no one cared; the man was unconscious in the car after the crash and couldn’t run.

All four cars stopped, and sixteen men stepped out. The middle-aged leader ordered, “Kill them all. Leave no survivors.”

Twelve men wielded machetes, and four carried pistols—clearly intent on extermination. The group charged toward Nie Yunyang and the others.

Mu Qingyao turned to check on her cousin’s safety. Nie Yunyang grew desperate and shouted, “We’re all like clay Buddhas crossing the river—can’t even protect ourselves. Run now!”

Before he finished, bullets whizzed through the air—some piercing tree trunks, scattering shards of wood; others missed, kicking up clouds of mud.

Mu Qingyao screamed in terror, running with all her might. Gunfire echoed through the forest, revealing the ruthless savagery of these killers.

Fortunately, the dense trees and darkness shielded them from being hit. They sprinted up the mountain as fast as they could.

But their pursuers were young, vigorous men. With Mu Qingyao physically weaker and Old Qiu white-haired and elderly, it was impossible to outrun the youth.

Minutes later, Old Qiu gasped heavily, “This isn’t working. We’ll be caught soon. Call the police now!”

Only then did Nie Yunyang and Chang Zhicheng realize they’d forgotten to alert the authorities amid their flight. No matter how long the police took to arrive, the enemies would certainly hesitate knowing help was coming.

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Chang Zhicheng immediately dialed emergency services, reporting a gang of armed criminals. The officer on the other end was alarmed, quickly asking for precise location and instructing them to stay safe while police rushed to the scene.

“Zhicheng, Yunyang, take Qingyao and leave. I’ll hold them off,” Old Qiu said. He was exhausted and chose to buy time for the others.

Mu Qingyao sobbed, “Grandpa Qiu, you can’t stay—they’ll kill you!”

“Yeah, Old Qiu, those people clearly want to silence us. It’s too dangerous for you here,” Nie Yunyang added, the situation dire with no time to lose.

“Ha! A true man dies as he lives! Yunyang, take Qingyao away quickly. If anything happens to her, I swear I won’t forgive you, even as a ghost!” Chang’s voice was resolute. Knowing that Old Qiu alone couldn’t hold back the attackers, he prepared to stay behind. With their combined skills, the two could at least hold out seven or eight minutes.

“Chang, are you crazy? Staying means certain death...” Nie Yunyang’s expression was a mix of disbelief and concern.

Chang cut him off sharply. “Take the lady and go! Everything I have today is thanks to Mr. Mu. I will protect his daughter no matter what!”

Nie Yunyang took a deep breath, recognizing Chang’s determination. For Mu Qingyao’s safety, he forced her to move.

Tears streaming, Mu Qingyao cried, “I won’t go. I’ll die with you...”

Gritting his teeth, Nie Yunyang hoisted her onto his shoulders and charged up the mountain like a whirlwind.

Old Qiu and Chang exchanged a glance, both embracing a do-or-die resolve. They had known each other a long time, witnessed Mu Bailin’s rise from poverty to prominence, and received great kindness from him. Now, it was time to repay that loyalty by protecting his daughter.

After Nie Yunyang and Mu Qingyao disappeared into the thick woods, Old Qiu and Chang used the trees for cover, forming a pincer position. Facing the enemy alone would mean quick death; only by cooperating could they delay longer.

Chang held a Browning pistol loaded with ten bullets—not enough to eliminate all foes but sufficient to buy time.

Old Qiu had only a dagger, but with his skill, he could hold off two or three men.

When the nearest attacker charged, Chang, hidden behind a tree, took aim and fired in one smooth motion, blasting the man’s skull open. Blood and brain matter splattered the ground.

Bang!

The piercing gunshot echoed sharply through the silent night. The remaining fifteen killers, surprised by the gunfire, scrambled for cover.

“What now, boss?” one asked.

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The middle-aged leader’s face darkened with fury. “Don’t panic. Spread out immediately and surround them. With our numbers, I don’t believe they can all escape.”

At his command, thirteen killers fanned out, closing in. During this, Chang fired three more shots, killing another attacker.

As the circle tightened, Chang and Old Qiu abandoned their defensive retreat. Their foes were also armed; losing tree cover meant certain death.

The encirclement shrank. Old Qiu shouted to Chang, “Scatter and break through! Get out if you can!”

Chang knew survival depended on escape. He dashed sideways but was immediately hit—a bullet tore through his left shoulder, causing him to grimace in pain.

Old Qiu reacted swiftly, rolling on the ground to dodge bullets. Then, wielding his dagger, he stabbed the nearest attacker repeatedly in the soft abdomen. The man bled profusely and died instantly.

In the dark, Old Qiu engaged in brutal close combat with five killers. Though vigorous for his age, his fists could not match multiple opponents, and he soon bore numerous wounds.

Chang fared worse, exchanging fire with four gunmen. Though he killed one, he suffered three gunshot wounds—in his right arm, chest, and thigh—and nearly died on the spot.

His gaze grew dim, consciousness fading, body growing cold. Yet he clung tightly to the tree, refusing to fall.

Such was the stubbornness of a man: even at death’s door, with barely a breath left, he would never kneel before the enemy.

When Chang’s pistol was empty, three killers approached cautiously. One raised his gun and coldly said, “For being a real man, I’ll give you a quick death.”

“Mr. Mu, I’m here to join you,” Chang mustered his last strength to shout.

Bang!

A gunshot rang out, ending a vibrant life. Once prosperous in the mountain city, Chang Zhicheng might have lived peacefully in his later years, but out of gratitude to Mu Bailin’s kindness, he died far from home.

Meanwhile, Old Qiu could no longer stand. Stabbed countless times, he collapsed in a pool of blood. The most fatal wound was a dagger lodged in his chest.

The old man fell backward, eyes blazing with fury. This longtime powerhouse of the mountain city would rest forever beneath the green hills.

They could have stayed distant, enjoying peaceful family life. But life is not just about wealth and status; there are meaningful duties to fulfill.

Protecting the Mu family was their mission—to defend loyalty with their lives, to uphold justice…