MTLNOVEL Chapter 53: Relieving Pain
The next morning
After completing their Purple Demon Eye training, Wu Lan's group was walking around the village.
The village, once filled with sadness and despair, was now brimming with happiness and hope.
While they strolled, Qian Renxue joined them and asked,
"Wu Lan, is he really coming today?" Her expression was serious.
Wu Lan nodded. "Mo Jianye's greed is predictable. He'll come to investigate the bandits' silence and to collect his share. He has no idea the bandits are dead or that we're here."
Qian Renxue's eyes gleamed coldly. "And when he comes?"
Wu Lan's smile deepened but it held no warmth.
"Then the judgement begins."
She knew that bastard would come to the village to inquire about the bandits.
Even if he ignored her status, she'd have to fight seriously to defeat him.
But what puzzled her was that Wu Lan was only a level-47 healing-type soul master.
She was curious, how was he going to deal with this?
While she was still wondering, Wu Lan suddenly stopped and looked in a certain direction.
He had sensed a carriage approaching the village.
"The fun is about to begin," he murmured.
Meanwhile,
A carriage was moving steadily toward the village. Inside sat a fat, middle-aged man, Mo Jianye, a Soul Saint of Spirit Hall.
Right now, his expression was anything but pleasant. He hadn't received his payment from Black Fang Gang leader, Mu Yan.
Irritated, he had brought two Spirit Hall guards with him to confront the man directly.
But before they could reach the village, one of the guards called out,
"Master Mo Jianye, we spotted Mu Yan up ahead!"
"What? Stop near him," Mo Jianye ordered, his expression brightening slightly. He was relieved, his money hadn't vanished after all.
As the carriage stopped, Mo Jianye stepped out with an air of self-importance, brushing imaginary dust from his robe. He wore the calm expression of a man who believed he owned the very land he walked on. The Spirit Hall badge glinted on his chest. His two guards followed close behind.
Mo Jianye asked arrogantly,
"Bastard, how dare you delay my payment? Do you want to die?"
'Mu Yan' put on an apologetic face and said,
"Master, sorry… we were delayed due to some issues. I was just about to come to you with the money."
Mo Jianye calmed down.
"Fine. I'll forgive you this time. Where's my money?"
"Master, we hid it in a nearby cave for safety reasons. I'll go retrieve it now,"
'Mu Yan' replied with a cautious expression.
"Since you've wasted my time, this time all the money you collected belongs to me," Mo Jianye said, his voice dripping with greed.
"What?! Master, that's not what we agreed on!"
'Mu Yan' looked shocked and distressed.
Mo Jianye immediately released his soul pressure to intimidate him.
'Mu Yan' crumbled instantly under the pressure.
"Master, please spare me… you can take all the money!"
"Good. Now take me to it," Mo Jianye said, clearly satisfied.
He climbed back into the carriage and ordered the guards to follow 'Mu Yan.'
But he didn't notice the cold expression flickering on 'Mu Yan's' face.
Soon, they arrived at the hidden cave.
Inside was a large pile of gold.
Mo Jianye rushed toward it with a greedy expression. The two guards mirrored his excitement.
Suddenly, Mo Jianye felt a chill run down his spine.
Too late.
Something struck the back of his head.
His vision blurred, and he caught one last glimpse of 'Mu Yan' holding an iron rod.
"Bastard..!"
Before he could say more, Mo Jianye collapsed unconscious.
The two guards snapped out of their daze and prepared to attack but 'Mu Yan' teleported in front of them and knocked them out with swift strikes.
After they were unconscious, Wu Lan removed his disguise and looked at them with a cold expression.
He took out thick ropes and tied them tightly, then administered a potent paralysis poison to Mo Jianye. The two guards were moved to another part of the cave.
Once everything was set, Wu Lan left the cave and returned to the village.
At the village entrance, Xiao Wu and Zhuqing stood anxiously, watching the path for Wu Lan. Qian Renxue also glanced in that direction from time to time, lost in thought.
When Wu Lan finally appeared, Zhuqing started running toward him—but Xiao Wu teleported and reached him first, throwing her arms around him.
"Brother!"
"Sorry to make you worry," Wu Lan said gently, calming Xiao Wu and Zhuqing.
Qian Renxue, too, had been worried when Wu Lan left to deal with Mo Jianye. She had wanted to go with him, but he had rejected her request.
Seeing him safe now brought her a sense of relief, and curiosity.
"Did you take care of him?" she asked.
"Of course. I got him. Now, the next plan begins," Wu Lan replied with a mischievous smile.
Seeing that expression, the group immediately understood, he was up to something again.
"Let's go," Wu Lan said. He didn't explain his plan but led them toward the village chief.
They soon arrived at the chief's home, a man who had lost both his son and grandson to the bandits.
"Village chief," Wu Lan asked, "do you want revenge?"
Without hesitation, the old man replied,
"Of course! Because of that bastard, my entire family is gone… but with my weak body, what can I do to a Soul Saint?" His voice was bitter with despair, knowing the vast difference in strength.
"I have a way for you to take revenge, without facing any consequences. Do you want to try?" Wu Lan said slowly, letting the words sink in.
"Really? I can take revenge?" the village chief was stunned, and elated.
"Yes. Gather those who want revenge. I'll help you. Oh, and make sure they bring strong weapons," Wu Lan said, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"Brother, what are you doing?" Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, and Qian Renxue asked, clearly confused.
"You'll see," Wu Lan replied, maintaining the suspense.
Though puzzled, the village chief followed the instructions and gathered everyone who wanted revenge. They came with hammers, farming tools, and whatever else they could find.
Wu Lan brought them near the cave and handed out black robes to everyone.
"Wear them."
He started putting on one himself.
Though confused, xiao wu, zhuqing, qian renxue and the villagers complied.
Once everyone had changed, he led them into the cave.
Inside, they saw Mo Jianye tied up and unconscious. They were stunned.
Wu Lan turned to the villagers and said coldly,
"This man, Mo Jianye, took bribes from bandits, watched as they burned your homes, kidnapped your children, and sold your daughters into slavery. All while wearing the badge of justice."
The atmosphere turned heavy.
Murmurs spread through the crowd. Many villagers clenched their fists, faces dark with painful memories.
Wu Lan continued,
"I'll heal him and keep him alive. You can make sure he understands how much pain you've suffered and relieve your pain, however you see fit."
There was a moment of silence.
Then, an old man stepped forward.
He was the blacksmith the one whose daughter had vanished three winters ago.
With a heavy hammer in hand, he walked slowly toward Mo Jianye.
"I'll be the first."
[Author's Note:
A huge thank you to the incredible supporters on Patreon who have helped keep this story alive, your encouragement means everything to me.
Special shoutout to Tyrone Larson, your support truly makes a difference.
Because of you all, I'm inspired to keep writing and bring this story to life, one chapter at a time.
]