Chapter 1294: Family

A somewhat frail Di Hou was being shielded by Hei Yang, his entire upper body already soaked in blood.

After a short while, Di Hou stopped in his tracks and stood in the middle of the corridor.

"Hei Yang..."

"Don't stop..." Hei Yang said weakly, "Keep going... I don't want to kill you..."

"I can't go any further..." Di Hou sighed, "We're surrounded..."

Only then did Hei Yang struggle to lift his eyelids and look at the scene before him.

More than a dozen Ren Ji of various heights were standing in the corridor, blocking their path.

Without a word, Hei Yang gripped his dagger in reverse and pressed it firmly against Di Hou's neck. His unsteady figure muttered, "Are these your people...?"

Di Hou replied helplessly, "I don't know them."

"Make them leave..." Hei Yang said, "Otherwise, your life ends here."

"Hei Yang... you must know..." Di Hou said, "These people don't care about my life. What they want is your head. By holding a Di Ji hostage and blocking half the corridor, you've declared yourself a rebel to everyone... Now, taking your head would be a huge achievement for anyone."

Di Hou lowered his head and clenched his left hand, realizing his fingertips were ice-cold from blood loss.

Yet, throughout their escape, Hei Yang had only pierced his flesh with the dagger, not even touching his tendons or bones.

What could drive someone so calm to go this mad?

Hei Yang's clouded eyes stared at the dozen or so people in front of him, gritting his teeth fiercely.

He wasn't sure if he had the strength left to take on that many, having lost so much blood and sustained so many injuries... Even his enhanced body might not overpower ordinary people now.

"So, what do you plan to do?" Di Hou asked softly.

"What else can I do..."

"Kill me right here?" Di Hou said expressionlessly, "Or control me and take out everyone in front of us... Or turn and run now. Those are probably your only options."

Hei Yang fell silent for a moment: "There's a fourth way."

"Oh?" Di Hou nodded, "Let's hear it."

Hei Yang slowly moved the dagger away from the other man's neck by a few centimeters, then said something Di Hou never could have imagined:

"Could you please help me...?"

Di Hou furrowed his brow, thinking this Hei Yang was truly odd.

"Do you think that request makes sense?" he asked.

"I have no other choice..." Hei Yang replied, lips pursed, "I knew this path would be tough... but I didn't expect it to be this hard. Every road leads only to despair... I see no way out to survival..."

Di Hou shook his head as he listened to Hei Yang's voice: "So, you're risking everything to find Tian Hu for what reason? Revenge?"

"Revenge..." Hei Yang gave a bitter smile, "I have no grudge with Tian Hu yet, but I might soon... My family is fighting him right now. I need to get there fast... If I'm too late..."

"Family?" Di Hou paused, "That's the first time I've heard that word on the Lie Che."

"I'm about to lose that word... Lose everyone it represents..."

Hei Yang's voice grew fainter, whether from weakness or overwhelming grief.

"I'm not trying to discourage you," Di Hou said helplessly, "But with your condition, even if you find Tian Hu... what could you change?"

"I don't know..." Hei Yang said, "I'm just holding on with my last bit of willpower... I can't even think about the next step. My goal in this rebellion is to kill two Tian Ji..."

"How many have you done so far?" Di Hou asked.

"Half." Hei Yang replied, "I killed Tian Niu."

"Wha..." Di Hou's expression changed, but he quickly suppressed it, "You're insane. You're lucky to be alive, and now you want to drag yourself in this state to go after Tian Hu..."

"So, I hope you can help me..." Hei Yang said gravely.

Di Hou looked down and saw that Hei Yang had completely lowered his hand, the dagger no longer hovering near his neck.

"Now, everyone has seen us in secret conversation," Hei Yang whispered in Di Hou's ear, "They can't fully trust you anymore... Instead of hiding until the end and facing Qing Long's suspicion, why not join our rebellion? Which path do you think gives you a better chance of survival?"

Di Hou bowed his head and thought for a moment. Honestly, neither path had a high survival rate.

Though Hei Yang was completely cornered now, that wasn't reason enough for him to risk his life to help.

"Hei Yang, all I can do is not kill you right now," Di Hou said, "You're a decent person, but that's all. It's not enough to make me die for you. Besides, you're trying to save your family, not mine."

"Not killing me..." Hei Yang nodded, "That's already the biggest help you can give... Please wait on the side... I'll take out all these Ren Ji in front of us right now... I still need you to guide me forward..."

"Hey... are you serious...?" Di Hou tried to persuade him further, but he could see Hei Yang wasn't joking.

Hei Yang pushed Di Hou away with the dagger in hand and staggered forward. His attacks were unrefined, instantly slashing open a Ren Ji's chest.

The Ren Ji clutched his chest and quickly retreated, putting distance between himself and Hei Yang.

"I'm in a hurry..." Hei Yang raised his bloodied dagger and looked at the crowd, "If you all clear a path for me here... you'll be my benefactors. I'll repay you double later..."

Though Hei Yang was gravely wounded, his icy presence made the crowd hesitate to approach.

"If we have to settle this here... then I'll have to risk my life..." Hei Yang took a few deep breaths, gripping the dagger tightly, "I'm really short on time... You'd better all come at once..."

Though he said that, Hei Yang could already see his end approaching.

He was probably the only rebel still wandering the corridor, which was why he was surrounded by so many Ren Ji.

But where had the others gone...?

Had they died, won, or escaped?

He soon realized the Ren Ji in front of him had no intention of attacking; they were just surrounding him quietly, waiting for him to bleed out.

Hei Yang took a step forward, and they stepped back in unison. But after a few steps, he didn't even have the strength to lift his feet anymore.

At that moment... would any reinforcements show up?

If they did... what a miracle that would be.

Before the thought could fade, a girl suddenly appeared among the crowd, wearing a look of utter contempt.