Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1532 - 949: Blazing Fire (Part 2)

Some keenly observant individuals couldn't help but secretly cast glances at the old Taoist groaning on the ground like a vanquished dog, a question forming in their hearts.

How could an elder so adept in Taoist arts be unable to withstand a single blow from the frail-looking Young Master Baili? He was already wailing after just one punch.

Were all the mighty figures emerging from Immortal Mountain like this?

Perhaps the significant disparity between their expectations and reality, coupled with the pitiful manner in which the old Taoist was dispatched with a single strike, led everyone to doubt his true capabilities. Their hurried steps faltered as they drew nearer, forming a cautious semi-circle at a moderate distance.

Baili An fully grasped the shift in their demeanour, and a cold sneer touched his lips. "What is it? Is remaining silent in pain considered inappropriate behavior among you? Or is crying out in agony after falling from a mere punch also strange and improper? So tell me, what does a normal person's reaction look like?"

The onlookers fell silent, taken aback by his pointed question.

Upon recognizing his assailant, the old Taoist's eyes blazed with intense hatred. He spat and declared furiously, "Don't be fooled by this brat's nonsensical ramblings! He's nothing but a lecherous imbecile, him and that--- Ahhhhhh!"

As Baili An momentarily eased the pressure on the writhing man's wrist, the torch tumbled, striking the old Taoist's face. The searing heat caused him to thrash his head about wildly, his screams echoing incessantly.

Baili An looked down, his expression outwardly calm, yet his eyes concealed a simmering rage. He watched impassively as the old Taoist desperately struggled to evade the burning torch.

Without uttering a word, he bent down once more and delivered a ferocious punch directly to the old Taoist's face.

This strike was far from gentle. As he withdrew his fist, blood trickled down his knuckles.

A single follow-up punch silenced the old Taoist. Without granting him a moment to recover, Baili An relentlessly unleashed punch after punch with savage intensity. The old Taoist's face soon became unrecognizable, his original features lost beneath the brutal assault. His limbs twitched in agony on the ground, his only recourse a weak whine – a final, futile protest.

The brutal spectacle sent shivers down everyone's spines, chilling them to the bone.

This same Young Master Baili, usually appearing so frail that he seemed incapable of leaving his bed, let alone harming a fly, displayed a ferocity none had anticipated. The sheer brutality of his actions sent a wave of genuine fear through the witnesses.

Despite inwardly relishing the scene, Madam Wu feigned shock, covering her mouth as she exclaimed, "How could you strike him like this? Oh dear, my revered elder, your face is swelling like a pig's! Young Master Baili, aren't you being a tad too heavy-handed?"

Once Baili An finished his barrage, Madam Wu slowly approached, her concern seemingly genuine as she clutched his sleeve. "Oh, please, Young Master Baili, stop hitting! Just look at what you've done to him! If you continue, you might actually kill him."

For reasons unknown, Madam Wu harbored immense animosity towards the old Taoist.

Her shifty eyes seemed to question why a few more punches hadn't been thrown.

True to his straightforward nature, Baili An shrugged off her hand and delivered two more forceful blows.

This clearly indicated an intent to beat the man to death.

Some villagers, bound by superstition, still held onto their beliefs. Although doubts about the old Taoist's powers and identity had begun to surface, even if he wasn't a true immortal, he was still a living person.

He surely shouldn't be beaten to death.

Pushing all other thoughts aside, the crowd rushed forward, attempting to restrain Baili An's arms. The combined strength of dozens of robust women proved considerable, yet it was surprisingly insufficient.

To everyone's astonishment, Baili An's body remained as steadfast as a rooted rock, completely unyielding.

Witnessing the old Taoist's eyeballs threatening to burst from his sockets under the onslaught, Madam Wu couldn't maintain her composure. She urged anxiously, "Really, stop now! Please, Young Master, don't hit anymore! No matter his sins, he deserves a chance to explain. Oh, please moderate your strength, Sister Shu! Sister Shu, quickly persuade your husband!"

While she wouldn't lament the lecher's demise, she felt it would be unjust for the kind-hearted Young Master Baili to bear the consequences and face imprisonment.

Shu Ci, hearing Madam Wu's desperate plea, cast a silent glance at Baili An. She seemed perplexed, noting how this outpouring of rage resembled someone who had just lost a wife, especially since she herself was the one who had been assaulted and burned.

Her primary concern, however, was for Baili An's own health. He hadn't fully recovered over the past few days, and expending such energy and succumbing to such fury was hardly conducive to his healing.

With Madam Wu’s support, Shu Ci managed to stand, her steps unsteady as she approached Baili An. With a calm voice, she declared, "Stop hitting; the noise is bothersome to the eyes."

Although her words suggested mediation, Shu Ci was not known for her kindness. As she drew nearer, she began deliberately stepping on the old Taoist’s toes and ankle bones, bit by bit.

The sound of cracking joints sent shivers down spines, a chilling indication that bones might have shattered.

The old Taoist, wracked with immense pain, was on the verge of losing consciousness.

Mimicking Madam Wu's display of concern, Shu Ci grasped Baili An’s blood-covered fist. With a feigned stumble, she managed to break another of the old Taoist’s leg bones.

A soul-wrenching wail erupted from the old Taoist. His face, a mess of drool, blood, and spit, looked utterly pathetic.

Shu Ci, holding onto her grudges and seeking retribution, was merely pretending to be unsteady. In reality, she was preparing to shift her footing.

Suddenly, her waist was clasped, and her feet lifted off the ground. Baili An had scooped her sideways into his arms.

To those onlookers eager to witness the unfolding drama, Baili An’s cold glare was enough to make them instinctively retreat several steps.

The old Taoist finally had a moment to catch his breath. His aged face, completely covered in blood, made it impossible for him to open his eyes. He croaked, his throat choked with bloodied phlegm, repeatedly begging for mercy.

"No more hitting... please, don't hit me anymore. I was wrong, spare me... spare me, I'll never dare again."

Baili An, however, didn't spare him even a glance. His gaze lingered on Shu Ci’s flushed, reddened face for a moment. The eyes that were once as clear as a mountain stream began to cloud over with a dark hint, striking fear into the hearts of everyone present.

This realization sparked a terrifying thought in the minds of the onlookers.

This day’s events would undoubtedly conclude with dire consequences.

Observing the consuming intensity in Young Master Baili’s gaze, it seemed highly probable that the old Taoist would not leave this village alive today.

Perhaps the old Taoist’s incessant whimpers grew too irritating, causing Baili An to furrow his brows. He lifted his gaze to look down at the wailing man with indifference. His face, now splattered with blood, exuded a cruel and savage aura.

"Why don’t you explain where your wrongdoing lies?"

The old Taoist, spitting out blood and teeth, pitifully confessed, "This old Taoist shouldn't have harbored lustful intentions towards your wife, nor should I have, upon being rejected, sought revenge by deliberately luring her into the river to frighten her."

The truth, once revealed, left everyone stunned into silence. They realized they had been deceived by a fraudulent old man?

The village women, who had previously been exploited by the old Taoist under the guise of helping them with their Cultivation to expel evil spirits, suddenly cried out hysterically. It was as if a close relative had passed away, and they began clawing frantically at the old Taoist’s already battered face.

The old Taoist, enduring his well-deserved torment, whined and cursed endlessly. In the hands of the women, it felt as though he was undergoing yet another ordeal.

Even Madam Wu let out a plaintive sigh, stating, "You people are the cause of your own misfortune. Poor Sister Shu was wronged for no reason. Such a beautiful face, ruined by your ignorance and foolishness! How dare you cry here! It's truly shameful."

Baili An glanced at the ignorant women, his blood-stained thin lips uttering two words, "Make way."

Having witnessed Baili An’s ruthlessness, these women dared not disobey. They hastily wiped their tears, tidied their disheveled hair, and quickly stepped aside.