Chapter 44: Capture the Leader to Defeat the Bandits
Boom, boom, boom...
In the dense, heavy thundering of footsteps, the billowing clouds of dust bore down, less than a hundred yards from Mu Tianhen and his companions. Within the haze, the silhouettes of beasts could be faintly discerned—there were certainly many.
“You, hurry and retreat to the tree hollow behind us, go now!”
Mu Tianhen spoke, instructing Mu Tianxue and the other two to hide in the tree hollow, so he would not be distracted by their safety.
Though reluctant, yearning to fight alongside him, the three obeyed Mu Tianhen’s command, slipping into the great hollow of the tree behind. They knew well that, before the tide of beasts, their meager cultivation was no match; if they fought, they would quickly become corpses.
Not only would they die, but Mu Tianhen would be forced to divide his focus, diminishing his own fighting strength.
They did not know if Mu Tianhen could withstand these ferocious beasts, but at least he was far stronger than the three of them combined. If fate favored them, victory was not impossible.
After all, they had witnessed his extraordinary abilities just moments before—the uncanny swordsmanship, unpredictable and deadly with every stroke.
Such techniques were lethal even to skilled human warriors; against less intelligent beasts, they should prove even more effective.
If Mu Tianhen avoided prolonged battle, employing tactics of fighting while retreating, dividing and conquering, perhaps there was a chance.
The three huddled in the tree hollow, hands clasped in prayer—for Mu Tianhen, and for themselves.
Ahead, the wall-like swathe of dust drew closer, some already enveloping Mu Tianhen, shrouding him within. The beasts behind the dust finally came into clear view.
Seeing the charging pack, both Mu Tianhen and the three in the tree hollow released a long breath of relief.
It was not a beast tide, but rather a group traveling together.
Though the reason for their gathering was unknown, their numbers were far fewer than imagined—barely a hundred in all. Among them, the leading giant tiger was the most formidable.
The tiger’s back rose over thirty feet, its body stretched beyond fifty feet, limbs thick as pillars. Its razor-sharp claws and fangs gleamed with a chilling light.
A single bite or swipe would surely tear flesh from bone—if not death, then grave injury.
Aside from the giant tiger, there were elephants, brown bears, enormous eagles—each one’s gaze brimming with murderous intent, impossible to meet.
Though their numbers were limited, the aura they exuded was immense, suffusing the land and making one tremble with fear.
Yet the beasts did not immediately attack Mu Tianhen. Instead, they stood five yards before him, forming a line, all eyes fixed upon him.
“Roar~~~”
The leading giant tiger let out a low growl, clouds of white breath billowing from its maw, its dreadful fangs bared—a clear display of menace.
Mu Tianhen, seeing their numbers and power were not overwhelming, felt confidence swell within.
With his current cultivation, dealing with five or six elite beasts was effortless. Even the giant tiger, which had reached the eight-star elite level, could be taken down with ease—three at a time, if necessary.
Moreover, among the hundred beasts, only ten or so were elite level, and all below five stars—not enough to threaten Mu Tianhen.
Of course, he knew even the strongest could be worn down by endless assault; if they chose to fight in waves, exhaustion would be inevitable, death certain, and he would become their feast.
Mu Tianhen would not allow such an outcome. He would secure victory in the most direct, swift manner.
He moved.
Clang!
With a crisp ring, his long sword was unsheathed once more, infused with vast streams of vital energy, radiating sword aura, formidable and awe-inspiring.
He then employed his Water Without Trace movement technique, paired with the Wind-Surpassing Sword, transforming into flickering afterimages as he launched his attack upon the beast horde.
“Roar~~~”
Seeing Mu Tianhen charge wordlessly with sword in hand, the giant tiger was enraged, raising its head in a thunderous howl, issuing the command to attack.
“Aw~~~”
“Chirp~~~”
In an instant, the roars of beasts and cries of birds shook the heavens. Massive bodies lunged at Mu Tianhen, forming an arc, seeking to encircle him.
But they were too slow; before they could close in, Mu Tianhen had already flashed before the giant tiger, sword raised, eyes fixed upon its neck.
Whoosh!
A streak of sword light split the air, slashing down with lightning speed.
Whoosh!
Clang!
The giant tiger’s reaction was keen; it instantly raised its forepaw to strike Mu Tianhen’s sword, meeting it head-on. Sharp claws clashed against sword, shrill and piercing, sparks scattering.
Both parties were forced back several steps, evenly matched, neither gaining ground.
“Roar~~~”
The giant tiger howled again, furious and bloodthirsty, its eyes ablaze with murderous intent. Yet it did not attack Mu Tianhen, instead retreating further, widening the distance.
Mu Tianhen observed this move, understanding the tiger’s intent.
If it withdrew, the other beasts would seize the chance to battle Mu Tianhen, draining his strength and energy. In the end, the tiger would simply finish him off with ease.
But the giant tiger miscalculated once more.
Mu Tianhen would not let it succeed.
His attack was aimed precisely at the giant tiger; to slay it would vastly increase his chances of victory. These beasts possessed a measure of intelligence—not mere brute strength.
Thus, Mu Tianhen sought to fell the leader in a single stroke, intimidating the entire horde.
Shoot the horse before the rider, capture the king before the bandit.
Once the leader was slain, the rest would lose their will to fight, their command broken, and would retreat in fear, returning whence they came.
Mu Tianhen was not a man of slaughter—he knew how hard it was for beasts to cultivate. There was no need to annihilate them all.
His goal was singular: the giant tiger.
“Foul beast, meet your end!”
With a thunderous shout, Mu Tianhen employed his movement technique again, closing in on the tiger before the other beasts could shield it, sword swinging once more.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Sword light flickered, blossoms of sword energy bloomed—radiant and dazzling.
Seeing Mu Tianhen pursue it relentlessly, the tiger’s kill intent intensified, roaring in fury. To avoid being wounded by this hateful human, it could only strike with its claws to parry and counterattack.
As the proud leader of the horde, how could it allow itself to be chased by a contemptible human warrior? It had not attacked before only to conserve its own strength.
But it had underestimated this human, who pursued without respite—such audacity could not be tolerated.
The tiger no longer retreated, launching a fierce counterattack.
Swish, swish, swish...
The tiger’s claws alternated, cleaving through the air, laced with murderous force, striking at Mu Tianhen, seeking to knock aside his sword and then tear open his chest in a single, lethal blow.
But the tiger had overestimated itself, and underestimated Mu Tianhen.
Its attacks achieved nothing; not only did it fail to disarm the deadly sword, it could not even touch him. What it struck was nothing but afterimages.
After repeated misses, a nameless tension rose in the tiger’s heart, prompting it to retreat swiftly, fear flickering in its eyes.
But it was already too late.