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The burly man was taken aback for a moment, then burst into wild laughter: "Just the two of you? Haha, what a joke!"
"Is that so? Then let me show you the power of the people!" Zhao De shouted, and the sword in his hand shone brightly, as if the will and belief of millions of people were gathered in the surrounding air.
The battle unfolded swiftly, sword light and shadow intertwining, drawing dazzling trajectories across the night sky. Each time Zhao De unleashed a stunning attack, the villagers in the distance could faintly feel the tremor, their hearts filled with both tension and pride.
Finally, after a deafening collision, the Black Wind Stronghold members collapsed to the ground, their leader's eyes wide with disbelief: "How is this possible... you..."
Zhao De gently shook his head: "It's not us, it's everyone on this land; it's their trust and support that gives us strength."
Chapter 324 Heart-to-Heart Unity
Chapter 324 Heart-to-Heart Unity
Zhao De smiled, his gaze gentle: "Remember, true strength comes from unity of heart and soul."
With the threat from Black Wind Stronghold eliminated, the villagers awoke to the dawn and found the world still beautiful. In the teahouse, the once skeptical traveling merchant was now excitedly recounting the miracle of the previous night to those around him.
"I've never seen anything like it before. Zhao De and his men are like heroes straight out of a myth!"
"Is what you're saying true?" An old woman beside her stopped knitting a sweater, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Do those two young heroes really have such great abilities?"
"Grandma, if I tell even half a lie, may I never drink a cup of hot tea again in my life!" The traveling merchant patted his chest and guaranteed, drawing laughter from those around him. "I saw it with my own eyes. The sword light was so dazzling, it was like a god descending to earth. The thugs of Black Wind Stronghold were no match for them at all."
Outside the teahouse, two children were chasing and playing. One of them imitated Zhao De's sword-wielding gesture and shouted, "Behold my light of justice!"
“Hey, what’s that? I’m the real guardian!” Another child retorted, striking a confident pose.
Just then, a young doctor carrying a medicine basket passed by, smiled and shook his head: "Little ones, don't just play around, you must become heroes who protect the village in the future."
"When I grow up, I want to be as amazing as Brother Zhao De!" the two children said in unison, their eyes full of longing for the future.
In the fields not far away, farmers were working and chatting amongst themselves. "The two Zhao brothers are truly lucky stars for our village," one of them remarked, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"That's right. After hearing about what happened last night, several surrounding villages also want to hire them as village guards," another person chimed in, his tone tinged with pride.
As the sun sets in the west, Zhao De sits side by side under the old locust tree at the village entrance, watching the villagers return from a busy day, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.
"De, can what we're doing really make the world a better place?" Young Zhao De turned to look at his elder brother, his eyes filled with undisguised longing.
Zhao De patted his shoulder lightly, smiling calmly: "As long as there is light in your heart, every step forward is a banishment of darkness. Look at the smiles on their faces, aren't they the best proof?"
Just as the two were immersed in a warm atmosphere, a series of hurried footsteps broke the silence. It was the village chief, his face filled with anxiety and anticipation. "Young heroes, something terrible has happened! Clearwater Town to the east has been attacked by an unknown force. We request your assistance!"
Zhao and De exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with determination. "Let's set off immediately. We cannot let any innocent person suffer."
Zhao De and others quickly organized their equipment, and the villagers' eyes followed their movements, filled with a mixture of admiration and hope.
"Look, those two brothers are setting off again!" In the teahouse, a traveling merchant put down his teacup, his eyes full of admiration. "They are truly dragons and phoenixes among men. It is a blessing for our village to have such heroes."
The old woman's hand trembled slightly as she smiled and said, "Yes, with them here, we can weather any storm."
The children stopped playing and all looked at the two figures in the distance. "Brother Zhao De, you must come back safely!" The younger child clenched his fist, as if he had placed all his courage in this one sentence.
The young doctor packed up his medicine basket, paused to gaze into the distance, and whispered, "May you be blessed, and may this village be blessed as well."
Chapter 325 Food
Chapter 325 Food
As the setting sun blazed like blood, the Zhao brothers galloped on their horses, leaving only a resolute silhouette amidst the swirling dust. Passersby on the road couldn't help but cast admiring and respectful glances at them.
"Those must be two young heroes from the Zhao family! I heard they're faster than the wind!" a traveling merchant exclaimed.
"Not only is he fast, but he's also kind-hearted. How many heroes like him are there in this world?" A traveler nearby exclaimed with admiration.
As night fell, Zhao De and his companion finally arrived at Qingshui Town. The scene before them made their hearts clench—houses were in ruins, flames were raging, and cries for help mingled into a mournful lament.
"How could this happen..." Zhao De clenched his fists, his brows furrowed with a heavy expression.
“We’re late.” Zhao De’s voice was deep but firm. “But as long as we have a breath left, we can’t give up.”
They immediately joined the rescue effort. Zhao De was in charge of evacuating the civilians, while Zhao De rushed into the inferno to confront the mysterious invaders head-on. Each sword strike was accompanied by a dazzling light, like a sharp blade cutting through despair, giving people hope for life.
"That's... the Zhao family's swordsmanship!" A young man from Qingshui Town covered his mouth in surprise, his eyes welling up with tears. "We're saved!"
"The legendary hero has truly appeared!" Another old man wiped away his tears and excitedly told those around him.
The fierce battle continued into the night, and finally, with the combined efforts of the Zhao brothers, the mysterious forces were repelled. At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight shone on the rebuilt Qingshui Town, the exhausted Zhao De and his brother sat on the ruins, still catching their breath.
Just then, a little girl with a dusty face timidly walked up to them and handed them a half-burnt sweet potato: "Big brothers, you've worked hard. This is the only food left in my family."
Zhao De gently accepted it, his smile tinged with a slight sob: "Thank you, children. Seeing your strength gives us boundless power."
The little girl's clear eyes reflected the hero's figure, and she softly asked, "Big brother, will you still protect us in the future?"
Looking at the gradually awakening town in the distance, Zhao De slowly said, "As long as evil exists on this land, as long as there are people who need help, we, the Zhao brothers, will never back down."
"The Zhao brothers are truly guardian angels sent from heaven!" A burly man among the onlookers couldn't help but exclaim, and his voice drew more echoes.
"Yes, such a hero is a once-in-a-century occurrence!" A woman gently patted the baby in her arms, her eyes shining with gratitude.
"They are not only strong, but also guiding lights in our hearts." An old man leaned on his cane and slowly stepped forward, each step appearing exceptionally solemn, "guiding us in the darkness."
Just as everyone was immersed in admiration and respect, the sound of rapid hoofbeats broke the morning's tranquility. A messenger, drenched in sweat, nearly fell off his horse, clutching an urgent document tightly in his hand.
"Brother Zhao De! Something bad has happened! The bandits of Black Wind Stronghold are gathering their forces and heading towards the surrounding villages. Their next target is probably our Qingshui Town!" The messenger's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.
The Zhao brothers exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with both worry and determination. "It seems our rest will have to be postponed," Zhao De said with a wry smile, then turned to the townspeople and announced, "Don't panic, everyone. We'll set off immediately and make sure the Black Wind Stronghold bandits don't harm this place in the slightest."
Chapter 326 Lucky Stone
Chapter 326 Lucky Stone
"Are the Zhao brothers going to fight again? Please be careful!" The townspeople chattered among themselves, full of reluctance and worry.
"Don't worry, with us here, Black Wind Stronghold is nothing to fear." Zhao De's words were firm and powerful, giving everyone great comfort.
Just as Zhao De and his brother were preparing to set off again, the little girl who had given them sweet potatoes earlier ran back, carrying a string of colorful stones strung together with straw rope. She carefully handed it to Zhao De, saying, "Big brother, these are lucky stones. My mother said they can protect people and keep them safe. Please make sure you take them with you and come back safely."
Zhao De took the gift, gently patted the little girl's head, his eyes filled with warmth, "Thank you for your gift. We will carry your blessings and will surely return victorious."
The two mounted their horses again, and the villagers spontaneously formed a procession, silently watching them depart. Zhao De turned back and shouted to the crowd, "When we return, we hope to see smiles on everyone's faces!"
"Have a safe journey!" "Go, Zhao brothers!" Blessings rose and fell, mingling with the receding sound of horses' hooves, forming an indomitable force.
As the sun set once again, the residents of Qingshui Town, though filled with trepidation, were also filled with anticipation. In the night sky, the stars seemed to foreshadow something; all awaited the Zhao brothers to write a new chapter in their legendary story.
Night fell, and outside Black Wind Stronghold, the moonlight shone brightly, a deathly silence tinged with an uneasy restlessness. The stronghold gates slowly opened, and bandits filed out, their horses' hooves breaking the stillness, torches illuminating their greedy and cruel faces. The bandit leader, Black Wind Tiger, a burly man with a face full of scars, brandished a massive iron hammer, roaring deafeningly, "Clearwater Town, this time I'll show you what happens when you defy me!"
Meanwhile, Zhao De and his companion rode swiftly, gathering scattered warriors along the way to form a makeshift but highly motivated force. They traversed dense forests and crossed streams, the night wind carrying the air of impending battle.
"I heard that the Zhao brothers are about to face a powerful enemy again. They are truly role models for us all!" A passing traveler stopped and looked in the direction where Zhao De and his men had left, his eyes filled with awe.
"Yes, having them around always makes people feel at ease," a vendor nearby echoed, his tone tinged with pride.
On the other side of Qingshui Town, in a small village, villagers sat around a campfire, talking in hushed tones.
"If it weren't for the Zhao brothers, our village might have fallen into the hands of bandits long ago," an old woman sighed, her eyes filled with uncertainty about the future.
“That’s right, they’ll definitely be able to get out of danger this time too.” The boy beside him clenched his fist, his eyes shining with longing and determination. “I want to become a hero like the Zhao brothers someday!”
As night deepened, Zhao De and his group finally stopped in front of an abandoned temple, which would become their temporary camp for the raid on Black Wind Stronghold. Zhao De looked around, his gaze falling on the faces of each of his companions; their determination and courage filled him with pride.
"We are facing not only bandits, but also a challenge to the peace of this land," Zhao De's voice was steady and powerful, piercing the silence of the night. "But as long as we are united, nothing is insurmountable. Tomorrow, we will let Black Wind Tiger know that Clearwater Town is not to be violated!"
Chapter 327 Black Wind Tiger
Chapter 327 Black Wind Tiger
The warriors responded in unison, their vows echoing through the night sky, as if even the stars trembled in response.
The next morning, as the sun dispelled the thin mist, the Zhao brothers' team quietly approached Black Wind Village. A contest of wits and courage was about to unfold; they used the terrain to their advantage, cleverly setting up an ambush and waiting for the opportune moment.
"They're here! They're here!" the young man in charge of scouting excitedly reported. The bandits' main force had entered the encirclement as expected.
"Get ready!" Zhao De gave the order, and everyone was poised to go, waiting for the final moment.
Suddenly, a strange horn sounded from not far away, breaking the tense atmosphere. The bandits were startled by the sound, their formation slightly disrupted. It was the surprise force carefully arranged by the Zhao brothers—a group of wandering knights who had once received their favors, now transformed into a sword of justice, piercing straight into the heart of the enemy from behind.
The battle erupted at that moment, the two sides clashing in close combat. Amidst the flashing blades, the Zhao brothers led the charge with unparalleled bravery. Zhao De fought against a hundred men single-handedly, each swing of his sword claiming several lives; Zhao De, relying on his profound internal strength, protected his teammates, fending off the relentless onslaught.
"This...is this the strength of the Zhao brothers? They're like gods descended from heaven!" a rescued villager exclaimed in astonishment.
“Look! Our heroes are driving darkness out of this world!” another woman said, her eyes filled with tears but also with hope.
Just as the battle reached its climax, with Zhao De and Black Wind Tiger clashing head-on, the entire battlefield suddenly trembled with a tremendous roar. A gigantic flying beast swooped down from the sky, obscuring the sunlight; it was a mysterious friend the Zhao brothers had made in their youth, now coming to their aid.
"What! How is this possible!" Upon seeing this, Black Wind Tiger retreated in disbelief, his previous arrogance instantly replaced by fear.
The tide of battle turned rapidly, and the bandits of Black Wind Stronghold fled in disarray. With the capture of Black Wind Tiger, the crisis was finally averted.
As the sun set, the Zhao brothers returned in triumph, greeted by the residents of Qingshui Town who lined the streets with flowers and applause that paved the way for their heroes. The little girl reappeared, standing on tiptoe and struggling to hand Zhao De a bouquet of wildflowers.
"Welcome home, big brother." The little girl's eyes were full of admiration.
Zhao De gently accepted it, his smile revealing tenderness and weariness: "We're back, just as promised."
"But, Zhao brothers, where does your power come from?" a curious young man mustered his courage and asked, representing the doubts in everyone's hearts.
Zhao De gazed into the distance, where the setting sun and the horizon were weaving together in the most magnificent colors. He smiled slightly, leaving behind a meaningful reply: