Chapter 42: Borrowing a Knife to Kill

Just as Jiang Li finished speaking, Chu Chunqiu made a move as if to bolt outside. Jiang Li quickly pressed him back down. "Are you stupid? Didn't I give you a crossbow?"

"Wait until he enters the small courtyard before you act."

At that moment, the native had already crept to the courtyard gate. He glanced at the figure lying on the ground and carefully pushed the gate open. However, before he could take two steps, he suddenly collapsed backward, his face twisted in horror.

Thump!

The sound of a body hitting the ground sent a jolt of alarm through all the natives hiding in the grass.

"What happened? Did you see that?"

"No, the person on the ground didn't even move, so why did he suddenly fall?"

After a brief exchange, the natives sent another man forward. This time, in the exact same spot, he fell backward without a sound, just like the first. Everyone stared at each other in disbelief.

"This... could there be some kind of trap?"

"Damn it, but we didn't see anything. What do we do?"

The natives muttered among themselves, their faces darkening with apprehension. They weren't afraid of a head-on confrontation with twenty men, but dying silently before they could even reach their target was far too eerie and reckless. The unknown was the most terrifying thing of all.

Inside the room, seeing that no more natives appeared, Jiang Li waved to those behind him. "Start the operation!"

Su Yang jumped out through the window that Lightning had pried open earlier, followed closely by Ma De. Once Qiu Yue and Su Yan had exited, Jiang Li climbed out, followed shortly by Li Tongxuan and Chu Chunqiu.

"Brother Jiang, what did you send Lightning to do? Why is there still no movement?" Ma De whispered.

Jiang Li sneered. "Don't rush. There's still a little time before the agreed moment."

"Just a little longer."

No sooner had Jiang Li spoken than several dancing flames appeared within their field of vision. In the blink of an eye, dozens of fires were flickering across the wilderness, and Ma De’s expression changed instantly.

"Brother Jiang, you sent Lightning to set fires?"

Jiang Li spread his hands. "What else? Do you think I had a better plan?"

"There are one or two hundred natives in the Buffalo Tribe. Even if we all had three heads and six arms, we couldn't beat them. Besides, Brother Ma, you only have two arms. If we don't use special measures, how are we supposed to make it out alive?"

Ma De frowned at Jiang Li. "I keep feeling like you're insulting me, but I can't quite put my finger on how."

"Alright, Brother Ma, why would I insult you? Now, we just wait for the fire to spread and then we run like hell." Jiang Li patted his shoulder.

Ma De shook his head and sighed. "But Brother Jiang, this move is too ruthless. The entire wilderness is full of tall grass. Once this fire spreads, who knows how far it will go or how many innocent people will be burned to death."

"Stop your damn lecturing!" Jiang Li slapped him across the shoulder. "I'm asking you now: do you want us to die, or do you want these natives to die? If you’re going to be so high and mighty, stop following us. Don't act like a whore while trying to build a monument to your own virtue!"

Stung by the sharp rebuke, Ma De blinked, his eyes widening as if he had been awakened. "Damn! Brother Jiang's words are truly enlightening. I understand now! A conscience is fine to have, but you can't have too much of it!"

Jiang Li nodded, satisfied. "Now that's more like it."

As the fire grew, it finally caught the attention of many. Some natives rushed forward in a panic to try and beat out the flames, but in the dry, grass-covered wilderness, unless there was a torrential downpour, nothing could stop the inferno.

"Young Master! It’s done. I threw all the fire starters you gave me into the brush." Lightning appeared out of nowhere.

Jiang Li clenched his fists. "Good. Don't rush; let the fire spread for a while longer."

A short time later, a sea of fire was raging in the distance, beginning to encroach upon the Buffalo Tribe itself. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Li shouted toward the sky: "Qin Lang! The operation is moved up! Act now!"

After that shout, Jiang Li led the group into the wilderness without looking back.

Awakened from his sleep by Jiang Li's roar, Qin Lang didn't hesitate. He grabbed his wooden spear and kicked open his door, only to freeze. Before him lay a sea of flames. Countless natives were desperately trying to fight the fire, but their efforts were futile and weak against the wall of heat.

"How ruthless," Qin Lang muttered. He speared a native in passing, then turned and began to run, stabbing at anyone in his path. The plans Jiang Li had discussed—about regrouping and providing cover—were all cast aside. What did the lives of Jiang Li and the others matter to him? As long as he could escape, it wouldn't matter if they all died!

The natives fighting the fire turned to look at Qin Lang. Since his arrival, he had indiscriminately killed four or five of them.

"Go tell the Chief! The newcomer has turned on us!"

Meanwhile, the group fleeing through the wilderness looked back at the fire with secret dread.

"Brother Jiang, couldn't we have just run while they were distracted? Why call out to that guy Qin Lang? Wouldn't it have been better to let him burn to death?" Ma De asked curiously.

"Heh, he’s not an idiot. He wouldn't have burned to death," Jiang Li said casually. "The natives might burn because they're stupid—or rather, it’s their home, so they're forced to fight the fire. But Qin Lang won't, so the fire isn't a threat to him."

Jiang Li paused, then added, "But if I notify him to run, do you think he might kill a few natives who get in his way?"

"Brother Jiang, you are..." Ma De's eyes widened.

"Exactly! It's borrowing a knife to kill!" Jiang Li’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. "I said before that even if we caused a scene, the Buffalo Chief wouldn't show his face. But if Qin Lang starts killing his people, do you think he’ll stay hidden? When that happens, it’ll be nearly impossible for Qin Lang to survive!"

"The only downside is that the news of our escape won't stay hidden for long. I reckon in a few moments, the Chief will realize what's happening. So, keep running!"

At that moment, the Buffalo Chief stepped out of his house, his face cold as ice. "Has Qin Lang gone mad? He dares to kill my men! He must be tired of living!"

"Take some men and go kill him!"

Just as the Chief finished speaking, several natives rushed over from the distance.

"Chief! Chief! It’s bad, it’s really bad!"

"What is it? Why are you shouting?" The Chief looked at them with dissatisfaction, then his expression shifted to one of greed. "Did you get the items?"

"No! We didn't!"

"Chief, those people made straw dummies in the yard to pretend they were sleeping; they’ve been gone for a long time!"

"What!?" The Chief’s eyes bulged, and he kicked one of them to the ground. "I told you again and again, and you still messed it up! How could so many people slip away right under your noses? Are you all useless?"

"Stop the chatter! Everyone, pursue them!"