Chapter 957:
Chapter 957:
The leader of the Sea Salt Sect walked away forlornly.
The next day, the leader of the Flying Eagle Sect came to steal the Xuanyuan Black Iron this time, bringing along a group of disciples. They set up a strange formation called the Flying Eagle Formation, which included his beautiful daughter.
Robb seized the leader of the Flying Eagle Sect, quickly subduing him with a few punches and kicks. He then detained his daughter and ordered him to go back and gather his sects members to fight the invaders. If he didnt comply, his daughter would be subjected to unspeakable acts.
The Flying Eagle Sect leader broke into tears, pleading with Robb to not ruin his daughters reputation. Finally, in a frantic rush, he gathered his followers.
That evening, there were just three people in the mansion.
Two rabbit-women waited for Robb to finish his bath, their backs to the tub.
The daughter of the Flying Eagle Sect leader was very scared. She whispered to Shisu beside her, Is he a bad person? Im really scared that he might suddenly do something terrible to me. Miss Shi, have you?
Shisu rolled her eyes. Stop talking nonsense. Do you think hes interested in us?
The young woman responded softly, I am somewhat attractive; Im afraid he might take advantage of that.
Annoyed, Shisu said, If you and I swapped clothes, he wouldnt be able to tell us apart. How you look doesnt matter at all.
Really? The young woman was skeptical.
Well, I cant be sure, but lets try. Shisu took her to the adjacent courtyard and they quickly switched outfits, hairstyles, and accessories. Both were long-haired rabbits and their fur colors were indistinguishable. They returned and sat back down, facing away from Robb.
After a while, Robb beckoned to the Flying Eagle Sect leaders daughter. Hey, Miss Shi, Ive finished my bath. Could you throw me a towel so I can dry off?
Annoyed, she turned and said, Take a closer look. Do I look like Shisu?
Robb snorted, Nonsense. If youre not Shisu, then who is? I would recognize that face of yours even if it turned to ash.
Both rabbit-women:
Shisu sarcastically asked, So tell me, whos prettier, her or me? And why?
Laughing, Robb responded, You think Im still the same person who couldnt tell one rabbit from another when I first came to Big Tang? I can totally distinguish between rabbit faces now.
Pointing at the Flying Eagle Sect leaders daughter, he said, Miss Shi is reputed to be the most beautiful woman in East Hangzhou. Its not an exaggeration. Look at her unique nose, her attractive lips, and her adorable reddish rabbit eyes. Obviously, Miss Shi is the prettier one.
Both rabbit-women:
Shisu turned to the daughter of the Flying Eagle Sect leader and said, Do you understand now?
She nodded. I do, and Im not scared anymore. Hes all bark and no bite; he was just trying to intimidate my father into obeying him.
Shisu sighed, Even if youve seen through that, you should still stay and act as a hostage willingly. Ive been pondering his words these past days. Have we, the people of the martial world, been a bit too reckless? We hone our martial arts only to engage in endless conflicts, treating officials as lackeys while doing nothing when they fight off the ghost pirates. We only sit back and criticize their incompetence. Isnt that rather excessive?
Upon reflecting, the young woman exclaimed, Huh? Well, maybe?
As days passed, a string of terrible news arrived. Coastal towns fell one by one; countless civilians were massacred, many more displaced.
What was once the paradise of East Hangzhou now swelled with refugees, most of whom came from coastal cities. These cities had fallen to ghost pirates, forcing the inhabitants to flee inland. East Hangzhou, being a large city near the coast, became a de facto refugee center.
The atmosphere in the city grew tense. The local governor looked increasingly worried, scrambling to organize local militias. Though he managed to assemble a ragtag force, anyone could see their combat effectiveness was dismal.
Meanwhile, in the mansion of the Qiantang Sect, the number of rabbit-women continued to grow.
One night, after Robb finished bathing and dressing, he turned and found over twenty rabbit-women sitting in the courtyard. With their numbers growing, it became increasingly difficult to tell them apart.
He pointed at one and said, Hey, you, the daughter of the Flying Eagle Sect leader. You were the first hostage I took. Your father still hasnt sent anyone; he isnt planning to abandon you, is he? Just so you know, if I dont see members of the Flying Eagle Sect in the next three days, youll be subjected to unspeakable acts.
The pointed-at rabbit-woman looked aggrieved, Mister Yang, I am the daughter of the Thunder Halls leader, not the Flying Eagle Sect.
Wha? Robb pointed to another rabbit-woman, Then you must be the one from the Flying Eagle
Before he could finish, she interjected in a pitiful tone, I am the leader of the Blood Hand Sect, not the Flying Eagle Sect.
Robbs face turned slightly red, but fortunately, these rabbit-women couldnt interpret human facial expressions well, so they couldnt see his embarrassment. He quickly changed the subject: Fine, the Blood Hand Sect, right? You, as a female villain, have done terrible things. Now I want you to do some good, and youre making excuses? I must warn you, if I dont see any disciples from the Blood Hand Sect assembled here within three days, youll face severe consequences. Dont think Ill go easy on you just because youre no longer young.
The female sect leader gave a bitter smile: Im only twenty-five years old, still young! Im not past my prime, so dont make assumptions based on my title. I inherited this sect from my parents. Besides, Im the sect leader; youve taken me as a hostage whos going to rally my people for you? Three days from now, no one from my sect will come. Theyll just appoint a new leader. Do what you will; I know I wont be going back in one piece, anyway.
Robb:
It took Robb several seconds before he finally said, irritated, I dont care. Its you rabbits who cant recognize each other, not me. Where are your parents? Where are your martial brothers and sisters? Where are your disciples? Why has no one come for you? Do people in the martial world still value loyalty or not?