Chapter 443 - 206: Saving People

After the man died, Jiang Ran observed him for a moment. Only when he was certain the man wasn’t getting up did he finally nod.

He turned to look at the handful of guards who had narrowly escaped death.

The guards exchanged a look and spoke up:

"Thank you for saving us, young hero."

In a flash, Jiang Ran was before them, reaching out and grabbing one of the men by the wrist.

The man flinched instinctively but didn’t dare to resist.

The man in Black from just now had been far more skilled than them, yet he had been completely helpless against Jiang Ran.

Facing Jiang Ran now, how could they dare say a word?

A touch of his fingertips was all it took. Jiang Ran nodded, took a vial from his robes, poured out a pill the size of a grain of rice, and pushed it into the man’s mouth.

In just a moment, the man felt strength returning to his previously powerless limbs.

His spirits lifted instantly:

"Thank you for the medicine, young hero!!"

Jiang Ran, however, shook his head:

"It’s not the perfect antidote, but it should allow you to recover some of your strength.

"I have a few more vials of medicine here. Take them. Prioritize those who can still fight.

"The elderly, women, and children are the next priority. I need you to help gather the women and children in one place and protect them.

"The poison you’ve taken isn’t fatal, so don’t worry.

"Now, each of you take a pill, then follow me."

"Yes!!"

The guards didn’t know who Jiang Ran was, but he was clearly an ally, not an enemy.

With Wanshui Manor in the midst of a catastrophe, they couldn’t afford to worry about trivialities. Someone was taking charge—someone who could save their lives. Naturally, they would listen first and think later.

Each man immediately took a pill and swallowed it before following Jiang Ran out.

Of course, they were far more familiar with the layout of Wanshui Manor than Jiang Ran was.

But Jiang Ran’s senses were sharp, and he knew exactly where the men in Black were most concentrated.

The moment they stepped out of the courtyard, they saw several men in Black hunting down other guards and servants.

The guards with Jiang Ran may have recognized some of the victims. At the sight, their eyes went red with fury, and they prepared to charge forward and help.

But a figure blurred past them. Jiang Ran, walking ahead, had already drawn his saber and acted.

While the saber was sheathed at his waist, it had looked unremarkable to them.

But now, the moment it was unsheathed, a brilliant golden light filled the air, weaving a deadly pattern. Before anyone could even make out his technique, the heads of the men in Black tumbled to the ground.

CLICK! The blade returned to its sheath. They heard Jiang Ran shout:

"What are you all standing around for?"

Hearing this, the guards froze again, momentarily confused.

Luckily, one of them glanced at the vial of pills clutched in his hand and had a flash of insight. He quickly started handing out medicine to the guards they had just saved.

As for the two or three servants and maids who hadn’t the strength to truss a chicken, they were passed over.

However, once their numbers grew, they assigned a few people to carry the weak ones on their backs.

In truth, it was a grim necessity.

Wanshui Manor had a large population. If they gave medicine to everyone they saw without distinction, Jiang Ran’s imperfect antidote would quickly run out.

Therefore, saving someone who had no strength and couldn’t help would only create more of a burden.

It was far better to save those with martial skills, bolster their own ranks, and have them protect the helpless. That was the only way to make the best use of everyone and everything.

The guards were quick on the uptake. Once they understood, they each grabbed a handful of the antidote pills and rushed forward to help.

In a matter of moments, a large group had gathered, all following behind Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran deliberately headed toward the sounds of battle.

Killing and saving as they went, they gathered more and more people to their side, even as the ground became littered with mangled corpses and the sky glowed with fire.

Jiang Ran glanced back at them and nodded slightly.

There was strength in numbers. The group formed a protective circle around the women, children, and elderly in the center. Even if they ran into a few stray men in Black, they would now have a fighting chance.

Just as he was about to give them orders, he heard something wrong in the sounds of a nearby battle.

He immediately rushed toward the sound.

Passing through an archway, he saw several young people in the courtyard ahead, struggling to hold a formation against their enemies.

Besieged by several men in Black, they were clearly at a disadvantage, yet they gritted their teeth and held their ground.

"Young Master!!"

One of the guards behind him instantly recognized the group.

Jiang Ran followed the guard’s gaze to a pale young man, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He was wielding his saber in a defense so tight it seemed impenetrable.

His saber work was a bit unrefined, but the techniques themselves were exquisite.

’Hua Yuerong mentioned before that someone from the Hu family had joined one of the Seven Sects to train. Could this be him?’

At this thought, Jiang Ran called out:

"Don’t worry, everyone! I’m here to help!"

The words had barely left his lips when he pushed off with one foot and soared into the air.

The young men froze at the voice. Looking toward the sound, they saw another youth their age charging into the fray and hastily yelled:

"Be careful, friend! These guys are incredibly skilled and have no fear of death. Don’t be care..."

Before he could finish, a golden light flashed. A man in Black, one they had been unable to defeat despite a long struggle, was suddenly decapitated.

Jiang Ran fluidly kicked the body, sending it hurtling toward another man in Black.

The man’s expression remained impassive as he thrust out a palm to strike.

His fingers landed, but a sharp SNAP echoed.

The immense force of the corpse bent his arm back on itself, snapping it. Jagged shards of bone were instantly exposed for all to see.

The man glanced down at the injury, his face still devoid of any pain.

He only had time to look up again before a golden light filled his vision.