Return to the City: The Strongest King

"Third Brother!"

"Sixth Brother!"

Suddenly, a few cries rang out, followed by muffled sobbing.

The giant snake not only devoured five people but also severely injured six more. The injured were still manageable, but the brothers of those who died could no longer hold back their tears.

"Damn it, it's all because of those guys from the wilderness village, I'm going to kill them all!"

"Right! Kill them all! It was them who released the Python God, which led to our brothers' deaths!"

This proposal immediately resonated with everyone, and with a roar, they charged at the cave entrance they had first discovered. It didn't take much effort to open it, and they saw more than twenty people huddled together inside.

"Come out, all of you!" someone shouted, waving their spear.

The people inside the cave crawled out, trembling with fear—four young men, eight young girls, and more than ten children, along with a few elderly.

"If you're going to kill, kill me. I was the one who brought out the Python God; it has nothing to do with these women and children," a man in his thirties stood tall and proud despite his grim face, exuding a heroic demeanor.

"You've caused so many of our deaths, Laozi will kill every one of you!" A Zhou Family guard thrust his spear at the sturdy man.

The sturdy man extended his hands and directly grabbed the spear, and no matter how much force the Zhou Family guard used, it had no effect, making his face flush red.

The sturdy man snorted and shook his hand, flinging the Zhou Family guard away. He looked around with tiger eyes and said loudly, "I will shoulder this matter alone. If you promise not to kill these women and children, I'll face death without blinking. But if you truly want to annihilate us, then I, Song Hu, will fight you to the death. I believe I can drag a few of you down with me before you kill me."

His words carried a strong sense of tragic determination, and with fists clenched, he seemed ready to fight everyone to the end.

His previous action also showed that the sturdy man was a formidable warrior, someone not easy to deal with if driven to desperation.

"You, die!" A Zhou Family man whose brother had died shouted, thrusting his spear again at the man named Song Hu.

Song Hu reached out with his left hand to grab the spear shaft once again, timing his move perfectly. Then he suddenly laughed loudly and said, "My family, since I can't protect you, today let's live and die together. I'll make sure to take several down with us."

Then, suddenly, the veins on his arm holding the spear popped out, and with a single hand, he lifted both the spear and the person into the air.

With one hand, he lifted the person, and more impressively, the opponent was a skilled warrior. Song Hu truly lived up to his name as a tiger general. After lifting his opponent, he twisted his torso and swept his arm, using the spear and the opponent in a broad, sweeping attack.

The attacker could have simply released the spear, but stubbornly clung on, becoming part of the spear—now a human club—smashing towards the others.

"Bold!"

"Find death!"

Seeing Song Hu dare to fight back, the Zhou and Lin Family members cursed loudly but had to dodge out of the way of their swinging companion.

But someone behind Song Hu leaped forward to attack him.

Song Hu flailed his other arm and blocked the attacks from four people, even finding moments to counterattack.

Song Xiaodong's eyes lit up at the sight—it was clear Song Hu was a remarkable warrior, not only skillful but heroic, and deeply committed to protecting his family, which impressed Song Xiaodong.

Despite numerous assaults, Song Hu maintained his position without falling behind, handling the attacks and defenses competently.

Only a few could surround Song Hu, while the rest vented their anger on his family, quickly stabbing to death the remaining three young men and then charging at the women and children.

Song Xiaodong's focus on Song Hu distracted him from the immediate danger, making it too late to intervene.

"Stop!" Seeing three killed in an instant, Song Xiaodong shouted urgently.

Had he shouted this before entering, no one would have listened. But now things had changed; his solo battle with two Python Gods had instilled a perception of strength greater than the Python Gods, so his shout made everyone pause.

"Mr. Song!" Lin Qing stepped forward, looking puzzled at Song Xiaodong.

Song Xiaodong sighed and said, "Let them go; we're all of the same kind, why kill them?"

Lin Qing replied, "But... they released the Python God and killed many of us."

Song Xiaodong scanned around; evidently, everyone shared the same sentiment.

Song Xiaodong shook his head, intending to speak of humanity but realizing it would be pointless, since to them the wilderness village was just another hunting ground, and the anger over Song Hu releasing the Python God that caused casualties was not easily resolved.

"Everyone, I want these wilderness people. Does anyone object?" Song Xiaodong spoke with a powerful authority, straightening his chest.

Everyone froze for a moment, then Lin Qing quickly said, "Since Mr. Song saved our lives, I have no objection."

Zhou Canghai hesitated, about to agree, then glanced at Song Xiaodong's arm and asked, "Where is Mr. Song from?"

Song Xiaodong replied, "You don't need to know where I'm from. I'm asking if you agree to me taking these people."

Zhou Canghai's mouth twitched before nodding, "Mr. Song saved our lives, so naturally all benefits from this wilderness village go to Mr. Song."

Song Xiaodong nodded, "Then it's settled. Now that these people are mine, do you still wish to kill them?"

Lin Qing said instantly, "These people belong to Mr. Song now, and he decides their fate."

Zhou Canghai also nodded.

Song Xiaodong turned to Song Hu, "From now on, you and your family will follow me. Do you have any objections?"

Without hesitation, Song Hu knelt before Song Xiaodong on one knee, "Mr. Song, Song Hu is willing to follow you faithfully forever."

Having witnessed Song Xiaodong's battle against two Python Gods, Song Hu revered him almost like a deity. Although he didn't understand Song Xiaodong's intentions, it was clear he could ensure his family's survival.

Song Xiaodong said, "Good, stand up."

"Thank you, sir!" Song Hu stood up and positioned himself behind Song Xiaodong.

Song Xiaodong looked at Zhou Canghai, "You're not needed here anymore, you can leave."

Zhou Canghai quickly said, "Thanks to Mr. Song for saving us, the Zhou Family will surely repay your kindness." Then he departed with his people.

After Zhou Canghai and company left, Lin Qing said, "Mr. Song, what are your plans for them?"

Song Xiaodong asked, "Do you have any good ideas?"

"Well..." Lin Qing hesitated, then suggested, "Mr. Song has no residence within the city, how about our Lin Family gives you one, and you return with these people? But the main issue now is that people will find out you come from the outside world."