26. Prisoner

An hour later, it was completely dark, but that didn't bother her much. She could see a little thanks her enhanced sight and continued following her own previous tracks. After a while, she found a dead bandit whom she didn't kill. He lay there with a hole in his head.

As Mei Lin approached the lifeless bandit, her heart quickened with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. The sight of the corpse, its vacant stare fixed upon the starlit sky above, sent a shiver down her spine, reminding her of the perilous nature of her surroundings. His had was ripped off by something.

With cautious steps, she knelt beside the fallen bandit, studying the wound that had claimed his life. The hole in his head bore silent testament to the violence that had transpired, its presence serving as a grim reminder of the dangers that lurked within the forest.

Despite the darkness that enveloped her, Mei Lin's senses remained sharp as she scanned the area for any signs of movement. The stillness of the night was broken only by the whispering of the wind through the trees and few night animals lurking around. Mei Lin had good feeling about that bandits weren't following her anymore, but she still didn't knew who killed them.

As she searched the bandit's belongings, Mei Lin's fingers brushed against the cold metal of a dagger concealed within his cloak.

With each passing moment, Mei Lin remained vigilant, acutely aware of the ever-present threat that loomed in the darkness. Yet even as she navigated the treacherous terrain, her determination remained unwavering, driving her forward in her quest for answers amidst the shadows of the night.

Mei Lin refrained from collecting the blood of the deceased bandit, recognizing that all his blood already left his body. Instead, she resolved to continue her journey back to the bandit camp.

Upon her arrival near the camp on the same stop like for the first time, Mei Lin spotted Feng Jing seated amidst the remnants of the camp, indulging in roasted wolf meat and wine left behind by the bandits. Despite the dire circumstances surrounding her, Mei Lin maintained her composure and approached Feng Jing cautiously, prepared for whatever interactions may unfold.

As Feng Jing pondered the fate of the captured slaves, he contemplated various options for their disposition. The idea of selling them to a caravan that frequently dealt with non-cultivators emerged as a potential solution. Recognizing the value of such individuals for labor, particularly those who didn't rely on spirit stones, Feng Jing weighed the economic advantages of this approach.

His decision made, Feng Jing began to divide the slaves into two distinct groups based on their perceived value. The beautiful women were designated for one category, their allure holding the promise of fetching a handsome price from potential buyers. Meanwhile, the strong men were earmarked for another, their physical prowess making them desirable assets for labor-intensive tasks.

As for the remaining captives deemed unworthy of consideration, Feng Jing resolved to dispose of them as deemed fit, their fate sealed by their perceived lack of value in the eyes of potential buyers.

An hour later, Mei Lin found the bandit camp. The moment she spotted the young cultivator with the spear sitting at the fire eating wolfs meat and drinking wine, she began running away once again, why cursing "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" As Feng Jing noticed her and immediately pursued her. After five minutes, he caught up with Mei Lin.

"Stop, little girl. I will not hurt you. You can come with me to the merchant caravan. You will be safe there," Feng Jing assured her.

As Feng Jing closed in on Mei Lin, driven by his determination to capture her at any cost, he remained oblivious to the visible injuries she had sustained during her recent encounters. His focus remained fixed on her perceived value, considering her youth, beauty, and cultivation base as significant assets for potential sale or exploitation.

With swift and decisive action, Feng Jing activated his natural energy and launched an attack, wielding his spear with deadly intent. Mei Lin, caught off guard and unable to react in time, found herself struck on the side, the force of the blow causing the spear to inadvertently pierce into her hand. Before she could recover, Feng Jing delivered a powerful blow from behind, driving her to cough up blood as she collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by the sudden assault.

The entire sequence of events unfolded with alarming speed, leaving Mei Lin incapacitated and vulnerable, her hopes of resistance dashed by Feng Jing's ruthless onslaught.

Feng Jing's predatory instincts drove him forward with ruthless determination, his focus fixed solely on capturing Mei Lin by any means necessary. Unmoved by her youth or beauty, he viewed her cultivation base as a valuable commodity, one that could fetch a handsome price on the market or serve other more useful purposes.

Closing in on Mei Lin, Feng Jing's resolve hardened as he prepared to strike. With a swift motion, he activated his natural energy, channeling it into his spear as he swing around with deadly intent. The spear found its mark, piercing into Mei Lin's side with a sickening thud. In a cruel twist of fate, the force of the strike caused the weapon to inadvertently impale her hand, eliciting a cry of pain from the young cultivator.

Before Mei Lin could react, Feng Jing delivered a punishing blow from behind, his fist connecting with her back with enormous force. The impact sent shockwaves of agony rippling through her body, causing her to cough up blood as she crumpled to the ground in a daze of pain and helplessness.

The onslaught was relentless, leaving Mei Lin reeling and defenseless against Feng Jing's brutal assault. With each blow, her strength ebbed away, leaving her at the mercy of Feng Jing's merciless pursuit.