They deserved it

But then his expression changed. Of all the times! His background scan caught a couple of demon beasts approaching them.

"Girls we have some guests," he said and reluctantly freed his hands from around girls' waists. He didn't bother with his crossbow and took out his sword.

The two demon apes that appeared from the forest got fire wave in their faces from Nie Li's sword. They roared in pain. After their leader's death, these demon apes lost any sign of cohesiveness. They will likely lose their territory to another beast if a new leader won't appear soon.

But that was not Nie Li's problem. He quickly closed the distance with one of the disoriented apes activated his sword's lightsaber mode decapitated it. He could have possibly done it even without that mode but Nie Li was angry at them for ruining the moment. He then jumped back avoiding the horizontal hand swipe from the second beast that was trying to get his bearings.

Then again jumped ahead and in one swipe cut off one of its hands. The beast roared and tried to scramble back. In another swipe, he cut off its second hand. With its sight partly restored the beast now could see Nie Li approaching it. It tried to stand and run away but Nie Li didn't give the demon a chance quickly decapitating it as well.

When he turned back, he saw that the girls were holding their crossbows in hand and looking at him strangely. They must have been wondering about his cruelty in killing the demon beasts. They didn't even get a chance to shoot. Actually, he might have gone a bit overboard here. But he shrugged his shoulders as if saying they deserved it.

"Okay let's continue on our way. We are not far away from the fort," Nie Li said.

After that, they silently continued on their way killing and scaring away the demon beasts they encountered.

----------------

When they got closer to the Fort they could see the signs of human presence there. Guards also noticed their approach and opened the makeshift gate. There weren't many people inside. A couple of guards and Huyan Lanruo with her subordinates.

"Nie Li, little brother, you found them!" shouted Huyan LanRuo and ran towards him. "I knew you could do it"

"Actually, they were the ones who found me, but thank you," said Nie Li trying to keep a distance from her. "Where are the others?"

"Oh, they just left. They went to the location you showed on the map."

One of the guards approached him. He was one of Chen Linjian's silver rank subordinates that went scouting with Nie Li a couple of times.

"Nie Li, I'm glad you found them. We have been looking for them since yesterday. Master Chen Linjian asked us to wait here for stragglers. He left for training grounds this morning."

"Any other losses?" Nie Li asked. Even though ordinary Giant Blue Armed Apes weren't very dangerous for a prepared group, people could panic and break the order so putting their lives in danger.

"Three people. One dead, two disappeared without a trace, and a number of injured, who have already recovered," the guard reported. Despite his age, Nie Li was respected amongst the guards.

"Thank you. I think there's no need to wait for others here. If they haven't come already, most likely they are dead too." The ruins were a very dangerous place even for Silver rank demon spiritualists. Nie Li was just an exception with his expertise.

"Yes, master Chen left us here mostly to look for girls." The guard admitted in a low voice.

"Yes let's go to meet him. He must be very worried." Nie Li said. The guard left to finish the preparations for leaving the Fort.

Meanwhile, Huyan Lanruo was trying to interrogate the girls about their adventures. But they were tightlipped making her frustrated. Seeing that Nie Li was free she approached him again.

"Nie Li, will you tell your sister Yan Ruo about your feats? I am dying to know about your adventures," she said getting closer to him and showing off her generous assets to tempt him.

"I can't." Nie Li sighed acting sorrowfully, "I found a great treasure. I am sorry but I have to keep its location secret."

"Oh," her eyes sparkled. She put on her charm in full effect even activating her demon spirit. "Can you tell your sister Yan Ruo about it?"

Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er, who were nearby, looked at him with jealousy and concern. They were worried that Nie Li will fall her charms and spill the beans.

Nie Li fought off the effects of her ability easily and said acting pitiful "I can't. I have a big family to take care of."

Ye Ziyun spat out the water she was drinking. She must have remembered how he was planning to build such a big family. Now everyone's attention on her she glared at him and blushing quickly hid behind Xiao Ning'er. Considering that Xiao Ning'er wasn't much bigger than her, she wasn't very successful.

And using the chance Huyan Lanruo was distracted Nie Li quickly joined the guards' group who were busy gathering the camp. It didn't take long for them to get ready so they left towards the training grounds. It was close, so after 20 minutes they have reached their target.

---------------------

The rest of the expedition was here. They were gathered around a small building at the side of the Training grounds and loud clangs and blasts could be heard from the inside. It looks like the digging process is going well.

One of the guards ran ahead to inform Chen Linjian who was discussing something with his subordinates. Chen Linjian turned towards them and Nie Li could see the relief on his face after noticing the girls. Nie Li could understand him. If something happened to Ye Ziyun he would have to face the anger of the City Lord and Lord Ye Mo. Those two would have skinned him alive.

"Guys, you can't imagine how glad I am to see that you're okay." He said to Nie Li and the girls. The girls lowered their eyes in embarrassment.

"How was your mission?" He asked Nie Li.

"It was very successful," Nie Li said.

"I'm glad. You're here just in time. We have found an underground passage in this building. The passage was collapsed. So we're clearing it now."

"Do you need any help?" Nie Li asked.

"No there are enough diggers already." Chen Linjian said happily, "You were right. There was really something here!"

"Let's not count chickens before they hatch." Nie Li replied. "The existence of an underground passage does not guarantee the treasure here."

"Oh, I have a feeling …" Chen Linjian was interrupted as one of his followers reported that they found what they think is the last barrier.

Everyone followed them underground excitedly. They walked through the short passage that turned into stairs down. At the end of it, some guys were hitting the collapsed stones with different instruments, and others were clearing the stairs. Surprisingly it was Shen Yue, who was commanding them and he scowled seeing Nie Li alive. But looked glad that Ye Ziyun survived.

Suddenly a loud crash was heard and the stone that was blocking the stairs collapsed inwards opening the entrance. Everyone shouted excitedly and ran down the stairs. Only Nie Li, Ye Ziyun, and Xiao Ning'er slowly followed them behind.

When they entered the chamber, others were running around exclaiming about the riches.

The girls looked around. It was the same chamber they visited yesterday with Nie Li. They looked at him who was looking around the chamber as if he was seeing everything for the first time. This guy was just too cunning.