16 Trouble in the woods

In the depths of the dense woods, a woman sprinted desperately, her breath ragged and her body covered in dirt and sweat. Her torn clothing and disheveled hair were testaments to the intense pursuit she had endured. Behind her, six shadowy figures chased relentlessly, their presence casting an ominous aura.

With every fleeting step, the woman's strength waned, and her legs felt heavy with exhaustion. Fear etched across her face as she realized the futility of her escape. She knew that she was cornered, with no way to evade her pursuers any longer. Seeking a fleeting respite, she halted at an open clearing, her chest heaving and heart pounding in her ears.

As the woman caught her breath, her gaze darted anxiously between the hooded figures encircling her. Their faces concealed beneath dark hoods, their intentions remained unknown. Doubt and weariness clouded her voice as she spoke, a hint of resignation seeping through her words. "Did he send you? If so, I suppose there's no way you'll allow me to go..."

One of the hooded figures stepped forward, his scarred visage revealed as he pulled back his hood. His countenance bore the marks of battles fought and wounds endured, lending him an air of seasoned experience. With a lecherous smile playing upon his lips, he sneered in response, relishing in the woman's vulnerability. "No, he didn't order us to let you go... only to bring you back alive," he said, his voice dripping with malevolence. "But he failed to mention anything about you remaining intact. Boys, the first round is mine!"

The air grew thick with an ominous tension as the hooded figures, weapons glinting menacingly, slowly advanced toward the wounded and weary woman. Her eyes flickered with a mix of fear and defiance, a determination to fight against the impending peril. Though battered and outnumbered, her spirit remained unyielding, ready to face whatever awaited her in the imminent clash.

Just as the impending clash seemed inevitable, an unknown voice reverberated through the air, echoing with authority. "Do the six of you lack the honor to face her in fair combat? Must you rely on five core foundation realm experts and even one soul integration realm initiate to take down a single core foundation expert? Truly pitiful."

The woman, along with the hooded figures, turned their attention towards the source of the voice. Emerging from the shadows, a figure stepped forward, bathed in the gentle moonlight that seemed to announce his arrival. As the light illuminated his features, revealing his captivating presence, the woman's eyes widened in shock and surprise. "You... you are that handsome customer from the inn!"

The six men exchanged bewildered glances, unable to comprehend the situation unfolding before them. The scarred leader among them couldn't help but burst into mocking laughter. "Hahahaha! How amusing! A mere core foundation expert calling us pathetic. What a joke!"

Yue Xuan, unfazed by their ridicule, maintained his composed demeanor as he addressed the woman. "My name is Yue Xuan, and it is a pleasure to meet you. If my memory serves me right, you are the waitress from the inn. Now... would you allow me to lend you my assistance?"

Confusion clouded the woman's mind as she tried to make sense of the situation. "Why would he want to help me? We have no connection beyond my service at the inn," she wondered silently, her expression reflecting her inner turmoil. Meanwhile, the hooded figures remained unsure of how to react, their faces revealing a mix of uncertainty and wariness.

the woman quickly regained her thoughts and replied "It is best if you just go! Save yourself, I'll hold them off!"

As the woman insisted that Yue Xuan should leave and save himself, he wore a resigned smile, his gaze fixated on the moon above. "Heh, do they think so little of me?" he murmured softly, a tinge of determination in his voice. Closing his eyes, he inhaled the cold air, his mind focused and composed.

The hooded figures exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what to make of Yue Xuan's calm demeanor. "What is he doing?" one of them questioned, his voice filled with confusion. "I don't know, but we should just kill him," another one suggested, the eagerness to eliminate the perceived threat evident in his tone. However, their leader intervened, his voice laced with a hint of caution. "Enough. Let's dispose of him swiftly, so we can return to our main objective."

With his sword raised and pointed directly at Yue Xuan, the scarred leader signaled his comrades to attack. The five men brandished their blades and charged toward their seemingly defenseless target. But in a display of sheer agility and grace, Yue Xuan's eyes snapped open, revealing two radiant blue gems that glistened in the moonlight. A small condensed cloud escaped his nostrils, a testament to the power contained within.

With lightning speed and precision, Yue Xuan unsheathed his sword, effortlessly parrying and countering the thugs' relentless assaults. His movements were fluid and ethereal, evoking the image of a phantom gliding through the chaos of battle. Each clash of swords resonated in the night air, a symphony of steel meeting steel.

Yue Xuan's blade became an extension of his very being, an instrument of divine artistry. His strikes were calculated and swift, finding the gaps in his opponents' defenses with uncanny accuracy. He weaved through their attacks effortlessly, his body moving with preternatural grace and agility. It was a mesmerizing dance of combat, as if he existed in a realm beyond mortal limitations.

The moon bore witness to Yue Xuan's prowess, casting an ethereal glow upon the unfolding spectacle. The hooded figures found themselves increasingly overwhelmed, their strikes repelled and countered by the seemingly invincible swordsman. The clash of metal, the grunts of exertion, and the echoes of frustration filled the night as Yue Xuan single-handedly thwarted their assault, his every movement a testament to his unmatched skill.

In the midst of the battle, the air crackled with an electric intensity, a palpable reminder of the unyielding power that coursed through Yue Xuan's veins. With every deflected strike and swift retaliation, he demonstrated a level of mastery that left his adversaries in awe and disbelief.

The fight unfolded like a symphony of violence, with Yue Xuan as the conductor, orchestrating the fate of his opponents. In that moonlit clearing, the clash of blades painted a vivid tableau of a lone warrior's resilience and unrivaled prowess, leaving a lasting impression on all who bore witness to his breathtaking display of martial skill.

The girl, wide-eyed and trembling, watched in awe and fear as Yue Xuan effortlessly dispatched the hooded figures. It was impossible for her to keep up with his lightning-fast movements, but his serene expression and the hint of a satisfied smile painted a picture of a battle that posed no challenge for him. Amidst the chaos, Yue Xuan's thoughts echoed in his mind, 'To think that this is all they amount to, but I should be grateful. At least I get in a bit of practice again.'

As the leader of the thugs witnessed his subordinates' futile struggles, a mixture of awe and frustration gripped his heart. He realized the dire situation they were in and decided to take matters into his own hands. With a bellowing voice, he commanded, "Stop playing with them! I will face you!"

The leader had observed the battle, witnessing how Yue Xuan effortlessly deflected every strike, leaving his subordinates helpless. With an ardent desire to defeat the enigmatic swordsman, he charged forward, fueled by a desperate determination. Yet, Yue Xuan met his aggression with a cool indifference, his eyes glimmering with unwavering confidence.

In a bored tone, Yue Xuan spoke dismissively, "I wasn't playing with them. I held back significantly. They were simply inadequate." He nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, intensifying the feeling of defeat within the five remaining hooded figures. Though they wanted to retort, the overwhelming evidence of their inability to even touch Yue Xuan silenced them.

Yue Xuan continued, his voice dripping with detached superiority, "But very well, if you insist on ending this, I shall oblige." With one swift strike, he extinguished the flames of life within the eyes of his defeated attackers, a brilliant blue light radiating from his blade.

Witnessing the fall of his subordinates, the leader's rage transformed into a desperate resolve. "You!" he seethed, his voice filled with fury. "I will end you!" He launched himself at Yue Xuan, his movements a whirlwind of ferocity and determination. In his mind, a plan formed - to exploit Yue Xuan's presumed fatigue, to capitalize on a momentary lapse in his flawless form.

Their clash was a spectacle to behold, an exquisite dance of blades and martial prowess. With each elegant strike, Yue Xuan deftly parried and countered, his movements flowing effortlessly as if guided by an unseen force. His swordmanship was a masterclass in precision and finesse, leaving the leader in a state of disbelief.

Deep within his thoughts, the leader acknowledged the urgency of the situation. "I need to end him now," he calculated, his mind racing. "He may not show it, but he must be weary. He wielded sword intent... how? I do not know, but surely he cannot maintain this level for much longer."

Yet, to the leader's dismay, each attempt to seize an advantage was met with a swift and effortless response from Yue Xuan. The enigmatic swordsman seemed to anticipate his every move, his strikes executed with unwavering mastery and excellence. The clash continued, but it became increasingly apparent that the leader's efforts were in vain, pitted against an opponent whose skill surpassed his own.

As the moon shone its radiant light upon the fierce battle unfolding before it, the clash between Yue Xuan and the leader of the thugs painted a vivid picture of dominance and unmatched swordsmanship. The leader's thoughts, once fueled by desperation, began to waver as he realized the insurmountable gap that separated their abilities.

Yue Xuan dealt one decissive blow, incapacitating his opponent. As the leader dropped to his knees, Yue Xuan's grip tightened on his sword as he held it at the fallen leader's neck, his eyes glimmering with an unwavering resolve. "So...who did I offend tonight?" the leader's eyes grew wider at the way the question had been asked.

The question he posed hung heavily in the air, carrying the weight of impending consequences.

Yue Xuan's grip tightened on his sword as he held it at the fallen leader's neck, his eyes glimmering with an unwavering resolve. The question he posed hung heavily in the air, carrying the weight of impending consequences.

The leader's eyes widened, a flicker of fear and realization crossing his face. The way Yue Xuan had asked the question left no room for doubt; he was aware that there was someone behind this orchestrated attack, manipulating the strings from the shadows. However, Yue Xuan's demeanor conveyed a sense of indifference to the revelation, as if the identity of the puppeteer held little significance to him.

Defiant to the end, the leader steeled himself, refusing to yield any information, even in the face of imminent death. His words rang out, a testament to his unwavering loyalty and determination. "I'll never tell you anything... even if you threaten to kill me!"

Yue Xuan's expression remained unchanged, his gaze unwavering as he stared down at his fallen foe. There was a resolute calmness about him, a sense of detachment from the emotions that typically accompany such grim encounters. He leaned closer, his voice carrying an air of finality. "I won't threaten to kill you... I just will."

In one swift motion, his sword descended, severing the leader's head from his body. Silence enveloped the clearing as the lifeless head rolled across the ground, a chilling testament to the ruthlessness of Yue Xuan's actions.

Yue Xuan stood there, his breath steady and his heart resolute. He had eliminated the immediate threat, but the lingering question of who was truly behind it all still remained. With a solemn gaze, he glanced around the scene, his gaze falling on the woman he had come to aid.