"Uncle Luo, why are we leaving?" Diyar Lan slashed at the branches with her short sword as she marched forward, anger seething in her voice. "That scoundrel dared to flirt with Miss Mu and me! I want nothing more than to run him through with my sword! It infuriates me to no end!"
"If you two hadn't shown up, none of this would have happened. Now we're in trouble," Luo Hao sighed helplessly. "Stop complaining and hurry up. We need to get far away from here and hope we can avoid them."
"Uncle Luo, haven't we already left? What more trouble could there be?" Mu Yudie asked in surprise.
"It's not as simple as you think," Luo Hao shook his head. "These mercenaries are all scoundrels. The way their leader looked at you was lecherous; he won't let this go. When we left, the four mercenaries who were dealing with the demonic python acted like they didn't care, but their interest in you earlier was unusual. They must know their leader's temperament and are likely unconcerned for a reason."
Mu Yudie's delicate face changed slightly. "Uncle Luo, you suspect they will come after us?"
"It's not a suspicion; they will definitely come after us," Luo Hao sighed inwardly. "They didn't act immediately because they were concerned about the materials from the demonic python. They feared that while dealing with us, other mercenaries or warriors might snatch their prize. Once they secure the materials, they will surely come for us."
"The reputation of the Fanged Mercenary Group is notorious. I've heard they frequently engage in looting and pillaging. Uncle Luo's judgment is definitely correct," Hu Long chimed in.
"Uncle Luo, we're sorry. We were only worried about you," Mu Yudie said softly.
"I understand," Luo Hao replied, his figure darting swiftly through the forest before suddenly stopping. He gently set Mu Yudie down.
Shi Yan also came to a halt, frowning. "What is it? Have they caught up?"
Luo Hao glanced approvingly at Shi Yan and nodded solemnly. "They should be here soon."
"Uncle Luo, what should we do?" Hu Long snorted coldly, his voice filled with anger. "This is too much! Let's fight them!"
Luo Hao's thick brows furrowed as he thought quickly. "Diyar Lan, you take Xiao Die and go ahead. Leave signals along the way. Young man, go with them and stay alert. It's best to choose routes in remote areas and always be careful not to enter the territory of high-level demonic beasts."
"What about you?" Shi Yan asked calmly.
"The three of us will stay behind. Without Xiao Die, we can split up and launch surprise attacks. As long as we delay them for a while, we'll catch up with you. Those guys won't risk their lives over a few women and should give up soon," Luo Hao said quickly.
"Understood." Shi Yan nodded and smiled easily. "Don't worry, Uncle. I'll be wherever these two ladies are."
"Go!" Luo Hao commanded.
Diyar Lan hesitated, wanting to stay and fight, but under Luo Hao's stern gaze, she finally relented.
She stomped her foot in frustration, crouched down to lift Mu Yudie onto her back, and without another word, sprinted toward the densest part of the forest.
Shi Yan hesitated briefly before taking out a small packet from his backpack and shoving it into Luo Hao's hand. "This is a poison powder I accidentally came across, called 'Seven Serpents' Venom.' It's made from the venom of seven different snakes. The method is simple: just apply the powder to your weapon. A small cut that draws even a drop of blood will be enough..."
Before Luo Hao could respond, Shi Yan grinned and ran after Diyar Lan.
"Uncle Luo, isn't this a bit too vicious? Warriors have their pride. Using poison against people isn't exactly honorable," Zhao Xin muttered with a frown, looking at the poison powder in Luo Hao's hand with disgust. "That guy is suspicious. He carries all sorts of sinister and ruthless things. I can't trust him being around Miss Mu."
"Zhao Xin, there are no such rules here. If it weren't for his Bone-Corrosion Powder earlier, we would already be dead, and you wouldn't have the chance to talk about honor now," Luo Hao rebuked. Frowning, he added, "Keep some of this powder with you, but don't use it unless it's absolutely necessary. If things really get out of hand, don't hesitate. Apply it to your weapons immediately. Only by surviving can you continue to criticize that guy's unscrupulous methods in front of Xiao Die, understood?"
"Understood."
...
In the forest.
Barnard and the seven members of the Fanged Mercenary Group moved swiftly, their expressions cold, and smirks playing on their lips.
"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"
Arrows suddenly shot out from the forest, fast and fierce, forcing the mercenaries to stop and defend themselves.
Barnard halted abruptly, chuckling darkly. He finally extended his right hand from within his sleeve, revealing a gleaming iron hand. As soon as the iron hand appeared, a burst of silver light shot out, splitting into seven crescent-shaped blades that flew towards Luo Hao's hiding spot.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
The blades sliced through the forest, shattering branches in their path. The silver light continued to flash as it hurtled towards Luo Hao's position.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A massive ancient tree was cut down by the blades, crashing to the ground as Luo Hao's figure vanished into the forest.
"Tumu, you and Jinmo chase them that way. We'll handle things here," Barnard said with a sinister smile. "The real fighters are here. Only two women and a kid left ahead. Remember, I want the women alive. If you kill them, you won't see a single crystal coin!"
"Don't worry, Captain. I'll make sure that little lady is clean and ready for you. You can enjoy her to your heart's content," Tumu laughed heartily. "Jinmo, let's go! Haha, that fiery woman is mine first. You're in luck this time; you get second dibs."
"Hehe, I can't wait," another ugly mercenary with a face full of pimples laughed along, following Tumu.
"Damn!" Luo Hao's heart sank, and he was about to signal to pursue them.
He hadn't expected Barnard to be so experienced in this matter. The man had immediately seen through his plan and sent men after Diyar Lan.
"You're staying here," Barnard sneered, charging towards Luo Hao. "Friend, you wanted to hold us back, right? Well, I'm not leaving now. Neither should you. Let's have a little fight, shall we?"
As Barnard moved, the other mercenaries spread out, searching for Hu Long and Zhao Xin.
...
Diyar Lan, with Mu Yudie on her back, darted through the forest. Every step she took propelled her several meters forward, like a mother leopard chasing prey.
As she ran, the short skirt under her armor around her waist and hips fluttered in the wind, revealing her full, firm buttocks, moving with mesmerizing curves and incredible elasticity.
Shi Yan, following behind her, couldn't help but admire the sight, thinking to himself that Diyar Lan's figure was indeed stunning. It was no wonder those mercenaries were so infatuated with her.
"You little pervert, stop staring at my butt and pay more attention to the surroundings. Look for any signs of demonic beasts," Diyar Lan shouted, as if she had eyes on her back.
"It doesn't distract me," Shi Yan grinned. "There's no sign of demonic beasts around for now, but it seems someone's chasing us. I think I can hear faint footsteps."
"Someone's after us?" Diyar Lan was startled. "No way! Didn't Uncle Luo and the others manage to stop those dogs?"
Shi Yan suddenly stopped, crouched down, and pressed his ear to the ground. After listening for a moment, his face darkened. "Uncle Luo didn't manage to hold off all the dogs. Two of them are almost upon us."
Diyar Lan froze and then stopped as well, her expression grim. "Kid, you take Miss Mu and keep going. I'll stay behind and deal with them."
"No, I'll stay," Shi Yan shook his head, took a deep breath, and said firmly, "I've been wanting to test my training results lately. You keep going; I'll catch up. I'll also leave a couple of marks so that Uncle Luo and the others can find us later."
"You..." Mu Yudie turned her head from Diyar Lan's back and stared at him, her eyes shimmering with light, her face complex as she said, "This had nothing to do with you originally."
"I know," Shi Yan smiled easily. "But because of you, it now does. I still owe you a debt, and until I feel it's repaid, I'll stay by your side. Even if you want me to stay afterward, I will leave once I've repaid it. Now, stop hesitating, big sister."
Diyar Lan hesitated, then turned away, her voice low as she said, "You little brat, you'd better stay alive. If you manage to catch up with us, I'll let you... touch my butt." With that, she stomped her foot and dashed away.
"Haha, then wash it clean and wait for me," Shi Yan called after her with a grin. "I'll be there soon."
Diyar Lan's body trembled, and she almost tripped. Blushing, she bit her lip