Wolf Head Mercenary Group

Myriad Medicine Pavilion, main hall.

The usually spacious hall seemed somewhat crowded at the moment.

Several mercenaries stood along both sides of the hall. At the seat of honor, Mr. Yao sat facing Mu She, the captain of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.

"Captain Mu, how are things on your end? Still no news of that boy?"

"Not for now."

Mu She shook his head. "Other than the territories of those powerful monster beasts, our Wolf Head Mercenary Group has searched nearly the entire Monster Beast Mountain Range, yet we have found no trace of that boy."

"On top of that, there was a monster beast stampede in the Monster Beast Mountain Range some time ago. That boy should have long since died in the jaws of some monster beast."

"That is likely."

Mr. Yao smacked his lips regretfully. "The Monster Beast Mountain Range is fraught with dangers. There are countless powerful monster beasts within it, including terrifying fifth- and sixth-tier beings. He is merely a Dou Zhe; dying in there would be perfectly normal."

"It is only a pity about the treasure he obtained in that cave."

At the mention of treasure, Mu She's heart stirred as well.

There had been three treasure boxes in that cave. He had only obtained one of them, while the other two had vanished without a trace. Clearly, that boy had taken them.

From that treasure box, Mu She had obtained a Mysterious Tier High-grade Dou Technique. Its power was immense, doubling his combat strength.

The reason he had ordered his men to go to such lengths searching for Xiao Yan throughout the Monster Beast Mountain Range was because he had his sights set on those other two treasure boxes. Unfortunately, he had found nothing so far.

"Speaking of treasure..." Mu She glanced at Mu Li beside him. Mu Li immediately understood and stepped forward. "Mr. Yao, the items Xiao Yi Xian obtained in that cave... I wonder if you..."

"Young Captain, you jest."

Mr. Yao smiled and shook his head in denial.

"Xiao Yi Xian merely slipped and fell off a cliff by accident while gathering herbs. She had only met Xiao Yan by chance. How could she have obtained any treasure from that cave?"

"Is that so?"

Mu Li gave a cold snort. "Mr. Yao, all the treasure in that cave was taken away by that boy. Xiao Yi Xian was with him at the time. Whether she took one or two items, no one knows."

"In my opinion, Mr. Yao, why not hand Xiao Yi Xian over to our Wolf Head Mercenary Group? Let us pry some answers from her. If we manage to dig up anything, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group and Myriad Medicine Pavilion can split it equally..."

"Presumptuous!"

Mu She shouted sternly, "Li'er, do not be rude!"

At that, Mu Li offered an apology and retreated behind Mu She.

Mr. Yao showed little reaction to the father and son's performance. He was a shrewd man; how could he fail to see what they were planning?

Whether Xiao Yi Xian had obtained any treasure from that cave or not, she absolutely could not be handed over to the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. However, it was certain that Xiao Yi Xian knew Xiao Yan. Xiao Yi Xian had remained resolute these past days, so perhaps it would be better to let this father and son put a little pressure on her...

A sharp gleam flashed in Mr. Yao's eyes as he gave the Mu father and son a genial smile.

"Captain Mu, there is no need to be so severe. Although the Young Captain's words were indeed somewhat discourteous, they are not without reason."

"It is an indisputable fact that Xiao Yi Xian knows Xiao Yan. I, Yao, am not an unreasonable man. Since you are all here today, why not come with me and speak with Xiao Yi Xian plainly?"

The father and son's eyes lit up at once. They exchanged a glance and revealed meaningful smiles.

They had long intended to use public opinion to drive a wedge between Myriad Medicine Pavilion and Xiao Yi Xian, though they had worried it might not have much effect.

But now, heh heh.

Money moved people's hearts!

"Since Mr. Yao has spoken, naturally we cannot refuse. However, my mercenary group has important business this afternoon. The sooner the better—let us go take a look now."

"Very well."

The group made their way grandly toward Xiao Yi Xian's cottage and soon arrived outside.

"Please wait a moment, Captain."

Mr. Yao smiled and cupped his hands before stepping forward on his own.

But before he could make another move, the tightly shut door suddenly opened, and Xiao Yi Xian, dressed in white, appeared before them.

At the sight of Xiao Yi Xian, several mercenaries present immediately began breathing more heavily. Even Mu She and Mu Li could not help the heat rising in their eyes.

Xiao Yi Xian's gaze swept lightly over the Wolf Head Mercenary Group before turning to Mr. Yao in front of her.

"Mr. Yao, you came by just three hours ago. What is it? Do you have urgent business again?"

"Xiao Yi Xian, the time we agreed upon has not yet arrived. I am not the one looking for you—it is them."

Mr. Yao's lips curled up slightly as he stepped aside, revealing Mu She, Mu Li, and the others behind him. "The people of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group have important matters to ask you about. I could not very well refuse them, so I brought them here."

Xiao Yi Xian remained calm as her gaze settled upon the members of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.

"Xiao Yi Xian, that Xiao Yan has opposed us at every turn. He slaughtered Third Captain He Meng in the Monster Beast Mountain Range. Our Wolf Head Mercenary Group and Xiao Yan are now locked in a fight to the death!"

Mu She's eyes were gloomy as he spoke in a low voice. "I hope you will truthfully tell me Xiao Yan's whereabouts and give me an explanation."

"That's right! We want an explanation!"

"Xiao Yi Xian, though you have the heart of a healer and once treated me, He Meng was my captain. I regarded him as both an elder brother and a father. Xiao Yan killed him—I cannot stand by and do nothing!"

"That's right, Xiao Yi Xian! Quickly tell us everything about Xiao Yan's whereabouts!"

With Mu She taking the lead, the members of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group began applying pressure one after another. Yet Xiao Yi Xian's expression remained calm and unchanged.

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's attitude, Mu Li, who had remained silent until then, showed no anger at all. Instead, a trace of heat and greed flashed through his eyes.

He licked his lips, nodded to Mu She beside him, and pressed his hand down. The noisy members of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group immediately fell silent. Taking a step forward, he spoke in a deep voice, "Xiao Yi Xian, you should know where Xiao Yan is. You were the one who sent him into the Monster Beast Mountain Range back then. As long as you tell us Xiao Yan's whereabouts, we will never make things difficult for you!"

"You have shown great kindness to us and to all of Qingshan Town. We do not wish to..."

"Are you not done yet, Xiao Yi Xian?"

A calm voice sounded from inside the cottage, interrupting Mu Li's babbling and plunging everyone outside into dead silence.

Everyone's eyes widened as they stared at Xiao Yi Xian in utter disbelief. Mr. Yao was even more shocked, to the point that he began stammering.

"Xiao Yi Xian, you... how... when did someone enter this cottage? This..."

Under everyone's incredulous gazes, Xiao Yi Xian turned around and respectfully bowed toward the person inside. "My apologies, Young Master. Please give me a little more time."

Young Master?!

No, what in the world was going on here?!