Ten Mile Peach Blossom Forest

"Set out!"

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Luo Ming swung onto his horse and took the lead toward the west city gate.

Because this mission was urgent, Luo Ming had applied for the Fire Scale Horses bred by the Demon Suppression Division.

Fire Scale Horses were mild-tempered and could travel six hundred li a day. The entire Qingyang County Demon Suppression Division had only twelve of them, and they could only be used in the most urgent situations.

This time, it was because the Blood Copper Mine was too important. It was a resource controlled by Great Yue, and nothing could be allowed to go wrong, so they had been permitted to use Fire Scale Horses to hurry on their way.

This was Ye Xiaofan's first time riding a horse. In his previous life, when he had stayed with his grandmother and followed his uncle to herd cattle, he had often ridden mules. After a brief adjustment, he no longer felt unfamiliar with it and kept pace with the group.

This was Ye Xiaofan's first time leaving the city.

The city walls stood a full twenty zhang high. City guards stood watch at the gates, and very few people went in or out.

Once they passed through the gates, the sight around them gave Ye Xiaofan quite a fright.

On both sides of the official road stood dense rows of crude shelters built from branches and dry grass. Sallow, emaciated refugees lined up beside the city gates to receive thin porridge handed out by wealthy households.

"Alas, demons and monsters are running rampant now. Many people have fled to Qingyang County, but there is no room left in the city to settle these refugees. They can only stay outside the gates."

As if he had noticed Ye Xiaofan's confusion, Luo Ming spoke in a low voice.

Ye Xiaofan nodded without saying anything. His yearning for strength grew even fiercer.

Demon Suppression Division.

"Patriarch, Ye Xiaofan and the others have already left the city. Ying Er and Ying San have secretly followed them. No one will return alive."

Like a ghost, Ying Yi silently appeared at Sun Wude's side.

"Mm."

Sun Wude put down the document in his hand, rose to his feet, and walked to the window, his gaze fixed on the west.

If this plan succeeded, the Sun Family would obtain two Life Vitality Pills.

Life Vitality Pills were refined by extracting cultivators' life force. They could help a ninth-level Body Tempering cultivator break through the Life and Death Gate and advance into the Qi Condensation stage.

"Hyah!"

"Hyah!"

"Those in the back, hurry up and keep up! We'll rest for half an hour at the Ten Mile Peach Blossom Forest, five li ahead!"

Luo Ming shouted loudly.

Hooves thundered and dust rose into the air as Ye Xiaofan's group of ten rode their Fire Scale Horses at full speed.

At this moment,

The Iron Hand Gang members who had followed their leader, Tie Wuqing, out to hunt demons and monsters were resting outside the Ten Mile Peach Blossom Forest.

Hearing the hoofbeats, the Iron Hand Gang members sprang to their feet, gripping their weapons as they watched the direction from which the sound came.

A moment later,

When they saw Ye Xiaofan and the others appear before them, they let out a breath of relief, put away their weapons, and dispersed.

"Gang Leader, it's Luo Ming and Zhang Tianhong from the Demon Suppression Division."

"Mm."

Deep within the peach blossom forest, Tie Wuqing, wearing a faceless bronze mask, leaned against a peach tree and raised the Wine Gourd in her hand, tilting her head back for a deep drink.

On the other side,

Ye Xiaofan was surprised to see a group resting outside the peach blossom forest.

"It's the Iron Hand Gang."

Ye Xiaofan looked at Zhang Tianhong in confusion.

"Haha, the Iron Hand Gang has a good reputation in Qingyang County. Their leader, Tie Wuqing, is an extraordinary woman. Her strength is unfathomable, and she hates evil as if it were her mortal enemy. She especially loathes demons and monsters, often leading the Iron Hand Gang out to hunt them. They have had many dealings with our Demon Suppression Division."

Zhang Tianhong explained with a smile.

"So that's how it is."

Ye Xiaofan nodded.

"If we can ask Gang Leader Tie to travel with us to the Blood Copper Mine Area this time, our mission will be far more secure. Xiaofan, come with me to meet Gang Leader Tie later."

Luo Ming turned back and added.

"Alright, Uncle Luo."

The group settled their Fire Scale Horses not far from the Iron Hand Gang and began resting.

Luo Ming and Zhang Tianhong led Ye Xiaofan toward the Iron Hand Gang.

"Captain Luo, Captain Zhang, out on another mission?"

The Iron Hand Gang members clearly knew Luo Ming and Zhang Tianhong. They smiled and greeted the two of them.

"We're here to see Gang Leader Tie."

Luo Ming said it straight out.

Then, under the guidance of an Iron Hand Gang disciple, they walked deep into the peach grove.

There, they saw a delicate-looking woman in a faceless bronze mask leaning against a peach tree, drinking with her head tilted back.

A breeze swept through, making the branches sway gently as pink petals drifted down like snowflakes.

The fragrance of wine drifted through the air,

Creating a scene of poetry and painting.

"Gang Leader Tie, it has been a long time."

Luo Ming stepped forward with a smile to greet her. Then he sat down some distance away from Tie Wuqing, removed a waterskin from his back, and began drinking.

Ye Xiaofan studied Tie Wuqing curiously.

As though she had sensed Ye Xiaofan's gaze,

Tie Wuqing turned her head slightly to look over. Her eyes were as deep as the night sky's brightest stars.

Ye Xiaofan was immediately entranced by those eyes.

"Ahem!"

Zhang Tianhong coughed dryly several times and tugged at Ye Xiaofan's sleeve.

Ye Xiaofan came back to himself as well. Realizing that staring at her so openly was extremely rude, he gave an awkward smile, bowed to Tie Wuqing, and sat down behind Luo Ming.

"Luo Ming, I didn't expect you to still be alive. Tsk, tsk."

Tie Wuqing's voice was like that of a young girl, exceptionally pleasant to hear.

"Good luck, I suppose."

Luo Ming awkwardly rubbed his nose.

"Gang Leader Tie, would you be interested in joining us to slay demons and monsters..."

Taking the opportunity, Luo Ming quickly explained his group's mission, then looked at Tie Wuqing with expectation written all over his face.

"Ten Blood Qi Pills and one hundred jin of blood copper."

"Alright. Many thanks, Gang Leader Tie."

With Tie Wuqing agreeing to help, the tightly drawn expressions on Luo Ming's and Zhang Tianhong's faces eased considerably.

Tie Wuqing said no more and merely continued drinking.

The sky gradually darkened, and the lingering glow of the setting sun plated Ye Xiaofan's face in gold.

With the Iron Hand Gang joining them, their pace slowed considerably. The horses they rode were merely fine ordinary steeds and could not keep up with Fire Scale Horses.

After traveling for another stretch, the sky turned completely dark.

Tonight,

There were no stars!

Heavy black clouds seemed as though they might fall from the heavens.

It was the look of wind and rain on the way.

For no reason, a thread of irritation rose in Ye Xiaofan's heart.

"Stay sharp, all of you. Raise your guard."

Luo Ming and Zhang Tianhong, leading the way, wore solemn expressions. Their eyes shone like torches as they swept their gazes across the surroundings.

Ye Xiaofan heightened his five senses to their limit, gripping his sword hilt as he followed closely behind Luo Ming and Zhang Tianhong.

The mountain forest was so silent it was terrifying. Only the sound of hoofbeats echoed through it.

Everyone moved forward in silence. The flames in their hands seemed unable to bring even a shred of warmth; instead, they grew colder and colder.

Suddenly,

Faint rustling sounds came from all around them, especially piercing in the deathly darkness.

"Dismount! Stay alert!"

Luo Ming's expression changed drastically. He roared as he drew the long saber at his waist, his cold eyes circling the surroundings.

Everyone dismounted and drew their weapons, forming a circle with their backs to one another. The Fire Scale Horses uneasily pawed the ground with their front hooves and let out low whinnies.

Seeing this, the Iron Hand Gang members also dismounted and stood on guard. Only Tie Wuqing remained on horseback, taking an occasional drink as if she did not care about any of it.

Time seemed to freeze. The surrounding forest fell into dead silence once more, as though everything just now had been nothing but an illusion.

"Gulp..."

The sound of throats swallowing rose again and again as unease rapidly spread.

Luo Ming and Zhang Tianhong exchanged a glance. Both understood what the other was thinking. They could not keep waiting.

"Don't panic. Lead the horses and continue toward the mine area."

Luo Ming looked back at Tie Wuqing. Seeing nothing unusual about her, his expression relaxed somewhat.

Then he looked toward Ye Xiaofan. Seeing that Ye Xiaofan's expression remained calm, a hint of approval appeared on his face.

Then, saber in hand and torch held high, he was the first to move.

The others followed after him.

The group of more than twenty moved very slowly, but everyone wore tense expressions, constantly watching their surroundings and guarding carefully.

Except for Tie Wuqing, who remained mounted.

"Keep up, everyone. Once we cross this hill, we'll be able to see the mine area."

Luo Ming called out from time to time to reassure those behind him.

Only Ye Xiaofan, who was closest to him, could see that Luo Ming was nowhere near as calm as he appeared. His fingers were clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white, and fine beads of cold sweat covered his forehead.

Ye Xiaofan casually turned to look at Tie Wuqing, who rode alone on horseback, and inexplicably relaxed.

It was as though this woman could soothe the unease in people's hearts.

She truly is an extraordinary woman! I wonder what kind of beauty lies beneath that mask. I really want to catch a glimpse of her face.

Ye Xiaofan walked while lost in thought, becoming so absorbed that he failed to notice where he was going.

He only came back to his senses after bumping into Luo Ming's Fire Scale Horse.

Looking up,

He saw a vague, enormous figure roughly one zhang tall standing in the middle of the road ahead, blocking their path.