Ten Mile Peach Blossom Forest

"Depart!"

Seeing that everyone was present, Luo Ming mounted his horse and led the way towards the west city gate.

Due to the urgency of this mission, Luo Ming applied to use the Fire Scale Horses cultivated by the Demon Suppression Division.

Fire Scale Horses have a gentle nature and can travel 600 li a day. The entire Qingyang County Demon Suppression Division only has twelve of them, and they can only be used in extremely urgent situations.

This time, it was because the blood copper mine was too important, and it was a resource controlled by Great Yue that could not afford any accidents, so they were approved to use Fire Scale Horses to rush on their way.

This was Ye Xiaofan's first time riding a horse. In his previous life, when he was following his uncle to herd cattle at his grandmother's house, he often rode mules. Therefore, after a slight adaptation, he felt no sense of unfamiliarity and kept up with the team's speed.

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

The city walls were twenty zhang high, and the city gate was guarded by city guards. There were very few people entering and exiting.

After leaving the city gate, the surrounding scene startled Ye Xiaofan.

He saw simple houses built with branches and grass densely lining both sides of the official road. Pale and emaciated refugees were queuing up on one side of the city gate to receive thin porridge generously provided by wealthy families.

"Alas, the demonic creatures are causing severe chaos now. Many people have fled to Qingyang County City, but there is no extra space in the city to accommodate these refugees, so they can only be settled outside the city gate."

As if sensing Ye Xiaofan's confusion, Luo Ming said in a low voice.

Ye Xiaofan nodded without speaking, his desire for strength becoming even more intense.

Demon Suppression Division.

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

Ying Yi appeared beside Sun Wude as silently as a ghost.

"Mm."

Sun Wude put down the scroll in his hand, stood up, and walked to the window, gazing towards the west.

If this plan succeeds, the Sun Family will obtain two Life Vitality Pills.

Life Vitality Pills are refined by extracting the vitality of cultivators and can help cultivators at the Ninth Level Body Refinement break through the Life and Death Gate to reach the Qi Condensation stage.

"Giddy up!"

"Giddy up!"

"Hurry up in the back! Rest for half an hour at the Ten Mile Peach Blossom Forest five li ahead."

Luo Ming shouted.

Hooves pounded, and dust flew. Ye Xiaofan and his group of ten people rode their Fire Scale Horses at full speed.

At this moment, The members of the Iron Hand Gang, following their leader Tie Wuqing on an expedition to hunt demonic creatures, were resting outside the Ten Mile Peach Blossom Forest.

Upon hearing the sound of hooves, the members of the Iron Hand Gang all stood up, holding their weapons, and vigilantly watched in the direction from which the sound came.

A moment later, Seeing Ye Xiaofan and his group appear before them, they breathed a sigh of relief, sheathed 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 bronze faceless mask, leaned against a peach blossom tree and raised his wine gourd, drinking heartily.

On the other side, Ye Xiaofan's eyes flashed with surprise as he saw a group of people resting outside the Peach Blossom Forest.

"It's the Iron Hand Gang."

Ye Xiaofan looked at Zhang Tianhong with confusion.

"Haha, the Iron Hand Gang has a good reputation in Qingyang County. The Gang Leader Tie Wuqing is a remarkable woman with unfathomable strength. She hates evil and is especially disgusted by demonic creatures. She often leads the Iron Hand Gang out to hunt demonic creatures and has frequent dealings with our Demon Suppression Division."

Zhang Tianhong said with a smile.

"I see."

Ye Xiaofan nodded.

"If we can invite Gang Leader Tie to accompany us to the blood copper mine area this time, our mission will be even more assured. Xiaofan, you and I will go see Gang Leader Tie later."

At this moment, Luo Ming also turned back and said.

"Okay, Uncle Luo."

Everyone settled their Fire Scale Horses to rest not far from the Iron Hand Gang.

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

"Captain Luo, Captain Zhang, off on another mission."

The people of the Iron Hand Gang clearly recognized Luo Ming and Zhang Tianhong and greeted them with smiles.

"We're looking for the Gang Leader."

Luo Ming stated directly.

Following a disciple of the Iron Hand Gang, they walked deeper into the peach forest.

A slender woman wearing a faceless bronze mask was leaning against a peach tree, tilting her head back and drinking wine.

A gentle breeze rustled the branches, causing pink petals to snow down like blossoms.

The aroma of wine wafted through the air, creating a scene of poetic beauty.

"Gang Leader Tie, long time no see."

Luo Ming greeted him with a smile and then sat down not far from Tie Wuqing, taking a water skin from his back and drinking.

Can't find the book title? Try searching for the author, maybe they just changed their name!

Ye Xiaofan curiously observed Tie Wuqing.

As if sensing Ye Xiaofan's gaze, Tie Wuqing turned his head slightly. His eyes were as deep as the brightest stars in the night sky.

Ye Xiaofan was immediately captivated by those eyes.

"Cough, cough!"

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

Ye Xiaofan snapped back to reality, realizing he had been staring rudely. He offered an embarrassed smile, bowed to Tie Wuqing, and sat behind Luo Ming.

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

Tie Wuqing's voice was like a young maiden's, incredibly pleasant to hear.

"Just lucky."

Luo Ming rubbed his nose sheepishly.

"Gang Leader Tie, are you interested in joining me in slaying some demonic creatures..."

Luo Ming took the opportunity to quickly explain their mission and then looked at Tie Wuqing expectantly.

"Ten Blood Qi Pills and a hundred jin of Blood Copper."

"Alright, thank you, Gang Leader Tie."

Tie Wuqing agreed to help, and the tense expressions on Luo Ming and Zhang Tianhong's faces relaxed considerably.

Tie Wuqing said no more, continuing to drink his wine.

The sky began to darken, and the setting sun cast a golden hue on Ye Xiaofan's face.

With the addition of the Iron Hand Gang members, their horses were ordinary steeds, unable to keep up with the Fire Scale Horses. The group's travel speed slowed considerably.

After traveling for a while longer, the sky had completely turned black.

Tonight, there were no stars!

Heavy black clouds seemed about to fall from the sky, giving the impression that a storm was brewing.

A sense of inexplicable unease stirred within Ye Xiaofan.

"Everyone, stay alert and vigilant."

Luo Ming and Zhang Tianhong, leading the group, wore serious expressions, their gazes sharp as they scanned their surroundings.

Ye Xiaofan heightened his five senses to the maximum, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword as he followed closely behind Luo Ming and Zhang Tianhong.

The forest was eerily silent, with only the sound of horse hooves echoing.

The group moved forward silently, the flames in their hands seeming to offer no warmth, only growing colder.

Suddenly, faint rustling sounds came from all around, piercing the deathly silence of the darkness.

"Dismount, be on guard."

Luo Ming's face changed drastically. He roared, drawing the long saber at his waist, his cold eyes sweeping the surroundings.

Everyone dismounted, drew their weapons, and formed a circle with their backs to each other. The Fire Scale Horses restlessly pawed the ground and whinnied softly.

The members of the Iron Hand Gang dismounted and took up defensive positions. Only Tie Wuqing remained on horseback, occasionally taking a sip of wine, seemingly unconcerned by everything.

Time seemed to stand still. The surrounding forest returned to its deathly silence, as if everything that had just happened was merely an auditory illusion.

"Gulp~"

The sound of swallowing echoed repeatedly, and a sense of unease quickly spread.

Luo Ming and Zhang Tianhong exchanged glances, understanding each other's thoughts. They couldn't wait any longer.

"Everyone, don't panic. Keep hold of your horses and continue towards the mining area."

Luo Ming glanced back at Tie Wuqing, seeing that he showed no unusual reaction, and his expression eased slightly.

He then looked at Ye Xiaofan again. Seeing that Ye Xiaofan's expression was normal, a hint of admiration appeared on his face.

Afterward, holding his long saber high, he led the way with the torch.

The others followed suit upon seeing this.

The group of over twenty people walked slowly, but everyone looked tense, scanning their surroundings and remaining on high alert.

Everyone except Tie Wuqing, who was riding on horseback.

"Everyone keep up. Once we cross this ridge, we'll see the mining area."

Luo Ming occasionally spoke to comfort those behind him.

Only Ye Xiaofan, who was closest, could see that Luo Ming was far from as calm as he appeared. His knuckles were white from gripping too hard, and his forehead was covered in fine beads of cold sweat.

Ye Xiaofan casually glanced back at Tie Wuqing, who was riding alone on horseback, and felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

It was as if this woman could soothe the unease in his heart.

What a remarkable woman! I wonder what she looks like beneath that mask. I truly wish I could see her face.

Ye Xiaofan thought this as he walked, becoming quite engrossed in his thoughts.

He only snapped back to reality when he bumped into Luo Ming's Fire Scale Horse.

He looked up.

Ahead, a vague, massive figure, about ten feet tall, stood in the middle of the road, blocking their path.