Threatened Again

As dusk settled, spreading like ink, a suffocating stillness permeated the mountains and forests.

Zhao Zhiqing leaned against a thick tree trunk, her Longsword sword planted firmly on the ground to support her swaying body.

Each breath was accompanied by heavy panting, and the mist dissipated and then condensed in front of her.

Before them stood four figures like ghosts, none other than the four most fearsome Four Great Evils of the Southern Wasteland.

"The heartless and ruthless Zhao Zhijing, the insidious and vicious Wu Xinren, the heart-wrenching Chen Sanniang, and the Evil Ghost Zhen Wuzi!"

Zhao Zhiqing gritted her teeth and shouted angrily, word by word, her eyes burning with anger and resentment.

"Why are you Four Great Evils of the Southern Wasteland so relentlessly persecuting me?"

Who exactly is instructing them?

Do you really not know the consequences of offending the Zhao Family?

Aren't you afraid of being hunted down by my sect afterward?

Her voice echoed in the silent mountains and forests; though weak, it carried a metallic sharpness and a resolute determination.

Zhao Zhijing looked at Zhao Zhiqing with a complicated expression.

Memories flooded back like a tide, and all the past events flashed through his mind like images.

He recalled his past interactions with the Zhao Family and the help they had given Zhao Family; back then, he wasn't the cold-hearted person he is now.

But when he thought about the astonishingly generous reward for this mission, enough to send him far away to live the Xiaoyao life he had always dreamed of, his heart hardened again.

"Miss Zhao, please don't blame us," Zhao Zhijing finally spoke, his voice hoarse.

"We take people's money and do their bidding; that's our rule."

"How much did the other side give you? I can double it!"

"As long as you withdraw from this operation, my Zhao Family will forgive and forget, and will not report this to the sect."

"Zhao Zhiqing said urgently, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes."

The Four Evils exchanged glances, a moment's hesitation in their eyes, but soon Zhao Zhijing shook his head and said, "Miss Zhao, we are professional escorts, please forgive us."

"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, third sister, stop wasting time talking to her, I can't wait any longer!"

Zhen Wuzi could no longer contain himself; his eyes gleamed with a crazed light.

He brandished his Longsword and attacked Zhao Zhiqing again like a hungry wolf pouncing on its prey.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Zhiqing hurriedly took out a Pills from her bosom and swallowed it without hesitation.

The Pills went down his throat, and a surge of heat instantly spread throughout his body, barely restoring some of his strength.

She gripped her Longsword tightly and charged towards Zhen Wuzi. Their blades clashed, sparks flying.

The clanging sounds echoed through the mountains and forests, each clash seeming to be the prelude to death.

Although Zhao Zhiqing's swordsmanship was exquisite, it gradually lost its former sharpness due to prolonged exertion and fatigue.

"Eldest Brother, why aren't you making a move yet? Hurry up!" Zhen Wuzi urged anxiously while fighting.

Zhao Zhijing, Wu Xinren, and Chen Sanniang exchanged glances. Although there was a hint of fear in their eyes, there was even more desire and greed.

I'm sorry!

The three of them murmured to themselves and then left the battle.

The four men attacked like a storm, and Zhao Zhiqing was instantly trapped in a desperate situation.

Zhao Zhijing's moves were ruthless, each strike aimed directly at vital points; Wu Xinren, on the other hand, was insidious and cunning, always striking from angles Zhao Zhiqing never expected.

Chen Sanniang's attacks were wide and powerful; Zhen Wuzi was even more frenzied, completely disregarding his own safety and only seeking a quick victory.

Zhao Zhiqing struggled to stay afloat, and several more wounds appeared on her body. Blood stained her clothes and dripped onto the withered yellow leaves.

Her movements became increasingly sluggish, her breathing heavier, and each attempt to defend herself seemed so strenuous.

Under the attack of the four men, she had little power to fight back and could only passively endure the blows. Her body swayed precariously, as if she would collapse onto the cold ground at any moment.

Zhao Zhiqing was filled with despair at this moment; she had never imagined that she would end up like this.

Even in death, one is still subjected to humiliation.

This time, I accepted a mission from the sect to search for Jade Scale Fruit in a canyon in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

She originally had two fellow disciples traveling with her, but halfway there, they said they had something to do and left her, leaving her alone to continue the journey.

However, she didn't want to talk too much about this mission. Just when she finally managed to kill the guardian beast of the Jade Scale Fruit and was exhausted, the Four Evils appeared.

It now appears that someone set up a trap and bribed these four villains to deliberately target him.

Am I going to die here today?

A sharp sound rang out in the air, followed by a smug and obsequious voice.

"Master, see, Little Thunder wasn't wrong, we're not late."

Their event isn't finished yet; now's the perfect time for us to take over.

The five people fighting were startled by the sound and stopped what they were doing at the same time.

Zhao Zhijing companions saw a giant eagle in the sky, and on its back stood a person, no, a horse, and huh? On the horse's back was a mouse.

What kind of combination is this?

It seems they are heading towards them.

Zhao Zhiqing, who was in despair, saw Hua Qiang standing on the back of the Lightning Thunder Roc, and her eyes lit up with a desire to survive.

"Young hero! Could you please save this humble woman?"

I will definitely repay you handsomely in the future!

Hua Qiang also noticed these people. When he saw Zhao Zhiqing, who was surrounded and looked disheveled and even exhausted, he frowned slightly.

What's going on here?

A revenge killing?

A crime of passion?

Or what kind of killing?

Those four people didn't look like humans.

Seeing that Hua Qiang was controlling the lightning bolts with no intention of stopping and was even getting closer to him, Zhen Wuzi immediately became angry.

"Hey, who are you? I don't care who you are, get the hell out of my way and stop delaying our work, or I'll kill you too!"

"Damn it, you little brat, you're pretty arrogant, daring to talk to Little Thunder's master like that. You'll get a beating from Little Thunder!"

The Lightning Thunder Roc opened its mouth and spat out a bead flashing with lightning, which shot towards Zhen Wuzi's face.

Zhen Wuzi saw a bead crackling with lightning shooting towards him and quickly raised his Longsword to slash at it.

The thunder pearl collided with the sword, and an explosion followed. The huge shockwave forced Zhen Wuzi to stagger back several steps before he could regain his footing.

Then he looked at his sword, which he carried with him for several decades, and was immediately heartbroken, for the sword had been blasted open.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Zhiqing's eyes gleamed with golden light, and she shouted even more energetically.

"Young hero, please save me! I am Personal Disciple of Yunshui."

Young hero, you saved my life! I will repay your kindness!

My Lineage and my sect will provide a reward that will satisfy you, young hero!

Upon hearing this, Hua Qiang immediately perked up.

He is currently in dire need of resources, and believes that the more the better.

Upon seeing Hua Qiang's appearance, Zhen Wuzi sensed something was wrong and quickly issued a threat.

"Kid, don't you have nothing better to do than meddle in other people's business. If you know what's good for you, get the hell out of my way, or else..."

"Oh, so what?"

Hua Qiang pursed his lips and glanced indifferently at Zhen Wuzi.

How dare a piece of trash at the First Layer of the Heavenly Immortal Realm threaten him? Is he afraid of not dying fast enough?