Hutai Xie Comes in Pursuit

The noon sun grew ever more merciless.

Cicadas shrieked in the woods, stirring the air into an even fiercer heat.

The dressed beast meat was set over the fire. Fat dripped and sizzled, and a rich aroma began to spread.

Li Xingyue stood and wiped his hands on a piece of coarse cloth.

He walked to the fire. The "old hunter" cut a piece from the roast with his knife and respectfully handed it to him.

Li Xingyue took it, put it in his mouth, and chewed. The meat was a little tough.

Just as he swallowed his second bite, Li Xingyue's brow furrowed.

He snapped his gaze toward the horizon.

His expression turned grave.

Several streaks of light were flying toward him at tremendous speed.

One of them carried such overwhelming power

that Li Xingyue's heart lurched.

"Damn, we've been exposed! Eliminate the loose ends first!"

Li Xingyue roared hoarsely.

At his shout, every Snowy Guard stopped what they were doing.

They drew their blades and swung them at the women and children they had lived alongside for days.

The tribal women and children were still caught up in the joy of being protected by their "new chief," even of receiving a share of meat. Their ingratiating smiles froze before they could turn to shock.

Heads rolled. Blood sprayed, staining the ground red in an instant.

Xiao Muhe and her mother stood rooted to the spot, stunned by the sudden carnage.

But Xiao Muhe's mother quickly came to her senses.

Realizing what was happening, she shoved Xiao Muhe toward Li Xingyue with all her strength.

"Quick... beg your father to spare your life!" she cried.

Xiao Muhe stumbled from the shove. She looked back, her eyes widening.

A blade flashed down, and her mother's head flew into the air.