Tusk Mercenary Group

Zhao Xin and Hu Long rushed into the bushes, surrounding Mu Yu Die in the center.

Mu Yu Die, who had been hiding in the bushes, stood up shyly. Her face flushed as she glanced at Shi Yan from afar, thinking how embarrassing this was.

But Mu Yu Die soon realized her worries were unnecessary. After a glance, she found that Shi Yan wasn't paying any attention to her at all. His dark eyes were fixed on the direction Luo Hao had charged, like a beast waiting for an opportunity.

A Great Zhou Cycle quickly circulated through his body. The numbness in his body gradually lessened. Shi Yan, with a stern face, silently recovered his strength while keeping an eye on Luo Hao's location.

"Chase after it!" the Fire Cloud Yao Python is almost done for. Keep up, don't let it escape!"

"Fire arrows! Fire arrows quickly!"

"Whoosh! Whoosh-whoosh!"

In the woods not far away, shouts and cries could be heard. Arrows streaked through the air, pursuing their prey.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a large fire broke out in the woods, engulfing the entire area. Thick smoke billowed up, coiling through the trees, making people cough incessantly.

"Crack! Bang! Clatter!"

The sounds of ancient tree branches shattering, arrows flying, and fighting echoed from the woods. In the forest not far away, a battle was raging.

"Someone's here!" a startled cry suddenly came from the woods, with an unfriendly tone, "Are you trying to steal the spoils?"

"Don't misunderstand, I just didn't want the Fire Cloud Yao Python to injure my people, so I stopped it from escaping in that direction," Luo Hao's voice suddenly came from the woods, as if he was arguing with someone.

"Hmph! We, the Tusk Mercenary Group, have been tracking this Fire Cloud Yao Python for half a month. I hope you'd better not interfere."

"I told you, I'm not interested in this Level Four Yao Beast," Luo Hao explained.

"Uncle Luo seems to be having a dispute with someone. Let's go take a look," Mu Yu Die frowned, tilting her head in the bushes, unable to see clearly, feeling anxious.

"Let's go take a look!" Hu Long grunted, "I've heard of the Tusk Mercenary Group. Their reputation isn't good. Uncle Luo, you shouldn't suffer any losses."

"Then let's hurry," Mu Yu Die said, even more anxious upon hearing this.

"Alright."

Zhao Xin nodded and said to Hu Long and Di Ya Lan, "When we go over, still surround Miss Mu. Even if a fight breaks out, Miss Mu's safety is the priority."

"Nonsense, do I need you to tell me that?" Di Ya Lan replied impatiently.

The four of them muttered amongst themselves and quietly left the bushes, heading towards Luo Hao.

Shi Yan didn't rush. After waiting for a while, he slowly stood up.

Feeling the active Essence in his meridians, he first moved his limbs slightly to ensure his agility wasn't too affected by fatigue. Then, he unhurriedly walked towards the direction where Mu Yu Die and the other three were heading.

"Whoa!" someone exclaimed in surprise, "A beauty, hehe, there are actually two beauties here. I've been wandering here for two months and haven't seen beauties of this caliber."

"Captain, you promised us you'd satisfy our needs in this regard here. You can't go back on your word."

"Shut up, don't you see they're already taken?"

Shi Yan slowly walked over, frowning as he looked around.

On the ground lay a giant python, seven to eight meters long, with fiery patterns all over its body. The tip of its tail glowed with fire, and its body was riddled with arrows. There was a bloody hole between the eyes on its head, from which blood was gurgling.

Beside the Fire Cloud Yao Python, eight mercenaries wearing the same type of martial artist uniform were gathered. They all had a Tusk tattoo on their exposed left forearms. These mercenaries were all tall and strong, with rough appearances, and the weakest among them had reached the Innate Realm.

The leader, with short brown hair like steel needles standing on end, had a long scar on his left face that extended to his neck, making him look extremely ferocious.

As Shi Yan approached, he happened to see the people from the Tusk Mercenary Group rubbing their hands, their eyes shining as they leered at Mu Yu Die and Di Ya Lan. The lewdness in their eyes was obvious.

Only the leader wasn't looking at Mu Yu Die and Di Ya Lan. Instead, he stared sternly at Luo Hao, his right hand hidden in his sleeve, from which silver light occasionally flashed, as if ready to kill at any moment.

"Go home and see your mother!" Under the lewd gazes of these mercenaries, Di Ya Lan couldn't stand it any longer and cursed loudly.

"Haha, this woman has spirit! She's my type!" a burly mercenary with a bare chest and thick chest hair laughed heartily, slapping his thigh and shouting, "Captain, I want this woman!"

"Come here if you dare!" Di Ya Lan drew the short sword at her waist and assumed a fighting stance, "Come on, let's see if you have the guts!"

"Haha, then I'm coming!" the big man said excitedly and was about to charge over.

"Tu Mu!" Barnard called out lightly, "Everything can be discussed. Don't act rashly."

"Understood, Captain," the chest-haired man named Tu Mu chuckled, then thrust his lower body towards Di Ya Lan with a lewd smile, "Woman, we'll take off our clothes and have a wrestling match later. That'll be exciting, and you'll know how powerful this grandpa is then!"

"I'll chop off those few ounces of flesh of yours," Di Ya Lan retorted with a cold smile, not backing down.

Mu Yu Die's delicate brows furrowed, her pretty face full of disgust, but she didn't say much, as if she was already used to it.

"Who let you come here?" Luo Hao's heart skipped a beat, realizing something was wrong. He knew these mercenaries' nature very well. Mercenaries hunting Yao Beasts in this area lived a life of bloodshed. Who knew when they would be torn apart by a Yao Beast.

Because of this constant pressure, people active in this area didn't adhere to morality or law and often engaged in acts of burning, killing, looting, and raping.

Mu Yu Die and Di Ya Lan were both beauties. Beauties were scarce resources here. A beautiful woman's tender body was the best way to relieve stress. Therefore, as soon as Luo Hao saw them emerge, he knew trouble was brewing.

Shi Yan walked over silently and stood beside Luo Hao, subtly observing the people from the Tusk Mercenary Group.

"Tu Mu!" the leader of the Tusk Mercenary Group, Barnard, shouted. The scar on his face twitched, and his expression turned ferocious, "Get the materials!" As he spoke, his cold gaze swept over Luo Hao, Shi Yan, and the others, silver light flashing from his sleeve.

"Yes!" Tu Mu stopped teasing Di Ya Lan. He waved his hand, and three more mercenaries stepped forward. Holding daggers, the four of them, covered in blood, began working on the Fire Cloud Yao Python. They skillfully skinned and dismembered the Yao Python, dug out its eyeballs, and carefully pulled out each of its fangs.

Barnard and the remaining three mercenaries watched Luo Hao, Shi Yan, and their group coldly. If Luo Hao and his group made any sudden moves, they would immediately attack and injure them.

Luo Hao's face darkened, the broadsword in his hand also faintly glowing as he said, "We have no interest in the Fire Cloud Yao Python. You guys carry on, we'll be leaving now." Luo Hao could tell Barnard was not someone to be trifled with and didn't want to stir up trouble, only wanting to get Mu Yu Die to a safe place as soon as possible.

Barnard was slightly taken aback when he saw Luo Hao and his group were actually leaving. He suddenly said, "Wait a moment."

Luo Hao turned around, his expression suddenly turning cold, and he snorted, "Everyone, we don't want any disputes with you, but don't push your luck."

"Heh heh." Barnard chuckled, his expression relaxing. "My apologies, friend, I didn't mean anything else. I just wanted to make a trade with you."

"What trade?" Luo Hao was stunned.

"One eye of the Fire Cloud Yao Python, three fangs, and two meters of its hide, in exchange for those two women." Barnard pointed at Mu Yu Die and Di Ya Lan, smiling. "My brothers have been holding back for a long time and need to relieve themselves. The women here are all for sale, and I think this price is quite fair. What do you say?"

"Damn it!" Hu Long's eyes seemed ready to spew fire.

Zhao Xin let out a cold snort, Mu Yu Die also gritted her teeth lightly, and Di Ya Lan swung her short sword, shouting, "If you have the guts, come and take us!"

Only Shi Yan narrowed his eyes, remaining silent.

Luo Hao reached out and restrained Di Ya Lan's impulsive action, shaking his head gently at her. He turned back and said calmly, "I'm sorry, they are my companions, not my personal property. I won't exchange them for anything."

"Oh, then forget it." Barnard nodded and said casually, "We'll meet again."

"We'll meet again." Luo Hao gave him a deep look and then said in a low voice, "Let's go!"

Luo Hao glared at Di Ya Lan, telling her not to speak, and motioned for her to leave quickly.

Zhao Xin and Hu Long were seething with anger, but under Luo Hao's gaze, they didn't dare to act out. They could only obediently surround Mu Yu Die and leave. Shi Yan rubbed his nose, not expressing any opinion, and followed them out.

"Commander, are we doing the same thing this time?" After Luo Hao's group disappeared into the woods, Tu Mu grinned sinisterly, "We know the Commander's preferences, we won't fight you for that little girl, but that fiery woman, Commander, you have to let us have a taste."

Barnard's eyes grew colder, and he nodded slightly. "First, collect the materials from the Yao Python. Then, we'll proceed with the usual routine."

"Understood." Tu Mu sneered, "That woman wanted to stomp on my roots. I'm going to fuck her to death later!"

"She's a rose with thorns. Although she's a bit weaker than you, she's still at the Innate Third Heaven Realm. Be careful, don't capsize in a ditch." Barnard snorted. "Remember to kill the men first later. Don't just focus on the women. You all know the drill. No one is allowed to escape!"

"Yes!"