Trouble

"Uncle Luo, why are we leaving?" As they moved through the forest, Di Ya Lan hacked furiously at the branches with her short sword and snapped, "That bastard actually dared to harass Miss Mu and me. I really want to run him through! I'm so mad!"

"If you two hadn't shown up, none of this would've happened. Now we've got trouble on our hands. Sigh..." Luo Hao let out a resigned sigh. "Stop grumbling and hurry up. Keep your distance. Hopefully, we can shake them."

"Uncle Luo, didn't we leave already? What other trouble could there be?" Mu Yu Die asked in surprise.

"It's not that simple."

Luo Hao shook his head. "Those mercenaries are all bad news. The way that captain looked at you was downright lecherous. He clearly won't let this go. When we just left, the four mercenaries who were dealing with the demon python acted completely unconcerned. But before that, they'd shown a strong interest in you two. That doesn't make sense. They must know what kind of man their captain is, which is why they didn't care."

Mu Yu Die's pretty face paled. "Uncle Luo, do you think they'll come after us?"

"It's not a matter of thinking. They're definitely coming after us!"

Luo Hao sighed inwardly. "They didn't act right away because they were interested in the materials on the demon python. They were worried that if they fought us, other mercenaries and Martial Artists might show up and steal their spoils. Once they've collected the materials from the python, they'll come after us for sure."

"The Tusk Mercenary Group has a bad reputation. I've heard they often burn, kill, and rob. Uncle Luo's judgment has to be right," Hu Long agreed.

"Uncle Luo... I'm sorry. We were only worried about you." Mu Yu Die's voice was soft and rueful.

"I understand." Luo Hao replied, then abruptly stopped as he raced through the forest. He gently lowered Mu Yu Die from his arms.

Shi Yan stopped as well and frowned. "What is it? Have they caught up already?"

Luo Hao gave Shi Yan an approving look, then nodded, his expression grave. "They should be here."

"Uncle Luo, what do we do?" Hu Long snorted and roared angrily. "They've gone too far! Let's fight them!"

Luo Hao's thick brows knitted together. He thought quickly, then said, "Di Ya Lan, carry Xiao Die and go on ahead. Leave our signals along the way. Young friend, go with them. Keep your eyes open, and try to travel through areas where people rarely go. Be careful not to enter the territory of any high-level demon beasts."

"What about you?" Shi Yan asked calmly.

"The three of us will stay behind. Without Xiao Die with us, we can spread out and launch surprise attacks. If we hold them up for a little while, we'll catch up. Those bastards won't fight us to the death if they can't see any beauties. They should give up soon enough," Luo Hao said quickly.

"Understood." Shi Yan nodded and smiled easily. "Don't worry, Uncle. Wherever these two beauties go, I'll be right there."

"Go!" Luo Hao barked.

Di Ya Lan wanted to stay and fight, but under Luo Hao's gaze, she eventually gave in.

She stomped angrily, crouched down, and swung Mu Yu Die onto her back. Without another word, she raced toward the densest part of the forest ahead.

Shi Yan hesitated, then pulled a small paper packet from his backpack and shoved it into Luo Hao's hand. "This is a poison powder I came across by chance. It's called Seven Snake Saliva, made from the venom of seven kinds of poisonous snakes. It's simple to use: smear it on your weapon. You only need to make a tiny cut on your enemy, just enough to draw a drop of blood..."

Before Luo Hao could say anything, Shi Yan gave a cheeky grin and ran after Di Ya Lan.

"Uncle Luo, isn't that a little too vile? Martial Artists have their dignity. Using poison against people isn't honorable." Zhao Xin frowned and stared at the poison powder in Luo Hao's hand with distaste, muttering, "That kid's background is unclear, and he's carrying all sorts of underhanded, vicious things. With him around Miss Mu, it's hard to feel at ease."

"Zhao Xin, there aren't so many damn rules out here. If it weren't for his Bone-Corroding Powder earlier, we'd all be bones by now. You wouldn't have had the chance to stand here talking about honor."

Luo Hao scolded him, then frowned and continued, "All of you keep some of this powder, but don't use it for now. We don't want to provoke them. But if things get beyond saving, don't hesitate. Smear it on your weapons immediately. Only if you stay alive will you two get another chance to stand in front of Xiao Die and criticize that kid for being despicable. Understand?"

"Understood."

In the forest.

Barnard and the seven members of the Tusk Mercenary Group raced through the trees. Their expressions were dark, and lecherous grins curled their lips.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Arrows suddenly shot out from the forest, fast and fierce, forcing the Tusk mercenaries to stop and fend them off.

Barnard came to an abrupt halt and chuckled. At last, he pulled his right hand from his sleeve. It was an iron hand gleaming with silver light. As soon as it appeared, a burst of silver light exploded from it. In midair, the light split into seven curved blades, which shot toward Luo Hao's hiding place.

"Crack! Crack! Crack!"

Branches shattered and fell wherever the blades passed. Their momentum undiminished, the blades flashed with a dazzling silver gleam and slammed into Luo Hao's position.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A towering tree was severed by the blades and crashed down. Luo Hao's figure flickered into view, then disappeared among the trees again.

"Tu Mu, you and Jin Mo chase after them over there. We'll handle things here." Barnard gave a sinister smile and warned them, "All the experts are here. The only ones who left earlier were two women and a kid. Remember, I want the women alive. If you kill them, you won't get a single coin for this job!"

"Don't worry, Captain. I guarantee I'll get that little woman you want all nice and clean, then leave her for you to have your way with." Tu Mu roared with laughter. "Jin Mo, let's go! Ha ha! I'll get the spicy beauty first, then you can have your second helping. You're lucky this time."

"Heh, I can hardly wait." The other mercenary, an ugly man covered in bumps, laughed loudly as he followed Tu Mu away.

"Damn it!" Luo Hao was startled and started to send a signal so they could go after them.

He hadn't expected Barnard to be so experienced at this sort of thing. The man had seen right through his plan and deliberately sent people after Di Ya Lan.

"Stay right there." Barnard sneered and charged at Luo Hao. "Friend, weren't you trying to hold us up? Well, here you go. I'm not going anywhere. And don't think you're leaving, either. Let's have a little spar and stretch our legs."

As Barnard moved, the other mercenaries spread out and began searching for Hu Long and Zhao Xin.

Di Ya Lan carried Mu Yu Die on her back as she raced through the forest. With every step, her powerful legs kicked hard against the ground, her athletic, curvaceous body shooting several meters forward like a leopardess chasing prey.

As she sprinted, the short skirt beneath the armor at Di Ya Lan's hips fluttered in the wind. Her full, shapely rear swayed with a mesmerizing curve, its astonishing elasticity on full display.

Shi Yan admired the view from behind, marveling inwardly. Di Ya Lan really did have a smoking-hot figure. No wonder those mercenaries were so infatuated with her.

"Brat, stop staring at my ass and pay more attention to our surroundings. Look for signs of demon beasts," Di Ya Lan suddenly called out as she ran, as if she had an eye in the back of her head.

"It's not distracting me." Shi Yan grinned. "There haven't been any signs of demon beasts around here, but it seems like someone's chasing us. I think I can hear faint footsteps."

"Someone's chasing us?" Di Ya Lan was startled. "No way. Uncle Luo and the others are behind us. They couldn't have failed to stop those mongrels, could they?"

Shi Yan abruptly stopped, dropped down, and pressed his ear to the ground to listen. His face darkened. "Uncle Luo really didn't manage to stop all those mongrels. Two of them are almost on us."

Di Ya Lan froze, then stopped up ahead and said gravely, "Kid, carry Miss Mu and keep going. I'll stay and deal with them."

"No, I'll stay."

Shi Yan shook his head, took a deep breath, and said solemnly, "I've been wanting to test the results of my training lately. You keep going. I'll catch up. Hmm, I'll also leave a couple of signs so Uncle Luo and the others can find us once they break free."

"You..." Mu Yu Die turned around on Di Ya Lan's back and stared at him blankly, light shimmering in her eyes. Her pretty face wore a complicated expression. "This had nothing to do with you in the first place."

"I know." Shi Yan smiled easily. "Because of you, it has everything to do with me now. I still haven't repaid what I owe you. Once I feel I've settled the debt, even if you want me to stay, I'll leave without hesitation." He waved at Di Ya Lan. "Big sis, what are you waiting for?"

Di Ya Lan couldn't bear to leave him. She forcefully turned her head away and said quietly, "Brat, make sure you stay alive. If you really do catch up with us, I... I'll let you touch my... ass." With that, Di Ya Lan stomped and took off at a furious sprint.

"Heh heh, then wash it clean and wait for me." Shi Yan grinned and shouted in her direction, "I'll be right there!"

Di Ya Lan's body jolted, and she nearly stumbled. Her face flushed as she clenched her teeth and cursed under her breath, "That damned little rascal!"