Misfortune Never Comes Alone

After struggling through a hilly area, we finally arrived at a plain, and the road became much easier to travel. 😲🏆 ☝🐨

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There were several villages nearby that the merchant caravan traded with. We moved between these villages, buying and selling goods, and before we knew it, several days had passed.

There were no expenses when traveling with the caravan; the only thing required was physical exertion. The captain said that as long as you worked hard, you'd never go hungry, so the ring I got from Witt was no longer needed.

However, the captain really liked the ring after seeing it and bought it from me at a high price. He wanted to give it to Youlan but was afraid she wouldn't accept it, so he asked me to give it to her on his behalf.

After crossing the plains, we entered a forest. When I first entered the woods, I didn't feel anything different, but as we went deeper, I noticed the trees were incredibly tall.

I had seen many large trees before, some requiring several people to embrace, but compared to these, they were nothing:

"The trees here are like mountains! Have they been growing for hundreds of years?"

"Perhaps as ancient as Ionia."

Youlan was very easygoing and always seemed to be smiling when she spoke. Well, I couldn't see her face, but I could tell from her tone.

She appeared slender, yet possessed great Strength. She was more capable of carrying goods than anyone else in the caravan, which everyone greatly admired.

However, I always felt something was off. If it were just about Strength, that would be one thing, but her movements were clean and precise, and every gesture gave me the feeling of a martial artist. Today, my suspicions were confirmed.

It all started with a small bird Xiao Li found on the road. This little bird had only recently hatched, likely pushed out of its nest. Fortunately, it wasn't killed by the fall and happened to be discovered by Xiao Li.

Children always like small animals, and Xiao Li was no exception. After picking up the bird, she intended to raise it, but she didn't expect the parent bird to track it by scent and pursue it.

I was talking with Youlan at the time when I suddenly saw her reach towards Xiao Li's head. Then, a bird appeared in her hand. It was clear this bird was attacking Xiao Li.

This extraordinary reaction speed surprised me greatly because I hadn't even heard a sound, yet Youlan had already caught it.

The bird was entirely fiery red, even its eyes, and it had a very ugly appearance that made one not want to look at it any further.

Without thinking, Youlan casually crushed it and threw it by the roadside. The captain happened to see this and looked somewhat panicked, urging the caravan to leave quickly:

"Not good! Hurry! Youlan just killed a Thousand-Beak Bird..."

The captain explained that this bird was called a Thousand-Beak Bird. Although not large, it was extremely ferocious, and its claws were poisonous, capable of paralyzing nerves.

The most terrifying thing was that these birds always acted in flocks and had strong vengeful tendencies. Now that one had been killed, it was highly likely to attract a flock of Thousand-Beak Birds seeking revenge!

As expected, not long after the captain finished speaking, a patch of red appeared in the sky behind us!

The carriages couldn't move fast in the forest, and these birds were very swift. We hadn't gone far before we encountered them. Everyone quickly put on their thick protective gear and used blankets and tarps used for covering goods to drive them away.

At this moment, I secretly looked at Youlan and found her protecting Xiao Li while driving away these Thousand-Beak Birds, completely unfazed. As expected, she was someone skilled in martial arts.

The captain had someone cover him while he lit a torch. These birds were very afraid of fire. Once everyone was holding a torch, they no longer dared to approach, merely circling around and emitting piercing cries.

"We can only stay here and leave after dark. They roost in trees at night."

The captain was very familiar with the habits of these birds. To avoid burning through fuel too quickly, he proposed staying put and leaving after dark.

We used the Thousand-Beak Birds' weakness to hide from noon until evening. Seeing them gradually roost on the trees, we slowly escaped. However, during the daytime attack, all the horses were injured and unable to move, so we had to abandon the goods and carriages.

As night fell, we quickened our pace and traveled rapidly. It took us an entire night to escape the forest.

Everyone was very dejected, especially Youlan. She didn't know these birds were so dangerous, causing everyone to lose everything.

"It's okay, our safety is the most important thing. We'll pool money when we get back to buy new horses and carriages and start over!"

Hearing the captain's encouragement, everyone perked up. Xiao Li was still frightened and clung tightly to her mother's embrace.

Not far from the forest was a canyon. After passing through the canyon, the caravan members would be home. It wasn't much further to Prexian.

Everyone quickened their pace, planning to rest after returning home. However, as soon as we entered the canyon, a group of people dressed in black, tight-fitting clothes blocked our path. Misfortune never comes singly.

These people had their faces covered, and their builds were similar, as if they were cast from the same mold. A faint killing aura sent chills down our spines.

One of them walked directly in front of Youlan: "Long time no see, Senior Sister Alanta."

"What do you want, Zed?"

"My longing for you grows deeper each day, yet you become colder towards me. It's unreasonable."

"I have no connection with the Kinkou Order anymore. I hope you'll leave me alone."

"Leave you alone? I don't know what you mean, and I no longer have any connection with the Kinkou Order either. No, perhaps I still have some."

"What exactly do you want?"

"I want you to come with me."

"Go with you? Impossible. I have my own life now."

This person was Zed! I couldn't tell from his attire. So, these black-clad figures must be assassins from the Shadow Order.

Alanta, it seems that's Youlan's real name. I wonder what grudges they have.

Speaking of which, I've never heard of Zed having a senior sister. I only know that he, Kennen, Shen, and Akali were once fellow disciples. Could Alanta be Akali?

Just as I was wondering, Zed continued: "If you don't want to come with me, that's fine, but you have to be able to do it!"

His words were filled with provocation. I thought the next moment would involve a fight, but at this time, the captain stepped forward:

"I don't know what your past is, but Youlan is a member of this caravan now. I hope you won't force her, or we won't stand idly by."

"With you lot?"

Zed's tone grew much colder. Alanta, usually gentle, also turned serious. "You don't need to worry about us. Hurry up and leave. This has nothing to do with you!"

"Since Senior Sister told you to leave, I'll give you one chance. Get out of my sight quickly!"

After Zed finished speaking, he saw the people still standing there motionless and couldn't help but get angry. He suddenly attacked in their direction, his Speed so fast that everyone was caught off guard!

Alanta was prepared. She instantly flashed in front of Zed, blocking his attack, and the two began to fight.

I didn't know whether I should intervene in their feud. After all, I was just a passerby. However, Alanta wasn't in immediate danger, so there was no rush.

Poppy, meanwhile, held Xiao Li tightly, afraid she might be ambushed. After all, there were many Shadow Order followers nearby, and caution was necessary.