Ambush

"Big Brother Luo Xing, why are you asking about the Nether Poison Swamp? Don't tell me you're going there?"

At the mention of the Nether Poison Swamp, especially when Li Xingluo said he wanted to learn more about it,

Song Xue grew agitated. She couldn't understand why Li Xingluo would want to go to such a hellish place.

When Li Xingluo didn't answer her, Song Xue grew anxious, her voice trembling slightly.

"Big Brother Luo Xing, miasma and poison run rampant in the Nether Poison Swamp. I heard Grandfather say that a hundred years ago, over a hundred people went in to explore it, but not one of them came back out. They say it's full of poisonous creatures, and miasma hangs over it year-round. Nobody who goes in ever returns."

Li Xingluo could tell Song Xue was genuinely worried about him. But there was something he needed inside, and nothing could change that.

"All right, get some rest. We still have a long journey tomorrow."

Li Xingluo returned to his original spot, closed his eyes, and began cultivating. Song Xue's expression darkened, and she looked deeply troubled, her gaze never leaving him.

The next day, after replenishing their blood energy, the two set off for Ink Cloud City.

They hadn't gone far when a field of corpses came into view. Li Xingluo warily scanned their surroundings.

Song Xue had already lost control. She ran over frantically and bent to examine the bodies lying on the ground. Tears streamed down her face as she murmured and called out names, but only an echo answered her.

Li Xingluo let out a long sigh and slowly walked over to comfort Song Xue.

"Big Brother Luo Xing, they... they're all dead."

Song Xue wept bitterly, blaming herself over and over.

"They gave their lives to protect you. They wouldn't want to see you like this. I think they'd rather see you stand strong and take responsibility."

Song Xue seemed to understand, though her brows knitted into a tight line. She nodded.

"We should bury them first."

Loyal and righteous men shouldn't be left exposed in the wilderness. Just as the two began to dig, a whistle sounded.

Dozens of people leaped out from all directions, surrounding Li Xingluo and Song Xue.

Song Xue went pale with shock. Pointing at the men closing in, she stammered, "Big Brother Luo Xing, they... they're Sand Bandits."

Li Xingluo knew who they were; their clothes and appearance made it obvious. He just hadn't expected their leader to seem so well-versed in military tactics.

The men surrounding Li Xingluo and Song Xue didn't attack right away. It seemed they were waiting for someone.

Li Xingluo looked around. They were all Dou Shi, so they didn't pose much of a threat.

A path suddenly opened at the front. A man dragged a long saber as he slowly strode into the encirclement, then swung it around and plunged it hard into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Chief!" Dozens of underlings bowed in unison to the newcomer, a truly impressive sight.

The man gave Li Xingluo and Song Xue a sinister once-over, as if they were prey.

"Miss Song, you've been quite hard to find. I never thought you'd manage to escape yesterday. This chief has to hand it to you."

Song Xue moved closer to Li Xingluo and quietly introduced the so-called chief. "Big Brother Luo Xing, he's Orsi, chief of the Tiger Mountain Sand Bandits. A few years ago, he was already a Nine-Star Great Dou Master."

Seeing Song Xue whispering into Li Xingluo's ear, Orsi laughed—loudly and without restraint.

Song Xue didn't answer him. Orsi shifted his gaze to Li Xingluo and studied him carefully.

"Were you the one who rescued her?"

Li Xingluo looked at Orsi, who was so arrogant he didn't even bother to take him seriously, and returned the favor.

"Yes, that was me."

Orsi had thought Li Xingluo would deny it. He hadn't expected him to admit so readily that he'd done it.

That earned Li Xingluo a measure of respect from Orsi.

"So you killed my second-in-command?"

"Yes." Li Xingluo answered crisply.

"Good. You've got guts, kid. It's been a long time since I met someone with guts like yours. Now, I'll give you two choices."

Orsi picked at his ear, as if he truly didn't take Li Xingluo seriously.

Li Xingluo's lips curled slightly as he regarded Orsi with interest.

"Uh, I killed one of your men, and I still get two choices? Now I'm curious."

Seeing that Li Xingluo was playing along, Orsi got straight to the point without hiding anything.

But Orsi's next words filled Song Xue with dread. She even swayed and edged away from Li Xingluo.

"First, hand her over to me, and I'll make you second-in-command of Tiger Mountain. How about it?"

"And what's the second choice?"

Orsi's face darkened, and a wave of icy menace radiated from him.

"The second choice is that today becomes your death anniversary. You know which one to pick. There's no need to throw your life away for a woman."

Song Xue shuffled backward a couple of steps, fear showing in her eyes.

She was frightened, and she knew that even though the man before her had saved her, she didn't really know him.

Seeing the fear in Song Xue's eyes, Li Xingluo shook his head. Am I really that scary? And what kind of logic is that?

She'd run in the wrong direction yesterday, and now she was afraid of the very person who'd saved her. Song Xue had clearly been through very little. She really was a sheltered young lady.

"Have you made up your mind, kid?"

"You're annoying."

"You..."

"I choose a third option."

Orsi looked as if he'd been insulted, and struggled to suppress his anger.

Forcing himself to stay calm, he asked with a fake smile, "Uh, a third option?"

"That's right. The third option is..." Li Xingluo deliberately drew out his words and looked around, as if searching for something.

"To turn this place into your graveyard."

Li Xingluo spat out each word through clenched teeth. His kindly expression turned in an instant into the face of a vengeful ghost.

Instead of getting angry, Orsi burst into loud laughter.

It was as if he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world. His underlings laughed along with him.

"Kid, have you lost your mind? Take a look at the situation you're in."

"Is that so? How about we make a bet?"

"What are we betting?"

"Your life and mine." A fierce determination burned in Li Xingluo's resolute eyes.

Seeing that Li Xingluo wasn't joking, and feeling the chill he exuded, Orsi didn't dare let his guard down.

"Fine, then we'll bet your life. You won't be able to take mine."

"Is that so?" The moment the words left his mouth, Li Xingluo struck. He moved fast.

Before Orsi could even see him attack, all he caught was a blur rushing past, and then Li Xingluo was right in front of him.

With no time to think, Orsi drew his long saber to block. A loud BOOM rang out, and Orsi was sent staggering backward. Two deep gashes appeared before their eyes.

Orsi dropped his arrogance. He suddenly realized that the man before him was no ordinary opponent.

"What are you standing around for? Chop him to pieces!"

Stung by his first exchange with Li Xingluo, Orsi roared in fury.

At his command, the Sand Bandits raised their blades and swarmed toward Li Xingluo.

Li Xingluo glanced at the men attacking him from the corner of his eye, not taking them seriously in the least.

He wove through the Sand Bandits. Wherever he passed, screams rang out, followed by someone hitting the ground. His movements were crisp and decisive, without a hint of hesitation.

Orsi watched as twenty or thirty men attacked, yet couldn't even touch Li Xingluo's clothes. Furious, he bellowed and cursed them as useless.