The air in the old mine tunnel on the east side was damp and cold.
Hu Liena stood guard behind Split Rock with two Deacons.
She had not lit a fire.
A breeze flowed from the depths of the mine tunnel, carrying a faint scent of blood.
Hu Liena raised her hand.
The Deacons behind her stopped at once.
"Someone's coming."
She lowered her voice.
The footsteps were chaotic.
It was not a group.
It sounded more like someone dragging an injury along while using the wall for support.
A moment later, a tall man staggered out from the depths of the tunnel.
His face was covered in stubble, and a deep gash from a sharp weapon split his left shoulder. Blood had already soaked half his clothes.
Yet he still gripped a Black Iron Hammer in his hand.
The instant he saw Hu Liena, a savage light flashed in his eyes.
"Spirit Hall!"
He raised his hammer and smashed it down.
Hu Liena did not take the blow head-on.
She sidestepped it, her short blade slashing toward his wrist.
The man reacted swiftly. The Black Iron Hammer swept sideways and knocked her short blade away.
Hu Liena's arm went numb, and her gaze immediately turned cold.
"Tie Shankui?"
The man did not answer. His hammer came crashing down again.
The mine tunnel was narrow, and a hammer-type martial soul should have been difficult to use.
But he knew this place too well. His hammer skimmed along the stone walls, striking from vicious angles that were hard to defend against.
Hu Liena quickly retreated, and her First Soul Ring lit up.
The power of Charm stabbed into his mind.
The man's movements stalled.
Only for an instant.
He viciously bit through his tongue and forcibly snapped himself awake.
"That's all