Rescue

Deep in the woods, more than ten li from the village, Li Xiaoyao watched the scruffily dressed Wine Sword Immortal and bowed low before him.

He had just witnessed the power of this old Daoist with the red nose. With a few sword gestures, the green-glowing treasured sword moved like a living thing. At its utmost speed, it even transformed into dozens of long swords, each capable of wounding people. Its fierce sword energy carved dozens of deep scars into the ground.

At first, when the old Daoist said he would teach him swordsmanship, Li Xiaoyao hadn't taken him seriously. Who would have guessed that he'd actually met a true master? Since he'd always wanted to become a hero, uphold justice, and fight demons with a sword, of course he was eager to become the man's disciple.

Wine Sword Immortal nodded. He was quite pleased with Li Xiaoyao. Not only was he kindhearted, he also had exceptional aptitude. Besides, since he'd eaten Li Xiaoyao's food and drunk his wine, teaching him a few basic sword techniques from the sect was only fair.

As for sect rules, Wine Sword Immortal couldn't care less. He promptly taught Li Xiaoyao the Shushan Sword Control Technique.

Li Xiaoyao was exceptionally talented, but even so, it took him several hours to get the hang of controlling a sword.

At that moment, Wine Sword Immortal slapped his forehead. "Oh no, I forgot about that little beggar. But my senior brother summoned me back to the sect this morning. What should I do?"

Then he glanced at Li Xiaoyao and immediately came up with a plan.

Wasn't this the young master of that inn? Surely Aunt Li wouldn't give the little beggar a hard time if he entrusted the matter to him.

With that, he explained the situation to Li Xiaoyao, who readily agreed to help.

"Good. That's settled, then. You can go back. Remember! Since you've learned my Sword Control Technique, you must never use it to commit evil. If you do, I'll kill you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he transformed into a streak of rainbow-colored sword light and soared away.

Li Xiaoyao still felt as if he were dreaming. Only after the sword light vanished from sight did he get up and head back.

Meanwhile, Li Wei, unaware that Li Xiaoyao had already learned the Sword Control Technique, quietly crept into the woodshed on the inn's first floor and stared up at the ceiling.

The room above belonged to those Black Miao Tribesmen. Aside from the two Black Miao guards at the door, the only one inside should be Zhao Ling'er, stuffed into a sack.

This was his chance!

Earlier, Li Wei had secretly added some Croton Bean to the stew. He had the Yellow Paper to thank for it. While searching for ingredients in the kitchen, he'd spotted a bag of Croton Bean.

Item [Croton Bean], a plot-world item. Consuming it causes severe diarrhea and lowers attributes by 20%. Cannot be taken out of the plot world. Can be exchanged for 5 points!

With something like that on hand, it would've been a waste not to use it. So Li Wei hadn't held back at all and had dumped the whole lot into the stew.

By now, the Black Miao Tribesmen—including their leader—were probably fighting over the latrine. That gave Li Wei a chance to rescue Zhao Ling'er.

In the game, Li Xiaoyao had found a hidden passage beneath this room. Li Wei searched briefly and spotted a concealed hatch.

"There it is!"

He climbed up and gently pulled it open. A shaft of light spilled through. Peeking inside, Li Wei was relieved to see that the room was empty.

Except for the hemp sack.

By the time Li Wei climbed into the room, his heart was pounding hard. He was afraid the Black Miao outside might suddenly rush in, and even more afraid that the sack might not contain Zhao Ling'er.

Only after opening it and seeing her breathtaking face did he finally relax.

Plot character: [Zhao Ling'er] (weakened), possesses the Five Spirit Immortal Arts, combat rating unknown!

Quest triggered: Rescue Zhao Ling'er. Quest completion reward: 500 points, Golden Sore Medicine ×3, 50 copper coins!

The information on the Yellow Paper confirmed her identity and triggered a hidden quest.

Letting out a long breath, Li Wei looked her over carefully. Zhao Ling'er truly was stunning enough to topple kingdoms. But with her mouth gagged and her face pale, she stirred a protective instinct in him.

He swallowed and thought that a beauty like her was a calamity. Still, his face flushed as he picked Zhao Ling'er up and prepared to leave through the hidden hatch. The reward for this rescue quest was generous; he had no reason not to complete it.

Just then, Zhao Ling'er stirred in his arms and slowly woke. She opened her bright eyes and saw a stranger holding her, her mouth still gagged. Instinctively, she began to struggle and let out muffled cries.

Li Wei panicked. Who could've expected her to wake up at such a critical moment?

Though bound, Zhao Ling'er had mastered the Five Spirit Immortal Arts, and her physical strength far surpassed Li Wei's. She slammed her head into his chest, knocking him aside.

The commotion was too loud. The two Black Miao guards rushed in first. Seeing what was happening, they both drew their curved sabers and charged at Li Wei.

Plot characters: [Black Miao Minion], wielding Refined Steel Miao Sabers. They possess impressive physiques and destructive power. Combat rating unknown!

This was it!

Li Wei rolled sideways, barely dodging a slash. The instant he lifted his head, the other Miao Tribesman's curved saber swept toward him. The strike was swift and vicious. Though Li Wei tried his hardest to retreat, the sharp blade still slashed across his chest.

Pain! The sting of his torn flesh made Li Wei shudder. He looked down and saw blood soaking through the front of his shirt.

They were so fast. These two Black Miao Tribesmen were only minions, yet they were this powerful. Li Wei reconsidered just how this world worked. Even weakened, Zhao Ling'er had been able to knock him aside. What chance did he have against these two Black Miao Tribesmen?

With his life on the line, Li Wei threw caution to the wind. He leaped backward and drew the only weapon he had.

Lantern of the Wraith.

Wraith, release!

A jet of inky ghostly energy burst out of the lantern and lunged at one of the Black Miao Tribesmen. A piercing shriek filled the room, adding to its eerie atmosphere.

The Miao Tribesman was a fierce fighter, but even he froze at the sight of the ghost. That gave the Wraith the advantage. In a flash, a bloody gash appeared across the Black Miao Tribesman's neck.

After landing its first strike, the Wraith shrieked and attacked again. The two Black Miao Tribesmen quickly recovered and, showing no fear of the ghost, swung their curved sabers and fought Li Wei's Wraith.

Only then did Li Wei get a chance to catch his breath.

He retreated to Zhao Ling'er's side. The beautiful girl now realized she'd wronged an innocent man, and her lovely eyes were filled with apology.

Li Wei quickly untied Zhao Ling'er. Without wasting words, he told her to help, then grabbed a wooden stool and charged back into the fight.

Now it was kill or be killed!

Li Wei couldn't be sure his Wraith could defeat the two powerful Black Miao Tribesmen. Their strength and speed were inhuman. If his own body was average, then these two were at least twice as strong and fast as an ordinary person.

The Wraith had inflicted plenty of small wounds on the two Black Miao Tribesmen, but none were fatal. That showed just how tough they were.

And people like them were only minions. He couldn't even imagine how strong the Black Miao Leader would be.

"The Wraith only lasts fifteen minutes, so I have to end this fight before then! Besides..." Li Wei touched the wound on his chest, his expression growing grave.

"I doubt I'll last fifteen minutes with an injury like this!"