Viper Mercenary Group

Night had fallen, and all was silent around them.

Only the fire beside Lin Xuan crackled. The black short arrow sped silently through the air, like Death's summons.

Clang!

At the critical moment, Lin Xuan swung his longsword and knocked the black short arrow away.

This immediately roused the Scarlet Mercenary Group. Du Ping and the others grabbed their weapons, warily scanning their surroundings. Tang Yu's small face was icy, and a cold gleam flashed in her large black-and-white eyes.

"Brother Lin, what happened?" Du Ping asked.

"I don't know, but that arrow was aimed at you!" Lin Xuan said gravely.

"Me?" Du Ping froze.

The next moment, when he saw the black short arrow buried in a tree trunk, his face immediately darkened.

"The Viper Mercenary Group!" Du Ping drew a deep breath.

"What? Those bastards actually chased us all the way here!" the other mercenaries cried out.

"Brother Lin, we dragged you into this." Du Ping said ashamedly. "Don't worry. Even if it costs me my life, I'll keep you safe!"

"How strong are they?" Lin Xuan was deeply concerned about this. Arguing was useless at a time like this. Only by joining forces could they survive.

"They're about as strong as us. We just don't know how many of them came," Du Ping said.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Several more black short arrows flew in from different directions. Lin Xuan and the others shielded themselves as they gradually retreated together.

"They've surrounded this place!" Lin Xuan said calmly. Behind them stood a cliff face, while unknown enemies lay ahead.

As they spoke, another volley of arrows swept toward them.

"Damn it!" Du Ping and the others were so pinned down by the arrows that they could not stretch their limbs. He could only shout, "You bastards from the Viper Mercenary Group, come out if you have the guts! I'll beat you flat!"

"Hehe, save those words for the King of Hell!" A sinister voice drifted from the darkness.

Whoosh!

Before the voice had faded, Tang Yu flicked her slender jade-like hand. Three silver needles flashed with cold light as they shot swiftly into the darkness, followed by a muffled grunt.

"Be careful, there's an expert in hidden weapons on the other side!" someone across from them warned.

Lin Xuan was stunned. He had never known Tang Yu could use hidden weapons, and he could not help giving her two surprised looks.

"Humph!" Tang Yu proudly raised her chin, then shot Lin Xuan a huge glare.

"Oh? A beauty, too!" The sinister voice rang out again from the darkness. "Who would have thought that in these deep mountains and old forests, there would be such a peerless beauty? Heaven truly favors me!"

Whoosh, whoosh! Tang Yu's little face turned cold as she fired several more silver needles. This time, however, the mysterious person dodged every one of them.

"Humph, you cowardly rats! Come out if you have the guts!" Tang Yu snapped furiously after missing.

"Since the beauty has made a request, this young master shall come out!" The voice was full of mockery.

During this time, Lin Xuan and the others did not make any rash moves. They continued watching their surroundings carefully, guarding against hidden arrows.

Sure enough, before long, a group of people emerged from the darkness. They wore silver armor, and on their chests was painted a savage-looking giant snake, terrifying to behold.

At their center stood a young man in his twenties, with a battle saber hanging from his waist. He was staring at Tang Yu, his eyes filled with vile intent.

"What a peerless beauty. In a moment, this young master will treat you very well!" the saber-wielding youth said with a grin.

"Ptui! Disgusting!" Tang Yu's face was full of revulsion.

"So it really is you scum!" The instant Du Ping saw the saber-wielding youth, he roared, "I never should have let you go back then!"

"This young master's actions are none of your business. So what if I killed a few people and played with a few women? Why are you getting so worked up?" the youth said disdainfully.

"You dared offend me. You're all dead today!"

The saber-wielding youth was extremely arrogant, and his reasoning was not wrong. Du Ping's side had seven people in total. Du Ping was at the Sixth Level of Meridian Condensation, while the others were at Meridian Condensation Stage Five. He had even spotted a youth at the Fourth Level of Meridian Condensation. On his own side, there were two cultivators at the Sixth Level of Meridian Condensation and more than a dozen at Meridian Condensation Stage Five. Killing them would be as easy as turning over one's hand.

"Humph, a brat at the Fourth Level of Meridian Condensation dares enter these deep mountains? What an idiot!" the youth scoffed.

Lin Xuan was immediately displeased. He actually dared look down on me? I'll show him what I'm made of soon enough!

"I advise you to surrender obediently. Once this young master has enjoyed himself, perhaps if I'm in a good mood, I'll let you go!"

"Your grandfather!" Du Ping had long since lost his patience. They were all hot-blooded men—how could they allow themselves to be bullied?

The five members of the Scarlet Mercenary Group immediately charged forward, while Tang Yu once again unleashed her hidden weapons.

This time, she did not sneak-attack the saber-wielding youth. Instead, she struck at the ordinary mercenaries. Sure enough, muffled grunts rang out moments later.

"Get them!" The saber-wielding youth waved a hand, and the mercenaries behind him rushed forward at once.

Violent spiritual energy fluctuations filled the air. Du Ping had engaged a middle-aged man in battle. Both were cultivators at the Sixth Level of Meridian Condensation, and their opening moves were fierce.

"Use your hidden weapons to injure them!" Lin Xuan said swiftly after cutting down a charging mercenary with a single sword strike.

"Mm." Tang Yu moved rapidly, the needles in her hand chilling to the soul. Every time she attacked, someone was bound to be wounded.

The Scarlet Mercenary Group had originally been under tremendous pressure, but with Tang Yu's hidden weapons assisting them, they soon stabilized the battle. Combined with Lin Xuan's monstrous attacks, the two sides were evenly matched for a time.

"Humph, this is a little interesting." The saber-wielding youth chuckled and drew the long saber from his waist. "Little beauty, this young master will play with you."

The youth believed Tang Yu posed the greatest threat, so he intended to personally hold her back.

Hah!

Saber light suddenly erupted, transforming into a streak of white light as it shot toward Tang Yu.

Tang Yu quickly shifted her body, barely avoiding the blow. However, the youth was at the Sixth Level of Meridian Condensation, and the dazzling saber light placed immense pressure on her.

Lin Xuan did not immediately step forward. He continued fighting the mercenaries at Meridian Condensation Stage Five.

He was waiting—waiting for a chance to kill with a single strike. The two Sixth Level cultivators on the other side placed far too much pressure on them. They had to eliminate one first.

Tang Yu used the Clear Wind Sword Technique as she fought the youth. Her slender blue longsword moved like a gale, every thrust as elusive as an antelope's horn hanging in the air, leaving no trace to follow.

Relying on her exquisite swordsmanship, Tang Yu temporarily steadied herself.

"Hehe, little beauty, your swordsmanship isn't bad." The youth wore a smile as he blocked Tang Yu's attacks and said, "I'm the young leader of the Viper Mercenary Group. Why not follow me? I guarantee you'll feast on fine food and drink every day!"

"Shameless!" Tang Yu was furious and could not help pouring more spiritual energy into her attacks. The longsword in her hand shone as brilliantly as a bolt of silk, and the sound of it tearing through the air rang out without cease.

"Lin Xuan, you bastard, aren't you coming to help me?" Tang Yu shouted angrily.

"Lin Xuan? That trash at the Fourth Level of Meridian Condensation?" The youth was taken aback. He turned to look at Lin Xuan. "He's just trash. This young master is far stronger than him!"

"Fine, then. Once I cut off his head, you'll know how formidable this young master is." The youth laughed and lunged at Lin Xuan. In his view, Lin Xuan had to be Tang Yu's friend. Only by killing Lin Xuan could he make Tang Yu submit obediently.

Thanks to Blazing Angel for the reward, and please continue to add this to your collection~