The Prey Enters the Trap

After Li Hu and the other two successfully got away, they quickly arrived at the agreed meeting place.

"Brother Li!"

Dan Zai hurried over, unable to hide the excitement on his face.

"Dan Zai!" Li Hu grabbed his shoulder. "How did it go? Did that little bastard Luo Yi get out?"

"He got out!" Dan Zai nodded heavily and said excitedly, "While you were confronting the City Guard, Brother Qing Mo's men successfully got that kid Luo Yi out through the city gate! I watched them enter the desert with my own eyes before coming to report to you!"

"That's good! That's good!" The weight on Li Hu's heart finally lifted. He released Dan Zai, turned, and leaned against the wall, speaking with some regret.

"It's just a pity... We're all injured now. I'm afraid we won't be able to help the Third Commander much."

"Yeah."

"Luo Tai, the leader of the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group, is a Five-Star Battle Master. He's incredibly strong. Although the Third Commander set a trap this time, can he really handle him?"

The other companions also voiced their concerns. They had all witnessed Qing Mo's near-miraculous flying knife techniques and knew that he had killed Snake-People at the Battle Master level.

But that time, the First Commander, Xiao Ding, had restrained the enemy head-on, giving Qing Mo the chance to launch a sneak attack. Now that the First Commander was seriously injured, it would already be impressive if he could hold Lin Qi back. Could the Third Commander and the seemingly delicate younger sister by his side really manage it alone?

"Put your hearts back where they belong!" Li Hu glared at the two companions. "Since the Third Commander dared to do this, he must be completely confident!"

He paused and lowered his voice. "And have you forgotten? Back in the desert, the Third Commander's sister, Miss Qing Lin, used that special battle technique. She can control magical beasts!"

"Is there really... really such a battle technique?"

The two companions still found it difficult to believe. In this world, people capable of taming magical beasts were not uncommon, but that required raising them from a young age and forming contracts with them. The process was extremely complicated. A battle technique like Qing Lin's, which could make a hostile second-tier magical beast submit in such a short time, was simply unheard of.

"And... it was a snake-type magical beast."

"Those Snake-People happen to be able to control snake-type magical beasts through secret arts..."

It was difficult for these things not to arouse their suspicions.

"What nonsense!" Li Hu's expression darkened as he barked, "The world is vast, and all manner of strange things exist! You've never even been to the capital of the Jia Ma Empire. Your horizons are limited to this tiny Stone Desert City, so how do you know such an unusual battle technique doesn't exist in this world?

"The Third Commander and Miss Qing Lin are our saviors and members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group! Don't ever say such things again!"

The two men flushed red from Li Hu's reprimand. Knowing they had misspoken, they hurriedly lowered their heads. "Yes, Brother Li Hu. We were wrong."

Seeing that they sincerely admitted their mistake, Li Hu did not continue scolding them.

"Alright, everyone, go back."

"The task the Third Commander gave us has been completed. What happens next depends on the commander and the others. All we need to do now is return, nurse our injuries, and wait for their triumphant return!"

Meanwhile, in the sea of sand outside Stone Desert City.

Datou was leading Luo Yi northward, following the markers Heizi had left behind.

"Hey! How much longer until we get there?"

Luo Yi said impatiently. He braced his hands on his knees and panted heavily. Sweat streamed down his face, soaking a large patch of his luxurious robes and making them stick uncomfortably to his body.

Since childhood, when had he ever walked such a long distance? His legs felt as heavy as lead.

"Soon, soon! Young Master Luo, it's just beyond that sand dune ahead. We'll be there in no time!"

As Datou answered, he secretly glanced back, a trace of contempt and scorn flashing deep in his eyes.

What kind of damn Fighter is this? Even an ordinary person has better stamina! He can't even handle walking a few steps. He's just a useless piece of trash who looks better than he performs!

With this kind of trash, why would Brother Qing Mo need to act personally? I can deal with Luo Yi myself.

"How many times have you fucking said we're almost there?" Luo Yi exploded the moment he heard that perfunctory answer again. "No! I can't walk anymore! I'm resting!"

After saying that, he ignored the scorching sand beneath him and plopped down. The heat immediately made him leap back up.

"What kind of fucking weather is this?"

Cursing under his breath, Luo Yi went to sit in a patch of shade.

"Oh, my esteemed Young Master Luo!"

Datou hurried over and earnestly advised him, "You absolutely can't rest now! If you delay too long, those people from the Desert Iron Mercenary Group will empty out the Gold Sand Mine and leave!"

"Hang on a little longer, Young Master Luo! Once we pass through that Wind-Eroded Forest ahead, we'll really be there!"

"I don't care!"

Luo Yi frowned and snapped, "I said I want to rest! Now! Immediately! At once! If you dare say another word of nonsense, then when I get back, I'll have my father break your dog legs!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Alright, alright! If Young Master Luo wants to rest, then we'll rest!"

Looking at Luo Yi's face twisted in fury, Datou knew there was no use trying to persuade him further. He could only go along with it, though a cold gleam flashed through his eyes.

No helping it. Since this idiot is so eager to die, he can't blame me!

Datou nodded and bowed in agreement as he ran to Luo Yi's side, taking off his outer robe and fanning him vigorously with it.

Luo Yi was finally satisfied. Leaning against a rock with his eyes closed, he began fantasizing about the wonderful future that awaited him after obtaining the Gold Sand Mine.

The more he thought about it, the more a foolish grin crept onto his lips.

Just as he was immersed in his beautiful dream, Datou, who was fanning him, turned cold-eyed!

He quietly bent down, picked up a slab of sandstone the size of a brick, and, while Luo Yi was not paying attention, smashed it viciously toward the back of his head!

Bang!

A dull thud rang out. Luo Yi did not even have time to scream before his eyes rolled back and he collapsed limply onto the sand, unconscious.

"Pah! You were still putting on airs in front of me, you fucking lordling?"

Datou spat viciously in Luo Yi's face.

Still feeling that it was not enough, he rushed forward and kicked Luo Yi's body several times, venting all the frustration he had endured with interest.

"If I'd known you were this weak, I should've done it back in the city! You yapped all the way here and really thought you were somebody!"

After venting his rage, Datou finally slung Luo Yi over his shoulder like a dead dog and continued toward their destination.

About half an hour later, a grove of desert poplars appeared on the horizon.

Beneath a patch of shade in the grove, Qing Mo sat under a poplar tree with his eyes closed, cooling off.

Qing Lin was kneeling obediently behind him, gently kneading his shoulders with her soft little hands.

Beside them, Xiao Hei held an enormous palm-leaf fan, sweat pouring down his face as he fanned the two of them.

"Hehe, Boss, are you satisfied with this wind speed?"

"Mm, it'll do." Qing Mo nodded without opening his eyes.

Though these two scoundrels had poor character, they were quite obedient when put to use.

Just then, his ear twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes.

At the edge of the grove, Datou was staggering over with someone slung across his shoulder.

"Oh? The man is here!"

Qing Mo slowly rose to his feet. Qing Lin and Xiao Hei followed his gaze.

"Datou is here!" Xiao Hei was instantly overjoyed upon seeing him.

As expected of Datou—he had actually gotten the job done!

Now, not only could they rid themselves of the poison and regain their freedom, they could also join the Desert Iron Mercenary Group! This was truly a leap to the heavens, with a boundless future ahead of them!