Qin Yutong had now taken in their surroundings. The Prince of Zhou's camp stood atop the hill, some distance from where they were, and guards and archers had already formed a ring around it. The archers were firing in every direction to hold back the snakes and insects. If they approached rashly, they might well be hit by friendly fire. Looking toward the Shajia Delegation, she saw torches burning around their camp too, but could not tell what was happening there.
Qin Yutong looked down at Xi Yan and said softly, "Make the snakes and insects retreat at once, or I'll cripple your martial arts." Her tone was unhurried, but the meaning of her words allowed no room for doubt.
"You've sealed my acupoints and tied my hands and feet," Xi Yan said. "What do these snakes and insects have to do with me?"
"You're from the Five Immortals Cult," Qin Yutong said. "Even if you didn't bring them here, you must know how to drive them away. I never joke about such things. If you refuse, I'll cripple your martial arts right now."
"There's no need to be so cruel, is there?" Hu Xiaotian said.
Qin Yutong blinked in puzzlement, unable to understand why he was pleading on Xi Yan's behalf.
"Women don't really care all that much about martial arts," Hu Xiaotian said. "How about this instead? I'll slash her face to ribbons, stab out her eyes, sever the tendons in her hands and feet, then sell her to the filthiest, foulest brothel around."
Although Xi Yan knew perfectly well that Hu Xiaotian was deliberately frightening her, those vicious words still sent a shudder through her very core. If she truly ended up as he described, death would be better than life.
As Hu Xiaotian spoke, his hand