The system began extrapolating fate... If the host went to wipe out the bandits now, their leader would immediately slap him into a pulp.
Xu Xuan's mouth twitched. "What if I made proper preparations?"
All fancy tricks crumble before true strength. If the host went, he would face certain death. But if he went with the Son of Heaven's Dao, he would have a one-in-ten chance of survival!
Xu Xuan rolled his eyes in frustration and decided to learn more first.
"Just tell me when this happened. I'll do everything I can to help you rescue them."
He shelved the idea of wiping out the bandits for now. That could wait until he was strong enough. He had thought mastering Heaven-Burning would be enough to rescue the women.
"It's a long story. A month ago, a man from our Black Dragon Town obtained a Ten-Thousand-Year Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus. But somehow, word of the snow lotus leaked out, drawing the bandits here. They burned, killed, and plundered, committing every evil imaginable. Even the troops stationed nearby didn't dare do anything to them."
At this point, Mayor Hu sighed again, consumed by guilt. "Many people in our town died that night. As you can see, the strongest cultivators in our entire town were only at the first level of the Heavenly Mansion realm. Two of them were killed on the spot."
"Now I'm the only Heavenly Mansion cultivator left in Black Dragon Town. I still have to guard the town, and I'm no match for that man."
After hearing this, Xu Xuan asked, "The Black Dragon Empire just lets bandits hurt you like this? They won't intervene?"
"Intervene? Those old bastards spend all day dreaming of ruling Grand Mystic Dao Province. How would they have any energy left to deal with things like this?"
Luo Xiaotian, who had remained silent until now, suddenly burst out cursing.
"Those old bastards have sat in their lofty positions for so long that they've forgotten how they got there!"
The more Luo Xiaotian shouted, the more agitated he became. Only when Xu Xuan patted his shoulder did he finally calm down.
"My lords, this isn't a convenient place to talk. Please come to my residence so we can discuss this further."
Hu Lie gave a bitter smile and gestured for them to follow.
"This way, please!"
Once they arrived at his residence, Hu Lie held out a map with both hands. "My lords, I've drawn up a map over the past few days. Please take a look."
Mountain ranges crisscrossed the map, and the bandits' hideout was marked on it.
"My lords, this is the bandits' prison. I believe the women from Black Dragon Town are all being held here."
"I went there to investigate a few days ago. A bandit at the fifth level of the Heavenly Mansion realm guards the prison. My lords, you only need to deal with him to rescue them."
Hu Lie pointed to a mark on the map.
"What are we waiting for, then? Let's get those bastards!"
Luo Xiaotian rolled up his sleeves, itching to charge over right away.
"Wait!"
Xu Xuan reached out and stopped Luo Xiaotian. "There's no rush. If we're going, we must make certain nothing can go wrong. A single misstep could plunge us into eternal ruin. Seeking victory through steady caution is the best strategy!"
"Then what do you suggest?"
Luo Xiaotian was still somewhat disgruntled at being stopped.
"We'll discuss it tomorrow. For now, let's rest for the night."
Xu Xuan kept him in suspense.
"If you wish to rest for the night and set out tomorrow refreshed, my lords, that's fine. A little more time won't make much difference anyway. I've already had a meal prepared for you."
"I'll have the servants bring it over right away."
Hu Lie smiled as he left the room. The moment he stepped outside, the smile vanished from his face.
In its place appeared a savage expression!
"Prince... forgive me. You can only blame the fact that so many people want you dead."
"Is there something you want to say?"
Once Hu Lie was gone, Luo Xiaotian could no longer contain his curiosity and asked.
"Hu Lie is up to no good!"
Xu Xuan looked at Luo Xiaotian with a serious expression. "Also, what's your connection to the Black Dragon Empire? When he saw you, panic flashed through his eyes, but excitement soon took its place. Yet judging by your reaction, you've never met him before."
"And that spirit ship from earlier clearly revealed your identity to him. That's why he reacted that way."
There was no denying how closely Xu Xuan had observed him.
Since Xu Xuan had put it that way, Luo Xiaotian could only answer honestly. "That's right. I'm the third prince of the Black Dragon Empire. I joined the Mystic Universe Heavenly Palace because I was sick of the infighting within the imperial family."
"No wonder."
Xu Xuan nodded slightly. No wonder Luo Xiaotian's entire bearing had changed so drastically after they entered the Black Dragon Empire's territory.
He was a prince of this nation.
"I think you should be careful around Hu Lie. There's something different about the way he looks at you. I'm afraid he means to harm you."
As they spoke, the door opened, and several servants hurried in with dishes.
They respectfully placed the food on the table before withdrawing.
"My lords, I specifically ordered my servants to prepare these dishes for you. I hope they're to your liking."
As Hu Lie spoke, he carried two jars of fine wine.
"These two jars contain pure wine I've kept for decades. Just a whiff leaves you refreshed, and a single sip brings bliss fit for an immortal!"
Hu Lie's expression stiffened slightly before he laughed and set down the two jars. The moment he put them down, he made to leave.
"Wait, Mayor. The two of us can't finish all this wine. Why don't you join us?"
Hu Lie's gaze darted evasively, but he could not withstand their urging and eventually sat down.
"My lords, please."
Hu Lie had no choice but to open the two jars himself. An exceptionally rich fragrance wafted out, and a single whiff was enough to soothe the heart and lift the spirits.
"This is fine wine. We'd better leave it for you to enjoy, Mayor."
Xu Xuan spoke calmly, for the system had just warned him that the wine was poisoned.
Luo Xiaotian, who had been about to take a sip, suddenly stopped as well, his cup hovering at his lips.
"Is there something wrong with this wine?"
Luo Xiaotian lowered his cup and looked at Hu Lie.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, a dangerous gleam shining through the slits. "Mayor Hu, why don't you demonstrate first?"
Thud!
As expected, Hu Lie dropped to his knees with a thud, wailing desperately. "Your Highness, I was acting on someone else's orders! Please spare this worthless life of mine!"
"Who ordered you to harm me? Was it Luo Feng?"
Luo Xiaotian abruptly hurled his cup to the floor. It shattered, sending wine splashing everywhere.
The spilled wine actually corroded a large hole in the floor.
There was no question that he would have had no chance of survival if he had drunk it.
"Speak! Was it Luo Feng?"
Luo Feng was the crown prince of the Black Dragon Empire, as well as his eldest brother. His departure from the Black Dragon Empire to seek a master and learn at the Mystic Universe Heavenly Palace had also been bound to his eldest brother, Luo Feng, by countless tangled threads!
Before you continue