After all, if Dai Wusi were truly a wise ruler, he wouldn't have come up with such a bizarre move as killing an elder of the Spirit Hall.
In an abandoned woodshed, Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing lay quietly on a pile of hay, fast asleep.
Their breathing was shallow and steady as they clung to each other.
Moonlight streamed through the dilapidated windowpane, falling on them and casting two intertwined figures.
In the distance, the barking of dogs grew closer, and the light of torches flickered through the cracks in the window.
But eventually, those voices faded into the distance.
The city guards searched this street and then turned to another street.
They did not find the woodshed.
Or rather, they didn't search the place properly at all.
They only took some of the valuables from the family in the front yard.
Xiao Yan remained asleep, completely unaware of everything happening outside.
But his brow was slightly furrowed, as if he were having a nightmare.
In his dream, he saw Dai Mubai transform into a real monster, lunging at him madly.
In his dream, he saw Yu Xiaogang standing in the distance with a strange smile on his face.
In his dream, he saw Bibi Dong sitting high on the throne, coldly looking down at him.
He suddenly opened his eyes.
It was pitch black all around.
He was panting, and it took him a while to realize where he was.
Woodshed. Hay. Moonlight.
Zhu Zhuqing was still beside him, still unconscious, but breathing steadily.
He breathed a sigh of relief and gently checked her pulse.
Thankfully, everything is alright.
He struggled to sit up, leaning against the wall, panting.
His wounds were still throbbing, but the bleeding had stopped. The effects of the Heaven Recovery Pill were still working, slowly repairing his injuries. The deepest wound was on his abdomen, but it was also healing.
He touched the storage ring in his pocket.
Fortunately, the pills are still there.
He took out a Blood Coagulation Powder and swallowed it, then took out a Qi Gathering Pill and held it under his tongue.
Then he closed his eyes and began to regulate his breathing.
Outside the window, the night was gradually fading.
It's almost dawn.
The search of the Star Chasing City lasted all night.
As dawn broke, the city guards dragged their weary bodies back to their posts.
They searched every corner of the city, but couldn't even find a trace of Xiao Yan.
Of course, this is their report.
"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"
Dai Wusi flew into a rage in the study, sweeping everything off the table onto the floor.
"So many people, searching all night, and they can't even find two seriously injured people?!"
"My lord, please calm down."
"It was a strategist who said it Xiao Xin."
" Xiao Yan is, after all, an elder of the Spirit Hall, with formidable strength. He must have some hidden methods. Perhaps... perhaps he has already escaped the city."
"Escape the city?"
Dai Wusi sneered, "The city gates have been sealed long ago, where can he escape to?"
Dai Wusi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"Continue searching."
He said in a deep voice, "Expand the search area; search outside the city as well. Also, send people to keep an eye on the Spirit Hall Main Hall."
"Yes."
The strategist accepted the order and withdrew.
Dai Wusi walked to the window, gazing at the gradually brightening sky outside, his eyes filled with gloom.
In the abandoned woodshed, as dawn broke, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes.
After a night of recuperation, his injuries stabilized considerably.
Although they are far from recovered, at least they have the ability to move around.
He looked at Zhu Zhuqing beside him.
Zhu Zhuqing was still unconscious, but her complexion was better than last night.
He checked her pulse; it was more steady and strong.
He breathed a sigh of relief and gently stroked her face.
"Sleep a little longer," he whispered. "We'll leave here when you wake up."
He stood up, walked to the door, and peered out through the crack.
The street was quiet, with only the occasional pedestrian passing by.
The city guards' search seemed to have come to an end, but guards could still be seen checking passersby at the city gate in the distance.
They are looking for him.
He withdrew his gaze and sat down next to Zhu Zhuqing.
It's too dangerous to go out now.
We can only wait.
When Zhu Zhuqing regained consciousness, and when night fell again.
He closed his eyes and continued to regulate his breathing.
The woodshed was silent, with only the sound of their breathing rising and falling.
Sunlight streamed through the dilapidated windowpanes, casting dappled shadows on the haystack.
Time passed by, second by second.
As evening approached, Zhu Zhuqing finally woke up.
She slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan leaned against the wall, his eyes closed, his face pale. His robes were stained with blood, and although the wound on his abdomen was bandaged, it was still bleeding slightly.
" Xiao Yan..."
She called softly, her voice hoarse and weak.
Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes.
A hint of joy flashed in his eyes when he saw that she was awake.
" Zhu Zhuqing! You're awake!"
He quickly got up, went to her side, and helped her sit up.
How are you feeling?
Zhu Zhuqing stretched her body and frowned.
"It's alright... just a little weak." She looked at Xiao Yan, her eyes full of worry.
And you? How are you?
"It's nothing, just a superficial wound."
Xiao Yan smiled. "I'm much better now."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him without saying a word.
She knew he was lying to her.
His injuries were much more serious than they appeared.
But she didn't expose him.
Where are those people?
"Dead." Xiao Yan nodded and said softly, "Six Soul King, one Soul Emperor, and Xu Mu."
Zhu Zhuqing's pupils contracted slightly.
Xu Mu is dead too?
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent.
She looked at Xiao Yan, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
She knew Xiao Yan was strong, but she didn't expect him to be this strong.
He fought against seven opponents single-handedly, killing six Soul King and one Soul Emperor, and then killing a level 69 Agility Attack System Soul Emperor.
Is this... is this even human?
"What's the situation outside?" she asked.
"The whole city is searching for us."
Xiao Yan walked to the door and looked out through the crack.
"The one colluding with Xu Mu is Dai Wusi. Three days ago, Xu Mu found an excuse to send out the Soul Master from the Spirit Hall Main Hall, and they have not returned yet."
That's why they dared to go directly into the backyard to make their move. Now that they've failed, that old bastard Dai Wusi must be terrified.
The city gates of Star Chasing City are now all sealed off; it's probably difficult to leave the city.
Xiao Yan explained everything to Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing struggled to her feet and walked to his side.
Through the crack in the door, she occasionally saw city guards passing by on the street.
"Perhaps we don't necessarily have to leave," she said, a hint of surprise on Xiao Yan's face.
"Even within the Spirit Hall Main Hall, Xu Mu did not rule by himself."
The reason the Soul Master inside the hall left was twofold: firstly, because of Xu Mu, and secondly, because he forged your order.
Once the main force of the Spirit Hall Main Hall returned, Dai Wusi dared not make a move.
Zhu Zhuqing, with an exceptionally clear mind, explained to Xiao Yan:
" Dai Wusi wouldn't dare openly stand against the Spirit Hall. Even if they were searching now, they probably wouldn't dare say they were searching for us. Apart from his trusted confidants, the others were likely ordered to search for the assassins."
Zhu Zhuqing's explanation made Xiao Yan suddenly understand.
He kept thinking that he and Bibi Dong would eventually become adversaries because of Yu Xiaogang, but he forgot that his identity as an elder of the Spirit Hall was very useful.
That makes things much easier.
Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief, but things would be much easier once the people from the Spirit Hall Main Hall returned.