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“Miss Su, as long as you cooperate, we will not harm you. Once Shen Muhan is dead, that wild Girl will be at your disposal. For now, you just need to perform a captivating act for us.”
The leading man had crooked teeth, sparse hair, and a thick black beard covering his face. His small eyes were filled with disgust as he leaned closer to Su Xiuning, who could smell the foul odor emanating from him. Su Xiuning frowned deeply; if her mouth weren't gagged, she would have likely vomited.
Although the man spoke in a negotiating tone, he offered Su Xiuning no chance to respond, leaving her to passively follow their lead.
“Look at this skin that could drip water; Brothers haven’t had fresh meat in a long time. How you handle this is up to you.”
Seeing Su Xiuning glare with her watery eyes, the man’s large, calloused hand reached up to touch her face as he leered.
Su Xiuning shuddered all over, her eyes instantly misting up as she struggled and whimpered.
“Do you have something to say?”
Noticing her reaction, the man asked.
Upon hearing this, Su Xiuning quickly nodded vigorously. Seeing this, he was no longer afraid of her calling for help; he reached out and removed the cloth from her mouth.
“Cough cough cough...”
As soon as the cloth was taken out, Su Xiuning gasped for air and coughed a few times. Once her throat felt clear, she looked at the group and slowly said:
“Do you want Shen Muhan dead or do you want him to wish he were dead?”
It was evident that these people hated Shen Muhan to the core, wishing nothing more than to flay him alive. However, she found it puzzling why they had chosen to capture her as leverage, or how they could be so certain that collaborating with her would guarantee Shen Muhan's demise.
"Ha, miss, do you think we're three years old? Everyone in the capital knows you're going to be Shen Muhan's future wife. Besides, given the relationship between your families, even if he doesn't want to, he wouldn't just stand by and watch you get bullied, right?"
The Toothless Man spoke confidently, assured that they had already gathered all the necessary information.
"Do you know that just three days ago, Shen Muhan wanted me dead over a country girl?"
Su Xiuning sneered coldly at the memory of the humiliation from three days prior. She gritted her teeth, vowing that one day she would make Xia Muxin pay for everything.
"Ha! Who are you trying to fool? You've moved into Shen Manor. No matter how much Shen Muhan fancies that country girl, in the end, the position of his legitimate wife will still belong to you."
The Toothless Man was blissfully unaware of the deeper implications; he only knew that she had settled into Shen Manor and would soon become the eldest daughter-in-law of the Shen Family. Furthermore, having known each other since childhood, even if Shen Muhan was hard-hearted, he would still consider their familial ties.
"But... I have a better way to make him wish he were dead."
Seeing the flicker of interest in his eyes and his furrowed brow as he pondered her words, Su Xiuning realized her statements were having an effect. She pressed on:
"Do you know how much he values that country girl? He sees her as more important than his own life. If you were to capture that girl..."
As she spoke, a self-satisfied smile crept across her face.
"Really?"
The man's eyebrows shot up, excitement and a bloodthirsty glint flashing in his eyes as he asked with a sinister tone.
"You will know if you ask around. What happened in the palace three days ago is unforgettable for me. I wish I could carve their flesh and drink their blood, but more than that, I want to see them suffer, to see them wish they were dead."
Su Xiumei's face twisted in a grotesque manner, her teeth chattering as if she were ready to drink blood and carve flesh at that very moment.
"Boss..."
Upon hearing this, Su Xiuning leaned closer to the man's ear and whispered for a while before they parted.
"Alright, then... what do you suggest we do?"
It was unclear what Little Rolo had said to the man, but he now turned to Su Xiuning with a question.
Su Xiuning rolled her eyes and said, "Come here."
The man leaned in, and Su Xiuning whispered something into his ear...
"Uncle, they shouldn't have gone far. There are no forks in the road here; they might be hiding in the bushes."
Meanwhile, Shen Muhan and Xia Muxin walked along a path surrounded by dense forest. There were no side roads; just moments ago, they had seen bustling passersby, but now there was no one in sight. The path grew narrower as they moved forward, yet it seemed to stretch endlessly ahead. After some consideration, Xia Muxin spoke up.
"The Dragon Pool is ahead; it’s likely the work of the Dragon Pool Gang."
Shen Muhan paused, his gaze fixed ahead as he pulled Xia Muxin closer and said.
"Uh... Uncle, did you perhaps wipe out their gang, or kill their brothers, or capture their leader, or...?"
It sounded very much like a gang affair. Shen Muhan, as a former general, seemed to have a knack for such matters. So, did those people capture Su Xiuning because of him?
"A few years ago, for certain reasons, I took the limbs of their leader."
Shen Muhan shot a glance at Xia Muxin before calmly stating this.
"Uncle, your subordinates should know about this, right? Why is it that not a single shadow can be seen at this moment? Are they all held up somewhere?"
Throughout the journey, there had been no sign of the dozen or so shadowy figures, and Xia Muxin couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
"They've gone to the bottom of the pond; they won't be coming up for a while."
The bottom of the pond...
Xia Muxin curiously looked ahead and indeed found that there was no way forward; instead, there was a deep and ominous pool. The water was as calm as a mirror, but it was green.
"This water is toxic," Xia Muxin instinctively said.
"Yes..."
"Woo... woo..."
Just as Shen Muhan was about to respond, he noticed a figure hanging from a tree on the opposite side of the pond. The person had something stuffed in their mouth and could only emit muffled sounds of terror. It was none other than Su Xiuning, who had been abducted.
The pond was not large, shaped like an oval, with a diameter of no more than ten meters. Opposite the pond was a slope covered in various trees. Those in the know understood that it was actually a Toxic Forest, shrouded in miasma throughout the year. Only on this day and on the ninth day of the ninth month did the miasma mysteriously dissipate. The leader of the Dragon Pool Gang, Dragon Rising, was the son of a traitor from the previous dynasty who had attempted to kill his own father. In a fit of rage, he had crippled him.
Many members of the gang had been killed by him, and it had been five or six years since then. Unexpectedly, the Dragon Rising Gang had risen again, seemingly more secretive and powerful than before.
“Muxin, wait for me here. I’ll be back soon.”
Shen Muhan released Xia Muxin's hand and placed his soft sword into her grasp. With a snap of his fingers, four men in black appeared from the shadows and surrounded Xia Muxin.
“Protect her well.”
After giving them a solemn command, Shen Muhan took off into the air.
“Be careful, Uncle.”
Xia Muxin watched his soaring figure with concern as she called out to him.
She knew that following him would only hinder his efforts. If Su Xiuning were to die like this, it would not bode well for him or for the Shen Family. After all, Su Xiuning was currently residing with the Shen Family; her safety was their responsibility. Moreover, if an old man could fall from a tree and succumb to poison so easily, then if anything were to happen to her, there would be no peace for the Shen Family.
She craned her neck to see Shen Muhan stop beneath a tree, watching as his sword flew toward the ropes binding Su Xiuning. Suddenly, a thick fog rolled in like smoke, and in an instant, Shen Muhan's figure vanished from sight.
“What’s happening?”
Xia Muxin's heart raced as she turned to the four men in black.
They were not Ming Yi and the others; their eyes were unfamiliar and devoid of humanity.
"Miss, that is the Miasma Forest of the Dragon Pool Gang, also known as the Toxic Forest."
The man in black, upon hearing Xia Muxin's question, respectfully reported the information.
"Are you professional assassins?"
Xia Muxin speculated about their identities and spoke without hesitation.
"Yes, we are assassins loyal only to the General."
"......"
Perhaps Xia Muxin had always over-simplified things, thinking that since he no longer led troops into battle, he was merely a leisurely Regent. However, that was not the case; he might have simply devoted all his time to her. His network of connections spanned the entire Tianli Kingdom, and there were more than just one or two trusted confidants like Ming Yi. The Xiao Yan they mentioned last time was certainly not an ordinary figure.
Even if he was no longer the former General, in the hearts of some, he would always be their General...
"Ah... Brother Mu Han, what happened to you? Don't die."
Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry came from across the way. The miasma seemed to dissipate slightly, and Xia Muxin could vaguely see a figure covered in blood, wielding a long sword and fighting against dozens of opponents.
"Miss, do not trust what you see at this moment; it may be an illusion."
Seeing this scene, the man in black furrowed his brow in confusion but calmly reminded Xia Muxin.
"Do you know anything about the Dragon Pool Gang?"
Xia Muxin was unsure whether the situation before her was real or not, but her heart raced. She listened to the words of the man in black and tried her best not to look at the scene unfolding, for even if it were true, she could not afford to add to her troubles. After a moment's pause, she asked,
"The Dragon Pool Gang has been missing for over five years, only reappearing out of nowhere in recent months."
The man in black shook his head and replied with certainty,
"Is there any way you can assist him over there?"
With that, Xia Muxin chose not to delve deeper into the matter and addressed the group. When she saw their indifference, she spoke again,
"I know some skills; just leave one person here to protect me. As long as you bring Miss Su back, he will naturally return."
The true anchor should be Su Xiuning; if it weren't for her, the uncle wouldn't have taken such risks. However, this woman had to be saved.
Suddenly, an arm flew out from the miasma. Xia Muxin could vaguely see Shen Muhan kneeling on one knee, one hand supporting his sword while the other was empty, blood flowing endlessly. The severed arm floated on the surface of the pool, and the originally green water began to take on a hint of red.
Xia Muxin's face turned pale as she ran towards the pool without daring to make a sound; she feared that if she spoke, everything would become reality.
"Quickly! Go now!"
Suddenly, she turned to the four unmoved men in black and nearly shouted.
They were also startled by the scene before them and hesitated until Xia Muxin's frantic urging finally prompted three of them to leap into action.
Before they could reach their destination, they vanished mid-air. Immediately after, the miasma surged towards Xia Muxin like a torrent, bringing with it crashing waves and a choking stench.
Xia Muxin was momentarily stunned, as if her nerves had been numbed, with only a sliver of rationality urging her to run. Yet her feet felt as heavy as lead, unable to move.
Suddenly, a whip coiled around her waist, and she saw a flash of crimson as a figure leaped into the air, flinging her far away with the force of the whip.
As she regained her footing, she noticed the black-clad protector was locked in a fierce struggle with a dozen Masked Men. A Red Shadow darted through the fray, joining the battle with incredible speed. It was then that she realized it was a strikingly beautiful woman.
The whip in her hand moved like a dragon swallowing the mountains and rivers, each lash aimed at the Masked Men eliciting cries of pain.
Xia Muxin watched in astonishment as the miasma behind her inexplicably vanished. Turning around, she found no sign of arms at the water's edge, nor could she see Shen Muhan and the others.
Could it be that what she had just witnessed was truly an illusion?
Suddenly, a gust of fierce wind swept by her side, causing Xia Muxin to involuntarily roll on the ground several times before quickly scrambling to her feet.
In front of her stood four burly men with fierce expressions. Xia Muxin wanted to call for help, but it seemed that the battle on the other side would never end; just as one wave fell, another surged forth. The ground was littered with bodies, and Xia Muxin's lips twitched—was this yet another illusion?
"Gentlemen, I am just an unacquainted girl; please spare me from this fight."
As the burly men closed in, Xia Muxin glanced at her soft sword in hand and tried to sweet-talk them while calculating the distance to the Red-Clad Woman and the black-clad man. If she sprinted, could she reach them without being caught?
"Ha! I’m precisely after a girl like you who claims not to know me."
One of the burly men spat into his palm and raised two massive iron hammers to smash down on Xia Muxin.
Seeing those hammers larger than her head made her eyes widen. She quickly grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it at the man before turning on her heels and running away.
But with her small arms and legs, she was quickly caught up to after just a few steps. However, the burly men did not rush to kill her; instead, they blocked her paths to the back, front, and left, seemingly forcing her to run to the right.
Xia Muxin realized there was a trick involved and quickly spotted a large tree. She pulled out a small curved knife she carried and stabbed it into the trunk, using it to climb up.
The burly men were amused by her childish action, standing at the base of the tree, clutching their stomachs and laughing heartily.
Yet Xia Muxin smirked, raising her knife upward. In the blink of an eye, she sprang up like a monkey, using her legs to propel herself higher. In no time, she had climbed over ten meters up the tree.
Just as she found a branch to perch on, she was startled; she hadn’t realized how high the tree was. Blinking a few times, she turned her head and saw Shen Muhan and others had already rescued Su Xiuning and were walking toward her. Xia Muxin rubbed her eyes, fearing this was all just an illusion.
At that moment, she noticed something odd about the ground beneath her hand; she couldn’t quite put her finger on what was wrong.
Suddenly, she pressed down hard with her hand. With a loud rumble, her body inexplicably dropped. Her first instinct was to reach out and grab a nearby branch to avoid being swallowed by the tree hole.
However, hanging there like cured meat from that branch made her feel uneasy as she gazed into the dark tree hole.
Could this be the entrance to the Dragon Pool Gang?
Without thinking, she kicked off one of her shoes until it fell away. Then she discreetly pressed down on that spot again; with another loud rumble, the tree hole closed up.
The four burly men were now wide-eyed in shock because they had been laughing when suddenly a decorative shoe fell from above, landing right in one of their open mouths. Instantly, that man’s face turned cold as he yanked the shoe out and tore it into pieces before throwing them on the ground.
Hanging there was tiring for Xia Muxin. She stretched her foot toward another branch in hopes of sitting on it. But just then, the tree shook violently, causing her to retract her foot quickly while gripping tightly onto the not-so-large branch. At the same time, she noticed a round switch that looked similar to the one before; it would be easy to miss if one didn’t look closely. However, having studied sketching and having had an experience earlier, she recognized it immediately.
If that was a tree hole, then what could this switch be for?
"You Stinky Girl, have you had enough fun? It's time to report back to me."
But before she could process his words, she saw several burly men flying towards the treetops.
Xia Muxin's eyes widened as memories of military training flashed in her mind, particularly the tree-jumping drills. She quickly focused on a tree trunk, bit her lip, gathered her energy, and with a determined glare, she accurately grasped a branch and swung herself onto another branch.
The burly men, under orders to capture her alive, were taken by surprise at her agility. One of them was kicked away by Xia Muxin before he could react, while two others landed directly on the branch she had just occupied. Their large bodies caused the branch to sway dangerously under their weight.
In the cramped space, they struggled to maneuver, appearing clumsy compared to the petite Xia Muxin.
She stepped towards a nearby trunk, but as soon as her foot made contact, a tingling sensation shot through her. Upon closer inspection, she noticed several sharp Silver Needles protruding from that spot. Her eyes lit up; this designer had quite the clever mind to turn an ordinary tree into a trap.
With a slight smile, she cautiously tested the area with her shod foot. After stepping several times without incident, she felt secure enough to shift her weight.
Just then, a large hand reached up and grabbed her ankle from below. Startled, Xia Muxin quickly drew her small curved knife and slashed at the hand. Instantly, a line of blood appeared on its back as the hand recoiled and released her ankle.
Meanwhile, the two men struggling on the branch began to crawl towards her for support. Xia Muxin smirked and turned her back to them as if preparing to move forward. Below her back lay the Silver Needles; she deliberately slowed down and feigned fear while glancing back at them.
Suddenly, she made another leap and landed on a different fork in the tree.
"Ah..."
At that moment, a heart-wrenching scream pierced the air.
When she looked back, she saw one of the burly men with smoke rising from his head, his entire body charred black. In less than a moment, he crumbled into ashes carried away by the north wind.
Xia Muxin tightened her grip on the tree trunk, her gaze fixed intently on the spot where the Silver Needle had been. That was close; if she had exerted just a little more force earlier, she would have been nothing but a pile of ash blown away by the wind.
Looking down, she assessed the distance between herself and the ground. Falling wouldn’t kill her, but being paralyzed was a certainty. With that thought in mind, she dismissed any reckless ideas.
Meanwhile, another burly man stood frozen in shock, too scared to move.
Seeing this, Xia Muxin decided it was best not to linger on the tree any longer. Who knew what might emerge from the spot where she was sitting—a row of thorns or something even worse?
The thought sent a chill down her spine.
Taking a deep breath, she lowered her feet and began to gently feel her way down the tree trunk. Once her feet found a solid foothold, she leaned forward and flipped herself downward.
- End of Chapter -
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