Lu Baohong said the road ahead was not easy to travel.
The road?
Before them lay only a steep cliff and a bottomless chasm.
A natural stone path, like a writhing serpent, twisted and turned around the sheer, vertical cliff face. It was evident it had been repaired in the past, but it had also clearly weathered countless years.
It was obviously a plank road that had been abandoned for many years.
Xie Jiang took one look and smiled, giving Lu Baohong a thumbs-up. "This road is an excellent choice."
Perhaps it was because Lu Baohong already viewed Xie Jiang through a demonic filter, but he felt a hint of strangeness in Xie Jiang's smile, and the simple word "good" inexplicably made his scalp tingle.
"Then Young Master Xie should watch his step carefully. Don't just indulge in clever talk. If you fall and shatter, Young Master Xu cannot blame me."
Xu Hengyan couldn't help but suspect that Lu Baohong had deliberately chosen this path for them, his intentions obvious.
Xu Hengyan looked back at Xie Jiang.
Xie Jiang smiled proudly. "Whether it's a human path or a ghost path, I've walked many. There has never been a path that could make me stumble."
Lu Baohong secretly sneered, waiting to see. Today, she would be utterly destroyed!
Xie Jiang suddenly seemed to recall something, frowning as he looked at Lu Baohong. "You're not planning to frame us, are you?"
Lu Baohong asked, "What do you mean?"
Xie Jiang said, "I see your subordinates aren't very nimble. If they fall, won't you shamelessly frame me, saying I did it?"
Lu Baohong's eyes instantly turned grim. This brat meant that each would rely on their own abilities, and no one could be blamed if someone died.
What an arrogant tone!
He had so many subordinates. Even if this bastard could fly to heaven and burrow into the earth, a group of them could drag this bastard to hell!
Originally, he had deliberately chosen this long-abandoned plank road to confuse them and disorient Xu and Xie.
Eliminating Xie Jiang was merely an afterthought.
If it could be done without a trace, that would be ideal.
If not, it didn't matter.
There would be plenty of opportunities later.
He wouldn't even have to do it himself.
But since this bastard surnamed Xie was looking for death, it would be unreasonable for him not to oblige!
He must be killed, absolutely must be killed!
Lu Baohong's subordinates were all ready. Lu Baohong led his men to the front, with Xu Hengyan and Xie Jiang positioned in the middle, watched by people both in front and behind.
Xu Hengyan warned Lu Baohong, "Since you chose the road, you must take responsibility for whatever happens."
Lu Baohong suddenly turned and stared at Xu Hengyan and Xie Jiang!
He gnashed his back molars so hard that blood dripped out. How could this be considered relying on their own abilities!
This bastard surnamed Xie was clearly acting with impunity!
Xie Jiang also glared at Xu Hengyan, asking if she had so little confidence in him. What was there to fear from Lu Baohong's subordinates?
Xu Hengyan was worried about her old injuries, which had not yet healed. Was it worth it to have them flare up for these trivial matters?
Xie Jiang let out a helpless sigh.
Xu Hengyan was amused.
She truly didn't care about her own body.
Once or twice might be alright, but she couldn't always be so careless.
Xie Jiang caught sight of Lu Baohong's sinister gaze and immediately perked up, saying cheerfully, "I told you I'm Young Master Xu's darling. Don't harbor any ill intentions."
He then added with apparent regret, "Since Young Master Xu is keeping a close watch, we'll all restrain ourselves. Next time Young Master Xu isn't paying attention, we can let loose and fight to the death."
Xu Hengyan shot him a look.
Xie Jiang didn't forget to reassure Lu Baohong, "Don't worry, I won't take advantage of the situation. I promise I won't make a move along the way. As for my feet, besides walking, I won't use them for anything else."
Lu Baohong signaled to his rear guards, telling them to keep a close eye on Xie Jiang's every move. If Xie Jiang behaved himself, so be it; he would have to show Young Master Xu some respect.
But if Xie Jiang dared to make any sneaky moves, he wouldn't be polite. It wasn't every time that threatening his clansmen would make him compromise!
The reason he compromised for now was that since Xie Jiang insisted on clinging to them, he had plenty of opportunities to get rid of Xie Jiang!
The dilapidated plank road could barely accommodate one person. The group, holding torches and lanterns, set off in a long, imposing procession.
Xu Hengyan knew Xie Jiang was skilled, but instinctively wanted to hold her hand. However, upon stepping onto the plank road, she realized it was impossible. Holding hands would endanger both of them.
She had to give up.
Xu Hengyan walked ahead, "Watch your step carefully."
When she looked back, her sharp gaze swept over the Lu clan's death warriors and guards at the rear.
It was more chilling than the wind in the deep valley.
A hint of white gradually appeared in the sky, and a faint light emerged in the mountains.
The journey had been relatively peaceful, with no one causing any trouble.
As they were nearing the halfway point of the plank road, a terrified scream suddenly echoed through the valley.
A Lu clan guard walking in front of Xu Hengyan suddenly missed his footing and plunged headfirst into the chasm.
Lu Baohong looked back towards the rear. "What happened? How did he fall?"
Although he asked, it was clear he suspected Xie Jiang.
Given Xu Hengyan's personality, she wouldn't stoop to such petty actions.
The death warrior following behind Xie Jiang swore that he had seen clearly. Since stepping onto the plank road, this Xie Jiang kid had been walking obediently, without making any unnecessary moves, at most cursing the Second Young Master a few times when encountering difficult sections.
The death warrior recalled Xie Jiang's every action before the incident.
Finally, he responded with certainty, "Reporting to the Second Young Master, there was nothing unusual from my observation."
Those walking in front of the person who fell turned to look. "It seems a piece of stone broke off."
Lu Baohong, after hearing his subordinate's report, still felt a lingering suspicion.
Was it really not Xie Jiang?
Was that kid really that well-behaved?
Xu Hengyan looked back at Xie Jiang, her eyes moving slightly. "This plank road is rarely used and is severely weathered. Try to walk close to the cliff face."
When the person fell into the valley, she distinctly felt something brush past the side of her face silently.
She wasn't the type to make trouble. She was more confident than him on this journey, so why would she care about these minor figures?
She only made a move because...
Because that person was one of the two who had held a knife to her throat on the ship.
Whether it was psychological or due to medication, Xu Hengyan suddenly felt that the two wounds on her neck were a little warm.
"I know, I know. You be careful too. Watch where you're going."
Xie Jiang knew she couldn't hide it from him.
She didn't necessarily have to make trouble, but since Lu Baohong had specifically chosen such a road, if a few of his subordinates didn't die, how could his efforts be repaid?
Was that it?
Xu Hengyan asked with her eyes.
If she insisted on using such an excuse, then he would believe her for now.