The scent of death grew ever closer.
Fulóng reacted instantly, issuing a stern order: "Retreat!"
The others finally snapped back to reality, casting a final glance at their fallen brother lying in a pool of blood.
As much as they hated to leave, they had no choice.
But they were still too slow.
Before they could escape Black Wind Ridge, three more brothers were pounced upon by the medicine-infused creatures.
"Don't look back, hurry!"
With the medicine-infused creatures multiplying, Fulóng grabbed Chu Qianli, pulling her towards the edge of the forest.
The rest could only grit their teeth and sprint towards the outside of Black Wind Ridge.
As for the three brothers who were tackled, during their retreat, they only managed to see the medicine-infused warriors, one after another, swarming over them.
It wasn't that they didn't want to save them, but it was simply impossible.
Finally, they retreated from the terrifying Black Wind Ridge, a place that instilled fear in everyone.
Once outside, they retreated to a distant hilltop before daring to stop and catch their breath.
Looking back, Black Wind Ridge remained quiet, as if nothing had happened within its depths.
Yet, half an hour prior, they had lost four companions within its confines.
Lost forever, never to be found again.
"I can't go back there. I'd rather die than go to Black Wind Ridge again! Never!"
Suddenly, someone dropped their sword and, in a frenzy, bolted down the mountain.
"I'm not going, I'm not going, I'd rather die than go!"
"I don't want to be bitten to death by the medicine-infused creatures, I don't… Ah—"
Fulóng tried to chase after him, but it was too late.
The brother lost his footing in a ravine and tumbled into the abyss.
The scream still seemed to echo in their ears, but the man himself had vanished without a trace into the depths.
The wind whispered past their ears, quiet and serene.
The cool breeze suddenly turned bone-chillingly cold.
Standing on the hilltop, facing the wind, everyone's hearts had long since frozen over.
Having just survived a life-or-death ordeal, looking back now, it felt as though nothing had happened, yet everything had truly happened.
With a clang, someone's sword fell to the ground.
That person also sat down, cradling their head, and began to weep uncontrollably.
Their cries were mournful, it was unclear if they wept for themselves or for their fallen comrades.
The rest sat on the ground, utterly dejected.
They could no longer hold their swords firmly.
Fulóng stood on the hilltop, his gaze fixed on Black Wind Ridge, lost in thought.
If one looked closely, one could see the hand holding his sword trembling slightly.
To be one of the commanders of the Iron Cavalry, while not holding the highest authority, was certainly a position earned through countless trials and tribulations.
He believed he had weathered countless storms and thought he would never be afraid.
Yet, now, he couldn't even hold his sword steady.
There, lurked something more terrifying than devils.
They were human, yet more terrifying than beasts.
They barely knew any martial arts, merely the lowest-grade medicine-infused creatures.
But these low-grade medicine-infused creatures, with their bare mouths, bit by bit, devoured the lives of their brothers.
Utterly horrifying.
"These medicine-infused creatures are fed with poisons for years. Their bodies are filled with potent toxins. If caught by them, without an antidote, they will quickly succumb to poisoning."
Chu Qianli's voice was like a death knell, causing the brothers seated on the ground to tense up.
Fulóng looked at her.
She had witnessed their comrades being bitten to death by the medicine-infused creatures just moments ago. Yet, this young girl, who should have been the most terrified, now stood before them with a blank expression, remarkably calm and composed.
"Miss Chu…"
"If these medicine-infused creatures are brought into the Imperial City, the city will surely fall into chaos."
Chu Qianli turned to look at Fulóng. "I heard that an imperial uncle died under the claws of the medicine-infused creatures before?"
Fulóng nodded. "Yes… he died before an expedition."
"If Black Wind Cliff is the base of a medicine-infused army, then as their forces continue to grow, they will pose the greatest threat to the imperial family."
This was why the Emperor had been trying to ascertain the situation at the bottom of Black Wind Cliff.
Currently, they knew almost nothing about the medicine-infused warriors.
Perhaps the most terrifying thought was that if these were forces nurtured by a high-ranking official in the court, intended for future subversion of the government.
The consequences, if one considered them, were unthinkable.
Fulóng said nothing more, merely watching the situation at Black Wind Ridge.
No one spoke, their hearts heavy.
They had no choice but to proceed. Black Wind Ridge had to be faced, otherwise, they could not report back to the Emperor.
Those who defied the imperial decree would face death.
Unless they fled and lived their lives as fugitives forever.
But, with the world being the Emperor's domain, where could they possibly escape to?
Not to mention, they all had family in the Imperial City…
"Commander, we… should continue," Ya Zi said, having somehow stood up and approached Fulóng from behind.
Fulóng nodded, turned, and looked at the remaining eight brothers.
They were also looking at Fulóng.
Though their faces were ashen, they all eventually stood up.
What had to be faced, always had to be faced.
They were members of the Royal Iron Cavalry. If they dared not proceed, other soldiers would be even less likely to.
Even if they knew it was a dead end…
As Chu Qianli was about to mount her horse, Fulóng placed his hand on her saddle.
"What?" Chu Qianli asked, surprised.
"You don't have to go," Fulóng said, his voice heavy. "Go back and find Prince Xuan. He will protect you."
Although he didn't know Chu Qianli's standing in Prince Xuan's heart, if she were truly his concubine, Prince Xuan would never let his woman face such danger.
Ya Zi also walked over and said to Chu Qianli, "You're a young lady, you can't go to a place like that. Go back."
"Are you looking down on women?" Chu Qianli raised an eyebrow.
Fulóng was about to say something when Chu Qianli pushed his hand away and leaped onto her horse.
"We ate hot pot together, we drank cola together, we are brothers!"
Chu Qianli sat on her horse, looking down at everyone. "Since we are brothers, we should fight side by side!"
"Time is running out, let's go!"
She tugged the reins, and her horse neighed, suddenly galloping down the mountain.
"Miss Chu!" Fulóng hadn't expected her to leave so abruptly, and couldn't stop her.
He quickly mounted his horse and said urgently, "Brothers, follow!"
Ya Zi stood stunned for a moment before suddenly raising his voice, "We can't be inferior to a mere girl! At worst, it's death, what is there to be afraid of!"
Whether they were beheaded or bitten to death, it was still death, wasn't it?
Nothing to be afraid of!
Chu Qianli, such a young girl, dared to take the lead.
If they retreated, how could they face their brothers back in the Imperial City with any dignity?
"Alright! At worst, it's death! Nothing to be afraid of!"
"Let's go! Move out!"