Shangguan Jin approached Xiao Man. "Miss, this wolf pack's appearance is strange. We've been trapped here for days and haven't encountered any wolves."
A faint smile touched Xiao Man's lips. Her gaze swept into the distance, a coldness gathering in her eyes. From the moment she stepped out of Bianjing City, she understood this was a trap set for her. However, taking his life would not be an easy feat.
"After starving for so many days, let alone seeing any meat, we haven't even caught sight of a drop of oil. If someone kindly sends us meat, how can we refuse?"
Shangguan Jin immediately understood that Xiao Man had things under control and relaxed, though she did not let down her guard, constantly observing their surroundings.
In the distance, a man sat on a hillside, watching Xiao Man's group effortlessly dispatch the wolf pack. A sinister smile played on his lips.
"Truly a remarkable individual. No wonder you suffered a loss. The man looked down at Yan Chi, who stood sword in hand, silent. "But why is that girl, Du Gu Luo, with her?"
The man leaped down from the hillside and walked with Yan Chi. "That girl doesn't listen to just anyone. Moreover, Shangguan Jin treats her with extreme respect. I find something amiss. Shangguan Jin has always been arrogant; I've rarely seen anyone he treats with such deference."
The man spoke as he walked, while Yan Chi offered no reply, as if he were merely a shadow, devoid of his own thoughts or soul, like a walking corpse.
"Now that our resting spot at the Quicksand Pit is destroyed, they must take another route to get out. That route is much longer, and even those familiar with the area would find it difficult to navigate. Without sufficient water and dry rations, they won't make it out."
Yan Chi stopped, a hint of hesitation in his demeanor.
"Yan Chi, why have you stopped?" the man asked, confused as Yan Chi lagged behind.
The sword Yan Chi held in his arms was now in his hand. The man's expression shifted, and he tightened his grip on his long flute, thrusting it back, but it struck empty air. He immediately dodged behind Yan Chi.
"Who's there? Come out! What kind of skill is it to hide and show your head?"
A sword suddenly pierced the space between the two, aimed at Yan Chi. Yan Chi kicked the man away and used his sword to block the unseen attack. However, the opponent was extremely fast, landing a punch on Yan Chi's face, causing his head to turn to the side.
Yan Chi spat out a mouthful of blood, narrowed his eyes, and looked at his assailant before drawing his sword to engage in battle.
The man, who had been kicked away by Yan Chi, tried to escape, but a sword was placed at his throat. "Don't move, or don't blame me if my hand slips and I take your life."
The man glanced sideways at the speaker. "I wondered who it was. It's the Wuxiang Protector of Tianji Pavilion. Our Yaoyue Tower and your Tianji Pavilion have always minded their own business. Your actions seem to violate the code of the martial world."
"The code of the martial world?" Wuxiang sneered. "Does your Yaoyue Tower have any code? You are merely a gathering of petty thieves and scoundrels, doing nothing but clandestine deeds. And you dare speak of the martial world's code? You, of all people, are not worthy!"
The man gritted his teeth. "Your Tianji Pavilion has attacked our Yaoyue Tower repeatedly, even pursuing us to Xing Tang Road. Do you really think our Yaoyue Tower fears you?"
"I know your Yaoyue Tower doesn't fear us," Wuxiang said with a smile. "But do you fear the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry?"
The man's expression changed. "The Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry cannot be commanded by just anyone."
"Indeed, the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry cannot be commanded by just anyone, but there is precisely one person who can command them. Otherwise, why would you target Xiao Man?"
The man remained silent. They weren't targeting Xiao Man herself, but rather ensuring she followed their plan. However, Xiao Man was uncontrollable, deviating entirely from their intended path, which they could not permit!
"You want to control her, even going so far as to kill her father," Wuxiang said softly. "Do you truly take her for a fool?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Self-deception. Don't you truly understand why Xiao Man is trying her utmost to exterminate Yaoyue Tower?"
Yan Chi was bound and left on the ground. Nangong Yu looked down at him.
"After chasing you all this way, I've finally caught you," Nangong Yu said softly. "Come with me to see Xiao Man."
Yan Chi remained unmoved, not saying a word, lying on the ground like a salted fish, indifferent to whatever Nangong Yu said.
Nangong Yu didn't expect a response. He simply picked up Yan Chi and left. Wuxiang bound the other person and followed Nangong Yu to find Xiao Man.
Xiao Man was resting when she suddenly sensed a powerful aura. This aura felt very familiar, compelling her to rise and look in the direction she had come from.
Xiao Man hesitated for a moment before heading in the direction they had come from. "A Luo, you stay here."
Shangguan Jin saw this and immediately followed. The two stopped in the quicksand area. There had been a stepping stone in the quicksand area, which Xiao Man could have used her agility to cross. But without it, even with her exceptional martial arts, she couldn't traverse such a vast expanse of quicksand.
"It seems we'll have to take another route back to Xing Tang Road," Shangguan Jin said with concern. Even with Xiao Man's formidable abilities, without sufficient food and water in the desert, she wouldn't be able to leave safely.
Xiao Man frowned. This was the shortest route back to Xing Tang Road. The dry rations and water they had were insufficient to support them on a detour. They had no choice but to take this path. Otherwise, getting lost in the desert would lead to a dead end.
"Miss, let's go back first and discuss it," Shangguan Jin suggested. After all, desert nights were very cold. Even if Xiao Man's internal energy was profound and she wasn't afraid of the cold, walking alone in the desert at night could easily lead to getting lost.
Xiao Man looked across, feeling as if someone was there, but she couldn't discern if it was human. "A Jin, it looks like there's someone over there."
Shangguan Jin peered into the distance but saw no human figures. "Miss, didn't you say the sandstorm is raging outside and won't stop until tomorrow? How could anyone be here? Even if there were, they'd likely be involved with those who ambushed us."
Xiao Man understood in her heart that anyone appearing here at this time was unlikely to be an ally. Even Qin Xue and the others would wait for the sandstorm to subside before searching for them.
"Let's go." Xiao Man turned back. But after just two steps, the sound of air being rent apart came from behind her. An arrow shot towards Xiao Man's feet, with a rope tied to its tail. Xiao Man immediately grabbed the rope, found a secure spot, and used it to cross the quicksand.