"Yaotiao!"
"Yaotiao!"
"Yaotiao!"
In the valley, Lu Chen’s cries echoed continuously, mingling with the echoes that spread far into the distance, startling countless sleeping birds in the mountains.
But there was no one in sight at the bottom of the valley, no one responded.
Only some huge rocks by the stream might be hiding someone.
Lu Chen gripped the long spear tightly in his hand and quickly ran toward the edge of the stream, fearing that Qin Yaotiao had fainted.
A moment later, the sound of the flowing stream reached Lu Chen’s ears as he carefully searched each corner.
But suddenly, two shadows sprung out from behind a large rock, blocking Lu Chen’s way with a pincer attack!
In their hands shone bright long knives, radiating a cold light under the moon.
"Kid, she’s with us. If you want her safe, bring money to exchange for her!"
Lu Chen was startled at first, then he breathed a sigh of relief.
It turned out to be two robbers, which meant Yaotiao was unharmed.
But...
Anyone who dared to lay a finger on Qin Yaotiao must die!
Lu Chen stared intently ahead and said in a cold voice, "Money is easy, but I need to see her unharmed first!"
"Of course, she’s unharmed. But do you have any other choice?"
The martial artist behind him spoke up, "We want not only the money but also that long spear in your hand!"
They came for the spear?
Lu Chen’s eyebrows knitted together. The Heavenly Inquiry Spear was refined from a simple fire poker, its original appearance hadn’t changed and it looked very antique, not at all like something valuable.
Even though it had been lengthened a bit, the blacksmith’s craftsmanship was very meticulous, and the added part was aged as well, so the whole body of the spear looked uniform in color.
How could they tell this spear had cost a fortune?
"Alright, I’ll give you the spear too."
Lu Chen kept his expression unchanged, thinking to himself to first stabilize the two before making a move.
From their aura, they appeared to be just martial artists of the Flesh Refinement Realm.
Below his pupils, he recognized their figures as vaguely familiar.
After a brief thought, he guessed that these two must be the bearers from Ten Thousand Demon Mountain who had made unsavory remarks!
However, on reflection, he had been extremely cautious on his journey and had not noticed anyone trailing him.
There was only one possibility: these men were very familiar with Ten Thousand Demon Mountain and had taken a different path to find this place...
Lu Chen secretly calculated in his heart and said, "I’ll give you the money first, then you let me see Yaotiao to confirm she’s unharmed. After that, I’ll give you the spear. Otherwise, I can’t be at ease!"
The martial artist behind him said, "Big brother, this kid makes some sense!"
"Fine, then I’ll let you see her. We’re only after the money, we don’t want to cause any loss of life!"
The big brother nodded and said, "Stand still and don’t move, or if I mistakenly think you’re trying to resist, then don’t blame me for being impolite! If you fight, you’ll lose your life needlessly, and in the end, the money and the spear will still be ours!"
"And furthermore... your little missy will also be ours!"
With that said, the big brother turned and walked behind a large rock.
Little did he know that this last remark would bring him fatal disaster!
Lu Chen had initially only planned to mete out a small punishment and then ask them for information about Ten Thousand Demon Mountain.
Although he had traversed Ten Thousand Demon Mountain before, he always passed through hastily, and certainly didn’t know the place as well as these two did.
But he hadn’t expected that the martial artist would covet Yaotiao!
Seizing the moment while the adversary turned, Lu Chen, who was bursting with spiritual power, stepped forward without hesitation and executed a spear technique!
Spear Strikes Like a Dragon!
To deal with a martial artist of the Flesh Refinement Realm, there was actually no need for a sneak attack!
But having personally experienced overcoming stronger adversaries, Lu Chen knew not to take anyone lightly.
He put all his strength into this spear thrust!
Besides aiming to kill the martial artist, he wanted to intimidate the one behind him!
Thwack!
The Heavenly Inquiry Spear pierced right through the martial artist!
He didn’t even have time to utter a scream before he started bleeding profusely!
"Big brother!"
The martial artist behind didn’t expect Lu Chen to act as soon as he spoke. With no elemental power present within him, he was still capable of delivering a lethal thrust!
How could he see so clearly in the pitch-black night?
He cried out in alarm but was hit by a sudden gust, unable to react before a heavy blow struck his neck, and then he lost consciousness.
Lu Chen poked him with the butt of his spear, and after confirming he wasn’t faking it, he hurried to check and found a sack with someone inside.
Who else could it be but Qin Yaotiao?
"Yaotiao, Yaotiao?"
Lu Chen untied the sack and released Qin Yaotiao, immediately untying her clothes.
Her back wound had not reopened, indicating that Qin Yaotiao hadn’t struggled.
It seemed these men had captured Qin Yaotiao and had probably used some sort of sleeping drug to knock her out.
Lu Chen took a long sigh of relief, threw the big brother into the stream to avoid attracting beasts with the blood, and then put the living martial artist into the sack.
Turning the tables, he let them taste the experience of being bagged!
Afterward, he carried Qin Yaotiao on his back, dragging the sack, and returned to the cave.
Lighting a bonfire, Lu Chen blocked the entrance of the cave once more, then he sat quietly, waiting for them to wake up.