On the black-clad warriors’ chests, there was a fierce tiger head pattern, baring its fangs and claws. Just one look at it would make one’s heart tremble greatly. Moreover, an obvious blood-soaked aura surrounded these black-clad warriors, their hands stained with many lives.
"This is bad, it’s the bandits of Tiger Head Mountain!"
The martial artist in plain clothes beside Chu Ming said, trembling, his face pale with fear and his eyes filled with terror.
"Tiger Head Mountain?"
Chu Ming asked doubtfully, scanning the other members of the trade team and noticing that their faces didn’t look good. Even the steward of the trade team, a martial artist at the True Dao Seventh Layer, had his expression turn ugly.
"Tiger Head Mountain is the mountain peak behind these two peaks. There’s a group of bandits there, extremely fierce. Any trade team passing by must hand over some spirit stones to be allowed through."
Seeing Chu Ming’s confusion, the martial artist beside him explained. While they spoke, the black-clad warriors had already charged forward, completely surrounding the trade team. The warriors in the trade team held their weapons and faced off against them, stepping lightly.
"May I know which leader is coming forward?"
Lin An, the steward of the Lin Family, stepped out from the trade team and shouted towards the black-clad bandits, his tone neither humble nor arrogant. Although the bandits of Tiger Head Mountain were fierce, he was no weakling either, at least being a martial artist at the True Dao Seventh Layer. In a hard fight, no one would get the better of it.
"I’m sure you’ve heard of my name."
A leisurely voice came from behind the black-clad bandits. Subsequently, the bandits in front retreated one after another, as a man in red robes slowly walked out from the back. His face was pale and weak, his body flimsy, with a red dot between his brows, his fingers slender, rivaling those of a woman. The man’s expression was a blend of amusement and evil charm.
"The Yin-yang person, Xue Wuhai?!"
Lin An’s face turned pale, a trace of horror flashed in his eyes. If there was a leader among the bandits of Tiger Head Mountain that he most dreaded encountering, it undoubtedly was Xue Wuhai.
The other leaders among the bandits at least adhered to some morality; they would let you go after you handed over spirit stones. But Xue Wuhai was different. According to rumors in Jianghu, Xue Wuhai was once an extraordinary genius in a demonic organization, but for some unknown reason, he left the demonic organization and became a bandit.
Because of his past as a demon dao member, Xue Wuhai had an eccentric personality. He killed without any reason, and if someone displeased him, that person might become a corpse in the next moment. There were many cases where people handed over spirit stones but were still slaughtered by Xue Wuhai.
Lin An’s voice wasn’t low, and Chu Ming heard it. He glanced at Xue Wuhai and noticed that although Xue Wuhai’s cultivation was merely at the True Dao Third Layer, the blood threads around him subtly enhanced his strength. Besides, the spiritual power in Xue Wuhai’s body was extremely strong and vast, surpassing even Lin An.
"Xue Wuhai has cultivated a demon technique that requires absorbing the essence blood of women to advance. The more women he absorbs, the stronger the demon technique becomes. However, as the demon technique advances, his male characteristics gradually disappear, hence he is called the Yin-yang person."
The martial artist beside him introduced in a low voice, his words filled with fear towards Xue Wuhai.
Chu Ming nodded slightly. Generally, demon techniques advance quickly, but their methods are extremely cruel, just like Xue Wuhai, absorbing women’s essence blood. For martial artists, essence blood is equivalent to their lifespan; without essence blood, death is near.
"I’m in a good mood today. Hand over three hundred thousand lower grade spirit stones, and I’ll let you leave."
Xue Wuhai stood at the forefront of the bandits, speaking indifferently, his eyes filled with contempt towards Lin An.
Lin An slightly breathed a sigh of relief. Although three hundred thousand lower grade spirit stones was not a small amount, they could still gather it if they tried. As for the contempt, he directly ignored it. For martial artists, survival was the most important.
Just as Lin An was about to take spirit stones from his storage ring, a black-clad bandit ran out from among the bandits, whispered something in Xue Wuhai’s ear, making Xue Wuhai frown, then relax.
After that black-clad bandit finished speaking and turned away, Xue Wuhai stopped Lin An from handing over the lower grade spirit stones and said indifferently:
"I’ve heard that the second miss of your Lin family is in the trade team. If you hand her over, the three hundred thousand lower grade spirit stones can be waived."
As soon as his words fell, the trade team fell dead silent, and many people’s faces showed signs of hesitation.
"Steward Lin An, perhaps we should..."
One of the guards in the trade team spoke hesitantly, his gaze slightly evasive.
Before he could finish, the steward Lin An rebuked him angrily.
However, while he could admonish one person, he couldn’t control the entire trade team’s hundred-plus people. After that person fell silent, many guards began clamoring to hand over Lin Yue’Er.
At this moment, the coldness of human nature became fully evident. The guards who usually treated Lin Yue’Er with utmost respect now prioritized their own lives when faced with danger.
At this moment, Lin Yue’Er lay shivering in the carriage, her face pale, eyes full of terror. She had heard many rumors about Xue Wuhai; it was said that few women captured by him ever returned alive.
Listening to the guards outside, Lin Yue’Er’s face turned ashen, with a sorrowful smile.
"Your nickname is the Yin-yang person?"
Amidst the guards’ heated discussion, a cold voice rang out, instantly overshadowing all other sounds. The reverberation of the voice even caused the dense forest on both sides of the mountain road to sway continuously.
The scene fell into silence instantly, and everyone’s eyes turned to see who dared to confront Xue Wuhai at this moment.
A young man in white slowly walked out from the crowd, his face calm like water, his gaze sharp as sword aura, piercing everyone’s eyes painfully.
The martial artist beside Chu Ming tried to call him back, but Chu Ming had already stepped out of the trade team, facing the bandits of Tiger Head Mountain. He opened his mouth, but swallowed his words.
"You haven’t heard of my nickname?"
Xue Wuhai’s face showed a look of interest, eyes filled with a half-smile.
Chu Ming said indifferently.
"No wonder you dare to come forward, turns out you’re a rash youth!"
Xue Wuhai gently stroked his palm.
"I don’t care about your nickname; leave now, or I’ll have to make you a dead man!"
Chu Ming’s words were resounding, leaving the bandits of Tiger Head Mountain and the guards of the trade team stunned. They all thought their ears were playing tricks on them, as Chu Ming’s words ended with making Xue Wuhai a dead man.