About an hour later, the sound of whistling could once again be heard from behind.
The four immediately surrounded Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao in the center, their expressions tense and vigilant.
"Hundred Battle Peak of the Taiqing Sect, may I ask who is below?" A rough male voice echoed in the night.
Hearing the familiar voice, the four True Inheritor disciples finally breathed a long sigh of relief and quickly called out joyfully, "Brother Feng, disciples of the Golden Sun Peak are here!"
[Heart Mirror Points +9]
[Heart Mirror Points +9]
Zhou Qing only felt the murmuring all around him, coupled with the system’s prompt sounds continuously ringing.
When he confusedly opened his eyes, he found people everywhere were talking softly.
There were more than a hundred Golden Core Realm True Inheritor disciples, and not far away, he saw Li Daoxuan and others gathered together, their expressions grave, discussing something unknown.
On another side, dozens of people were tied up with ropes, cloth stuffed in their mouths, lying unconscious in a heap.
One of them was covered in blood, with an arm missing; who else could it be but Yin Xiao.
Seeing this scene, Zhou Qing smiled.
All has finally settled down for now.
"Brother Zhou, you’re awake?" Upon seeing Zhou Qing open his eyes, one of the True Inheritor disciples quickly said.
Hearing the sound, Yan Xiaohu, who was originally discussing matters, ran over immediately, his face full of concern, "Fourth Brother, are you alright? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Looking at the remark above Yan Xiaohu’s head which used to be [A Little Junior Brother Even More Fierce Than a Dog], Zhou Qing saw that it had now become [The Junior Brother of Desperate Fourth Lang] and managed a forced smile.
"Third Brother, it’s nothing serious, just my whole body aches."
Yan Xiaohu laughed, "Of course it hurts, do you even know how many bones are broken in your body? You two are really something, daring to confront a Golden Core Realm expert who has reached Perfection head-on, truly reckless."
Zhou Qing chuckled, which quickly caused him to cough painfully.
Yan Xiaohu quickly patted his back gently.
"What about Junior Sister Lu?" Zhou Qing suddenly remembered something and asked hurriedly.
Yan Xiaohu pointed to the nearby tent, "She’s fine now, she’ll probably wake up soon. Also, here’s this—"
Yan Xiaohu waved to a True Inheritor disciple not far away, who quickly brought over the old hen.
"Junior Sister Lu tied it with Senior Sister Shi Zhen and hid them in a pit, covering them with branches, quite well hidden. It took us a long time to find them, but Senior Sister Shi Zhen is also fine now." Yan Xiaohu said.
At this moment, Li Daoxuan also walked over, his expression complex as he looked at Zhou Qing.
The remark above his head, once [A Lecher with a Keen Sense of Smell], had now become [A Lecher Worthy of Respect].
Big Brother, this time I really faced life and death, yet in your heart, the impression of [Lecher] still lingers?
"Rest up quickly, we need to make an urgent retreat soon!" Li Daoxuan still kept a stern face, turned around, and left after speaking.
Yan Xiaohu snorted, "Ignore him, just that personality. But he’s right, we need to retreat immediately. We’ve also contacted the sect; they’re coming as fast as they can."
Zhou Qing nodded affirmatively, finally noticing the many wounds on Yan Xiaohu’s body.
"Third Brother, you—"
"Oh, nothing major. Do you know what this is? Merit! Also, some of the blood I deliberately smeared on, so when the sect arrives and sees us so battle-worn, they’ll feel sympathy and praise."
"By then, getting compensation will be much easier, and maybe we can even get some good pills." Yan Xiaohu grinned smugly.
Zhou Qing couldn’t help but smile bitterly, you really seize every opportunity.
Yan Xiaohu continued, "By the way, Master is also here. Didn’t he always disdain us for embarrassing him? This time, at least, we’ve brought him some honor. Don’t change your clothes, let the injuries heal slowly, you know."
"Got it, got it!" Zhou Qing nodded repeatedly.
[Heart Mirror Points +9]
Just then, the system prompt sounded again.
Soon after, Senior Sister Shi Zhen, pale-faced, was helped over.
The remark above her head also changed, from [Junior Brother Zhou with Worsening Sleepwalking] to [Junior Brother Zhou Who Never Abandons].
Seeing this, Zhou Qing immediately looked at Li Daoxuan’s departing figure.
See, this is called having a broader outlook.
Old lech, I didn’t even peek at you bathing.
"Junior Brother Zhou, thank you so much this time!" Shi Zhen pushed away the support and bowed to Zhou Qing.
Zhou Qing staggered up to help, but the pain made him grimace.
Yan Xiaohu beside him just laughed foolishly.
Zhou Qing hurriedly said, "Senior Sister Shi, please get up quickly, there’s no need for this between us."
Shi Zhen slowly got up, seeing Zhou Qing’s blood-soaked figure; her guilt deepened.
In the dark, if it weren’t for Junior Brother Zhou’s sharp eyes recognizing her first, she would have already fled in the opposite direction.
Then, exhausted and unconscious, caught by the Cangyan Daoist Palace people, who would use the token to send a message. By then, the entire Taiqing Sect search party would likely face annihilation.
It is to say, Zhou Qing saved everyone.
Especially facing a Golden Core Realm expert at Perfection, he fought to the death without retreating, giving her and Lu Yaoyao a chance to escape.
Such a person, yet misunderstood as a peeping tom; what were those people thinking?
When she returns, she must find a cure for sleepwalking and help Junior Brother Zhou get rid of that affliction.
"Alright, I won’t be polite then. My gratitude is deep, and I will remember it, Senior Sister!" Shi Zhen said.
Zhou Qing laughed, "Just treat me to a meal at Jade Dining Hall when we get back."
Shi Zhen nodded repeatedly, "It’s a deal."
"And me!" Hearing about a meal at Jade Dining Hall, Yan Xiaohu hurriedly raised his hand.
Seeing the eating aficionado, Shi Zhen and Zhou Qing exchanged glances and couldn’t help but laugh together.
"Junior brothers, if you’ve rested enough, let’s quickly evacuate and meet up with the sect!"
Soon after, Li Daoxuan gave the order, and everyone quickly packed up and retreated outward.
As they withdrew, their other teams also joined them.
Despite the tragedy, only one from Yuqing Peak survived, while the rest safely arrived.
Three hours later, the space in front suddenly began to twist, and a space ship bearing the Taiqing Sect flag emerged.
Cao Zhengyang, the Sect Leader of the Taiqing Sect, led six Peak Masters and three Supreme Elders personally to the rescue.
Seeing Tong Min, the Peak Master of Yuqing Peak, Shi Zhen could no longer hold back and burst into tears.
Tong Min quickly came over, looking at Shi Zhen with a heartache, her hands trembling, and then gently hugged her.
"It’s okay, it’s okay—"
Shi Zhen sobbed, "It’s all my fault, I couldn’t save Senior Sister Bai Xi, and the other junior brothers and sisters, they, they..."
"I know, I know, it’s not your fault, rest assured, I will personally seek revenge for this blood debt!"
Tong Min’s voice was cold, showing unprecedented murderous intent.
Sect Leader Cao Zhengyang, after a brief greeting, quickly went to check on Lu Yaoyao.
Master Mo Xingjian was also swiftly searching for Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu among the crowd.
Seeing the two in a weakened state, covered in blood, he hurried over...