"I think this clue has the greatest rit. Rogue cultivators are usually never united enough to run such a huge operation without leaving a clue behind.
"The cultivators that the rchant hired were not easy opponents by any ans. Kidnapping them all without leaving a big trace is quite the feat. And this further solidifies the theory of demonic cultivator criminals," Shen Kai said with a troubled expression.
"But even if it is true, there is no way to track them. We can only hope that the representatives from the sect can do it."
Han Xuhan, anwhile, was contemplating a rather complicated question.
Should he tell Shen Kai about Mu Ran’s hunch so that he could run before things go south Or should they stick together and have a face-off, if the situation really ca to that?
"Representative Xuhan and Representative Ran, we are very close to the hub of disappearances now. So far, seven disappearances have happened in the area right ahead. If there is anything you need to prepare, please do so."
Han Xuhan’s chain of thoughts was broken by Shen Kai’s sudden announcent.
Scanning the densely packed trees subrged in darkness, he felt intimidated. The forest looked especially creepy under the dying light of the sun.
There was a thin line between caution and cowardice, and he felt like they were about to cross that line now. So, without further ado, he silently opened his backpack.
He had collected so useful items during his one month of stay in the sect. First ca the armor parts he had won during the recruitnt ceremony—a flat backplate that would protect him from sudden ambush from behind, and a waist armor to guard little Xuhan and his two family jewels.
After he put these on in secret, he replaced his shoes with a mismatched new pair. These, he had gotten from a fellow disciple later, in exchange for the gauntlet won in that wager. These shoes had one unique attribute; a small burst of gravitational force that could be triggered by refined qi.
And lastly, he took out a folded glaive from his backpack. This actually belonged to Xiao Wu, a fanboy of weapon arts. It was the most expensive possession he owned. Han Xuhan had to spend a long ti convincing Xiao Wu to let him borrow it.
The three of them stuck close to each other and felt the last warmth of sunlight disappearing as dusk fell. Han Xuhan gripped the handle of the glaive on his back, feeling slightly more reassured.
And of course, he still had Zhanxian, the simpleton skeleton whose hobby was to contemplate the aning of life and get so sunlight on his bones for the daily vitamin D supply. As soon as he rembered the skeleton soldier, he ca up with an extra safety asure.
Quietly slowing down his walking speed, Han Xuhan stopped behind a massive tree where he would be temporarily hidden from prying eyes. Sitting here for a breath, he ran a shoddy cycle of refined qi through his ridians.
After a dozen seconds, the skeleton materialized from his back like a ghost. Its first reaction upon seeing the surroundings was to whimper imdiately.
Not wanting to alert Mu Ran and Shen Kai, Han Xuhan gestured at him wildly to shut him up and whispered,
"Soone might be following us. Hide here and move through the forest while keeping track of our movent. Follow us from a distance and keep an eye out in all four directions!"
’"Master, where is this?! So scary! I want to go back! Summon back!"
’"You’re an undead! What the hell are you scared of?"
’"I’m scared of the dark.’"
"Look at yourself, Zhanxian! You’re a grown-up adult. Why are you scared of the dark? The moonlight is enough to light the way here. We don’t even need a torch.’"
"Nope, ain’t doing it.’"
"Do you want to die with us here, slaughtered by demonic cultivators, killed without receiving a burial?’"
"I already got a burial once, probably...’"
"I’m going to dismantle you and divide your bones among my future soldiers!’’
After a long pause, Zhanxian finally agreed, with the added condition that Han Xuhan would give him so expensive resources needed for bone nourishnt.
"Of course, of course! You can expect a great reward for your behavior when we get back to the sect!" Han Xuhan spoke in a dented tone. Then he handed the skeleton a black robe from his bag.
"Now wear this. It’ll save both of our skin in an ergency."
"Han Xuhan, why are you walking so slowly? Do you want to be the first to die?"
Hearing Mu Ran’s shout from ahead, he hurried to catch up with the other two.
Soon, they entered the ’danger zone’ and slowly scoured every inch of that area while maintaining the highest vigilance. Unfortunately, neither of them found any clue.
They had made so preparations before leaving the sect, researching a bit about the signature signs of deadly spells and evil rituals. But none of that sort could be found here. The signs of battle also provided nothing to their unskilled examination.
"Did we scare them off? Perhaps they saw and recognized a force that they couldn’t ss with..."
Hearing Mu Ran’s narcissistic mutterings, Shen Kai frowned for a second, but quickly hid his displeasure.
"There is nothing here. Maybe we should explore further and check the other spots of disappearances around this area. Best to do it tomorrow..." Han Xuhan suggested nervously.
But Mu Ran suddenly stopped walking and looked back at Xuhan with a surprised expression.
"Did you discover sothing, representative Mu Ran?" Shen Kai asked eagerly. Mu Ran nodded.
"I have an idea. If sobody is observing us, then they’re definitely waiting for a suitable opportunity to attack. Why don’t we create one?"
"Observing us? What do you an?"
Shen Kai looked stunned and suddenly looked around fearfully.
"Don’t worry, little Kai. Whoever it is, I’ll be able to at least hold them off. I might even capture them if they’re not too powerful. You two just wait while I separate from the group and pretend to be busy answering the call of nature."
Mu Ran instructed them to stay put and vanished in the dark before Han Xuhan could manage to protest. Within seconds, the noise of his footsteps disappeared.
Suddenly feeling that he was very defenseless at this mont, Han Xuhan turned to look at Shen Kai, only to see him staring back at Xuhan with an equally scared expression.
In the silent Woods, Han Xuhan and Shen Kai raised their vigilance to the extre and stopped making any unnecessary movent.
A few minutes passed.
Han Xuhan felt that Mu Ran was taking a bit too long with his "pretentious pissing" around in the woods. If anyone was observing him, they would realize that sothing was off.
How long does one need to pee? Does he have urinary incontinence?
"Representative Xuhan, representative Ran is overdoing it a bit, isn’t he? It’s been more than ten minutes."
"...Let’s wait a bit more before we make any rash moves, brother Shen Kai."
The two of them could wait no longer after five more excruciating minutes had passed. They decided to move in the direction where Mu Ran had disappeared.
Suddenly, a familiar voice shouted from within the dark woods ahead.
"Underling Xuhan, little Kai, co quickly! I found an underground entrance here while peeing!"
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