Within the broad chamber, Xiao Yan and his companions sat, while the rest of the Iron desert mercenaries busied themselves cleaning the heavily damaged headquarters. Occasionally, a mercenary passed by the parlor, casting reverent glances toward the youthful lad sitting by the table, lightly sipping tea with a warm, inviting smile. The initial apprehension over Xiao Yan’s ruthless actions gradually dissipated among the group, for the lives of mercenaries teetering on the edge of death had granted them nerves tougher than most, and besides, Muran was an enemy of the Iron漠 mercenaries, garnering no sympathy from them. If Xiao Yan had not reached them in time, Muran would show no restraint in slaughtering their kin. Cradling a warm teacup, Xiao Yan cast his gaze outdoors at the bustling figures. Beside him resided Haibodong, his expression as frigid as ever; this former Ice Emperor displayed no additional gentled visage despite the familial connection binding Xiaoding with Xiao Yan.
“Master Haibodong is a friend of mine and while one may say his temperament carries its own peculiarities, he is, without doubt, a formidable individual.” Observing Haibodong’s sustained silence, Xiao Yan shrugged and smiled wryly at Xiaoding and Xiaoling beside him.
Xiaoding nodded smilingly, glancing sideways at this elderly figure with a slight tremor in perception indicating the existence of a terrifying might dormant beneath Haibodong’s emaciated frame.
“Hmph, a master will obviously carry his own peculiarities. Otherwise, how would we recognize him as truly strong?”
Xiao Yan returned his companion’s grin while querying of Xiailing’s condition before proceeding to narrow his eyes in thought and ask: “Now, tell me everything from the beginning. Why did the Desert Mercenaries summon so many masters from within its ranks unexpectedly? Also, could you clarify Qinglin’s strange occurrence?”
Xiaoding’s laughter faltered slightly into a troubled exhalation before pausing to compose his words carefully, finally answering:
“Little Qinglin, she didn’t return a half-month following her last outing. After investigation, it appeared that her disappearance coincided with a skirmish evidenced at that site—an assortment of blood-streaked serpentine scales littered around that could have only come from Qinglin’s dual-headed fire serpent.”
“If one could subdue and capture an entity that powerful, I’d assume he or she ranks at least as a Douling master.” Xiao Yan tapped the table contemplatively; knitting deeper lines in his brow, he mumbled skeptically. “Nevertheless! Why should someone assail a little girl such as Qinglin, even if they were Douling? Would they stoop so low?”
“This still remains obscure to us,” Xiaoding shook his head, the narrative unfurling further:
“The day following Qinglin’s capture, the Desert Mercenaries suddenly embarked upon an offensive to seize dominance over the rest of our city. Their power surpasses all small factions save a few in this stony wilderness—consequently in fewer than five days, other forces within Desert’s grip vanished.”
“When that realization finally struck home, those of sturdier factions sought an armament union to resist the Desert, calculating our forces capable to rival their ranks even with their Dou Master Lou Bo. However, a sudden emergence of additional Dou Masters within the Desert soon shifted the balance. Given loose constraints binding an otherwise ad hoc alliance, in absence of central guidance and amidst confusion—we saw one guild utterly annihilated. Another surrendered in abject fear. Remaining one struck a truce through generous financial concessions, eventually electing for retreat.”
“As you understand the unbreakable fragment, we were last on their schedule. So came about tonight’s developments, and if you had arrived later, we could’ve faced oblivion, too.” Xiaoding heaved sorrowed breath at this reflection, yet not missing time for the narrative’s continuation.
“Do you have a suspicion of this fresh talent joining Desert?” The young master traced teacup warmth with slow fingers, probing gently.
“We can neither verify nor dismiss that possibility.” Xiaoding admitted with hesitative nod, moments ticking off, before tentatively advancing:
“It seems there’s an underlying interlaced logic—could their coinciding emergence correlate with Qinglin’s vanishing?”
“The fire worm was obscure to many hands…how did they strike directly at her? Unless…”
As if an intuitive strike, Xiao Yan arrested fingertip motion, reflecting:
“Ah…was there any correlation with her Bi Snake Tri-Designated Eyes?”
“We can’t deduce that ourselves,” Xiaoding exchanged glances with Xiaoling in shared perplexity, shaking off frustration.
“Well then, Lou Bo likely possesses such insight—mightn’t we approach him? I’d love discovering this source of courage!” Adjusting posture slightly for focus clarity, smiles dancing at mouth edges.
“Would that perhaps gather support first? They possess considerable numerical superiority after all…” Xiaoding considered prudently his plan before querying further of Xiao Yan.
“You choose.” Unphased response from Xiao Yan who, then rising gradually approached his chamber’s egress but paused momentarily.
“Master Haibodong, might you accompany us?” he turned addressing his elder companion still seated near by.
“Minding my idleness, I may as well witness the chaos firsthand—though bear in mind; my assistance commands a rather exorbitant price.” Came the light, yet cold delivery Haiboding’s expression remained imperturbed.
A confirming smile exchanged and both departed hall’s threshold—close on Xiao Yin’s footsteps, followed in swift order, with Haiboding’s languid pace shadowing Xiao and soon Xiaoding and Xiaoling rallying fifty plus sturdy comrades. Thusly a force marched, ominously charged forth towards their enemies’ domain, their path carving a bloodstained reputation across desert lanes.
Onlookers lining roadside hastily cleared their pathways for the sudden burst of grim, wrath-dripping mercenary squad. Curious onlookers whispered low rumors of intrigue as eyes widened:
“Why are those漠 iron boys daring to emerge again all at once? Fear no longer resides in Desert’s gaze they hold?”
“Huh. I heard someone muttering from Desert side; they claim defeat today and that Dou Master was executed by these iron boys, too! Now, those bold fellows chase back revenge.” Said someone, his tone dripping with awe while pointing:
“That youth leading? Name ‘Little Muran’, mind-blowing sight, wasn’t it indeed him, witnessed by so many, executing that Muran?”
“How—how can that even be? The lad looks barely old enough to shave! How did he best a Dou master?” Around such words disbelief reigned.
“Pfft, behold and watch closely my lad. I predict an overdue downfall looming on Desert’s side for such arrogant behavior of late.” That chatter-horse added gleefully—thus prophecying the unfolding spectacle through eyes set expectantly ahead.
Crossing the city’s many thoroughfares amidst a sea of watching gazes; eventually after dozen-plus minute strides, emerged into their vision Desert Mercenary stronghold—uninviting, fortress-like defenses bristled in impenetable armor. At the sight of the grim spectacle ahead, its sentry squads sprang into motion posthaste, armed blades drawn at every turn—their expressions rigid with dread, especially given the massive contingent sight of distant foes.
From the mass clustered about entrance armed yet visibly shaken hands, eyes locked nervously upon those newly-arrived rivals; messengers scurried in to relay this alarming situation within moments.
Observing from atop this grim display at his destination, Xiao Yan’s crew gradually drew to a halt. A frail figure among their opposing line, puff-laden lungs mustered what he could of bravado: “This marks Desert territory; what business have you all here?”
From among the shadows emerged Xiao Yan’s response coolly—pampering nails absently before meeting stare—”Ask Robo come out to chat.”
All fell hushed for a heartbeat.
Whispers of past horrors conveyed how such smiles concealed the slayer of one great muran in truly horrid fate.
Eventually conceding with dry chuckle Xiao Yan resumed: “Seems it’s on us to locate him instead.”
With that single advance forward, audible steps crunched under boots. Immediately all present gasped, stumbled clumsily back several meters. Laughter stirred at such clumsy display, further heightening irony.
“CAPTAIN’S ORDERS—kill the lot at expense however costly—dead the ebony fellow here, fifty-thousand coins await bounty seekers!” Suddenly resounded command booming from within. Such financial promises rekindled fading morale.
Perk evident now on these faces; the previous traces of terror were fast eroded and greed replaced it. Feeling their sudden resolve shifting inward, he shook his head slightly. Refraining further explanations, he halted anxious hands from rising from his comrades behind—then pressed forward again, one footfall.
One mercenary first succumbed to greed. Blade gripped hard; his expression twisted hideously while bursting forwards to attack! This action was the final inciting incident. Soon afterwards, wave of armed mercenaries roared, weapons raised and charged headlong against our young hero!
Yet even in face of the human wave descending toward him—the lad stood unfazed. Calmly he drew breath then unleashed arms wide in grand outward motion and—”BREATH TO BLOW FIRE!”
The force erupted violently—sudden and ruthless as if bearing strength needed to crush stone slabs in single blow. The concussive force struck those front ranks square within chests, sending most crumpingly reeling and vomiting blood all too rapidly; crimson sprays painting a veritable bloodstorm over courtyard’s dust.
A soft tap off his hands indicated success.
He regarded vacated gate entry way with idle amusement glancing back only casually at shocked onlookers: “Shall we continue forward?”
With that, he entered courtyard grounds in leisure stroll—utterly unfazed, swagger in every confident stride, reminiscent of someone passing into personal property.
Those gathered exchanged blank expressions, uncertain—yet none daring dispute his single-strike effectiveness.
“Man truly does seem abnormal,” lament grumbled softly from Xiaoling, echoing all gathered mind.
A mutual sigh between Xiaoding and Xiaoling. Shrugging, they resumed in following suit.
In a truism, it did be correct to label Desert gang mightiest faction within Sandmarch City—merely a few steps within the premises already yielded dozens brandishing sharpened metal encircling entrance.
Their presence lacked that cold professional bite Iron’s held; still, such numbers alone inspired apprehensive wariness.
Regardless of barricade, Xiao Yan walked on unbroken pace.
Arms swayed in wide motion outward and the air rippled ominously; a second afterward, an overwhelming current surged forth—cracking like tidal wave striking coastal fort. Before such raw display—all beneath Five-Star Dou Warrior capacity found themselves immediately sent tumbling with coughs of blood erupting from lungs mid-motion. Only the higher ranking managed any sort of resistance, although barely staving off the force, their prideous endurance was cut short.
The next instant summoned ghostly presence before them—and those hardened by past trials were met unawares. Slender appearing fists flaying into contact with precision, each connection rendering recipient unconscious instantly.
Winding along corridors past writhing bodies crying out amidst pain—he paused reflectively.
This was once again demonstration of superior tier technique’s ferocity.
Previously when practicing ‘Blazing Breath,’ five consecutive attacks would sap his entire energy reserves dry without further strength for continued assault—this time; however, he found玄阶 ability sustaining his movements easily, the improvement between was vast beyond expression.
Unrelentingly, the wave of aggression pressed into mercenary bodies left and right like falling autumn’s leaves.
Xiao Yan’s shadowy figure flitted between clusters with lethal grace. Each swing, each dash caused blood to fountain into air like some grim firework. Behind followed Xiaoding and crew dumbfounded. Since their entering they hadn’t thrown a single strike themselves. The energy Xiao maintained astounded, leaving many in sympathy thinking—“How could one person even dare deplete one’s Dou Qi in such extravagant display!”
Stepping over unconscious foes littering his course he scanned surrounding devastation and murmured:
“Perhaps the lone man can bring this Desert entire under his feet after all.”
Within the hall where silence was palpable with uneasily moving shadows, some fifty plus individuals fretfully circulated. Outside moans of pain echoed ominously. Their expressions soured as tension thickened the hall like a fog.
Upon the hall’s main throne sat Robo pale in face, grip on his teacup wavering dangerously. His eyes flicked about the interior before resting with disdainful glare upon certain few standing nearby who wore no clan emblem of Desert—lacking the crest denoting affiliation.
“I previously warned you,” Robo vented venomously,” saying the Iron Gang’s brothers, Xiaoling and Xiaoding harbor fearsome sibling. Yet you persisted in destruction! And look now, he returns vengeance upon your hands! Can anyone suggest method to counter?”
“Robo Captain, there’s no extreme cause for alarm,” came reassurances from broad-shouldered elder seated before others. His robes hinted aristocracy, yet bearing none marked Desert allegiance.
“His strength’s imposing. But observing his clash against Muran Elder, our deductions were conclusive—you claim he may rival Dou King but likely a level not beyond Two Star or Three Star Doutashi—perhaps injury was inflicted at climax? Robo Captain, you yourself carry capability nearing Four-Star, what trepidation does that justify?”
“Besides, should resistance last even momentarily, a message will be dispatched and in turn our Clan’s Chief Elders shall arrive shortly, and against his full potential as a Dou Master—what child’s folly must he fear?”
“I remain uncertain whether concealed prowess was displayed previously while Muran clashed,” Robo grumbled sullenly, “Nevertheless—recapitulating how he sneaked mysteriously before upon my quarters that night—no matter even average Dou Masters would match his speed—no mere coincidence there.”
“So did confrontation begin on that encounter?” Interlocution from fellow conspirator hinted mirth.
“He didn’t,” Robo replied tersely.
“Hmph, then I posit this: speed alone rarely determines outcome; mayhap his sole edge is rapid movement.”
Somewhere inside hesitation wavered.
His mind revisiting recollections—youthful looks versus age’s experienced battle-harnessing wisdom.
“Come now! At this rate,” Robo’s face hardened. He spat out forcefully with renewed ferocity.
“Very well! I dare him to show his mettle this evening—I wager even a single individual may overwhelm this group?”
Inside the enclosed hall with morale lifting somewhat, expressions loosened up again with relief. In that moment if their leader could muster spirit again—it was possible they could stave total collapse after all.
**CRACK!
Suddenly interrupting that fragile comfort: **The mighty thud of massive doors splintering under forceful assault, flying inward.
From flying shards slowly filtering through dim room, one dark-robed solitary figure revealed.
“A pleasure keeping hide’n seek with us, gentlemen.” A faint wisp, filled equally of mocking, and mystery danced past threshold of consciousness.
“Xiao Yan.” Came the shared collective whisper from the gathered figures within—floodwaters of fear returning anew.
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