“Are you done yet?” The moment Han Li emerged from the room, Li Feiyu immediately urged him impatiently.
Han Li shot him an annoyed glare, then walked over to a smaller room. Standing before the tightly shut door, he said coldly, “Qu Hun, come out. I need you tonight.”
Before his words faded, with a loud “bang!”, the wooden door was shattered to pieces as if it were made of paper. Amid the flying splinters, a massive figure slowly stepped out.
Li Feiyu stared wide-eyed, stunned by the towering man before him who exuded a demonic aura yet wore a hood that concealed his face.
The giant man silently moved behind Han Li.
“Let’s go,” Han Li said with a smile, now taking his turn to urge the dazed Li Feiyu.
“Oh!” Li Feiyu finally snapped out of his stupor.
He gave Han Li and the giant man a strange look, then pressed his lips together and wordlessly led the way out of the valley.
Han Li watched Li Feiyu’s retreating figure and smiled faintly before quickening his pace to catch up. The giant Qu Hun followed closely behind him, never leaving his side.
Han Li was quite pleased with Li Feiyu’s tact. It was precisely because they respected each other’s privacy that they had formed such a close friendship.
They moved swiftly and soon reached the edge of the valley. Just as Li Feiyu was about to step into the woods, Han Li suddenly reached out with his right hand, gripping his shoulder to stop him.
“What is it?” Li Feiyu asked, puzzled and slightly annoyed. After all, he was in a hurry.
“Someone’s coming, and it’s more than one person,” Han Li said calmly.
Li Feiyu was surprised and immediately strained to listen. After a long while, he still heard nothing. He glanced at Han Li with a questioning look, but the latter remained composed and offered no explanation.
“You—” Li Feiyu started to speak, but Han Li suddenly raised a finger to his lips, signaling him to be silent.
Frowning, Li Feiyu reluctantly but habitually obeyed and fell silent.
Not long after, Li Feiyu’s expression turned serious. He turned to Han Li in astonishment, finally hearing the sound of numerous footsteps approaching from outside the valley. There really were many people.
“Enforcer Sun! There’s a large bell and a small path by these woods. It seems this is the Divine Hand Valley the Deputy Commandant mentioned,” a rough voice came from the other side of the woods.
“Hmm, according to the map and this bell, this is indeed the place. Remember this well: the Commandant has given strict orders to capture the valley’s divine doctor alive. No one is to harm him, or they’ll face punishment under the sect rules. Understood?” another voice, sharp like a rooster’s crow, commanded.
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
…
A series of acknowledgments followed, and from the voices, it was clear there were over a dozen people, all with strong, vigorous tones, suggesting they were skilled martial artists.
“Aside from one Enforcer in blue, the rest are elite Wolf Gang members. A Blue Enforcer is equivalent to a Protector in our sect, and the elite members are like our inner hall disciples,” Li Feiyu whispered, leaning close to Han Li to explain.
Knowing his friend never paid attention to their sect’s rivals, Li Feiyu didn’t bother asking how Han Li had heard the footsteps so early. Instead, he directly explained the enemies’ identities to ensure Han Li understood the situation and wouldn’t let his guard down.
Han Li immediately grasped Li Feiyu’s intention. He chuckled lightly but said nothing, his expression seeming unconcerned. Li Feiyu, however, grew anxious.
“In my current condition, I can handle the Blue Enforcer alone, but if the others join in, I’m no match. I know you’re full of clever ideas—hurry up and think of something! Otherwise, it’ll be too late,” Li Feiyu whispered urgently.
The group had already entered the small woods and was approaching where Han Li and the others stood.
“How about we hide for now and avoid confronting them head-on?” Li Feiyu suggested what seemed like a reasonable idea, but unfortunately, Han Li had no intention of following it.
“Qu Hun, capture the one in blue alive. Kill everyone else in the woods,” Han Li suddenly turned and coldly ordered the giant man.
“What?” Li Feiyu was stunned by the command.
Before he could react, the giant man behind Han Li transformed into a gust of wind, sweeping into the woods. Almost immediately, screams and shouts from the Wolf Gang members echoed from the dark forest.
“Ah!”
“Who is it?”
“Not good, we’re under attack!”
“What… what kind of monster is this? Ah—!”
“Run! Ah—!”
…
For a moment, the woods were filled with cries and screams, but they soon grew fewer and farther between. Before long, the forest fell completely silent.
Li Feiyu stared at the woods in disbelief, his face a mask of astonishment.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage