After sitting down, a green-skirted woman named Qingxin from the Blood Battle Mercenary Group skillfully began roasting the prey they had prepared.
After exchanging names and briefly introducing themselves, they started to warm up to each other.
During their conversation, the middle-aged man named Kagang subtly probed Xiao Yan's reason for coming to the Magic Beast Mountain Range alone. Xiao Yan smoothly answered by saying he was there to earn gold coins and even showed some herbs he had picked that day, providing a convincing explanation.
With that, Kagang finally dispelled his last doubts, and the group began chatting freely.
Through the conversation, Xiao Yan learned some information.
The Wolf Head Mercenary Group had discovered the bodies of Hemeng and his men and were searching for the culprit who killed them.
Xiao Yan couldn't help but find it amusing. Without any traces, how could they possibly find him?
"Hey, don't be too happy just yet, little guy. I sensed that some members of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group are rushing over. They might be able to recognize you," Yao Lao's voice suddenly echoed in Xiao Yan's heart, followed by a chuckle.
The Wolf Head Mercenary Group? Xiao Yan focused his senses, but his soul power was far inferior to Yao Lao's. By the time he sensed them, the sound of hoofbeats was already in his ears.
Seven or eight figures riding unicorn horses galloped rapidly toward the flickering firelight in the forest.
"What rotten luck, running into these bothersome guys," Kagang muttered, frowning slightly.
Qingye gave Xiao Yan a bitter smile and said, "It's the deputy leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, Gan Mu. He has just broken through to the rank of Seven-Star Dou Zhe."
"As I mentioned earlier, since the death of their third leader, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group has been acting like madmen, constantly causing trouble for us lately."
The originally lively Qingling shivered and hid behind Kagang, seemingly very afraid of Gan Mu.
As they spoke, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group members rode over, their gazes sweeping over Kagang's group before quickly locking onto Xiao Yan.
More precisely, onto the heavy Xuan Heavy Ruler on his back.
Hemeng and his men had died under suspicious circumstances. Although no one had seen the killer's face, the wounds on the bodies suggested that the assailant used a heavy, flat weapon.
This ruler matched the description perfectly!
Retracting his gaze, Gan Mu scanned the rest of the group. Upon noticing some familiar faces, he grinned and said, "Oh, isn't this Kagang from the Blood Battle Mercenary Group? What have you gained from your trip into the Magic Beast Mountain Range this time?"
Kagang frowned but ignored him.
Seeing Kagang's silence, Gan Mu didn't mind. His gaze flickered as he turned toward the petite Qingling, licking his lips wickedly. With a sinister smile, he said, "Ling'er, you're becoming more and more alluring. Uncle here has a soft spot for little girls like you. Haha, that taste is simply amazing! So, make sure not to wander off alone, hehe..."
Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback. You can't take her back to raise, so why would you be interested in such a young girl? In comparison, Qingxin, who was gentle in temperament and had a graceful figure, was much more enticing.
After some playful banter, Gan Mu's sharp gaze, like that of a hawk, locked onto Xiao Yan as he asked coldly, "Kagang, is this person also from your Blood Battle Mercenary Group?"
"Xiao Yan?" Kagang was caught off guard by the question. After a moment's thought, he sneered, "We have so many mercenaries in the Blood Battle Mercenary Group; does every one of them need to be known by you?"
"So, you're saying this kid is indeed from your Blood Battle Mercenary Group?" Gan Mu laughed heartily as if he had just discovered a great secret.
"I had long suspected that whoever dared to kill our Wolf Head Mercenary Group members in this area must be one of the other two major mercenary groups from Qingshan Town. By comparison, your Blood Battle Mercenary Group is a bit stronger, making you the most likely suspects. Turns out it really was you guys!"
Kagang's face darkened, and he growled, "Gan Mu, don't slander us! Not only has our Blood Battle Mercenary Group never killed a member of your Wolf Head Mercenary Group, but we have never even provoked you!"
"Stop pretending, Kagang," Gan Mu sneered. "Hemeng and his men were mostly killed by a heavy, flat weapon, which matches that boy's ruler perfectly."
Kagang glanced at Xiao Yan's handsome face, refusing to believe a word Gan Mu said. His face reddened with anger as he retorted, "I think you're just eyeing this young brother's weapon! Why make up so many excuses? Look at his age! How could he possibly kill Hemeng?"
The other members of the Blood Battle Mercenary Group also didn't believe it.
Xiao Yan... entering the Magic Beast Mountain Range alone and still being alive was already considered lucky enough.
"Believe it or not, it's not up to you," Gan Mu drew his long blade, grinning maliciously. "Once I've interrogated him, the truth will come out."
He didn't quite believe it either, but who knew what kind of opportunities this black-robed youth might have encountered?
"Gan Mu, do you really want to fight?" Kagang's expression darkened as he also drew his weapon. Could Gan Mu be using this as an excuse to destroy the Blood Battle Mercenary Group?
Gan Mu coldly barked, "If you don't want me to make a move, then tie up this black-robed boy for me!"
As the standoff between the two sides reached a stalemate, Xiao Yan stood up slowly. "Uncle Kagang, he's right. I was the one who killed Hemeng and his mercenaries."
"What!!!" The members of the Blood Battle Mercenary Group stared at Xiao Yan in shock.
It was said that dozens of mercenaries, including Hemeng, had died. Xiao Yan looked so young. Could he have possibly killed them all? Not even if he had started training in the womb would he have such power!
While they were still in shock, Xiao Yan stomped hard on the ground. The powerful force surged into the earth, producing a loud boom.
The fierce gust of wind caused the nearby campfire's sparks to scatter. Xiao Yan instantly turned into a black shadow, dashing toward Gan Mu like lightning.
In an instant, the black shadow flashed past the horse's head. With a swift spin, Xiao Yan's right foot struck viciously at Gan Mu's chin.
Under the immense force, a loud crack echoed, and Gan Mu's neck stretched unnaturally. His body traced a parabola through the air before crashing heavily to the ground.
"Second leader!" The two elite mercenaries beside Gan Mu reacted with lightning speed as they saw their leader being knocked away.
Leaping off their horses, they drew their swords and unleashed their combat skills, their sword strikes seemingly carrying the force to split mountains and crack stones as they attacked Xiao Yan.
"Gan Mu's men are few, but each one of them has the strength of a Four-Star Dou Zhe. Be cautious," Yao Lao warned Xiao Yan, wary that his youth might lead him to underestimate the enemy.
The corners of Xiao Yan's mouth curled up slightly. Do you know what it means to be unmatched in group combat—The Reincarnation Tribulation?
Facing the two's overwhelming sword strikes, Xiao Yan drew circles with his hands. "Reincarnation Tribulation!"
The two mercenaries were shocked to find that their broadswords seemed to be sucked into Xiao Yan's hands, the terrifying force of their strikes dissolving like mud into the sea.
"Break Heaven and Earth!" Xiao Yan shouted, borrowing their strength. In an instant, it seemed as if two more arms had sprouted from him. With a wave, he struck both mercenaries.
(End of the chapter)
Support us on Patreon and read the entire work!
https://www.patreon.com/Ficcult_com