Hidden

"It's so boring. Kill monsters, go back, and repeat. Why is my life so bland? When will it get interesting? I might as well kill myself if this is all that is to come," he used to think to himself.

"Oho, he is so weird. Why does he do all these weird things? It's like I'm a side character in his show. But as long as it's interesting, there's nothing wrong with that. As long as he can make my blood boil, even being a servant wouldn't be such a bad thing..." he thought inwardly.

***

Hao Xuan and the Mad Saints followed after the spider web for 30 minutes. On the way, several beasts came out of nowhere and attacked them as if they were waiting in advance. The further into the jungle they went, the worst it got.

Huge spiders, flesh-eating worms, venomous centipedes that were several meters long, these were just some of the beasts that had blocked their paths.

"We're close," Maddy whispered after he finished off a worm-like creature that tried to surprise attack him.

"Where?" Kuo asked carefully looking around. Maddy pointed towards the left. Everyone recalled their Qi's and started moving in the shadows. After about two minutes of jumping from tree to tree, a narrow gorge came into view.

Its bottom was not visible and was mostly covered by mist but every now and then a creature could be seen coming out and going back in. It gave everyone an eerie feeling. Something told them that place was not meant for humans to inhabit.

Plus the mist seemed to be seething, boiling almost. It didn't even look like mist but something solid.

On the other side of the gorge, a couple of tents could be seen out in the open. Three huge figures were sitting outside of them with their eyes closed.

"That's them. The Jia," said Hao Xuan. "But there's one missing," he frowned after realizing the Monk guy wasn't there.

"S-So what do we do?" Luke asked from the side. The four newbies had come along as well. Although they weren't strong but Kuo wanted to give them some exposure. Hiding them wouldn't do any good.

Everyone looked at Kuo but Jin Wang looked at Hao Xuan with an expectant look on his face.

Kuo turned around and started giving out orders, "Form two teams, one goes from the left and one from the right. Maddy will scout out the surroundings and make sure there isn't anyone hiding in the shad-" while he was talking he saw the newbies utterly shocked expressions as they were looking in the direction of the Jia soldiers. He slowly turned and his mouth fell open as well, completely speechless.

Hao Xuan had casually jumped out of the trees and jumped over the gorge and was now standing just a few meters away from the soldiers.

"What the fuck!" he almost screamed out in shock.

"Quickly, after him!" he gave the order and jumped forward with everything, landing right next to Hao Xuan.

"Hey, you guys said your leader wanted me to visit him, I'm here to take you up on that offer," Hao Xuan shouted with a smile.

The soldiers jumped up in surprise. They all took out their weapons and stood protectively next to the tent. One of them had a greatsword, another had a giant club and the last one had a hammer. All extremely heavy weapons.

"You have some guts kid," the leader, Steel, said in a menacing tone. "Because of you we almost died. Hell, those bandits and caravan people did," he said while tightening his grip on the massive greatsword.

Hao Xuan simply shrugged his shoulders like it wasn't related to him at all, "You shouldn't have forced my hand. I did warn you."

Kuo, Hash, and Maddy were standing right next to Hao Xuan, ready to jump into action at a moment's notice.

"So, are you gonna bring me to your leader or not?" he asked when no one made a move.

As if in response to his query, the tent's flap lifted up and a small figure, almost the same size as him walked out. He was in a hood as well with his face covered.

"You're the leader?" Hao Xuan asked with a frown. He was expecting a giant, not this little pipsqueak. He looked like a child standing next to the Jia soldiers.

"Yes," a voice came from under the hood.

"Why did you want to see me?" Hao Xuan asked after a few seconds of silent contemplation.

"It doesn't matter anymore. You have the siblings yes?" the hooded figure which was obviously Jiang Ling asked.

"Yes," Hao Xuan nodded without hesitation. There was no reason to hide it anymore.

"Name a price. We must have them. Anything you want, spirit stones, weapons, treasures, beasts, women, you know the deal. Just name it and it's yours," Jian Ling asked casually as if negotiating with a shopkeeper over a common household item.

"They are people, not things to be sold," Hao Xuan replied slightly angered. Buying and selling humans was a disgusting thing. Taking away someone's freedom, there weren't many things worse than that.

"We must have them," Jiang Ling said once again.

"Alright, I'll make you a counteroffer. You have the general yes?" Hao Xuan asked after pretending to think about it for a second.

"Yes."

"Alive and well?"

"Alive....."

"Alright. Hand the general over and I'll let you leave, that's my offer," Hao Xuan said magnanimously.

"No deal," Jiang Ling shook his head without a second thought.

"Alright, kill them all," Hao Xuan slightly turned his head and ordered. Kuo, Maddy, and Hash jumped at the three soldiers all of a sudden, and the Jiang Ling was left standing there alone.

"Don't worry. I'll fight you alone," Hao Xuan cracked his neck, took out a sword, and attacked him head-on.