Cui Rong

After a while, the atmosphere had settled, but the hunters still looked at the five people with scrutiny. They had already heard what the chief had said but still couldn't help but cast hateful glances at them. To the five, their glares were pointless as it only served to make them look down on them.

The group of hunters had already identified each of the five to be a representative of the five great families. The five ignored the group and cast their eyes to the village chief who was approaching them. They no longer had any looks of contempt but appeared respectful.

They each cupped their fists in a respectful manner, greeting the village chief.

The village chief simply stared at them without responding for a good moment before casually dismissing them. He immediately passed instructions to his follower to let the group rest for the night before venturing into the mountain. Another group was to scout the perimeter to ensure the group's safety. After a while, everything was settled.

Bai Ming and his friends had set up a small camp. While the rest of the hunters were happily munching down on the fruits they had picked up in the vicinity of this mountain, the village chief seemed to be making further preparations in his own camp.

Soon, darkness covered the sky, and the stars were showing their resplendent light.

Cui Bei and his minions had already joined up with the representative of their family. It was the lady who was among the five who had joined the latter in the mountain. Everyone in the group was in their best behaviour. Even Cui Bei did not act as domineering as he did before. In terms of status, they were both considered as young leaders. Despite being heavily doted on by his grandfather, Cui Bei did not dare act frivolous in front of his cousin Cui Rong.

He had been given a reminder by his father before leaving the village to be wary of her. In recent times, the two branches of the Cui family had constantly been at odds, but in the past ten years, Cui Rong's branch has been less active and, in some ways, appears to be even more secretive.

His grandfather had even tried to feel out the side branch, but no information was obtained.

At this point, Cui Rong sat on the wooden log with her left leg crossed over her right leg. This posture seemed to give off an elegant air. Even though this was tempting for the men, those in the camp did not dare to let their eyes wander about lest they get plucked out.

Although Cui Bei was a bit nervous, he had steeled himself to only give a few pleasantries and then separate.

"It's been a while, big sister Rong."

Hearing the greeting, Cui Rong shifted her gaze and looked at Cui Bei. She did have a slight impression of this distant little brother. In fact, anyone in the Cui family knew of Cui Bei's notorious deeds. There was nothing good, and some even thought this might be an omen of the downfall of the Cui family, but none dared to voice these petty thoughts because of the current family head.

However Cui Rong was not hindered by any of this, her status in the family allowed her to privy to all sorts of secrets so she knew more about the under currents of the big families in the village but right now she seemed to be in a foul mood. Having been sent away from the village to represent their family branch at this moment in time would not allow her to play any role in their branch family's plans.

Still looking at this little brother, she did not hide her displeasure, and Cui Bei being looked at like this made his self-esteem take a hit. Seeing the frost on her face intensify, Cui Bei swallowed the words he wanted utter. Cui Rong's appearance on this hunt was unexpected to him. After all, he had his little thoughts planned on Bai Ming, so naturally, he did not want any interferences. 

Even though the frost beauty had not given him a response, he maintained his genial smile and kept prying to understand what her purpose was in joining this hunt.

"I'm sure big sister's appearance here is a matter of great importance."

Hearing this, Cui Rong gave a deep look at Cui Bei. Just when Cui Bei was about to add once more, she spoke.

"You think the family's matters are more important than the hunt?"

"No, of course not..." Cui Bei tried to quibble, but he couldn't find the right words to use before being cut off again.

"And even if it were the case, what makes you think your assistance would be useful?"

"You..." At this moment, Cui Bei was already regretting having come to greet her

Ignoring Cui Bei's anger, Cui Rong just casually added.

"It would be in your best interest to focus on the hunt unless if you want to end up on the chief's bad side."

Finishing this, Cui Rong turned once more to the side, further ignoring Cui Bei's anger and his minions gazes.

Cui Bei did not want to stay any longer and left the tent, followed by his minions. Leaving the tent, he locked gazes with Wu Zungyi, who was happily chatting with Bai Ming. Wu Zhengyi simply gave a bright smile in return. However, this further heightened the rage in Cui Bei as he proceeded further to his own tent and shut himself in it.

The trio seeing this were confused, even more so for Wu Zhengyi.

"What's that guy's problem?"

Did I not smile widely enough?

Wu Zhengyi was truly oblivious, Bai Ming simply looked at him with a look that seemed to say, "How can you be the one to ask when you just smiled to him like that?"

"It must have something do with that lady who joined us earlier," Li Tian finally said.

Despite the trio having not been there to witness the cause their brains could at least think and confirm that this might be the reason but they didn't want to dwell on this, so in a moment the topic had changed.

After a long while, they had all forgotten about this little thing.

And so, time passed, and it was already past midnight when a shadow crept into one of the tents. In that moment, Cui Rong, who had been lying silently, opened her eyes. She did not look at the entrance and simply muttered silently, "Report"

The shadow kneeling at the entrance of the tent whispered a few words, and after Cui Rong nodded, it quietly left the tent without alerting anyone.

Cui Rong shifted her eyes to the entrance of the tent, as if trying to look outside. Since she couldn't see anything, she just tilted her head to the side and muttered silently, "Bai Ming..."

Just like that, the night passed, and soon, the sun peeked over the horizon.

Everyone woke up, dismantled the tents, and equipped their

weapons.

After some time, the village chief organised and passed instructions for everyone to gather into groups of five. Bai Ming, Li Tian, and Wu Zhengyi stood in their spot searching for two more members to fill their group.

After looking around for a while it didn't seem like anyone would join their group, only after a while did a young lady approach them, who was dressed in tight fitting clothes which perfectly accentuated her figure. She had a frosty look on her face, but she still gave them a polite smile. The trio immediately recognised her as Cui Rong. She seemed to be without a group.

After reaching them, she asked politely.

"Hello little brothers, I wonder if I can join your group?"

The trio looked at each other for a moment. They couldn't refuse since they were still lacking two members. They had been caught off guard and did not expect someone of her status to group with them.

Since they couldn't refuse, they could only take it as they come.

As such, Cui Rong became their fourth member. They were only short one member when a young man approached them and asked to join them too. After that, their group was complete, and so were the others.

In a short while, everyone moved out into the mountain.Having separated into different directions, a group of five in the east of the mountain stopped and met up with another group. The two groups seemed to be made up of Cui Bei and his followers. At this moment, he had regrouped with the second group and was enquiring about Bai Ming's whereabouts.

"Young lord, only little eye was able to join their group."

Upon hearing this, Cui Bei couldn't help but feel that this pack of goons were truly useless. He had instructed two of them to join Bai Ming's group, but unexpectedly, even something as simple as joining a group seemed to be a difficult task for these guys.

After being angered by Cui Rong, his state of mind had become a bit erratic. The young man did not see it coming as a fist came flying for his cheeks.

BAAM!

A tooth flew out of the young man's mouth, "You can't even complete a simple task as moving your legs to join another group, what use are you?" Cui Bei roared.

"Forgive me, Young lord, t-the other spot had already been taken,"

"Huhh, what excuse is that?" Cui Bei gave the young man a kick to the chest, sending him flying to a nearby tree.

"Who would dare to get in my way?"

"Y-young lord, please calm down the spot had already been taken by lady Rong."

Cui Bei froze for a moment after hearing this and slowly clenched his fists.

"It's her again..."