Chapter 84: The Chase and Counterattack

Chapter 84: The Chase and Counterattack

The tension was palpable as Gu Tianci, the so-called "Young Commander" of the Flaming Fire Mercenary Corps, surveyed the scene. His gaze fell on the headless corpse sprawled near the edge of the magma lake. A cold smirk tugged at his lips.

"This attire... it's unmistakable. That's Boss Zheng, isn't it?" he asked, his voice calm yet laced with disdain.

A mercenary crouched down to inspect the body, turning the arm to reveal a distinctive scar. He nodded grimly. "Yes, Young Commander. It's him."

"Boss Zheng was a Purple Palace Stage Level Seven expert, wasn't he? And he's been reduced to this?" another mercenary muttered, shock flickering in his eyes.

"No," Gu Tianci interjected, his smirk widening. "He didn't fall to these brats. Look at the slime coating his corpse—it's the fire serpent that killed him. What a pathetic end. Just yesterday, I offered him a place in our mercenary corps, but he refused. Now, he's just a headless corpse. Fate is truly ironic."

The Ambush

"Brother Feng, what should we do? Should we fight our way out?" Mu Kuang gripped his blade tightly, his voice brimming with suppressed fury.

"Stay calm," Mu Feng whispered back, his expression composed. "Let's observe before acting."

Gu Tianci's piercing gaze turned toward them. A calculated smile curved his lips. "Greetings, young friends. I am Gu Tianci, Young Commander of the Flaming Fire Mercenary Corps. I must say, killing the fire serpent was quite the feat. You're not ordinary."

"Brother Gu, what an honor to meet you," Mu Feng responded with a polite bow. "What might we do for you?"

"Well," Gu Tianci said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "I can see you're skilled. Why not join the Flaming Fire Mercenary Corps? With your talent, I could appoint you as team leaders. Together, we'd make a fortune."

"Appreciate the offer, Brother Gu," Mu Feng replied, shaking his head. "But we're tied to our family and prefer freedom. Thank you, though."

One of the mercenaries sneered. "You little punks! Do you know who you're talking to? The Young Commander himself is showing you respect!"

The surrounding mercenaries drew their blades, their intentions crystal clear.

Gu Tianci's smile vanished. "If you won't join us, I won't force you. But that red spirit fruit belongs to us. Hand it over, or things won't end well."

"You're delusional," Bai Ziyue scoffed. "The fruit belongs to whoever picks it."

The Great Escape

Mu Feng's expression remained calm as he spoke. "Brother Gu, if it's yours, we'll return it."

With a flick of his wrist, a wooden box materialized. The sight of the storage ring made Gu Tianci's eyes gleam with greed.

"A spatial ring…" Gu Tianci muttered, barely hiding his excitement.

Mu Feng tossed the box toward him. The mercenary leader snatched it eagerly, only to open it and find a bundle of low-grade herbs. His face twisted with rage. "You dare trick me? After them!"

Before his men could react, Mu Feng, Bai Ziyue, and Mu Kuang had already broken through the encirclement, sprinting toward the depths of the valley.

"Don't let them get away!" Gu Tianci roared. "Chase them down!"

Explosive Retreat

The trio dashed through the rocky terrain, their pursuers hot on their heels. Mu Feng glanced over his shoulder. "Keep moving! Head into the mountains and lose them."

As the mercenaries gained ground, Mu Feng hurled a handful of crimson talismans over his shoulder. The runes ignited mid-air, erupting into a series of fiery explosions.

The lead mercenary was caught in the blast, his screams silenced as his charred body hit the ground. The ensuing inferno forced the others to halt briefly, buying the trio precious seconds.

"Damn it, they have fire talismans!" Gu Tianci cursed, his face singed from the heat. "I don't care what it takes—catch them!"

Into the Yellow Pine Forest

After a relentless chase, Mu Feng and his companions reached a dense forest of yellow pines. The ancient trees loomed overhead, their canopy casting deep shadows. Somewhere in the distance, the guttural roars of beasts echoed.

"This forest isn't safe," Bai Ziyue cautioned, his voice hushed.

"Exactly why we're going in," Mu Feng replied, stepping into the darkness. "It's our best chance to turn the tables."

Divide and Conquer

Gu Tianci and his mercenaries halted at the forest's edge. The eerie atmosphere made even the seasoned fighters uneasy.

"Spread out," Gu Tianci commanded. "This forest isn't large. We'll flush them out. Stay vigilant—don't provoke the fire-scaled tiger rumored to inhabit this area."

The mercenaries entered cautiously, splitting into pairs. The forest swallowed them whole.

High in the treetops, Mu Feng and his team watched, their movements silent and precise. When two mercenaries passed below, Mu Kuang leaped from the branches, his blade cleaving one's skull with brutal precision.

The second mercenary, barely registering his comrade's death, was struck down by Mu Feng's golden finger strike. Blood sprayed as the man's head exploded.

As the bodies fell, Mu Feng crouched over them, his expression icy. Using the Shura Divine Jade, he absorbed the life essence of the fallen mercenaries. A cold smile played on his lips. "The real game begins now."