Chapter 8: Xiao Yi Xian: "Young Master, You’re So Kind~"

Chapter 8: Xiao Yi Xian: "Young Master, You're So Kind~"

At the Wolfhead Mercenary Group's base, the area was shrouded in darkness, not a single light visible, yet shadows moved constantly, and the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the night.

"Boss, twenty elite men are already in position," reported a burly man with a fierce scar across his face as he approached Mu She.

"Good." Standing at the center of the compound, Mu She nodded. Behind him were two others: his son, Mu Li, and Xiao Yi Xian's assistant, Liffey.

"Gan Mu, you take Liffey with us. Mu Li, you and Third Captain Herman stay back to guard the base. Move out!" Mu She ordered as he surveyed the group.

"But, Father, I " Mu Li's face flashed with anxiety. He wanted to join the rescue effort for Xiao Yi Xian. Of course, if he could also get his hands on the treasure, that would be even better.

"Hm? What did you say?" Mu She glared at him. In the Wolfhead Mercenary Group, Mu She's word was law. Even his son wasn't exempt.

"N nothing, Father!" Mu Li shuddered and immediately fell silent.

With a cold snort, Mu She turned and strode off.

"Follow me!" Gan Mu barked as he grabbed Liffey by the shoulder and followed after Mu She.

"Yes, Second Captain!"

The twenty elite mercenaries responded in unison, quickly falling into formation behind them.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Mu She asked in a low voice, "Liffey, which direction?"

Carried like a chick by Gan Mu, Liffey gulped nervously. She dared not meet Mu She's gaze and pointed weakly in a direction.

"Pick up the pace!" Mu She barked, quickening his steps further.

…

Inside the cave, Lu Bu and Xiao Yi Xian stood at the end of the narrow passageway. In front of them was a massive boulder that emitted a faint, earthen yellow glow.

"This rock looks really solid…" Xiao Yi Xian muttered as she examined it. Running her hand over its surface, she murmured, "It seems to be an Earth element mechanism. There should be a way to open it… let me take a closer look…"

She inspected the boulder carefully, mumbling to herself.

But then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a faint glow. Turning her head, she saw Lu Bu lightly tapping his forefinger. A silver array of glowing runes appeared on the surface of the boulder, covering it entirely.

"Break!" Lu Bu flicked his finger, and an invisible force of soul energy surged forth. In an instant, the massive boulder crumbled, scattering into countless pieces on the ground.

"H how did you do that?" Xiao Yi Xian's lips parted slightly, her expression filled with shock.

"Take a guess," Lu Bu replied with a playful smile.

As the boulder shattered, the faint glow from inside the cave illuminated the surroundings. Beyond the debris was a simple, spacious stone chamber. Luminous stones embedded in the walls bathed the room in light.

In the center of the stone chamber sat a chair. On it rested a skeletal figure completely devoid of flesh, with only pale bones remaining. Even the skull had toppled onto its thigh bones.

In front of the chair was a green stone platform, atop which sat three locked stone boxes. To the left of the chamber, piles of gold coins glittered brightly under the luminous stones, their golden radiance enough to make even the calmest of people feel a rush of excitement.

On the right side of the chamber, several pots contained a variety of herbs.

Xiao Yi Xian's eyes immediately landed on the plants.

"Purple Blueleaf, White Spirit Ginseng Fruit, Snow Lotus Seeds, Ice Spirit Flame Grass… Oh my god, so many rare herbs!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she listed the plants.

"I want that Ice Spirit Flame Grass. The rest are yours," Lu Bu said with a smile. The herb was an essential ingredient for refining the Blood Lotus Pill, and he needed it.

"You…" Xiao Yi Xian bristled with frustration. Technically, all of this should have been hers.

"Got a problem with that?" Lu Bu asked, his expression darkening slightly as he glanced at her.

"N not at all! No problem at all!" Xiao Yi Xian gritted her teeth, her voice practically dripping with anger.

"Say that again. I didn't like your tone just now," Lu Bu said, patting her shoulder with a smile.

Xiao Yi Xian took a deep breath, forcing a sweet smile onto her face. In a soft, delicate voice, she said, "Oh, Young Master, whatever you say goes. This little girl will follow your every command~"

She even attempted to bat her eyes at him, though the awkward movement made it look more like she was twitching.

"Good," Lu Bu said with a satisfied nod. "Go on, dig out all the herbs, and don't forget to leave my share untouched."

Xiao Yi Xian pouted, clearly displeased, but obediently walked toward the herbs.

Though she was annoyed that Lu Bu kept taking advantage of her, she also knew that most people would have killed her the moment they entered the cave to take all the treasure for themselves.

Lu Bu was barely a good person just an infuriating one.

As Xiao Yi Xian focused on harvesting the herbs, Lu Bu turned his attention to the skeleton on the chair. His eyes landed on a keyring in the skeleton's dangling right hand.

How did Xiao Yan discover the map to the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame again? Lu Bu rubbed his chin thoughtfully. It had something to do with taking the key, right?

With that thought in mind, Lu Bu reached out and took the keyring. In the process, he pried open the skeleton's right arm bone and, as expected, found a small, earth colored scroll tucked inside.

Lu Bu quickly stored the scroll in his storage ring. With this, he had already won half the battle when it came to claiming the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame.

Not long after, Xiao Yi Xian finished gathering the herbs and handed the Ice Spirit Flame Grass to Lu Bu as promised.

"Come over here. It's time to open the boxes," Lu Bu said, tossing the keyring in his hand.

"Oh, Young Master, you're so kind~" Xiao Yi Xian teased, her smile charming and coquettish.

"...Can you not?" Lu Bu wiped at the goosebumps forming on his arms. "Just talk normally, okay?"

"Hmph." Xiao Yi Xian crossed her arms and pouted silently.

Lu Bu took the key and opened the first stone box, the one closest to him. Inside was a purple scroll.

"High grade Xuan class flight technique: Eagle Wings!" Xiao Yi Xian exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement. Even without fully understanding it, the name alone made it clear it was something that allowed one to fly.

"This isn't for you," Lu Bu said flatly, picking up the scroll. Xiao Yi Xian immediately glared at him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Lu Bu asked, his tone unapologetic. "I'm doing this for your own good. Ever heard the saying, 'A man's wealth is his ruin'? If you walk around with this, it's like a child carrying gold in the middle of a busy marketplace. You'll just attract trouble, and then it's game over."

"So, I'll take this. Consider it me saving your life," Lu Bu said as he shamelessly stored the Eagle Wings scroll in his storage ring.

Xiao Yi Xian: (_ )

Wow, thank you so much. I'm so grateful.

"Next," Lu Bu said, opening the second stone box.

Inside was another scroll: Furious Lion Roar, a high grade Xuan class combat technique.

"Trash. You can have it," Lu Bu said dismissively, tossing the scroll to her without a second glance.

Xiao Yi Xian: ( )

It's nice to get something, but why does it feel so frustrating?!

Finally, Lu Bu opened the third stone box. Inside was the Seven Colored Poison Codex.

"I don't need this. It's yours," he said, handing it to Xiao Yi Xian.

Xiao Yi Xian: "…"

Should I hate him, or thank him? This is a real dilemma.

"All the gold coins are mine. Any objections?" Lu Bu asked, pointing to the pile of glittering gold in the corner of the room. He was already annoyed that he only kept one of the treasures from the stone boxes. He needed to make up for it somehow.

"No way! I want half!" Xiao Yi Xian shouted. Gold was the only reliable currency in Qingshan Town, far more practical than herbs or combat techniques.

"Objection overruled," Lu Bu retorted, scooping all the gold into his storage ring.

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian puff up her cheeks and grit her teeth in frustration, Lu Bu felt an inexplicable wave of joy.

"Damn it!" Xiao Yi Xian cursed. How can someone so good looking be so insufferable? It's infuriating!

"Alright, treasure hunt's over. Time to leave," Lu Bu said as he led Xiao Yi Xian back to the cave's entrance. Grabbing the rope, he opened his arms. "Get on."

"Alright." Xiao Yi Xian agreed without hesitation. She tied the jars of herbs and the two scrolls to her chest with a piece of cloth, then threw herself into Lu Bu's arms.

Lu Bu: "…"

Damn it! I hate clever women!

"What are you standing there for? Let's go!" Xiao Yi Xian said with a smug smile.

Smack!

Lu Bu raised his hand and gave her a firm slap on the butt.

"Ah! You!" Xiao Yi Xian yelled, furious.

"Hmm~?" Lu Bu raised his hand again, and Xiao Yi Xian immediately shrank back, wrapping her arms around his waist like a docile little lamb.

"That's better," Lu Bu said, gripping the rope and launching himself upward. With a single leap, they reached the top of the cliff.

Xiao Yi Xian: "…"

I knew it! You're just a lecher!

But before she could voice her thoughts, the surrounding forest suddenly lit up with the glow of numerous torches.

"Well, well, Xiao Yi Xian and this fine friend of yours. Haha! What a coincidence meeting you here!"

Mu She emerged from the shadows, gripping a long spear as he laughed heartily.

Xiao Yi Xian's face turned pale. Damn it, it's Mu She!

He was the top expert in Qingshan Town, a powerful Two Star Dou Practitioner. His strength was utterly overwhelming and left no room for hope.

(End of Chapter)

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.

Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen