Chapter 1, Escape from the Empire

I followed her指示 and looked down the mountain, becoming transfixed, and blurted out: "What is that?"

I asked, "How long have I been asleep?" Yet in my heart, I was calculating that although the empire's territory is said to be omnipresent, its authority is concentrated in the "City of Sunrise" on the "Great Plain"

As I passed through the pine forest, a clear view opened up before me

A gentle fire burns within my heart

Clang

Both ends are not buried in the soil, giving a sense of being without beginning or end

I felt a wave of emptiness, grasped the long sword, and climbed up to the surface.

A rough voice said: "Do not be so arrogant, that girl must have truly learned from the old master, she has quite some skills."

Xiqi tilted her head, unconsciously stroking a long strand of hair that hung down with both hands, and said: "They are the villains of the 'Tiger Jump Clan'. When my grandfather escaped from the Empire to here, they still wanted to bully him. My grandfather single-handedly stormed into their temple, vowing that if he was harassed again, he would destroy all the idols in the temple. Only then did their chieftain swear not to disturb my grandfather again." Following this, she stuck out her cute, bright red tongue and said: "At that time, I was only one and a half years old. According to my grandfather, if he hadn't tied me to his back, which affected his movement, your father wouldn't have been able to harm him."

Xiqi Zhengrong stated: "It is toxic; if it were not toxic, how could anything planted in it die?"

I am grateful in my heart; thanks to this master of escape, my life is temporarily spared. However, the conversation has already reached a stalemate, and my stubborn nature prevents me from adapting immediately. I awkwardly glance at Xiqi, who looks at me deeply for a moment before lowering her head, subtly revealing her joy, likely because she can spend some more time with me.

I slightly shifted to avoid it

A shadow flashed before my eyes, and I thrust the sword in my hand forward

A voice with a sarcastic tone said: "What does it matter, whether it's three or four times? What is a little girl worth? Even the old man Qi doesn't scare me, and I'm a colonel."

The colonel's face was as cold as ice, his eyes glinting with ferocity, staring at me as if they were about to shoot fire.

The sharp voice lewdly laughed, "Colonel Kou has always enjoyed being a pioneer, who are you to control him?" Followed by a lewd chuckle

Others immediately spurred their horses to follow, and in the blink of an eye, they disappeared beyond the mountain peak

I followed Xiqi out of the woodshed, adjacent to which was a small stone house, seemingly her residence. Surrounded by mountains and lush trees, it was a secluded little valley

I leaned my lips close to her ear, ready to speak, just as she also wanted to say something, tilting her head back, and my lips naturally brushed against her tender earlobe, then pressed against her charming face

I let out a wild scream, straining to draw the long sword from my back, only to feel the pain from all my wounds surging through my body. I was too weak to wield the sword, and helplessly rolled to the ground to evade the axe that was swung down from behind me

Xi Qijiao shouted sharply, taking the initiative, as the long sword in her hand transformed into dozens of electric rays, stabbing towards the colonel's waist and legs

Xi Qi Jiao snorted and said: "In the past year, the Empire has been vigorously expanding to deal with the Witch Kingdom, and its influence has begun to extend into these remote mountains and valleys. The Tiger Jump Clan has been bought off as lackeys, and their audacity has grown, especially among the younger generation, who regard the incident of the temple being breached as a great humiliation. Therefore, they frequently provoke us, as they see my grandfather as their rival, and their hostility is now directed at me. My grandfather has already planned to relocate elsewhere..."

Xiqi exclaimed: "Grandfather!"

I let out a sigh of relief; as long as they were not warriors sent by the empire to hunt me down, everything would be manageable. Moreover, her gentle tone greatly diminished the hatred I felt from the attack.

All seven enemies moved at once, exuding a fierce killing intent

I want to prove to everyone that a tiger father does not raise a dog son

At the bottom of the pit, there are two long, dark rectangular strips, curved and slanted, approximately eight feet apart, running parallel across the bottom of the pit. When we approached the side of the pit, we could see them more clearly

Qi Beidao: "A tiger does not father a dog! Back in the day, Lanling was utterly loyal to the Grand Yuan, so why has his son become a target of the empire's pursuit?"

Xi Qi shrugged and said, "Only a genius knows, not even grandpa understands"

Xiqi's pretty face turned cold as she said: "It's those bad guys again"

Another voice, laced with sarcasm, said: "This woodshed is clear at a glance, so why ask? If someone is deliberately hiding, would they answer you?"

A wave of dizziness washed over me, and as I teetered on the brink of unconsciousness and wakefulness, a hand slipped under my ribs. I was too weak to fall forward, and her delicate body supported me. In my daze, I heard her say, "Let me help you get home."

Xiqi thrust the sword again at the colonel

I had matters to attend to and initially wished to avoid conflict, but at that moment, I could no longer endure it and shouted loudly, "Shut up!"

However, it has become difficult for the colonel to cope with it

I stood up straight and gave a wry smile of gratitude to Xiqi, who was supporting me. If it were not for my injury, I would not have regarded this group of hunters with any importance.

A chill ran through my heart; Xiqi's grandfather, with his keen insight, was able to deduce from the sword's appearance that it was an imperial product. As for whether I am an extraordinary person, who can predict if it is good or bad?

One of the burly men remarked: "Seeing their flushed faces and heated ears, they must have just had a good time right here."

I let out a low cry, moving like an arrow through the sparse forest towards the source of the sound. My father, Lanling, has held the top position on the Empire's swordsman ranking for twenty years; such a feat is not merely due to luck.

Following was a cacophony of sounds, and the colonel and others quickly moved away. Xiqi leaned against me, her entire body soft and weak.

I exclaimed in astonishment, "Is it poisonous?"

Her hands are delicate and soft, holding warmth in their grasp, and with the chirping of birds and the fragrance of flowers, I am further enchanted. In the city of Sunrise, I have been diligently practicing my swordsmanship; although there are countless beauties within the city, I have yet to have the opportunity to experience their charm. Moreover, I am the fiancé of the princess, and other women dare not express their affection towards me. Thinking of the princess, a trace of bitterness flows through my heart

She shrugged her shoulders and said: "I practice swordsmanship! I make sure to go there every day before sunrise to practice. In the past two years, my grandfather used to practice with me, but now he is not in good health and can no longer accompany me."

I let out a low grunt. As the two swords clashed, I twisted my strength, and I could see the opponent's long sword slipping from their hand. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my arm muscles, and I let out a cry of agony, only to find that my own long sword had fallen to the ground. It was then that I realized my entire body was sore and numb. In that moment of carelessness, I had exerted too much force, causing my fatigued muscles to become excessively strained, and they finally went into spasm.

I asked: "Where is your grandfather?"

I take a deep breath, introspecting my condition, estimating that in ten or eight days, I will be able to return to normal. Since childhood, I have undergone the most rigorous martial training from my father, having once lain naked on the ice and snow, and gone without a drop of water in the desert. Such extraordinary hardships have endowed me with a will of steel and an astonishing capacity to endure suffering; otherwise, I would not have been able to escape the empire's intricate web. This place is at least over 200 miles from Rising Sun City. Although it is still under the shadow of the Supreme Leader's influence, that power has significantly weakened, and correspondingly, my chances of being captured have also diminished. However, if the Supreme Leader were to dispatch his most fearsome general, the 'Sorcerer,' I would be in grave danger.

I gazed towards Qi Bei

A loud shout suddenly awakened me

A rough and powerful voice shouted: "Is anyone there?"

The Sorcerer is renowned alongside the Black Widow, and he is also her lover. Both possess exceptional skills; however, I would prefer to face the latter. Although the Black Widow is as beautiful as a flower, she is as venomous as a snake, yet she is not as difficult to contend with as the Sorcerer, who is proficient in dark arts

My gaze naturally shifted to Xiqi, who happened to look up and gave me a glance. I clearly sensed that she wanted me to make way for her, truly a case of eyes that can speak.

Blood seeped through my thick linen bodysuit. When I escaped from the imperial palace, I was besieged by the "Black Helmet Warriors" of the Supreme Leader's guard. Although I broke through the encirclement while injured, I could not escape the fate of being covered in sword wounds

The absence of the sounds of pursuers brings me a slight sense of relief; although it is only a matter of time before they catch up, there is always a glimmer of hope in fleeing, and passively awaiting death is not in my character as Lante. My rapid breathing makes it feel as though the air in my lungs has been completely drawn out. Waves of dizziness assault my nerves, yet I endure with immense willpower and determination. I do not wish to be captured as easily as a pig, taken back to face the Grand Chancellor! That tyrant who regards human life as worthless. I do not wish to be captured as easily as a pig, taken back to face the Grand Chancellor! That tyrant who regards human life as worthless.

Xi Qi huffed and said, "You have told me your name, yet you have not revealed yours."

This implicitly confirms that I have touched her

Old Dao: "There is no need to thank me. If it were not for Xiqi saving you, I would not concern myself with this matter, especially since you are a person of the Empire"

The sleeves slid down to the sides

She then whispered: "He said you have an extraordinary appearance and a strong physique, and the sword you carry is a fine piece crafted by the best swordsmith of the 'Empire', which must have a significant background, which is why he wanted me to hide you in this woodshed"

Qi Beiling coldly gazed at the Colonel and others, and said in a deep voice: "Get lost! If I see you again at 'Mo Yin Bi', you will never get out again"

I uttered a shiver: "It is rusted steel"

I exclaimed in astonishment, "How do you know?"

Another sharp voice sounded: "Colonel, there is no one at the residence. Abang and the others have gone to search the fields. If that girl is there, she definitely won't be able to escape"

Qi Bei let out a cold snort, rolled up his sleeves, and revealed a scar that ran down from his arm to his wrist. He said coldly: "This sword wound was bestowed by Bai Er Fu Lan Ling."

Meanwhile, a beam of sunlight streamed down from the small skylight on the roof, filling the woodshed with a sense of comfort and peace. The immediate task at hand is to first take care of one's health, and then, following the directions on the map, to find that strange place called the ruins

The person did not pursue, but instead called out: "Are you alright?" The voice was delicate and clear, and it turned out to be a woman

A chorus of boos erupted from the crowd of young people

The colonel shouted angrily, swinging his sword down; however, both the force and timing were highly inappropriate.

I took a sudden step back, my scalp tingling, unable to even dream that I would encounter this legendary figure here, another famous traitor of the empire

As long as I can leave the vast plain, the danger of being pursued will significantly decrease, so if I can move, I must strive to gain time and get ahead of the pursuers

The Xi Qi, who was closely pressed against me, trembled slightly, clearly feeling some fear towards this strange person. This, in turn, reassured me greatly, for if she recognized him, he would naturally be someone from this vicinity, rather than a warrior sent by the empire to hunt me down

She propped her charming face up and watched me eat, looking quite interested

I was momentarily stunned and said: "A sphere, how can it stand steadily?"

However, my experience in the underground was quite different

The sound of the pursuers quickly diminished, far behind me. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as the flowing water might render the dogs' sense of smell ineffective in tracking me down

I suddenly fell silent and awakened from the sea of desire. Could it be that the warriors of the empire pursuing me have arrived here

Xiqi asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Two swords crossed each other. The horse, startled, jumped up in alarm

The old man reached out to stop her from continuing, and said in a deep voice: "You can walk, but you won't be able to engage in any physical confrontation within ten days." My anger surged, and I replied calmly: "This is my business, no need for you to worry about it." The old man looked up to the sky and chuckled: "Good! You have spirit, truly worthy of being the son of Lanling." I stared at him in astonishment, wondering who this person was and how he recognized me as the son of Lanling. Could it be that Xiqi told him? But that seemed unlikely.

Xi Qi said: "Go up the mountain to fetch some medicine, your wound still needs to be treated with some herbal medicine, otherwise it will be difficult to recover quickly"

Qi Bei looked up to the sky and smiled, a flash of lightning illuminated the scene as he drew the long sword from his hand. Amidst Xi Qi's scream, I felt a chill rapidly extend from my arm to my wrist, and I sighed inwardly: "This hand is done for, how can I wield a sword in the future"

His fierce gaze swept over me and said: "Qi Bei!"

When I awoke again, I found myself in a small cabin filled with firewood, lying on a bed of soft hay. As I attempted to turn over, excruciating pain surged from multiple wounds, causing me to involuntarily let out a low moan

She innocently counted on her fingers and said, "You have slept for a full two days and one night"

An eye for an eye

These two long iron bars must have endured the passage of many years

I sighed again, assuming it were me, I would certainly harm the horse before harming a person, but Xi Qi's compassion caused her to miss the opportunity

The foundation of the empire is built upon military force

The door opened, and Xiqi rushed in with a panicked expression, pushing aside the straw on the ground beside me to reveal an iron ring. I looked at her in confusion

When I woke up, it was already late at night, and the sky was dotted with stars. The struggles between people seemed so boring and foolish in front of her, yet being in the midst of it, I had no choice but to continue fighting.

I asked: "What is your name?"

After the initial shock, Xi Qi's eyes radiated a sense of relief and comfort

My heart was also beating rapidly, and when I was feeling confused, suddenly I remembered something and exclaimed: "Your grandfather has returned"

Xiqi clutched Qibei's arm and said: "Grandfather! Please save him."

"Oh! You are injured." It was then that I felt the old wounds on my body burst open, and blood began to flow.

The room is empty, and I suppose that Xiqi's daughter, with her delicate and shy face, had just been so intimate with me by chance. Now, in broad daylight, how could she not avoid me? I stretch my limbs a bit and feel that my strength has mostly returned.

A series of shouts and reprimands came from outside the shed, and it seemed there were about fifteen or sixteen people. In my usual state, I would not regard such strength as a threat, but now, with injuries all over my body, like a tiger fallen in the plains, I feared that half of them could easily bring me down

She walked briskly along the winding path in the woods behind the house, perhaps she had never had a companion before, and now suddenly she had me, a young friend only a few years her senior, which made her particularly excited, and it seemed she had a great affection for me. With this thought, I couldn't help but pay attention to her graceful and enchanting figure, her golden, shining soft hair, most of which was tied up on her head, while a small portion hung down, dancing in the gentle breeze, exuding a captivating elegance and a sense of freedom that enchanted the heart.

I bowed and said: "Thank you for saving my life"

With a determined bite, I got up and stumbled towards the grass thicket that reached up to my knees, one foot high and the other low. The surrounding vegetation grew denser, forcing me to draw my sword, which was as much a part of me as my flesh, to carve out an escape route with all my might. Soon, my muscles, exhausted to the point of immobility, fell into a state of complete numbness, sustained only by my willpower. Had it not been for the rigorous training I received from the swordsman since childhood, I would have long since collapsed. When I finally emerged from a dense thicket of reeds, I suddenly stepped into thin air, realizing I was at the edge of a slope. In my state of utter fatigue, I could not maintain my footing and rolled down the slope like a ball, not knowing how many plants I crushed beneath me. With a loud 'splash,' I fell into the icy water below. The current was swift, and I was helplessly swept downstream, carried away in the blink of an eye for over a hundred yards.

I was about to speak when a sudden clatter of hooves approached rapidly from a distance, and in an instant, it had arrived.

The faint sound of footsteps was carried by the wind into my ears, accompanied by the barking of fierce dogs. My heart trembled, and instinctively, I reached behind to grip the hilt of the longsword I carried. In a one-on-one confrontation, none of them would be my match, including the one known as the best swordsman under my father, Lanling, the 'Black Widow,' even including Lijun. Although I had never fought her, I possessed that kind of confidence, the confidence of a skilled swordsman

As the colonel's sword flew up into the air, Qi Bei dashed past the astonished colonel and plunged into the encirclement, with axes and iron spikes all coming at him.

Qi Beidao: "I just went up the mountain to gather herbs and saw the black-helmeted soldiers of the Great Empire meticulously searching the area. And you, covered in wounds, combined with the timing, who else could they be looking for?" I trembled all over and replied, "They have finally found me; I must leave immediately." Qi Bei sneered, "Leave! Are you going out to die? With your current physical condition, it would be a miracle if you could walk ten miles."

Xi Qi exclaimed in surprise, her face turning pale, feeling greatly perplexed by the grievances between my grandfather and my father. Of course, this also indicated that she had a strong affection for me. I recalled her fiery feminine form and the kindness her grandfather and she had shown me, a surge of heat rushed to my head, and I extended my left hand, calling out: "A son's repayment for a father's debt; however my father treated you, you should treat me in the same way."

Under the favor of the lucky deity, the river carried me away from the woods, until I reached a canyon several miles away from the forest. As the water began to slow down, I crawled up to the bank, but could no longer hold on and fainted just like that

Stop!

I gazed at Xiqi, and just then her eyes swept towards me as well. Our gazes met, and she lowered her eyes to the ground, the shy grace of a young girl, which, despite the surrounding threats, still intoxicated my heart and mind. I wondered if this was what love felt like. The princess's beauty was breathtaking, yet it was unattainable. Her agreement to accept me as her future husband might merely be a political maneuver to win over her father, the Grand Leader, by securing the loyalty of his chief general, Lanling. My father had already perished in prison, and I had betrayed and fled; all of this was now a thing of the past, and the princess must have forgotten me. The princess's beauty was breathtaking, yet it was unattainable. Her agreement to accept me as her future husband might merely be a political maneuver to win over her father, the Grand Leader, by securing the loyalty of his chief general, Lanling. My father had already perished in prison, and I had betrayed and fled; all of this was now a thing of the past, and the princess must have forgotten me. Xiqi was beautiful and approachable, like a small wildflower in the field

I looked down in astonishment and checked my clothes. The sleeve was torn, but my skin was unharmed. This sword stroke precisely cut through my sleeve with incredible force, truly worthy of being a legendary swordsman who was once as famous as my father.

A flash of light and shadow, the person's sword skillfully flicked upwards, intending to turn into a fatal strike against me.

Seven people's fourteen pairs of eyes focused on me together.

The sound of a whistle and a shrill call came from the rider's mouth, and with no way to escape, the two of us were surrounded. One of the burly men, with a voice that was oddly out of place for his robust physique, mockingly said: "My little Xiqi, isn't your brother going to call out even once?"

She paused for a moment and said, "Oh! You are not from 'Dragon Head Mountain', I'm sorry! I thought you were a wild beast, so I shot an arrow at you. No one has ever come here at this time."

Just as I was about to use my strength to pull the assailant off the horse, a sharp pain shot through my right arm beneath the ribs, causing my body to tremble and the whip to slip from my hand

I gazed in astonishment at the woman emerging from the shadows, faintly perceiving her athletic figure under the starlight

Xiqi's pleading big eyes looked at me, reproaching me for my meaningless bravado, causing my heart to soften involuntarily, leaving me speechless. For the first time, a smile flickered in Qibei's eyes, yet his tone remained cold as he said: "After Xiqi helped you back last night, I hurried to erase all traces you left on the road, and set up a deceptive formation to lead the pursuers to the border of the 'Witch's Kingdom'. Even if the pursuers are astute enough to realize that you did not head in that direction and turn back, it will at least be more than ten days before they return."

At the foot of the mountain, there is a circular pit with a diameter of more than half a mile, resembling a crater created by a large stone being thrown down. However, this is not the most peculiar aspect.

Another tall and slender young man said ominously: "Colonel! I see that the little lover in your dreams has already found solace in someone else's embrace."

A barren expanse of nearly 1 li, devoid of any vegetation, appears in stark contrast to the surrounding trees, as if someone had deliberately cleared this large area. However, even if it is man-made, how can the land remain completely lifeless?

Xi Qi extended her hand and said: "Of course not, follow me."

I suddenly lunged forward, transforming my longsword from a thrust into a slash. Had it not been for my physical strength being less than one-tenth of usual, the opponent would not have been able to evade that strike just now

The tall and slender young man laughed and said, "Of course, how could our colonel's sword outside be equally effective as the one inside?"

Although the old man appears to be around sixty years of age, not a single wrinkle can be seen on his face

Xiqi said: "Grandfather once read 'The Book of Wisdom', which states that our world exists on a large sphere, with many vast lands surrounded by the ocean, and the continent we inhabit is merely one of those pieces."

I secretly praised and sighed again.

This tall and slender young man speaks with double meanings, extremely sarcastic and caustic

Xiqi said: "My grandfather and I also find it hard to understand, but the matters recorded in the Book of Wisdom have never been wrong."

With a bang, the door opened, and a dignified and tall old man with sharp eyes walked in with big strides. His gaze swept over me fiercely. Xiqi followed behind him, bowing her head and dare not look at me, but I could see that even her ears were turning red.

Colonel Yin smiled slyly and said: "My little sister, this pretty boy of yours is all show and no substance! Although he has a sword on his back, I can see that he doesn't even have the strength to wield it"

I awkwardly got up and once again demonstrated my gluttonous eating style

In the narrow space, she pressed tightly against me, her full and elastic hips sitting unabashedly on my thigh, my face brushing against her beautiful hair, the virgin fragrance flooding into the depths of my soul with each breath

The colonel glared with wide eyes and coldly said: "Alright! Once there is a man, you no longer keep me in your sight. Let me skin him alive, and then I will carry you to bed, ensuring you desire for nothing but ecstasy, and no one will want anything else."

Hunger is tormenting my will. The primary task tomorrow morning is to hunt a creature that can satisfy my hunger. The days of fleeing ahead are still long. If I cannot find the "ruins" indicated on the map in a day, I will remain in danger for another day

Faintly, I can see objects again; it turns out that the small hole has opened a dense row of tiny ventilation holes, so it does not feel too stuffy

Xiqi held a steel ring and pulled it upwards, revealing a circular cover. Because the cover was the same color and material as the floor, it was difficult to distinguish it without a closer look

She let out a soft "hm," and her originally stiff body became as soft as cotton, melting into my embrace. I couldn't help but feel the most primal male response rise within me, and she seemed to sense it, her entire body becoming flushed with heat.

With a strong wind, an arrow pierced into the trunk of the tree on my left side, its tail still swaying

The sound of horses neighing rose from the hillside, as seven or eight riders galloped down the slope, charging towards us with their whips raised

Xi Qi's face turned pale, and she said in a deep voice: "If you do not step aside, do not blame me for being merciless with my sword"

Xiqi said: "There are many such toxic lands nearby, which is why many people do not want to live in Longshou Mountain, claiming that this place is cursed by the devil. My grandfather said that during his travels, he not only encountered these toxic lands but also saw deep pits created by heavenly thunder, which were quite terrifying"

I smiled apologetically and hurried after.

Qi Beiwang looked at me and said: "Your wounds have all split open, and it will take several more days of effort for them to heal."

She replied, "My name is Xiqi"

Without a second thought, I reached out and just managed to catch the tip of the whip.

The crowd was taken aback and came to a halt. A rider swiftly approached.

I feel an unprecedented sense of calm within me, yet I am not naive enough to believe that I have escaped from danger. That map is something that the Grand Marshal would sacrifice anything to reclaim. Although I do not yet know what lies within that map, I am aware that it harbors the power to bring about the downfall of the entire empire

With a clang, the colonel raised his hand, and the sword was already in his grasp

In the glorious history of the empire, since nineteen years ago when my father, Lanling, and the grandfather of Xiqi, Qi Bei, stole the Book of Wisdom from the Witch Kingdom's Witch Secret Hall, the development of cast iron technology, mathematics, and astronomy has taken place. The enormous iron bars, stretching half a mile, are astonishing structures that we could not even dream of, regardless of their length extending into the ground. Who created this? The enormous iron bars, stretching half a mile, are astonishing structures that we could not even dream of, regardless of their length extending into the ground. Who created this?

I naturally reached out my hand, and she grabbed me, leading me around the toxic area and up a slope.

The axe, the spikes fell to the ground one after another, amidst screams and curses, the people on the Colonel's side retreated. Blood dripped from their weapon-holding hands to the ground, mixed with the urgent neighing and jumping of horses, the scene was extremely chaotic. I clearly saw every move of Qibei's sword, every thrust, every chop, every pick was so impeccable and perfect, I asked myself that I was far from that realm, but if I were to duel with him to the death, I might not necessarily lose, because it is not simply a contest of swordsmanship, but also a contest of tenacity and will. In any case, Qibei is an outstanding swordsman.

I took a deep breath and composed myself. I said, "My father once read the Book of Wisdom and mentioned that the knowledge mentioned in the preface of the book originated from an ancient and vanished civilization. I wonder if these two peculiar rusty irons belong to the relics of that civilization?" Xiqi nodded and said, "Perhaps it is so."

Colonel shouted, "You sick cat, looking for death. Let me help you achieve it."

That night I slept badly, the place where the medicine was applied was burning and painful. As soon as I fell asleep, I had a nightmare. I dreamed of my father, who was covered in scars in the prison cell. He spoke to me before he died, asking me to find the ruins on the map, find the inexplicable power, destroy the cruel emperor, and liberate the people from tyranny. It was almost dawn when I finally fell asleep. When I woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. Xiqi sat next to me with food, smiling. "Find the inexplicable power, destroy the cruel emperor, and liberate the people from tyranny." It was almost dawn when I finally fell asleep. When I woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. Xiqi sat next to me with food, smiling.

My face is close to Xiqi's tender and smooth cheeks, smelling her fragrant breath, embracing her hot body tightly, and when those people outside are saying those unbearable words, Xiqi's heart beats rapidly, and her body can't help but slightly curl up, making me feel particularly excited.

However, it is currently safe.

A stream flows by the house, where several horses leisurely graze on the lush grass by the stream. Next to the woodshed is a large millstone, surrounded by grains. There should be paddy fields nearby, but they are temporarily obscured by the dense forest of the grains.

Xi Qi was about to retort, but suddenly fell silent; perhaps recalling the intimate situation just now when we were holding hands even in the dungeon. Her pretty face turned red as she avoided the gaze of the tall and thin young man, and turned to me, saying, "Let's go! Don't pay attention to these bunch of bastards."

What is commendable is that from both the perspective of angle and speed, Xiqi's sword, which is inherited from her ancestors, is impeccable. What is regrettable, however, is that this sword lacks the killing intent that can only be cultivated through actual combat, and therefore cannot intimidate opponents and win through sheer momentum.

In the eastern sky, a glimmer of dawn appeared at this moment. The time for sunrise has finally arrived. With the help of these faint lights, I rubbed my left hip, which was no longer so painful, while examining her.

I interjected, "Is there still a paradise in this world?"

Rural life, for someone like me who lives in a big city like Sunrise City, feels very fresh.

I ran desperately until I dashed into the towering forest, unable to support myself any longer. First, my knees gave way, then I fell forward, my face resting on the cold, damp mud.

I was overjoyed and began to devour my food ravenously

The colonel stared fiercely at Qi Bei, a cross-shaped blood mark was drawn on his forehead by the sword edge, blood flowed down his cheeks, making him look like a pitiful ghost. Gasping for breath, his lips trembling, he took the opportunity to pull the reins and turned around, galloping up the slope.

Inside is a small space that can accommodate only a few people. Following this, Xiqi placed a pile of hay on the round cover, her delicate body swaying as she also slipped into the hole. With her jade-like hand, she gently adjusted the cover, and in an instant, it transformed into a world of darkness

Under the faint starlight, the figure swiftly retreated into the shadow of the large tree, seemingly unwilling to engage in a direct confrontation with me

She said joyfully, "You woke up. This is my third time visiting you."

People laughed indulgently. In this era, what matters is power. Whoever has a sharp sword, excellent martial arts, and great influence can dominate.

With a cold snort from Qi Bei, his sword sprinkled white light like a storm of raindrops. In an instant, the sound of almost simultaneous clashes erupted.

I supported my left hand, which was in excruciating pain and could not straighten, with my right hand as I quickly stepped back

A strong gust of wind swept in from the left.

The sound of wind behind.

Xi Qi suddenly became excited and said, "How is your health? There is a wonderful place right by the mountain behind the house. I will take you to see it."

I was just about to see who was cursing while drinking, when a cold star suddenly struck me in the face.

I was stunned for a moment and said, "What is this reasoning? How can there be such a strange place?"

Speaking of this, my eyes turned red with deep emotions! After finishing chewing the venison in my mouth, I asked, "Where is your grandfather?"

Whoosh

I said, "Xiqi, this is a good name. What were you doing there that night?"

A series of clashing sounds, as the two engaged in a back-and-forth duel with their swords

I pondered for a while and said, "Did you bring me here just to see this strange place?"

Xi Qi was shocked and woke up, reached out and pushed the lid open, and crawled out.

Although I do not know the reason, I absolutely trust her. To deal with me, she could take advantage of my unconsciousness. Moreover, her purity has greatly endeared her to me, so I hesitate not to shrink into the hole.

At around the age of sixteen or eighteen, her charming oval face was complemented by a pair of bright, sparkling eyes, and her graceful figure radiated a captivating youthful aura. Her delicate nose particularly highlighted her gentle and amiable personality, which made me secretly admire her. As I observed her, she was also assessing me.

They have a total of seven people, ranging in age from ten to thirty. They are equipped with weapons such as bows, arrows, axes, and flying ropes. The clothes they wear are all made of various types of animal skins sewn together, which is the typical attire of hunters on the edge of the empire. Only the colonel among them carries a long sword.

Xiqi didn't say a word all the way, but I noticed that even her ears turned red. Just now, she impulsively held my hand, and at that moment, I realized that I couldn't bear this kind of intimate contact between a man and a woman. My heart trembled, I tightly held her jade hand, not wanting to let go.

A sword is a very precious item, and forging a longsword is no easy task. The colonel possesses a sword, which clearly indicates that he is the leader of this group of young hunters

I recalled the group led by the colonel yesterday, asking, "Is he not afraid of leaving you here alone? Who is the colonel, and why is he not afraid of your grandfather?"

The sound of wind behind me is urgent. The intense pain has not yet subsided. I struggled to avoid to the left side, but my right shoulder was heavily whipped, causing me to stumble and almost fall. Just as I was about to fall, a hand grabbed me.

Looking at her innocent appearance as someone who has not yet fully entered society, I blurted out, "My name is Lante, I am the son of Lanling." After revealing my identity, I felt a little regretful, as I am a fugitive who should not have disclosed my identity.

The door creaked as she stepped in, dressed in a plain white coarse cloth outfit. Her pretty face shone with a captivating radiance, her rosy cheeks flushed with the vigor of youth and health, making it hard to catch one's breath.

Xiqi exclaimed in disappointment: "You ... ... "

I can't believe it: "What?".

I was stunned and speechless, a wave of shame surged within me. How could my father strike someone carrying a child? However, it has now been proven that Qi Bei's betrayal of the empire was justified, while my father was in the wrong. My father's occasional sighs and laments—are they due to his guilt for betraying his friend Qi Bei?

I take two steps back and say: "Who are you? Why did you shoot an arrow at me?"

Bang! The door of the woodshed was kicked open.

Qi Bei has arrived

Look! exclaimed Xiqi

As I moved my hand, the sword came into my left hand, and I was filled with dread. If the pursuers of the Great Leader possessed such extraordinary powers, what more could I say? They would only be able to obtain the body of Lante, who fought valiantly to the end; there would be no other possibility.

I looked at myself and noticed that blood was seeping from several wounds, especially the one on my left thigh, which was inflicted by the cruel and bloodthirsty leader of the Black Helmet Warriors, Ge Zhan. I will definitely seek retribution in the future

I closely examined the mud, which was a dark yellowish color, clearly different from ordinary soil. When I bent down to grab a handful of it, Xi Ban Jiao exclaimed, "Oh! Don't, this soil is toxic."

Colonel Dao: "Hurry up! Old Qi is back, and I don't believe that little girl can slip through my fingers."

I still want to speak, suddenly feeling something, I turned my head.

A tall and slender young man chuckled in a low voice! "You little tease, do you dare say that this fellow has not even touched you once?"

I suppressed the frustration within me and said: "My stamina has recovered significantly, and I can continue on my journey now. I will no longer trouble you."

Having finished, I assumed that I had truly slept for such a long time, and the road ahead must be filled with enemies hunting for me, making it impossible for me to find the ruins on the map. She sat down beside me, watching me with great interest, yet remained silent, as if she had a profound curiosity about me. Suddenly, my stomach betrayed me and let out a few embarrassing growls, and I looked at her awkwardly. She smiled slightly, took out a basket from behind her, opened the cloth covering it, and a wave of meaty aroma wafted over.

Qi Bei rushed forward with a blank expression. When he was about ten steps away from the colonel, his sword was already drawn. The colonel shouted in anger and was the first to meet him. A cold light flashed.

What could it be? I rose up, though my muscles ached and I was exhausted, I was already far better than I had been before losing consciousness. Under the faint starlight, outside the canyon lay a vast grassland. I walked through the sparse forest at the edge.

At this moment, I realized that all the wounds on my body had been properly bandaged.

Xiqi's face turned red, and she shouted angrily: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

The Grand Marshal is universally recognized as the most formidable swordsman, possibly even surpassing my father. However, the two have never competed against each other, and the armor that the Grand Marshal wears continuously for years further renders him unafraid of swords and spears

Hello! Why haven't you come yet

Xi Qi shrugged and said, "He left early in the morning, and I do not know what he is doing"

He restored his cold, expressionless face and said: "Lie down. Xiqi is here to help; I need to change his dressing."

Away from the house, the sound of horses neighing could be heard. Xi Qi jumped up and said, "I'm going to feed the horses." With that, she went out.

Xiqi threw my long sword in and shouted, "Quick, hide inside."

Clang! Xiqi sword is out of its sheath.

I looked at Xiqi and saw her pouting with a full face, blaming me for staying there.

I carefully observed him, feeling his dignified and composed demeanor, exuding the style of a skilled swordsman, and asked in a deep voice, "May I inquire about your distinguished name?"

The sword returns to its sheath.

"Ah!" A scream came from more than ten yards away to the left.

I remain silent because it was the map on the last page of the Book of Wisdom that caused the rift between my father and Qi Bei, ultimately leading to the tragic destruction of our family and the loss of lives

A rough voice said: "If you are not afraid that the old man Qi will wait until he goes up the mountain to find his beautiful granddaughter, I really do not understand. Although Xi Qi is good-looking, she is quite proper, how can she compare to those flirtatious girls in the city"