Chapter One, The Lost Path [One]

Do you still want to share with this monster? Nowadays, we are lost in this forest, and with every bite of food and sip of clean water, we have less. Li Yutang's brows furrowed together, his two sword-like eyebrows clashing like blades. However, in the past few days, he had neglected their grooming, and there was a layer of green fuzz beside them, indicating that this pair of imposing sword-like eyebrows had been specially trimmed to look this way

This hero from Qingzhou, in his thirties, is dressed in a set of royal blue silk attire, with a long sword at his waist. He stands tall with his chest out and head held high, his brows tightly knitted. Even after spending a considerable amount of time in this desolate wilderness, he still strives to present himself in an orderly and imposing manner, maintaining the appearance befitting a hero.

The giant remained silent, his pair of green, glimmering eyes turned to Xiaoxia, and he opened his mouth, extending his tongue to lick, producing a strange gurgling sound from his throat. The expression on his face was distorted, making it impossible to discern his feelings. After a moment of silence, he finally turned around and lay back down facing the campfire, and one could faintly hear him muttering to himself: "There will always be something to eat, there will always be food..."

"Hello, I am very thirsty. I haven't had any water all day. Do you want to make me die of thirst?" The girl's complexion was pale to the point of being somewhat translucent. Her eyes were fixed on the water pouch tied around Xiaoxia's waist, yet she remained lying on the rock, completely motionless.

The half-moon hangs in the night sky, its hazy white light filtering through the mist and descending, casting a hue reminiscent of dead skin over the trees below. The campfire not far away flickers weakly, occasionally crackling as if in its final moments, while the sound of insects chirping emerges from the surrounding grass, failing to stir even a hint of vitality in this lifeless night, leaving Xia Xia feeling only irritation in her ears. The campfire not far away flickers weakly, occasionally crackling as if in its final moments, while the sound of insects chirping emerges from the surrounding grass, failing to stir even a hint of vitality in this lifeless night, leaving Xia Xia feeling only irritation in her ears.

No, you will. I know you will. Even if others cannot, you certainly will. The voice of the girl in white is still gentle, very pleasant to hear, and her smile is also very charming. It can be utterly enchanting.

"Ignorant junior, what are you saying?" Li Yutang stepped forward, his hand gripping the sword hilt, with veins bulging.

The man from Yunzhou reached out to grab it, not even bothering to unwrap it, and directly tossed it into his mouth to chew. Oily paper scraps and crumbs fell from the corners of his gaping mouth, and as he ate, his eyes remained fixed on the girl in white lying on the rock. After finishing, he smacked his lips, extended his bright red tongue to lick his lips, and remarked, "This is not tasty"

It is certainly not that she does not want to move, but rather that she is completely unable to do so. Through the thin layer of white fabric, a faint golden talisman can be seen on her back, as if it has been engraved into her flesh and blood. This is said to be the Qiantian Demon Locking Talisman, personally drawn by Zhang Tianshi of Longhu Mountain. The fact that she can still speak is already quite remarkable.

Her voice was soft enough for Xia to hear. The words seemed to lack a clear beginning or end, yet Xia was able to understand them perfectly

Under the moonlight, the soft request of such a beautiful and alluring young girl seems difficult for most men to refuse. However, Xia also remembers clearly that two days ago, the young master Bai of the Luoshui Gang could not resist this beautiful girl and sneaked out in the middle of the night. When they finally followed the trail and found him the next day at noon, the young master was already covered in blood, jumping around in the sunlight like a rabbit that had been skinned, howling in agony. However, Xia also remembers clearly that two days ago, the young master Bai of the Luoshui Gang could not resist this beautiful girl and sneaked out in the middle of the night. When they finally followed the trail and found him the next day at noon, the young master was already covered in blood, jumping around in the sunlight like a rabbit that had been skinned, howling in agony.

Hu Qian paused for a moment, neither denying nor affirming, and nodded. The connection between her helmet and chest armor clashed with a crisp sound as she said, "Both Li the Hero and I are merely concerned about you. This demon possesses profound magical powers and is adept at deceiving people. In case something were to happen to you..."

Until now, the voice and appearance of the young master still linger in Xiaoxia's ears and eyes, enough to extinguish any surging emotions that might arise. Moreover, Xiaoxia is well aware that the girl before her may not be a true young girl.

"Hello, I would like to have some water," the girl lying on the rock suddenly spoke to the book, her voice soft and gentle, sounding pleasant amidst the surrounding deathly silence.

Li Yutang's expression stiffened for a moment, and he let out a muffled grunt. Nevertheless, he unfastened the water pouch from his waist and threw it towards the man from Yunzhou, deliberately saying, "I respect you as a true man"

I can't be bothered to argue with you, I have to travel tomorrow, so I will go rest now. Li Yutang's expression was somewhat unpleasant; after muttering a few words, he turned and walked into the woods, the sparse sound of his footsteps gradually fading away

It is indeed skin that has been peeled off. The young master is covered all over in bright red flesh, with occasional glimpses of white fat, all of which quivers and shakes vividly with his movements, while drops of blood seep out from the meat and are scattered everywhere. This beautiful and alluring young girl is sitting on a large tree, resting her chin on her hand, watching with great interest the young master below who is screaming and jumping around. Her bare feet, white and smooth, dangle beneath the branches, and at the tips of her jade-like toes, she playfully lifts a piece of white, skin-like material, which is an entire sheet of human skin that has been peeled off. This beautiful and alluring young girl is sitting on a large tree, resting her chin on her hand, watching with great interest the young master below who is screaming and jumping around. Her bare feet, white and smooth, dangle beneath the branches, and at the tips of her jade-like toes, she playfully lifts a piece of white, skin-like material, which is an entire sheet of human skin that has been peeled off from the young master.

Watching the young girl take a couple of sips, Xia Xia took back the water bottle, replaced the cork, and said softly, "What I gave her was my water"

Hu Qian furrowed her brows, while Li Yutang let out a cold snort, not even responding to this seemingly simple question

Xia Xia suddenly found it very amusing, so she laughed: "Even your eyesight is inferior; this scrap metal should be thrown away."

I have some provisions here," Xia Xia said as she took out a small bag of rations from her bosom and tossed it over.

Xiaoxia also smiled and shook her head: "That's not right, at least I wouldn't. Although you are very valuable and I also like money, I would never strive desperately for it."

Are you two out of your minds? Is there still time for infighting at this moment?

If you cannot find a solution within two days, when he becomes hungry again, he will no longer desire dry rations, but rather crave human flesh

So it turns out that Hu Xiangzhu is also here. Li Yutang let out a muffled grunt, loosened his grip on the hilt of his sword, and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the woman clad in full armor

The two individuals have taken a break, yet the man from Yunzhou seems to have no intention of resting. He turned his head and looked at Xiaoxia and the girl in white beside him, his eyes, which had originally turned yellow, now glimmering with a greenish light. After observing for a moment, he suddenly mumbled, "Having had some water, I feel a bit hungry now"

Xia turned her head to look at her. The girl, dressed in a thin white garment, had her long black hair cascading over her graceful figure. Her hands and feet curled up like a sleeping cat, tightly pressed against the rock along with her frail body. In the dim moonlight, she exuded a soft elegance, with a hint of alluring charm. She was an extraordinarily beautiful girl, one whose appearance made it difficult for anyone to look away after just one glance. Moreover, she was also a very enticing girl; her delicate and vulnerable posture, combined with a voice so gentle it seemed to seep into one's heart, made those with pure intentions wish to embrace her and protect her lovingly for a lifetime. Conversely, those with impure thoughts could feel every ounce of their desire roaring within them, yearning to unleash their passions upon her.

Xiaoxia let out a cold laugh and said, "I guarantee that the first thing he will want to eat is definitely you"

However, what she said did not seem entirely wrong; she indeed had not had any water for an entire day. Xiaoxia thought for a moment and finally walked over, took out the water bottle from her waist, and brought it to the girl's lips. The girl gently opened her mouth, accepted the spout, and slowly began to sip.

Xia Xia exerted some effort to shift her gaze away from the girl's face, raising her head to look at the half-moon that resembled a corpse's pallor, finding it somewhat difficult to smile.

"Ignorant boy, will you not stop? Do you even know what you are doing?" A low shout came as the renowned hero of Qingzhou, Li Yutang, emerged from behind a nearby low tree.

The woman in armor is named Hu Qian, and she is a fragrance master of the Qingzhou branch of the Divine Machine Hall. In recent years, the influence of the Divine Machine Hall in Qingzhou has been growing day by day, which is closely related to its alliance with the Luoshui Gang. When the Luoshui Gang encountered trouble, the Qingzhou branch naturally had to send someone to assist. It is said that this Master Hu is the most capable and effective fragrance master in the branch, and she brought along two specially crafted mechanical puppet beasts from the Divine Machine Hall. However, in the end, she was still unable to save the life of the young master Bai.

The enormous figure lying beside the bonfire turned around; the man from Yunzhou with the surname Huang woke up and sat up, stretching lazily.

Indeed, isn't it difficult for everyone to sleep well together

"Hero Li is right, everyone should take a rest," Hu Qian glanced at the tall man from Yunzhou, then shifted her gaze back and forth between Xiao Xia and the girl in white before turning and walking into the shadows of the forest

In this unnaturally quiet stillness, it is unclear how much time has passed when the girl on the rock suddenly spoke, saying: "He is no longer quite human."

"Unfathomable!" A cold light flashed in Li Yutang's eyes as he placed his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist. "If I were to discern any signs of you being bewitched by this demon... I, Li, recognize you as a human, but this demon-slaying sword does not recognize you as such"

Xiao Xia smiled again, and this Hu Xiang master had also been lurking and observing from the side for quite some time. The people from the Divine Mechanism Hall generally prefer gadgets like mechanical puppets, and their skills are not particularly impressive. Moreover, due to the armor they wear, the noise made by this woman when she approached was even louder than that of Li Yutang, which Xiao Xia had naturally noticed long ago.

"Hey, could you please give me some water to drink?" The girl said softly again, her voice seemingly wrapped in moonlight, gradually seeping deep into one's ears, soft and cool

"It is better to have something to eat than nothing at all, isn't it?" said Xiaoxia

Another figure emerged from behind the tree. This was a shape entirely enveloped in strange green armor, with eyes hidden beneath the helmet flickering and dancing in the light of the campfire. The movements were somewhat stiff, as if constrained by the armor, resembling a mechanical puppet. However, from the sound, it was clear that this was indeed a person, and a woman at that

However, Xia Xia does not particularly like this self-proclaimed hero, especially since this Hero Li seems to have been secretly watching him for quite some time. Therefore, Xia Xia merely frowned and replied indifferently, "Of course I know."

The girl smiled: "But you will definitely protect me with all your might, right?"

Since everyone is uneasy, why must I be the only one to keep watch? Wouldn't it be better for everyone to gather together and enjoy the lively atmosphere?

The man from Yunzhou took the water pouch and drank a few large gulps, then tossed the pouch directly at his feet. He then grinned at Li Yutang, revealing his large canine teeth, and said: "I am not a hero. You have said before that I am a barbarian. I heard it. I remember. Hehe."

Xia Xia no longer paid him any attention, sitting cross-legged by herself, staring blankly at the moon in the sky. The surroundings once again returned to the previous lifeless silence.

A great hero, especially one who considers himself a great hero, is mocked by an unknown soldier, and this feeling is akin to having excrement smeared on one's face, enough to infuriate the hero to the utmost degree

It turns out that not only the hero Li is unable to sleep, but you, Master Hu Xiang, are also unable to sleep

Xiaoxia is unsure whether his mental calculations are accurate. He has seen many women, both clothed and unclothed, yet every time he sees this young girl, he still vaguely feels an inexplicable surge rising from his lower abdomen, rushing straight to his head

This stretch caused the wound on the man's chest, which was bandaged, to ooze blood again. This was a massive injury that only a man of his considerable size could endure, extending from his left shoulder all the way to his right waist. The blood that had already congealed into a large red-black crust between the bandages and hair was now stirred, and fresh red blood joyfully surged up from beneath. However, he paid no attention to it and simply beckoned to Li Yutang with his finger, saying, "I am thirsty, give me water"