Chapter 28: Killing Someone Isn't Enough You Must Break Their Spirit
Slap!
A rough hand gripped the head of the bearded mercenary, forcing it down. Mu Li stood with one hand clasped behind his back and asked softly, "You know what to do now, don't you?"
The bearded mercenary gritted his teeth, his jaw clenched so tightly the muscles bulged. His breathing was heavy, and his lowered eyes were filled with humiliation and fury.
Mu Li didn't care about the man's anger. With a firm grip on his head, Mu Li turned him to face a corner of the room, where a woman and a ten year old child sat tied up, bound and gagged.
"…I understand," the bearded mercenary said after a deep breath.
"Do you know who sent you?" Mu Li continued.
"I know…"
"Was it the leader or the young leader?" Hemon asked from his seat, his voice indifferent.
"It was me! No one forced me!" The bearded mercenary closed his eyes slowly, his voice trembling as he declared, "It was all me!"
"It was all me!"
"Smart choice," Mu Li said with a grin, patting the bearded man on the shoulder approvingly.
The next morning.
As always, Xiao Yi Xian left her home to head to Wan Yao Zhai for her clinic hours. But the moment she stepped outside, she sensed that something was off.
On the street, some passersby smiled and nodded at her with gratitude. To them, the rumors about the treasure didn't matter Xiao Yi Xian was their savior, their healer, and that was all they needed to know.
Others turned red faced with shame, guilt eating away at them. They had harbored ill intentions toward the person who had saved their lives.
Yet there were also those whose eyes gleamed with cunning and ambition. Qingshan Town wasn't small, and not everyone had received Xiao Yi Xian's care. For those who hadn't, the concept of gratitude meant nothing, and the rumors about the treasure stirred greedy thoughts in their hearts. However, the sheer number of people who respected her kept them in check. Acting against her would mean being cast out of the town. They knew too well the dangers of betrayal an ally's blade could find their back during the next mission.
"Xiao Yi Xian's reputation is truly untouchable…" Mu Li remarked as he gazed down at the scene from a high balcony, his expression calm.
"There's no helping it," he continued, his tone darkening. "She's saved too many people even you and me."
"In this town, Xiao Yi Xian is practically invincible. Whoever dares act against her will face the wrath of everyone."
"So what's the plan?" Hemon asked, scratching his head, his narrow eyes filled with frustration. As someone who had witnessed the treasure firsthand, he knew it was real and that at least part of it was in Xiao Yi Xian's possession. The thought of knowing but not having it drove him mad.
"We break her invincibility," Mu Li said with a smirk. "Gold and treasure make people greedy. All we have to do is make everyone believe the treasure is really with her."
In the streets below.
Xiao Yi Xian's expression darkened. The increasing attention she was receiving meant the rumors about the treasure were spreading again.
As she walked, her heart sank. She had lived in Qingshan Town for years and had grown fond of the place, but now it seemed she might have to leave.
Her fingers twitched slightly, brushing against the smooth jade slip hidden in her sleeve the soul jade slip that would allow her to contact Lu Bu. But she hesitated. Was he even still in the Magic Beast Mountain Range?
With a small shake of her head, Xiao Yi Xian slipped the jade back into her storage ring, pushing down the faint regret she felt. Perhaps things would have been better if she had left with him back then.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden burst of motion.
Whoosh!
A figure shot out from a side street, the sound of cutting air echoing as it reached for her neck.
"Hahaha! Xiao Yi Xian, come with me! Let's have a little chat about that treasure!" The man was thin and rat faced, with scars lining his face. Green wind attributed Dou Qi swirled around him as he grinned wickedly.
"Stop, you bastard!" Several people in the street shouted in anger, their bodies erupting with Dou Qi in various colors.
But the scar faced man was fast, his wind attribute giving him the advantage. The bystanders couldn't react in time to stop him.
Xiao Yi Xian, on the other hand, had never expected anyone to attack her in broad daylight within the town. Did this man have a death wish?
Instinctively, her Dou Qi surged, circulating through her body as she stepped back to evade his grasp. However, as a Dou Practitioner, she couldn't project her Dou Qi outward. Moreover, she didn't want to expose her strength.
But she underestimated her opponent. His wind attributed speed was too much, and in a flash, his claw like hand closed around her slender, pale neck.
"Hahaha, come with me!" the scar faced man sneered, tightening his grip and preparing to flee into the Magic Beast Mountain Range with her.
However…
A strange purple gray glow began spreading up his arm from where he touched her, followed by a sharp tingling pain that quickly turned into numbness.
The man's face twisted in shock as he looked down to see his right hand turning a sickly purple gray color. The poison was spreading rapidly.
"Damn it!" he cursed, releasing Xiao Yi Xian immediately. But the poison didn't stop. It continued creeping up his arm, spreading further with each passing moment.
Within seconds, his entire forearm had turned purple gray.
"Damn it all!" The man's expression was one of sheer panic. Without hesitation, he drew a sharp blade with his left hand and slashed downward, severing his own poisoned arm at the elbow.
Sizzle!
The severed limb hit the ground, its blood corroding the earth and leaving behind a small, smoking crater.
"What… what kind of monster are you?" the man stammered, clutching his bleeding stump as he staggered back. If he hadn't acted quickly, the poison would have reached his heart, killing him.
With a final hateful glare at Xiao Yi Xian, the man turned and fled toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range, knowing he could no longer stay in Qingshan Town.
The entire incident had happened in the blink of an eye, leaving the onlookers stunned. The once gentle and seemingly fragile Xiao Yi Xian had revealed a terrifying, deadly side to herself.
"What an incredible poison…" someone murmured, staring at the dissolving arm that continued to corrode the ground.
"That wasn't just poison did you feel her Dou Qi? It was strong!" another mercenary exclaimed, recalling the oppressive force he had felt when Xiao Yi Xian's Dou Qi surged.
"So… the treasure might be real after all?" another whispered, excitement creeping into his voice.
Xiao Yi Xian's lips pressed into a thin line, her face pale. Hearing the hushed discussions around her, she felt a chill run down her spine. Without stopping to look back, she quickened her pace, heading for Wan Yao Zhai.
Instinct told her to go home, but for some reason, she found herself walking toward the clinic instead. Perhaps she still hoped to continue her work, even amidst the growing chaos.
On a nearby rooftop, Mu Li and Hemon exchanged glances, both grinning with delight.
Their plan had exceeded expectations. Not only had they forced Xiao Yi Xian to reveal her strength, but they had also uncovered an unexpected surprise.
"A poison girl, huh?" Hemon muttered, a hint of awe in his voice. Xiao Yi Xian's golden reputation wasn't just tarnished it had been shattered, revealing the deadly demon beneath.
"Stealing treasure from a beloved healer was risky," Hemon continued, "but dealing with a demon in the name of justice? That's something we can get away with!"
"Exactly," Mu Li replied, laughing. "I'm heading down to collect some of that poison it'll come in handy."
"Go ahead. I'll take care of the scar faced guy. He knows too much," Hemon said, leaping from the rooftop to pursue the fleeing mercenary.
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