Chương 15: Wooden Corpse (Part I)

Very soon, the three bandits entered the camp, offering a practiced greeting.

"We speak in the name of Grand Cultivator Liu Tian, Inner Disciple of the Myriad Soul Transformations Sect. May we know which Sect our fellow servants are affiliated with?" Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng were bewildered by the three men who looked like armored beggars approaching them, and even more stunned by the flowery language used by the one in the middle. Above them, Lucian heard every word. The speaker made no effort to lower his voice.

On the contrary, he spoke almost theatrically, but with a mechanical and exaggerated tone. So this is what testing the waters means, Lucian thought, analyzing each sentence. They wish to learn Wang Chen's background while making it clear they know he is a mortal. Any thoughts of attacking them vanished from Lucian's mind. A few sentences had already yielded valuable information. It was more useful to let Wang Chen handle the exchange. If matters deteriorated, then he would intervene.

Below, silence stretched, and Wang Chen struggled to think of a response. Bai Xiaomeng's eyes searched the darkness for Lucian. Her right hand tightened around the dagger hidden in her sleeve. Simply looking at the men made her shiver, and she stepped behind Wang Chen. Feeling her body pressing against his side, Wang Chen blushed and took a step forward, bowing slightly.

"This one can see you are great soldiers serving a Grand Cultivator. We would not dare call ourselves fellow servants, as—""As the one we serve does not like to call us servants," Bai Xiaomeng interrupted, stepping beside him, her lips trembling. All three men turned their attention to her. She clasped her hands behind her back to hide their shaking and continued.

"We serve Grand Cultivator Zhu Qi, Inner Disciple…of the Vermillion Desert Sect." The trio blanched. For a moment, they forgot their orders and glanced nervously toward the treeline, their expressions pleading toward the darkness. A hoarse chuckle answered their pleading gazes as the obedient man stepped forward into the firelight, carrying what appeared to be a child in his arms. Three more armored, beggar-like men followed behind him, all of them looking tired. Shaking his head, Liu Tian sneered.

"Zhu Qi, you say? These fools may be deceived, but I am not." He stomped the ground, and the azure leaves scattered as though blown by an unseen gust.

"To pretend to serve a cultivator and to dare speak of a Demonic Sect before me! Hmph! You truly do not value your lives!" Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Wang Chen pulled Bai Xiaomeng behind him and cast her a confused glance, only to be met with her fierce glare. H e was startled when Bai Xiaomeng stepped forward once more and began to speak.

"Grand Cultivator Liu Tian, I beg your pardon," she said, her tone steadier now, filled with forced righteousness.

"But Grand Cultivator Zhu Qi is not ashamed of his origins. Nor does he consider himself a Demonic Cultivator. In fact, he informed us of your arrival and told us he would personally receive you."

"Nonsense," Liu Tian replied, his eyes scanning the camp while his body remained still.

"I sent someone to scout this place. And I can sense there were only two people here. Mere mortals, trying to deceive me!" Bai Xiaomeng's mind raced, fear gripping her soul as she continue to bullshit without hesitation.

"If Grand Cultivator Zhu Qi wants to be found, he will be found. If not, how could anyone see him? Had your scout not left so quickly, our Lord would have met him and invited him to eat and drink with us," she said and licked her lips.

"I believe if you desire to see our Lord, he will surely appear to you." Liu Tian frowned. He tightened his hold on the robed being in his arms, his gaze sweeping the surroundings more erratically. He was hurt and couldn't use investigative techniques, but his Qi perception was going into overdrive. After a brief silence, not finding anyone, he laughed in anger.

"Very well. I want to see him. Where is he? I want to see him!"

"Here." The six armored men and Liu Tian felt their hearts drop as they turned their heads back as fast as they could. Lucian stepped forward from the shadows, lowering the upper part of his robe and revealing his pale face. He glanced at them calmly and gave a faint nod toward Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng. Fortunately, no one noticed the pair's startled expressions. They were as surprised as the rest by Lucian's sudden appearance. Liu Tian recovered first and was about to speak when his expression changed abruptly.

He had just recognized two facts. First, he wasn't able to feel any Qi from Lucian. Second, Lucian had infused intent directly into his mind, not communicating with normal words! Needless to say, Liu Tian was more knowledgeable than Xin Pang and the other bandits, and acted according to his discoveries. A violent wave of Qi burst from his body. In the same instant, he hurled the small robed figure to the ground, empowering it with as much Qi as his current state allowed.

When it touched the earth, the creature sprang to life. In the darkness, only Lucian noticed that the child's body was mostly wood, with hollow sockets where its eyes should have been. After adjusting its limbs, the puppet lunged toward Lucian. At the same time, Liu Tian coughed up blood and stomped the ground. His sandals exploded under the force, his feet tearing open as he propelled himself high above the treeline, a powerful gust of wind carrying him and shredding his skin. He chose to flee!

Using a technique that caused self-harm in exchange for surprising his opponent by using as little Qi as possible! Ruthless and decisive, Lucian thought, watching Liu Tian for a second and then turning his full attention to the wooden creature charging him. Let us see what you gifted me. The six armored men, along with Wang Chen and Bai Xiaomeng, stood stunned as dirt and leaves erupted from Liu Tian's escape, clouding their vision. Next, a thunderous crash echoed through the clearing.

The wooden puppet had smashed its head into a tree trunk. Lucian had baited it and stepped aside at the last instant. The creature showed no sign of pain, still dropped on all fours, and lunged again in his direction. Apparently, the only effect of the crash was to jolt everyone into action. Wang Chen tightened his grip on his dagger as the silhouettes of the six men became clearer through the settling dust. Bai Xiaomeng bit her lip, fighting the urge to shut her eyes and hug herself.

And the six armored men, without hesitation, ran in different directions.

"Wang Chen," Lucian shouted.

"Do not let them escape!"