Chapter 84

After taking a few steps, Xiaoming was blocked by Murong Feiyan, who had just returned from patrolling. The little girl raised her head and met Murong Feiyan's wary gaze. She had already keenly sensed the change in Murong Feiyan's attitude, which had shifted from initial sympathy and pity to vigilance and suspicion, even mixed with some aversion.

"So late, where are you going?"

"I just feel a bit stuffy and want to go for a walk."

Murong Feiyan shook her head, rejecting her idea: "There are many wild beasts in the wilderness. It's best not to wander around. You've been tired all day, go to sleep early."

The little girl said, "Do you blame me?"

Murong Feiyan was taken aback by her sudden question, and she smiled faintly, "We met by chance, and sharing the same journey is a kind of fate. Some things are already destined by heaven. What should happen will happen. What is there to blame?"

The little girl said, "I know everyone blames me, thinking I caused that person's death..."

Murong Feiyan said, "No one blames you. It's your own conscience that makes you feel guilty. Go to sleep. Perhaps it will be a sunny day when you wake up tomorrow."

The little girl looked at Murong Feiyan, tightly biting her lip, for if not, her tears would have already flowed.

At midnight, Murong Feiyan and Liang Dazhuang switched shifts. Because Hu Xiaotian's poem had successfully made her laugh, Murong Feiyan decided to take his place, standing guard from midnight until dawn. She always kept her word and never went back on her promises.

Liang Dazhuang was already extremely sleepy. Although he tried to stay awake, he dozed off several times. Fortunately, no one launched a surprise attack during this time, and he even thought they were being overly cautious.

Murong Feiyan sat on the massive rock, leaning on her long sword. The bright moon hung high in the night sky, and the stars twinkled playfully around her. The dark clouds had completely dispersed, and it seemed that tomorrow would indeed be a clear and pleasant day. The surroundings were silent, with no unusual movements. She hoped it would be a peaceful night. Lowering her gaze to the companions in the stone circle, she noticed that Hu Xiaotian's spot was empty. Murong Feiyan immediately became alert, stood up, and saw that Hu Xiaotian had already gotten up and was climbing the rock by hand.

Murong Feiyan crossed her arms and watched Hu Xiaotian with interest. Although his movements were still somewhat clumsy in her eyes, his climbing ability was not bad, and he successfully climbed to the top of the rock without her help.

Hu Xiaotian lay sprawled on the rock, taking a deep breath, "I'm exhausted."

Murong Feiyan said, "Then why don't you rest properly? What are you doing in the middle of the night?" She was somewhat wary, wondering if he had some ulterior motive for approaching her. Although her impression of Hu Xiaotian had changed a lot during their journey, she still couldn't define him as a thoroughly good person. Perhaps it was just that, in the face of the crisis before them, they had to put aside their differences and unite like never before. He had temporarily hidden his true nature and pretended to be a good person. Who knew if he would revert to his old ways after this crisis?

Hu Xiaotian patted the empty space beside him, "Lie down and talk!"

Murong Feiyan glared at him. This guy was really getting more and more presumptuous, actually wanting her to lie down beside him to talk. How could that be possible? She was still an unmarried young lady. Murong Feiyan ignored him and continued to stand there, holding her sword and looking down at Hu Xiaotian. Being on the same side was not a reason to lie down together. Murong Feiyan was always a principled person.

Hu Xiaotian propped his hands behind his head and looked up at Murong Feiyan comfortably. He had to admit that Murong Feiyan was a 360-degree beauty. If there were any flaws, it was that her features and temperament lacked softness, and she was too masculine, lacking the gentleness unique to women. However, this should not be considered a flaw. In this era, women with such androgynous beauty were extremely rare. She was a rare and precious beauty.

Although it was a dark night, Murong Feiyan could still feel the heat of his gaze. So she sat down beside Hu Xiaotian and said coldly, "What did you say to her that made her feel so wronged, almost to the point of leaving the group?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "Nothing much, just making her understand that she's not so different from others."

Murong Feiyan said, "If she really leaves, won't you be in big trouble?" She felt some sympathy for Hu Xiaotian, remembering that he had been implanted with the Seven-Day Soul-Cutting Needle.

Hu Xiaotian squinted his eyes, as if the bright moonlight was hurting them, "Life and death are determined by fate, and wealth and honor are decided by heaven. Some things cannot be forced. If she leaves, I might die. If she stays, we might all die. If I can sacrifice myself to ensure everyone's safety, I will do it without hesitation." His words were passionate, but only Hu Xiaotian knew how hypocritical he was. Better to live a miserable life than to die. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, he would cling to life.

Murong Feiyan sighed, bit her lip, and gathered her courage, "I wronged you. Maybe I should have listened to you from the beginning."

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's good to know your mistake and correct it. Just listen to me from now on."

"Why should I?" Murong Feiyan's eyes widened.

Just as Hu Xiaotian was about to speak, Murong Feiyan covered his mouth and crouched down, raising her right index finger to her lips in a gesture to be quiet.

A black shadow appeared under the moonlight, a black eagle soaring in the night sky, its outstretched wings blocking the new moon. Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan both looked up at the black eagle, which seemed to be searching for something. It flew over them and gradually moved away.

When the black eagle became a small black dot in their field of vision, Hu Xiaotian let out a long breath, "Just a passing bird, no problem." Before he could finish his sentence, the black eagle returned and began circling above them again. Its sharp eyes glinted coldly in the moonlight, piercing through the night to find its target. The burning campfire finally caught its attention.

A sharp eagle cry echoed through the silent night, reverberating in the valley. Murong Feiyan's face changed, and she whispered, "Not good, we've been discovered!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Let's go!" As soon as he finished speaking, Murong Feiyan jumped down from the rock. Hu Xiaotian didn't have her skills and could only carefully climb down the original path.

By the time his feet touched the ground again, Murong Feiyan had already woken up Liang Dazhuang and the little girl, whispering, "Let's go! We must leave here immediately!" They quickly packed their belongings, drew their weapons, and left the stone circle, heading down the mountain. As they walked, they looked up, and the black eagle continued to circle above them, having locked onto their position.

Walking in the dark was already difficult, let alone on this steep hillside. After a few steps, they heard the little girl scream. Her foot had accidentally stepped into a rock crevice and was stuck. Hu Xiaotian and Liang Dazhuang worked together to move the rock, and although her ankle was not broken, it was still sprained, affecting her ability to walk. The little girl was quite strong-willed, enduring the pain and taking a few steps, but she finally couldn't hold on and sat down, unable to stand up again. Hu Xiaotian shook his head helplessly, handed his backpack to Liang Dazhuang, and bent down in front of the little girl, "I'll carry you!"

"No need..." The little girl said no need, but her hands had already climbed onto Hu Xiaotian's neck. Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly, could she be any more hypocritical? Meeting this little girl had brought nothing but bad luck. Not only had he lost a subordinate, but he also had to risk his life for her, living in fear. A jinx, a complete jinx. Ever since I met you, I've had nothing but bad luck. Did you come into this world just to curse me?

Murong Feiyan suddenly stopped them from moving forward. In the dense forest on both sides, they saw dozens of greenish lights floating, like ghostly fire. Hu Xiaotian had never seen such a strange sight, blinked his eyes, and whispered, "What is it?"

Murong Feiyan held her long sword, her face pale in the moonlight. She lowered her voice, revealing deep fear, "Run, retreat!"