Chapter 91

The Demon's Selection (91)

"What, human?"

Fan Jiawei glared and shouted.

It was a mutter to himself, but Jiaodui, who didn't expect his hearing to be so sharp, was startled and quickly changed the subject.

"It's just a bit strange. To confirm the two of you, they're watching so closely? And with such clumsy kids? There are so few of them, it's quite odd, isn't it?"

Jiaodui tilted his head.

"Regardless of other things, I have the most experience in being chased. Who else could be as much of an expert in this field as me?"

After saying this, Jiaodui realized he had made a mistake.

Sure enough, a rebuke came flying.

"Boasting, are you? What a great expert you are."

Jiaodui's eyes sparkled.

Despite the rebuke, the two seemed to be looking forward to his explanation.

Jiaodui, who was gauging the situation, cautiously expressed his opinion.

"Usually, the more dangerous a person, the fewer people are sent, and they are skilled. But these guys are just a ragtag bunch, right?"

Chao Ailiang and Fan Jiawei nodded.

Indeed, it was quite strange, as he said.

"I've seen this kind of situation a few times..."

Jiaodui's expression became serious.

"One is to observe, the other is to sacrifice. They must know our situation, so it's unlikely to be the former. Therefore, it's reasonable to assume it's a sacrifice."

"Sacrifice?"

"Yes, a scapegoat."

Chao Ailiang's eyes turned cold.

"They want to make us use our martial arts to reveal our identities."

Jiaodui nodded.

"During the process, if there are casualties, it would be even better. After all, their initial goal is to entangle the two of you in a debt of gratitude."

This place is Huashan Sect's front yard.

It's the perfect condition for a trap.

If martial artists from the Wu Lin Alliance die in their territory, Huashan Sect can't escape responsibility.

Fan Jiawei gave a chilling laugh and looked around.

"Let's just kill them all. Leave no evidence behind."

Fan Jiawei's murderous intent made Jiaodui flinch.

Chao Ailiang frowned and said,

"Do you never want to see Doctor Dan again?"

"…!"

"Do you forget why we're going around collecting invitations?"

"Tch!"

Fan Jiawei spat, his expression full of annoyance. The intense murderous intent vanished as if it had never been there. Jiaodui realized once again how significant Doctor Dan's existence was to Fan Jiawei.

After a moment of thought, Chao Ailiang smiled faintly.

"We can't just go along with their plans."

"Then you mean to quietly take what we can and leave?"

Chao Ailiang's smile deepened at Fan Jiawei's grumbling.

"That wouldn't be a good deal."

Chao Ailiang continued with a meaningful look.

"Shouldn't we give back what we receive? Since the Huashan guys don't seem to have good feelings towards the Wu Lin Alliance, creating a pretext could be an interesting move, don't you think?"

"Ah!"

Jiaodui, understanding the words, exclaimed and nodded.

Fan Jiawei, on the other hand, was confused and frowned.

"What do you mean? Speak more clearly! I don't understand a thing."

Chao Ailiang laughed quietly.

"You just need to act as usual. Just don't kill them."

After saying this, Chao Ailiang stood up and walked towards a distant table.

The Wu Lin Alliance martial artist, disguised as a guest, was startled.

Chao Ailiang sat opposite and spoke casually.

"You've worked hard. It's because of your superiors, though."

"…!"

Before the other could react, Chao Ailiang continued calmly.

"Still, isn't this a bit much? To have someone watch the people who saved your daughter?"

The Wu Lin Alliance martial artist, a middle-aged man and a low-ranking spy of Tianyi Hall, flinched.

Meeting Chao Ailiang's cold gaze, he felt his blood run cold.

"Y-You must be mistaken…"

Chao Ailiang laughed quietly.

At this point, the other's pathetic excuses were almost pitiful.

"Go tell your leader."

Just as Chao Ailiang was about to continue, Fan Jiawei, who had approached unnoticed, suddenly spoke.

"Pity you have such a cowardly heart."

"…!"

The spy's eyes widened and his expression froze.

Regardless,

Fan Jiawei began to taunt him.

"A man shouldn't go back on his word. Is this how your leader repays favors?"

After speaking, Fan Jiawei glanced at Chao Ailiang.

Seeing Chao Ailiang nod, Fan Jiawei grinned.

"Wh-What are you talking about…"

Fan Jiawei glared at the man who continued to deny.

"Do you want to die?"

"…!"

The man, startled, hastily retreated.

He had been warned that their surveillance targets might be Chao Ailiang and Fan Jiawei.

At that moment, a sneer appeared on Chao Ailiang's face.

"Do traveling merchants carry such weapons these days?"

The man, realizing his mistake, was flustered. He had reflexively grabbed the hidden chain sword at his waist, startled by Fan Jiawei's murderous intent.

Seeing the chain sword, Fan Jiawei shouted.

"Wow! The Wu Lin Alliance is scary. You draw your sword after just a few words?"

"That's because you insulted us first…"

Chao Ailiang laughed and countered.

"When did we insult you? We insulted the Wu Lin Alliance leader."

"…!"

The man, at a loss for words, looked around. But his companions were ignoring him.

At that moment,

"Huh?"

The man looked down at his hand in confusion.

The chain sword was slowly being drawn out, against his will.

No matter how hard he tried to push it back, it wouldn't budge.

Instead, it was fully revealed by an unknown force.

Clang!

The cold metallic sound and the chain sword.

The man's eyes shook uncontrollably.

"Ah! Are you planning to kill and destroy?"

Fan Jiawei, who had moved the man's hand with his Inner Force, shouted.

Chao Ailiang immediately followed up.

"To reveal your identity and immediately try to kill your opponent! Is this the Wu Lin Alliance's way?"

Despite their usual bickering, they worked well together in such situations.

"No, this is… Huh."

The man, trying to explain, gasped.

Suddenly, the chain sword in his hand slashed through the air.

"Ouch!"

Fan Jiawei exaggeratedly stepped back, knocking over the table and chair.

"Blood!"

A thin scratch appeared on Fan Jiawei's neck. Though he had made it himself with his fingernail, it looked like a close call with the blade.

"Did your leader order you to bring the head of the doctor who saved his daughter?"

The Wu Lin Alliance spies, who had infiltrated the inn, were stunned.

Their comrade had been chatting with the surveillance targets when he suddenly drew his sword and attacked the two.

—Don't use high-level martial arts.

—What martial arts against these guys?

Crash!

Crack!

"Ah!"

"Ouch!"

Furniture shattered and screams echoed.

Fan Jiawei grabbed the men and threw them around recklessly.

—Brother Chao, I have a question.

While throwing the Wu Lin Alliance martial artists, Fan Jiawei sent a mental message.

—What bone hurts the most when broken?

—The femur. Next is the rib.

Difficult to set and slow to heal. Grinning, Fan Jiawei broke the most painful bones and threw them again.

At this moment, Jiaodui, who had been observing outside, spoke cautiously.

"A group is approaching. They seem to be from Huashan Sect."

Nodding, Chao Ailiang said to Fan Jiawei,

"Let's stop here."

"Already?"

Fan Jiawei pouted, reluctant to give up the rare opportunity to enjoy the fight.

However, the inn was already a mess.

Furniture was broken, walls had large holes, and the Wu Lin Alliance spies were groaning and crumpled everywhere.

Chao Ailiang turned to Jiaodui.

"Pay the innkeeper for repairs."

"Me?"

"Take this too."

Chao Ailiang handed over the identity badge of a Wu Lin Alliance martial artist.

Jiaodui grumbled inwardly as he walked to the counter.

The innkeeper had long fled.

Leaving the silver and the identity badge on the counter, Jiaodui followed the two who had already left.

The wrecked inn was filled only with occasional groans.

* * *

Hansuehua and Dan Aixian were heading to the inn under the guidance of Zhenming Zhenren.

"That place still exists?"

Hansuehua asked, and Zhenming Zhenren smiled quietly.

It was one of the few places he had fond memories of with Hansuehua.

"Time has passed, and the owner has changed, but everything else remains the same."

Hansuehua felt a sense of joy.

The first visit to the inn called Yelaixiang was a long time ago.

In his youth, Zhenming Zhenren had led her to this inn, promising the best noodles in the area.

However, she was disappointed.

She couldn't taste the praised flavor.

Her senses, including her face, taste, and smell, had already started to deteriorate.

The only thing she could still feel was a faint fragrance.

Later, she learned