Chapter 79

Wang Li Central Academy.

"Is your body strong enough to continue on?"

Under the dim streetlights, the two figures that had emerged from the darkness gradually became clearer.

"Perhaps luck is on our side, as the place where you inadvertently brought me is not far from our destination," said Tielante, his face showing a forced smile despite his weary and injured body.

Xulan nodded expressionlessly and said no more, for this was not the first time he had refused his offer.

Of course, his offer was merely to save unnecessary wasted time.

From the start, Xulan had tried to carry him, citing his physical condition, to reach their destination as quickly as possible, but he had refused. His pride, his stubbornness, did not allow him to accept any charity.

Between them, there was only cooperation, only mutual use.

He did not trust Xulan, and similarly, Xulan did not trust him.

Tielante was willing to reveal so many secrets because it was a deal with Xulan. He knew Xulan wanted to learn more secrets, and he also needed Xulan's help.

Two intelligent people always maintain a tacit understanding on certain topics.

Once they set out, the only thing worth worrying about was whether the black-robed figures would send more assassins. Therefore, his senses were fully alert to the surroundings, and he was even prepared to abandon Tielante at any moment.

His mind was already very tired, and he did not want to fight again.

Suddenly, his ears twitched, and Xulan immediately stopped, stepping in front of Tielante. He seemed to have heard something, a human voice.

"What's wrong?" Tielante was startled by his sudden action.

"Someone's there," Xulan said bluntly.

"An enemy?"

"Perhaps not for you, but definitely for me," Xulan glanced back at Tielante.

Tielante looked around seriously, but the scenery remained the same, and the only sound in his ears was the gentle howling of the wind. This made him doubt whether it was just the other's overreaction.

"There's no need to look, you won't sense it," Xulan said with a hint of sarcasm, seeing Tielante's actions.

Tielante let out a light "hmm" and said indifferently, "So, what should we do?"

"What should we do?" Xulan laughed lightly and said, "Is there another path to your destination?"

"What are you going to do?" Tielante frowned.

"You go ahead, I'll investigate. If it's an enemy, I can at least lead them away," Xulan said.

"Where do you sense them?" Tielante asked.

Xulan gestured for him to be quiet, focusing his senses on his hearing. After a moment of silence, he pointed to the road ahead, "Right there!"

"What?"

Tielante felt incredulous. If there were really enemies ahead, and if Xulan hadn't noticed them, and if they had continued walking unknowingly... he could almost imagine the dire consequences.

"Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

"If you don't believe me, you can go on alone," Xulan said indifferently.

Tielante wisely kept quiet and pointed to the tree shade by the roadside, "There are few obstacles in the academy, we can take a detour through the forest ahead."

Xulan took off his sword from his waist and handed it to Tielante, "Be careful on your own. I'll find you after I check the situation."

This time, Tielante took Xulan's sword.

He was not a man who didn't know the gravity of the situation, especially when it involved his life.

With one last look at Xulan, Tielante stepped into the dark forest without looking back.

Xulan watched as the figure gradually disappeared, then turned to face the road ahead. The ring on his hand glowed faintly, and an ancient longsword appeared in his hand.

Following the sound, he began to move forward, his senses focused.

...

"Ugh—"

Raqi covered her mouth; this was not the first time she felt the urge to vomit. She forced down the nausea rising in her throat, trying to breathe deeply to adapt her body, but her gaze never wavered.

"Xulan! Where are you? Xulan!"

Under the moonlight, a small figure stood amidst the blood and bones.

Raqi smiled bitterly as she looked at Maggie. She seemed to have lost all sense of fatigue, her sweet voice now hoarse and tearful.

When they finally saw the kidnapped nobles and ministers, what greeted their eyes were their blood-soaked corpses. Raqí couldn't believe that the students of the Blood Flag Society would dare to be so ruthless. Didn't they know the enormity of their crimes?

But that was no longer her concern.

Maggie, who had been cowering by her side, suddenly ran into the bloody scene, her eyes searching and examining each face. She was terrified, terrified of seeing that familiar face.

Fortunately, he was not among the dead.

But Maggie, as if possessed, began calling out Xulan's name, perhaps the scene before her had triggered the worst possible outcome.

Raqi had tried to reason with her many times, but to no avail.

The gruesome scene of such dense slaughter was far more terrifying than what they had seen elsewhere in the academy. Even Raqí found it hard to bear the atmosphere.

Several times she had tried to rush into the mass of corpses to pull Maggie back, but the moment her foot touched the congealed, sticky blood, the intense urge to vomit forced her to give up.

All she could do was wait for Maggie to regain her composure.

"What are you doing here?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice made Raqí and Maggie freeze, their gazes turning to the source of the sound.

"Xulan!"

Maggie, standing amidst the corpses, immediately took a step forward, her small figure quickly running towards a figure emerging from the darkness.

"Phew—"

Raqi let out a sigh of relief as she recognized the figure in the darkness. He was alive, but why was he here?

Seeing Maggie, who ran into his arms with tears streaming down her face, Xulan shook his head and gently stroked her soft, long hair. This child had clearly suffered a lot looking for him.

As Xulan approached the location where he had sensed the voice, a familiar feeling suddenly washed over him. He realized he had forgotten someone.

Maggie.

Since his escape from the Blood Flag Society's prison, his mind had been focused on unraveling the answers, and he had naturally forgotten about the obedient child.

When he recognized Maggie's voice, he changed his appearance back to his own and carefully approached the source of the sound, then stepped out.