The noise of bustling wind reverberated as the party of three young cultivators and a griffin broke through the last boundary of the misty forest.
They were greeted by the afternoon sun radiance and dire land that spanned as far as the eye can see.
Yue was still content with nuzzling into Noire's back with a broad smile as if the pressure from breaking through wind barriers didn't matter at all.
On the other hand, Ning'er tried to distract her self-pity thoughts as she promised to fight for the rear seat next time.
Noire was curious about the cultivation base of Ning'er as he couldn't probe into it with his own cultivation base, but since she couldn't fight against the guards from earlier he assumed she's still within the Ether realm, maybe not far from the peak.
The reason he was wondering is that he wanted to rely on her power if possible in the future until they enter the city.
Their travel was almost un-impended due to the griffin's speed and the Yu Household family seal that Ning'er carried around, until two days later...
Noire could pick up unusual signs of vitality ahead, probably a group of cultivators in ambush.
'This should be fun.'
- - - -
"Senior Lui, our scouts seemed to notice a transportation beast closing in, three individuals with varying cultivation bases."
"I see," Senior Lui nodded in acknowledgment before replying to his subordinate. "The usual."
- - - -
Whilst guiding the griffin with utmost effort to ignore Yue's happy noises from behind, Ning'er noticed unusual commotion ahead. Apparently, two middle-aged men in ragged clothing teaming up against one female.
One male stood behind her, locking his right arm through each of her elbows in order to entrap her arms behind her waistline, whilst his free hand held a piece of cloth into her mouth.
The woman was thrashing about trying to free herself, she was wearing casual robes that denoted she's from a casual family, what was she doing there?
Then Ning'er noticed two corpses about ten meters afar from the indecent, one of a male and that of a teenage boy, both corpses were decapitated.
"Mhmmm! Mhhhmm!" The woman was still struggling with tears flooding down her face, she could see the luster of lust in the man's eyes, his rows of yellow teeth that oozed out an ugly breath.
He looked like someone who'd take a bath annually, she would shudder simply from his left palm that ran across her supple thigh.
"Haaah, young mothers are the best, gigi gigi..."
The male in front made his remarks as he licked his bottom lip with the salivating tongue of his. He then led his right hand with a dull knife to struggle against the fabric of her robes in order to free her peaks from confinement.
"BASTARDS!"
Ning'er lost her temper, she yelled frantically with blood-shot eyes as she approached from the rear.
Yue was startled out of her wits before she retained focus, looking ahead, she saw the same scene which caused her to recall the day she met Auntie Becca.
She gritted her teeth, only to be caught off guard by how nonchalant Noire was. Of course, he would be, strong taking advantage of the weak was something Noire tolerates, as long as the weak has nothing to do with him.
The trio ahead was also started by the sudden shout, before they could react, Ning'er had already halted the griffin about twenty meters afar and leaped down with a pair of daggers.
She was still in her enticing palace dress that sent the senses of those rapists into oblivion, before they could comprehend the disgust on her face, her two knives launched like bolts of lighting.
Each of the two men's eyes instantly filled with horror as they snapped open, the female victim couldn't help but leak herself thinking Ning'er would miss...
Much to her pleasant surprise, each knife took residence in the welcoming foreheads of the assaulting two as if a bee returning to its nest.
"..."
The woman's face instantly paled as she felt blood gush from the skulls of these corpses and stain her robes, all strength depleted from her knees as she squatted down in disbelief, her pupils were hollow as they reflected the remnants of her husband and son.
Ning'er approached the woman to help her stand when she noticed her line of sight. In the near distance, Yue lost her cuddly mood as she also eyed the dead bodies with a heavy expression...
"Keep your eyes open," Noire's whisper came to her ears. "This is the life in the world of cultivation."
Yue was a little confused, did she show any signs of closing her eyes? Yet before she could inquire further, she heard a loud scream from up ahead.
"AH!"
With a snap of her neck, Yue turned around in shock, the woman from earlier held Ning'er by the neck from behind as a hostage as she pointed a poisonous dagger at the position of the kidney.
It took only a moment!
Ning'er lost her guard in sympathy towards the woman, the next second, she was caught in an embarrassing situation!
But why?!
Yue was internally confused!
"The man and the kid aren't fresh corpses, they should have been dead for a while, the only fresh component is the blood," Noire spoke out loud as if answering Yue's internal struggle, then he returned his gaze towards Ning'er and the woman.
"This was probably an act and the two rapists work under her, she most likely didn't expect Ning'er to be that deceive and shoot to kill," Noire concluded.
"Hehehe, smart one indeed, no wonder you showed no emotions." The woman spoke in a tone devoid of any weakness or sorrow.
She eyed Noire once more before she spoke in an annoyed tone, "Why don't you drop your mask? I heard wise men are handsome. Also, why did you let her go through when you knew it's a trap? You honestly think I won't dare kill her?!"
The woman asked with clear contempt in her eyes, she only pressed the dagger further against Ning's skin, her dress was cut and a visible corrosive aura began invading her.
Ning'er was horrified, she didn't want to make any reckless movements yet now she was attacked even though she's obedient!
"Senior Brother-"
"Shut up!" The female cut her in between before gazing back at Noire.
"Hand everything you have else she's dead!"
"..."
After a moment of silence, Noire closed his eyes and dropped his mask before speaking in a cold tone.
"She let her emotions get the better of her and fell into such an obvious trap, she's useless for me."