Who Are You? . . .
As they continued their journey, Cha Eun Xiao thought it prudent to administer several more dan beads to Shadowless Assassin. While they rode swiftly atop Darky, he maintained the pace, occasionally nudging Shadowless Assassin's back to channel energy and aid in the digestion of the dan beads.
However, the relentless galloping of the horse created significant discomfort for Shadowless Assassin. The relentless jolting, although manageable for Cha Eun Xiao, posed a substantial challenge to a man suffering from a life-threatening ailment.
Nevertheless, he knew that their circumstances permitted no respite. Stopping for treatment could prove fatal, as it would leave them vulnerable to their pursuers.
At that moment, Shadowless Assassin observed his mysterious savior and pondered, "Who is this man?"
He couldn't help but marvel at Cha Eun Xiao's actions. He had acted decisively, displaying no hesitation when it came to combat. When it was time to make their escape, he had exhibited a similar decisiveness. In the martial world, his skill was undeniable.
Despite being encircled by adversaries, Cha Eun Xiao had executed a distinctive, resounding shout, summoning his horse with precision. He had chosen the path that offered the only route to survival, making consistently sound decisions throughout their escape.
Shadowless Assassin was increasingly convinced that Cha Eun Xiao was a seasoned and sophisticated cultivator in the martial world, well-acquainted with life on the run.
However, one aspect puzzled him. Despite his proficiency and expertise, Cha Eun Xiao appeared inexplicably young. According to his cultivation prowess, he shouldn't be any older. The disparity between his youth and his martial skill confounded Shadowless Assassin.
Moreover, Cha Eun Xiao had initially addressed him by name, a clear sign that he was a trusted friend or acquaintance. Yet, Shadowless Assassin had no recollection of ever encountering him before. He was confident that Cha Eun Xiao was not in disguise, as recognizing such ruses was his expertise.
Amidst his contemplation, Darky veered into a valley, prompting Cha Eun Xiao to take action. He lifted both men and leaped off the horse, soaring into the valley, while Darky continued on its course.
In a matter of seconds, the horse vanished from sight, leaving no trace of their departure. Cha Eun Xiao and Shadowless Assassin had disappeared into the surrounding undergrowth.
They found themselves in a depression at the base of a hill. Cha Eun Xiao gently placed Shadowless Assassin on the ground and, with a forceful gesture, cast Bu Tianfei to the earth.
*Pah!*
Bu Tianfei's hand dangled uselessly, his legs had been thoroughly shattered, and the ensuing pain roused him from his unconscious state. He attempted to scream, but Cha Eun Xiao promptly stifled the sound by clamping a firm hand over his mouth. Bu Tianfei issued only a muffled cry before losing consciousness once more.
Cha Eun Xiao maintained a vigilant watch over their surroundings, his senses finely tuned. Soon, the rustling of garments filled the air, followed by voices echoing from the valley entrance.
"Over there! Quick!"
"What an exceptionally swift steed!"
"No doubt about it. How else could he have eluded us?"
"Even the fastest horse has its limits. All we need to do is catch up with it!"
"Yes!"
"Let's go!"
...
"May I ask who you are? I understand that perhaps I shouldn't, but you saved my life. I can't help but wonder… Nobody knows my true identity... So, who are you?"
The enigmatic situation left Shadowless Assassin in a state of introspection. An expert in the art of taking lives, he recognized that his own life was slipping away, and he was unable to utilize his martial arts to fend off the grim reaper. Cha Eun Xiao, despite his limited cultivation, attempted to channel energy into Shadowless Assassin's body, with varying degrees of success. However, the miraculous supreme dan beads provided an incredible boon. Each bead unleashed a torrent of spiritual qi into his dantian, reinvigorating it. Previously drained and lifeless, his dantian had sprung to life. During the time they spent together on horseback, he had regained five percent of his lost power.
This astonishing recovery left Shadowless Assassin in awe.
"What kind of dan beads are these?" he wondered.
"They not only saved me from certain death but also revitalized my cultivation, affording me the strength of a Level Nine Dao Origin Stage cultivator. And, the full extent of their effects hasn't even manifested yet."
But a single question plagued his mind: "Who is this man?"
His mind churned with curiosity and uncertainty.
"I don't recognize him. Although he is an unfamiliar face, he saved my life, risking his own in the process," he pondered.
The pressing situation called for immediate attention, however. He realized that his unwise actions had led to a perilous disturbance, leaving them both hunted by countless adversaries. Survival hinged on his swift recovery.
He admitted, "I understand."
Subsequently, he fell into deep meditation, using his martial skills to tap into the ambient spiritual qi. Tiny streams of this energy began to converge upon him.
Meanwhile, Cha Eun Xiao remained vigilant, stationed at the valley entrance. His keen senses remained on high alert. They had covered a considerable distance during Darky's high-speed run, and he had identified no fewer than six groups of pursuers. He was certain that they were from the three factions, and their presence confirmed the grave danger they faced. However, additional groups of enemies were yet to reveal themselves.
Some of these pursuers had continued to chase Darky past the valley entrance.
It was evident that they were up against several hundred adversaries dispatched by the three factions to hunt down Shadowless Assassin.
Following a brief interval, Shadowless Assassin suddenly rose to his feet and calmly stated, "Thank you for the dan beads. I am now fifty percent recovered. It should suffice for our survival."