Although he had seen through the guy in front of him, Xiu Nuo still had to prepare for the things he mentioned.
Before reaching the temporary camp, they were bound to encounter a robbery.
At the level of a Mortal Martial Artist, he could handle a group comparable to refugees like the Refugee Army, but if he were to face those gun-toting guys, the chances of survival were slim.
According to Xiu Nuo's estimation, he had to at least reach the first or second level of the Body Refining Stage before he could survive in the primeval rainforest even without the group.
The other three men and two women started to get to know each other, while Xiu Nuo closed his eyes to rest, trying his best to transform the Essence Blood Power he had absorbed in his body.
The reason Chu Nan was typically targeted by those robbers was simple—he didn't have the money to pay the protection fee.
Although Zhang Wenxuan said he could pay for Xiu Nuo, Xiu Nuo, who didn't even trust the elders of his sect, couldn't fully trust this guy.
The rest time was ultimately brief, and about an hour later, the group set off again.
This time, after walking in the primeval rainforest for more than two hours, trouble arrived.
Seeing the armed black guys rushing out from the surrounding woods confirmed that Zhang Wenxuan's insider guide was indeed reliable.
About eleven gunmen emerged from the jungle, led not by a black man, but by a Hispanic looking guy.
As soon as they appeared, they fired shots into the air.
This crowd of hundreds had long been accustomed to such scenes; everyone obediently crouched down on the ground without much noise.
The group's guide was experienced; he stood up, walked over, and chatted with the gun-wielding Hispanic 'officer' in a language Xiu Nuo didn't understand.
Meanwhile, Zhang Wenxuan, crouching on the ground, nudged Xiu Nuo and then handed him a green banknote.
Before long, the guide turned around and shouted to everyone, "Don't worry, folks. They want money, not lives. Get your money ready. The General will send someone to collect it soon, and once you pay, you'll be safe."
After finishing, he repeated it in at least two other languages.
"Last time there were over thirty people." Xiao Rui, the girl, asked curiously, "This time there's only about ten?"
"Those who have made it this far have been robbed before, and those who didn't listen are gone. We all know the consequences of not listening, so there's no need to bring too many people now, as we've been 'domesticated', right?" said Xiu Nuo.
Xiao Rui nodded, "That makes a lot of sense. You're very smart."
Xiu Nuo: "??"
What an awkward compliment.
Lin Zi added from the side, "Also, it's not their first time at this, and they're out to make a quick buck. The fewer people they bring, the more they can skim for themselves."
Xiao Rui responded flatly, "Oh."
What a big gap in reactions!
Lin Zi felt a bit betrayed. Are they really treating us differently? I analyzed it way deeper than Xiu Nuo!
At that moment, eight or nine black people with guns were on guard, while the Hispanic led two other black men to start collecting money individually.
People at the front handed over the money they had prepared, and the two black men would still conduct a quick body search.
If they found any hidden money, it was taken outright, and the person also received a punch or slap. If anyone showed even a slight sign of resistance, they were smashed with the butt of a gun.
Especially with the women, the two men always searched them very thoroughly.
Finally, these men reached Xiu Nuo and his companions. After handing over the money, they began the usual procedure of searching the bodies.
Meanwhile, the Hispanic eyed Xiu Nuo up and down.
A chill suddenly rose from the bottom of Xiu Nuo's heart.
The next moment, the Hispanic waved over the guide and said something gibberish to him.
The guide smiled and repeatedly nodded his head before looking towards Xiu Nuo, Xiao Rui, and Linlin, "The three of you, come with us."
Xiu Nuo was baffled, "You're looking for women, so why involve me??"
Seeing that the three hadn't moved, two black men had already raised their guns.
Each girl was clinging to one of Xiu Nuo's arms, holding him tightly.
Xiu Nuo took a deep breath, faced the dark muzzles of the guns, a flash of fierce light passing through his eyes as he then spoke, "Okay."
After the guide translated, this 'General' revealed a satisfied smile and instructed his subordinates a few words before gesturing to call over a vigilant soldier, then he turned and left.
Leading Xiu Nuo and the others was the guide, with a gun-toting soldier behind them; that was how they were taken to a temporary camp in the nearby jungle.
The place wasn't large, but clearly, this group had been lying in wait for quite some time.
Upon arriving, that Mexican turned back and said a few words, the shock in the guide's eyes was hard to express.
But still, he turned back to Xiu Nuo and the others and translated, "The General wants the two of them to... take off their clothes and perform."
The two girls naturally knew what he meant, as the General was already unbuckling his belt.
The girls helplessly looked towards Xiu Nuo, but he remained unmoved.
"You've all walked this path before, you should have expected this," the guide coldly looked at the two girls, "Resisting... won't change the outcome and will only make you suffer more. Accept it, it's not like it's your first time, just close your eyes and it will be over."
Xiao Rui and Linlin were silent for a moment before they began to slowly undress.
Then the guide looked towards Xiu Nuo, helplessly saying, "You... need to attend to the General."
Xiu Nuo's previously indifferent expression instantly became vivid.
Meanwhile, the Mexican had already taken off his pants, watching Xiu Nuo with a smirk that was part-joking, part-serious.
The guide handed Xiu Nuo a bottle of mineral water, "Rinse your mouth."
Xiu Nuo: "......"
Alright, alright, alright! He's truly asking for death!
Xiu Nuo took the mineral water, drank a sip, and walked towards that Mexican, rapidly strategizing in his mind.
Two people over here, nine more in the team, and their weapons could effectively harm him, so, he had to use "that."
Xiu Nuo approached the General, his gaze sweeping towards the black soldier who was distracted by the girls stripping.
Seeing Xiu Nuo approach, the Mexican's smile grew even broader.
Xiu Nuo stepped close, and in the next moment, his entire body surged with blood energy, instantly activating the Blood Burning Skills!
This was currently the only magic Xiu Nuo could use because it didn't require the spending of Spiritual Power but, like with the black blood from the Little Fairy, it consumed his own blood vitality and life force!
Blood Burning Skills allowed the user to momentarily elevate their realm by sacrificing their "life," albeit with diminishing returns the higher their realm.
But now, it was enough to elevate the strength of martial artist Xiu Nuo to half a step into the Body Refining Stage!
Suddenly, Xiu Nuo lunged forward, raising his hand and fiercely stabbing towards the General's chest!
In the process, his hand was covered with a layer of blood light, and it actually pierced directly into the General's heart. By the time the nearby soldier realized what was happening, Xiu Nuo had already pulled out the dagger from the General's waist and arrived right in front of the soldier!
The dagger instantly sliced through the soldier's throat and then viciously stabbed into his heart!
Under the shocked gaze of the guide, Xiu Nuo had already smashed a fist into his face!
As the guide fell, the place was left with only two girls with their eyes wide open looking at Xiu Nuo.
"Do you want to live, or do you wish to die?" Xiu Nuo pressed down on the boiling blood inside him and asked them coldly.