"And by 'clearing,' you mean turning them into fertilizer." The gruff one – Bao – chuckled darkly.
Lin Feng's mind raced. "Okay, okay, think. They're talking about killing people like it's a hobby. That's... that's not good. Maybe if I just slowly back away..." His claws flexed unconsciously as he tried to move.
"This secret realm isn't kind to the weak," the leader continued, closer now. "Only those who can survive the labyrinthine trials and endless ambushes deserve to reach the inner sanctum. The rest? Just stepping stones."
"Real charming bunch," Lin Feng muttered, reaching for his revolver. "Wonder if they practice those evil speeches in the mirror every—"
"Found you."
Lin Feng yelped, spinning around to find sharp, fox-like features inches from his face. A woman in dark robes stood there, a short blade already drawn, her eyes fixed on his throat – no, on the blood bead.
"That necklace?..." she started, but Lin Feng was already scrambling backward.
"Wait! Wait!" he raised his hands, voice cracking. "Before you go all stabby-stabby, can we talk about this? I mean, this is not worth killing over, right? Right?"
Two more figures emerged from the shadows – a tall man with a grotesque scar and a rotund one wielding a spiked club. The scarred one's eyes narrowed. "Interesting. Who are you? And more importantly, how did you get that blood bead?"
Lin Feng's mouth opened, then shut. His brain screamed at him to run, but his feet refused to move. "Uh, well, funny story. I, uh, found it? Yeah, just lying around. Totally didn't take it from anyone important."
"He's lying," the fox-faced woman said coldly. "Let's just kill him and take it."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Lin Feng's voice pitched higher. "Let's not be hasty! I don't want to die in the first act! Let's talk this out, like civilized people!"
The scarred man chuckled darkly. "Civilized? Kid, you're in the Crimson Veil Secret Realm. There's no such thing as civilized here."
As the three cultivators closed in, Lin Feng's instincts roared louder than ever, his claws twitching at his sides. The cursed cape swayed, its blood bead glowing faintly, as if readying itself for the bloodshed to come.
"Right," Lin Feng muttered, trying not to reveal his revolver yet. He was not sure if his revolver would work on these cultivators or not. They are also very close, even if gets one of them with his revolver, he is not confident enough to survive the other two.
Lin Feng gulped as the three cultivators closed in, their smirks as sharp as their weapons. His instincts screamed at him to fight, but his brain scrambled for another solution.
"Wait! Wait, wait, wait! You want this stupid cape, right? Fine! Take it! No need for bloodshed." he yelped, his voice cracking. "Take it! No strings attached! I was going to get rid of it anyway! It's yours! Free of charge!"
The trio paused, exchanging glances. Scarface's smirk returned, colder than before. "Oh? You're just... giving it to us?"
Lin Feng nodded vigorously. "Yep! No fuss, no drama, no lawsuits! You take the cape, and I'll just..." He gestured wildly toward the forest. "...go that way. Forever. You'll never see me again, cross my heart!"
Bao snorted. "He's scared out of his mind. Look at him. Pathetic."
Fox-Face held out her hand, her blade glinting in the dim light. "Fine. Hand it over, and you can run for your life."
Lin Feng's internal monologue raced. "Okay, Lin Feng, this is your chance. Just ditch the cursed thing. No more claws, no more creepy instincts, and no more furry. Win-win!
He tugged at the blood bead. To his surprise, it popped open without resistance. Lin Feng blinked in shock, a mix of relief and unease washing over him. "Wait... why is it cooperating now? It practically fused to my skin before!"
For a split second, the cape seemed heavier in his hand, he felt almost reluctant to give this up. But Lin Feng shook his head and didn't care. He thrust it toward Fox-Face like it was a venomous snake. "Here! Take it! Enjoy a warm overcoat! It's, uh, great for winter, very fashionable."
Fox-Face snatched it, her sharp eyes narrowing at the blood bead's faint glow. She didn't drape it immediately but kept it over her arm, inspecting it carefully.
Scarface smiled, his expression as insincere as a snake oil salesman's. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it? You cooperate, and we let you go."
Lin Feng's shoulders sagged in relief. "Oh, thank goodness. You guys are so reasonable! I knew you were professionals!"
Scarface's tone turned icy. "Now kill him."
Lin Feng froze, the blood draining from his face. "W-what? Wait, no! I gave you the cape! I did what you asked!"
Bao hefted his spiked club with a chuckle. "Yeah, but you're a loose end now, little lamb. Can't have you running around spilling secrets."
Fox-Face nodded, her voice cold. "And you are lying, I saw you hiding another treasure?"
Lin Feng stumbled backward, hands raised in a pleading gesture. "No, no, no! Come on, guys! I am not hiding anything! You said you'd let me go! I'll run in the opposite direction! You'll never see me again! I swear on—"
Scarface rolled his eyes. "Shut him up."
Lin Feng dropped to his knees, clasping his hands together in a desperate beggar-like cry. "Please! I'm just a guy trying to survive! You've got the cape! What more do you want? My dignity? You can have that too! Not that I had much left!"
The trio advanced, weapons gleaming in the firelight.
Lin Feng scrambled backward, his revolver slipping from his grip as he stumbled over a root. "Alright, alright! Let's make a deal! I'll give you..." His hands fumbled through his sack, pulling out random items. "This... uh, deer bone! Very high in calcium! And this... totally useful flint! Or... or..." His voice cracked as he rummaged frantically.
Bao swung the club, missing Lin Feng by a hair as he rolled to the side, scrambling to his feet leaving everything behind. "Okay, new plan!" Lin Feng shouted, his voice a mix of panic and resignation. "Running away now! Don't follow me!