Xiao Wenjing said, “The dead will know.”
Ding Li thought for a moment. “But the demons sneaking in is something no one expected. Shouldn’t we try to notify Senior Sister?” She wasn’t sure, so she asked Xiao Wenjing.
Although Xiao Wenjing could definitely handle those demons and ultimately lead the team to success, there were more than just the six from Cangshan Sect here. There were dozens from other sects, and if Cangshan Sect members suffered, others would inevitably fall into the hands of the demons too.
Even a slight delay could mean someone would fall victim to the demons.
Because they were ordinary characters in the book, without any golden finger buff, they were expendable cannon fodder. Even if they died, it wouldn’t affect the world.
But…
Xiao Wenjing said nothing, only glancing sideways at her.
Ding Li wanted to say something more, but at that moment, someone suddenly charged over.
Xiao Wenjing immediately pulled Ding Li behind him, raising his sword to block the way.
The person wore a black robe with arrow sleeves and a golden crown. Despite having an incredibly handsome face, it looked disheveled, with several black marks smudged across it.
So handsome. How could a cannon fodder be this good-looking?
Ding Li thought awkwardly. Well, humans created by Nuwa and characters created by authors are really different. Authors can’t give every character a soul, but they can give every character a perfect face.
The handsome young man looked flustered, and upon seeing the two of them, he looked like a tourist who just spotted fellow countrymen in a distant land, immediately feeling an innate sense of trust.
Even if a Chinese person said, “I’m Edison Chen, give me three hundred,” he’d probably take out six hundred without hesitation, thinking, I know you’re Edison Chen, so here’s six hundred.
The young man calmed down and said, “Demons have infiltrated here.”
Coincidence, I know that too.
He appraised the two and asked, “Which sect are you from?”
Which sect? Saying nothing might blind you.
Ding Li raised her chin, her gaze arrogant, ready to speak, but the young man’s eyes lit up. “You’re Xiao Wenjing from Cangshan Sect, right? Xiao Wenjing!”
Why is he tearing up at seeing a familiar face?
Who is he to you? Some distant uncle?
The young man seemed to see the first light breaking through the night and immediately said, “Xiao Wenjing, I am Mu Yunyang from Wandou Sect.”
No wonder Ding Li felt he looked familiar.
Xiao Wenjing nodded. “Are you the only one left from your sect?”
Mu Yunyang paused for two seconds, then said in a low voice, “When we were resting by the river, demons sneaked in and took everyone away.”
Took them away?
Ding Li’s eyes brightened for a moment.
If they were just taken, maybe it’s for some use. Otherwise, why bother taking them alive?
So maybe Lin Ziyuan and the others were also taken and still alive, at least until the demons achieved their goal.
But…
What do the demons want to do?
Why abduct them?
It can’t just be because the demons were idle and looking for trouble, right? That would be too absurd.
Ding Li asked, “What exactly do they want to do?”
Mu Yunyang’s face darkened with hatred. “Who knows? Since the death of Demon Lord Chiming, the demons have been leaderless, causing chaos and bloodshed everywhere.”
What? Was the Demon Lord good? If he were alive, he would have restrained his followers from causing trouble? Is that what it means?
Ding Li asked, “Why don’t they choose a new Demon Lord? Did the Demon Lord have a son? Hereditary system?”
Xiao Wenjing remained silent.
Mu Yunyang replied, “No, never heard of it. The elders fight over it but haven’t reached a decision.”
So aside from the Demon Lord, they’re all just a bunch of trash, unable to pick a single competent one?
Ding Li had nothing to say and replied, “Well, that’s unfortunate.”
Mu Yunyang asked in confusion, “Unfortunate for what?”
Ding Li, unusually serious, said, “It’s unfortunate the demons are chaotic without anyone to restrain them, otherwise it wouldn’t have come to this.”
…
Mu Yunyang’s expression became very odd. After a moment, he said hesitantly, “You probably don’t know how the Demon Lord died…”
Of course I didn’t know at the time, but now I’m intrigued.
Ding Li asked eagerly, “How did he die?!”
Mu Yunyang said, “Why are you so excited?”
It’s rare gossip. I’m curious. That’s all, you little cricket.
Ding Li waved him off. “Just tell me!”
Mu Yunyang pursed his lips. “He tried to open the Tongtian Well for the demons and was struck by lightning.”
Oh, I see…
The Demon Lord just wanted a big action, huh?
Ding Li pursed her lips. “Truly reckless.”
Xiao Wenjing remained silent.
Mu Yunyang chuckled. “This junior sister has a unique mind.”
Ding Li thought, of course, I’m beloved everywhere. Even in this broken book, I’d still be unstoppable. In reality, I’d be causing car accidents just by passing by.
She waved her hand, pretending it was nothing. “It’s fine, I find joy in suffering.”
Skr~skr~
Mu Yunyang said, “May I know how to address this junior sister?”
Ding Li walked with Xiao Wenjing and replied, “I’m Ding Li.”
Mu Yunyang followed, asking, “Xiao Wenjing, where do you think the demons will take them?”
Before Xiao Wenjing could answer, Ding Li said, “They’re probably still in the forest. Outside the Misty Forest, there are guards, so it’s not like no one knows anything.”
Mu Yunyang agreed, “Makes sense.” Then asked, “Xiao Wenjing, where do we go now?”
This guy really asks everything. I wouldn’t dare ask so much.
Xiao Wenjing didn’t seem impatient. He looked at the sky and said, “It’s late. Let’s find a place to rest.”
Finally relieved, Ding Li exhaled.
After a busy day, she hadn’t eaten, was injured and hungry, and utterly exhausted.
The three soon reached a flat area near the river and decided to rest.
Xiao Wenjing and Mu Yunyang went to gather firewood. Ding Li took her water bottle to the river.
Alone by the river, what if a monster appeared? Usually, a river monster would show up in such situations.
Curious, Ding Li wondered if Xiao Wenjing would descend from the sky as in the book.
With that thought, she wasn’t scared and quickly knelt by the river to collect water.
Honestly, the water was quite clear.
Could this be the rumored natural mountain spring?
She leaned closer, checking for microbes, minerals, or bacteria. In survival guides, water must be boiled before drinking. Who knows what’s in wild water?
After a long look, she saw nothing unusual.
She stood up quickly, lost balance, and stumbled into the river…
Her foot was numb…
How do I explain this? I went to fetch water and just fell in?
No, no. Not the fault of the damn monster. Vine demons, tree demons, river monsters, come on!
Damn, when it should appear, it doesn’t. When it shouldn’t, it keeps moving.
Clearly, this story is set against me.
Ding Li scrambled up using her hands and feet. She looked around and, seeing no one, ran back with her wet skirt held up.
Luckily, she had a spare set of clothes in her bag and hurried to change.
When she returned, the two men hadn’t come back yet. She quickly unpacked her clothes.
But just as she quietly pulled out her dress, a sudden voice came from behind.
Ahem…
I knew it. The inevitable had arrived.
Ding Li threw the clothes and yelled back, “Itchy throat? Didn’t choke on a fat sea fruit?”
Xiao Wenjing placed the firewood and a rabbit on the ground, pointing at her wet clothes. “You didn’t bring extra clothes when bathing?”
Ding Li almost exploded, wanting to stab him immediately. She gritted her teeth. “No, I just encountered a monster by the river. I’ve killed it now.”
“Oh?” Xiao Wenjing looked at her. “What kind of monster?”
Ding Li snorted. “Xiao Wenjing, rarely seen things, it’s just a little river monster.”
Xiao Wenjing nodded. “No wonder. When I was gathering firewood, I thought I heard someone call out. It must have been Ding Li killing the little monster.”
Ding Li nodded. “As long as you know.”
At that moment, Mu Yunyang returned. Seeing Ding Li’s state, he was stunned. “Junior Sister Ding, you…”
Before she could answer, Xiao Wenjing said, “It’s fine. Junior Sister Ding fought the river monster and has now killed it.” He looked at her. “How long are you going to keep wearing those wet clothes?”
Ding Li rolled her eyes and carried the clothes away.
Mu Yunyang asked curiously, “I didn’t hear fireworks earlier. Could it be because of the demons?”
Ding Li stumbled again, almost falling.
When she changed and returned, the two men had started a fire. She hung her wet clothes on the wooden rack and took out some snacks, sitting down nearby.