Four months had passed since the Threads incident. The group had finally left the village behind and continued their journey into a distant demon territory,far from the places that had once been swallowed by the thread network.The road ahead stretched between vast mountains covered with thick green forests.Narrow paths led deeper into the trees,while small demon settlements could be seen along the main road.
Different kinds of demons lived in the area. Some had horns,sharp ears,or unusual eyes.Others had tails covered in fur or scales,and a few had animal-like features such as claws,fangs,or patches of fur on their faces and arms.Most of them wore simple travelling clothes or traditional demon robes,and many carried weapons or bags as they moved between villages. Strange banners hung outside roadside shops,marking different demon clans and businesses.Some demons stopped to talk, while others continued with their daily work without paying much attention to the passing travellers.
Xu Yang seemed to appreciate that more than anyone.He walked several steps ahead of the others with his hands behind his head, occasionally looking toward the mountains with a relaxed smile.He simply enjoyed the quiet road.It's been almost years since I came to this world...His smile faded slightly as the thought crossed his mind.How much longer do I have to stay here?...His fingers tightened behind his head.The nine lives
... it's too long....His expression became quieter.I almost died last time...He remembered how close he had come to losing another life.I was happy for nothing... The thought lingered for a moment before he slowly shook his head.Whatever...He looked at the road ahead again.I'm still here...He smiled.So I'll enjoy this while I can...before I die...
Xu Yang continued walking,pretending nothing had happened.A little farther ahead, he suddenly stopped beside a roadside stall.A small demon child was arranging several round fruits into a wooden basket. One of the fruits was bright purple with tiny white spots,and Xu Yang had never seen anything like it before.He leaned closer. "What's that?"The child looked up at him. "Moonfruit."Xu Yang picked one up and examined it curiously."Can you eat it?"The child nodded."Yes,but it's sour."Xu Yang immediately put it back."Then I'll pass."The child laughed.
Xu Yang smiled and continued walking without a care.Qing Li noticed him slowing down again and walked beside him."You're doing it again."Xu Yang glanced at him. "Doing what?""Wandering off.""I haven't wandered off."Qing Li pointed toward the road ahead."You're almost halfway to the next mountain."Xu Yang looked ahead,then back at him."That's still the road."Qing Li stared at him for a moment before sighing. "That's not the point."Xu Yang smiled."Then what is the point?""The point is that you always walk ahead whenever you get excited about somewhere new."Xu Yang looked toward the distant settlement."Can you blame me? We've spent so long dealing with things that wanted to kill us.Now we're walking through a place where nobody is trying to destroy the world."Qing Li's expression softened."I suppose that's a fair reason."
A few steps behind them,Hei Long listened to the conversation with an amused expression.He eventually caught up and looked toward Xu Yang. "So what you're saying is that you finally have nothing dangerous to investigate,and your first decision is to get lost?" Xu Yang turned around."I'm not getting lost." Hei Long raised an eyebrow."You don't even know where we're going." "I know we're going somewhere." "That isn't an answer." Xu Yang shrugged."It's enough of one." Hei Long laughed quietly."You've really become comfortable with this." Xu Yang looked at him."With what?" "Not knowing what's waiting ahead."
For a moment,Xu Yang didn't answer. He looked toward the mountains,then he smiled. "Yeah." His voice was quieter this time."I think I like it." Hei Long studied him for a moment before smiling too."You deserve it." Xu Yang glanced at him."What?" "A peaceful journey." Xu Yang's expression softened slightly. "After everything we've been through,I think all of us deserve one." Hei Long nodded."Then let's hope you don't ruin it." Xu Yang frowned."Why would I ruin it?" "Because trouble seems to find you." "I don't invite trouble."Qing Li immediately looked at him."You don't have to."
Hei Long laughed. Xu Yang stared at both of them."You two are supposed to support me." Qing Li smiled."We do." Hei Long nodded seriously."We're supporting the truth." Xu Yang narrowed his eyes."That's not the same thing." Their laughter carried down the mountain road. Further behind them,Yan Luo walked with his arms folded, his expression growing increasingly irritated as he listened to the three of them.He looked at the road ahead then at the mountains.
Then at Xu Yang. Finally,he quickened his pace until he was close enough to speak. "We've been walking for hours." Xu Yang looked over his shoulder."And?" Yan Luo stopped walking for a moment and stared at him. "And you haven't even asked where we're going." Xu Yang blinked. Qing Li immediately turned his face away,trying not to laugh. Hei Long covered his mouth. Yan Luo's eyes narrowed."Don't." Hei Long lowered his hand."I didn't say anything." "You were about to."
Xu Yang looked between them before casually turning back toward the road. "I assumed someone knew." There was silence then Chen Yu's tired voice came from behind them."That's exactly the problem." Xu Yang turned around.Chen Yu was walking beside Lin Chen,one hand resting against his staff while the other rubbed his forehead. He looked exhausted already. Lin Chen glanced at him."I told you we should have decided the route before leaving." Chen Yu sighed."I thought Yan Luo had the map." Yan Luo immediately turned around."I do have the map."
Everyone looked at him. Yan Luo reached into his robe and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He opened it. Then stared at it. His expression slowly changed.Xu Yang smiled. "What's wrong?" Yan Luo didn't answer. Qing Li stepped closer."Yan Luo?" Yan Luo turned the map around. "This map is six years old." Hei Long stared at it."Six years?" "Yes." Xu Yang walked over and looked at the faded paper. "So?" Yan Luo's expression darkened."So the road we're on isn't marked here." Chen Yu closed his eyes. Lin Chen quietly sighed.
Xu Yang looked toward the road ahead. Then toward the distant mountains. Then back at Yan Luo. "So we're exploring." Yan Luo stared at him."No.We're lost." Xu Yang smiled."That's a stronger word." "It's the correct word." Qing Li finally laughed. Yan Luo looked at him."You find this funny?" Qing Li tried to control his expression."A little." "A little?" Hei Long stepped in."Don't worry.We're all lost together." Yan Luo looked at him."That doesn't make it better." Xu Yang walked back toward the front of the group."It does to me." Yan Luo followed him."Why?" "Because if we're all lost,then nobody can blame me." Yan Luo stopped.
For a second,he simply stared at Xu Yang's back. Then he muttered,"Unbelievable." Lin Chen heard him and smiled faintly. Chen Yu noticed."You know,you could just admit that you're enjoying this." Lin Chen looked toward the others walking ahead. "I am." Chen Yu raised an eyebrow."Really?" Lin Chen nodded."It's been a long time since we've had nothing to worry about." His expression became quieter as he watched Xu Yang and the others arguing over the map."They're loud." Chen Yu smiled."Very." "They're reckless." "Definitely." "They'll probably get us lost again." "Without question." Lin Chen's smile remained for another moment. "But..." Chen Yu looked at him. Lin Chen watched Xu Yang laugh as Qing Li tried to take the map away from Yan Luo. "It's nice." Chen Yu's expression softened. "Yeah."
For a moment,the two of them simply walked in silence. Ahead of them,Xu Yang suddenly stopped. He turned toward the others with a bright expression. "There." Everyone looked at him. Xu Yang pointed toward a distant settlement nestled between two mountain slopes. "We can ask someone there." Yan Luo folded the map."Finally,a sensible idea." Xu Yang smiled."See? I had one." Yan Luo walked past him."Don't get too proud." Qing Li followed."It's probably the first one today." Hei Long nodded. "Maybe the last." Xu Yang looked offended. "Why does everyone keep doing this?"
Chen Yu laughed from behind them.Lin Chen shook his head with a faint smile.Xu Yang looked toward the road ahead and smiled."Let's see where this road takes us." Yan Luo immediately answered from behind him. "Hopefully somewhere that's actually on the map." Xu Yang laughed and the group continued walking.
Far away from Xu Yang and the others,a young demon was running through a dense forest.His breathing was heavy,and his steps were becoming unsteady.His black hair was messy,and dirt covered his face and clothes. His robe was torn at the shoulder,and blood was running down his arm from a deep cut. He looked young,but the fear in his eyes showed that he understood exactly what would happen if he was caught.He kept looking back while trying to move faster.
One person was with him,he was tall, dressed in dark travelling clothes followed closely behind.His face was completely hidden beneath a mask.He remained calm and alert,watching the forest around them while keeping close to the young demon.
The young demon suddenly looked over his shoulder.His eyes widened when he saw several shadows moving between the trees. "They're still following us?"
The masked man looked back briefly.His eyes remained calm behind the mask as he listened to the sounds coming from the forest."Yes."The young demon's breathing became faster.His fingers tightened around the torn sleeve of his robe as he glanced over his shoulder again."How close?" "Close."The young demon stopped for half a second before forcing himself forward again,his injured arm pressed against his side to slow the bleeding."How many?" "More than before."
The young demon looked ahead,then quickly toward the trees on both sides of them as if searching for another path."Then we need to change direction.""We can't." The masked man continued walking without slowing down."Why?"The young demon hurried after him,his voice becoming more urgent."The soldiers have already surrounded this part of the forest."The young demon froze for a moment.His eyes widened as he slowly looked around at the dark trees."Then where are we supposed to go?"
The masked man looked ahead.His voice remained steady despite the approaching footsteps."Forward.""Forward?"The young demon stared at him in disbelief."There's nowhere to hide ahead.""We don't need to hide."The young demon shook his head,his expression becoming more frustrated and frightened at the same time."You don't understand.If they catch me,they'll take me back.""I understand."The masked man stopped and turned slightly toward him.The young demon stared at him."No,you don't."
The young demon grabbed his injured arm and lowered his voice."You don't know what they'll do once I'm inside the palace."The masked man stopped.The young demon looked at him,his expression becoming more desperate."I can't go back."The masked man remained silent."I mean it."The young demon's voice shook."I would rather stay here and die than return."The masked man's eyes remained fixed on him from behind the mask."You won't die here."The young demon gave a bitter laugh."You say that like it's certain.""It is.""How can you be so sure?""Because I won't let them take you."
The young demon stared at him.For a moment,his fear softened.Then another branch snapped behind them.He immediately turned around."They're getting closer.""Yes.""Then why are we still talking?"The masked man turned forward. "We're not."He started walking again.The young demon quickly followed."Wait."The masked man stopped.The young demon hesitated before asking quietly,"If they catch us...will you leave me?"The masked man looked at him."No."
The young demon's fingers slowly loosened around his injured arm."Even if it becomes dangerous?""Yes.""Even if they know who you are?"The masked man answered,"They won't."The young demon looked at him for several seconds,then nodded."Then don't leave me.""I won't."They continued deeper into the forest.The young demon tried to control his breathing,but the sound of approaching footsteps was becoming clearer.He looked back once more.This time,he could see movement between the trees.His expression changed."They're here."
The masked man stopped walking. The young demon immediately moved closer to him.The sound of weapons and footsteps suddenly became louder.Boots struck against the dirt as several masked royal soldiers came from between the trees. Some carried long demon-forged jian,some held broad dao,and two soldiers at the back carried dark wooden crossbows with black metal bolts.
Their eyes glowed faintly beneath their masks,and dark demonic energy moved around the blades in thin wisps.Within seconds,the soldiers surrounded them from every direction.The young demon's face tightened as he looked around.There was no clear path left.The leading soldier raised his jian and pointed it toward him."Stop."The young demon clenched his fists."No."The soldier's voice became colder."You have been ordered to return with us.""I said I'm not going back."
The young demon took a step backward.His eyes moved quickly from one soldier to another,searching for even the smallest opening."You don't understand what you're doing,"the soldier said."We were specifically ordered to capture you alive."The young demon's expression hardened."Then you'll have to try."A soldier on the right slowly moved his dao into position."Don't make this harder than it needs to be."The young demon glanced toward the forest behind them."You expect me to trust the people chasing me with weapons?"The soldier didn't answer."I thought so." The young demon suddenly shifted his weight and looked toward a narrow gap between two soldiers.
For a moment,the formation opened.He moved quickly,but before he could reach it,a soldier stepped directly into his path.The young demon stopped and stumbled backward."Damn it."The soldier raised his jian."Don't try that again."The young demon's breathing became heavier."Then give me one reason why I should surrender." The soldier stared at him."Because you have nowhere to run."The young demon looked around at the surrounding soldiers. His expression changed from anger to fear for only a moment,but he quickly hid it."We'll see about that."
The soldier nearest him suddenly stepped forward and raised his dao.The young demon instinctively moved back,but before the blade could come down,the masked man stepped between them.The young demon froze."You don't have to..."The masked man interrupted calmly."Run."The young demon stared at him."What?""Run." "But there are too many of them."
The masked man didn't turn around."I said run."The young demon's eyes widened."I'm not leaving you."The masked man finally glanced at him."I'll catch up."The young demon hesitated."You better."The masked man turned back toward the soldiers."Now."
The nearest soldier attacked.The broad dao came down with enough force to split the ground beneath it,but the masked man stepped aside at the last moment.The blade struck the dirt beside him.
The masked man caught the soldier's wrist and twisted it sharply.The dao slipped from the soldier's hand,and before he could react, the masked man struck his chest with his palm.The soldier was thrown backward and crashed into a tree.The other soldiers immediately moved."Take him!"Two jian flashed toward the masked man from opposite sides.He lowered his body and let the first blade pass over his shoulder,then turned and caught the second soldier's wrist.His movement was so quick that the soldier barely had time to react.
The masked man pulled him forward and used his body to block the next attack.The attacking soldier stopped just before striking his own companion.The masked man pushed them apart and stepped back.The young demon stared at him in disbelief. "What are you waiting for?"The masked man didn't look back."Go!"The young demon turned and ran.A crossbow bolt suddenly flew through the trees toward him.The masked man moved before the bolt reached its target.He flicked a fallen branch upward with his foot and branch struck the bolt and knocked it off course.
The young demon looked back."You really are..."He stopped himself and continued running.The masked man turned toward the crossbowmen.One of them loaded another black bolt."He's protecting the target.""Then bring him down."Three soldiers rushed forward at once.One carried a spear with a dark metal blade.The other two held jian.The masked man waited until the last moment before moving.He stepped around the spear thrust,gripped the shaft,and pulled the soldier forward.
The first jian passed harmlessly beside him.He turned his shoulder and struck the soldier's wrist,forcing the sword from his hand.Then he lowered the spear and swept the shaft across the second soldier's legs. The soldier fell heavily.The third attacked from behind.The masked man ducked,and the jian passed above his head.He turned and struck the soldier's shoulder,then pushed him away.
The movements were clean and controlled. He never wasted strength,and he never used any recognizable demonic technique. There was no large burst of spiritual power, no mysterious art,and no attack meant to kill.Yet the soldiers slowly realized something was wrong.The masked man was far too skilled to be an ordinary traveller.One soldier stepped back."He's holding back." Another tightened his grip on his jian. "What?""He's been holding back this entire time."
The masked man glanced toward the forest where the young demon had disappeared. The soldiers noticed the movement."Don't let him escape!"Several soldiers rushed after the young demon.The masked man immediately moved to intercept them.He kicked one soldier's dao aside,blocked a jian with his forearm guard,and struck the soldier's chest hard enough to send him sliding across the ground.Another soldier thrust his spear forward.
The masked man caught the spear beneath his arm and twisted it away from him.The soldier lost his balance.The masked man released the weapon and stepped back without finishing the attack."Why aren't you killing us?"one soldier demanded.The masked man said nothing.He looked toward the forest again.Then he heard the young demon's voice in the distance."Come on!" The masked man's eyes narrowed slightly. He created an opening by knocking two soldiers away from the path."Now."
The young demon understood immediately and ran deeper into the forest.The masked man followed.The soldiers quickly recovered and chased after them."Don't let them escape!"The sound of footsteps and weapons followed through the trees.The young demon pushed himself forward despite the pain in his arm."Are they still coming?"he shouted."Yes." The masked man continued running behind him."Keep moving.""I'm trying!"The young demon looked ahead and saw the trees beginning to thin."There's a road!"The masked man glanced forward."Then don't stop."The young demon gritted his teeth and ran toward it.The masked man stayed behind him,keeping the soldiers from getting close enough to attack.As they disappeared beyond the trees,the royal soldiers continued pursuing them.
The two continued running through the forest.The young demon's breathing gradually became heavier,and his steps were no longer as steady as before.His injured arm remained pressed against his side,but the wound had opened again,and blood was slowly soaking through the torn fabric.The masked man noticed the blood and glanced toward him."Your wound has opened again."The young demon looked down at his sleeve and tightened his hand over it."It is nothing."The masked man's gaze remained on him."You are slowing down.""I can still walk."
The young demon forced himself to move faster."We cannot stop here.""I did not ask you to stop."The masked man moved closer. "I am asking you to keep the wound from worsening."The young demon looked at him for a moment,but said nothing.He continued forward until his steps suddenly faltered.The masked man immediately reached out and steadied him by the shoulder.
The young demon regained his balance and quietly pulled himself upright."I am fine."The masked man released him."I know."The young demon lowered his gaze."You should save your strength.The soldiers are still pursuing us.""I have enough strength."The young demon was silent for a moment before speaking again."You do not know what awaits me if they catch us."
The masked man's expression remained hidden beneath the mask,but his voice was steady."I know that you do not wish to return."The young demon's eyes darkened. "It is more than that."He looked toward the trees behind them."If they take me back,I may never leave again."The masked man was silent for several breaths."Then they will not take you."
The young demon looked at him."You speak with great certainty.""Because I have no intention of allowing it."The young Demon lowered his eyes and continued walking. "You make it sound simple.""It is not simple."The masked man glanced toward the forest."It is only a matter of what we choose to do."For a while,neither spoke.The sounds of the soldiers had become faint,but they could still hear distant movement between the trees.
The young demon looked down at the bandage around his arm."You should not have stopped for me."The masked man continued walking."You were injured.""We have soldiers behind us.""I am aware."The young demon looked at him quietly."Then why risk your time?"The masked man tightened the cloth around the wound once more before letting go."Because leaving you behind would accomplish nothing."
The young demon remained silent.His gaze lowered,and after a moment he spoke softly. "Thank you."The masked man turned toward the forest."Do not thank me yet."The young demon followed his gaze."They are still coming.""Yes."His expression became serious again."Then we should go."The masked man nodded."Stay close."The young demon gave a nod.They continued through the forest.The young demon forced himself to maintain his pace,but his strength was fading.
The masked man noticed,but did not mention it again.Instead,he quietly adjusted his pace so the young demon could keep up without falling behind.The young demon noticed the change and glanced at him,but said nothing.After several more moments, the trees ahead began to thin and sunlight appeared between the branches,and the sound of the wind became clearer.
The young demon slowed slightly."We are near the edge."The masked man looked ahead."The road is beyond those trees."The young demon took a deeper breath.His shoulders relaxed for the first time since the pursuit began."Then we have finally escaped the forest."The masked man looked back once more.The distant sound of footsteps could still be heard."For the moment."The young demon's expression became serious again."Then we cannot remain here.""No."The masked man turned forward."Keep moving."
The two stepped out from the trees and reached the edge of the forest.A remote mountain road was ahead of them,with tall mountains rising on both sides and a few distant demon settlements visible beyond the winding path.The young demon stopped for a moment and looked ahead.Xu Yang and the others were travelling in their direction.The young demon froze.The masked man stopped behind him and quietly followed his gaze.
Xu Yang was the first to notice them.He slowed his steps when he saw the young demon standing at the edge of the forest. The torn clothes and blood on his sleeve immediately caught his attention.Qing Li's expression changed when he noticed the wound."He's injured."Yan Luo did not answer.His gaze had already moved past the young demon and settled on the masked figure standing behind him.Yan Luo quietly shifted his stance and watched him without saying a word.
Hei Long also noticed the tension and looked between the two strangers."They seem to have come from the forest."Lin Chen's eyes moved toward the trees behind them."And someone is following them." Chen Yu turned his head slightly at those words.The young demon looked at the group in front of him.He could not tell who they were,and he had no reason to trust them.His eyes moved from Xu Yang to Yan Luo,then briefly toward the masked man behind him.
The masked man remained silent then a footsteps sound came from the forest and the young demon's expression changed immediately.The sound was faint at first,but becoming clearer with every passing moment.Xu Yang noticed his reaction and took a careful step forward."Are you alright?" The young demon looked at him,but did not answer.He glanced at the blood on his own sleeve and then toward the forest again.His fingers tightened around the fabric.
Xu Yang did not move closer."You don't have to be afraid.We're not here to harm you."The young demon's eyes remained guarded.He looked at Xu Yang for several seconds,trying to decide whether those words could be trusted.Yan Luo's gaze remained fixed on him."Xu Yang."Xu Yang looked back.Yan Luo spoke quietly."Don't get too close."Xu Yang understood the warning but did not step away."He's injured.""I can see that." "Then we should help him."Yan Luo's eyes shifted briefly toward the masked man."We don't know who they are."The young demon heard that and instinctively took a step backward.
The masked man immediately moved half a step forward,but stopped when the young demon glanced at him.Xu Yang noticed the movement."It's alright."His voice remained gentle."We're only asking if you need help." The young demon finally opened his mouth, but before he could answer,a branch suddenly snapped inside the forest.