The branch snapped,and the young demon immediately turned toward the forest.His expression changed at once,his eyes fixed on the trees behind them.His fingers tightened around the torn edge of his sleeve, and for a moment he seemed to forget that the others were watching him.Xu Yang noticed the change and frowned slightly."Are you alright?"The young demon looked back at him and quickly lowered his gaze."Yes."
Xu Yang glanced at the blood still staining his sleeve."You don't look alright."The young demon hesitated,then slowly shook his head."It is only an injury.I can still walk." Xu Yang looked at his wound again,but before he could say anything,demon continued, "We were attacked while passing through the forest."Yan Luo's eyes narrowed slightly. "Attacked?"The young demon nodded."Yes, We were attacked by bandits." He looked towards forest and said, "They came from the trees without warning. There were too many of them."
Xu Yang looked toward the forest."Where are they now?"The young demon paused. "We managed to escape.""All of them?"Xu Yang asked.The young demon nodded again."Yes."Xu Yang studied his face for a moment.The young demon avoided his eyes and looked toward the road instead. "This man helped me escape,"he added, glancing briefly at the masked figure beside him."If he had not appeared,I would not have made it out."He turned his head toward the forest behind them,his eyes fixed on the trees as if listening for something."They are still behind us."
Xu Yang looked toward the forest.Demon's breathing became slightly heavier."We cannot stay here."He looked at the masked man beside him."We need to leave."The masked man gave a slight nod."Then we go."The demon immediately turned toward the road and took a step forward,but before he could take another step,he nearly fell forward.The masked man caught him by the arm before he hit the ground."Careful."The young demon gritted his teeth and tried to steady himself."I'm fine.I can walk."
Qing Li stepped closer to Xu Yang and examined the young demon's injuries."Your sleeve is soaked with blood."The young demon glanced down."It is only a wound.""A wound that is still bleeding,"Qing Li replied. "If you continue travelling like this,it will worsen."The young demon pressed his hand against the wound."I can manage."Xu Yang shook his head."You should not have to."He took out a small cloth and medicine from his bag and held them toward him. "Clean it before you go any farther."
The young demon looked at the medicine but did not take it immediately."You are willing to help a stranger without knowing what happened?"Xu Yang looked at him calmly."If someone is being chased through a forest and arrives injured on the road,I do not need to know his entire story before offering medicine."The young demon stared at him for a moment then he accepted the medicine."Thank you."Xu Yang nodded."Sit for a moment."
The young demon hesitated."We should keep moving.""You can barely keep your balance."Xu Yang looked toward the forest. "If whoever chased you is still behind us, walking while injured will only make you easier to catch."The young demon's fingers tightened around the medicine."They will not stop."Yan Luo's eyes shifted toward him. "Who?"The young demon looked up.Yan Luo's expression remained unreadable."The people chasing you."
The young demon's eyes flickered toward the masked man beside him."Ah...bandits." He quickly looked toward the forest again. His expression changed when another faint sound came from between the trees."They are coming.We need to go."He turned toward the road,but Yan Luo's voice stopped him."Why are you in such a hurry to leave?" The demon froze.Yan Luo stared at him."We are here.They cannot simply take you from us."
The demon slowly turned back.Yan Luo stepped closer and placed a firm hand on his shoulder,stopping him from moving away."Before you leave,give me the answer to one question."The demon looked at him with visible fear."What?"Yan Luo's gaze remained fixed on his face."What were you doing there?" The demon hesitated."I was travelling through the area."Chen Yu,who had been quietly watching the exchange, finally spoke. "Travelling alone?"The demon glanced at him."Yes."Chen Yu looked at the masked man beside him."And he?""He was travelling the same road.""You met him there?" The young demon paused before nodding."Yes."
Chen Yu's expression did not change."Then why would he risk fighting several bandits for someone he had only just met?"The young demon looked toward the masked man.The masked man remained silent."He saw that I was being chased, si he decided to help."the young demon answered."Chen Yu studied him."You expect us to believe that?"The young demon's expression tightened."I have no reason to lie about it." Hei Long stepped closer to demon.His eyes remained on the demon."Then tell us how you came to be alone in the forest."
The young demon lowered his gaze."I already said i was travelling."Hei Long's expression hardened slightly."Travelling from where?"The young demon hesitated. "From the western villages."Lin Chen looked at him."And where were you going?""I had not decided."Lin Chen frowned."You entered a forest alone without knowing where you were going?"
The demon remained quiet for a moment before answering,"I had nowhere else to go."Chen Yu noticed the change in his expression."What happened?"The young demon's fingers tightened around the medicine."I left.""Left what?"Chen Yu asked. "My home."A brief silence fell among the group.Lin Chen's eyes narrowed."Why?" The young demon looked away."Because I could no longer remain there.""Did someone drive you out?"Hei Long asked.
The young demon shook his head."No." "Then why leave?"The young demon took a slow breath."Because staying would have been worse."Hei Long studied him for a moment but did not press further.Xu Yang glanced at demon and then toward the forest."And you met him there?" The young demon nodded."Yes."Chen Yu looked at the masked man."Tell us what happened from your side.What were you doing?"
The masked man raised his eyes."I was passing through the forest."Chen Yu waited. "I heard people behind me.""The bandits?""I assumed so at first."The demon glanced at him."I was running."The masked man continued,"He came through the trees and nearly ran into me.He was already injured." Chen Yu looked toward the demon. "And you asked him for help?"
The young demon hesitated."I did not know who he was.""Then why did you trust him?" "I didn't.But I had nowhere else to go."Hei Long's expression softened slightly."So you followed him."The young demon nodded. "He told me to stay close.We kept moving until the people behind us caught up."Chen Yu looked at the masked man."And then you fought them." Masked man nodded."Yes."
Yan Luo stared at him for a moment."You seem willing to take risks for a stranger."The masked man looked toward the demon."He was being pursued.I could not simply stand there."
Yan Luo's eyes remained on him."Most people would have walked away.""I am not most people."Yan Luo's expression remained guarded."You weren't afraid they might turn on you?"The masked man shook his head."If I had stopped to consider that, he would already have been caught."Xu Yang glanced toward the young demon,then back at the masked man."At least you didn't leave him behind."The masked man gave no response.Hei Long looked at the masked man."You could have sent him in another direction.""There was no safe direction."
"And you still chose to help.""Yes."Chen Yu looked between the two strangers."Then either you are unusually willing to involve yourself in another person's trouble,or there is something you are not telling us."The masked man's gaze remained steady."You are free to believe either."Chen Yu frowned slightly,but before he could continue,the demon suddenly turned toward the forest.A faint sound had reached them again.This time,it was followed by the unmistakable sound of several footsteps moving quickly through the trees.
The demon's fingers tightened around the medicine Xu Yang had given him."They're here."The masked man immediately looked toward the forest."Stay behind me."The demon shook his head."There are too many." Yan Luo's hand moved toward his sword. For several seconds,nobody moved. Then several masked soldiers emerged from the forest.Their dark armor was marked with the insignia of the royal household,and each carried a drawn weapon.
One of them immediately spotted the demon and stepped forward.The demon's face changed the moment he saw them.His breathing became uneven,and he instinctively moved backward.The masked man shifted in front of him."Stop."The soldier's voice was cold.The demon froze. The soldier raised his sword toward him. "You are ordered to return with us."
The demon took another step backward.His eyes remained fixed on the soldiers."I am not going.""You have no choice."The soldier took a step forward."You have to return."Xu Yang looked from the soldier to the young demon.His expression changed slightly. The demon said nothing.Yan Luo's suspicion was confirmed.His hand slowly closed around the hilt of his sword as he looked at the soldiers."Those are certainly not bandits."
Qing Li glanced at the insignia on the soldiers' armor,his expression becoming serious."They are dressed like royal guards." Chen Yu looked at the demon."And they came all the way into the forest after you."Hei Long stepped slightly forward,his eyes fixed on the soldiers."If he were merely a traveller,why would the royal household send so many men after him?"
The demon lowered his gaze.Xu Yang looked at him."Who are they?"The demon did not answer.Yan Luo took a slow step forward,placing himself between the soldiers and the young demon."You heard him.He said he isn't going."One of the soldiers glanced at him."This matter does not concern you."Yan Luo's eyes narrowed."
narrowed."Then why are you standing in front of us with drawn weapons?"The soldier's grip tightened around his sword. "We have no quarrel with you.""Neither do we with you,"Yan Luo replied."So take your men and leave."The soldier's expression hardened."Stand aside."
Xu Yang stepped forward instead.Xu Yang turned toward him."You said they were bandits."The demon remained silent. The soldiers moved closer.Yan Luo asked quietly,"What are you hiding?"Demon's eyes shifted toward the approaching soldiers. "I..."One of the soldiers suddenly raised his sword."Enough talking."Black demonic energy erupted from his body,spreading across the blade like dark flames.
Xu Yang looked at all."They're attacking." Yan Luo stepped forward,his hand tightening around his sword."Then we stop them."The soldier swung his weapon.Xu Yang raised one hand and golden light burst from his palm.A powerful golden barrier appeared in front of him.The sword struck it with a loud impact,and black energy scattered across the barrier.Xu Yang pushed forward."Back."
The golden barrier exploded outward.The soldier was thrown several steps away.Qing Li's eyes narrowed."They're using demonic energy."Chen Yu lifted his staff."And quite a lot of it."Another guard rushed toward them from the side.Xu Yang turned,but before he could move,Qing Li stepped forward and wind energy gathered around his body.His sleeve whipped violently in the wind."Don't come any closer."He swept his hand across the air and powerful gust struck the soldier and sent him sliding across the ground.
The soldier planted his sword into the earth, stopping himself.Black energy surged from his body.He suddenly leapt forward again. Qing Li's expression hardened."Stubborn." The wind around him became sharper.The soldier was forced backward once more.
Another soldier suddenly broke away from the fight and rushed toward the demon. Demon's face changed."He's coming this way!"Lin Chen immediately stepped in front of him."Stay behind me."
The soldier raised his sword and black demonic energy wrapped around the blade. "Move aside."Lin Chen tightened his grip. "You're not getting past me."The soldier swung.Lin Chen blocked the attack,but the force pushed him backward.The soldier immediately followed with another attack.Lin Chen raised his weapon again,but a figure suddenly appeared between them.
The masked man caught the soldier's sword with his own.The soldier's expression hardened."You again." The masked man slowly pushed the blade away. The soldier attacked again.The masked man stepped aside.At the same moment,a faint silver ring appeared around his body.It rotated once, and the sword passed through the space beside him as though the masked man had already moved before the attack reached him. The soldier's eyes widened."What...?"
Then second ring appeared,this one was deep blue and it spun around the masked man's waist,and his figure suddenly became faster. He disappeared from the soldier's sight. The soldier turned sharply, he saw masked man was already behind him.Then violet ring flashed around his wrist.The soldier swung backward,but the violet ring caught the blade and redirected its force. The soldier stumbled forward. The masked man raised his hand and red ring appeared beneath the soldier's feet.
The soldier looked down."Wait..." The ring burst upward and force struck his body and threw him into the air. He twisted in midair and landed heavily on one knee.Black energy immediately gathered around him. "You think those tricks will stop me?" The masked man slowly raised his hand again. Three rings appeared around him at the same time.They rotated at different speeds.
The soldier charged.The blue ring flashed. The masked man moved.The silver ring appeared in front of him and blocked the sword.The gold ring suddenly moved toward his fist. His next strike became far heavier. The soldier was struck across the chest and sent sliding backward.He roared and released a wave of black demonic energy. The masked man crossed his arms.The silver ring expanded around him and black energy crashed against it.
The ground shook and dust rose around them. For a moment,the masked man disappeared behind the dust. The soldier smiled."Finally." Then violet ring suddenly appeared behind him.His expression changed.The masked man stepped out of the dust and his violet ring struck the soldier from behind and sent him forward.Before he could recover,the red ring appeared beneath him again.The explosion threw him into the ground. The soldier struggled to rise. The masked man looked at him calmly. "Leave."
The soldier wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth."Never." He charged again. This time,five rings appeared around the masked man at once. They moved around him like a controlled formation.The soldier swung.Silver Ring blocked.He attacked again.Blue ring carried the masked man out of reach.The soldier changed direction. Violet ring redirected his blade then red ring struck his legs.He dropped to one knee.
The gold ring appeared beside the masked man's fist. One final strike sent the soldier crashing to the ground.The rings slowly disappeared one after another. Demon stared at the masked man in silence.Lin Chen looked at him carefully."Your power is unusual." The masked man glanced toward him. "It is only useful when necessary." Lin Chen narrowed his eyes."You have been hiding quite a lot." The masked man said nothing. Demon looked between them but remained silent.
The fallen soldier suddenly moved. The masked man turned his head and silver ring appeared instantly around his hand.The soldier froze The masked man spoke quietly."Stay down." The soldier finally stopped moving. The masked man turned back toward the demon."Stay here." Lin Chen nodded slowly.
Meanwhile,three guards surrounded Hei Long.He remained completely still.Petals slowly appeared around him,drifting through the air."You should leave!"Hei Long said calmly.One guard sneered."You think flowers can stop us?"Hei Long's eyes lifted. "You can find out."His fingers moved slightly and petals suddenly shot forward like blades.The soldiers raised their weapons and black demonic energy formed shields around them.The petals struck the shields again and again,each impact forcing the guards backward.Chen Yu watched for a moment before smiling faintly."You always make it look easy."
Hei Long glanced at him."Then try not to get in my way."Chen Yu chuckled softly and struck his staff against the ground and green light spread beneath the soldiers like roots. The earth suddenly broke apart and Vines of green energy rose from the ground and wrapped around their legs."Now,"Chen Yu said.The vines tightened.
One soldier struggled violently."What is this?"Chen Yu's expression became serious."Something you should not have stepped on."He raised his staff and green light flashed.The vines pulled the soldier to the ground.Yan Luo was already fighting another guard.His sword was covered in flames as he blocked a heavy strike.Black demonic energy collided with fire,creating sparks that scattered through the air.
The soldier pushed harder.Yan Luo's feet slid backward."You're stronger than you look."The soldier's eyes remained cold. "Move aside."Yan Luo laughed quietly."You first."He twisted his sword and knocked the guard's blade away.Flames surged along the edge of his sword.Yan Luo swung and wave of fire rushed toward the soldier.
The guard raised both hands and black demonic energy formed a wall,but the flames crashed through it and sent him flying backward."Yan Luo!"Qing Li shouted. "Behind you!"Yan Luo turned.A second soldier was already approaching from behind.His sword was raised high.Xu Yang appeared between them.Golden light flashed.Xu Yang caught the soldier's wrist. "You people really like attacking from behind."
The soldier stared at him.Xu Yang's eyes hardened."I don't."Golden energy exploded from his hand.The soldier was thrown into the ground.His weapon fell beside him.The demon stood several steps away, watching everything unfold.His face was pale.He looked at the group as if he had never expected them to fight for him."Why..."he whispered.Xu Yang glanced back."Why what?"The young demon hesitated."Why are you helping me?"
Xu Yang looked at the soldiers,then back at him."Because they came to harm you."Yan Luo walked over,flames still burning along his sword."And because I dislike people who refuse to explain themselves."The young demon looked down."I didn't ask you to fight."Yan Luo raised an eyebrow."You didn't have to."Suddenly,a burst of black energy came from the trees.A soldier who had been knocked down stood again.His armor was damaged,but his eyes remained cold."You will regret interfering."Hei Long's expression changed slightly."They're not finished."Chen Yu tightened his grip on the staff."Neither are we."
Qing Li stepped beside them.Wind began circling around his body.Xu Yang's golden light brightened.Yan Luo raised his flaming sword.Hei Long's petals filled the air.Chen Yu's staff glowed with intense green energy. The remaining soldiers gathered together. Black demonic energy spread across the forest floor like smoke.Xu Yang looked at everyone."Let's end this." Qing Li stepped forward and swept his sleeve across the air and violent gust tore through the darkness, forcing several soldiers to slow their advance."Do not let them close the distance!" Xu Yang followed immediately. Golden light gathered around his palm. "I'll break their center."
Yan Luo's flames rose along his sword. "Then we take the sides." Hei Long lifted one hand and petals scattered into the air. "Leave the rear to me." Chen Yu struck his staff against the ground and green light spread through the earth. "Then no one escapes." The soldiers charged. Xu Yang met the first one head-on. Their weapons collided.Black energy pressed against golden light. The soldier pushed forward with all his strength.
Xu Yang gritted his teeth and twisted his wrist and golden energy burst outward. The soldier staggered. Xu Yang stepped in and struck his shoulder.The guard flew backward. Another blade came from the right. Xu Yang turned and blocked. The impact sent sparks across the ground. "Two at once?" The soldier pressed down. Xu Yang's eyes sharpened. "Then two it is." Golden light flashed beneath his feet. He twisted aside,and the second soldier's blade struck the first. Xu Yang used the opening. His palm struck both of them with a burst of golden energy. They were thrown apart.
Behind him,Qing Li was already surrounded. Three soldiers attacked from different directions. Qing Li remained calm. "Come." The first blade descended. Wind gathered around his arm.He caught the blade's momentum and turned. The soldier was thrown sideways. The second attacked. Qing Li stepped backward. A sharp gust struck the soldier's chest. The third soldier broke through the wind and reached him. Qing Li's expression tightened. The blade came down. A shower of petals suddenly crossed the soldier's path. Hei Long's petals wrapped around the sword. The soldier struggled. Qing Li looked toward Hei Long. "Thank you." Hei Long gave a slight nod.
Qing Li turned back toward the soldiers.At the same time,Yan Luo's flaming sword cut across the battlefield. A soldier blocked the strike. The flames climbed along the blade. Yan Luo pushed harder. "Your strength is not enough." The soldier released black energy. The flames were forced back. Yan Luo's eyes narrowed. "So you still have this much left." The soldier roared and attacked. Yan Luo stepped aside and brought his sword down. The flames exploded against the ground. The soldier barely escaped.
Chen Yu appeared behind him,Green light struck from his staff.The soldier was knocked off balance. Yan Luo finished the attack with one sweeping strike. The soldier fell. Chen Yu looked at him."One less." Yan Luo glanced toward the remaining guards. Black shadows rushed through the trees. Hei Long's petals immediately filled the space between them.
The soldiers raised their weapons. Petals struck their wrists and shoulders,forcing their attacks wide. Hei Long's expression remained calm. "Do not allow them to gather."Chen Yu understood.He drove his staff into the ground.Green light rose around the soldiers like a cage. Qing Li's wind swept through the opening. The soldiers were forced together. Xu Yang saw the formation. "Now!" Golden light erupted from his body. The attack crashed into the center of the group.
Several soldiers were thrown backward. The remaining guards stumbled,but one of them recovered quickly. He looked past Xu Yang. His eyes fixed on the demon. "He comes with us." The young demon's face tightened. "No." The soldier raised his sword. "You have no right to refuse." Xu Yang stepped between them. "He is under our protection." The soldier's expression darkened."Then you will fall with him." He charged.
Xu Yang raised his hand. The two energies collided. The soldier's black energy pressed forward. Xu Yang's golden barrier began to crack. "Damn..." The soldier pushed harder. Xu Yang's feet slid across the ground. "Xu Yang!" Qing Li started toward him. "Don't!" Xu Yang gritted his teeth."Handle the others!"Qing Li hesitated for a moment then he turned and released another wave of wind.
The soldier in front of Xu Yang suddenly raised his blade and its black energy gathered around it.Xu Yang's eyes widened. The barrier was breaking. The blade came down then silver ring suddenly appeared between them. The sword struck the ring with a deafening sound. Xu Yang froze. The masked man stood beside him.Another ring appeared around his arm then another.The soldier pulled his sword back. "You again." The masked man said nothing. Xu Yang looked at him.Xu Yang's eyes narrowed. "Have we met before?"The masked man was silent for a moment."No."
Xu Yang stared at him."Are you sure?""I am.""Then why do I feel like I have seen you before?"The masked man's gaze turned cold."Do not try to get closer to me with such nonsense."Xu Yang stared at him for second ,clearly irritated, "Nonsense? You appear beside me to help me,and now you tell me it is all nonsense?"The masked man looked at him calmly."You think too much."
Xu Yang's eyes hardened."And you hide too much.""Then keep your distance.""You are the one who keeps coming closer."The masked man's gaze sharpened."Only because you keep giving me reason to."Xu Yang's expression darkened."Then perhaps you should stop interfering.""Perhaps you should learn to protect yourself."Xu Yang clenched his fist."I don't need you to..."The soldier suddenly attacked.The masked man raised his arm and a violet ring deflected the blade.But another soldier appeared behind him,his sword already descending.Xu Yang saw it."Behind you!" The masked man turned,but Xu Yang had already rushed forward.He stepped between them.The blade tore across his side and blood spilled onto the ground.
Xu Yang staggered and dropped to one knee.The masked man's eyes hardened. "Why did you interfere?"Xu Yang pressed his hand against the wound and looked up at him."I hate to admit it...but it seems neither of us can stand by and watch someone get hurt."