NOVEL NEXT Chapter 242: 242- Secrets [1]
At the same time, somewhere in the southern region of the Tharz Kingdom, Xiao Pei and Du Juan found themselves surrounded by a ragged group of bandits.
At most, the strongest among the group of Bandits had barely reached Qi Condensation stage. Against cultivators like them, it was laughable.
Du Juan, already a Nascent Soul expert, could hardly muster anything more than pity.
Even Xiao Pei, standing calmly at her side, was at the Golden Core realm.
Either someone had deliberately pushed this group to block their path… or these fools were simply marching toward their own deaths.
The bandit leader unknown of the impending doom that awaited him, swaggered forward, brandishing a chipped blade.
"Hand over your gold and the woman," he sneered, "and I'll consider letting you live."
Du Juan's lips curved in faint amusement.
They were currently located within a forest, behind them stood Lunar City, a bustling hub famed for its abundance of alchemists.
It was also home to the Pill King Tushan herself.
Every day, thousands of herb gatherers poured into the city, trading their finds for coins in hopes to earn their keep.
Along with the decree that was placed in the city with the support of both the city Lord and the pill King Tushan, there was strict regulations that ensured fair pricing and made sure that no alchemist, no matter how powerful, could exploit the herb gatherers.
Lunar City had become the prime destination for selling herbs directly to buyers, making fortunes overnight for the lucky few who unearthed rare or unknown treasures.
Naturally, that same wealth attracted vermin. Bandits thrived in the outskirts, hoping to snatch fortune from those too weak to resist.
The leader eyed Xiao Pei and Du Juan, taking in their attire.
The fabric spoke of riches, but the lack of a carriage made them seem modestly wealthy at best.
To his mind, they were no different from countless other targets.
Right now, he and his gang of six thought themselves the predators.
But to Xiao Pei and Du Juan, they looked more like prey lined up for slaughter.
The bandit leader brandished a jagged knife, spittle flying as he snarled.
"I'm talking to you. Hand her over or better yet, stay and watch. I don't mind either way."
His crude laughter grated across the night air.
Xiao Pei stepped forward with an easy smile, his tone light, almost conversational.
"My wife here is in a bad mood. So how about this, be good and walk away… or stay and become a sacrifice."
The bandits erupted in mocking laughter, clutching their bellies.
"Hah! Look at this madman!"
But their laughter lasted less than a heartbeat.
The instant they lunged forward, the world went still.
By the time their feet struck the earth again, blood already soaked the ground.
Not a single scream left their mouth, hell there was not even enough time to blink.
One moment, seven men roared with laughter and then the next, they were corpses, strewn lifeless across the dirt.
Xiao Pei brushed an invisible speck of dust from his sleeve, his smile unchanged.
"How generous, they offered their souls. Quickly, use the Soul Anchor Pendant and nourish your sister's soul."
Du Juan inclined her head, producing the dark, ominous pendant.
As she activated its power, wisps of fading spirit essence were drawn from the corpses, sucked into the pendant's core.
The Soul Anchor Pendant had two functions.
One was to imprison a soul and two, to grind down other souls, feeding their essence into the one held captive.
Du Juan watched, her expression softening, as the stolen souls broke apart and streamed into the pendant, nourishing the faint flicker of her sister's trapped spirit.
She smiled faintly, almost tenderly.
"Come," Xiao Pei said gently, turning his back on the carnage.
Du Juan followed, leaving the slaughter behind.
It didn't take long before they arrived at the outskirts of Lunar city.
The city gates loomed before them, torches flickering in the dusk.
Xiao Pei and Du Juan passed through with ease, slipping two silver coins into the guard's palm. No questions asked.
Inside, the streets bustled with the noise of vendors hawking goods, horse hooves clattering over stone, and the faint aroma of roasting chestnuts drifting through the air.
Du Juan, however, paid little attention, her hand still rested protectively over the pendant at her chest.
Xiao Pei led the way without hesitation, turning down a quieter lane where one banner of the Fang Family hung proudly.
Soon, they stopped before the modest shop whose signboard gleamed faintly in the lantern light.
Pushing the door open, the scent of medicinal herbs greeted them.
Behind the counter sat a youth in Fang family robes, the proud emblem of a soaring lightning raven embroidered across his chest.
His head rested on his hand, eyes glazed with boredom.
"Hey," Xiao Pei called casually.
"Welcome," the boy droned, voice flat and weary.
But the next instant, recognition struck him like lightning.
His eyes went wide, his spine snapping straight as he nearly leapt from his stool.
"Benefactor Da Pang! And… Family Guardian!" he stammered, voice trembling between awe and respect.
The boy's earlier lethargy evaporated as though it had never existed.
Xiao Pei offered the boy a faint smile, his tone casual but carrying a weight beneath it.
"Is there anything here that can be used to send a message to the main family?"
The youth froze for a heartbeat, his face paling just a shade before he forced a nod.
"Ah—well… yes, I think I can work with something."
He ducked quickly behind the counter, rummaging through drawers and shelves stacked with scrolls, jade slips, and bundles of talismans.
The sound of clattering wood and parchment filled the small shop as he muttered under his breath, clearly flustered.
Du Juan's gaze lingered on him, calm but sharp, her fingers brushing the pendant at her chest as though reminding him, silently, that time was precious.
Finally, with a small triumphant grunt, the boy pulled free a slim jade box.
Setting it down on the counter with both hands, he whispered, "This isn't standard stock… but it should reach the Fang estate without fail."