"I... I'm just a new recruit, a nobody. The fight was so intense earlier that I got scared and hid to the side until now. I didn't expect... that you would be so magnanimous as to pretend you didn't see me and let me go?"
Yu Ling dared not breathe loudly, asking cautiously, afraid that the other party's shout would attract others and reveal that the demonic sect leader, whom they had been trying to exterminate for so long, was still alive.
The man clearly hadn't expected that the person so brazenly begging for mercy would be the leader of the demonic sect that plagued the martial world. He sheathed the longsword he had gripped tightly at his waist when he discovered Yu Ling, and after a moment's thought, said:
"Fine, I didn't see you during the fight. You've been hiding well! But letting you go is out of the question."
Yu Ling's heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself, "Oh no, I'm afraid he has no hope of escaping this time."
The man placed his hands behind his back, seemingly not intending to continue harassing Yu Ling, and coldly said:
"The remnants of the demonic cult deserve to die, but considering you joined relatively late, I'll give you a chance to atone for your sins. Come with me!"
After saying that, the man turned and walked down the mountain path from the top of Wuhen Cliff, leaving Yu Ling with a cold and indifferent back view.
"Thank you, sir! Thank you for sparing my life!"
Looking at that broad back, Yu Ling hesitated for a moment about whether to launch a sneak attack from behind, but with many concerns, she gave up and thanked him repeatedly before quickly chasing after him.
Throughout the journey, Yu Ling kept her head down, not daring to raise it and reveal the face that belonged to the original owner of the body. The man beside her exuded a strong aura of blood, which sent chills down one's spine. His hands must have been stained with a lot of blood; he probably contributed a great deal to the fight against the Demonic Sect.
"By the way, I still don't know your name?"
The man suddenly stopped, and Yu Ling thought he had realized her identity, and she felt her heart almost jump out of her chest.
Upon hearing this question, Yu Ling thought for a moment. Not many people knew the original owner's name, so there was no need to use an alias. She quickly replied:
"I am... I am Mo Feiyan, you may call me Xiao Mo."
"Yes, Xiao Mo. Those who surrendered within the Demonic Sect were all taken to the Martial Alliance by those leaders and imprisoned in the dungeon. Soon they will be stripped of their martial arts and expelled from the martial world, and will only be able to make a living as ordinary people."
Despite his gait and movements suggesting a possible sudden attack from Yu Ling, the man remained outwardly calm, his tone surprisingly amiable, and his explanations were reasonable and well-founded.
"As for you, the Martial Alliance can't get back in time. Handing you over would only get me charged with improper investigation. It would be better if you abandoned your evil ways and came with me to join my elder brother. That way, you wouldn't have to waste your skills. What do you say?"
The image of a wise ruler is also present, and such undermining behavior is quite normal in the context of a martial arts world with loose rules.
“I will do whatever you say. If you spare my life, I will serve you like a slave to repay your kindness.”
Anyone can say nice things, and Yu Ling immediately started showering people with free flattery, putting herself in a very humble position.
The man laughed heartily twice, patted Yu Ling on the shoulder, and said:
"Xiao Mo, you really are a smart person. My name is Wei Hongyuan, and I'm an assassin. Don't be afraid; I've already retired from the trade. My elder brother's name is Fang Yuan, a rising young swordsman in the martial arts world. He's generous, upright, and honest. If you're willing to work for him, he'll definitely treat you as a brother."
Who? Fang Yuan? Isn't this the protagonist who's always been at odds with the Demonic Sect, and the top constable of the Six Doors?
Yu Ling thought to herself, "This is bad! As the protagonist, I must know the original owner of this body. How am I going to cover this up?!"
Fang Yuan, affiliated with the Six Doors and serving the imperial court, is the emperor's right-hand man. He has been hiding his identity and traveling in the martial arts world for a short time, but he has already earned the title of the number one hero in the martial arts world. He is the male god in the hearts of countless female heroes and the perfect match that women in the martial arts world dream of!
This person's purpose in coming to the martial arts world was to eradicate the evil cult and unify the martial arts world, so as to prevent those martial arts practitioners who were too obsessed with practicing martial arts from breaking the law and disrupting the imperial court.
Fang Yuan's primary goal in coming to the martial arts world was to eradicate the original owner's demonic cult, so meeting the protagonist was out of the question; he could only find a way to escape.
But he's not stupid. If he rejects Wei Hongyuan now, he can forget about turning the tables!
After thinking it through, Yu Ling answered firmly and bowed, saying:
"So you're working for Young Hero Fang Yuan! I'll do anything, even risk my life, to serve you like a dog!"
Wei Hongyuan nodded in satisfaction, helped Yu Ling up, and said:
"Don't worry, Xiao Mo. Just be smart, and your big brother will definitely treat you well!"
After saying that, Wei Hongyuan led Yu Ling to the main hall of the Sunset Cult, which was also known as the Demonic Cult by the crowd.
The man standing in the center wore a dark red cloak, a tight-fitting gray-based short jacket with gold lettering, and long boots. He had his head down, and strands of hair fell down to cover his face. He exuded the air of a wandering swordsman, looking nothing like a member of the imperial court.
Who else could this person be but Fang Yuan, whom the two mentioned?
Everything happened so fast that Yu Ling had no time to react before she was brought in front of Fang Yuan.
We're doomed!
"Brother Fang, my wedding is approaching, and I will no longer be able to stay by your side and share your burdens. So, I've found you another assistant!"
Wei Hongyuan pushed Yu Ling forward with a smile on his face, looking nothing like an assassin.
"Brother, this is the follower I found for you. The entire Demonic Sect was searched and besieged by over a hundred martial artists, and this kid wasn't caught. If I hadn't been there... cough cough, I might have run into him and let him get away."
Wei Hongyuan almost blurted out that he had been robbing corpses for extra money, so he quickly changed his story and smiled obsequiously.
It's no wonder these two are considered brothers; even their sense of incongruity is strikingly similar.
"I...this..."
Yu Ling was forced to take a step forward, glanced at Wei Hongyuan standing arrogantly beside her, and then turned to look at the familiar face of the protagonist, Fang Yuan, in front of her. She was momentarily speechless, but she didn't reveal much, just chuckled awkwardly.
"My name is Mo Feiyan, and I greet Young Hero Fang."
Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan raised his head and carefully examined Yu Ling.
Hmm, his steps were unsteady and his internal energy was disordered, signs of a battle he had fought with a group of people. He was about twenty years old, dressed in a long black robe. Although his face was covered by blood, it was still handsome, and there was a clear and innocent air about him between his brows.
Putting aside his identity as a member of a demonic sect, he could be considered a decent candidate.
Of course, Yu Ling's seemingly silly demeanor didn't mean she was actually stupid; she was simply distracted in front of Fang Yuan. She even forgot what she was supposed to do next, and only one thought remained in her mind:
How exactly should I write this?
"Brother Xiao Mo?"
Seeing Yu Ling staring blankly at Fang Yuan, Wei Hongyuan quickly called out to remind her.
"Ah? Oh, I have made up my mind to follow you. Please, Young Hero Fang, take me in."
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