Chapter 88: The Scapegoat Jiugong

N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

Chapter 88: The Scapegoat Jiugong

Xiao Nanfeng and Yu'er hid within a secluded bush deep in the mountainous forest.

"Nanfeng, for some reason, I keep feeling as though someone's been spying on us," Yu'er murmured.

"Not someone—some centipede spirits," Xiao Nanfeng corrected, laughing.

"What?" Yu'er reared back in surprise.

"That golden centipede spirit must still be doubting my identity, to have his subordinates tail me. I've been keeping track of them with spiritual power, so don't worry," Xiao Nanfeng explained.

Yu'er nodded hesitantly, but it still made her uncomfortable to have spirits looming behind her back.

"Before us lies the black-armored warriors' territory, but... they seem to be moving?" Xiao Nanfeng scouted afar with visible confusion.

In a distant valley, the black-armored warriors were packing up. Xiang Zhirou was lecturing a few of the warriors as the rest of the group prepared to depart.

"We've killed half their number over these last few days. Are they leaving because they've grown afraid of us?"

"They still have a few Ascension-realm cultivators, so they shouldn't need to fear us. If they're leaving so suddenly, they must have some ulterior motive in mind," Xiao Nanfeng analyzed.

"Look, our juniors!" Yu'er's eyes lit up.

Several Taiqing disciples were being chased out of a tent. They all showed signs of having been tortured and were bloody all over. A few of the black-armored warriors were whipping them to spur them onward.

"As expected, there are a few senior disciples still alive." Xiao Nanfeng sighed in relief.

"Nanfeng, we have to find a way to rescue them." Yu'er's eyes flashed with anticipation.

"We must, but we can't do it. There must be some reason for Xiang Zhirou to be moving her camp so suddenly, and we need to find some helpers to assist us." Xiao Nanfeng narrowed his eyes as he glanced into the distance.

"We have helpers?" Yu'er turned to Xiao Nanfeng in surprise.

"Of course we do. Come on!"

The two of them headed away from the forest and into a distant, secluded valley. Only then did Xiao Nanfeng call out, "Come out, all of you!"

Their surroundings remained silent.

Xiao Nanfeng waved a hand, causing his Immortal Cicada to fly toward a patch of grass. A wave of killing intent surrounded it.

"Do you want me to force you out with this blade?" Xiao Nanfeng continued.

Only then did a centipede spirit, almost as long as a person, crawl out with a rustle.

The centipede spirit hissed, causing a group of centipede spirits to emerge from the nearby undergrowth, surrounding Xiao Nanfeng and Yu'er.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to make trouble for you. You've been following me for a few days now, haven't you? I'd like you to send word back to your leader," Xiao Nanfeng explained.

The centipede spirit glanced at Xiao Nanfeng with visible confusion. It commanded the other spirits not to strike just yet.

"That won't do! I can only promise three," Xiao Nanfeng haggled.

"Five, no less." Jiugong stared at Xiao Nanfeng.

Xiao Nanfeng frowned for a moment before finally nodding. "Very well, but those foreigners have to be alive!"

"Don't worry." Jiugong was very satisfied by the outcome of the negotiations.

Two hours later, as Xiang Zhirou and her warriors walked toward a valley, two Immortal Cicadas whizzed into the air from afar. Countless crow spirits in the air were struck down and fell to the ground as the two Immortal Cicadas vanished again.

"Young Miss, it's those two bastards! They're here again!" one black-armored warrior shouted.

"They're asking for it!" Xiang Zhirou cried out. She commanded, "Crow spirits, find them! They must be nearby."

The crow spirits began scouting through the air. One crow spirit cawed in alert as the gathered cultivators saw Yu'er darting back into the undergrowth.

"You've found them? Quick, seize her!" Xiang Zhirou howled in excitement.

Xiang Zhirou herself gave chase. Two Ascension-realm black-armored cultivators accompanied her on either side, as well as the golden crow spirit.

The forest was dense with foliage. Once Yu'er darted back into the forest, the crow scouts in the air were unable to catch sight of her. Quickly, however, Yu'er showed herself once more,c ausing the crow spirits to give chase.

Some crow spirits rushed into the forest in an attempt to catch her, but they were unable to fly as quickly as she could run in the dense undergrowth. With her Ascension-realm strength, Yu'er was able to shrug them off in no time.

"Get back here and stop running away, you bastard! Stop right there!" Xiang Zhirou howled from behind.

Yu'er ran off at full speed with her Ascension-realm strength. She vanished and reappeared time and time again. Even Xiang Zhirou and her guards were unable to catch up to her, and she began pulling away from them.

The hiding Jiugong grinned with excitement. "All the Ascension-realm cultivators have been lured away! It looks like I'll get five Ascension-realm spiritbeast carcasses for doing nothing, then, haha!"

Jiugong roared, causing centipedes to rush out of the valley in a rumble. Countless centipede spirits were rushing toward the group of black-armored warriors, hundreds of which were as long as a person. They were going to kill them all!

"Young Miss, help us!" the black-armored warriors cried out in fright.

Jiugong led the charge, quickly rushing toward the side of the few Taiqing disciples.

"This is truly effortless, haha!" Jiugong roared in laughter.

Just then, a huge sword slash from a red-armored cultivator struck Jiugong's body.

Jiugong rapidly defended itself with spirit qi, but it was still sent flying. Several of its legs were chopped off.

"What?!" Jiugong cried out.

Three more red-armored warriors emerged, rushing toward Jiugong with fearsome techniques in hand.

"Four Ascension-realm warriors? An ambush! Could it be the cultivators from Great Qi? Did that brat make me his scapegoat?!"

The other three sword slashes struck Jiugong and sent it flying, causing its carapace to crack. Blood flowed from its body.

"Kill!" the four Ascension-realm cultivators shouted.

A huge battle occurred within the valley. Branches and rocks flew through the air; waves of energy clashed with each other.