21: All the bandits died!

They ran forward like madmen, wishing they had more legs.

It wasn't until they reached a quiet, deep forest that Brother Hu, who was leading them, stopped, collapsing to the ground like a dead dog and lying motionless.

The others who followed him also seemed to lose their strength after catching up to Brother Hu, and they all lay down.

After about an incense stick's worth of time, Brother Hu finally caught his breath, his face still somewhat pale, and he cursed inwardly.

Damn it!

He hadn't expected to be so unlucky as to encounter a group of killing gods; fortunately, he ran fast.

Otherwise, next year would be his death anniversary!

"Brother Hu, what do we do? It's just us left now. How are we going to explain this to the Masters?"

One man spoke with a worried tone, looking somewhat fearful.

Although they had escaped from those killing gods, what they faced next were people even more terrifying than killing gods.

"That's right, Brother Hu, should we still go back to the stronghold to report to the Masters?"

"Brother Hu, how about we..."

Another man also spoke, looking anxiously at Brother Hu in front of him.

Not only did they fail to seize the grain and silver this time, but most of their men were also dead, leaving only a few of them.

When they returned to the stronghold, they didn't know what terrifying consequences they would face.

Brother Hu looked coldly at the men who were speaking and said in a cold voice.

"Hmph, we definitely can't go back to the stronghold. You all know the methods of those Masters, don't you need me to tell you?"

"I plan not to return to the stronghold. The world is vast; I don't believe those Masters can find me, can they?"

Brother Hu could easily discern their thoughts; they simply wanted to tell him that returning would mean enduring punishment from those Masters.

"Brother Hu is right. We are willing to follow Brother Hu and escape this place together."

As soon as Brother Hu finished speaking, the other bandits also chimed in.

The reason they had clung so tightly to Brother Hu was precisely for this matter.

The mission given by those Masters had failed, and only death awaited them; it would be better to directly defect, as that would offer a glimmer of hope.

However, this place was a mountain range with undulating peaks, towering mountains, and treacherous terrain, rife with dangerous venomous snakes and fierce beasts.

With only their rudimentary Cultivation of the Martial Dao, they simply couldn't survive here; they would likely be dead before even leaving the mountain range.

Following Brother Hu, who possessed a stronger Martial Dao Realm, would increase their chances of survival.

"Very good, you are all very smart. Then follow me; I know of a hidden mountain path here that can quickly take us through this mountain range."

Brother Hu was very satisfied with their attitude, so he did not refuse their request to follow him.

After all, one more person meant one more bit of strength, and their chances of survival would be greater.

Rustle, rustle, rustle!

At this moment, not far from the forest, the sound of footsteps on dry branches and leaves echoed, as if something was approaching.

"Who's there!"

Brother Hu immediately tensed up, grabbing the large saber stuck in the ground and vigilantly looking out of the forest.

The others, startled by Brother Hu's serious demeanor, also picked up their weapons, looking panicked at the edge of the forest.

Until three figures slowly walked into the forest and approached them.

One of them, a slender-looking man, was dressed in a neat white robe, toying with a sharp short sword in his hand.

He looked playfully at the panic-stricken Brother Hu and his group, and slowly said, "Where are you going? How about I see you off?"

"Second Master!"

"Third Master!"

"You, you, you..."

"Impossible, this is impossible!"

"How did you find us!"

After Brother Hu clearly saw the three people who had arrived, his mind went blank for a moment, and he was at a loss.

Two of them were precisely the 'Masters' they had spoken of; Second Master and Third Master had both come.

He couldn't understand how they had found him.

This path was clearly a hidden passage he had found before, a secret he had kept in his heart, his escape route for emergencies.

"It's you, you scoundrel!"

When Brother Hu saw the man standing behind the two Masters, he understood.

Especially the look of schadenfreude on the man's face; he was clearly making a spectacle of him.

This man was the one he had beaten and cursed before, then sent back to inform on them.

Facing Brother Hu's questioning, the man merely sneered and did not bother to answer him.

"Second Master, Third Master, mercy!"

Before Brother Hu could think further, the few people beside him who had just wanted to run with him had already thrown down their weapons and knelt to beg for mercy.

Hmph! A bunch of fools.

Brother Hu cursed inwardly as he looked at the people kneeling and begging for mercy at his feet.

Things had already reached this point; did they still think the other party would let them go?

Crack!

Before Brother Hu could think further.

The Second Master, standing opposite, moved, his body like a cannonball, rushing towards him, the short sword in his hand emitting a ringing sound.

Brother Hu was greatly alarmed, quickly gripping the large saber in both hands and raising it high, attempting to block the Second Master's attack.

Clang!

A harsh sound of metal clashing rang out, and the large saber broke in response.

A cold light flashed!

As Brother Hu was stunned, the Second Master's sword suddenly curved upwards.

Drip! Drip!

It was the soft sound of tiny liquid drops falling onto the dry leaves.

When the Second Master's short sword reappeared, a few drops of bright red blood flowed on its blade.

As the sword swayed, the blood drops also fell to the ground.

The world spun, and in an instant, Brother Hu seemed to see a headless body.

Immediately after, his consciousness completely vanished, plunging into endless darkness.

"Hmph! Overestimating oneself. A mere ant in the Flesh Refinement Realm, yet attempting to resist."

"Ah!"

"Mercy!"

"Second Master, mercy!"

Immediately after, there were a few more painful wails of pleading, but they only lasted for a few breaths before disappearing completely.

Several objects fell onto the dry leaves on the ground, and the quiet forest returned to a deathly silence.

Only the corpses on the ground, emitting a strong smell of blood, could prove the tragic events that had just occurred.

"Speak, where did those people go? Can we still catch up to them?"

At this moment, a rough, deep voice came; it was the big man who had been standing still, the big man who was the Third Master they had spoken of.

He said to the thin man who had been the informant beside him.

"Huh?"

"To answer the Third Master, this humble one does not know. Those people have been running for a long time."

"Probably..."

"Perhaps..."

The thin man stammered, but he dared not speak the answer.

"Hmm?"

"Useless!"

Crack!

With a sound of bone shattering, the Third Master had already placed a large hand over the thin man's head.