Chapter 38: It's All Yao Lao's Fault!
The scorching desert, under the blazing sun, was like a furnace. The sun relentlessly radiated its heat, distorting the air above the desert, making the world appear warped and twisted from afar.
On a sand dune, Hai Bodong held a jade vial and a jade scraper, carefully pouring a thick, fiery red liquid onto Lu Bu's body and spreading it evenly with the scraper. Lu Bu's body trembled slightly, the intense burning sensation from the Burning Blood Elixir causing him to grit his teeth in pain. However, he didn't let out a single groan.
After all, the one applying the medicine was an old man not some cute young lady. It wasn't worth wasting any expressions.
"Lu, my young friend, this item seems to be of rather high quality, isn't it?" Hai Bodong asked as he examined the Burning Blood Elixir, his tone filled with surprise. Although his Dou Qi was ice attribute and he disliked fire element energy, he could clearly sense the vast and gentle energy contained in the liquid. This was uncharacteristic of the notoriously violent nature of fire element energy.
"Just a fourth tier item…" Lu Bu glanced at Hai Bodong behind him and muttered, "When I get the chance, I'll definitely find myself a pretty maid. Looking at an old man like you is really unpleasant."
Hai Bodong's face darkened. He was once the illustrious Ice Emperor, always served by others. Yet here he was, finally tending to someone for the first time, only to be dismissed so disdainfully.
Ignoring Hai Bodong's expression, Lu Bu let him finish applying the medicine, then formed a seal with his hands, closed his eyes, and began cultivating.
Watching Lu Bu enter a meditative state, Hai Bodong's gaze flickered. With his sharp eyes, he could easily tell that Lu Bu's strength was only at the level of a five or six star Dou Practitioner. However, how could this kid possess such an incredibly powerful soul force?
Could he be an old monster who took over this young body to start anew? But that would be absurd soul possession was no simple feat and not something anyone could casually achieve.
"Forget it, no point overthinking…" Hai Bodong rubbed his temples and shifted his focus outward. He needed to keep watch while Lu Bu cultivated if anything happened to the boy, his hopes for the pill would go up in smoke.
An hour later, Lu Bu finished his cultivation, opened his eyes, got dressed, and flew toward Stone Desert City.
"Lu Bu, why aren't we heading west?" Hai Bodong asked as they moved. His map of possible Heavenly Flame locations marked three spots: one to the west, one to the east, and one deep within the Serpent Tribe's territory, far beyond the desert.
The western location was the closest, yet Lu Bu chose to head east.
"The distance to both locations is about the same," Lu Bu replied nonchalantly, glancing at Hai Bodong. "But there's a city to the east. I can find a pretty maid there."
Hai Bodong's eye twitched. Just how much does this kid dislike me?
…
Stone Desert City was a border town in the desert, located directly across from the Serpent Tribe's territory. It served as the first line of defense against the Serpent Tribe, making it a strategic military stronghold. Its city lord was a Dou Spirit level individual, though his main role was to act as an early warning system. If the Serpent Tribe showed any signs of activity, his job was to alert the empire and call for reinforcements.
In the western part of the city, within the headquarters of the Mo Iron Mercenary Group, Xiao Ding sat with a serious expression as he addressed his younger brother, Xiao Li.
"You acted recklessly," Xiao Ding said in a grave tone. "You shouldn't have clashed with the Sand Mercenary Group."
"Big Brother!" Xiao Li retorted, glaring at him. "That bastard Mo Xing pushed us too far. How could I not fight back?"
"I'm saying you acted too soon!" Xiao Ding scolded. "You should've waited until we had more men, then gone after them properly. Make it so they can't get out of bed for ten days or more!"
"Jie…" Xiao Li scratched his head awkwardly. His brother was clearly more experienced than he was.
"In the future, use your head before using your fists," Xiao Ding reprimanded, staring sternly at his younger brother.
At that moment, a female mercenary entered the room to report, "Leader, someone has come to visit, claiming to be a friend of you brothers."
"A friend of ours?" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged puzzled glances. Yours or mine?
"… Seems like neither of us."
"Tell them to "
"They're also a one star alchemist," the female mercenary added hastily.
"… Why didn't you say that earlier?"
Xiao Ding shot her a glare, swallowing the word "leave" that had been on the tip of his tongue. Regardless of who this alchemist was, their status alone warranted proper treatment.
"Let's go meet this guest," Xiao Ding said, clapping his hands.
In the reception hall, Lu Bu surveyed his surroundings. The Mo Iron Mercenary Group's headquarters was simple in design practical, with no lavish decorations.
With the talents of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, they could've easily attended Jia Nan Academy. However, Xiao Yan had been struggling with his mysterious loss of Dou Qi at the time. To provide their younger brother with a fallback plan, their father, Xiao Zhan, had arranged for Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to venture out and establish their own influence partly to make a name for themselves and partly to pave the way for Xiao Yan's future.
So really, it's all Yao Lao's fault!
If not for him, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li could've been enjoying a carefree life at the academy instead of eating sand out here.
"Haha! Welcome, brother, to our Mo Iron Mercenary Group!" A hearty laugh echoed as two young men strode into the hall.
Lu Bu smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. "Brother Xiao Ding, Brother Xiao Li, I am Lu Bu. I hope I'm not intruding."
The two brothers froze momentarily. Initially, they had assumed this was some opportunist trying to cozy up to them. However, Lu Bu's demeanor was so warm and friendly that it sparked a different thought in their minds. Could he be connected to our third brother?
"Brother Lu!" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged excited glances. One invited Lu Bu to sit, while the other ordered tea to be served.
"Brother Lu, have you met our third brother?" Xiao Ding asked eagerly. Having been away from home for years, it was impossible for him not to miss their father and younger brother.
"Haha, of course! Xiao Yan and I are well acquainted," Lu Bu said with a laugh. Seeing their reactions, he shared news of Xiao Yan's recent circumstances.
Of course, he left out details that would be too shocking for them, such as Yao Lao or the Amethyst Winged Lion King.
…
Meanwhile, in the northwest part of the city, Hai Bodong kicked open the doors of the Sand Mercenary Group's base with a single strike. The loud noise immediately caused chaos among the mercenaries inside.
"Damn it! Who's the fool who dares mess with us?"
"Bold! Coming to the Sand Mercenary Group looking for trouble!"
"It's just some old geezer. Jie… Seems like he's tired of living!"
Hai Bodong glanced indifferently at the noisy mercenaries before him and asked calmly, "Which one of you is your leader, Rob?"
"Old man, since you've come here, you can stay forever!" sneered a sharp eyed man with bandages wrapped around his arm and head.
"So troublesome…" Hai Bodong rolled his eyes. With a loud boom, a terrifying icy aura erupted from his body, instantly freezing the nearest mercenaries into ice sculptures including the sharp eyed man.
The remaining mercenaries scrambled away in terror, stumbling over one another as they rushed to report to Rob, the strongest member of the group.
But there was no need. The moment Hai Bodong unleashed his aura, Rob came sprinting out as though his pants were on fire.
"L Lord… Greetings, Lord…" Rob stammered, drenched in cold sweat and trembling. He was just a Dou Master, and the man before him was at least a Dou Spirit. Destroying his entire group would take no effort at all.
"You're Rob, I take it?" Hai Bodong asked indifferently, his gaze falling on the trembling leader. "I'll need your services for a while. Can you handle that?"
Rob's face twitched as he lowered his head. "Lord, your orders are my command. I'll give it my all."
"Good." Hai Bodong nodded and tossed him a jade vial. "This is your down payment. There'll be more later."
Rob opened the vial and was overjoyed to see a third tier pill inside.
"Rest assured, Lord! I'll serve you to the death if need be!"
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen