1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Mountaineer

They have been traveling for about a week. The horses they rode also continued to speed on the mountain roads.

Everything felt fine, until their steps came to a halt as they were attacked with dozens of arrows that were unknown who the mastermind was.

Shuwan and the others immediately jumped off the horse they were riding, trying to evade and fend off the arrows with the weapons they each carried.

“Who are you? Get outside! Don't just dare to play behind!” Zhang yelled loudly until his voice echoed within the dense forest.

Soon, a group of people dressed in black like ninjas jumped down from the trees. Their faces were all covered in black cloth. “Send me the treasure you have!” Gertak one of them.

“We firmly reject!” Yu Hao chimed. We had trouble getting it to survive. I just want to take it from us. I used to be in a position like them.

“So, is that your choice? Alright. Attack them!” The gang of criminals are attacking Shuwan and the others blindly.

Damnit damnit! Their numbers are too many. Shuwan begins to lose his focus due to the sheer number of opponents. If only I had carried the rest of Feng's smoke bombs, it could have at least slowed them down and made a gap in order to escape.

Apparently the group of rogues had prepared another sniper. They hide behind leaves, preparing their poison needles to paralyze Shuwan and the others. Until, one by one Shuwan's friends exposed the needle.

“Argh..” Jiao shouted after a needle hit her neck. He also fell because of it.

“Jiao!” Yu Hao shouted as he ran closer to the unconscious Jiao. However, not until he reached Jiao's place, another needle hit him and made him fall over following Jiao.

“Shuwan, beware!” Zhang pushed Shuwan to the ground. He apparently let his body exposed to the needles of the thieves in order to protect Shuwan.

“Zhang!” Shuwan yelled as Zhang finally fell, catching up with Jiao and Yu Hao. Now it is only himself who survives. His eyes stared intently at the criminals who had harmed his three friends.

Shuwan took steps to attack the robbers one by one. However, just as he was about to attack her, there was suddenly a chain that bound his hands and feet as well. Shuwan's body becomes attracted to and fro because of it.

“Argh..!” Shuwan groaned in pain. The chain tied him up quite firmly. As vigorously as he tried to rebel and wanted to break away, but what power, power was not enough to be able to break the chains that bound his body.

“You dare to play sneaky like this! Who is your leader! I want to memorize Shuwan's words cut off after his neck was cut to make him faint.

After fainting for some time, Shuwan's consciousness slowly began to return. His eyes opened slowly. The view around him is still blurred. He then blinked his eyes once more and shook his head to refocus his vision.

“U... Where is this?” said Shuwan who had come to his senses. He then felt that his hands and feet could not be moved. How surprised he was when he realized that his hands and feet were tied to a chain that had been spread over the place of punishment.

“What is this?” shuwan said as he shook his hand tied to a chain. “Who did all this?” shuwan's gaze turned towards the front, and he saw a woman sitting on the throne arrogantly. That woman must be their leader.

“Hey, is this all you did?” shuwan ketus on the woman in front of him.

“Yes... This is all I did, Xie Bei, the ruler and leader of the bandits at this Wuling Mountain. Do you have any objections?” reply to the woman.

“Of course. Didn't you use your brain to answer my question?” Shuwan tries to provoke him.

Looks like the woman named Xie Bei became a little upset because of the persuasion Shuwan said. “What did you say?”

“I told you, you didn't use your brain when dealing with me,”.

“Heh... How can you lure me, miss? Bring them all out!” xie Bei's orders to his minions.

Xie Bei's minions brought out Zhang, Jiao and Yu Hao with their hands tied behind their backs.

“I've guessed that they are the source of your weakness. Compared to them, you are the strongest. So, I'll finish you off first. Guards, quickly whip that woman!” Xie Bei ordered a bodyguard who had been standing nearby.

The man's bodyguards walked towards Shuwan carrying a long whip. His body was muscular, appearing to have great strength.

This guy must have a strong energy. Will I be able to withstand the lash? Inner Shuwan was getting restless.

“That woman's whip! In order for him to be aware of his current position,” the caning command was down. As much as possible, the man whipped Shuwan.

Shuwan is in pain because of it, but he tries to endure it. I have to be able to hold on. If I scream, he'll laugh from up there. Shuwan only grimaced in pain without any sound coming from his mouth.

“You are quite strong too huh?” Xie Bei chimed in after witnessing Shuwan who was not screaming in pain. “Chip harder again!”

The man adds his power to whip Shuwan. But Shuwan persisted, although his entire body was grieved due to lash injuries.

“I didn't think you were so interested in me. Aren't you a bunch of robbers who just want to take our treasure? Then why should captivate us?” ketus Shuwan's.

“Stop!” Zhang yelled as he could not bear to see Shuwan in pain from being whipped. “What should we do so that you can release us?” zhang asked with his floor.

“So, you guys want to negotiate with me?” xie Bei said sarcastically. “Good, we made a deal. If you can get the treasure buried at the bottom of the lake on the slopes of Mount Wuling, then I will free you.”

“Harta buried at the bottom of the lake?” Zhang was a little worried.

“True. The treasure was no ordinary treasure, and it had been buried in the bottom of the lake for hundreds of years. For that, the woman should take it herself,” Xie Bei said as he pointed towards Shuwan.

“Hei! What do you mean?” Yu Hao was also furious at the making.

“It's clear, isn't it? Only the arrogant woman will leave. If he succeeds in obtaining the treasure, then you will be free. However, if he fails, then I will chop you up and give to the wild animals in this forest,”.

“Basic brash! How dare you..” Zhang's words are interrupted when Shuwan stops him.

“Zhang, relax,” Shuwan said. He looked at the woman. “Enough by taking the treasure from the bottom of the lake is not it? All right, I agree! As long as I try to get it you don't touch my friends!” Shuwan said with a flat eskperesi.

Zhang, Jiao, and the bound Yu Hao became startled instead of dumbstruck.

“T-but Shuwan Zhang interrupted. His eyes were endlessly staring at Shuwan so deeply.

“I'll be fine, Zhang. Trust me,” Shuwan tries to calm Zhang down.

“Good... Goody... I will hold my word. But, it's not that simple. You have to face the monster inhabitants of the lake can only take the treasure,” Xie Bei warned.

“Mo-monster?” Shuwan.

“Of course. The rumors have spread to all directions. Many people had already tried to take the treasure from within the lake, but nothing had worked. Those who dive to the bottom of the lake no one can return,” explained the leader of the mountain rogues.

“Didn't you guys have a lot of people? Why not try it yourself?” chirping Shuwan.

“Heh... Are you trying to bargain with me? Just do what I ask and don't ask. Or I'm not reluctant to finish off your friends right now,” snapped Xie Bei

Damnit damnit! Shuwan growled in his heart as his provocations failed.