The Rising Phoenix

It seemed that threatening them with their helpless family members had been the absolute right move. The moment their relatives were brought into the equation, these arrogant young ladies had immediately capitulated.

"A sensible choice." The leader stated with a wave of his hand. "He can leave."

Bai Xifeng turned around to face Zhang Zhenyu. As she did, she secretly flicked her fingers to activate an invisible sound-isolation rune around the two of them, completely blocking the squad of men from overhearing a single syllable of what she was about to tell him.

"Sir Zhang, you need to gather my friends, take your family, and leave this town immediately." Bai Xifeng instructed in a swift, low whisper. "We can’t afford to stay overnight here anymore. This place is thoroughly rotten and unsafe."

"Hmm... I completely agree with Xifeng." Xie Lanying added, nodding subtly. "It’s a trap."

"Wait... Then what about the two of you?!" Zhang Zhenyu asked in a hushed, horrified gasp.

"Sir Zhang, you really don’t need to worry yourself about us. We will be more than fine." Bai Xifeng stated with a confident grin. "Just head straight back to the others and tell my friends that we will catch up with the group outside of town later tonight."

"Understood... I will do exactly as you say. Please stay safe!" Zhang Zhenyu gave a deep, decisive nod.

Deactivating the sound barrier, Bai Xifeng watched as Zhang Zhenyu turned around and briskly walked away down the alleyway.

Seeing Zhang Zhenyu retreat so hastily without putting up a fight, the group of guards immediately burst into loud, mocking laughter, taunting him for abandoning his young relatives to save his own skin.

"Look at him run! He actually scrambled off and left those two pretty girls behind!"

"What an absolute spineless coward!"

"Who would have thought an adult merchant would abandon his own nieces so easily the moment trouble knocked on his door?"

The corrupt guards jeered and laughed among themselves, thoroughly enjoying the pathetic display.

"Why are we still standing around here laughing?" Bai Xifeng asked, her crisp voice instantly cutting through their obnoxious hilarity. "Don’t tell me your Young Master is waiting for us somewhere else?"

The guards’ laughter abruptly died out.

The leader coughed awkwardly into his fist, clearing his throat before turning his cold gaze back onto Bai Xifeng and Xie Lanying.

"Hmph. Keep that sharp tongue in check." The leader warned. "Follow me closely."

Bai Xifeng and Xie Lanying casually fell into step behind the squad of armed men, acting completely unbothered as they were led deeper into the town’s inner district.

As they walked through the bustling stone streets, some of the local townsfolk and street vendors secretly cast pitying glances at the two girls, whispering nervously among themselves from behind their stalls. However, none of their glances dared to linger for long. Whenever the lead guards noticed someone staring, they immediately barked a harsh insult or glared back with dark, murderous promises.

Frightened, the oppressed locals quickly lowered their heads and averted their eyes, terrified of being targeted next for simply looking at the two unfortunate young ladies.

Bai Xifeng quietly observed every single detail, reaction, and street layout around her.

The overall situation and depth of corruption in this lawless town seemed to be far, far worse than she had initially estimated.

Zhang Zhenyu rushed back through the bustling stone streets, frantically searching for his family and Bai Xifeng’s companions. Luckily, the border town was relatively compact, making it far easier for him to locate them amidst the afternoon crowd.

The young cultivators were still casually strolling down the main thoroughfare, searching for a reputable inn where the party could settle in for the night. They were naturally surprised to see Zhang Zhenyu breathlessly returning all by himself, without Bai Xifeng and Xie Lanying anywhere in sight.

"Sir Zhang, what happened? Where are Xifeng and Lanying?" Xie Zixin asked immediately, looking past Zhang Zhenyu’s shoulders, but finding no sign of the two girls.

"Have you all managed to find a suitable inn yet?" Zhang Zhenyu asked urgently, completely ignoring Xie Zixin’s initial question as he caught his breath.

"No, not yet..." Xie Yanlin shook his head, looking puzzled by the merchant’s frantic demeanour.

"Fantastic. We need to turn around and leave this town right now." Zhang Zhenyu declared firmly, gesturing toward the gates.

"Hold on, at least tell us what on earth happened! Where are Xifeng and Lanying?" Xie Jingguo demanded, stepping forward and requesting a proper explanation.

"We don’t have time to explain every detail right now! Young Lady Bai explicitly instructed me to tell all of you to gather the family and leave this town immediately. She promised that the two of them will catch up and follow us outside the walls later." Zhang Zhenyu explained in a hushed, intense voice.

"Well, since Xifeng and Lanying gave that direct order, we should follow what Sir Zhang says without delay. Let me tell you, when Xifeng makes a call like that, it means there is trouble brewing. We leave right now." Ning Shoukai stated, his playful demeanour instantly replaced with sharp focus.

After a brief second of consideration, everyone nodded in silent agreement. They turned their group around and immediately headed back toward the main town gates. However, before they could even take ten steps outside the settlement’s perimeter, a large, menacing group of armed men suddenly materialised from the guard station and blocked their path completely.

Scanning the hostile crowd, the teenagers quickly noticed that these men were wearing the exact same dark guard uniforms as the extortionist guards stationed at the front gate earlier.

"Stop right there, all of you!" The leader of the guard squad barked, raising a heavy gloved hand.

***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko***