The Legend of the Devil
Ch. 22 - The Emperor's Envoy
That morning, they were still filling their stomachs before going on a long trip. At the earliest they could get there three days. Given the unstable state of the Feng Empire, there was a chance that they encountered many dangerous criminals and enemies.
Kang Jian also said that they were waiting for someone who would lead them to the Ning River. As usual, those days with the two noisy brats made Kang Jian's ears buzz. It was like standing in front of a corpse that was being covered with flies. That whisper.
"Oi, Zhan, I called you from earlier. Deaf what?"
jiazhen Yan protested, her eyebrows clutched and her hands she pulled upwards. Ready to snatch Xue Zhan's head if again he didn't hear it.
"Otherwise, this demon child. Shut up, I'm eating. Later the spoon even entered my eyes," Xue Zhan replied in protest.
"I can't sleep because of what you said last night. And there are also some I want to ask."
Xue Zhan did not retaliate, but his eyes were now locked on a woman in a shabby blue robe and a red fox mask. His path was so stiff, and from within his robe it could be clearly seen he was carrying a huge sword inside. The woman walked towards them and immediately sat down without further ado.
Kang Jian who already knew that the woman was the one sent as Emperor Li's envoy was no wonder anymore.
"Include my name Ma Shu. One of the spies of the Feng Empire, for the sake of the smooth operation of the mission I will say straight away that I will never take off my mask. We'll be working together on this secret mission, so please help."
He looked down very politely, he said clearly and straight to the point. Xue Zhan was getting a bit of a picture of the woman. Straight, firm and disciplined.
Kang Jian introduced himself and the two people with him, they spoke for a while before finally deciding to make a move immediately. Remember there is not much time left to relax.
During the four-hour journey Ma Shu did not talk much and focused on the road ahead of her. He walked at high speed, Xue Zhan's feet almost breaking apart in order to balance their steps. Kang Jian could definitely match her, Jiazhen Yan did not look burdened either.
Even so Xue Zhan did not want their steps to stop because of him. He would rather cross the limits of his ability until his bones would break rather than hinder the journey.
Kang Jian looked back and realized it, he asked. "Are you still capable? We'll take a break if you want."
"It's okay, Teacher. I can still continue."
Until the next six hours passed, Xue Zhan's leg was like it was about to break. His steps began to be unbalanced, not only him but Jiazhen Yan himself. What astonished them was that the fox mask lady named Ma Shu did not look exhausted at all. His breath was still blowing regularly, without gasping.
He was extremely terrifying, Xue Zhan thought back then.
"We stop for a while, there happens to be a river with clear water flow here" Kang Jian suggested, only when the man said it did Ma Shu stop. He sat on a big rock by the river, a little far away from them and said nothing, drinking only the river water. Waiting for them to finish.
Xue Zhan took a deep breath. He supported both hands on his knees, his gaze falling on the rocks on the riverbank. His eyes were still open, sweat flooding his temples and all over his body. Running all the way to his bones, maybe it could explain what's happening to him now.
However one thing was surprising to him, Xue Zhan had managed to run this far and not lag far behind Kang Jian and the others. It was Xue Zhan's greatest achievement right now, and it made him proud.
Kang Jian began to be concerned but the boy smiled, smiling full of happiness as he gave a thumbs up.
"I succeeded ..."
Kang Jian knew Xue Zhan was trying desperately to keep up with their steps, he just wanted to attract a smile. But something happened.
Xue Zhan's body fell lying on the ground, Xue Zhan finally fainted unconscious. Jiazhen Yan who was most panicked at that moment immediately screamed, "Hey squid, don't faint just yet! Poor grass you're pinching!"
"Zhan'er, are you okay?"
Kang Jian approached. He was more worried as Jiazhen Yan flailed Xue Zhan's cheeks hard to wake him up, trying to stop him as well. The fireman wants to hear. He was like he was waking up a corpse from the grave, the real Xue Zhan had not fainted until he had actually fainted.
*
The sound of birdsong and the smell of a cold blind morning with the smell of rain. Xue Zhan woke up, his consciousness slowly returning. When he opened his eyes he was being carried by Kang Jian on his back. They continued on, Xue Zhan was taken by Kang Jian.
"Eh, what's going on?"
Kang Jian glanced over from the side while telling, "You're exhausted and passed out ..." He whispered a little for fear of a raging demon, "you fainted from being slapped."
"It's worth my cheeks hurting like a centipede. It's swollen like this." She held her cheeks while looking back, Jiazhen Yan looked back and stuck out a half-mocking tongue.
"The curse of this man. Please put me down, Master. I want to hit him."
"Don't. You can't walk very well. You may not be used to traveling this far -"
"Therefore I want to get used to it, Master."
"If you pass out again?"
"No will! I promise."
"Huh ..." Kang Jian let out a furious breath, the disciple insisted, he did not until the heart rejected him.
"Don't force yourself. You may think of this as physical exercise, but remember in front of us there is still something heavier, lest you get exhausted when facing the enemy, it will be a very fatal mistake. Understood?"
Kang Jian could only snort, at a time when other disciples had to be reminded to continue training and not lazing around, another story with this disciple. If not reminded to stop, Xue Zhan could practice 7 days and 7 nights, at least until he fainted. It was possible that now Kang Jian had earned another nickname besides Red Lightning which was the Most Worrying Master.
Xue Zhan started walking on his own, next to Jiazhen Yan. Sometimes they sounded noisier, but when Kang Jian looked behind they got along. They pass through the water using a boat to reach the place, following the flow of the river. Until suddenly the attack came from the forest on the left right of the four of them.
Jiazhen Yan was accidentally hit by one of the attacks on his shoulder.
"The Hedgehogs ... The poison in it can make you faint for up to three hours. Get the poison out immediately!" ma Shu's orders were firm. Xue Zhan was helping Jiazhen Yan in the middle of the onslaught on the left right. Kang Jian protected them with a Red Lightning defense technique capable of crushing dozens of thorns at once.
Not far ahead, a figure was standing on a small bridge of the river. Smile when you see them. Raising his hand, the spontaneous attack came to a halt.
"Sorry, we thought you were enemies. To test your strength. It's true, I don't doubt it anymore." His face was covered by a cloak hood, but he was clearly an old man, visible from the way he walked and the staff in his hands.
"Come with me."