In an instant, a sudden itch swept over her, and Fu Tingfang couldn’t care about her image, scratching vigorously.
Within the blink of an eye, her fair and tender cheeks were scratched until they bled, completely losing her ability to resist.
Zhao Ya’s eyes lit up, and he wanted to step forward to finish her off.
But at this moment, Ma Ling and Diao Ruhai had already rushed over, hurriedly pinning down Fu Tingfang’s hands.
"Third Miss, stop scratching, you’ll ruin your face if you keep going!"
"It itches! It itches so bad aaaaah!"
"Where’s your Antitoxic Pill? Where is it?"
Amidst the commotion, Zhao Ya sighed inwardly, realizing there was no chance to finish her off now.
However, at this time, everyone from Cyan Bamboo Ridge was focused on Fu Tingfang, making it the perfect opportunity to escape.
So he made eye contact with everyone else, then turned and darted into the forested mountains.
The others got the implied message and immediately followed.
Especially Tan Dong, who despite not being very strong, was surprisingly fast and followed closely behind Zhao Ya, fearing he might lose him.
The group ran for over an hour, until they no longer heard any shouting behind them before Zhao Ya stopped.
Looking at the others, they were all gasping for breath, with a few collapsing to the ground the moment they stopped, unable to stand.
Even Meng Lei was not in great shape.
Having lost an arm had already severely weakened his Primordial Energy, and the long journey further flushed his face with an abnormal redness, surviving only due to his deep reserves.
At this moment, Luo Feng suddenly started crying out.
"Uncle, what’s wrong?"
Everyone hurriedly gathered around, Zhao Ya looked over to see Luo Qiang lying on the ground, his blind eye oozing yellow pus, giving off a terrible stench.
Zhao Ya’s heart sank, understanding that the wound was infected.
And in this world lacking medical supplies, this situation was almost equivalent to a death sentence for Luo Qiang.
Luo Qiang, a seasoned veteran of the Jianghu, naturally understood his condition as well.
Yet he showed no sign of sadness, instead frowning and scolding Luo Feng: "Why are you crying, have you forgotten my teachings? A man shouldn’t act like a woman."
Luo Feng barely managed to stop his sobs, but his face was full of pain.
Luo Qiang turned toward Meng Lei with his remaining eye and smiled faintly.
"Chief of the Escort, I might not be able to accompany you further."
Meng Lei’s eyes turned red as well, though he tried hard to hold back his tears.
"Old pal, don’t say that, even if I have to carry you on my back, I’ll take you back to Wuxiang City."
Luo Qiang shook his head, "It’s no use. I’m aware of my condition. Rather than drag you all down, it’s better to leave me here. If those mongrels from Cyan Bamboo Ridge pass through, I can at least hold them off."
"No way!" Meng Lei said firmly, stepping forward to carry Luo Qiang.
At this moment, Lin Sheng, who hadn’t spoken until now, suddenly stopped Meng Lei.
"Chief, don’t waste any more time. Luo Qiang is right. Instead of holding you back, it’s better if we stay behind."
"You..." Meng Lei was somewhat irritated.
But then Lin Sheng moved over to Luo Qiang and smiled, "Old pal, wouldn’t it be lonely by yourself? How about I stay and keep you company."
Luo Qiang was taken aback.
Lin Sheng struggled to sit down, lifted his clothing, revealing the wound underneath, and said lightly.
"I can’t run anymore, and since the morning I haven’t felt pain from the wound. You all know what that means."
This wound looked small on the outside, but it was actually deep on the inside, a result of being pierced and twisted by a spearhead.
And now pus was also seeping from this wound.
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
Suddenly, Luo Qiang started laughing, patting Lin Sheng on the shoulder.
"Old pal, never would I have guessed that after working together for so many years, we’d even die together. What a fate!"
"Heh, who would’ve thought, too bad you’re not a woman, otherwise I’d definitely marry you."
"Get lost, why don’t you be the woman? Then I’d marry you instead."
The two of them joked around lightheartedly, as if it were any other day.
But for others watching, it was infinitely sad.
Luo Feng and Tan Dong were already in tears, and even Meng Lei couldn’t stop his own from falling.
"You two, it’s all my fault!"
"Chief, don’t say that. Ever since the Hong Family targeted our Changlong Escort Agency, this was bound to happen eventually. Besides, for those of us in the Jianghu, dying by the sword is our fate." Lin Sheng said calmly, then gave Luo Qiang a glance.
"Luo, later do you dare to compete with me, see who can kill more of their bandits?"
Luo Qiang laughed heartily, "Of course I dare, but you’re undoubtedly going to lose!"
"Pah, old timer, you dare boast with those skills? Bet you can’t even stand up now!"
"Even without standing, I can still kill the enemy!" Luo Qiang declared confidently.
He then glanced back at Luo Feng and the others, frowning.
"Why are you all standing there, hurry up and leave!"
Luo Feng was heartbroken, "Uncle..."
At this moment, Zhao Ya sighed deeply, reaching out to stop Luo Feng, "Let’s go, don’t let down the two Escort Masters’ efforts!"
Luo Qiang laughed heartily, "Good, that’s the kind of person I, Luo Qiang, take pride in, you understand, Ya."
He glared at Luo Feng, "Learn from Ya from now on, just because I’m not here doesn’t mean you can slack off, understand?"
Luo Feng nodded forcefully.
Zhao Ya solemnly saluted Luo Qiang and Lin Sheng, then led everyone away with long strides.
Until they were far off, they heard Luo Qiang’s shout from within the forest behind them.
"Bandits from Cyan Bamboo Ridge, listen up, your grandfather is here, if you have the courage, come get me!"
Tears streamed down Luo Feng’s face.
Because he knew, this would be the last time he’d hear his uncle’s voice.
Zhao Ya also felt miserable inside.
These were companions he spent his days and nights with, especially Luo Qiang.
When Zhao Ya first became an Escort Master, it was Luo Qiang who led the team and took care of Zhao Ya.
But today, they parted ways, never to meet again.
Yet Zhao Ya knew, this was inevitable.
As Lin Sheng had said, for those of us in the Jianghu, dying by the sword is often the fate of many martial artists.
But Zhao Ya wasn’t willing to accept that fate. He wanted to live, to live forever.
So he had to keep getting stronger.
Strong enough that no one would dare provoke him.
The rest of the journey was eerily silent, with everyone wordlessly heading home.
And the members of Cyan Bamboo Ridge seemed to have been indeed held back, not catching up all day.
When night fell, Zhao Ya caught a few wild chickens, and everyone quickly ate, then took turns keeping watch, beginning their rest.
Zhao Ya took the first half of the night shift, but he didn’t just sit idly by, instead weaving through the forest, using available resources to set up traps.
Although these traps weren’t very powerful, barely lethal to anyone, if they could cause even some trouble for the pursuers from Cyan Bamboo Ridge, it would be worthwhile.