As the two sides fought fiercely, suddenly, a mysterious voice echoed from the large tree above them.
"I never thought the Ruo Yang family would break apart like this… Heh heh heh!"
The laughter was sharp and mocking. Everyone stopped fighting immediately and turned to look at the newcomer.
"A black cloak… that mask... the Demon Sect!" Fang thought, startled.
"Oh? Aren't you all going to continue fighting? I was enjoying your little show," the voice was playful, but no one responded.
'Heaven... they think I'm from the Demon Sect for real,' Ming thought, trying to maintain a calm demeanor.
"Well, I suppose I'm interrupting... Let's take a break. Soon... 'my skilled physician' will arrive."
The word "physician" was emphasized in a chilling tone that left no room for misunderstanding.
Fei immediately knelt down.
"Please spare our lives!"
"Hm? Spare your lives? What are you talking about?"
"I beg you! I will do anything, just please spare our lives!" Fei said, bowing his head to the ground.
His men followed suit and knelt as well.
"Excellent... I'm truly impressed by your ingratitude towards the Ruo Yang family!"
The mysterious man said before giving an order.
"Leave all your valuable possessions here!"
Reluctantly, Fei and his men placed all their valuables on the ground.
Ming pointed towards the large tree and handed Fei a token from the Demon Sect.
"Go that way. If you encounter my associates, show them this token."
"Thank you, Sir! Long live the Demon Sect!" Fei and his men shouted in unison before hurriedly fleeing in the direction Ming had pointed.
'I don't know what awaits at the end... it could be life or death,' Ming thought to himself.
He turned to look at the tall, elderly man with the woman seated behind him.
"Aren't you leaving yet?" Ming asked.
"Where should I go!? The Demon Sect has surrounded us!" the man replied.
Ming laughed loudly before removing his mask.
---
"Well then, let's go."
"Ming… you're not dead?" Ruo Yang said, her voice full of surprise.
"You know him?" Fang asked, turning to her.
"Yes... He was once a servant of our family."
"Let's talk later." Ming said, picking up the valuables from the ground. "By the way, do you still have an extra spatial ring, Head Guard?"
Fang didn't say anything but took off his ring and handed it to Ming.
"Thank you... Well, we'll part ways here."
"What do you mean? You're not coming with us?" Ruo Yang asked.
"Of course not. I'm just helping you out because of the situation, not because I want to be involved with you."
"Watch your words!" Fang shouted.
"Even though I just helped you?" Ming retorted.
"Ugh..."
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Ruo Yang spoke up.
"Enough… Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"
"I'm sure."
Ruo Yang nodded slightly before turning and walking away with Fang and the remaining soldiers.
Ming watched them leave and thought to himself.
'I'm sure… She's the raw material for a heavenly-grade elixir that even the heavens themselves would have trouble finding.'
'No wonder the Demon Sect wants her so badly.'
---
"What a stroke of luck..."
Ming smiled coldly, his expression chilling.
"If it weren't for Fang, I would have killed her already and used her body and soul to forge an elixir..."
"Even if I returned with Ruo Yang, it would only make it harder for me to accomplish what I want..."
He swept all the valuables into the spatial ring and turned his back on the deep forest.
"One day, we'll meet again…"
Ming whispered to himself before disappearing into the shadows of the forest.