Like maniacs, they ran desperately forward, wishing they had more legs.
Only when they reached a silent, deep part of the forest did Tiger, the leader, stop, collapsing to the ground like a dead dog and lying motionless.
The few men following him seemed to have run out of strength as well, and they all lay down one by one.
After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Tiger finally caught his breath, his face still pale, cursing inwardly.
Damn it!
How unlucky he was to encounter a group of ruthless killers. Luckily, he ran fast.
Otherwise, this time next year would be the anniversary of his death!
"Tiger, what do we do now? It's just us left. How are we going to explain ourselves to the bosses?"
One man spoke with a worried tone, looking fearful.
Though they had escaped from those killers, now they faced people even scarier than them.
"Yeah, Tiger, should we return to the village and report to the bosses?"
"Tiger, how about we..."
Another man chimed in, looking anxiously at Tiger ahead.
Now, not only did they fail to snatch the grain and silver, but most of their men had died, leaving only them.
If they returned to the village, who knows what terrible consequences they would face?
Tiger glared coldly at the men talking, speaking with a chilling tone.
"Hmph, there's no way we can return to the village. The bosses' methods are clear without me saying it, right?"
"I don't intend to return to the village. The world is vast; I don't believe the bosses can find me!"
Tiger could see through their intentions — returning meant facing the wrath of the bosses.
"Tiger makes sense. We are willing to follow Tiger and escape this place together."
As soon as Tiger finished speaking, the other bandits followed suit.
The reason they were sticking so closely to Tiger was precisely for this.
The bosses gave them a failed mission, leaving them no choice but to defect, for at least then they had a chance of survival.
However, this place was fraught with mountains, perilous ridges, and filled with venomous snakes and beasts.
With only a superficial practice of martial arts among them, survival here was grim, likely leading to death before they even exited the mountain range.
Following a more powerful Martial Arts Realm Tiger increased their survival chances.
"Very well, you're all smart. Follow me; I know a hidden path through this mountain range."
Tiger was satisfied with their attitude, so he didn't refuse their followership.
After all, more people meant more strength, increasing their survival chances.
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
From a short distance away in the forest, the sound of dry branches and leaves crunching underfoot echoed — something seemed to be approaching.
"Who goes there!"
Tiger immediately grew nervous, grabbing his large knife planted in the ground, watching the forest edge warily.
The others, spooked by Tiger's serious demeanor, picked up their weapons, staring anxiously at the forest edge.
Three figures slowly emerged from the forest and approached them.
One appeared slender, clad in a neat white robe, playing with a sharp dagger.
He wore a playful expression, speaking to the panicked Tiger and his crew, "Where are you headed? Why don't I see you off?"
"Second Boss!"
"Third Boss!"
"You, you, you..."
"Impossible, this is impossible!"
"How did you find us!"
Seeing the three arrivals, Tiger's mind went blank, at a loss.
Two of them were the very people they referred to as bosses, with the Second and Third Bosses both present.
He couldn't understand how they were located?
The road was a secret path he had previously found, an escape route he kept hidden for emergencies.
"It's you, you bastard!"
Seeing the man standing behind the two bosses, Tiger understood.
The man's mischievous grin clearly mocked him.
It was the man he had beaten and scolded, then sent back to betray him.
Facing Tiger's accusations, the man simply smirked, unwilling to answer.
"Second Boss, Third Boss, spare us!"
Before Tiger could think, the men who wanted to escape with him had already thrown down their weapons and knelt, begging for mercy.
Hmph! Bunch of fools.
Tiger silently cursed at the begging men.
Did they think mercy was an option at this point?
Whap!
No time for Tiger to think.
Second Boss moved, bullet-like, charging toward him, the dagger producing a sword's hum.
Startled, Tiger clenched his knife, lifting it high, trying to block Second Boss's attack.
Crack!
An ear-splitting sound echoed as the knife broke in response.
A flash of cold light!
While Tiger was stunned, Second Boss's blade suddenly swung upward.
Drip, drip!
The gentle sound of liquid trickling onto dry leaves.
When Second Boss's dagger reappeared, it dripped with red blood.
As the blade swayed, the blood dripped to the ground.
In that moment, the world spun, and Tiger seemed to glimpse a headless body.
Soon after, his consciousness faded entirely into endless darkness.
"Hmph! Overestimating yourself, mere Flesh Refining Realm ants dare to resist."
"Ah!"
"Spare us!"
"Second Boss, spare us!"
Soon, more painful pleas followed, but they lasted only a moment before vanishing.
Several bodies fell onto the dry leaves, and the forest returned to its dead silence.
The strong scent of blood was the only evidence a brutal event had occurred.
"Tell me, where did those people run off to, and can they still be caught?"
A rough voice sounded — it was the large man who stood motionless, identified as Third Boss.
He turned to the slim man who had betrayed them.
"Uh?"
"It's unknown to this humble one where they've run, they've been gone for a long time."
"I guess..."
"Maybe..."
The slim man stammered, afraid to answer.
"Huh?"
"Worthless!"
Crack!
The sound of bone cracking — Third Boss had already placed his large hand over the slim man's head.