Chapter 54. Trouble at the Hideout

Chapter 54. Trouble at the Hideout

“What… what kind of sorcery is this?!”

Everyone was greatly astonished. It was broad daylight, yet their feet began to freeze, and the ice crawled up their bodies.

This was truly an incredible sight; the sudden chill had frozen everyone present into popsicles in mere moments.

That move…

Lin Nuo recognized this familiar technique, looking around but not spotting anyone.

There had to be someone nearby, yet he couldn’t see them.

No matter; he didn’t have time to admire the ice sculptures. He quickly grabbed the cart and took off, or else he’d be done for if the army caught up with him.

Then, like a gust of wind, the man disappeared without a trace.

At that moment, in a dark corner, a girl wrapped in a cloak and wearing a veil withdrew her hand.

“Demoness, so it’s you!”

Several royal soldiers appeared behind the girl, pointing at her in anger.

The girl remained silent, turned around, and gently flicked her fingers.

“Wha—”

The chilling gust enveloped them, and in an instant, the royal soldiers turned into ice statues.

The freezing spell would wear off after a stick of incense, and during that time, their bodily functions would be frozen; if they tried to break free, their bodies would shatter.

“Let’s follow her.”

The girl recalled the chill and started walking in Lin Nuo’s direction.

……

Lin Nuo sped down the road, hitting a few dogs along the way, dodging left and right in a thrilling escape.

Chaos had erupted in the city; the Dark Alliance was clashing with the royal army, and various dark smokes filled You City.

Lin Nuo was utterly confused; what had happened to the peaceful You City that he had entered? Why was there a riot now?

Entering and exiting, the world had changed, making him feel as if he had crossed over.

Unbeknownst to him, he was getting closer to his little house. As he walked down this street, he was approaching the outskirts and the wooded area where his little house was located.

“Almost there.”

Lin Nuo quickened his pace, finally making it back to his little house.

Alright, after all that effort, he was finally back.

But before he could catch his breath, a sudden roar echoed:

“Nowhere to run!”

A man wielding a sharp sword ran out from the side, startling Lin Nuo.

Who the heck is that?!

Lin Nuo turned to see a man in a Taoist outfit, holding a sharp sword.

Another righteous person, Du Shengtao from the Mixed Abundance Sect.

Good grief, how did he find his way here? Now, that sword looks nice.

Thinking that this guy must be looking for the princess too, Lin Nuo wondered how he had ended up near his place. Was he doing the main quest and picking up some side business on the way?

“Thief! That chest of yours is suspicious. Hand it over, and I won’t kill you!”

Du Shengtao shouted loudly, giving a slight flair with his long sword, emitting dazzling light.

Du Shengtao was sent by the Mixed Abundance Sect to find the princess, so whether in swordsmanship or luck, he was a skilled master.

At sixth stage of Spirit Realm, he was stronger than Liu Shuqin, while Lin Nuo was only at the second stage. If it came to a direct confrontation, he would definitely be done for.

What should I do? Just throw away the chest and run?

That won’t do; he was counting on those forbidden materials to make a devastating weapon.

Luring him into a trap sounds good; he could enjoy a barrage of attacks while he makes his getaway.

Okay, let’s do that.

Lin Nuo thought as he turned the cart toward the mechanism area, but unexpectedly, a burly man appeared in that area, sporting several injuries.

That was a member of the Dark Alliance, and judging by his aura, he was no weakling.

The muscular man glared with fury, muscles bulging like he was owed millions.

He punched a nearby poplar tree, causing it to collapse, roaring:

“Kid! You dared to kill my brother, I’ll make you pay in blood!”

Lin Nuo: “…”

No way that buried guy was his brother, right? What, are they like dogs? Can you dig them up too?

This was bad; one was a sixth stage cultivator, and the other was a Dark Alliance expert; this confrontation was bound to erupt in chaos.

It seemed that the burly man had survived thanks to the mechanisms around here.

Lin Nuo was out of options; at his second stage, he definitely couldn’t fight either of them, so he could only drop the chest and then use an illusion to escape.

Cultivator Du Shengtao activated his spirit sword, unleashing a powerful surge of spiritual energy.

He pointed at the Dark Alliance brute and shouted angrily: “Dark Alliance scum, today I shall uphold justice! None of you will escape!”

“Oh? Angry little cultivator, you think you’re tough?”

The furious brute cracked his fists, stomping the ground and creating two craters, then turned toward Lin Nuo,

“Merchant, this isn’t your concern; go somewhere cooler!”

“???”

Lin Nuo was bewildered. Logically, he should be the one to dish out the pain to that Dark Alliance guy, so why was he getting scolded?

Oh, that must not be his brother, then it’s fine.

Lin Nuo kept quiet and stepped aside, giving space for the two of them.

Both were channeling their spirits, causing the branches in the forest to tremble and shed leaves from their intense spiritual pressure.

“Little cultivator, die for me!”

“Thief, face your doom!”

Enraged, the two clashed, erupting in sounds that shook the heavens. Back and forth they went, blocking and countering without yielding to one another.

The trees fell like dominos, and countless birds perched on the branches flew off in panic.

Not long after, under the fierce exchange of spirit techniques, both sustained serious injuries and collapsed to the ground.

Lin Nuo sensed the danger; all he wanted was to transport goods but had stumbled into a vicious vendetta; if any more people showed up, his hideout would be gone.

Quickly, he dismantled the chest and prepared to flee with his belongings.

—