CHAPTER 95: ATTACK ON THE SNOW RAM

Wang Zen looked at the three humans below. Hue Yi was making impressive progress, following the trail with Jao Fuu and Deng Ai close behind. He no longer bothered looking around for Jao Cong, having quickly learned that Silicy, the giant white bird he, Shibi and Xue Shaonu were flying on, had better sight than the three of them combined.

“It’s not your fault.” Xue Shaonu said, breaking the silence that had fallen on them. She looked back at him, her black eyes sincere. “And if there is any fault placed on you, then know it is not yours to bear alone as share the fault too.”

Zen clenched his fists. “I feel like I should’ve protected you all.”

“We were suppose to protect each other.” She said. “That s why we decided to move in a group and regardless of what Jao Fuu thinks, Jao Cong is smart. He knew the risks and still pursued our goal like the rest of us.”

“I just hope we can find him and Geyi Kun.” Zen said. “Hopefully they’re together… somehow.”

“They are not.”

Xue Shaonu’s head snapped forward. “What do you mean, Silicy?”

“I see the young one ahead, my lady.” Silicy explained. “He is being confronted by some beast.”

“Take us there with haste!”

“Yes, mistress. Flight stream!” The white bird sped forward. Zen wandered how it could see anything as the world around him became a blur…

Jao Cong crawled back from the beast. He could tell from the smooth and relatively straight horns that the Snow Ram was female and therefore the mother of the kid Snow Ram. And it looked like a mother who had just discovered a predator targeting its child.

“C-C-Can you understand m-me?” he said as he tried to get away from the ice spreading from the Snow Ram to the surrounding area with each step it took. “I-I m-mean you no harm.”

A cold and deadly aura erupted from the Snow Ram. It reared its head up but before it could slam it down on him, Zen fell from the sky, shouting “No!” He held on to its horns while covering the beast’s eyes. The Ram bucked wildly, trying to throw him off.

Jao Cong got to his feet in an attempt to get away but was met with a powerful kick from the back hoof of the ram as it moved wildly. Xue Shaonu cried in horror as Cong was sent hurtling away. Silicy dove down in an attempt to catch him as he flew back but she was no match for the speed he moved at and missed him before the hard bark of a tree cushioned his spine, causing the tree to crack inward.

Silicy flew around, heading for him when…

“Rope Trap!”

Ropes bound Silicy, bringing the bird to a stop as it bounced on he ground and sending Shaonu rolling on the ground. She dove out of the way just as an arm with ki coming out of it created a gorge on the ground that she had just landed on.

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She looked up to see a smirking Xi. “We meet again, Princess.” She had to dodge again as Xi made a few more swipes with the ki that looked like fiery blades coming from her hands. Xi attacked, forcing Shaonu to dodge, weaving and ducking under the ki protrusions from the female bandit. She had to flip back when a kick she dodged extended by the same ki protrusions.

Xi dispelled the ki technique at her leg but kept the ones at her hands as she smirked at Shaonu.

“You’re not my real target,” Xi said, her smile growing more sinister before she sprinted for Silicy!

“No!” Shaonu cried as she raced for the bird too. Xi was fast but Shaonu was even faster, standing to block Xi’s path before well before the bandit could get in range. They had a furious fight, with Shaonu not willing to give the bandit any ground like she had before.

“Pulsing Palm!” Shaonu shouted as she thrust her plan into Xi’s abdomen when she had left herself open.

Xi was sent flying back and away from Silicy. Shaonu heard a cry and looked to the side to see Cho tying up what she realised was a kid Snow Ram. He tied a rope around its mouth, ensuring it could no longer call out. She looked at the beasts mother, who was preoccupied with attempting to to get Zen off of it.

Shaonu returned her attention to Cho who lifted the struggling babe into his arms. “This is even better than I could have hoped,” he said as his hand was engulfed in ki. “Forget stealing liquid from an adult’s horns, I’ll simply sell this little one off for a small fortune!”

“I won’t let you!” Shaonu realised as she charged for Cho.

“Stay out of this, you brat!” Cho spat before slamming his ki technique to the ground.

The debris rose up in a powerful path heading for her. She raised her palm and charged head on against the oncoming debris.

“Pulsing Palm!” she would not dodge as she knew the dangers of that, so she would just have to out power his technique with her own. Her palm slammed into the debris, there was an explosion and she was sent rolling back along the ground while Cho slid back the same distance on his feet.

Although he came out of the exchange as the winner, he still had a fearful look in his eye. “If she was just a little stronger, that would’ve ended badly for me.” He whispered to herself. Xi rushed to her side. “Xi, we’re leaving.”

“No!” Shaonu said getting up but…

“Rope Trap!” Xi threw ropes at Shaonu and they wound around her, binding her much like they did Silicy. The two bandits disappeared into the forest just as Hue Yi, Jao Fuu and Deng Ai emerged. Immediately, the newcomers were focussed on Zen’s and the Ram’s struggle until Shaonu called to them, shouting above the ruckus.

“Guys, Jao Cong!” Shaonu nodded towards where the boy lay, unmoving.

“No!” Jao Fuu cried as she rushed to him.

Hue Yi passed by Shaonu, easily severing the ropes around her with a blade that he summoned from a storage stone. Fuu crouched before her brother, her eyes growing teary as she noted her brothers weak ad fading breath. Hue Yi crouched beside her, looking over the boy’s crushed face.

Hue Yi sensed more commotion and looked at Xue Shaonu, who untied Silicy. “Shaonu? What are you doing?”

“I’m going after the bandits!” She said as she got on her steed. “They were just here and I’m going to make them pay.” Silicy sped ahead, sending a gust of wind all around.

Hue Yi produced his storage stone and rope and another twin sword appeared in sparkles of white lights.

Jao Fuu looked at Hue Yi in confusion as he slid the lade beneath Jao Cong’s head and back. “Wh-What are you doing?”

“We need to stabilise him and make sure he is not further injured.” Hue Yi said as he tied Cong’s head and chest to his sword. “I’m sorry I cannot stay with you. Get your brother out of here to a safer place and carry him bridal style.” Hue Yi took his other sword and departed after Shaonu.

Zen was finally thrown off the Ram’s horns. He got up to his feet, facing the Snow Ram, which was as tall as an adult human. The beast looked around, seeing Jao Fuu trying to escaping with her brother but nothing else. Something very important was missing.

“Where is my child?’ the femine voce of the Snow Ram said as a killing intent rose from it.

Zen stepped back.

“I will kill you all you humans unless you bring me back my son!”