Lei, Ghou Gin and the rest of their group waited.

“This is foolish,” the Knife Thrower said. “We should just run into that village and get the girl by force.”

“Oh dear, I’d rather avoid that kind of strategy,” Lei said. “They would have home ground advantage.”

“Not so,” the Staff Wielder smirked, “Steam Dragon here could just raise the village with one powerful Steam Technique.”

Ghou Gin had his arms folded and he scoffed at the notion. “Just as I told Lei, I’ll tell you now. I will not destroy a village of people who did not attack me.”

“No need to worry,” Lei said with a smirk. “Look.”

Everyone looked towards the direction he nodded his head to.

Lao Lu was walking towards them, holding a rope. At the end of the rope, bound in a few tight loops was a person was in a beige dress, wearing a large straw hat, its rim covering most of the person’s face

Lao stopped in front of the group.

“Ah, Captain Lao, you were able to make it. I’m glad.” Lei smiled. “I take it this is Xiu.”

“Of course,” Lao said.

“Tch, don’t take us for fools!” The Staff Wielder shouted, swinging her weapon up. Her staff extended into a three section staff, the tail end of it, catching the rim of the straw hat and sending it flipping away and revealing the one underneath.

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Now with her hair exposed and falling over her face, Xiu pouted angrily at the group.

“Uh… Oh, it is her.” The Staff Wielder said in surprise.

“Let’s end this quickly,” Ghou Gin said.

“Before you do,” Xiu said, looking at Ghou Gin with shiny eyes. “Why are you doing this? Is this some sick deal you have with the Red Dragon Sect? Is this how you brought your freedom by killing me?”

“What?” Ghou Gin said in surprise. “I would never stoop so low as to work with them again. I am doing this for my own reasons.”

“Well, I hope your reasons justify you working with these evil people to kill someone who means you no harm!”

He looked to the side, as if the words stung him physically. “They do.”

“Let us stop this melodrama.” Lei said, reaching into his person and pulling out a black pill. “Now come, Xiu. Eat this pill and your journey to the afterlife will be quick and painless.”

Lao let her end of the rope go. She walked forward slowly, tears started falling down her cheek but she would not give anyone the satisfaction of hearing her sob.

Lei stepped in front to meet her, the black pill in his hand. The bandits positioned themselves, surrounding her in a pincer move as she got closer to Lei, closer to her impending death…

A hole opened up beneath Xiu. Everyone saw her fall into it in slow motion and as she did, a bright red arc of flame sped through the air, having been thrown by Lao from her flaming sword, coming at Lei.

The staff Wielder stepped in front of Lei, thrusting her staff out and blocking the flame attack with her own fire.

Another hole opened up in front of Lao and out popped Deng Dandan. The bald woman pulled her arms back, gathering Earth Elemental energies.

“Rolling Earth Wave!” She shouted as she thrust her arms outward. The earth before suddenly reared up and curled within itself and moved forward at great speed. Everyone got out of the way except Ghou Gin. When he tried to jump to avoid the attack, it stretched outward and caught him in its embrace. He was sent rolling away along with the Earth attack.

“Tsk Tsk, betrayal?” Lei said before having to dodge more arcs of fire sent out by Lao as she ran past them. She sprinted towards the rolling earth wave.

“Well,” Dandan said, cracking her knuckles. “I guess that leaves you guys to me.”