noffsinger Chapter 63 Encirclement without attack, knife at the throat
Chapter 63 Encirclement without attack, knife at the throat
The fire was kept very low.
The light was only enough to illuminate the center of the camp.
The woods outside looked like a whole piece of black cloth.
⸻
One by one, dark figures emerged from the forest.
Not urgent.
Not chaotic.
It was as if they already knew the location.
⸻
Li Yuanshan stood beside the beast-drawn cart, his throat tightening slightly.
He counted them.
Seven.
Not counting the previous wave.
⸻
"This quantity... is a bit too much."
He felt a chill in his heart.
⸻
Chen He had already reached the front.
His steps were very steady.
Knife in hand.
⸻
He didn't rush.
There was no shouting.
Just standing there.
⸻
His guards lined up on either side of him.
The spearhead is pointing outwards.
It forms a small arc.
⸻
This moment.
The camp doesn't look like a camp.
More like a—
Temporary formation.
⸻
"That's pretty convincing."
Someone on the other side spoke up.
His voice carried a slight chuckle.
⸻
A figure emerged from the crowd.
Stand at the very front.
⸻
He is not tall.
But it's very stable.
⸻
The firelight swept across his face.
It's a rather thin face.
His eyes weren't cold.
But it makes people uncomfortable.
⸻
Li Yuanshan subconsciously took a small step back.
⸻
The man glanced at the camp.
He glanced at Li Xuan again.
⸻
"I saw you at the post station earlier."
He said.
⸻
Li Xuan nodded.
"I've seen it."
⸻
The two looked at each other.
There was no hostility.
There was no goodwill involved.
⸻
It's like they're confirming something.
⸻
"You're a bit tougher than I thought."
said the man.
⸻
Li Xuan did not respond to that sentence.
⸻
"Is everyone here?"
he asks.
⸻
The man smiled.
"almost."
⸻
He waved his hand behind him.
⸻
The others did not move.
The only difference is that the positions are slightly spread out.
⸻
It vaguely forms an enclosure.
⸻
But it wasn't pressed down.
⸻
This feeling makes people even more uncomfortable.
⸻
Li Yuanshan swallowed hard.
⸻
Why aren't they moving?
He couldn't help but ask the guard next to him in a low voice.
⸻
The guards did not return.
⸻
He didn't know either.
⸻
Chen He stared at the person opposite him.
His brows furrowed slightly.
⸻
"Aren't you going to fight?"
He spoke.
⸻
The man glanced at him.
I smiled.
⸻
"What's the rush?"
⸻
He was very relaxed when he said this.
It's like they're having a chat.
⸻
"The people on our side."
He raised his chin.
"We need to eat too."
⸻
"If we can avoid fighting, we should."
⸻
Li Yuanshan was stunned for a moment.
⸻
"Is this even reasonable?"
He didn't quite understand for a moment.
⸻
Li Xuan looked at the other person.
⸻
"Then what are you doing here?"
⸻
The man tilted his head.
⸻
"I'll ask you one more time."
⸻
"To pay or not to pay?"
⸻
The sound was still the same.
not heavy.
Not urgent.
⸻
But this time.
It carries a hint of "certainty".
⸻
Li Yuanshan's heart started racing again.
⸻
He couldn't help but look at Li Xuan.
⸻
He actually had a thought in his mind.
—Is it possible that 20% is not an option?
⸻
But the idea had barely formed in his mind.
He suppressed it himself.
⸻
Because he knew.
Once it opens.
It's not just a matter of 20%.
⸻
Yes--
You'll have to pay this every time.
⸻
Li Xuan stood there.
There was no immediate response.
⸻
He glanced at the people opposite him.
⸻
Seven.
The positions are scattered.
Its aura is not weak.
⸻
Compared to the previous wave.
A step stronger.
⸻
but--
That's not enough to crush them.
⸻
He knew it very well.
⸻
This wave.
Let's give it a try.
⸻
This is not the end.
⸻
"I'll say it again."
Li Xuan spoke.
The tone was very flat.
⸻
"I won't pay."
⸻
The air tightened again.
⸻
Li Yuanshan instinctively gripped the knife tighter.
⸻
"They're here."
His heart sank.
⸻
but--
The other side didn't move.
⸻
The man looked at Li Xuan.
Not angry.
Instead, he laughed.
⸻
I like you the way you are.
⸻
He said.
⸻
"save trouble."
⸻
He took a step forward.
⸻
Close the distance a little.
⸻
Chen He subconsciously took half a step forward as well.
The knife was raised slightly.
⸻
The distance between the two.
It's in a position where you can "make a move at any time".
⸻
The man stopped.
No further entries were made.
⸻
"You now."
He looked at Li Xuan.
"They can still fight."
⸻
"Let's go a little further ahead."
He pointed into the distance.
"There are even more people."
⸻
"You won't pay."
He smiled.
"You'll die on the way."
⸻
This statement was made very naturally.
It sounds like they're talking about the weather.
⸻
Li Yuanshan felt a chill run down his spine.
⸻
He suddenly realized something—
these people.
It wasn't an impulse.
⸻
It's a habit.
⸻
They are used to stopping people like this.
That's how we usually talk.
I'm used to seeing what others choose.
⸻
Li Xuan was not swayed by the narrative.
⸻
"That's a story for later."
He said.
⸻
The man raised an eyebrow.
⸻
"Aren't you afraid you won't make it to the end?"
⸻
Li Xuan looked at him.
⸻
"You wouldn't dare to make a move now."
⸻
As soon as those words were spoken...
⸻
The auras of the people opposite them changed slightly.
⸻
The man's eyes darkened.
⸻
Chen He's heart tightened.
⸻
"That's a bit harsh."
He thought to himself.
⸻
But Li Xuan did not stop.
⸻
"You have come to test me."
⸻
"It's not about fighting."
⸻
"Let's do it now."
⸻
"You will also pay the price."
⸻
The voice was not loud.
But it's very stable.
⸻
The man stared at him.
He remained silent for a few moments.
⸻
then.
He smiled.
⸻
"You see it quite clearly."
⸻
He nodded.
⸻
"right."
⸻
"Not now."
⸻
As he said this, he turned around and took a step back.
⸻
"but--"
⸻
He turned around.
Looking at Li Xuan.
⸻
"Your path."
⸻
"It's already been marked."
⸻
"later--"
⸻
"It can't be that light."
⸻
These words were spoken.
⸻
He waved his hand.
⸻
The others did not hesitate.
⸻
Retreat simultaneously.
⸻
The movements were synchronized.
⸻
It quickly disappeared into the darkness.
⸻
Outside the camp.
Once again, only the forest remained.
⸻
Quiet.
⸻
Li Yuanshan immediately relaxed.
⸻
He almost sat down.
⸻
"They're... leaving already?"
⸻
His voice sounded a little weak.
⸻
Chen He did not relax.
⸻
He stared in the direction where the other person had disappeared.
long time.
⸻
"They're calculating."
He said.
⸻
"What's so special about it?"
Li Yuanshan asked.
⸻
"Let's see if we're worth it."
⸻
Li Yuanshan was taken aback.
⸻
"Now..."
⸻
Chen He glanced at Li Xuan.
⸻
"We've already been recorded."
⸻
Li Yuanshan's heart sank.
⸻
Li Xuan remained silent.
⸻
He stood there.
Looking into the darkness.
⸻
That person's last words.
He remembered it.
⸻
"It's been marked."
⸻
This is not a threat.
⸻
Is the truth.
⸻
He slowly turned around.
Look towards the camp.
⸻
The guards were still standing.
No one is letting their guard down.
⸻
Li Yuanshan was still holding the knife.
Although my hands are still shaking.
But I didn't let go.
⸻
Chen He stood at the very front.
His back was very straight.
⸻
Li Xuan nodded slightly.
⸻
"good."
⸻
He didn't say much.
⸻
But this sentence.
This surprised everyone slightly.
⸻
Li Yuanshan subconsciously straightened up a bit.
⸻
Chen He also slightly shrugged his shoulders.
⸻
This affirmation.
not much.
⸻
But it's useful.
⸻
"It's not over yet tonight."
Li Xuan spoke.
⸻
Everyone fell silent.
⸻
"That group just now, they were people."
⸻
"The next wave—"
⸻
He glanced into the distance.
⸻
"It might not even be a trial anymore."
⸻
The air grew even tighter.
⸻
Li Yuanshan swallowed hard.
⸻
"Again?"
⸻
No one answered.
⸻
But everyone knows it.
⸻
this road.
⸻
We won't let them get away with this so easily.
⸻
The firelight flickered gently.
⸻
The night was not yet halfway over.
⸻
But the real danger.
⸻
It's only just begun to emerge.
⸻
Chapter Sixty-Three (The End)