Chapter 445

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Chapter 445: Unable to Bear Children

The clash among the demonic soldiers concluded swiftly, leaving only two survivors. They maintained a cautious distance from one another as they approached Crouching Tiger.

“Please spare my life,” the soldier on the left pleaded.

“I’ll tell you everything,” added the one on the right.

Bai Wei’s voice was calm yet commanding. “Who sent you?”

“Xiangliu Qisui,” one soldier answered.

“The Xiangliu clan?”

“Yes.”

“And what do you want?”

The soldiers hesitated. “We’re not entirely sure. The lieutenant knew, but…”

“Speak clearly. What do all of you know?” Bai Wei gestured to the soldier on the left. “You, step aside.”

Creating a prisoner’s dilemma, Bai Wei ensured neither would dare lie.

After extensive questioning, the soldiers revealed some details Bai Wei already suspected. If they had been scouts, they might have known more. However, Bai Wei had already slain the black fox scout, ensuring no messages could be relayed. It was a futile interrogation.

The second soldier, however, divulged slightly more, including a piece of hidden intelligence. He also uncovered an expired strategic map from his companion—a map five months old but still more accurate than what the mercenaries had.

Bai Wei nodded. “You may leave now.”

The two soldiers, relieved, took a few steps before suddenly drawing their swords and attacking each other. One was decapitated, while the other, gravely injured, reached the lieutenant’s side, killed him, and escaped on horseback.

Bai Wei glanced at his blood-stained blade, his voice indifferent. “The sword is poisoned. Neither of them will survive. Hopefully, they’ll encounter the black fox scout on their way so the misinformation I left behind won’t spread.”

The poison, unique to the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, was a common coating on weapons. Its potency varied, but for Bai Wei’s puppet-like body, it posed no threat unless it could harm his soul.

A nearby mercenary recoiled in fear at the eerie scene.

Bai Wei looked at him, speaking without concern. “It’s a suicide pact. Nothing to do with me.”

Mercenaries often traveled between Europa and the Non-Blood Continent, encountering many skilled warriors. Yet, such efficient and emotionless brutality was rare.

Among the group, Chao Lu broke the tense silence. “Thank you for saving my life. May I ask…?”

Bai Wei, seated atop the tiger, rested his chin on his hand. His dark red eyes glinted playfully behind his bronze mask. “Have you forgotten me already?”

Chao Lu hesitated, scanning him closely. Suspicion flickered across her face before she shook her head.

Dundun, the panda, stepped forward hesitantly. “Mr. Bai?”

Bai Wei smiled faintly. “It’s me.”

Overjoyed, Dundun tried to move closer, but the tiger, unimpressed, knocked him back with a growl.

Bai Wei dismounted, his gaze fixed on Chao Lu. “Long time no see. No greeting for me?”

Chao Lu’s expression wavered between confusion and amusement. She lowered her head to conceal her emotions. After a moment, she looked up. “How did you end up here?”

“To go sightseeing.”

“Sightseeing?”

Bai Wei’s tone was teasing yet unreadable. “What else? Did you think I came here looking for you?”

Chao Lu blinked, caught off guard. “Oh…”

Tanis, observing from the side, thought, Princess, are you seriously believing this? Can’t you see he came here for you?

Chao Lu seemed conflicted. Why would someone risk so much for me? What good am I, a princess of a fallen kingdom, unable to bear children?

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought back her emotions. Words of reprimand for Bai Wei lingered on her lips but never came out.

The mercenaries gradually relaxed, believing Bai Wei to be one of their own.

Dundun asked, “How did you travel so far from Yingzhou?”

“This is an external body,” Bai Wei explained.

Chao Lu’s brows furrowed. “Your original body is still…?”

“Safe,” Bai Wei replied briefly.

Relief softened Chao Lu’s expression. “I see.”

Bai Wei interrupted the quiet moment. “This isn’t the place to talk. There are horses nearby. Mount up. We need to move and find a safe place to stay.”

The group complied. With fewer people and horses to quicken their pace, they reached a spot halfway up the mountain by nightfall.

“We’ll rest here tonight,” Bai Wei announced. “But before sleeping, we must discuss the next route.”

“Are we not heading directly to Bai Ze Kingdom?” Tanis asked.

Bai Wei spread out the map. “It’s not that simple. The road to Bai Ze Kingdom is fraught with danger—Xiangliu territory, Lord Qiongqi’s forces, and Bai Ze’s fortified defenses. It’s a fortress, impenetrable from the outside.”

Tanis frowned. “What’s your plan, then?”

Pointing to a vast gray area on the map, Bai Wei said, “We go to Liu State.”

The group murmured uneasily. Liu State, a chaotic land of self-governed cities, was notorious for lawlessness and turmoil.

“Our mission is to escort the princess to Bai Ze Kingdom,” Tanis protested.

“You will,” Bai Wei said firmly. “Split off and head to Bai Ze to distract the pursuers. Meanwhile, I’ll take her to Liu State.”

“But Liu State—how will that help?”

Bai Wei’s tone was resolute. “From Liu State, we’ll cross into the Yao tribe’s royal court.”

The group fell silent, realizing the weight of the journey ahead.