Chapter 62: Storm on the Horizon, Danger for All!

Gu Qingyi and the others had already left the mountains behind. Facing a beautiful lake, with birds chirping and flowers in bloom all around, the group couldn’t help but stop to rest for a while.

They discussed their plans for the journey ahead.

Gu Qingxiao glanced at everyone, seeing how indecisive they all were. She suggested they head back to Sky Sword City first—she had to let her mother know she was safe.

Heading for Xuanwu City right now was out of the question; it was just too far. The others all agreed without hesitation.

…………..

Nalan Xue spotted a green caterpillar, her curiosity piqued. She picked it up and began playing with it in her hand, then dashed over to Gu Qingxiao with a wide grin. “Sis, look! Isn’t this little bug pretty? Put out your hand, I’ll give it to you.”

Gu Qingxiao looked at the younger Nalan Xue, a beaming, innocent smile on her face.

Thinking nothing bad would come of it, she reached her hand out without a second thought.

Suddenly, Gu Qingxiao felt a fierce itch race across her palm, something squirming in her hand. The moment she saw what it was, she leapt up in shock.

A pale green caterpillar was crawling across her palm.

“Ah—what is this? Get it off, get it off!” Gu Qingxiao frantically shook her hand. “Oh, you little brat, scaring your own sister with a bug! After all I do for you, hauling your luggage—don’t you run, just wait till I catch you!”

Nalan Xue stuck out her tongue at the furious Gu Qingxiao and bolted. Seeing her take off, Gu Qingxiao just got angrier.

Without missing a beat, she chased right after her. In that peaceful moment, the two filled the air with laughter and playful chaos.

……………

Beneath a willow tree, Gu Qingyi lounged against the trunk, bandages wrapped across his bare chest. He gazed out over the blue sky and sea, at ease and lost in thought.

Nangong Lin drifted over slowly, carefully watching Gu Qingyi’s handsome profile. Just as she worked up the nerve to say something, her mind went completely blank.

Noticing the movement beside him, Gu Qingyi turned his head. Their eyes met and held.

A hush fell over them. Nangong Lin’s cheeks flushed red as she glanced away, stammering silently, unable to bring herself to speak.

Seeing her like this, even Gu Qingyi grew a little shy. The words on his lips never made it out.

Just when neither of them could find the courage to speak—

“Brother, look at her!” a voice broke the silence.

Gu Qingxiao stormed over, cheeks puffed out in anger, dragging Nalan Xue along by one arm. She gave Nalan Xue’s backside a few firm slaps, letting out a cold snort. “Will you dare do it again next time?”

Tears welling in her eyes, Nalan Xue put on her most innocent face. “Sis, I know I was wrong, just let me go, please?”

“Alright, I’ll believe you this time. I doubt you’d dare lie to me, anyway!” Gu Qingxiao relented and set Nalan Xue down.

No sooner did Nalan Xue hit solid ground than she spun around, stuck out her tongue, and flashed a devilish grin. “Sis, of course I’ll do it again! Nyah nyah!” Then she shot off like a rocket.

“If you’re so tough, stand still and don’t run!” Gu Qingxiao could hardly believe she got tricked so easily. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to give chase.

Just as she sprang forward, Gu Qingyi caught her by the hand and shook his head. “Xiao’er, enough. It’s time to go.”

Gu Qingxiao stomped her foot in frustration and turned away, forced to give up.

The group began gathering their things, ready to set out.

…………….

“Leaving? Where do you think you’re going? None of you will escape today!” A voice thundered from above, echoing in everyone’s minds.

In the next instant, twenty figures in black appeared, hovering in midair like a cloud blotting out the sun.

They looked down at the group with cold, predatory eyes.

Each one radiated a menacing aura. In a heartbeat, they unleashed their full cultivation, the crushing pressure forcing Gu Qingyi and the others to their knees.

Struggling beneath the weight, the group managed to lift their heads. All of the black-clad men were Sword Emperor Realm dual-stage experts—except for their leader, who stood at the peak of the fifth stage.

Gu Qingyi exchanged a glance with his sister. Both faces grew grim. This enemy was too much for them. If the black-clad men so much as lifted a finger, their lives would end on the spot.

Several of the black-clad men dropped to one knee before their leader. “Boss, we’ve found out who’s responsible for Hei San’s death—it’s these people down here!” they said, voices full of deference.

“Boss, what do we do with them?” asked one of the men, gesturing toward the group.

The leader, Heishan, twitched his eyelids. His icy gaze roamed over the captives, a sneer curling his lips. “Let’s see… One Peak Sword Qi, two weaklings who couldn’t even truss up a chicken, and one at the fourth stage of Sword King Realm.”

“This one’s got the highest cultivation, but still—just eighth stage Sword King Realm.” He nodded toward Gu Qingyi. “Hei San really was useless.”

“All those Sword King Realms with him, even carrying Must-Boost Pills, and he still couldn’t take down an eighth stage kid? What a miserable failure,” Heishan sighed. “Utterly hopeless!”

“Enough!” A glint of murder flashed in Heishan’s eyes. “Take them all!”

“Yes, boss!” his men responded in unison. Their eyes glittered with malice as they swarmed the group.

In the blink of an eye, Gu Qingyi and the others were subdued with no chance to fight back.

The group of black-clad men slowly descended.

Heishan ran his arrogant gaze over Gu Qingyi, then his eyes landed on the nearby Nalan siblings, filling with greedy delight. “There you are! I was just worrying about how to find you two, but what luck to run into you here!”

“This job was almost too easy. It’s practically boring at this point,” he remarked, circling the captives. “If not for Hei San’s idiocy, we wouldn’t have gotten the chance for a little entertainment. Otherwise, this would be the most tedious job ever.”

Heishan grinned wickedly. “Never mind. I’ll kill you all and head home.”