36 Escape (2/2)
Ming Yue nodded, acknowledging that she killed them all. She had done so to secure the area and a safe path for the group. The thick vegetation was perfect for her to assassinate them. Furthermore, she had the techniques from the Shadow Blade arts which were made for assassination. She was unable to find Wei Lian and the other two men but that did not matter. The Darksun Marauders were dealt a serious blow, recovering could take them years especially with their reputation. If word got out that they were decimated by only one girl, no one would fear them anymore.
Hours later, they finally reached a stream and stopped by it. Everyone took mouthfuls of water, appreciating the refreshing sensation.
”I haven't had a decent drink in months!” one of the prisoners, a middle aged man, spoke excitedly drinking more and more.
Everyone could agree with his statement, this water was nothing short of a godsend. They were finally able to relax after running away for hours, they were tired. This became their campsite for the night. Ming Yue went out to hunt for food while everyone else collected herbs and edible plants. They had also taken this opportunity to wash themselves. That night, everyone ate in glee, laughter sounded throughout their meal.
”I can't believe we escaped that hellhole,” a young woman spoke, sitting by the fire.
Everyone nodded in agreement, even Ming Yue. After all she saw the conditions that they were living in, They slept on dirt and straws with barely any room to breathe. Sleeping here by the stream was several times better than inside that small building. Everyone found their own little spot and slept for the night. The only ones still awake was Ming Yue and the Yu siblings, who sat by the fire, silently watching it.
”I want to thank you for helping me,” Yu Fengtian spoke up, ”If it weren't for you, I would have never been able to save Yao Xian.”
Following his expression of gratitude, Yao Xian also thanked her as well. She resembled Fengtian but compared to him, her eyes were sharp and she had a warrior's disposition with calluses on her hands and a fit body.
Ming Yue looked at them, ”You don't have to thank me, this can be considered part of my training.”
She grabbed her sword, walking off to practice what she had comprehended from the recent fighting.
”Who is your master?” Yao Xian asked with a curious look. For someone so skilled, their master was definitely a famous cultivator.
”I don't have one,” Ming Yue unsheathed her sword and started attacking the empty space in front of her.
Both Fengtian and Yao Xian were taken aback by her response. Especially Yao Xian, Ming Yue had no master but was still able to take down a group of famed criminals on her own. If she was in Ming Yue's shoes, Yao Xian was not sure if she could reach her level of skill without a teacher. Having a newfound respect for her, Yao Xian watched her practice her sword techniques. Each and every strike was swift and powerful. With the inclusion of what she had learned from the Flowing Wind manual, they became fluid and graceful, able to change within a moment's notice. A thrust became a upwards slash, an attack from the right turned into a diagonal cut. Speed altered between fast and slow increasing the complexity of each move. It was like wind, a spring breeze could become roaring wind in seconds.
Yao Xian watched in amazement, only lamenting that she could not fight Ming Yue with her injured body. Fengtian had already fallen asleep, leaning his head on her shoulder.
The moon was bright in the sky and the three of them went to sleep. As the sun rose, everyone was stirred by the sound of horses. Yu Fengtian was the closest to the noise, waking up first and staring at the figure by the stream, recognizing him.
”Young Master?”