Chapter 19: Brothers

Time returns to a few minutes ago.

"My lord, you've gone the wrong way; the path we came by is not this one!" Seeing Xiao Yan walking toward several other forks, Sun Shan could not help but remind him.

"Do you not smell any foul odor?" Xiao Yan suddenly asked.

"Foul odor?" Sun Shan was stunned upon hearing this, twitching his nose to sniff carefully: "It seems there is a little, strange, it wasn't there just a moment ago."

"When we came in, Xian'er scattered some reagents at the cave entrance; once someone passes by, it will stink, and it has extremely strong diffusion."

"What, does that mean someone has already come in? Could it be those Snake-People?" Sun Shan said with some terror.

"What are you panicking for? Hurry up, go wipe away the footprints in the other few passages, then we'll just hide," Xiao Yan frowned and scolded.

"Oh! Right, I'll go right now!" Hearing Xiao Yan's scolding, Sun Shan immediately felt like he had a backbone, and hurriedly ran over to clear the footprints.

Both were people with cultivation, and the two worked together to quickly clean up the traces. They picked a random fork to enter, and after a bend, they hid themselves.

Before long, the Golden Snake Tribe leader arrived here with the Snake-People under his command, and separately sent people to observe every fork.

Just as Xiao Yan intended to take Little Fairy Doctor and Sun Shan to hide a bit further in, the Snake-People who came to explore were called back.

After another commotion, all the Snake-People rushed toward the rightmost fork just as Xiao Yan had hoped.

*Hoo*, Xiao Yan, who had let out a sigh of relief, was just planning to take the two back when he was tugged from behind by Sun Shan.

"What is it?"

"That, my lord, look over there." Sun Shan was a bit bashful, pointing his finger at the end of the Snake-People's group.

"How is it, you want to save these people?" If it were a safe time, Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't mind saving a few more people. But now his Dou Qi had only recovered a little, so he didn't want to take risks for this, and these people had nothing to do with him; he had no obligation to help.

"This, didn't I tell you before that I have a friend named Zhong Bang? He is also inside," Sun Shan said with some embarrassment.

"You want me to go save him?"

"Yes, I hope my lord will show mercy." Sun Shan knelt down directly and pleaded.

"I didn't expect you to be quite sentimental." Xiao Yan felt as if he were re-acquainting himself with the person before him.

"It is fine if you want to save him," Xiao Yan thought for a moment and said: "But I only give you one chance; as for whether you can actually escape, that depends on yourselves. If the Snake-People catch up, I will take Xian'er and leave first; at that time, don't blame me for being heartless."

"Yes, thank you, my lord, for your help!"

………………

Time returns to the present.

After Xiao Yan blocked the passage, he immediately retreated. Zhong Bang and the others who had been captured had already had their restraints removed by Sun Shan and were fleeing quickly under Sun Shan's lead.

Xiao Yan was responsible for covering the rear, holding Little Fairy Doctor with one hand while continuously destroying the passage behind him.

The Golden Snake Tribe naturally would not let it go; the leading Snake-Person had already reached the Dou Ling realm, and with one punch, a ten-meter-long passage was cleared out.

"Pursue!" the Golden Snake Tribe leader said through gritted teeth. The Snake-People behind them successively used their methods to clear the rubble in front.

Feeling the consumption of Dou Qi in his body, Xiao Yan decisively demanded that the fleeing group, along with Sun Shan, be responsible for the subsequent blocking work.

He had said beforehand that he was only responsible for giving them a chance; whether they could escape ultimately depended on themselves. After all, he could not disregard his own and Little Fairy Doctor's safety.

The group in front had already been informed by Sun Shan beforehand; although a few people were dissatisfied in their hearts, they knew it was not the time to be contrary, so they also successively unleashed their techniques. Xiao Yan then took Little Fairy Doctor and leaped to the very front.

Fortunately, blocking the passage was much easier than clearing it, and midway, Little Fairy Doctor also woke up and helped scatter a handful of poison gas, poisoning several Snake-People.

Climbing out of the well mouth along the rope left by the Snake-People, it was basically safe once they reached here, because with so many people, as long as they scattered and ran, the Snake-People would likely not pursue. After all, they could never catch up to the most important Xiao Yan, who "possibly" possessed the Heavenly Flame; this point they should be able to realize.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. After Sun Shan, Zhong Bang, and the other rescued people came forward to thank him, Xiao Yan bid farewell to the crowd and flew with Little Fairy Doctor toward the nearest Shimo City.

Shimo City is located to the east of Mo City, very close to the location of the Green Lotus Core Flame. Xiao Yan only flew for half a quarter of an hour before arriving outside the gates of Shimo City. When Xiao Yan originally separated from his two older brothers, the two of them had come here.

At this time, the bright moon in the high sky had already descended, and the first ray of morning sunlight shone exactly on the walls of Shimo City, displaying a shimmering feeling, just like Xiao Yan's mood at this moment.

"Let's go, Xian'er. I told you before that I would bring you to meet my two older brothers; they are in the Shimo City ahead." Pinching the slightly nervous Little Fairy Doctor's cheeks, Xiao Yan led her into Shimo City.

Shimo City is one of the frontier cities of the Jia Ma Empire that reaches deepest into the Tagor Desert. Compared to Mo City, it is somewhat weaker; the original strongest leader of the Sand Mercenary Group, Luo Bu, was only a Great Dou Shi. In order not to let others discover that the two possessed Earth-tier cultivation methods, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were only the lowest-level independent mercenaries when they first came to Shimo City, not belonging to any group. Until half a year ago, as the two successively broke through to Great Dou Shi, they naturally didn't need to hide anymore. After all, after becoming a Great Dou Shi, even if they continued to improve rapidly or even broke through to Dou Ling, they could continue to pretend to be a Great Dou Shi; anyway, no one could tell. Thus, the two brothers together attacked the Sand Mercenary Group and incorporated the Sand Mercenary Group along with its leader Luo Bu. Now it has been renamed the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. Today, almost all the mercenaries in Shimo City belong directly or indirectly to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

As the headquarters of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, which is like the local emperor of Shimo City, it is naturally easy to inquire about. Xiao Yan quickly found out the route from a passerby. Walking straight forward along the largest road in Shimo City, there is a massive pavilion in the center of the city. If it weren't for the large flag hanging above with the five characters "Desert Iron Mercenary Group" and the mercenaries going in and out, people would likely think this was the City Lord's Mansion or something similar. Of course, thinking this way isn't actually wrong; after all, even the City Lord's Mansion wouldn't dare to neglect the current Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

Arriving at the gate of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's courtyard, two burly men who looked like they were battle-hardened were guarding the gate, one on each side.

"Hello brothers, my name is Yao Yan, I am a friend of your leader, could you please help me pass on a message." Xiao Yan walked forward and was polite for the first time in a long while.

The two guards were both at the peak of the Dou Zhe realm, which could be considered a figure of some standing in this Shimo City. Looking at the youth in front of them who looked to be seventeen or eighteen, with a delicate face and a woman beside him who looked very fragile, they didn't know which young master had run over from where.

Over the past half year, there had been countless family disciples who ran over like this wanting to get close to their leader, but the smaller ones would still respectfully go through the procedure, while the bolder ones would directly say they were friends of the leader, children of old acquaintances, etc., attempting to see the leader directly. They had both been scolded by their superiors several times because of this, so this time they had learned their lesson.

"Oh, a friend of the leader, is it? Fine, we know. Go in from here, turn left, and register. Once the leader sees it, if he is interested, he will naturally see you."

"Uh." What's going on? This is not what I thought! At a time like this, shouldn't it be: Ah! So it's the leader's friend, please come in, we'll notify the leader right away. That's how it should be. Xiao Yan thought with some depression.

However, after all, they were his own older brothers' subordinates, so by extension, they were his own subordinates; it would definitely be bad to attack directly to explain.

Xiao Yan decided to try a little harder to salvage the situation: "That... I really am a friend of your leader. You go in and report my name, your leader will definitely come out to receive me."

"Oh, we know, we know, but everything has to have rules, doesn't it? Your Excellency should still go register first."

Damn it, I have to register to see my own brother; where in the world is there such a logic.

"*Pfft! *" Little Fairy Doctor accidentally laughed out loud on the side, but considering Xiao Yan's face, she still tried hard to turn her head and cover her mouth, her shoulders trembling.

Xiao Yan also saw it at this time; these two people in front of him had likely taken him for a liar, and he couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. Why is it that when he speaks properly, others just won't listen?

But running to register was definitely impossible. After all, looking at the two's attitude, who knows how long it would take after submitting the registration, and whether it would even be submitted was another matter.

There was no other way; Xiao Yan could only show the two guards a bit of intimacy, and the aura belonging to a Great Dou Shi was revealed without reservation.

"G-G-G-Great Dou Shi!" The terrifying aura instantly scared the two guards into wetting their pants. I'm finished, Mom, don't save any food for me tonight.

"Bold! Who is it acting presumptuously in front of my Desert Iron Mercenary Group!" A figure quickly rushed out from the pavilion; it was the former leader of the Sand Mercenary Group who had been incorporated by Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, and now one of the vice-leaders of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, the three-star Great Dou Shi, Luo Bu.

Just as Luo Bu intended to teach a lesson to the petty thief who didn't know where he came from, he gradually realized that Xiao Yan's aura seemed, appeared to be above his own...

He hurriedly turned his head and said to the people beside him: "Hurry and invite the leader (Xiao Ding) and Vice-Leader Li (Xiao Li)!"

"No need, we have already arrived." Xiao Yan's aura was naturally not only sensed by Luo Bu; it was just that he was closer to the gate.

"Two leaders, this person suddenly appeared at the gate of our Desert Iron Mercenary Group, I'm afraid he has ill intentions..." Luo Bu was just about to ask Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to strengthen the guard, but the two didn't even pay him any mind and walked directly past him.

Two youths wearing typical mercenary outfits walked to Xiao Yan's left and right, each slapping a fist onto Xiao Yan's chest.

"Good lad, you finally remembered to come see your two older brothers; I thought you had forgotten about both of us!" Xiao Li pulled Xiao Yan into a headlock with one arm, feigning dissatisfaction.

"Oh, how could I, Second Brother? I only arrived at the Tagor Desert ten days ago, didn't I? And here I am, coming to find you both," Xiao Yan said with an apologetic smile. To be honest, ever since leaving home two and a half years ago, he hadn't even sent a single letter back, let alone returned. He had kept delaying his promise to come to the Tagor Desert to reunite with his two brothers until now, so he couldn't blame Xiao Li for being resentful.

"Alright, Second Brother, Little Yanzi must have had his own matters to attend to; he didn't delay coming here on purpose. Haven't you noticed he is already a Seven-Star Great Practitioner? That's even higher than you," Xiao Ding intervened from the side. Compared to the more boisterous Xiao Li, his observations were clearly much more meticulous.

"Seven-Star? Great Practitioner?" Xiao Li only then reacted: "Oh, really! Little Yanzi, how have you been cultivating? You're actually this fast!"

"Cough, cough, this, this is..." No, Second Brother, do you want to look at where we are? Do you think it's appropriate to ask such questions here?

"Alright, Second Brother, settle down for a moment." Eldest Brother Xiao Ding stepped forward again to take on the role of the fire-extinguisher: "Little Yanzi has been standing at the entrance for quite a while; let's go inside and talk."

"Oh, right, right, right. Look at my brain; I got so excited I forgot everything." Having reacted, Xiao Li grabbed Xiao Yan and walked inside.

Xiao Yan had no choice but to follow, turning his head to give the Little Fairy Doctor a wink, signaling her to follow. He also signaled to Eldest Brother Xiao Ding, who was still remaining calm on the side.

Xiao Ding naturally understood Xiao Yan's meaning and turned to look at the Little Fairy Doctor, who was still at the entrance: "This must be my sister-in-law. I apologize, my second brother is truly a bit impolite; please forgive him."

This form of address made the Little Fairy Doctor blush instantly. Although her relationship with Xiao Yan was already more or less established, she was still shy about having it pointed out directly by Xiao Yan's elder in public.

Struggling to recover her expression, the Little Fairy Doctor said respectfully to Xiao Ding: "Hello, Eldest Brother. My name is Little Fairy Doctor, and I am... I am Xiao Yan's girlfriend."

The Little Fairy Doctor ultimately didn't say the word "wife," perhaps because they hadn't officially married yet, and due to her nervousness, she even forgot to hide Xiao Yan's real name. Fortunately, the people around had already consciously left once they saw the newcomers were the two commanders' brothers, so no one would have heard.

"Mm, hello, Little Fairy Doctor. Xiao Yan has been well taken care of by you during this time. Come inside with me."

"Okay."

Passing through the massive and luxurious pavilion behind them, Xiao Ding led the Little Fairy Doctor into a residential compound behind the pavilion.

Although the pavilion in front was massive and luxurious, it was not the residence of the two brothers, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, but rather the assembly and external office space for the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. Their daily cultivation and living were handled in the courtyard behind the pavilion.

Here, there were not only the courtyards of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, but many high-ranking members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group also lived here; for instance, Luo Bu also had a courtyard here. Of course, Xiao Yan naturally had one here too, right to the right of Xiao Ding's courtyard, while to the left of Xiao Ding's courtyard was Xiao Li's; the three brothers' were all together.

Xiao Ding brought the Little Fairy Doctor to the main hall of his own courtyard, where Xiao Yan was currently being relentlessly questioned by Xiao Li about what had happened over the past two years.

Seeing Xiao Ding walk in with the Little Fairy Doctor, he immediately looked as if he had seen a savior.

"Eldest Brother, save me!" Heaven is my witness, it had only been two years since they last met; how had his second brother become so long-winded?

But in the end, Xiao Ding did not save him, but instead kicked him while he was down: "Little Yanzi, don't look at me like that. You haven't had any news for over two years, which worried Father and Second Brother terribly. Now that he's just asking you a few extra questions, you should just take it. Besides..." Xiao Ding paused: "I also want to know what you've encountered all these years."

Xiao Yan felt like crying but had no tears, feeling as if he were back home for the New Year being grilled by relatives about work and studies; it was truly soul-crushing.