Chapter 23: Rescue Jiang Xiaoyu

In the darkness, the shadow gradually became clear—it was Qin Feng!

Jiang Xiaomu wondered, how could Qin Feng appear here? Could it be that he hadn't earned Qin Feng's trust?

He was about to speak, but Qin Feng beat him to it: "Jiang brother, are you alright?"

Jiang Xiaomu froze for a moment, then realized Qin Feng must be worried about his safety.

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Chief of the Flying Eagle Stronghold." Jiang Xiaomu said, clasping his fists.

"Glad to hear that," Qin Feng breathed a sigh of relief, "Hei Xuan is sly and deceitful; I feared he might use underhanded tricks against you."

"Thanks for the warning, Chief. I'll be careful," Jiang Xiaomu said.

"Jiang brother, I see you're extraordinary in skill and full of clever strategies—why not join my Flying Eagle Stronghold? Let's accomplish something great together, how about it?" Qin Feng suddenly said.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart stirred; that was not a bad option. Although joining Qin Feng's stronghold would grant him protection,

but Xiao Yu is still in Hu San Dao's hands; right now it's urgent to see his sister.

"Thank you for your kindness, Chief. We'll first take charge of the Jun Hu in three days; joining the Flying Eagle Stronghold later is no problem," Jiang Xiaomu replied.

After Qin Feng left, Jiang Xiaomu received a system notification.

【Ding! Hu San Dao knows the host is related to the Flying Eagle Stronghold and wants to use this to restrain the stronghold.】

【The host's sister, Jiang Xiaoyu, will be killed by Hu San Dao within three days; if the host fails to rescue her in time…】

【He will be discovered by Hu San Dao and die beneath a blade.】

"If he dares to harm even a hair of Xiao Yu, I'll make him regret ever being born!" Jiang Xiaomu gritted his teeth, a flash of cruelty in his eyes. He snapped his eyes open, drew the dagger at his waist, and viciously stabbed it into the tree trunk.

Jiang Xiaoyu and Jiang Xiaomu depend on each other for life; they are the closest people in the world. He will not let anyone hurt his sister.

【Ding! By altering Hei Xuan's murderous fate, the host gains 10 Heaven's Fate Points.】

【One can enter the System to exchange for fate-changing equipment.】

Jiang Xiaomu entered the System and found consumables in a glowing box.

The 'Teleportation Talisman' requires 12 Heaven's Fate Points, allowing instantaneous teleportation to any location, usable only once.

Adding the Heaven's Fate Points he had left over, it was exactly enough for Jiang Xiaomu to use it once.

Now eager to rescue his sister, Jiang Xiaomu hesitated not and chose to redeem it.

Hurrying down the mountain, he headed to Hu San Dao's residence in the Jun Hu.

Jiang Xiaomu did not directly storm the Jun Hu to rescue his sister; he knew that would be like throwing an egg at a stone.

There is only one Teleportation Talisman, and it must be used on the blade.

He decided first to scout Hu San Dao's details, then devise a rescue plan.

The Jun Hu manor was heavily guarded, with two sentries patrolling the gate, and the courtyard walls towered high into the clouds, easy to defend but hard to assault.

Relying on his enhanced vision and agility, Jiang Xiaomu silently scaled the wall and slipped inside.

He saw the buildings scattered about; one room was lit, and faint sounds of drinking games and liquor could be heard.

Jiang Xiaomu guessed Hu San Dao was likely there.

He crept closer, peering through a crack in the window, and saw Hu San Dao drinking and eating meat with his lackeys, having a grand time.

"Boss, that little girl is tender-skinned and soft-fleshed—why not…" a henchman with a bloated face leered.

"What's the rush? After I've had my fun, I'll give you a turn." Hu San Dao gulped down a mouthful of liquor, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes.

Hearing this, Jiang Xiaomu's blood boiled; he wished he could rush in and hack Hu San Dao to pieces.

But now was not the time; he had to find his sister first, then figure out how to escape.

Jiang Xiaomu quickly untied the ropes and brought out the prepared water and food for his sister.

"Brother, how did you get here? This place is dangerous—you need to leave!" Xiao Yu said anxiously.

"Don't be scared, brother's come to save you." Jiang Xiaomu comforted her, "We're leaving right now."

Just then, a sudden clamor arose outside.

"Oh no, they've found us!" Jiang Xiaomu's face changed; he hurriedly brought his sister to hide in a concealed compartment behind the woodshed.

The hiding spot was cramped; Jiang Xiaomu held his sister close in his arms, listening to the outside commotion.

"Search! That brat surely hasn't gotten far!" Hu San Dao's roar drew nearer.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart leapt to his throat; he knew being discovered would be unthinkable. He gripped his dagger tightly, ready to fight to the death.

The footsteps grew closer, seeming to stop right at the woodshed door.

Jiang Xiaomu gently covered his sister's mouth to prevent her from making a sound.

Seeing her brother, Xiao Yu's tears burst forth; all her fear and grievance exploded at that moment.

Jiang Xiaomu hugged her tenderly and whispered, "Don't be scared, Xiao Yu—brother's here, brother will take you home."

"Boss, it seems there's no one here," a subordinate said.

"Impossible! Search thoroughly!" Hu San Dao bellowed.

A henchman walked to the firewood pile and kicked it. "Could something be hidden in here?"

Jiang Xiaomu held his breath, daring not to move a muscle.

He knew life and death hung by a thread.

He tore a strip from his sleeve, quickly stuffed it into his sister's mouth to stifle her cries and avoid alerting Hu San Dao. Then he scooped her up and, like a civet, darted out of the woodshed lightly.

That henchman seemed to hesitate, then kicked the firewood pile again.

Suddenly, he bent over, as if he had discovered something.

At the critical moment, Jiang Xiaomu silently chanted an incantation and activated the Teleportation Talisman.

A flash of white light swept by, and Jiang Xiaomu and Jiang Xiaoyu instantly vanished from the woodshed.

Hu San Dao charged into the woodshed with his men, only to find it empty. "Where are they? Search! Dig three feet deep if you have to—find them!"

Hu San Dao flew into a rage; he never imagined Jiang Xiaomu could disappear right under his nose.

Jiang Xiaomu and Jiang Xiaoyu appeared in a forest several li outside the military household's large estate.

"Brother, are we safe now?" Jiang Xiaoyu asked, still shaken.

"Temporarily safe." Jiang Xiaomu gently stroked his sister's hair, "but Hu San Dao won't let it go easily; we must leave here as soon as possible."

Jiang Xiaomu brought his sister along, running frantically, only stopping to rest when the sky began to brighten.

【Ding, host saved Jiang Xiaoyu, changed the fate of being killed by Hu San Dao. Gained 3 Heavenly Fate Points.】

The sky gradually brightened, the east turned a fish-belly white, and the birds in the forest began to chirp nonstop.

Jiang Xiaomu rubbed his sore shoulders, utterly exhausted.

Jiang Xiaoyu curled up in his arms, sleeping soundly.

He looked around and discovered a small stream not far away, with a flat patch of grass by its bank, which turned out to be a good resting spot.

Jiang Xiaomu gently placed his sister on the grass, then walked to the stream and cupped the clear water to wash his face.

The icy stream water refreshed him, greatly alleviating his fatigue.

For now we are temporarily safe; we just need to wait three days before launching an attack on the two strongholds.