Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

Chapter 405 405: You've Been Sold Out!

"Junior Brother, we're being followed!"

After successfully retrieving the Earth Spring Spirit Milk from Fu Baishou, Ning Xuan immediately took his leave with the women, pushing the Heavenly Sacrifice Cauldron to its absolute limit to flee far away. He had thought a thousand miles would ensure their safety, but they had barely stopped when Wu Pianpian's voice sounded in his ear.

"Hmm, don't worry about it for now. Let's skip the town ahead," Ning Xuan responded immediately. He had only stopped because he'd faintly seen a town in the distance. Since Ning Xuan had spoken, the women naturally had no objections, and he immediately changed their direction.

As a result, the group that seemed to be after them didn't pause at all, heading straight for the town.

"Could they not have been here for us?" Wu Pianpian asked, puzzled, as she stared in the direction they had disappeared.

But Ning Xuan said confidently, "They were definitely here for us. I don't know what method Fu Baishou used, but I'm sure every law enforcer in the Heavenly Principle Star Realm now knows we possess the Earth Spring Spirit Milk."

"Then why didn't those guys make a move just now?" Wu Pianpian grew even more puzzled.

"They must not have acted because they can't defeat Master," Xiao Bai stated matter-of-factly.

Ning Xuan smiled and ruffled her hair, though he was also confused.

According to Master Zhou, the rule where the strong grow stronger by bullying the weak only takes effect inside the Imprisonment Space. This place is clearly not the Imprisonment Space. Could it be that Fu Baishou exaggerated my strength to save face? Whatever. Leaving the town was the right choice anyway. Fu Baishou has the means to notify other law enforcers, so more are bound to come. Those who are truly interested in the Earth Spring Spirit Milk I possess will come knocking on my door.

Sure enough, less than half an hour had passed when several people appeared ahead of them, just as they entered a canyon. At the same time, several more law enforcers blocked their path from behind.

"Are you that bastard Ning Yang?"

Up ahead, a bearded man shouldering a giant axe dug into his ear with his little finger, flicking what he found toward Ning Xuan as he spoke lazily.

"Ning Yang the bastard?! Don't you push me too far!" Ning Xuan feigned anger.

"So what if I push you too far? Consider it an honor that I'm even bothering with you! But you passed through my territory without paying me your respects. That's a huge sign of disrespect! Tell me, how do you plan to solve this?!"

"Boss, those girls..." his tall, skinny subordinate to his left leaned in and whispered, but before he could finish, he was slapped to the ground.

SMACK!

"Fuck! Who the hell told you to interrupt while I'm talking?! Goddammit, are you getting arrogant, or do you think I, Zhang Qiang, can't swing my axe anymore?!"

After his string of curses, the bearded man, Zhang Qiang, hawked and spat a glob of phlegm onto the back of the downed man's head.

Ning Xuan finally understood why the other group had ignored them. A local tyrant already had this area claimed.

"You'd rather be highwaymen than decent law enforcers. Is there something wrong with your heads?"

"What's so good about being a law enforcer? It's the same old thing day after day... Wait, how did you know we used to be law enforcers?!" Zhang Qiang replied instinctively, only to look at Ning Xuan in surprise after realizing what he'd just let slip. As for being insulted by Ning Xuan, he didn't take it to heart at all.

Around them, the other men opened their mouths as if to warn their boss, but one look at the man on the ground made them all shut up.

"Isn't this Star Realm for imprisoning the strongest cultivators? Besides, you're still wearing the unique boots of a law enforcer," Ning Xuan gestured with his chin.

"Shit! So that's how you knew. You gave me a good scare! But I'll give you this, you're observant. From now on, you can work for me. I guarantee you'll eat well and live large. And as for them… you can keep them for yourself." Zhang Qiang glanced at the four women, then gave Ning Xuan a lecherous wink.

However, Ning Xuan heard a heavy threat behind the words. This guy might look coarse, but he's the type to hide a dagger behind a smile. He's definitely here for the Earth Spring Spirit Milk, but he hasn't said a word about it.

"You're Zhang Qiang, right? I don't trust you. Your appetite is far too big."

Zhang Qiang's heart skipped a beat. He stared at Ning Xuan in disbelief.

Did this kid see through my plan so quickly? Impossible!

"Everyone, what did Zhang Qiang promise when he brought you here? Don't you realize he's sold you all out?" Ning Xuan called out, getting straight to the point.

Zhang Qiang was alarmed, but he quickly sneered, "You kid, trying to sow discord? Unfortunately, you've picked the wrong place!"

Ning Xuan's guess was right, but I don't believe he'd dare to speak the truth.

But in the next moment, Zhang Qiang was dumbfounded. Ning Xuan simply opened his hand, revealing a milky-white crystal that emitted an intoxicating aroma.

Earth Spring Spirit Milk! This damn punk actually took out the Earth Spring Spirit Milk right here!

"What the hell! Are you insane?!" Zhang Qiang cursed after a moment of shock, his face turning green.

BOOM!

Without another word, he lunged forward, grabbing for the Earth Spring Spirit Milk.

He'd gone to all this trouble for this very thing. He had no intention of sharing it with the others. He had even arranged his escape route for once he got his hands on it.

Ning Xuan's reaction once again took him by surprise.

"Here you go!"

Faced with the robbery attempt, Ning Xuan didn't even try to protect the Earth Spring Spirit Milk. Instead, he tossed it over Zhang Qiang's head toward the men behind him.

Damn it! This damn mutt is a real piece of work!

Zhang Qiang halted abruptly, twisted his body, and swung his giant axe! His target wasn't his subordinates, but the Earth Spring Spirit Milk in midair.

This was undoubtedly the wisest choice. If he split it, he was guaranteed to get at least one piece! Once he had a piece, he could fight for the rest. Even in the worst-case scenario, he could escape with what he'd managed to grab.

SLICE!

Despite Zhang Qiang's rough exterior and huge axe, his control over his strength was masterfully precise. The piece of Earth Spring Spirit Milk was split perfectly in two.

However, Zhang Qiang had still miscalculated. He'd forgotten about the men blocking their escape route.

Just as he grabbed one half of the Spirit Milk, a fierce wind roared behind him. Though his reaction was swift, he was still struck by a blast of palm wind, and the half he had just secured flew from his grasp. He let out a low shout and lunged for it again.

Meanwhile, the other half of the Spirit Milk was also being fought over frantically. As for Ning Xuan and his companions, no one was paying them any mind anymore. Ning Xuan led the four women along the canyon wall and slipped away.

Far from the chaos, Wu Pianpian watched as Zhang Qiang's men descended into a frantic, dog-eat-dog brawl, and she became reluctant to leave. "Junior Brother, what about the Earth Spring Spirit Milk? When are we going to get it back?" she asked.

Before Ning Xuan could even speak, Qian Yourong laughed and said, "Pianpian, if I'm not mistaken, that Earth Spring Spirit Milk was a fake."

As she spoke, she looked at Ning Xuan, her eyes full of undisguised love and pride.