Chapter 212: The Evil and Mysterious Grove

The robbery was a great success, but for the disciples of Daozhong Mountain, it was a tragedy.

"Senior Brother, that's everything I own..." A disciple grimaced, clutching his storage pouch tightly, his sorrowful expression so pitiful it seemed as if something precious was about to be taken from him.

Lei Hengfeng crouched there, his heart also bitter. As an inner disciple of Daozhong Mountain, he had led his junior brothers out for training, only to have this horrific incident occur. His heart ached too.

Seeing the grief on each junior brother's face, Lei Hengfeng gently comforted them, "Junior brothers, just give it up. When we return, I'll make it up to you."

These junior brothers had followed him out for training. As their senior brother, he had a responsibility to protect their lives. Now, because of his own lack of strength, they had been stopped and robbed, causing great losses to his junior brothers. He bore undeniable responsibility.

Thus, Lei Hengfeng gritted his teeth and took on all the losses. After returning to the sect, he would repay them himself, minimizing the damage to his junior brothers.

When Lei Hengfeng said this, the disciples who had just looked as if they had lost their parents suddenly brightened. Without hesitation, they took out their storage pouches and voluntarily handed them over to the Fourteen Sand Bandits.

The senior brother said he would compensate them when they returned—this was a great blessing.

Could the compensation from the senior brother be anything ordinary?

The Fourteen Sand Bandits found it much easier when these sect disciples suddenly changed their attitude and voluntarily handed over their belongings.

"You're a grown man, why are you carrying all this stuff?" Sha Dulong was confiscating items when he came to Liu Lingfeng and exclaimed in surprise.

A grown man actually carrying women's rouge and powder—it was an eyesore.

The Daozhong Mountain disciples wanted to laugh but dared not, though their looks at Liu Lingfeng were strange.

They all knew that Liu Lingfeng had grown up in the Xuanjian Pavilion, where everyone, even the cooks, were women.

Having lived in a circle of women for over a decade, Liu Lingfeng had naturally picked up their habits, and it was probably impossible to change.

"I'll give you this storage ring, but can I keep these?" Liu Lingfeng crouched on the ground, looking up at Sha Dulong.

The storage ring didn't matter, but to Liu Lingfeng, these cosmetics were the most important. He had painstakingly made them from various flowers and herbs.

Their intoxicating fragrance was unforgettable.

Besides, the sect leader and others were kind to him, especially his master, who was strict but always gave him good things. So Liu Lingfeng had never lacked treasures and didn't care much for them.

Sha Dulong looked at Liu Lingfeng. This guy had wanted to kill him earlier, but seeing him now, Sha Dulong's anger mostly subsided.

"Women's stuff, take it back. A grown man using women's things—what a disgrace." Sha Dulong sneered, then ignored the items and confiscated the ring.

The feeling now was wonderful for the Fourteen Sand Bandits. They had never imagined such a day would come.

After everything was confiscated, Lin Fan put all the collected items into his backpack, planning to count them slowly in a quiet place.

"You can go now." Since the robbery was done, there was no use keeping them.

Lei Hengfeng stood up and signaled his junior brothers to leave quickly. Although these people had robbed them, they had no intention to kill, which Lei Hengfeng was grateful for.

If the man before him had murderous intent, then the junior brothers he brought would have perished here.

"You stay." Just as Liu Lingfeng was about to leave with Lei Hengfeng, Lin Fan spoke.

Liu Lingfeng looked confused, "Why can't I leave? I've given everything I had."

"Senior, this is a disciple of Xuanjian Pavilion. Please don't make things difficult," Lei Hengfeng stepped forward to say.

"Do you all want to stay?" Lin Fan's face hardened, unwilling to waste words.

Lei Hengfeng hesitated, then glanced at Liu Lingfeng with deep apology. He had done all he could.

He couldn't risk the lives of his junior brothers for Liu Lingfeng.

...

After Lei Hengfeng and the others left, Liu Lingfeng grew anxious. He sensed ill intent in the other's gaze.

Liu Lingfeng had grown up among women and had a gentle nature, but when outside, he had to project toughness. So usually, he acted arrogantly, giving the impression that he was the best.

Lin Fan stepped forward, scrutinizing him closely, nodding from time to time, and occasionally letting out a sly chuckle.

Not bad, not bad.

Liu Lingfeng was the first person Lin Fan had encountered who could master the Yin-Yang Sword Dao.

For a man to possess yin-yang energy was indeed strange.

In Lin Fan's mind, this guy might be a legendary talent.

When it came to talent, Lin Fan always adhered to the principle: recruit if possible, discipline if not.

"Come with me." Lin Fan smiled lightly and beckoned to Liu Lingfeng.

Liu Lingfeng swallowed nervously, a flicker of fear in his eyes. What did this man want?

No, he absolutely couldn't go with him.

A sense of crisis enveloped Liu Lingfeng. A voice in his heart kept warning him: Don't go... don't go.

Panicking, Liu Lingfeng formed a finger gesture, drew his sword, and tried to fly away on it.

But as soon as he took off, his ankle was grabbed and he was yanked down hard.

"What's the hurry? I'm not going to kill you. Come with me to that grove ahead for a chat." Lin Fan chuckled, full of anticipation.

"No..." Liu Lingfeng clawed at the ground, his delicate face filled with terror.

But Lin Fan dragged him by the ankle all the way to the grove.

"Wait for me here. I'll be back soon," Lin Fan said to Sha Dulong and the others.

"Yes." Sha Dulong watched the scene, feeling a chill.

Gradually, the sounds grew fainter until the figure disappeared into the grove, and then there was silence.

"Boss, do you think the master will..." Sha Miexiong swallowed and asked, his trembling eyes full of disbelief.

Sha Dulong looked at his brother, equally puzzled.

"Probably not."

Just then, a gust of wind blew.

Sha Dulong and the others couldn't help but clench.

Although that guy looked effeminate, the master shouldn't have that kind of taste, right?

Then they all turned their gaze to that sinful and mysterious grove, unable to calm down for a long time.