Dual Sword God: Book 7: The Crimson Devil of the Redlands

by Shadows Finger

  "T-THEY! THEY are…" One vendor wanted to say, but another hurriedly held his mouth as he whispered in his ear, "Shh… you idiot! Do you want to die?"

  The vendor's whose mouth was held frowned as he prepared to curse, saying it was impossible, but suddenly, as if someone from those groups heard him, their eyes shifted towards his position, each glowing in a menacing light that caused him to shiver in fear.

  Luckily for him, the person’s eyes soon returned to normal as they continued along with indifference.

  The vendor wiped his sweat as he spoke under his breath, "I… I'm glad I survived that mess."

  The other vendor looked at him before shifting his eyes to the distant Weaver's House as he spoke, "I didn't believe it at first, but the Weaver's House is finished…"

  As if some others agreed to his words, they all shared the same looks of pity as they stared in the same direction, as if giving a moment of silence.

  Unlike them, however, within a carriage, Jin Teng sat alongside his fat business partner, otherwise known as Rui Wen, but unlike before, this time a few rough-looking men were accompanying them. One of which was a beast-man with a lizard's head and humanoid body, garbed in fine armor with an ax on his back.

  "Mr. Krell, I trust that you and your companions should be able to handle today's task?" Jin Teng asked with a smile.

  Krell gave Jin Teng a look before shifting his eyes onto the wanted poster showing Feng Yu's portrait as Crimson Mask. He then grinned, showing his sharp tooth as he answered, "For a newly rising pup like this, he's nothing. We'll show him that not just anyone can run sideways in these southern lands. We Crimson Axe Bounty Hunters aren't some joke!"

  "Haha, that's right!" The other rough-looking fellows said with brutal looks in their eyes.

  "Excellent." Jin Teng replied with a smile.

  Rui Wen also shared his excitement; his fat cheeks trembled as he chewed down a large piece of meat, staring out the windows at the mysterious parties while thinking to himself.

  'So much blood, heh… I smell a profitable endeavor.'

  Soon, the carriages and different parties made their way towards the depths of the Oasis, forecasting the start of the new day's event.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  With crisp morning air of the Oasis brushing against his face, Feng Yu had already awoken from his two days of cultivation. Having done his utmost best to fight off the dangers of Miren Fei during his retreat, he felt a fresh mind as he looked at the quiet scene of the garden.

  "So, it's today." Feng Yu murmured, knowing that the Grand Exchange is set to begin a few moments from now.

  He rose to his feet, preparing to ready himself, but as he walked, he couldn't help but stop as he noticed He Xiu seated at a nearby lake. Her manner was a bit different as she stared at the waters in a daze.

  Thinking for a bit, Feng Yu walked up to her and called out, "Miss Xiu, what's wrong? You look a bit distracted."

  After hearing Feng Yu's voice, He Xiu jolted awake, she looked at a box with a spiral mark in her arm and hid it away before turning around and greeting as if nothing happened.

  "It's nothing; I just had the events of today on my mind."

  "Oh, I see. Well, try not to worry about it, fear takes you nowhere," Feng Yu said, not pushing it any further. He then walked off towards a different area.

  He Xiu looked at Feng Yu's back before shaking her head and staring in the distance, her thoughts currently in a state of chaos.

  "So, my father was dead, and this little box is not only a token of his memory but the cause of his demise. How am I supposed to deal with this news? Even more so when those wretched Crypt Sorcerers are after it. I hate this…'

  He Xiu thought with slightly sad eyes, her fists gripped it as if she would throw it away if possible, but sadly she couldn't; not only was it necessary to her, but it was also an essential item for their grand plot.

  It didn't take long for everyone to meet up again, having readied themselves for what might be a busy day yet. Lang Kuang stretched his muscular arms with a long yawn, cracking his neck from side to side before he gripped fist his and popped his knuckles.

  "Well, at least I had a little bit of sleep this time. All that travel in the desert was beginning to take its toll." Lang Kuang said with a smile.

  "Hehe, yes, I also enjoyed a nap for a change." Tuzi Baoli added from the side. It seemed that she was similarly tired of all the camping life.

  Lang Kuang had a sour look as he recalled her clinging to him; he complained, "Speak for yourself; you slept better than I did."

  "What was that?" Tuzi Baoli asked with a stern look on her face, her bunny ears straightening like a tail.

  "Nothing." Lang Kuang added with a low grumble.

  Toram and Tira chuckled at this as they walked from a nearby bench with Tiana, but the little devil seemed as if she noticed something; she spoke with a soft giggle, "Mother, Silly Wolfie should now be called Silly Doggy."

  "Tiana…" Tira said with a slightly admonishing tone; Tiana stuck out her tongue and run ahead to Feng Yu's location.

  "That brat…" Lang Kuang cursed under his breath, but Tuzi Baoli snickered at his side, enjoying the little devil's tease.

  The others who heard this couldn't help but chuckle as when they looked at Lang Kuang, their eyes could picture an imaginary leash around his neck, with the chain's held by the slender hands of the beauty at his side. Pity shone in their eyes, but that didn't last long.

  Feng Yu noticed the other's arrival; Dai Lin also stood nearby with a calm gaze, as did Leon, but as for Myria, she was currently floating around on top of a fluffy blue cloud by Miren Fei's side.

  Not paying attention to Miren Fei's obviously bitter look, Feng Yu thought that Myria's blue cloud was a fascinating little treasure, but he paid no mind to it as he spoke, "Looks like we're all gathered, all that's left is to meet up with He Xiu and the others."

  "Right." The others said in agreement, they then prepared to move to a different location, but soon, their eyes shifted towards one direction as they heard a series of footsteps.

  Feng Yu smiled at this as he spoke, "Looks like they're here."

  Not long after, Liao Xinyan and He Xiao had arrived at the entrance; they stared at Feng Yu's group before Liao Xinyan spoke, "Good, I thought I'd have to go and wake you all up. Huhu, but it looks as if you're all excited to get there."

  Feng Yu smirked and replied, "Maybe so, oh, I was wondering, are there no other disciples coming along?"

  Liao Xinyan pointed his finger towards the front and replied with a bright shine in his eyes, "They've already gathered at the Weaver's House; by now, all preparations should have been in place. Oh, before I forget, here are your masks, use them well. Now come on, let's get moving."

  With that said, Liao Xinyan tossed a few storage rings to Dai Lin and the others, they promptly took them out and inspected their colors and designs with flashing eyes as if they were greatly impressed.

  'Incredible, his skill is even more than I assumed,' Leon thought as he played with his own black iron mask with hammer markings.

  Myria had a blue mask with fairy wing patterns, while Miren Fei had a jade green mask with shiny green gems. Lang Kuang had a white wolf-faced mask, while Tuzi Baoli had one of a bunny-shaped design.

  As for Dai Lin, his was of a bright blue with a Qilin with lightning patterns, with Tiana’s being of a pitch-black with swirly knife designs.

  Feng Yu nodded at this as his group soon left with Liao Xinyan. While walking, Liao Xinyan glanced at He Xiu, who showed a firm look on her face before he stared at Feng Y’s team as he spoke, "Okay, so I've decided on what you guys will be doing, listen closely…"

  Feng Yu and the others stared at him carefully, listening to his words with an in-depth look in their eyes as they soon vanished from the core parts of the Weaver's Enclave, moving towards the location of the event.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  Today, the Weaver's House was widely decorated, filled with colorful cloth
from left to right, jewel and other ornaments hung from walls and ceilings as at its center was a particular wide-open area, spreading out for no less than a hundred meters.

  Naturally, this was only achievable by using a special formation array that could expand a given environment's space.

  Looking around this space, one would notice that it was divided into two sectors: the audience with cushions arranged close to each other as the other had a small circular platform with a bundle of crates.

  All of the Weaver's Enclave's core disciples, except Liao Xinyan, were in full attendance. They worked together with the other members of their society to keep the order until the exchange's actual start.

  Among them were two familiar faces: Tao Shen, who had a slightly pensive expression, and Hai Jinren, the very man addressed as Senior Brother Hai, second in status and power only to Liao Xinyan.

  The last two were Pan Shin and Pan Mang, both fraternal twins that wore simple desert-style cloth with two golden headbands around their foreheads.

  Pan Mang had short black hair with a thin but lean body with a disk-shaped blade on his back as Pan Shin had her hair bundled together in a knot with golden pins. Her arm held behind her back, fiddling with a ball of threads.

  "It's so boring; where are Eldest Senior Brother and the others?" Pan Shin asked with a dull look on her face.

  Pan Mang shook his head and replied, "I have no idea, but we don't have time to worry about such things. They'll get here when they get here. For now, we just have to try and keep the order."

  Pan Shin's eyes rolled as she hinted towards the direction of the audience while speaking, "You want us to keep those guys in check, you'd be lucky if a war doesn't suddenly start."

  "Haha, maybe so," Pang Man added in agreement as he, too, stared at the crowds coming in from the entrance.

  "That's enough from you too; stay sharp and focused." Hai Jinren said as he glared at the brother-sister duo.

  "Fine," They both replied before no longer chattering, their manner becoming sterner and more focused as they observed the proceedings.

  Tao Shen took this time to speak to Hai Jinren, "Senior Brother Hai, what do we do if they do act out before as planned?"

  Based on his words, it was clear that he had been given the details at a high level during the last few days. As such, it was no surprise for him to ask such a question.

  Hai Jinren swept his eyes around, narrowing it as he saw one particular group arriving as he answered, "We'll simply have to do as the Eldest Brother planned."

  "I see," Tao Shen answered with a flicker in his eyes as he knew what the alternative plan meant.

  More individuals were currently entering from the entrance and escorted by hosts of the Weaver's Enclave towards different seating positions. Those of the Pill Pavilion and Desert Shaolin Temple was seated to the right, while those neutral factions such as the Black Sand Commerce, Fox Lion Commerce, and the others, were arranged at the center.

  As for those forces from the Bandit Town's Desert Hunter squad, the Burning Totem Palace, and the Crypt Sorcerers Everlasting Crypt, they have placed at the left side most distant seats.

  There was discontent shown on some of their faces, even more noticeable in the eyes of a familiar-looking well-dressed middle-aged man, seated at the center of a group of slaves with his fan blowing away at his face.

  'The Iron Blood Union, why are they on the side of the Black Dunes? It looks like we'll need to keep an eye on them just as much as that Fox Lion Commerce.' Hai Jinren thought as his eyes ran over both groups.

  He didn't even pay attention to the Black Sand Commerce, treating it as if it was only air.

  Many who gathered here seemed to have noticed this change or were already expecting such a scene. As such, their expressions didn't change much, but the air within the room was now a strange one.

  While many others had their own thoughts, on the side of the Pill Pavilion, alone beauty in her late twenties with short pink hair sat in silence, she wore a decorated dress with pill patterns and had a sealing mark ' 丸' - Wán, on her forehead.

  'I sure hope that the Pavilion Leader's words were true. Otherwise, it will become quite troublesome...' The beauty thought while eyeing the surroundings, or more precisely, those on the left side.

  Soon, her eyes shifted about before fixing onto the side, noticing Master Duan from the Desert Shaolin Temple. She gave a warm smile as a form of greeting, not saying anything.

  Master Duan sat together with the other Desert Shaolins. But suddenly, he sensed the beauty's stare, shifting his eyes towards her before he greeted with cupped hands.

  After both took their focus away, Master Duan couldn't help but think to himself.

  'So, they sent Pill Queen Wan Ru, it looks like they still have a deep connection with Miss He...'

  While Master Duan pondered to himself, a Desert Shaolin couldn't help but look at him and ask, "Master Duan, are you certain that things will proceed as planned?"

  "Nothing is ever as planned, but it is our duty as shaolin to find order through chaos…"

  Master Duan replied with a profound look in his eyes; the Desert Shaolin seemed to have taken his words seriously as he showed a look of understanding when he replied, "I understand, but what of Qiu Yu?"

  Master Duan smirked as he shifted his eyes about the area, searching for a particular form before he answered, "He has a different role..."

  While Master Duan glanced around, much like him, Jin Teng and Rui Wen that sat side by side with those of the Crimson Axe Bounty Hunters, were searching the meeting ground for a figure, but unlike the Desert Shaolins, they had eyes filled with ill intentions.

  "Tsk! That bastard must have gotten wind of the situation; it looks like we won't be able to see him meet his end to those bounty hunters." Rui Wen said with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

  Jin Teng shook his head, showing a sharp look on his face, "He will come; he is far more arrogant than you think. Once the real action starts, we'll be leaving it to you, Mr. Krell."

  At this time, Krell nodded, saying nothing in reply, his lackeys showing savage looks as if they were rearing to taste blood.

  Jin Teng felt relieved at his manner, his eyes carrying a mean look as he thought to himself.

  'Crimson Mask... you thought that you'd be safe and no one can touch you, heh, you'll learn soon that although you're quite famous, there are other characters far more dangerous compared to you. Heh, as soon as the chaos breaks loose, Mr. Krell will be the last name you remember.'

  While Jin Teng and many others from both the right and middle sections had their own thoughts. Some of those seated on the left side had annoyed looks on their faces.

  "Hmph! So, this is how you treat your guests; it's no wonder you all have to sponge off others for survivability."

  Su Jian said, her voice though small, still audible to all ears in a mocking tone due to the current silence.

  Mu Leng chuckled as if her words were of no concern to him, and as did those Crypt Sorcerers, paying it no mind.

  Tao Shen frowned at those words as he looked at Su Jian; he couldn't help but speak under his breath, "It looks like they can't hold it any longer."

  Hai Jinren looked at the scene with cold eyes, Su Jian, seemingly noticing his stare, smirked as she didn't back down, both sides staring at each other as if at any moment a spark would let loose.

  The audience observed with nervous expressions, but before anything could happen, a disturbance had occurred.

  "If you're unsatisfied with our arrangements, you can leave. Otherwise, it's best if you keep yourself in check!"

  The voice said as a ripple of terrifying power shrouded those on the left side of the meeting room. A few persons shivered in fear feeling the terrifying energies as even Su Jian's expression changed before returning to normal.

  "Such power... the first disciple of that which is truly worthy of his name...'

  Su Jian thought with a set of cold-looking eyes, not daring to pr
ovoke him further, she kept her mouth shut and waited patiently.

  Mu Leng's eyes also showed seriousness, but as he recalled what they were here for and who they were in the company of, he didn't show any signs of fear.

  Melcraze stared in the direction of the voice, noticing that at the entrance, Liao Xinyan had appeared with a few others behind him. He narrowed his eyes while thinking.

  'It looks like the information was right, that disciple of hers did advance to the very limits of Half Step True Soul realm. Hmph! Even if he's strong, I can still hold him down; that bandit and the totem master can also deal with that pesky Desert Shaolin and Pill Queen. As for the rest, huhu... I can surely leave it to him.'

  As Melcraze said this, his eyes glanced at the side, was a person dressed like himself sat in silence, his face obscured by everything as even his presence seemed faint. With a pleased look in his eyes, Melcraze remained calm, patiently awaiting the commencement of the exchange.

  Not long after Liao Xinyan appeared, a few individuals appeared at the entrance behind him. Naturally, it was Feng Yu's party with their features shrouded by their newly created masks.

  "He's here, that darn Crimson Mask," Jin Teng cursed as he stared at Feng Yu from his seat. Rui Wen also had a look of anger on his face while he stared over.

  Mr. Krell, who sat by their sides, gave Feng Yu a good look before thinking.

  'This man's aura is rich; I can sense that he is at the extreme limit of Aura Disciple realm, but even as so, he is no match for our team. Based on the information those two merchants provided, the two most powerful are none other than that dwarf and fairy.'

  While Mr. Krell thought to himself, Feng Yu seemed to have sensed his gaze, he shifted his eyes towards him.

  Lang Kuang seemed to have noticed Mr. Krell, his eyes behind his mask had a tinge of blood red as he tapped Feng Yu's shoulder and spoke with a mental message.

  "Young Master, it seems that the Black Sand Commerce isn't interested in playing nice. I will take them down in your stead."

  Feng Yu thought for a bit before he waved his hand and replied, "Fine, but remember to also focus on protecting He Xiu and that treasure once that time comes. If they do attack, don't waste time, clean them up in one go."