Chapter 225: The Hidden Bat Attacks

"Rest assured, he has only fainted," Xiao Xie said to Xue Nu, who wore a look of concern. While Xiao Xie did not mind killing Gao Jianli, a man who had harbored murderous intent toward him, it would be unwise to turn the Mohists against him over it. As for Gao Jianli, it would be far more convenient to let him perish at the hands of their enemies when the opportunity arose.

Xiao Xie continued, "However, I spare his life this time only out of respect for Lady Xue Nu and the Mohist Clan. Should there be a next time, I shall not be so merciful." With a flick of his right hand, the Yuanhong sword slid back into its scabbard with a crisp 'clink'.

Duanmu Rong checked Gao Jianli’s pulse and nodded toward Xue Nu, saying, "Xiao Gao is fine. He has simply lost consciousness; a good sleep is all he needs."

"Many thanks to Young Master Xiao for your mercy. Xiao Gao was indeed excessive this time," Xue Nu said, expressing her gratitude. Given that Gao Jianli had initiated the hostility, the Mohists would have had no grounds to blame Xiao Xie even if he had taken Gao Jianli’s life.

"It is nothing, merely a trifle! There is no need for such formality between us, Sister Xue Nu," Xiao Xie replied with a wave of his hand.

Xue Nu stared at him strangely for a moment before smiling. "I believe I am older than you, am I not? You should call me Sister Xue Nu, understood? Little Brother Xiao Xie!"

"Little Brother Xiao Xie?" Xiao Xie’s mouth twitched at the title. Although his soul’s age, combined with his previous life, spanned several decades, his physical form was only seventeen—he was indeed younger than Xue Nu.

Seeing him taken aback, Xue Nu giggled, then turned to Dao Zhi. "Xiao Zhi, help me carry Xiao Gao back."

"You got it!" Dao Zhi replied, hoisting the unconscious man onto his shoulder and heading toward his quarters.

Seeing this, Old Master Ban turned to Xiao Xie and said, "Very well, Young Master Xiao, please follow me. We have already prepared guest rooms for you."

Xiao Xie and his companions followed Old Master Ban to the rooms provided by the Mohist Clan and settled in.

...

As the sky gradually darkened, Old Master Ban, Dao Zhi, and Da Tiechui stood side by side in the corridor of the Mechanical City. Dao Zhi looked toward the back mountains and remarked, "The commotion in the back mountains earlier—there may be enemy activity."

"Even if enemies arrive, the fifty-mile radius surrounding the Mechanical City is riddled with defensive traps. An army of ten thousand would find no way home!" Da Tiechui scoffed dismissively.

"Thinking that way puts the Mechanical City in grave danger," Old Master Ban replied, his tone grave. "With heroes and warriors from all walks of life gathering at the Mohist headquarters, the stakes are immense. Every anti-Qin faction across the six states is involved, and with the Qin Empire’s vast web of informants, it is impossible that they remain completely unaware. During the last pursuit in the valley, although we retreated to the Mechanical City in time and Bai Feng chose not to pursue, he likely deduced our general location and may return to investigate. Our leader repeatedly urged us to be cautious and meticulous, never to be careless, impetuous, or underestimate the enemy."

"Don't keep bringing up the leader. Fine, fine! I can never win an argument against you, old man," Da Tiechui said, exasperated.

"Da Tiechui, take some men and go investigate," Old Master Ban ordered.

"No problem, leave it to me! I want to see which little ghost dares to stir up trouble on Iron Master's territory," Da Tiechui sneered, calling two Mohist disciples to follow him toward the back mountains.

"I hope it is nothing serious," Old Master Ban muttered, feeling a sense of unease.

"Old Master Ban, even if something were to happen, you still have your mechanical beasts!" Dao Zhi said, clapping the old man on the shoulder with a grin.

"Mechanical beasts?" The mention of them only deepened Old Master Ban’s anxiety. He thought to himself, *'Mohist mechanisms, wood and stone that walk, bronze that speaks—all point to the Gongshu school! Could the Gongshu family be coming as well?'*

Seeing the old man suddenly fall silent, Dao Zhi wondered, *'What is wrong with Old Master Ban? He usually glows with excitement when talking about the mechanical beasts. Why so troubled now?'*

...

"Young Master, what are you looking at?" Murong Huang asked, seeing Xiao Xie gazing out the window with curiosity.

"Tonight is destined to be a restless one," Xiao Xie said, his gaze fixed on the distant back mountains as if he could see the events unfolding there. He turned to Murong Huang and added, "Xiao Huang, you and Xiao Feng should go get some rest. I am going out for a stroll."

"Young Master, let me accompany you!"

"There is no need. You two have served me all day and must be tired. Go to sleep," Xiao Xie insisted.

"Yes, Young Master." Sensing the finality in his tone, Murong Huang did not press further and returned to her room.

As Xiao Xie stepped out of his room, he encountered Tianming, Shaoyu, and Yue'er.

Seeing him, Tianming called out happily, "Brother Xiao! You aren't asleep either? Perfect—Yue'er is acting as our guide, why don't you come explore with us?"

"Very well," Xiao Xie replied with a smile, agreeing to join them.

...

The moon hung high in the sky, and darkness had fully claimed the land, yet Da Tiechui and his men had not returned.

"Master, it is quite late. You should go and rest," Duanmu Rong said to Old Master Ban, who stood by the corridor.

"Da Tiechui has been patrolling for nearly three hours and hasn't returned. I cannot rest."

"The patrol has taken too long. Could it be that he encountered the enemy?"

"That is the only likely explanation."

"With Da Tiechui’s skill and strength, who could possibly delay him for so long?"

"That is precisely what worries me," Old Master Ban replied, his face grim.

"Old Master Ban, Lady Rong, this is bad! Da Tiechui has encountered the enemy! One of the brothers he took with him has fallen, and the other, who escaped to bring word, is severely wounded!" Dao Zhi shouted, rushing toward them.

"Xiao Zhi, tell Xue Nu and Xiao Gao to go provide reinforcements!" Old Master Ban commanded.

"Xiao Gao... he’s still unconscious after being struck by Xiao Xie," Dao Zhi said, scratching his head. Being the strongest Mohist fighter after the Leader, it was quite embarrassing for Gao Jianli to be knocked out in a single blow.

"I see. Then..." Old Master Ban hesitated. Among the remaining leaders, Dao Zhi excelled in agility and Lady Rong in medicine; neither possessed combat prowess necessarily surpassing Da Tiechui’s. Yet, sending Xue Nu alone was a risk he was unwilling to take.

"I will go," a voice spoke from behind them.

Old Master Ban turned to see Xiao Xie approaching with Tianming, Shaoyu, and Yue'er. Xiao Xie smiled. "Let me go with Xue Nu. After all, Xiao Gao was knocked out by my hand."

"Hm? Very well! I shall trouble you then, Young Master Xiao." Considering the situation, Old Master Ban realized this was the best course of action and nodded.

...

Deep in the woods, though Da Tiechui’s 'Thunder God Hammer' was immensely powerful, he could not unleash its full potential in the dense forest. Combined with Yin Fu’s mastery of jungle combat, Da Tiechui found himself in a desperate struggle.

Da Tiechui was forced onto the defensive. Yin Fu was not only swift but could glide through the air, his hands armed with deadly steel claws.

While Da Tiechui’s attacks were devastating, Yin Fu dodged them with ease. In return, every strike from Yin Fu left deep claw marks on Da Tiechui’s arms and face. Seizing an opening, Yin Fu kicked Da Tiechui to the ground. Blinded by fury and overwhelmed by pain, Da Tiechui was left with no room to counter.

Just then, a hauntingly beautiful melody from a flute echoed through the forest. Yin Fu’s movements faltered, as if he were suddenly seeing a scene of swirling snow before his eyes.

"Clap, clap, clap. Lady Xue Nu’s flute technique is truly extraordinary—not only beautiful but capable of drawing the listener into its vision!" Xiao Xie applauded, watching Xue Nu, who stood upon a tree branch, looking like a moonlit fairy framed by the night sky.

Xue Nu shot him a glare, though she did not remove the flute from her lips. She signaled to him with her eyes, as if to say: *'If you don't act now, Da Tiechui will be killed!'*

"Understood," Xiao Xie nodded. With a flash of movement, he leaped across the branches, closing the distance to the battlefield.

"Die!" Even though Yin Fu had been affected by the 'White Snow' melody, the technique did not distinguish between friend and foe; Da Tiechui, too, had been caught in its trance, helpless. As Yin Fu stepped onto his chest, raising his steel claws to tear through the warrior’s throat, Xiao Xie arrived.