Supreme Emperor of Mist

"Expert Xie has returned! Expert Xie has returned!" the soldier that worked from midnight till dawn screamed as he passes the sleeping tents holding ten soldiers each.

The yelling of his continued as he headed over to the tent belonged to Expert Shun. After a few minutes of silence, Close to 700 soldiers came out from their tents and went straight to where Expert Xie is expected to arrive.

"Brother Xie!" Expert Shun was the first to welcome his return.

"Brother Shun." Expert Xie cupped his hands together as he greeted this good brother of his. His action indirectly shows Expert Shun that his injury is no longer an issue plaguing him.

"Your injury... Did something happen when you're going out to subjugate the bandits? Why do you seem so friendly to the bandits that were supposed to be tied-up together?" Expert Shun quickly noticed the weirdness behind Expert Xie's action.

Although they're only known each other more recently, Expert Shun can be said to be a person with wise eyesight. Although measuring Expert Xie's loyalty towards Sun Wu Jian might be difficult for him, it was a simple matter for him to judge Expert Xie as a person.

"Brother Shun, I'm much better now. Why don't you take a look at who is here?" Expert Xie smiled as he patted the shoulder of this half-step expert while giving him a clearer view of who's behind him.

"Al - Alchemist Qin!" Expert Shun was nervous for a moment after meeting Qin Lan. He seemed lost from feeling unsure if he should get down from the horse first or greet Qin Lan.

"We met again, Expert Shun." Qin Lan smiled amicably before the half-step expert.

"Don't tell me... The people his highness is asking you to capture is our dear Alchemist Qin?" Expert Shun asked.

"Brother Shun, I know there are many questions in your mind, but let's return to the tent first. We have a heavily injured companion that needed a proper place to rest." Expert Xie said.

"Ah! Look at me! Alchemist Qin, please! Brother Xie, let's get back to our tent first." Expert Shun immediately invited everyone to follow him as they officially joined with the middle convoy.

Lu Yi was also given a tent of his own as he sleeps there to recuperate himself. Taking care of him by his side was none other than Huo Zunjie and Lu Qing Yun.

After being administered by a few emergency Acupuncture needles from Qin Lan and Lu Qing Yun's Kuangshan Healer's Art, the color of his face has turned much better than before. But so far, he still remains unconscious aftermath of the battle.

"Alchemist Qin, please let this surname Xie know if there's anything I can help. Would you like to check my Qiankun Pouch in case there's something beneficial for that young buddy to take to recover?" Expert Xie put his Qiankun Pouch out on the table as they speak.

"Although this surname Shun has little treasure, there might be something with some medicinal value as well. Alchemist Qin, feel free to take it if you need them." Expert Shun also followed.

"Please calm down, both experts. I've done everything I can. All he needs would be a few days of rest." Qin Lan chuckled. Using his right arm, Qin Lan politely pushed the two pouches back at the experts to show his feeling of gratitude.

"Then... Alchemist Qin is making the two of us feeling unsure of what we can do... Let's call this as owing you a favor. In the future, this one with the surname Xie will make sure to fulfill a request from Alchemist Qin even if it means risking my life to accomplish it." Expert Xie said.

"Then, this one with the surname Shun will also owe Alchemist Qin a favor," Expert Shun followed. But before he finishes with his words, he was interrupted by Expert Xie.

"Brother Shun, what are you doing? This debt, let this one solve it. Don't make it difficult for me." Expert Xie said. The scene before Qin Lan was heartwarming as it was a good thing for Sun Wu Jian's subject to be on such a friendly term with one another.

**Ding!**

The white jade slip hanging on Expert Shun's waist vibrated once.

"Alchemist Qin, please excuse us." the two experts changed their tone as they gently excused themselves to handle something else.

"Yes, Captain Wang Xun."

"Yes, Expert Xie is here with me. He's recovered."

"Understood. We're with Alchemist Qin right now."

After answering a few times, the white jade slip eventually came to Qin Lan's hand as the voice of a familiar individual came into his ears.

"Brother Qin." Sun Wu Jian said. From his tone, it seems he was already briefed with the news after talking with the two experts.

"Your highness," Qin Lan replied.

"Huh... How am I going to repay everything now with such a long list of debts." Sun Wu Jian jokes around.

"Well, maybe giving me a small estate to live and some land to grow my own spiritual herbs would do. That way, I can start planning how to expand my family with Hu Jia." Qin Lan jokes.

By replying to Sun Wu Jian this way, it also meant that Qin Lan is not expecting anything in return for all his help. Although mankind couldn't be totally unfilled with greed, Qin Lan's greed was something entirely on a different level.

His aim wasn't just power but to bring back the legacy of the Kuangshan Lu Sect. And the scale of Sun Wu Jian's fight for the throne was just too small to be significant.

"Brother Qin, I hope you know that be this race for the throne is a success or a failure, we'll be brothers." Sun Wu Jian added.

"I heard that someone is injured. What happened?" Sun Wu Jian changed the topic of their discussion.

"It's Lu Yi. He was too reckless and ended up taking a direct hit from the opponent's malicious martial art. But his condition is stable right now. He likely wakes up after sleeping for tonight." Qin Lan replied.

"Then... If there's anything else I can help with, please let me know." Sun Wu Jian said.

"I will." Qin Lan replied. The white jade slip was returned to the two experts.

...

...

...

"Boss, we tried our best, but sixth boss' arm... We can't attach it back." a physician loyal to Lang Xue said.

"Sixth brother... Why are you always so reckless?" Lang Xue placed his hand on Gou Ye's forehead as he wipes the sweat away.

"What about the Demonic Flame Tiger?" he asked.

"The - The Yao Beast breathed it last minutes after bringing the sixth leader back. We're still waiting for your order on what to do with it." the physician continued.

"What else can we do? Butcher the beast apart and feed it to the younglings. And you... Get the other leaders over. Tell them to come to my den as soon as possible." Lang Xue ordered.

"Yes, boss! I'll get it done right away!" the subordinate of his immediately left the physician's office after listening to Lang Xue's instruction.

Half an hour later, five of the Hushan most prominent Bandit Leaders are gathered in Lang Xue's den.

Second Leader, Xiong Jie.

Third Leader, Tang Ying.

Fourth Leader, Bai Yuan.

Fifth Leader, Wu Yao.

And Lang Xue himself.

"I'm sure all of you are aware of the arrival of the Ninth Prince's punitive forces at our doorstep. Right now, they're split into three groups, stationed at the third milestone, sixth milestone, and the Ten Miles Plain."

"Tell me, who amongst you are willing to go out there and teach them a lesson for injuring Xiao Ye?" Lang Xue asked. On the table is a stack of unopened wine of various quality.

"Let me take the lead this time." the fifth leader, Wu Yao offered to take the lead to attack them.

"From what I heard, their troops are separated into three groups, correct? Let me take the lead and attack their rear. I'll leave the front to you all." Wu Yao said.

"Good. Then old fifth will take the rear. Tang Ying, Bai Yuan, both of you will follow me as we attack them at the Ten Miles Plain. Xiong Jie, I'll leave the middle convoy to you. Make sure they're unable to provide backup in time to both convoys." Lang Xue said.

"Heh... Big brother, leave this to me. I also wondered what kind of experts is in that convoy for them to wound Xiao Ye this badly." Xiong Jie, one of the Hushan Bandits that faced Lu Yi and Huo Zunjie before back in Fu Rong Town, said.

"Great. If there's nothing else, let us depart after we finish all the wine on the table." Lang Xue said. Following his sentence, he clapped his hands twice as a signal for those standing by outside.

The door into this hall is then pushed open as a few bandits with lecherous faces brought a group of dazed women they captured around the area inside the room.

"Boss, all of them were drugged and tamed. You can start anytime after taking the Fire Infant Pill." the subordinate chuckled as he passed the rein to Lang Xue.

"Humph... Take this and go out to get one for yourself." Lang Xue tossed one of the so-called Fire Infant Pill at the bandit as he kicked him out of the room.

"Thank you, boss. Thank you..." the bandit happily left.

Soon, screams and moans can be heard from the room.