Hao Xuan calmly led the way on foot while everyone else followed behind. He had already recalled Ensis when nobody was paying attention.

The boy was just a few behind him with his head hung low, while the others kept a distance of about 20 feet.

On the way over they met hundreds of the other soldiers that were still trying to make their way through but had been obstructed by the incoming beasts.

"Kill them all,

" Hao Xuan's emotionless voice echoed in the soldier's ears that were following behind.

Kuo's footsteps slowed down as he looked at Hao Xuan with a raised eyebrow, but he didn't hesitate for too long and followed Hao Xuan 's orders, taking the bulk of the soldiers and started clearing all the beasts in the vicinity.

They continued their leisurely stroll for another minute or so before a sound similar to the breaking of bones echoed throughout the surroundings and four figures shot out of the sky.

*CRAAACK*

There was a blue fireball in the front with three streaks following close behind it.

Hao Xuan stopped and looked up at the giant fireball that was coming straight towards him.

The Yo Bo trio quickly took out their weapons and moved in front of Hao Xuan protectively, but he shook his head,

"It's fine.

"

"Sorry?

" Yo Bo looked back at him, bewildered.

Hao Xuan turned his head slightly to the left and gestured towards the fireball. The boy that had been following behind him silently moved and stood in front of him.

The fireball quickly slowed down and stopped about 30 meters away from him. In the blue fire the woman's figure could finally be seen. There were some superficial wounds on her body but nothing serious.

The other three streaks also came to a stop a few meters behind her. It was First, Su Zemin and Lu Jian.

Lu Jian's upper body was covered with vicious burn marks. His flesh was wriggling left and right and every second scabs fell to the ground. His body was healing at an astonishing rate but it looked like the superior healing ability came with a price.

His face was as pale as a ghost and looked devoid of any blood.

Su Zemin's eyes had dark circles under them. The glowing markings on his bone whip were flickering and looked like they were about to go out for good.

First looked like he was doing the best and held a crimson sword in his right hand that was letting out weak high-pitched noises.

'A living weapon...' Hao Xuan thought looking at the sword.

Even from a distance of almost 50 meters, he could feel a strange sensation from the sword in First's hand.

The woman looked at the boy's condition and her body visibly trembled with rage. She glared at Hao Xuan who was standing right behind him.

"Let him go. You have no idea who you're messing with. Your limited mind cannot possibly comprehend the level of danger you are in right now. If something happens to him, the entire Kingdom of Mei will perish before the sun rises, that is my promise to you!

"

Hao Xuan looked at her calmly before letting out a soft smile,

"He is a guest of Mei. Why would I hurt him? Your threats are uncalled for. He is free to go, no one here will try and stop you people.

"

First frowned slightly but made no other moves, while the woman's forehead unconsciously creased up, leaving her at a loss for words.

She looked at the boy for confirmation who quickly nodded back.

"It is as he says. There will not be any more fighting today,

" his tone filled with confidence.

Hao Xuan's smile brightened even more listening to his reply. He moved forward and patted the boy's shoulder.

"I hope to hear from 'young master' soon. You are, of course, free to go.

"

The boy's short frame shook as he lowered his head once again and nodded wordlessly.

He walked forward and the woman picked him up, floating higher up into the air. She waved her hand at a height of about 200 meters and a massive creature appeared below her feet.

It looked like a white wyvern-type beast with four massive wings and a huge stony tail. The only strange thing being that it had no scales to speak off and instead soft fur covered the entirety of its body.

Its face was like that of a worm with no protruding parts.

They got on and with a couple of flaps of the furry beast's wings, disappeared from the crowd's line of sight.

First looked at Hao Xuan who was still smiling from ear to ear,

"How did it go?

"

"It's done,

" Hao Xuan replied as a matter-of-factly.

"Mhm,

" First stored away his sword and turned around quickly,

"Return to the base, the mission is over,

" his voice echoing for a couple of kilometers.

Everyone present was filled with unanswered questions but their superiors had already given the order so there was nothing they could do.

Hao Xuan summoned Bai and returned to base. He went straight to First's tent where Third and Fourth were being treated. First was already there along with the medical staff.

"How is it?

"

"It seems to be fine,

" First replied with a sigh of relief while sitting down on a chair,

"They won't be able to partake in any missions for several months but there shouldn't be any permanent injuries.

"

"Good good.

"

First looked up at Hao Xuan expectedly,

"Did you get anything from the boy?

"

Hao Xuan shook his head,

"Not yet. He will contact me soon and I'll ask him in detail then.

"

"Alright, go rest. We have to leave within the next 24 hours. The Jia should be aware of our presence in the swamp and will be sending proper reinforcements soon.

"

"Got it,

" Hao Xuan nodded and walked out.

He cleaned up and was about to go to bed when he felt that presence at his tent door.

"Come in.

"

The front lifted and Bo the Kappa walked in. His head hung low and hands fidgeting.

Hao Xuan sat down and looked at him coldly.

"You have something to say?

"

"N-No master! I-I was only hoping to find out what would become of little old me now...

" he replied weakly, still not even daring to look up.

"I haven't decided yet. I was supposed to kill you but don't want to give in to that bastard's temptation, so here we are.

"

"....sorry?

" Bo had no idea what Hao Xuan was talking about so it left him even more confused.

"Doesn't matter. You can stay in the Mind Palace until I figure out what to do with you.

"

"Mind pal-

"

Hao Xuan waved his hand and Bo disappeared from the tent, appearing in the mind palace where the others waited for him. He looked around, stupified, when a monotonous voice came from his right.

"Don't go near the doors or the center. Other than that, do as you wish,

" Ensis warned with his eyes closed.

"Y-Yes...

"

The next morning Hao Xuan woke up from a call from a new number.