Years have passed since Li Shen was sent away from home.
More than 40 years have passed since he was picked up by that bald man.
----
Hiya... hiya....
Gallop...Gallop...
The sound of a group of people riding horses echoed through the narrow forest pathway.
All dressed in black, five people on horses rode there horses.
From their ways of acting, it could seen that they were in a hurry.
Just a few distance way ahead of them, a person in dark cloak was also riding a horse.
Judging from the scene, it could be determined that those men in black were chasing the person ahead.
As the chase continued, one of the men in black shouted towards the person ahead. "Its futile, Lotus Maiden, the way you are going is a place where our people are waiting for you. You should just give up."
The person in riding the horse ahead of them was a female.
However, she didn't seem to hear the shout as she continued riding her horse without stopping.
Tsk...
The person who shouted clicked his tongue in frustration. Not because he was lying and was scared that the Lotus Maiden. But rather because if she continued running, he would not be the one capturing her, so he won't get credit.
As the chase continued, the group finally left the forest and was now in path full of opened fields.
From a distance, they could see the glimpse of a city wall.
Seeing the city, the Lotus Maiden hesitated a little. She knew there must be other more people waiting for her there.
But, she also knew she didn't have any other choice. She had to go past the city.
Gritting her teeth, she pushed her horse to the maximum speed and rushed towards the city.
However, the group behind her didn't seem to worry when she suddenly sped up. Because they knew she was going straight to her own trap.
Gallop. Gallop.
When she arrived near the city gate, she looked ahead, wanting shoutnfor help.
But, she suddenly widened her eyes.
In front of the city gate, there was no one, let alone a single soldier guarding the gate.
It was an unusual sight. But, she knew exactly why it was like that. They had already came prepared.
However, it was too late for her to turn around and left in the other direction. The people behind her was already closing in.
What she could do at that moment was to just passed through city and meet whatever they had prepared for her.
Soon, she passed through the city gate, written above in giant letter 'Holy Wine City'. Because of its famous wine products across the kingdom.
Just as she expected, when passed the city and arrived inside the city, the street was empty.
The famous Holy Wine City—popular for having thousands of visitors from across the kingdom, was now like a ghost town with no living beings in her eyes.
And way ahead of the street saw the rest of the men who were chasing after her.
Seeing them, she suddenly stopped the horse.
Yee...
And then, she slowly climbed down from the back of her horse, like she was in no hurry.
It looks like this is the end of me. She sighed inwardly. As she did that, she called back her art horse made of spiritual ink.
Huiw...
The horse made of spiritual ink was such inside her spiritual ring.
Before long, the party behind her also arrived. Then, more men jumped out from the alleys and above the rooftops.
She was surrounded in all sight.
Like it wasn't enough, they also closed the city gate.
"Haha... see, I told you just surrender, before. It's the same now. If you surrender peacefully, we will consider... you know.. haha..." It was same person from before.
"Tsk... humph. What a disgusting words from a disgusting person with disgusting face." The Lotus Maiden said coldly.
Hearing her words, the person who wanted tease her was caught off gaurd. The words that was about to come out of his mouth stuck to his throat.
However, soon, his stunted expression turned into that of anger.
"Humph. How dare you? I wanted to spare you some trouble because of your face. You are just a rabbit caught in a trap. Let's see what I do to you when I catch you." He angrily stated.
Then, without wasting anymore time, he shouted. "Attack..."
Though he was the leader of the group, he knew he could match the Lotus Maiden directly in strength. So, he instead sent his men to wear down her and take the chance to catch her off later.
As soon as the command echoed through the surrounding, all those men jumped and lunged at the Lotus Maiden.
"Tsk... " Looking at the overwhelming number, the Lotus Maiden felt a bit frustrated. She wasn't going to escape from the seized.
"Fine. Let's see, how many I can take down with me." Gritting her teeth, she said to herself.
Then, looking at the people rushing towards her, she said coldy yet bravely. "Come."
Whoosh.....
She threw away her cloak, revealing her figure underneath. With pale skin, tight blue robe, and her long hair reaching down her back, she was already a beauty.
And with her charming and beautiful face, she was truly worthy of the name 'Lotus Maiden'. A true beauty.
But, no one stop to appreciate her beauty. They knew how capable was that beauty in front of them.
Channeling her energy to every corner of her body, she readied herself for the incoming enemies.
In no time, the expected attack arrived.
Clang... clang.. bam...
Boom...boom..
Some slahed their swords at her, some punched.
Immediately the sound of fighting echoed through the surrounding street. Not just that, it went beyond the main street.
Distance away from the place where the fight was taking place, many people looked towards the direction of the sound.
They whispered and talked to eachother.
"Is it started already?"
"Hai... I didn't know that when the city lord said there will be thugs coming here, he was speaking the truth."
More than a minute passed since the fight started, many people lay lifeless in front her.
With the bloody sword in her hand and many wounded bloody marks on her body, she stood proudly in the middle.
And no one dared to approach her casually.
But, inside, she was already at the end of her capability. She was just trying to buy more time to heal herself.
Though the rest of the thugs didn't see that, their leader saw through her efforts instantly.
He immediately barked his order. "You fools, she is already at her end, just attack. She is just faking."
Though he knew that, he didn't dare to attack her himself due to the fear that she might by holding her last trump card.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
At that quiet moment, the sound of someone knocking on the wooden city gate arrived.
All of them could hear it. They immediately looked towards the gate, wondering who it was.
Then, they heard a proud voice. "Oi. Oi. Who is so bold to actually close the door on me?"
"If you don't open this in 2-no 3 breathes, I will break this door. Whoever responsible for ordering to close this gate will face my wrath..? No my nagging."