Chapter 460
The woman’s body was covered in whip marks and wounds, her clothes in tatters, exposing large areas of skin that were already turning a deep red from the cold.
The group of pursuers wielding longswords had grim expressions and said, “Don’t let her escape, chase her down!”
Two groups, one chasing the other, rushed toward Cao Xing and the others.
Seeing this, Assam instantly drew his longsword, standing in front of Cao Xing.
Others also gripped their weapons one after another.
Renice and Eliza pulled their bowstrings, ready to fire.
However, Cao Xing waved his hand and said, “Hold on, don’t make a move yet.”
Upon receiving Cao Xing’s order, the two archers remained in place.
Meanwhile, the woman had already arrived in front of them.
Seeing the tall Assam, she immediately fell to her knees with a ‘thump.’
Clutching Assam’s calf with a face full of pleading, she said, “Please, my lord, save me…”
Tears streamed down the woman’s face along with a strong sense of terror. Her appearance was quite delicate, looking to be in her early thirties, carrying a hint of mature allure in her features.
Assam, his hand hovering in mid-air, looked somewhat at a loss and glanced at Cao Xing.
“Lord, this…”
Seeing this, the woman seemed to understand that Cao Xing was the one in charge.
She hurriedly knelt in front of Cao Xing again, with tear-stained cheeks, and said, “My lord, please save me…”
“I’ve been chased for a long time by those vicious bandits…”
Cao Xing asked with a frown, “What’s going on? Why are those militia chasing you?”
Before the woman could respond, the militia, armed with weapons, reached Cao Xing and the others.
Upon seeing Cao Xing, these militia reined in their murderous intent and did not charge forth immediately.
They seemed to realize that the people before them were not to be trifled with.
Both sides maintained a certain distance, in a temporary standoff for a moment.
Then, one of the militia stepped forward and respectfully said, “Sirs, we are chasing this White Demon Spirit, and we hope you will allow us.”
“White Demon Spirit?” Cao Xing was full of doubt.
The soldier said, “Yes, this woman behind you is the White Demon Spirit transformed.”
“These demon creatures take the form of human women, luring strong men into secluded places, absorbing their essence, and turning them into servants.”
“These creatures even appear in broad daylight.”
“She has been plaguing Valis Village for a long time; many strong villagers have fallen victim to her!”
Upon hearing this, Cao Xing’s gaze turned to the kneeling woman.
She kept shaking her head, her eyes filled with deep terror.
The cotton coat she wore appeared hastily donned, with nothing underneath.
Her snow-white chest was fully exposed, and whip marks adorned her neck.
She shook her head anxiously and said, “My lord, I’m not a White Demon Spirit, don’t believe them!”
“They’re not the militia from Valis Village; they’re a group of mountain bandits!”
Cao Xing’s face showed confusion again, “Mountain bandits?”
The woman nodded hurriedly, “Yes!”
“One day, a group of mountain bandits invaded our village, slaughtered all the men and children, then captured all the women, locking them in dungeons.”
“Then they began endless humiliation and abuse on us; the entire village of women became their tools of venting.”
“We didn’t know how long we spent in the dungeons; many couldn’t bear the humiliation and eventually committed suicide.”
“I was the only one who held on, until today, when the mountain bandits changed guard, and I luckily escaped.”
“My lord, please save me, save those poor people imprisoned in Valis Village!”
After the woman finished, the militia suddenly exclaimed excitedly, “My lord, she’s lying!”
“White Demon Spirits are adept at weaving stories to confuse people.”
“Many men in Valis Village were deceived by her, and to this day, those men are nowhere to be found!”
At this moment, both sides stuck to their claims, speaking with conviction.
Even Assam and Renice were puzzled.
Because everything each side said sounded reasonable and justified.
Cao Xing did not speak; instead, his gaze moved between each group.
[Valis Village Militia: Oriko]
[Belonging Force: Ice Crystal Kingdom]
[Level: 14 (Second Order Ordinary Creature)]
[Life Value: 1782/1782]
[Attack Power: 217~232]
[Armor: 78~92]
[Skill: Basic Knife Technique (learned in the barracks, increases knife weapon attack power by 10%)
Chain Slash (exerting all strength to continuously slash the target, causing 105% damage each time)]
[Current Status: Neutral]
…
The militia’s attributes seemed fine.
Cao Xing then turned his gaze to the woman.
[Valis Village Villager: Molika]
[Belonging Force: Ice Crystal Kingdom]
[Level: 7 (First-tier Ordinary Creature)]
[Life Value: 286/352]
[Skill: None]
[Talent: None]
…
Seeing this, Cao Xing was somewhat perplexed.
“This woman’s attributes seem fine too.”
“That’s strange!”
But what was certain was that one side was definitely lying.
Proving it would be straightforward, by directly going to Valis Village to see for themselves.
Cao Xing asked, “How far is Valis Village from here?”
Upon hearing this, the woman quickly replied, “Just behind that forest, only a dozen kilometers away.”
However, the militia’s expressions changed, and they quickly said, “My lord! Valis Village is not there; it’s in the direction across the river, more than 20 kilometers away. We’ve been chasing this White Demon Spirit for most of the day to get here.”