My Misfortune Crushed Instances

Li Rui, with a keen sense of intuition, looked at the two demons and immediately knew what they were up to, feeling both frustrated and amused.

This bunch of guys didn’t even ask clearly what kind of backing I have on my side and already started acting like they’re ready to sacrifice themselves.

He couldn’t be bothered to explain, simply asking, "When can we leave?"

"Give this old man half a day to prepare, how’s that?" the old demon said.

"Sure, we’ll wait for you then."

Li Rui wasn’t deliberately waiting; before entering the desert, they also needed to prepare some food and water.

In the meantime, he inquired around the village and eventually requested a piece of shade cloth, made from the silk of drought-resistant silkworms they raised, refined with demon techniques. Although precious, it pales in comparison to the Centennial Blood Ginseng.

Li Rui wanted this to provide shade for the Giant Warrior and Yuan Erliang. The former was enormous, and entering the desert without shade would be tough to endure, while the latter, due to his low cultivation, couldn’t withstand it either.

In comparison, he and Cheng Mingyue were better off; their strengths were not on the same level as the Monkey Demon.

A few hours later, the leading old demon finally came to meet them, his name was Zhu Wen, and he was accompanied by many friends and family.

"Uncle, don’t worry, I’ll definitely take good care of Yuan’Er, when the time comes... when the time comes..."

"Please be careful."

"Uncle Zhu Wen, we all remember your gracious kindness..."

Li Rui helplessly watched them sobbing as they bade farewell, without opening his mouth to explain.

Before seeing him actually bring Zhu Wen out, these members of the Demon Race probably wouldn’t believe him anyway; after all, he couldn’t just conjure the All Heaven Great Thunder Fire Seal Spell to prove his strength.

It wasn’t long before the old three-legged demon bid farewell to his kin.

"Let’s get going."

"...Let’s go."

Li Rui called the Giant Warrior, asking him to pack Zhu Wen up.

Under the earnest gaze of Bamboo Village’s demons, the group finally set off.

The Giant Warrior, wrapped in the shade cloth, walked quickly; for him, having two more people and a demon about the same height as a human meant nothing and could be easily ignored.

His greatest enemy was still the scorching heat, but regardless, with prior preparation, he could withstand it.

However, before the group completely entered the desert, Zhu Wen raised a question.

"Guest, where is your army?"

Though speaking a bit nervously, in his mind, this journey surely meant he would lead an army deep into the desert. If he wasn’t respectful, God forbid his host might just do him in.

That’s why he embarked with the mindset of facing death fearlessly.

Upon hearing his question, Li Rui replied, "The army is in the Divine Wood Forest."

"Huh?"

Zhu Wen, lying at the edge of the basket, was shocked, "Didn’t you say they were just to the south?"

"Just tell me, is the Divine Wood Forest not in the south?"

Li Rui, sitting on the Giant Warrior’s shoulder, said confidently.

Zhu Wen felt he had been tricked.

The demons of Bamboo Village weren’t purely honest and kind; upon seeing the Centennial Blood Ginseng, they weren’t completely devoid of the thoughts of double-crossing.

The problem was, they were apprehensive of Li Rui’s identity as the Grand General of the Divine Wood Forest, or more precisely, of the army he commanded.

After all, Li Rui personally planned to venture deep into the Nuanyang State desert. To the Three-legged Demon Race, such an endeavor surely required massive troop support; only a fool would attempt it with just a few people.

Yet, against all odds, they really intended to go with just a handful.

Zhu Wen’s heart was in despair.

Now, he was all alone in this place, leaving him no choice but to call out for help to no avail from heaven and earth. He wanted to dissuade them, but Li Rui’s attitude was resolute, not someone who would heed advice. Not saying anything felt like walking into a trap.

He let out a couple of dry laughs, "Guest, perhaps you should reconsider. There are not only unreasonable, fierce natives in the desert but also wandering undead."

Li Rui responded, "Don’t worry, they won’t even touch a hair on you. Just lead the way, we’re headed to the Yellow Sand Ancient City, right?"

Zhu Wen swallowed the spittle in his mouth, feeling somewhat troubled, as he rolled his eyes, saying, "Alright, alright, but the Yellow Sand Ancient City is still quite some distance from here. I know there’s a dune area up ahead, it’s hot right now, so we’re better off resting there and traveling at night."

Li Rui nodded, "We’ll do as you suggest."

The old three-legged demon had participated in multiple clan expeditions, possessing strong survival skills in the desert, easily capable of discerning direction.

Under his guidance, the group indeed found a spot that provided shelter from the wind and settled down to rest.

Li Rui retrieved food and water from the Giant Warrior’s basket, distributing them among the group including Zhu Wen and Yuan Erliang.

"Guest, we should conserve some food; there are many wild creatures beneath the desert that can be captured and used as food. Only in dire situations should we use our supplies."

Zhu Wen was indeed reliable.

Li Rui, upon hearing, found it quite sensible, thus retracted half of the food and summoned the old demon to figure out a way to gather some edible things.

Meanwhile, Cheng Mingyue set up a sand wind shield, providing a resting place for themselves and Yuan Erliang.

As it was afternoon, with the sun fiercely hot, they gathered in the shade of the dune to rest, waiting for sundown when the temperature dropped for travel.

Soon, the surroundings grew very quiet; after the traveling, everyone felt fatigued and leaned aside for a nap.

The sun set in the west, as a gentle breeze passed, Zhu Wen, who had been resting beside the Giant Warrior, opened his eyes.

He glanced at the canopy Cheng Mingyue set up, confirming that both of the peculiar folks were resting with their eyes closed. He then quietly turned and lay on the ground, using the scales to silently glide over the sand to retreat along the path they came.

Maintaining silence in the desert is a must-learn skill for every three-legged demon; being robbed by sand thieves is usual, so swift escape comes quite naturally to them.

Zhu Wen cautiously glided over the sand surface, propelling himself forward with his flippers; he focused on the path ahead, and once he’s far enough, he could get up and flee at full speed.

This was merely at the edge of Nuanyang State; he could easily detach himself, heading back to the village.

Assuming he hadn’t shown any flaws and had pretended to care deeply about the sparse party’s welfare, gaining their trust, hence finding this opportunity.

"I can’t be blamed, they’re courting death."

He continually consoled himself; if this group coming from the south were willing to heed his advice by bringing more people, he wouldn’t breach the agreement by escaping alone, but wise words couldn’t deter stubborn spirits, and it wasn’t out of fear of death, but these folks were obstinate.

Hissing.

His body left shallow trails in the sand that could be easily tracked if discovered, but it didn’t matter, as the night approached, temperatures dropped, causing winds to blow that would soon mask the traces he left.

He distanced himself further from the dune where the group rested, finally sliding to the top of another low dune, ready to slide down upon crossing it and gain freedom.

Zhu Wen forcefully pushed the flippers on his three feet against the ground.

Swish—

He crossed the dune top, sliding down the sand slope.

Thud.

His slightly raised head was pressed down by a hand.

Li Rui crouched in front of him, smilingly asking, "What are you doing here alone?"

Zhu Wen felt a chill throughout his body, forced a smile and said, "Uh, well, you tell me."

"I don’t know."

Li Rui’s smile vanished, suddenly staring at him, "Are you out to take a dump?"

Yuan Erliang translated sternly; Zhu Wen felt his mind go blank.