The Du'an tribe warriors opposite me were already exhausted. Seizing an opportunity, I grabbed one of their wrists and twisted it forcefully. He yelped like a dog with its tail stepped on, wailing incessantly.
My move, though seemingly simple, targeted the wrist, the most vulnerable part of the body, and inflicted exceptional pain.
Looking at the Du'an warrior kneeling before me, a sense of triumph swelled within me.
Damn it, weren't you having fun dominating me just now?
Now you're kneeling before me like a dead dog!
I didn't waste time with him. His eyes had already turned bloodshot during our struggle; clearly, he was beyond communication.
If I wanted to extract any information about the Du'an tribe, it seemed I'd have to rely on the other one I'd kicked to the ground earlier.
Gripping his shoulder with one hand and holding my Jianghe Alloy Saber in the other, I lightly and repeatedly wiped it against his animal hide. Then, with a single strike, I finished him.
As I watched the Du'an warrior's eyes fade before me, I felt a twinge of regret.
It wasn't out of sympathy, for an enemy's hero is my foe.
Only dead enemies are good enemies. It was simply that I hadn't managed to acquire the breathing technique he had used, the one that allowed him to unleash astonishing power so suddenly.
"Hey, can you still breathe? Tell me about your tribe's situation, and I might consider letting you live."
After dispatching the troublesome enemy, I took a breath and turned to the other unlucky fellow.
This unfortunate soul's face was contorted in pain. I didn't know how many ribs I'd broken with that kick, but each breath was a struggle.
"Du'an warriors face death with resolve..."
He uttered this phrase between gasps, a look of piety spreading across his face, much like a fanatical medieval zealot, a true saint!
My brow furrowed. This was troublesome.
As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles. If I blundered in without understanding the enemy's situation, I'd be the one to die!
Seeing the Du'an warrior closing his eyes, waiting for death, I patted my backpack. Suddenly, my eyes lit up. I had an idea!
"You're so eager to die, fine, I'll grant your wish!"
I rummaged through my backpack and pulled out a bamboo tube. As I opened the lid, a sweet fragrance filled the air.
"Don't worry, I won't let you die easily. I have a tube of honey here. I'll smear it all over you, and then who knows what little creatures might find you."
This tube of honey was given to me by Luo Yaqin when I left. On our journey, they had stumbled upon a beehive in the nearby forest and had a hard time collecting it.
This deserted island was truly magical; even the honey was more fragrant than anything from outside. I had intended to use it for emergencies on the way, but now it served a purpose.
"You're a devil! The Shepherd God will punish you!!!"
Upon hearing my words, the unfortunate warrior's eyes snapped open in disbelief. His gaze was filled with hatred and fear, and he continuously muttered in a wild language I couldn't understand, seemingly cursing me.
"Whatever happens to me is for later. Right now, you're about to experience what it's like to be gnawed alive, bit by bit!"
I grinned menacingly, putting on a ferocious expression, and made to pour the honey onto him.
Having lived their entire lives in this primeval forest, these wild people had never encountered such a tactic. His lips trembled for a long time before he finally uttered a few words.
"I'll tell you anything you want to know. Just give me a quick death..."
After a moment, I cleanly slit the unlucky fellow's throat with my alloy saber. I quickly disposed of both their bodies and then headed back towards Koya's camp.
On the way, I repeatedly replayed the information the unlucky fellow had confessed.
There were about thirty of them who came out this time, dispatched by the new Saintess, Pan Lili, to scout for our whereabouts.
However, they hadn't found us and instead stumbled upon Koya's location by chance.
Uncertain of Koya's numbers, they hadn't dared to attack directly. Instead, they sent someone back for reinforcements while the rest formed a perimeter outside.
These two unlucky fellows were the only pair left outside to maintain watch. This meant the rest of the Du'an tribe was completely vulnerable, and I could catch them off guard!
Besides their numbers, I also pressed him for details about Pan Lili.
But regrettably, the people in the tribe knew very little about the new Saintess. She had suddenly appeared one day, brought by the shaman, who then announced her as the new Saintess to everyone.
Lost in thought, I saw movement in the trees ahead.