Root Of The Problem
“We’ve been here for so long at this point… I don’t think there is any miraculous healing herb in this place. It must have been false information. Actually, this whole thing feels like an elaborate trap to wipe bandits out… Think about it–Where the hell are the mercenaries, explorers, rogue cultivators, or even sects or clans? They should have heard about it as well, and at least a couple of them would have believed the rumours enough to take a look, but bandits are all that there is in these cursed woods!”
Linfeng leaned back, glancing at Mala as they were both hiding in a thick bush, observing a bandit camp situated down a steep hill. It was a rather odd choice to set down camp downward like this instead of taking an elevated position. However, Linfeng supposed that such a steep slope couldn’t really be used effectively for melee combat for those with the high-ground.
“Why would anyone set up an elaborate ploy to slaughter bandits like this? Haven’t bandits been around for centuries without anyone caring enough to actively seek them out? There have even been well-known names and large bandit gangs for a long time. Why now of all times?”
“Hell if I know, but you can’t deny that something is fishy about this… Stop being so stubborn and let’s go find something to do elsewhere!”
“I am not confident I will be able to find adversaries to sharpen myself against without bandits around, though”
“All you think about is fighting, eating, and fucking, I swear!”
“Eating is essential, fighting is a necessity for my growth, and… How could I not be thinking about sex all the time with you around?”
“S-Stop flirting with me, damn it…”
“You’re blushing, though…”
“I… I am just going red from anger!”
“If you say so…”
“Listen, Linfeng. I–Aherm… What if I offer you something if we leave this place for good?”
The young cultivator raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
“...What do you offer?”
“You’ve been asking for it for a while, so… If we leave now, I’ll… I’ll give you a fellatio”
“Alright, let’s go!”
“Are you serious? A fucking blowjob is enough to change your mind completely?!”
“I was told that it feels incredible, and I’ve been dying to try new things with you in the bedroom. Besides, dual cultivation is important to my growth as well”
Mala emitted a noise that was awfully close to a growl. He genuinely couldn’t believe that Linfeng had been so easily bribed…
‘Wait… Just how much can I make him do what I want in exchange for some sexual favours? He’s already pounded and filled me up more times than I can count, so letting him do more to me isn’t exactly a problem anymore, so…”
The twink mostly refused to do more beyond the typical activities out of pride, but now that their ‘relationship’ had gone on for so long, he couldn’t really muster up any outright refusal. He didn’t actually mind being taken in a Bestial, or being kissed. He had just been stubborn... But now that he thought about it, couldn’t he offer these things every now and then to make the cultivator do what he wanted?
It sounded like a great plan. The only blemish was that Mala realised that it was pretty much a full acceptance of his role in the duo.
‘Let’s not think about that too much…’
Linfeng was prepared to leave with the twink, but they were stopped as the bandits they had been observing suddenly began screaming. Blood-curdling shouts filled the air for a few dozen seconds. The cultivator felt like danger was near, so he shoved Mala behind his back and turned to face what he believed was the direction from which the danger was coming from.
Nothing was apparent, but something moved–Something that was easily five meters tall unfurled itself, its many–Too many–Joints cracked loudly with every minute movement as it stepped away from the tree trunk it had been hugging.
Its skin, or perhaps shell, was an exact match for the tree bark it had been wrapped around.
The monster was ridiculously thin. It looked like nothing more than a bunch of twigs stitched together to form a humanoid shape–Though the creature was quick to its limbs and assumed a four-legged posture.
Its featureless face was a bit thicker than the rest. It was elongated and in the overall shape of a rectangle.
‘This fucker has some nasty-looking claws'
Before a battle plan could form in the cultivator’s mind, the sound of cracking joints resounded from all around him. What looked like more than fifteen of the same kind of entity revealed themselves, assuming different postures, but all barring elongated, razor-sharp claws.
‘...Shit’
Linfeng was strong and could take a beating, but he had to protect Mala–Even then, he was doubtful he would be able to take on so many of these monstrosities all at once.
The worst part was that it wasn’t over. Manic laughing resounded close by. The invisible monsters were also present.
“You… Are in quite the quagmire”
“Oh, you talk? That’s just… That’s just awful, man”
The first creature to appear spoke to the two humans with a tone that made it feel as though each word was spoken out of breath.
It twisted its neck, producing a loud crack.
“You two are the only ones left. All others have perished or been captured. Follow us calmly, and you will be met with an opportunity to leave alive–All by our master’s design… But we must be quick. The corpse stealers are never far nowadays”
Mala peeked from behind Linfeng. He whispered something to the cultivator…
“I… I think we have to go along for now…”
“Unfortunately, we do…”
“Follow us”
Linfeng and Mala walked, constantly surrounded by the tall monsters and invisible presences. They were seemingly led to nowhere in particular, but eventually, the forest floor opened below them, and without them being there to see it, all of the monsters seemingly lost all cohesion and walked away from the area. Some appeared somewhat focused, whilst others looked around as if trying to remember where they had come from.
They fell on a bed of soft, soggy moss, and they were indeed not alone down here.
Standing around–Or sitting upon the ground–Were many bandits who had certainly been dragged here against their will. They were all in a cave, softly illuminated by energy-infused crystals.
There was seemingly a large pit in front of them, flooded with darkness–But this did not remain the case for long, as a green glow soon flooded the underground. Its source was a large tree firmly rooted upon a platform of stone in the center of a deep chasm.
“Welcome to you all. These roots require blood, and I have determined that you lot have blood that is properly nourishing”
‘What an introduction…’