Chapter 7: Tracking
The rain had just stopped, yet the moon remained hidden behind dark clouds, making the wilderness almost pitch black.
With a splashing sound of mud, several figures sped across the wasteland.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang, running at the front, barked loudly. When tracking enemies, Bubu Wang showed none of his usual foolish nature. He was identifying every scent on the grassland. In Bubu Wang's words: "The witch's smell is very special, like roasted coconut."
Su Xiao didn't know what roasted coconut smelled like, but he had already discovered traces of that witch.
Trampling down a patch of waist-high wild grass, Su Xiao spotted two claw marks in the mud, with two more not far away. Based on the span and size between the claw marks, he judged this was a creature between 3 to 5 meters in length, weighing at least 400 jin or more.
Catching up to this witch named Isa in a short time was nearly impossible. Su Xiao had been delayed by Joan Aisia for at least 20 minutes. How far a witch could flee in 20 minutes was unknown, especially since she had a mount.
Bubu Wang excelled at tracking scents and could communicate with relatively gentle creatures on the grassland. Su Xiao was skilled at tracking traces. Sometimes when the scent was lost, he could follow Isa's remaining traces until Bubu Wang picked up the scent in the air again. As for Amu, he excelled at eating...
In the pursuit, time quickly passed. When the sky began to lighten, Su Xiao had already left the grassland. After continuing the chase for three more hours, a towering city wall came into view.
The city gate beneath the wall was wide open, with a squad of soldiers stationed in front. Above the wall, large crossbows were set up. Shotguns were rare resources, and their production clearly couldn't be used for city defense. Most soldiers in this world relied on cold weapons.
Civilians occasionally passed in and out of the city gate. Though their clothing was simple, their expressions were normal, and most were out hunting or fishing.
Su Xiao didn't immediately enter the city. Instead, he led Bubu Wang and Amu to search the outskirts around the city wall. According to Bubu Wang's investigation, Isa's scent ended here. No trace of her was found in the wilderness near the wall. This witch had likely entered the city.
If a witch deliberately concealed her identity, ordinary soldiers would find it hard to detect her. They weren't much different from ordinary women, provided they weren't fighting an enemy.
If the witch had entered the city, the numerous scents within would clearly help conceal her trail. Putting himself in her shoes, Su Xiao figured Isa would likely hide in the city for a while, then find a chance to leave, completely shaking him off.
Su Xiao approached the city gate. On the wall was a pattern resembling a wolf's head, likely representing some kingdom.
Based on Su Xiao's speculation, if Aisia and Isa were cooperating in the slave trade, the surrounding kingdoms were probably involved with them, possibly even as partners profiting from the slave business.
Considering this, Isa might even seek refuge with the royalty of this city. Regardless of Isa's relationship with the city's lord, Su Xiao needed to enter the city first.
According to Bubu Wang's close observation, entering this city wasn't difficult. One needed to pay a copper coin stamped with a wolf's head.
Su Xiao took out gold coins and iron blocks. He poured a transparent liquid over both, then exerted force with his hands, crushing the gold and iron into a ball. He divided this low-purity gold into hundreds of pieces. Gold, diamonds, and grain were the hard currencies of this world.
Queueing behind the line at the city gate, Su Xiao didn't bother with a special disguise. Having tracked all the way, he naturally looked travel-worn, like a wanderer. Moreover, he was using gold particles to enter the city, which better suited a traveler's identity.
Soon, Su Xiao reached the city gate. When he produced a small piece of low-purity gold, the guard captain accepted it with a normal expression. But when he saw Amu, he blocked their path.
"Three people, triple the entry fee."
The guard captain pointed at Amu as he spoke.
Su Xiao didn't want to waste time here. He tossed another gold particle, and the guard captain accepted it with a smile. He didn't care whether Su Xiao's group was suspicious. This city even allowed witches inside.
As Su Xiao entered with over a dozen civilians, he immediately noticed something different about this city. The streets were clean. Though occasional trash piles could be seen along the roadside, it was within acceptable limits.
Soldiers patrolled the streets from time to time. This was what a human city should look like.
Su Xiao's goal was to find the witch named Isa, not to admire this prosperous city.
"Looks like... my guess was right."
Standing on the street, Su Xiao's gaze swept around. His hand inadvertently brushed past the hilt of Dragon-Slaying Flash, and he stored the sheathed blade into his storage space. Based on his observation, at least a dozen people in the shadows were watching him. Being targeted as soon as he entered the city confirmed that Isa had a connection with this city's lord.
"Don't hide anymore. Try to take him alive."
A lazy voice came from the roof of a two-story building. It was a man with a full beard, draped in bearskin. He gave off the feeling of a wild beast.
As the man finished speaking, over a dozen figures in black emerged from the shadows. They all wore metal hoods and surrounded Su Xiao in a pincer formation.
Rapid footsteps followed one after another. Armor clanked as at least several hundred soldiers sealed off the surrounding streets. Nearby civilians quickly fled.
"Will you surrender, or do we have to make a move? Lord Randolph and Lady Isa want to see you. Such an honor, no need for bloodshed, right?"
The bearded man on the second floor smiled. His features were rugged, and at his waist hung a shotgun as thick as a cup mouth—or rather, this thing was more like a large-caliber flintlock.
Su Xiao glanced at the surrounding soldiers and the bearded man. The bearded man wasn't weak, but if it came to a fight, Su Xiao could cut off his head within a minute.
The bearded man's one sentence saved himself: "Lord Randolph and Lady Isa want to see you."
Su Xiao was searching the world for Isa and couldn't find her. How could he miss such an opportunity? If he guessed correctly, Amu had exposed their identities.
Su Xiao raised his hands. The dozen or so men and women in black swarmed forward.
Click, click...
Lock after lock was fastened on Su Xiao's hands and feet. These locks were dark blue in color. By brute force alone, even Su Xiao couldn't break free, but he could cut them open. A Blade Grandmaster wasn't just for show.
Once Su Xiao was bound with the dark blue locks, the surrounding soldiers began to retreat.
Amu's treatment was naturally no better. Due to his appearance, he was first tied up tightly, then carried by several men in black.
"Very cooperative. Let's add some insurance."
As the bearded man finished speaking, a woman in black beside Su Xiao pulled out a steel needle, its tip coated with some unknown poison.
"Too bad."
Su Xiao spoke softly.
"What?"
The bearded man in the distance looked at Su Xiao in confusion. The next moment, Dragon-Slaying Flash appeared in Su Xiao's hand.
Clang!
Blood splattered, severed limbs flew everywhere!