Upon hearing this, Luo Feng turned his attention forward.

In front of the bushes was a shimmering hot spring, surrounded by mountain rocks, appearing extremely secluded. In the hot spring, the steam was hazy, vaguely concealing a slim silhouette. The misty steam made it hard to discern the figure clearly.

Upon a closer look, Luo Feng identified the person in the hot spring as Yao Qing.

Yao Qing stood in the hot spring, her beautiful hair adorned with sparkling droplets of water. She was gently stirring the water with her fingers, her demeanor delicate and ladylike—a stark contrast to her usual tough, tomboyish image.

"Well, well! Who would've thought that this hot-headed escort leader would also have such a... Heh heh."

Liu Tao licked his lips, his gaze somewhat regretful, "It's a pity we can't see clearly from here. Feng Luo, let's find another spot."

"Forget it, let's get back. If we're discovered..." Luo Feng shook his head. He didn't feel right about exploiting a vulnerable situation like this.

Unconcerned, Liu Tao insisted, "Heh heh, as long as we're careful, no one will discover us. Let's not miss out on such a good opportunity."

As he spoke, Liu Tao stood up, intending to find a different position.

Suddenly, a small animal darted out from the nearby bushes, running right under Liu Tao's feet.

"AH!" Taken by surprise, Liu Tao let out an involuntary shout.

Dammit! Luo Feng's heart lurched. He hastily tried to cover Liu Tao's mouth, but it was too late; the sound had escaped.

"Who's there? Who's over there?!"

Already on high alert from sneaking into the deep mountains to use the hot spring, Yao Qing was startled by the disturbance. She quickly wrapped herself in a bath towel and shot a fierce glance in the direction of Luo Feng and Liu Tao as she shouted coldly.

Crap! Luo Feng's heart sank. Just as I feared; my worst worries are coming true.

"Come out, now! I'll call the guards if you don't come out after I count to three," Yao Qing's voice echoed again, cold as frost.

Luo Feng hadn't expected the situation to escalate to this point, his brow furrowed. If Yao Qing calls the guards, we'll definitely be discovered. Yet using Qinggong to escape will also undoubtedly alert them. We're in a dilemma.

"One!"

"Two!"

Yao Qing's voice rang out persistently. She was on the verge of counting to three.

"What do we do?" Luo Feng asked, turning to Liu Tao.

Liu Tao gritted his teeth, placed his hand on Luo Feng's shoulder, and said, "Brother, sorry about this."

"What?"

Luo Feng was taken aback. An instant later, he felt a strong force from his shoulder. He lost his balance and was sent flying through the air.

"I hope you make it back alive," Liu Tao waved to Luo Feng from afar, a malicious grin on his face. Then, with a tap of his foot, his figure blurred and vanished into the bushes.

SPLASH!

With a loud thud, Luo Feng crashed headfirst into the hot spring. In his panic, he felt his hands grab onto something soft and smooth.

COUGH, COUGH... Damn that guy! he sputtered. He instantly understood Liu Tao's scheme. He actually used me as a human shield! That bastard! As Luo Feng seethed, already thinking of how to teach Liu Tao a lesson, a familiar voice suddenly sounded nearby.

"Feng Luo! It's you!" Yao Qing glared at him icily, her hands protectively crossed in front of her.

"Escort Leader, it wasn't intentional, I swear..." Luo Feng waved his hands, attempting to explain, but in this situation, any words seemed feeble and pointless.

"You pervert!"

SPLASH!

He's already here and still dares to say it wasn't intentional?! Yao Qing fumed. Seething with a mix of anger and annoyance, she gritted her silver teeth, clenched her fair hand into a fist, and swung a punch at Luo Feng.

SWOOSH!

Luo Feng was prepared. Gathering his strength, he pushed off powerfully against the water. In an instant, he created a huge wave and retreated thirty paces, landing on the shore.

BOOM!

With a deafening sound, a giant wave, three to four meters high, erupted from the hot spring where Yao Qing had struck.

This girl is really furious, Luo Feng thought. He had wanted to explain further, but seeing Yao Qing's expression, he knew it would be futile. He gave a wry internal smile and said, "Escort Leader, I truly didn't mean for this to happen. My apologies..."

With that, Luo Feng turned and sped away without looking back, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

After Luo Feng's figure vanished, Yao Qing, still in the hot spring, gradually regained her composure, her eyes fluttering beneath her lashes. She looked at the bath towel floating on the water, a hint of shame and anger flickering in her beautiful, icy eyes.

That damn guy! I won't let him off the hook! Yao Qing bit her red lips tightly, her delicate face filled with Evil Qi.

She had always lived the sheltered life of a young lady from a prominent family. This was her first time out on an escort mission, and she never expected to have her entire body seen by a youth so much younger than herself... For a moment, Yao Qing felt like crying but couldn't shed a tear.

As her thoughts gradually calmed, Yao Qing exhaled slowly. Looking at the wet patches on the bank, she couldn't help but recall what had just happened. Her Daimei furrowed slightly. That fellow managed to dodge my attack even while in the water...

"Miss."

Just then, footsteps sounded, interrupting Yao Qing's thoughts. A young female escort hurried to the edge of the spring. Her expression changed slightly upon seeing the mess around her. "What happened? I thought I heard fighting here earlier."

Yao Qing took a deep breath and shook her head. "It was nothing. I was just training."

The female escort nodded and said playfully, "Oh, I thought some bold pervert from the escort team had dared to come peep at you, Miss."

"How could that be possible?" Yao Qing replied, feeling somewhat guilty as a cold glint flashed deep in her eyes.

"And why not?" The female escort bit her enticing red lips, her beautiful eyes sizing up Yao Qing's figure with unconcealed envy. Covering her mouth with her hand, she giggled. "Miss, you're so beautiful. If I were a man, I would definitely fall for you."

The blush that had just faded from Yao Qing's pretty face returned vividly. Blushing, she took the bath towel, pouted, and said playfully, "Sister Nie, you're teasing me too! I'm not talking to you anymore."

The female escort smiled. "Heh heh... Alright, I'll continue my patrol then."

Watching the female escort leave, Yao Qing lowered her gaze and stared blankly at her reflection in the water.

「...」

I've really offended that girl this time, Luo Feng thought as he quietly returned to the escort team's encampment, replaying the recent events in his mind and silently cursing his misfortune. I wonder what she'll do. Forget it. Worst case, I'll just leave the escort team.

Shaking his head, Luo Feng tried to put the matter aside. Just as he looked up, he saw Liu Tao.

Liu Tao had also spotted Luo Feng. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes before he approached with a wide, fawning smile. "Luo Feng, congratulations on making it back alive!"

"You rotten kid!" A murderous glint flashed in Luo Feng's eyes.

Liu Tao chuckled. "Don't get so worked up. It wasn't all bad for you, was it? From the looks of it, you must have gotten quite an eyeful. How about I treat you to drinks once we get to Green Wood City?"

Luo Feng snorted coldly and ignored him. I still can't quite gauge Liu Tao's true strength. If I attack him now, I might reveal my own secrets. I'll deal with you properly when we get to Green Wood City.

As Liu Tao was speaking, Luo Feng suddenly looked up towards the mountain road ahead. Yao Qing and a female escort were coming down the path.

"Everyone, prepare yourselves! We're departing!" Yao Qing clapped her hands and announced. Her eyes flickered towards Luo Feng for a split second before quickly looking away, as if nothing had happened.

Liu Tao looked puzzled. He turned to Luo Feng and asked, "What happened between you two? Why didn't the Escort Leader ask anything?"

"Nothing." The scene at the hot spring flashed through Luo Feng's mind as he gave a brief reply. He watched Yao Qing, his brow slightly furrowed. It's strange, he wondered, why isn't she pressing the issue about what happened earlier?

The escort team reorganized for a few moments and then set off again. After they had traveled a short distance, an escort suddenly walked over, giving Luo Feng a strange look.

Luo Feng exchanged a few words with the man. Noticing he seemed to have more to say, Luo Feng asked, "Escort Chen, is something wrong?"

Escort Chen glanced towards the front of the convoy and nodded with a helpless expression. "The Escort Master wants you to join the vanguard."

"What? Send Feng Luo to the vanguard? Escort Chen, you must be mistaken!" The surrounding escorts were shocked.

In the escort team, the division of labor was very clear. Powerful escorts protected the cargo vehicles and fought off enemies. Those with insufficient strength were assigned to the vanguard to clear the path—they were considered the lowest rung in the escort team.

Luo Feng had previously demolished a huge stone thrown by the bandit leader with a single punch, an act of strength that had earned him the deep respect of these escorts, many of whom had been in the rtiad for years. Hearing that Luo Feng was being sent to the vanguard, they all thought they had misheard.

"The Escort Master said so herself. How could I be mistaken?" Escort Chen gave a helpless laugh; he too found it hard to believe.

Uncle Lu frowned and said, "This doesn't sound like a decision the Escort Master would make. I'll go and ask what's going on." As he said this, he was about to go find Yao Qing.

"Uncle Lu, there's no need." Luo Feng reached out and stopped him. Her making this decision actually makes me feel a bit relieved, he thought.

"But..." Uncle Lu still wanted to persuade him.

Luo Feng shook his head. "I could use some more training anyway. Going to the vanguard isn't bad."

Seeing Luo Feng had made up his mind, Uncle Lu nodded. "Alright then. You be careful."

Luo Feng nodded, turned, and walked towards the front of the convoy.

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