NOVEL WEB Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Ambush
Fatty Old Four hung his head low, occasionally casting pleading glances at Bai Yu, their leader, who walked far ahead. Fatty hoped Bai Yu might step in to say a few kind words on his behalf.
Whether deliberately or not, Bai Yu showed no sign of noticing, humming a carefree tune as he strode along, head tilted toward the sky.
It wasn't that he was unwilling to help his brother; after all, the five of them had grown up together, and their bond was strong. But when it came to their Second Sister, Du Hongxue, Bai Yu had always found himself outmatched—whether in soul power, martial spirit quality, or sheer endurance.
After scolding Fatty Old Four, Du Hongxue turned her attention to Bai Yu.
"Big Brother," she began, her tone sharp but restrained, "I've always trusted your abilities, but this time…"
She trailed off, choosing not to finish the thought too harshly.
"Honestly, how many times have I told you? Stay away from those flower houses. Those wildflowers and weeds are out of your league. Only I truly care for you, Big Brother!"
Fatty Old Four and the other two behind them froze in shock.
Everyone in the Whitewater City Spirit Hall branch knew about the ambiguous relationship between Bai Yu and Du Hongxue. But seeing Du Hongxue flirting so openly was a rarity. Combined with the fact that she had only recently returned from a mission at the main hall after several months away…
The three exchanged glances, silently agreeing: Big Bro, you're doomed.
"I…" Bai Yu stammered, clearly shaken.
Before he could respond, he spotted something ahead.
"There's trouble!"
He pointed to an open area up ahead where several figures lay sprawled across the ground.
He turned back to alert his companions, who immediately rushed to investigate.
The Spirit Hall had organized the tournament, and as participants, they were also tasked with assisting contestants from other factions when necessary.
When they got closer, they found eight young people lying haphazardly on the ground. Each wore matching azure-gold robes embroidered with the words Lorland Academy.
"They're from Lorland Academy," Skinny Old Three noted as he crouched down to help the unconscious girl furthest back.
He rolled her over, cradling her in his arms, and pressed his thumb to her philtrum.
"I see," Du Hongxue murmured, stepping forward to inspect the scene.
She picked up a short stick and used it to lift a sticky web covering five of the students. Bringing the web closer to her nose, she sniffed cautiously.
A faintly acidic smell tickled her senses, leaving her momentarily dazed.
"This is the web of a Man-Faced Demon Spider."
At the mention of the name, all four of her companions visibly flinched.
"Let's focus on saving them," Du Hongxue directed.
She instructed the others to clear the web and move the eight students to a downwind location. Then, she administered antidotes to each of them.
A few moments later, the students groggily regained consciousness—only to find themselves under the scrutinizing gazes of their Spirit Hall rescuers.
"Did you encounter the Man-Faced Demon Spider?" Du Hongxue asked directly.
The tall young man leading the Lorland group nodded weakly.
"Yes. We were fighting a Desolate Bear when that thing ambushed us from behind."
"Oh?"
"Did it have black, armor-like skin, and could it jump really high?" Spirit Hall's Fifth Sister chimed in, her tone urgent.
"How do you know that? Wait… were you ambushed by it too?" The tall young man pieced things together, his expression skeptical.
Fifth Sister Xue Wu blushed, visibly flustered.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Ambushed? Of course not! We're from Spirit Hall! How could a mere soul beast ambush us? That's ridiculous!"
The tall man smirked knowingly but refrained from pressing further.
After ensuring the Lorland group was safe and watching them leave, Xue Wu turned to Du Hongxue, her voice tinged with indignation.
"Big Sis Du, you promised to help me get revenge!"
"Yes, yes," Du Hongxue replied, patting Xue Wu's head.
She addressed the group, "We'll set up camp here tonight. If that soul beast showed up here, its lair must be nearby. We'll lie in wait and ambush it."
None of the others objected. Under Du Hongxue's supervision, they set up two tents in concealed positions.
"This should do," Du Hongxue remarked after inspecting the setup. The tents were sturdy, and their placement allowed for excellent visibility.
"Tonight, I'll share a tent with Big Brother. Old Three, Old Four, and Little Five, you three take the other."
Her tone left no room for debate.
Bai Yu froze in place, his expression turning to stone.
The other three exchanged amused glances but wisely kept silent.
"Wait, isn't this arrangement a little… inappropriate?" Bai Yu protested.
"Xue Wu is a grown woman now. How can she share a tent with Old Three and Old Four? It's improper."
"What's the big deal?" Du Hongxue countered nonchalantly.
"We all used to sleep together as kids. What's changed?"
Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she turned toward Old Three and Old Four.
"Unless… you two have some improper intentions toward Xue Wu?"
"No! Absolutely not!" The two men shook their heads vehemently, their faces pale.
"Fine," Du Hongxue said, feigning exasperation. "Then Xue Wu can share a tent with Big Brother, and I'll bunk with you two."
Bai Yu and Xue Wu's eyes lit up simultaneously, hopeful.
But Old Three and Old Four were horrified.
"No need! No need!" they exclaimed.
"Second Sister, your original arrangement is perfect. We'll take great care of Xue Wu!"
Seriously? Where's your backbone? What's wrong with Second Sister?!
Bai Yu cursed them silently, his resentment simmering.
Du Hongxue, satisfied with their response, turned her gaze to Bai Yu. Under her piercing stare, he could only nod reluctantly.
As night fell and the group settled into their tents, Fang Chang struck again in another part of the forest.
He devoured a 300-year-old Strange-Jawed Wolf with ease, the bodies of two unconscious human soul masters hanging limply from a tree behind him.
After finishing his meal, Fang Chang rubbed his now bulging abdomen and resumed his hunt.
His path led him unwittingly back toward the area where he had ambushed the Lorland Academy students earlier.
It was as though he were acting out the famous principle from criminal psychology: Offenders often feel compelled to revisit the scene of their crime.