That evening, Jiugong found Xiao Nanfeng and Yu'er in a valley.1

Xiao Nanfeng had remained hidden all this time while Yu'er lured away Xiang Zhirou and the others. Because neither of them had fought their opponents head-on, they were perfectly uninjured. Jiugong, on the other hand, had suffered greatly. Half its scythe-like legs had been chopped off, and much of its armored carapace had been cracked. Countless weaker centipede spirits were holding it up as it stared at the two cultivators balefully.0

"Jiugong, they were far too sly for the likes of us, to have set up an ambush for us alongside the cultivators of Great Qi! I can't take this lying down!" Xiao Nanfeng thundered.1

Jiugong, hearing Xiao Nanfeng's defiant words, wanted to vomit blood. He had been hiding throughout the fight and was completely uninjured—"take this lying down"? What damage had he even taken?!0

"They laid an ambush for you, but you made me the scapegoat instead. How do you intend to compensate me for this?" Jiugong glared at Xiao Nanfeng.0

"Jiugong, I'm afraid you're mistaken. This was a cooperative venture, and we delineated our tasks and responsibilities beforehand. How could you blame me just because something has gone wrong? You should be blaming the black-armored warriors and the cultivators of Great Qi instead!" Xiao Nanfeng retorted.2

Jiugong stared balefully at Xiao Nanfeng....0