Chapter 55 (1/2)

Once Yan Haobo put his hand out as a signal, the squad stopped.

They were not terribly frightened after the forest leopard’s sneak attack, but they were much more alert than before.

The few soldiers who were carrying quarries quickly put them down, then retrieved their weapons and hid carefully. If there was something unforeseen in front, their lives would be threatened, let alone the quarries.

Ou Yangming followed suit by putting the quarries down too. He hid behind a big tree but was not actually concerned because he had already seen what was ahead through the Vision +1 attribute.

Soon enough, the two scouts returned, but they were followed by a middle-aged man who dressed like them. They were conversing casually, which was obvious that they were acquainted.

After a brief moment, the man cupped his hands at Yan Haobo. “Greetings, Squad Leader Yan, I’m Zhuang Juncai from the South Camp’s Guards.”

He only did a simple bow at Yan Haobo, but since they were in a forest, n.o.body would make a fuss about it.

“So you’re our brother from the South Camp. Have you just entered the forest?” Yan Haobo nodded slowly.

“We followed Captain Yu into the forest, and it has been more than ten days.” Zhuang Juncai’s face reddened.

Yan Haobo was stunned. “Is Captain Yu here?”

The military camp was divided into five camps, which were the East, South, West, North, and Middle camps. Clearly, the Middle Camp was where the commanding general was located, whereas the ones from the four other camps were brothers but also compet.i.tors.

Captain Yu was Yu Hailiang, the captain of the Guards under the South Camp’s general command. According to his status, he should not be in the forest, so either he had a sudden impulse or the normal soldiers encountered something that could not be handled.

“Yes.” Zhuang Juncai had a grave expression on his face.

“Since Captain Yu is here personally, I’m sure your visit has been rewarding?” Yan Haobo laughed.

Zhuang Juncai looked at the six wild beasts on the floor, then smiled bitterly. “Squad Leader Yan, honestly, we haven’t gained anything unlike your squad did. In fact, we lost three brothers.”

Yan Haobo’s face changed as he was in disbelief. “What?”

Yu Hailiang was comparable with Captain Liu Zhengye from the West Camp’s Guards be it his status or his cultivation base.

If Liu Zhengye led soldiers into the forest but did not gain any quarries after more than ten days, and even lost some men, it could only mean one thing.

Yan Haobo stared at Zhuang Juncai as he asked, “Brother Zhuang, did you encounter a big fella?”

Ou Yangming was moved. He obviously knew that the big fellow he meant was not an ordinary wild beast.

As expected, Zhuang Juncai replied seriously, “Frankly speaking, we met a half-spirit beast, and we ended up like this after an intense battle. Captain Yu’s just in front, and he needs help from you, long-range archers, and brothers who have the cultivation base of Yin Grade Cla.s.s Two and above.”

“A half-spirit beast!” Yan Haobo gasped and smiled bitterly. “Brother Zhuang, this is a serious matter, so I need to discuss it with my brothers.”

“Of course. If that’s the case, I’ll head back first to wait for your good news.” Zhuang Juncai smiled. Instead of persuading Yan Haobo, he gave him a fist salute then left.

Once he was far away, the archer and soldier who were scouting earlier mentioned, “Squad Leader, let’s do it!”

Ou Yangming was stunned because they answered before Yan Haobo raised the question. It seemed like Zhuang Juncai also knew that Yan Haobo’s men would agree to this.

Sure enough, the other men, even the three soldiers who were injured, were very keen and eager.

Yan Haobo looked at them coldly. “It’s a half-spirit beast, which is nothing like a ferocious beast. You know who Captain Yu is, but even he is helpless, and they suffered heavy casualties. Heh, even if we join them, we might not return safely!”

The soldier who was with the archer earlier stuck his tongue out to lick his dry lips. “Squad Leader, we’re soldiers who are destined to fight, and we’re always ready to sacrifice. Wealth comes from danger, and the only thing I know is that we’ll benefit greatly if we really kill that half-spirit beast.”

Upon hearing him, the others who were still undecided were firm with their decision, and they looked more thrilled than before.

Normal soldiers might be afraid of death, but those who were part of the Guards were courageous, fearless men. If they only cowered in the face of trouble, how could they be qualified in the first place?

Nevertheless, Ou Yangming began regarding the soldier with special respect because of this.

He knew from their journey that the soldier was Jin Tao, a master who was only second to Yan Haobo in the squad. Having the cultivation base of Yin Grade Cla.s.s Two, he would not lose terribly even if he fought against Yan Haobo.

“Squad Leader, we’re doing it!”

The other men yelled, and none of them backed off.

Yan Haobo scoffed. “You’re being foolish. Didn’t you hear? They only need archers and those who are above Yin Grade Cla.s.s Two. As for the others, wait here, take care of our captures, and don’t cause any trouble.”