Chapter 414: Hunting For Food (1/2)
Ming Yue stopped and breathed out, easing herself before putting the branch into her Spatial Ring. While she had certainly gotten used to using it as a weapon, she made no progress in Realm of Hundred Swords. Hei Yue and Xiao Yin had long gone to sleep though they awakened as she stopped.
”Hah, I knew trying to advance into the next stage without completing the last would be difficult. Still, I was hoping for something...”
She sighed before walking off of the sand and heading into the camp. The two beasts followed her and any of her spectators quickly scattered, going back to their own tasks.
”Where to go now?”
Looking around, the young cultivator noticed that all of the soldiers, save for a few guard patrols had gathered at the center. Standing before them was Commander Yu Zhen along with what could only be the captains of each squad.
There were ten of them, each wearing more decorated armor complete with ribbons and elaborate patterns.
Making her way there, Ming Yue stood in the back as the Commander began to talk.
”Alright, there are ten groups of you. Seven will be outside to hunt and to explore while the remaining three will help patrol the barrier. Of those seven, four will focus on hunting and the other three will focus more on exploring. I've already informed the captains of their responsibilities and our objectives for today. I expect for all of you to come back, none of you are to die under my command. That is all.”
”Yes, commander!”
They shouted in unison and saluted before separating into their groups and standing with their captains. Thus leaving Ming Yue standing there with only the two beasts.
Commander Yu Zhen looked to her and chuckled.
”You want to join right?”
Ming Yue was about to respond but Yu Zhen didn't even give her time to speak as she looked at the ten groups.
”So which one of you want her?” she asked.
In an instant, all ten captains raised their hands to which the commander smiled and looked back at her.
”So then, Ming Yue, what do you feel like doing?”
Without hesitation, she answered.
”Hunting.”
”In that case, you can go with Ya Lang's group.”
Commander Yu Zhen pointed at the group closest to her where the captain was a much older man, whose hair was beginning to gray. But he was certainly not fragile as he wore the biggest armor out of the other captains and carried a pair of axes on his back.
Ming Yue nodded and walked to his group, giving a discreet bow. Ya Lang nodded in acknowledgment and stepped aside to let her join the group.
Apart from him were twenty others, some of whom stole glances and others gave curious looks. She gave small bows to them all which they returned in kind. Though all of them took a good look at Hei Yue, who wrapped himself around her leg.
While the Mistral Fox wasn't afraid of the soldiers, he certainly didn't want to leave her side. And Xiao Yin was long gone, flying high up above them. Without Drifting Sky to perch onto, there wasn't much else she could land on other than Ming Yue's shoulder.
After giving them a moment, Commander Yu Zhen looked at them and shouted out.
”Get going! There's only so much sunlight given to us, don't let it waste away!”
Everyone shouted another hurrah before leaving.
Ya Lang looked over his group before leading them towards the barrier. While walking he briefed everyone on their objectives.
”Our goal is to hunt for food, our supplies are running low so we have to get more. We will be going into unknown territory, past our previous mark. It will be dangerous but now that we have the Fairy with us, success will be guaranteed. Does everyone understand?”
His soldiers nodded as did Ming Yue.
Together, they left the camp and entered the wet marshes. It was much warmer in the day and especially humid. Trekking through all of this made for a tiring and miserable experience. Despite that, everyone seemed to be in high spirits now that Ming Yue was here. She felt looks on her back and all around but they weren't of ill intent.
It wouldn't take long before someone spoke up.