Chapter 98: Springflame [2] (2/2)
”Taking from people like yourself, is not the right thing.”
”For people like me, around here, no other way.”
He divided his food into two and kept one half in his loin sac. He started munching the other portion of his food. The moment he swallowed the chewed lump, he held his head in total agony due to the sheer power of energy from the meat and tuber. As a being of a dimensional plane, the boy was born with a phantom core, just like all mortal immortals there. They weren't born immortals with bronze cores like the demigods, nonetheless, they were more than mortals who were born with no cores. They had phantom cores from birth which they only had to cultivate to the bronze cores and beyond.
After regaining his composure, the boy laughed warily.
”Strong food.”
”Yea. Strong seasoning.”
Ju Feng who had been observing the boy keenly, swallowed the meat in his mouth before replying.
”Hmm, commendable.”
The boy nodded in appreciation before continuing.
”Which village are you from? I saw you entering the village, and I know all the faces around here.”
”Two villages from here.”
”You mean, Haidong?”
The boy asked in shock.
”Yes, Haidong.”
”I thought they said Haidong was overwhelmed by the Scavens.”
”Well, some of us are not dead, yet.”
”I guess so. This village too has been suffering from the attack of the scavens too. We've been holding them off, but many villagers are still dying.”
”Any help from the city?”
”The fortified city? Pfff. They don't really care that much about a small city like this. Once in a while, they'll send a couple of warriors that meant little to the scavens. I guess they're pulling their resources into one place in case of an attack.”
The boy stared at Ju Feng as he pointed at the floor.
”This city can't afford to hire a large number of true mercenaries. High level cultivators to raise the reputation of this city and scare off the Scavens. Me and my family could have moved to the fortified city. We love to, but we can't afford the money to move. That's why I'm also going to the Springflame tomorrow despite its extreme dangers.”
”Must you go when you have a family that relies on you?”
”I have to. This place is at the outskirt of our territories and is already turned to an outland. Not much here to survive on, and the Scavens are ambushing us outside. If we stay, we'll just die. I've already bid farewell to my family. Tomorrow, I leave for the Springflame.”
”I see your point. I'll be going too.”
”Till tomorrow then, fellow. I need to rest now.”
The boy put his loin sac under his head and slept off.
Ju Feng continued to watch attentively until he had confirmed the boy was asleep. He could relax his mind. He slowly sat in lotus position and began to meditate. His spiritual sense created an awareness around him. Just not to be caught off guard, if someone had decided to sneak up on him.
He was like that until the following morning, when the sound of the cavalry rang through the town.