288 Go Big or Go Home (1/2)
Drizzles were common in this season. Tiny raindrops fell from the mountain shrouded in a thick mist. The terrain was wet and muddy, and even the rivers were flowing with a stronger current. The sound of the waves could be heard from a great distance away.
The grey sky was boundless, nor was there a visible end to the mountain range. Curtains of rain hung between the sky and the ground.
In the midst of the cold rain, snowy white wings appeared out of nowhere, maintaining a certain distance from the ground as they glided through the sky.
The wings belonged to the Heavenly Eagles, the trademark tamed beasts of the Chinese military. They were mostly used as mounts, and were rarely involved in any kind of battles.
The Heavenly Eagles were one of the rare kind of Beasts that could be tamed using the Psychic Element. During the many battles between humanity and the demon beasts, humans had somehow discovered this rare species. They were willing to be affiliated with the humans, but they were not willing to fight for them.
More snowy white figures appeared. They were moving in an orderly fashion, with a hint of aura that could only be seen on Battlemages.
A man with an army coat draping over his shoulders on one of the Heavenly Eagles said, ”Remember, from now on, you're no longer carrying the identity of a soldier. Everything that you do is no longer tied to the North China Military.” The man had two small tufts of mustache and an ancient tobacco pipe in his hand. He would take a smoke every time he finished a sentence, just like normal breathing.
Not many people actually smoked with a pipe in this era, but it was just a habit that Lu Nian had gotten used to. His back was once torn apart by a Commander-level beast, leaving a giant wound which he could still feel a dull pain from. He had visited many experienced Healers, but none of them had proved to be useful. In the end, he could only rely on a special type of tobacco to slightly numb himself...
”Commander Lu, we are three hundred kilometers away from Jinlin City. There's a group of Blood-Puncture Vultures living close to Jinlin City. Should we engage?” The Advising Officer was a female Battlemage. Her eyebrows were almost joined in a straight line, not a good-looking woman.
”There's no need for that. We will travel on foot once we are close to their territory,” Lu Nian said.
”Acknowledged!”
”Remember, only success is allowed for this mission!”
”Affirmative!”
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In a rather unique bamboo pavilion to the south of the Imperial College, Song He, who was a fan of Chrysanthemum tea, was sitting on a futon and enjoying the pleasant scent from the teapot in front of him.
Suddenly, the door was push open with great might. The door made of bamboo swayed wildly, as if it were going to collapse.
”Who's there? Where's the manner at?” Dean Song He wore a frown.
”It's me, old man.”
”Zhan Kong?” Song He raised his eyelids and stared at the not-so-young-anymore man in front of him in surprise.
Song He took a closer look and saw five fresh scars around the man's neck and chest. Only parts of the scars were revealed above his collar, it was difficult to tell how far the scars extended.
”Your wounds, if they were an inch higher on your neck, you might be dead now!” Dean Song He said with a slightly distressed look.
”I'm alive, that's all it matters. Unfortunately, they did ruin my perfect body.” Zhan Kong tried to let out a relaxing smile.
”They must be from the Darkwing Wolf. Their claws were very sharp and have the ability to corrupt their target's blood. You will need a very long time to fully recover from the wounds,” Dean Song He told.
”I'll slay that Darkwing Wolf with my bare hands one day… but I'm here for another matter.” Zhan Kong had a stern look.
”What is it, don't tell me the South Military is interested in the kid with Double Innate Elements?” Song He smiled as he came up with the answer fairly quickly.