Chapter 49: Vengeance Oath
Hua Mi watched as the agile figure descended from the tree trunk with a mysterious grace, landing on the ground before anyone could react. He moved like a squirrel, swift and nimble.
Taking a cautious step back, Hua Mi kept a wary eye on the newcomer.
The man seemed to find something amusing, a hint of mockery in his smile. "No need to be so tense. The old man sent me here to greet you."
Hua Mi assessed him skeptically. "Is this how you greet people?"
He shrugged and playfully said, "You're absolutely right! As a legendary thief, this is how I greet you. How do you like it?"
So, he was a thief.
Hua Mi couldn't help but wonder why someone who looked decent would have a partner like this.
Hua Mi sneered, "You seem quite pleased with yourself."
"I won't deny it. You didn't even notice, did you? A perfect theft."
The thief crossed his arms, looking rather challenging.
"The technique was indeed impressive, but I hope there won't be a second time."
The thief remained silent, but a sly glint shone in his eyes.
"Now, let's get down to business," Hua Mi picked up his Wind Spirit Arrow and returned it to his quiver. "You didn't show up just to play pranks, did you?"
"Actually, there's something I need to discuss with you. Wait a moment; my dear teammates will be here shortly," the thief replied, leaning against a tree trunk.
Hua Mi had a hunch that their visit might be related to the unicorn.
A distant glow appeared.
It grew steadily brighter, piercing through the thin night sky.
A young girl led the way, her staff emitting the radiant light.
Behind her was the elderly man, walking at a leisurely pace.
Bringing up the rear was the dwarf, following closely.
And lastly, the creature wrapped like a dumpling.
"I apologize for keeping our purpose hidden earlier, but please trust us; we have our reasons." The elderly man wore a warm smile, devoid of hostility. "I am Turner, you can call me Gray Robe. What should we call you?"
"Bee Whisperer."
"Bee Whisperer... quite a unique name. Now that we know you want something from the unicorn, can you tell us what it is?"
"Some unicorn dust."
There was no need to hide that fact.
Gray Robe nodded. "It seems you've had some difficulties. The proud unicorn isn't one to easily share its blessings."
Hua Mi was still unsure of their intentions, but he decided to let them reveal their plans.
Gray Robe paused and said, "We have a plan, and if you join us, it will become much easier."
"What plan?"
"We're going to hunt the unicorn."
He said it as casually as if they were going to hunt a wild boar.
"Join us, and I promise you'll get your unicorn dust. It's a good deal, isn't it?"
Listening to him talk so easily and alluringly, Hua Mi grew cautious.
It couldn't be this simple.
The sky doesn't drop pies for free, and even if it did, they'd probably be poisoned.
This old man might be setting a trap for him.
Hua Mi thought for a moment and decided not to reveal his stance yet. He approached it indirectly, "They say those who harm the unicorn will be cursed."
Gray Robe chuckled, "This claim hasn't been entirely substantiated. Those rumors might just be incidents of bad luck, and they have too many variables to be considered reliable. Besides, we don't need to worry about it. Neither you nor I will be the ones taking the unicorn's life. We have a fantastic alternative."
He looked back toward the rear.
The creature wrapped like a dumpling approached.
Gray Robe raised its hood.
Untamed gray hair spilled out, and its face was entirely covered in bandages, leaving only a pair of bloodshot eyes exposed.
The eyes were wide and filled with unsettling emotions.
Stronger than mere desire, deeper than anger.
"Regardless of the curse, death cannot be reversed," Gray Robe said, removing the bandages from the "dumpling's" face.
Hua Mi took a deep breath when he saw the figure. The person had no color in their face, as pale as limestone, and had various signs of decay. It was the face of a dead person.
But the eyes were vividly alive, for only a living person could display such clear emotions.
"What is this..."
"A Revenant, sent back from the dead by the unicorn and given a limited time to exact revenge. Even if this body is destroyed, it can immediately possess another humanoid body... until its time expires or its vengeance is achieved."
The young girl looked at Gray Robe with admiration. "This is our mentor's masterpiece and a crucial part of our unicorn hunting plan!"
Hua Mi finally grasped the concept of a Revenant but remained puzzled.
Could this battered corpse really take on a unicorn?
Unless it possessed some unique power.
Gray Robe smiled faintly. "The most exciting part is yet to come."
"Ahh!"
An abrupt scream interrupted Gray Robe's speech.
Everyone in the room raised their weapons, assuming defensive postures.
Hua Mi, a bit slow to react, reached for the location of his magic box.
It was still there.
But that thief managed to reach for it unnoticed.
If it weren't for the several Painful Stingers he had placed inside, the thief might have succeeded.
The thief's right hand had swollen considerably, and he rolled on the ground in pain, groaning.
"I warned you not to try this again," Hua Mi declared.
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