Chapter 1200: Chapter 99 Skeleton Mercenary Group_4
Ah Dai curiously said, "Since these bandits are a menace to the area, why doesn’t the Empire of Tian Jing send troops to exterminate them? If this continues, won’t it affect the trade between the Empire of Tian Jing and the Federation?"
Mulat sighed and said, "Haven’t they tried to exterminate them? The Empire of Tian Jing has dispatched a large number of troops seven times, but each time, they have returned without success. The terrain of the Tian Jing Mountains is extremely treacherous; besides one main road, the rest are tall mountains. In that place, not only are there numerous bandits who are very familiar with the terrain, but they also use the advantages of their location to set traps that have caused great trouble for the Empire of Tian Jing, leading to heavy losses. Even when the State Preceptor himself took action and used several large-scale destructive magic spells, they failed to deal them a fatal blow. Those bandits are elusive and have quite a few formidable figures among them. When they feel they can’t resist, they give up their base and flee into the territory of the Federation. The army of the Empire of Tian Jing can’t possibly chase after them into another country’s borders. It’s difficult! Since the Empire suffered such great losses without achieving much, they stopped sending troops to exterminate them and instead stationed a significant force nearby within their own borders to prevent the bandits from causing too much harm. Those bandits are clever; they know they can only survive in the mountains and never leave the Tian Jing Mountains, only robbing passing caravans. No one knows their exact situation. Now, I just hope they are deterred by the reputation of the Skeleton Mercenary Group and don’t cause trouble. Otherwise, if a conflict arises, it’s hard to say what will happen."
Having traveled for a whole day, covering only seventy or eighty miles, due to DeLun Province primarily focusing on agriculture, the distance between cities is relatively large, so the caravan did not reach the next city and had to camp in an open area. The caravan concentrated the wagons together, with the Skeleton Mercenary Group forming a defense on the outer ring. Tents were pitched around the wagons on the open plain, encompassing the caravaneers along with the mercenaries who served as guards, numbering more than two thousand people.
Having sat in the wagon all day, Ah Dai and Xuan Yue felt their bodies stiffen. Jumping down from the wagons, Xuan Yue stretched her lithe body and took several breaths of the fresh air on the plains, feeling much more comfortable.
It was now evening, and the setting sun was sinking, while the land gradually darkened. Xuan Yue complained, "This is so boring, sitting in a cart all day and doing nothing." Since the jolting of the wagon was not suitable for practicing, and their skills were at their peak, they did not force themselves, so they spent the whole day chatting and dozing off. Even Ah Dai found the day somewhat lonely, let alone the lively Xuan Yue. Since meeting Ah Dai, she seemed to have returned to her cheerful and vivacious self.
Looking around at the neatly arranged tents of the Skeleton Mercenary Group members, Ah Dai smiled and said, "The Skeleton Mercenary Group has become a Special Class Mercenary Group; it’s indeed fortunate. Look, brother, how orderly their arrangements are! Although I don’t understand military tactics, I do know this must be some sort of defense formation."
Xuan Yue pouted and said, "Considering how domineering they are, I doubt they can achieve anything great. Big brother, how about we take a walk over there? I still haven’t digested the lunch I ate."
Ah Dai looked in the direction Xuan Yue was pointing and saw a small forest not too far away that looked very tranquil. He nodded and said, "Alright. We’ll come back when it’s time for dinner."
Mulat approached them, glanced at the four leaders of the Skeleton Mercenary Group gathering nearby, and said in a low voice, "You guys need to be careful not to get into a conflict with the Skeleton Mercenary Group."
Xuan Yue laughed and said, "Don’t worry, even if a conflict does start, we won’t be at a disadvantage, and there’s no need to fear them. Let’s go, big brother." Saying this, she took Ah Dai’s hand and headed toward the woods.
The departure of Ah Dai and Xuan Yue was all observed by the Blood Skull and others. Blood Skull turned to his sister and asked, "Are they the ones?"
Ice Skeleton nodded. She had spent the entire day reflecting on the morning’s events, but no matter how hard she pondered, she couldn’t figure out how Ah Dai managed to restrain her. The taste of defeat was very painful for someone as proud as her.
Wind Skeleton said, "Big brother, do you think the person who defeated Ice Ice could be the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang himself? I remember Master once said that because of his profound cultivation, the Sword Saint appears to be a middle-aged man. Perhaps, he has come specifically to humiliate us?"
Blood Skull shook his head and said, "It shouldn’t be him. With the identity of the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang, why would he become a mercenary, let alone bother with us juniors? Besides, Master also said that although the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang looks young, he has white hair and beard. That kid has black hair and eyes and looks like a young man; he shouldn’t be the Sword Saint himself. He might be an expert personally trained by the Sword Saint; otherwise, with his age, how could he have such profound martial arts skills? If he truly won against Bingbing this morning on his own merit, then his ability is definitely close to that of the Sword Saint’s strength."
Iron Skull snorted coldly and said, "Big brother, didn’t they go up there alone? Let’s go meet them and we’ll naturally figure out what they’re made of. I don’t believe that the four of us combined can’t beat him. Master’s Four Elements Formation that he taught us hasn’t been used for a long time. Even Master has to break our formation after a hundred moves. If we don’t regain Bingbing’s face today, I won’t be satisfied." Iron Skull and Wind Skull had always been deeply infatuated with Ice Skeleton but, being brothers in practice, didn’t usually compete too openly. The most disheartening thing for them was that Ice Skeleton’s attitude was the same toward everyone, neither cold nor warm. This left them unable to discern her inner thoughts. Now that an opportunity to prove themselves had arisen, how could he possibly hold back?
Wind Skeleton agreed, saying, "Big brother, I agree with the third brother. We cannot disgrace our Master’s name. While we’re still far from the Tian Jing Mountain Range, let’s test their skills. Besides, we can also avenge Bingbing."
Blood Skull furrowed his brows and turned to look at his sister, saying, "Bingbing, what do you think?"
Ice Skeleton replied indifferently, "I agree. My loss this morning was confusing, but I indeed lost. Perhaps, only the Four Elements Formation can handle him. Big brother, surely the four of us aren’t afraid of him. The Skeleton Mercenary Group can’t afford to lose face like this."
Blood Skull was always cautious in his actions. Even if his siblings hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have let Ah Dai and Xuan Yue off either. "How is the skill of that handsome young man who was with the one who defeated you this morning? Did you see anything?"
Ice Skeleton shook her head and said, "He didn’t make a move this morning. He looked very arrogant though. According to Mulat, he seems to be a Magician, and even a priest of the church. Moreover, he is the leader of the Evil Sky Mercenary Group. By name, he seems to be stronger than the one who defeated me, but I didn’t sense any particularly strong aura from him. The one who defeated me seems quite protective of that handsome youth."
Iron Skull said with contempt, "A priest? I think that’s just some story concocted by that old man Mulat. Since when can a priest become a mercenary, unless he’s got a screw loose in his head. And with our martial arts skills, are we afraid of magic? Maybe, those two boys have ’that kind’ of relationship?"
Blood Skull frowned and said, "Youngest brother, watch your language, especially in front of Bingbing. Don’t talk nonsense. Since we’re dealing with them, we cannot afford to be careless. Although Ordinary Magic might not harm us much, more profound magic can still threaten our lives. Everyone, be careful. We can’t afford to lose again." He was also extremely interested in the Evil Sky Mercenary Group, particularly the one who defeated his sister in a single move. Furthermore, during his time following the Northern Sword Saint, he had heard about how powerful the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang was. Now that he had encountered a disciple of the Tian Gang, how could he rest without testing the other’s strength?
Blood, Wind, Iron, and Ice Skulls each picked up their own weapons. Blood Skull was unarmed. After assigning the defense of their camp and the protection of the merchant caravan to their subordinates, they sped off toward the woods where Ah Dai and Xuan Yue had disappeared.
Mulat watched as the four Skeletons chased after Ah Dai and Xuan Yue. Although anxious, he dared not step forward to interfere. These powerful experts were not someone he could afford to offend. He could only silently pray that no harm would befall either party; otherwise, the merchant caravan’s journey to the Yajin Tribe might become perilous.
Ah Dai was led by Xuan Yue into the forest, where the fresh air revitalized their spirits. Ah Dai leaped up, touching a tree branch lightly before floating mid-air, closing his eyes to savor the essence of nature. He had once seen the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang float in mid-air without touching the ground, and now wished to attempt it himself. The Golden Body within his Dantian emitted a strong True Qi, enveloping him like a giant white sphere and keeping him suspended in the air for a few seconds before he slowly descended.
