“Boss, I’m Bai Qingshan!”
“Hello.”
“Boss, do you know where Elder Weng went? I heard he said goodbye to you before he left.”
Xiao Yu looked at Bai Qingshan in surprise.
This guy got so close to Elder Weng in such a short time?
“I don’t know where he went either.”
Bai Qingshan’s eyes dimmed at that response.
“But he’ll be back in a few days.”
“Really, boss?”
“Mm.”
“That’s great!”
Bai Qingshan got excited after Xiao Yu’s confirmation.
“Thank you, boss!” He turned and left.
Xiao Yu glanced at his retreating back.
“So weird…”
—
The night was intoxicating. Autumn winds stirred the willow branches, swaying them gently.
Outside was pitch-black and eerily quiet.
Occasionally, faint beastly roars echoed from a great distance.
Xiao Yu stood with hands behind his back, gazing into the distance. His brows twitched slightly.
The roars were increasing, growing chaotic. Though distant, the shrillness still cut through.
Nature’s forests were truly terrifying. This had to be monsters from the Wild Forest fighting.
Given the ferocity of their cries, the scene must be gruesome.
Xiao Yu instinctively pulled his sleeves tight.
So cold…
The weather’s changing.
—
The Next Day
Outer Edges of the Wild Forest
“General, Scout Squad Three reports that the number of low-tier beasts in the outer area is less than half of normal!”
The young general, around 25 or 26, tall and stern-faced, stood with hands behind his back, gazing deep into the forest.
“Hah! Those low-level beasts must’ve been scared silly by our 8,000-strong Demon-Slaying Army. They’re probably fleeing in all directions!”
The speaker was a burly man with a full beard, dual axes at his waist, and a dark, rugged face.
If Xiao Yu were here, he’d think this guy looked like some ancient hero who’d also transmigrated like him!
“You’re talking nonsense. If they’re scattering in panic, that’s even more worrying! Those low-level monsters have low intelligence.
If they run wild and disturb nearby settlements, what then?”
“Uh…”
The burly man scratched his head awkwardly and laughed.
“General, we’ve got soldiers guarding the perimeter. No beasts have breached the outer forest yet. I suspect this might be…”
“Killed.”
Before the deputy general could finish, the young commander interrupted flatly.
“Yes, I suspect that too. But why? The beasts might be dumb, and they do fight over territory, but this level of chaos is unheard of!”
The burly man opened his mouth again, eyes wide, but—
“Report!”
“A scout unit brings urgent news—ten miles ahead, a Crimson Flame Python has appeared!”
“What?!”
The deputy general was stunned.
“That’s impossible! Crimson Flame Pythons dwell deep in the Wild Forest. Why would one appear on the outskirts?!”
“It’s true, General. I saw it with my own eyes—no mistake. And the python… there are two.”
“What did you say?!”
The scout’s words stunned the burly man and the deputy general. They were speechless, instinctively turning to look at the young commander.
He too was unsettled.
This wasn’t normal. Something about all this felt wrong.
There were usually beasts everywhere on the outskirts—now it was too quiet.
The excuse that they’d been scared off by the Demon-Slaying Division was hard to believe.
Low-tier monsters weren’t that smart.
“Send my orders: the army will wait here. Han Liang, Yu Wentong—you’re coming with me to check it out.”
“Yes, sir!”
—
Back at Xiao Yu’s inn, he was lazily walking his dog in the courtyard.
Watching Da Huang’s ever-expanding belly, the beast looked huge now.
Xiao Yu sighed.
This guy really did seem to be gaining a few pounds a day. What is this creature?
“Good morning, boss!”
“Morning, little girl.”
Xiao Yu smiled warmly at Zhao Xixi, the sweet little girl who greeted him.
She stared at him blankly for a moment, then softly said,
“Boss, your smile is so nice… why don’t you smile more? You always look so cold!”
Xiao Yu didn’t know how to respond for a moment.
“Because if I do… I’ll…”
“What?”
She tilted her head adorably, curious about why he suddenly turned away.
“I’ll… look too cool.”
Zhao Xixi: “…”
At that moment, Qiu and the other mercenaries came out.
“Boss! We’re heading out now!”
“Oh? You’re leaving already?”
Bai Qingshan smiled slightly.
“After all, we still need to make a living—not like those noble clans.”
Xiao Yu nodded at him.
To be honest, Bai Qingshan looked more like a scholarly teacher than a hardened mercenary.
“Farewell.”
Xiao Yu watched them leave, arms crossed.
Yeah…
If not for survival, who’d choose a life of blood and blades?
If you’re not born with fortune, you have to fight for it.
That’s true in any world.
“Boss, what’s wrong?”
Zhao Xixi tugged his sleeve and blinked her big eyes at him.
Xiao Yu shook his head.
“Nothing.”
“Then… boss, can we order food now? I’m starving~”
Xiao Yu’s mouth twitched.
Sigh
Life never gives you a break.
—
“Captain, what’s the plan today? Are we going into the Wild Forest again?”
“Yeah, Captain. We rested well, and our cultivation improved thanks to the inn. Sister Yuan’s injury is much better too. Why not push deeper and earn more?”
Qiu Wu looked at Bai Qingshan, unsure.
He knew about the forest’s abnormalities, but hadn’t thought much of it.
Bai Qingshan was the most experienced in their group. Qiu Wu always consulted him first.
“What do you think, Qingshan?”
Bai Qingshan hesitated, then replied,
“Captain, we know there’s something strange going on in the Wild Forest. I think we should return to headquarters first.”
The short mercenary chuckled and hooked Bai Qingshan’s neck.
“Hey, Qingshan, you just want to see your sweetheart again, don’t you?”
“Liu San, stop talking nonsense. I’m only thinking of everyone’s safety!”
Bai Qingshan’s face flushed. Maybe from embarrassment, maybe from thinking of someone else.
“Qingshan, we’re in great shape right now. We’ve grown stronger, and we’ll only be in the outer region. Same as before—we got in, we’ll get out.”
Qiu Wu patted him on the shoulder reassuringly.
“…Fine.”
“Great! Let’s head back into the forest, earn more spirit stones, and return to the inn for more food and cultivation!”
“Sounds perfect!”
“Hurry, I can’t wait!”
Bai Qingshan cut through the hype with a serious face.’
“But let’s be careful. Promise me—if anything strange happens, we pull out immediately.”
“Alright. We’ll listen to you.”
“Haha—let’s go!”
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