Chapter 114: Crisis Transmission, Besieged on All Sides
Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Crisis Transmission, Besieged on All Sides
After more than two months, Tang Wen "reported for duty" again, appearing in the Council Hall of the General’s Mansion.
On the table, four large pieces of cowhide were pieced together to form a massive map.
"Three weeks ago, on its way back from delivering grain to Peach Blossom Spring, our transport team was ambushed by a group of High-level Exotic Beasts—Black Cloud Leopards, a Giant Ant Swarm, and Earth Beasts. According to the Commander and Guards who managed to escape, there were also several Exotic Beasts they’d never seen before. Our transport team suffered three deaths—no remains were found—with over a dozen injured. Thirty thousand catties of grain are missing!"
Angry curses instantly erupted throughout the council hall.
Exotic Beasts possessed their own intelligence.
When they ran out of food, they could team up to rob humans.
General Zhao ignored the outburst and continued:
"Fifteen days ago, Swamp Poison Dart Frogs and Jumping Frogs began leaving the hardening swampland and creeping toward the lake. Many Scavengers and refugees were poisoned to death. An examination of the bodies revealed their stomachs were full of frog eggs!"
’Food must be getting scarce in the swamp, too. With the swamp drying out, large numbers of fish, shrimp, and loaches must have died off. These swamp-dwelling Exotic Beasts have no choice but to venture out for food.’ Tang Wen silently deduced.
General Zhao said, "To the north, according to reports from our lookout posts and the Silver Wolf Pack, a clan of High-level Exotic Beasts called War Bears has begun attempting to invade the Silver Wolves’ territory.
These War Bears are pure white with impressive combat strength. They occupy the icy mountain region of the northern forest year-round—a vast territory. This means there is definitely a King Level entity among the War Bears!
It’s the same story in the Southern Wilderness. Far to the south of the Sand Wolf Pack’s territory, a group of Giant Crocodile Turtles of unknown strength has moved in. Our scouts didn’t dare approach, but we’re sure there must be High-level Exotic Beasts with them. Otherwise, the Sand Wolves wouldn’t be so cautious..."
Crises were flaring up all around the camp.
Turnout for today’s meeting was exceptionally high.
Aside from Zhou Bing and the Queen, all the other Generals and Commanders were present.
This included Elder General Xia and Elder General Zhang, who rarely involved themselves in external affairs, as well as the Forbidden Guard Commander and the Trade Team Leader.
When General Zhao finished, the room fell silent.
Everyone silently weighed their own strength against the enemy’s. No one spoke, waiting for the Generals to make a decision.
General Zhou remained silent as well, his gaze turning to Elder Xia.
The old man was holding his pipe, leisurely stuffing the bowl with shredded tobacco and mint leaves. Only after he was done did he slowly ask, "Do you know why our camp built the Underground Palace?"
No one answered, but Elder Xia hadn’t expected them to. He continued in a nostalgic tone:
"In my life, I’ve experienced many disasters, both great and small. The first was an earthquake. I was just a Martial Disciple back then. A roof beam came crashing down, and to protect my mother, I tried to block it with my arm. It snapped.
In the summer when I was twenty, the lake flooded. Back then, all the camp’s maize was planted in that one area. The entire harvest was lost. Many people starved or died from illness. That’s why our main farming area is now at the foot of the mountain, built into terraces.
Our livestock pens used to be on the edge of the swamp, watched over by a heavy contingent of guards. Then we had an uprising of the swamp’s Exotic Beasts. By morning, there wasn’t so much as a pig’s bristle left...
I’m telling you this to make one point: of all the disasters I have ever experienced, a beast swarm is the most terrifying. When you’re facing a horde of High-level Exotic Beasts, there is nowhere to run!
The Underground Palace... it was built to survive those swarms.
To be precise, it’s a place for us to hide when there’s no other choice.
The Exotic Beasts devour everyone else. Once they’re full, they leave.
That’s how we survive."
The room was dead silent, his words echoing in the air.
Elder Xia flicked the bowl of his pipe. A spark flared to life, and the scent of tobacco filled the air.
"Don’t get your hopes up! We have no choice. Our only way is to fight our way out! Conveniently, a lot of newcomers from who-knows-where have joined the camp. Let them be the vanguard.
Furthermore, these people are not allowed to enter the Inner City!
Especially not near the Royal Palace, the Underground Palace, the granaries, or the icehouse!
If any are found there, kill them on sight. No exceptions."
"Understood!"
General Zhao acknowledged the order, his stern gaze sweeping over every person in the room.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Elder Xia’s tone did not soften. "What Xiaozhao just mentioned isn’t the full extent of the crisis."
Hm?
’There’s more?’
The expressions in the room shifted.
Tang Wen frowned. ’We can’t even get a few days of peace. It’s just one thing after another!’
"That Tyrant Bear must be dealt with."
No one replied. The Generals’ brows furrowed.
The Tyrant Bear’s abilities were tied to the earth, and its defenses were absurdly high. It was a loner, without a clan, which made the prospect of dealing with it a massive headache.
Elder General Xia said, "Black Mountain Camp has the flower nectar it loves. They could use it to turn the beast against us!"
"But it’s incredibly tough and possesses King-level Combat Power. We can’t possibly kill it—we’d only succeed in enraging it!"
"We don’t need to kill it. Just find a way to stop it from teaming up with Black Mountain!" Elder Xia said, his brow furrowed.
"..."
Before the discussion could continue, Elder General Xia waved his hand dismissively.
"The Tyrant Bear is not something for you Commanders to worry about!"
He then gestured for General Zhou to assign the missions.
"...Commander Wu, Commander Li, you will take the Divine Archers and experienced fishermen to deal with the monsters in the swamp... Tang Wen, Qian Dong."
"Present."
"You two will take a team, follow the Sand Wolf Pack to the South, and investigate that group of Crocodile Turtles."
"Understood!"
With the missions assigned, General Zhou’s voice rang out, firm and clear. "Prepare immediately. Depart on your separate missions."
"Yes, sir!"
Tang Wen and Qian Dong departed from the General’s Mansion.
Qian Dong couldn’t hide his excitement. "Finally! I was getting tired of guard duty every single day. I can finally get out for a bit! Give me half a day, and I’ll go round up our team."
Tang Wen nodded. "Sounds good. Come find me at my house when you’re ready."
Qian Dong headed off. Tang Wen returned to the Royal Palace to get his horse, Wuzhu, then went home to prepare his own rations.
Although the camp would provide rations, they couldn’t compare to the taste of food from home.
「Two days later.」
In the wilderness, a group of riders galloped through the driving wind and sand.
AWOOOO!
"It’s the Sand Wolves! Commanders, we’ve... we’ve rendezvoused with them. What’s our next move?"
The report came from one of the Forbidden Guards, who clearly lacked mission experience and was unsure how to proceed.
Qian Dong didn’t know either, so he looked to Tang Wen.
Tang Wen squeezed his legs, and his horse, Wuzhu, stepped forward with an elegant gait, moving ahead of the group.
"Where are the Crocodile Turtles? How many of them are there?"
AWOOOO!
A wolf howled in response.
Tang Wen nodded, then turned back to the others. "They’re still a long way off. It’s a half-day’s run even for the Sand Wolves. Since it’s getting dark, let’s rest for now. The wolves will lead us somewhere safe."
Qian Dong’s face was a mask of astonishment. He touched his ears and said, "You’ve got to be kidding me. You can actually understand them?"
"Just trust me!" Tang Wen had been about to give a sarcastic retort, but seeing the equally stunned faces of the Guards, he softened his tone.
"Fine."
"Alright! Everyone, just trust me. Nobody understands Exotic Beasts better than I do."
To add weight to his words, Tang Wen pointed to the enormous Blood Crow circling overhead.
"Alright, let’s move on," Qian Dong said, taking a breath.
Wuzhu took the lead, a single horse out in front.
They arrived at a valley where the wind and sand began to die down.
Everyone stared in astonishment at the herbivores penned up in the valley, apparently being raised by the Sand Wolves.
After they washed up and settled in, it was time for dinner.
The team members on cooking duty were just about to unload the dried meat, mushrooms, and hardtack from their donkeys.
Suddenly, they saw three Sand Wolves running over, herding two large rams.
AWOOOO!
"Thanks for your hospitality! Don’t run off, stay and eat with us!"
Awooo.
"Don’t be shy. We’ve got salt, and even chili peppers."
Tang Wen appeared to be talking to himself.
But the three wolves really did stay.
Qian Dong and the other Guards were plunged into a state of profound self-doubt.
"Was there any difference between those howls?"
"I think so, but... maybe not?"
"Bullshit! If you didn’t hear a difference, just say so."
"Heh heh, I couldn’t tell the difference at all!"