Chapter 50: Rush to the Rescue |
"Nine towns south of Mo'ao Mountain, Beishuo Town, large camps with over 100,000 people, Ice Abyss, Ancient Abyss Era, five types of Abominations, Craftsman Abomination, Wood Puppet Abomination, Yang Ning, Li Hu, Luo Ming..."
Shi Qing's answer was lengthy, continuing even as the three descended Pagoda Mountain, not yet finished.
But the content of his narration truly broadened Xia Hong's horizons.
Though Xia Hong had been in this world for over four months,
truth be told, even now, beyond his immediate surroundings, he remained completely ignorant of the outside world.
He didn't even know the current year or era.
Of course, with humanity fallen to such a state, there probably wasn't any proper calendar system.
Only today, hearing these details from Shi Qing's mouth -
large camps with over 100,000 people, Beishuo Town, and eight other towns,
what level of powerhouse must he be...
Hearing this, Xia Hong couldn't help but feel a flicker of yearning in his eyes.
Of course, he didn't forget their current mission.
Learning that although Shi Qing had encountered the puppet Xia Ding that night, he'd later been saved by the trio Yang, Li, and Luo and seen the Wood Puppet Abomination, Xia Hong hurriedly asked:
"What exactly did the Wood Puppet Abomination look like?"
A flash of hatred crossed Shi Qing's eyes as he whispered: "An old man's appearance, crimson pupils, devoid of normal human emotions. It held a small knife in its left hand and a bundle of transparent threads in its right - both were its weapons."
Xia Hong committed these features to memory and glanced ahead.
Moving at night with nearly two hundred people made for a slow procession, as they dared not make much noise.
Fortunately, Pagoda Mountain was less than a kilometer from the earthen slope where Great Xia Camp stood. Even at this pace, they'd arrive in about fifteen minutes.
Xia Chuan and Yuan Cheng maintained perimeter vigilance while Xia Hong stayed at the rear with Shi Qing and his son.
Recalling Shi Qing's account of events near Great Xia territory, Xia Hong frowned and continued questioning:
"You said that night, including Wang Ming's group of four, eight people died. That should've left five of you - why only you and Shi Dong returned? And when exactly was Shi Dong replaced by the Wood Puppet Abomination?"
Shi Qing then explained how Luo Ming had gathered everyone to assist Yang and Li in dealing with the Wood Puppet Abomination, including how various camps provided human bait.
Hearing about using people as bait to lure out the Wood Puppet Abomination - failing four times - Xia Hong's expression darkened.
When he learned Shi Dong had been swapped during bait duty and even entered Rogge Camp with Shi Qing, his face changed completely.
Not just him - realizing this, Shi Qing's expression also abruptly shifted as he looked north with terror.
"You mean to say... that Wood Puppet Abomination not only infiltrated Rogge Camp through Shi Dong... but witnessed your entire plan against it..."
"It's over... Rogge Camp is in trouble... serious trouble..."
Shi Qing didn't even hear the question, just kept staring north toward Rogge Camp, muttering about disaster.
Xia Hong grew urgent: "How many people in Rogge Camp?"
Startled from his daze, Shi Qing answered: "Not exactly sure... over a thousand."
A thousand...
Xia Hong's scalp prickled as conflict flashed across his face.
As Shi Qing said, for their final attempt to lure the Wood Puppet Abomination, Yang Ning and Li Hu had taken nearly 90% of all camps' combat forces.
Meaning Rogge Camp now held mostly ordinary people.
The more people the Wood Puppet Abomination killed, the stronger it became.
From Xia Hong's observations, its control over puppets was rapidly improving in both quantity and quality.
"They might all be slaughtered! We must go help."
This thought crystallized Xia Hong's resolve, replacing his hesitation with determination.
Whether slaughtered or not, they had to hurry.
That Wood Puppet Abomination already had grievances with Great Xia. Letting it grow stronger would doom both him and the camp.
But they couldn't charge in recklessly.
Xia Hong carefully organized his thoughts before asking Shi Qing:
"You said Yang Ning and Li Hu are strong enough to handle that Wood Puppet Abomination, right?"
Shi Qing nodded, then seeing Xia Hong's expression, realized his intent to go to Rogge Camp and hastily added:
"No, leader! Though Yang Ning's group is strong, the Wood Puppet Abomination escaped them four times and infiltrated Rogge Camp - it's not just powerful but cunning too. We shouldn't..."
"Should we just watch Rogge Camp get wiped out?"
Xia Hong cut him off, exhaling before stating solemnly:
"However many we can save, we mustn't let it massacre freely. As Yang and Li said - if that Abomination reaches intermediate rank, no human near Redwood Ridge will survive."
"But its strength..."
"Don't worry, I have ways to deal with it!"
With that, Xia Hong summoned the nine guards patrolling nearby.
Ignoring their confusion, he issued orders:
"Xu An, Liu Yuan, Li Yuankun - you three lead the group back to camp. It's close - shouldn't be problems. Seal the cave entrance as before - no exceptions for anyone failing the password."
The three, having recently reached Lumberjack Realm with unstable strength, would remain at camp.
"Yes, leader!" They obeyed despite curiosity.
"The other six come with me to Rogge Camp. That Wood Puppet Abomination is likely wreaking havoc there now."
"Yes, leader!" Xia Chuan and Yuan Cheng's group agreed without hesitation.
No - more than just unhesitating...
They seemed almost... excited?
Shi Qing, still carried by his son Shi Ping, watched in disbelief until confirming their lack of fear - even enthusiasm - left him utterly bewildered with one thought:
Are these youths reckless... or truly capable?
"Leader Shi, tell me Rogge Camp's exact location."
Knowing he couldn't dissuade Xia Hong, yet feeling inexplicable hope, Shi Qing quickly provided directions.
As Xia Hong prepared to depart, Shi Qing patted his son to retrieve their pack,
pulling out two recurve bows with quivers to stop Xia Hong:
"Leader, these bows are useless to me now. Take them - might help."
Delighted, Xia Hong accepted them gratefully:
"Many thanks, Leader Shi!"
Without further words, he led his six men into Redwood Ridge, sprinting northward.
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