Chapter 51: Conflict Reignited |
The camps around Redwood Ridge were all located on the eastern side, roughly connected from north to south, yet they remained isolated from each other.
People from different camps almost never crossed paths unless within their own territories—specifically within the 500-meter perimeter around Redwood Ridge's outer edges.
The reasons were simple.
First, the outer areas were familiar and relatively safer.
Second, it prevented mutual spying between camps—after all, one could never truly know another's heart.
Thus, unless under special circumstances, traveling from one camp to another required entering Redwood Ridge first, then moving south or north along the ridge's eastern outskirts to reach the destination.
Great Xia Camp was situated at the southernmost end of the eastern side. To reach Rogge Camp, one had to pass through the territories of Boulder Camp, Great Chuan Camp, and Huang Zhao Camp before entering Rogge Camp's domain.
Though the distance was less than four kilometers, the journey was far from straightforward.
The old problem remained—night travel couldn't be rushed, and loud noises were forbidden to avoid alerting the Frost Beasts.
Haste bred mistakes—he needed to stay calm.
That Wood Puppet Abomination was far more cunning than any Frost Beast. One misstep wouldn't just endanger him, but everyone in the camp.
"Leader, we're here!"
Xia Hong looked up following Xia Chuan's pointing finger.
Two towering mountains stood majestically to the east, each approximately two to three thousand meters high. Their peaks intersected, forming a valley about a hundred meters wide between them.
"That must be the valley Shi Qing mentioned," Xia Hong said.
"Leader, shall we go straight there?" Yuan Cheng asked.
Xia Hong considered it briefly before shaking his head and turning toward Redwood Ridge's inner area.
"We don't know Rogge Camp's situation. Charging in blindly would be reckless. First, we'll find Leader Luo Ming and those two Yang Ning and Li Hu that Shi Qing mentioned. With them, we'll be safer."
Though Xia Hong had encountered the Wood Puppet Abomination several times, he'd never actually faced it directly.
He knew nothing about its true strength or what other sinister abilities it might possess.
While he didn't wish to see Rogge Camp slaughtered, Xia Hong wasn't foolish enough to risk his own people's lives for others' sake. What seemed heroic to outsiders would be sheer stupidity to his own.
According to Shi Qing, Yang Ning and Li Hu had driven off the Wood Puppet Abomination three times. Though Xia Hong suspected the creature had let them win, at least it proved those two could hold their own against it.
With Luo Ming and the others joining forces, their combined strength would maximize their chances.
"Rogge Camp usually operates within a kilometer radius. Split into two teams—one heading south, the other north. I'll search the western inner area. Use bone whistles to signal when found. Stay alert."
"Yes, Leader!"
Xia Chuan took Yuan Cheng and Lin Kai south, while Yue Feng led Lu Yang and Qiu Peng north. Xia Hong ventured alone into Redwood Ridge's inner western section, the seven of them scattering to begin their search.
………………
Western Inner Area, Redwood Ridge
Unaware of Boulder Camp's plight, Luo Ming and his group were growing visibly impatient.
"Over two hours already. Can we even lure it out?"
"It escaped four times already. Even if it were stupid, it wouldn't fall for this again."
"Shh... don't say that. Those two are right behind us."
"What 'two'? I admit they're strong, but that Wood Puppet Abomination is stronger. Do you really think they drove it off those four times? I suspect it let them win."
"Why would it do that?"
"Think about it—each time it appears just to kill a few people, then pretends to flee when those two attack. That gives us false hope, making us keep offering bait so it can keep killing. Makes sense, right?"
"Hiss... you might be onto something."
…………
Luo Ming, grouped with Hong Gang and Huang Yong, felt uneasy hearing these murmurs.
For this final attempt to lure the Abomination, Yang Ning had explained that except for him and Li Hu, everyone else was just prey in the creature's eyes. Hence, they'd split into seven teams of seven to eight people each, scattering through the inner area as bait.
Knowing nothing about the Abomination, Luo Ming had followed Yang Ning's orders without question. He'd brought twenty-eight men—three at Digging Realm and twenty-five at Lumberjack Realm. The other four camps contributed twenty-four Lumberjack Realm warriors including their leaders.
In total, fifty-two people divided into seven teams. Luo Ming's group was largest with nine members—himself at Digging Realm plus eight Lumberjack Realm fighters, including leaders Hong Gang and Huang Yong.
Yang Ning and Li Hung lurked in the shadows, constantly repositioning themselves at the center of the seven teams, ready to strike at the first sign of trouble.
"Leader Luo, something's wrong," Huang Yong said, clearly affected by the murmurs.
"Over two hours and no sign of it. Last four times, it appeared within half an hour. Why the delay now?"
Luo Ming's face darkened—he'd realized this earlier.
But they were just bait, or more bluntly, prey.
The Abomination was the hunter.
Hunters appeared when they chose, not when prey wished.
Even recognizing the anomaly, they were powerless.
Yet Luo Ming's unease ran deeper.
The Abomination's absence hinted at something far more ominous.
Yang Ning and Li Hu had claimed human lives were irresistible bait to Abominations, proven by the creature's four previous appearances.
But this time, despite their numbers, it hadn't shown.
Did that mean it could have ignored them all along, and only appeared before because... it wanted to?
Following this logic, just as that man had said, the Abomination might have been toying with them all along—appearing briefly to kill a few, pretending to flee when Yang and Li attacked, giving false hope to keep the human sacrifices coming.
But if so, why stop now?
Was he overthinking?
Or did the Abomination have more important business?
*Smack!*
A sharp slap echoed nearby, snapping Luo Ming from his thoughts.
It was followed by an arrogant roar:
"Worthless trash! I risk my life to rid you of this menace, and instead of gratitude, you gossip behind my back? One more word and I'll slaughter you fools myself—no need to wait for that Abomination!"
Luo Ming's expression darkened instantly.
So did Huang Yong and Hong Gang's beside him.
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