Chapter 145: Killing and Carnage |
Outskirts of Redwood Ridge
Boom…………
A massive tree over eight meters in diameter crashed to the ground with a thunderous roar.
Xu An rubbed his sore and swollen arms, looking at the many fallen trees nearby before putting down his iron saw and smiling:
"That's the thirteenth one. We should have nearly seventy thousand jin tonight, right?"
"Should be about that!"
Liu Yuan across from him nodded, a smile also appearing on his face, but then he thought of something and his smile faded as he said, "Nine Golden Frost Trees, four Crimson Frost Trees, converting that only gives us 31 Contribution Points. Splitting between us, that's just 15 points each. Still too slow."
Golden Frost Trees counted as 1 Contribution Point per 2000 jin, while Crimson Frost Trees were 1 point per 4000 jin. The nine Golden Frost Trees just now were each around six thousand jin, and the Crimson Frost Trees about four thousand, so the conversion indeed amounted to that many Contribution Points.
"If only we could be like your brother, joining the hunting team and going out with the leader to hunt Frost Beasts. Those Contribution Points come fast then."
"Earning 900 points in one night! Just getting into the hunting team means you'd have more Contribution Points than you could ever use. Look at people like Luo Yuan - not only does everyone in their family have clothes to wear, they've also added quite a few iron tools. Yesterday I saw even his son Luo An had a small set of clothes custom-made at the Artisan Workshop. Tsk tsk, that Luo An isn't even six years old yet and already has clothes!"
Xu An couldn't help but continue the topic, his voice filled with envy:
"I saw that too. Zou Yuankai's son Zou Ping also got some made. Yesterday Yue Feng went to Mu Dong to order a blue fleece blanket, heard it's for Yue Yuan."
Yue Yuan, who had only been born a little over a month ago!
Liu Yuan's eyes first showed astonishment, then his expression became even more envious.
What he envied wasn't children having clothes, but what these things represented - that those hunting team members truly had more Contribution Points than they could spend.
"Clothes, wooden products, animal hide goods - these are just small expenses. Some time ago, the hunting team members already exchanged for the ten-dan iron-backed bows. Those are the big-ticket items - being able to afford 2000 Contribution Points! I estimate that aside from my brother and Lin Kai, the other hunting team members each have at least three to four thousand Contribution Points on hand."
Three to four thousand…………
Hearing Xu An's estimated number and thinking about his own meager savings of just over three hundred Contribution Points, Liu Yuan couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile.
"We really need to break through quickly. How much do you have now?"
"Eight thousand five hundred. Probably still need some time..."
After Xu An answered, remembering that Liu Yuan's base strength had always been slightly stronger than his, he quickly asked, "What about you?"
Only then did Liu Yuan finally show a smile, extending his right hand toward Xu An and gently hooking his index finger.
"Nine thousand! Damn, you're almost about to break through!"
Learning that Liu Yuan's base strength had reached nine thousand, Xu An felt excited but also a sense of urgency.
Both he and Liu Yuan were among the oldest members of Great Xia, and besides Leader Xia Hong, they were among the first ten to break through to the Lumberjack Realm.
Not counting the leader, back at the Earthen Slope, the first batch to break through were Xia Chuan and Yuan Cheng; the second batch were Yue Feng and four others; and the third batch were him, Liu Yuan, and Li Yuankun - three people.
Having broken through in the same batch, he couldn't fall too far behind Liu Yuan.
"Li Yuankun joined the gathering team. Not sure how his strength is now. Heard he was assigned to Captain Cheng Feng's group like us. We should definitely ask when we see him next."
Xu An nodded - he also wanted to know Li Yuankun's progress.
Nowadays, whether in the gathering team or lumberjack team, when going out they're divided into groups of ten.
Those in the Lumberjack Realm could freely choose to join either the gathering team or lumberjack team. He and Liu Yuan both joined the lumberjack team and, because their strength was decent, were assigned to Captain Bai Dongying's group.
Li Yuankun went to the gathering team, probably also because his strength was good, and was assigned to Captain Cheng Feng's group.
"Could it be that I'm the weakest? Don't you two pull too far ahead of me!"
"Hahahaha, probably not."
Seeing Xu An's annoyed expression, Liu Yuan couldn't help but laugh loudly, teasing him.
Camp members definitely competed with each other, but the competition basically came down to three things: strength, gathering speed, and Contribution Points.
The three complemented each other, but everyone knew clearly that the most important was definitely strength. As long as you were strong enough, increased gathering speed and more Contribution Points would follow naturally.
"Alright, let's cut one more tree then head back. That's enough for tonight!"
Xu An nodded, following behind Liu Yuan as they searched for the next big tree.
"Beep... beep... beep... beep…………"
Suddenly, two urgent bone whistle sounds came from the north!
The two men, who had been moving between the large trees, abruptly changed expressions dramatically.
"Four sounds - the emergency retreat signal?"
"Someone's in danger!"
The two exchanged glances without the slightest hesitation, immediately taking out the bone whistles hanging around their necks and blowing them toward the south.
"Beep... beep... beep... beep…………"
As they blew the whistles, they immediately put away their saws and quickly ran toward the east, which was toward the outside of Redwood Ridge.
"Beep... beep... beep... beep…………"
…………
As they sounded their whistles, countless other bone whistle sounds quickly rang out from north to south within a five-hundred-meter radius in the outskirts, signaling everyone to retreat quickly.
Great Xia now had over three hundred people in the Lumberjack Realm. To avoid attracting Frost Beasts, outgoing personnel couldn't be too concentrated. For convenient communication, everyone was equipped with bone whistles when going out.
One sound meant encountering Frost Beasts and requesting support; two sounds meant encountering Abominations and requesting support; three sounds meant there was still time to bring supplies before retreating;
Four sounds meant everyone must retreat immediately without delay!
"Four sounds - this is the first time, right? Who encountered what?"
"Must be something too powerful - either multiple Frost Beasts, and mid-tier ones at that; or very strong Abominations………"
Their expressions changed dramatically as they ran swiftly and wildly toward the outskirts, speculating about what had been encountered while fleeing!
In current Great Xia, even against Abominations, unless they were too powerful, people normally wouldn't blow four whistle sounds. After all, they had Concentrated Fire Oil, torches, and so many people.
Let alone ordinary Abominations!
As the two retreated, seven people soon caught up with them nearby.
"You all heard it?"
"Heard it."
"Came from the north."
"Who was it? Which team encountered it?"
"Where's the captain?"
Xu An looked around at the seven people, noticing Captain Bai Dongying wasn't among them, and immediately asked.
Their group of ten was led personally by Captain Bai Dongying.
Bai Dongying wouldn't be far from them. With such dense whistle sounds, he couldn't have missed them - why hadn't he retreated?
"He told us to retreat first while he went to check the situation over there!"
Lu Sheng spoke with lingering fear - he had been with Bai Dongying earlier.
"What happened?"
"Liu Yuan, was it you who blew the whistle?"
"Not us."
"Which group was it?"
"Not clear!"
………………
More and more people gradually withdrew from within Redwood Ridge. Some noticed Liu Yuan's group and immediately came over to inquire.
Learning the sound came from the north, everyone looked toward the north with both vigilance and curiosity.
"Don't waste time here! Quickly go back and notify the leader and others!"
Xu An withdrew his grave expression and reminded everyone, then immediately ran back toward the valley base.
Four whistle sounds - no matter who blew them, it definitely meant big trouble.
They couldn't help much by going over anyway - could only quickly notify Xia Hong.
"Just don't know if the hunting team has returned yet. If they haven't come back, that would be troublesome!"
………………
"Beep... beep... beep... beep…………"
…………
In the northern part of Redwood Ridge, a team of seven people was scattered and moving through the dense forest in a 2-2-3 formation. They all had bone whistles in their mouths, continuously blowing them while desperately fleeing southward.
Whoosh... whoosh…………
Behind them, over twenty people were constantly closing in. While pursuing, they didn't stop either, continuously firing iron-tipped arrows at them.
The iron arrows flew extremely fast with terrifying force. The key was their archery skills were also strong, constantly predicting their evasion positions.
Thump…………
One person from the three-person squad on the left was unfortunately pierced through the chest by an iron arrow, nailed directly to a tree trunk behind him.
"Run! Don't worry about me!"
The two beside him instinctively turned back, but upon hearing his panicked shout, gritted their teeth, gave up turning back, and continued fleeing south.
Great Xia now had over three hundred people in the Lumberjack Realm. To avoid attracting Frost Beasts, personnel going out couldn't be too concentrated. For convenient communication, everyone was equipped with bone whistles when going out.
He Meng from the pursuing crowd, seeing that the Great Xia member was hit but not dead yet, stopped and ordered He Gang before walking up to the person with the pierced chest, a fierce smile appearing on his face:
"Tell me, where is the Great Xia base located?"
The man's lungs were pierced by the iron arrow, already in a state where he had more outgoing than incoming breath. Hearing He Meng's question, he raised his head to look, a flicker of desire to survive appearing on his face as he trembled, "You... come closer... I..."
A trace of triumph flashed in He Meng's eyes as he gently walked up to the man, leaning his ear close.
"Our base... is... south of Red...wood Ridge..."
As He Meng's ear approached, the man slowly opened his mouth to speak, but his voice was so soft that He Meng had to lean even closer.
The moment the man's mouth touched He Meng's ear, his pupils suddenly focused as he opened his mouth and bit down on He Meng's ear.
"Ah…………"
A sharp pain shot through his ear as He Meng let out a piercing scream, instinctively trying to pull away.
But the man bit down firmly and wouldn't let go, even reaching out with both hands to grab his clothes. Clearly a final burst of energy before death - the briefly erupted strength actually restrained He Meng momentarily.
"Seeking death seeking death seeking death! Ahhh, you're seeking death!"
Recovering from the brief panic, He Meng immediately drew his large knife and frantically stabbed the man's body.
But the man just bit down firmly without letting go. Only after being stabbed over a dozen times wildly did the man finally lose all life force and release his bite.
But by then, He Meng's ear was missing nearly half.
"Hiss…………"
He Meng covered his ear area, pulling back to see the man holding his severed ear piece in his mouth, a smile still on his face. Furious beyond measure, He Meng sliced off his head with his knife.
"I want to see if everyone in Great Xia camp is this tough!"
He Meng's anger surged to the heavens as he sheathed his knife and hurried south, quickly catching up with He Gang and the others ahead.
"How many killed?"
He Gang turned back seeing the wound on He Meng's ear. Guessing what happened from his furious expression, the anger on his own face intensified as he said gravely:
"Killed two. Only four left. They're changing direction west - seems like none plan to run home. Should we just slaughter them all?"
He Meng looked up ahead at the four small torches twenty-thirty meters away, constantly veering westward, his expression immediately turning grave.
None planned to live - they were trying to lead these people deeper into Redwood Ridge. Remembering the earlier man and seeing these four now, He Meng's chest burned with even greater anger.
These Great Xia people were truly fiercely stubborn.
"Kill them all. No need to keep anyone alive. The area around Redwood Ridge is only this big - search a few more times and we'll eventually find the Great Xia base!"
Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh…………
Bai Dongying wouldn't be far from them. With such dense whistle sounds, he couldn't have missed them - why hadn't he retreated?
Over twenty Digging Realm members with bows against ten Lumberjack Realm members - if not for wanting to keep some alive to interrogate about the Great Xia base location, they wouldn't have needed to chase this long.
Thud…………
Sure enough, another one among the four ahead was hit.
Since no need to keep anyone alive, these people stopped holding back. Seeing the hit person nailed to a tree, they immediately fired four-five more arrows into vital spots.
"Beep... beep... beep... beep…………"
The man actually managed to blow one final bone whistle with his willpower before dying.
Thud…………
This scene naturally made He Meng even angrier. He shot an arrow directly through the man's mouth, and the whistle sound abruptly ceased.
"It's over, Captain Hong. They're going for the kill!"
"Already seven dead. We probably won't survive either..."
The three still fleeing ahead, confirming that the pursuers had started killing without restraint, instead saw all panic in their eyes disappear, replaced by fierceness.
Especially Hong Mu in the center - after dodging an iron arrow using a large tree, he plunged straight westward into deeper parts of Redwood Ridge.
More and more people gradually withdrew from within Redwood Ridge. Some noticed Liu Yuan's group and immediately came over to inquire.
The people on left and right immediately threw their torches toward him.
When Great Xia's Lumberjack Realm members went out, besides applying Concentrated Fire Oil, they only carried one torch each.
Hong Mu combined the three torches, holding them high as he continued deeper.
From the first encounter when the opponents shot their first arrow, Hong Mu had already realized these people were all in the Digging Realm.
His father Hong Gang in the hunting team was also Digging Realm strength.
Hong Mu had seen arrows shot by his father, so he clearly understood these pursuers' strength likely surpassed his father's. Combined with their numbers, this group's power might be stronger than Great Xia's entire hunting team.
Though he hadn't clearly seen their faces, Hong Mu could basically determine they were definitely from Mirror Immortal Camp.
Fighting head-on was certain death. Without the leader coming, probably no one in the entire camp was a match for this group. So from the start, Hong Mu directly blew the four-sound bone whistle to warn everyone out tonight to flee quickly.
"Others should have mostly escaped. We're definitely dead - even if the leader finds out, he's too far away to make it in time. Only attracting Frost Beasts gives us a slim chance of survival!"
Hong Mu didn't clearly know the torches' exact power, having never used them outside before. He only heard from his father Hong Gang that torches had extremely terrifying attraction to Frost Beasts and should never be lit unless absolutely necessary.
So currently, he actually had no confidence. Plus the arrows from behind becoming more dense, only two people left beside him, and no Frost Beasts appearing after so long, despair grew on his face.
"Roar…………"
Suddenly, a Frost Beast's roar came from the side.
If going out for lumberjacking on normal days, such Frost Beast roars were no different from death knells. But now, Hong Mu heard it like celestial music.
Not only did he instantly feel much more relaxed, he even showed a smile on his face.
"In this area, with this sound - definitely a mid-tier Frost Beast. If we can hold on a few more breaths, there might really be a chance to survive!"
Though it felt long, only about twenty-plus breaths had passed since the pursuers decided to kill without restraint.
If this Frost Beast comes quickly, or if another comes...
In the northern part of Redwood Ridge, a team of seven people was scattered and moving through the dense forest in a 2-2-3 formation. They all had bone whistles in their mouths, continuously blowing them while desperately fleeing southward.
Another team member on the left was nailed to a tree by an iron arrow.
A pained expression flashed across Hong Mu's face. His group had ten people total - they usually went out lumbering together and had developed deep bonds.
In just this short time, eight had already died.
Only he and one other remained.
"Still trying to run? Die!"
The arrows from behind suddenly stopped. Hong Mu thought the dead team member had bought them some time.
Only when He Meng's angry shout sounded by his ear did he realize it was because He Meng had caught up to him, so the other Mirror Immortal Camp members stopped shooting.
The chilling sensation of blade light attacked from behind. Hong Mu's pupils contracted sharply as a deadly aura rushed straight to his head.
His clever plan had worked - Frost Beasts were indeed attracted by the torches.
The only thing he hadn't calculated was that his own strength was too weak!
To be precise, the chasm between Lumberjack Realm and Digging Realm was too vast.
Earlier, He Meng and others not killing outright was the main reason they could escape smoothly. From when the opponents decided to kill until now, being able to evade for over twenty breaths using large trees had already reached his limit.
The Frost Beast was too far away - no one could save him.
Certain death!
Clang…………
Just as Hong Mu closed his eyes waiting for death, an iron arrow suddenly whooshed from the east, directly hitting He Meng's knife.
The sound of metal clashing rang out. Though He Meng's knife was slightly deflected, it didn't affect his determination to kill Hong Mu.
Though realizing Great Xia reinforcements must have arrived behind them, killing intent still surged in He Meng's eyes as he firmly chopped toward Hong Mu.
Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh…………
After the first arrow was deflected by the knife, even more iron arrows continuously flew from behind, and their targets were clearly He Meng himself.
"These scum!"
He Meng gritted his teeth in furious shout, directly withdrawing his knife and dodging.
The first arrow targeted his knife - he could ignore it. But these subsequent arrows aimed at him couldn't be ignored.
A trace of triumph flashed in He Meng's eyes as he gently walked up to the man, leaning his ear close.
Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...
"Boss, many people coming!"
Continuous arrow rain rushed over from behind. Not just He Meng, but all Mirror Immortal Camp members turned to look behind them, instantly feeling scalp numb.
On the large trees behind them stood at least a hundred people, frantically shooting arrows at their twenty-plus members.
"Retreat first!"
Though furious at failing to kill Hong Mu, He Meng regained some reason upon seeing Great Xia's overwhelming hundred-plus archers, plus Frost Beasts quickly approaching from within.
Mirror Immortal Camp members immediately scattered upon hearing the order, fleeing northward.
"Hong Mu! Throw away the torches then come over! Quickly!"
Xia Chuan's voice sounded from afar. Hong Mu immediately discarded the torches in hand and, with the remaining person, quickly ran east.
A sharp pain shot through his ear as He Meng let out a piercing scream, instinctively trying to pull away.
In the distance, a massive creature was rapidly approaching, shaking the ground continuously.
But the man bit down firmly and wouldn't let go, even reaching out with both hands to grab his clothes. Clearly a final burst of energy before death - the briefly erupted strength actually restrained He Meng momentarily.
Hong Gang rushed forward from the crowd and caught his son. Seeing Hong Mu's disheveled appearance and multiple arrow wounds, his face was full of rage.
"Father, I'm fine."
Hong Mu first reassured Hong Gang, then with pained expression turned to Xia Chuan and said, "Sir, that Mirror Immortal Camp group came directly over. At first they tried to find out our base location, so they didn't kill outright. Later when they saw we wouldn't cooperate, they started killing directly. My group of ten - eight were killed!"
Recovering from the brief panic, He Meng immediately drew his large knife and frantically stabbed the man's body.
"These scum! Killing people!"
But the man just bit down firmly without letting go. Only after being stabbed over a dozen times wildly did the man finally lose all life force and release his bite.
"Didn't you hear? They even tried to probe our base location! This means they want a fight to the death with us!"
………………
Others might not understand clearly, but the hunting team members certainly understood why He Meng's group had come.
Having three prey animals intercepted definitely made He Meng and others angry.
But such a reaction was something they never expected.
He Meng covered his ear area, pulling back to see the man holding his severed ear piece in his mouth, a smile still on his face. Furious beyond measure, He Meng swung his knife and sent his head flying.
This clearly showed they didn't regard Great Xia as equals, thinking Great Xia and Mirror Immortal Camp were not on equal footing - coming to demand explanations!
All seventeen hunting team members, including Xia Chuan, instantly became filled with towering rage.
"Too many people came out. Everyone else return to base first! Hunting team members come with me north to see if anyone else survived! Other matters wait until the leader wakes up!"
Xia Chuan looked north, hands clenched tightly. Though killing intent was intense in his eyes, he restrained his anger and turned to signal everyone to quickly return.
Though his impression of Mirror Immortal Camp was poor, Xia Chuan had to admit their strength was still greater than Great Xia's.
Especially with Xia Hong absent - even more so!
All Lumberjack Realm members returned to camp. Xia Chuan led the sixteen hunting team members north along Hong Mu's escape trail to search.
As they discovered one mutilated body after another, the expressions on Xia Chuan and others' faces grew increasingly furious.
"Chest stabbed over a dozen times."
"Head chopped off. Still biting an ear in his mouth - probably interrogated by He Meng."
"Interrogated after being nailed to tree by arrow. Head and body suffered heavy blows."
"This is Bai Wuting's younger brother, Bai Wufan. Only broke through last month!"
"He Meng and these beasts!"
…………
When they discovered the headless corpse, the anger in everyone's hearts instantly climbed to its peak.
All looked at the headless body on the ground, chests heaving, hands clenched tightly, eyes filled with cold intent.
"Bring all the bodies back. Wait for the leader to finish secluded training!"
Xia Chuan was also furious beyond restraint at this point. After speaking, he directly picked up the body on the ground and hurried back toward the base.
"Losing eight Lumberjack Realm members at once - this is Great Xia's first time. When big brother wakes up, he'll probably be very angry too!"
Xia Chuan led everyone back to the base, the anger on his face lingering for a long time without subsiding.
Probably Xia Hong never expected He Meng's temper would be this great.
Only just had three prey animals been intercepted, and he immediately crossed the boundary to the south to kill.
Not just killing - he even tried to directly find out Great Xia's base location!
If he had known it would be like this, he definitely wouldn't have used beast blood for secluded training.