Chapter 110: Section 111: It’s Time to Take It Out


    When the next day arrived, Zhenjin was woken up by noise.


    “What’s happening?” Zhenjin opened his bleary eyes.


    After listening for a while, he thought he heard Zong Ge’s voice.


    Due to practicing intensely the night before, Zhenjin was too tired even to take off his leather armor. He simply tossed aside his thin sword and water pouch and fell asleep.


    Now, he rose immediately, donned his thin sword, lifted the tent flap, and stepped out.


    The argument had just ended, and Zong Ge was leading a group of people who were about to leave.


    ...


    Each of these people was holding a crossbow.


    “Lord Zhenjin!” Xi Suo spotted Zhenjin and immediately felt as if he had found his anchor.


    He hurried over to Zhenjin, pointing at Zong Ge and the others, “These people are barbaric; they came here to take away most of the crossbows!”


    The people around Zong Ge stopped in their tracks when they saw Zhenjin arriving, their expressions tense.


    Zong Ge stared at Zhenjin and spoke indifferently, “Yesterday, we scouted an area of eight thousand meters and were attacked no less than twenty times. Having more crossbows allows us to scout faster and with fewer losses.”


    “Holy Temple Knight, I think you should understand the situation we are in.”


    Zhenjin looked at Zong Ge but didn’t speak for a moment.


    The young man keenly observed that the steel armor on Zong Ge’s body was more rugged and deformed than he remembered, especially around the waist where there were clear signs of being compressed by a tremendous force. These were likely the marks left from his fight with the Crocodile Head Hammer Tail Boa.


    Behind Zong Ge, not only were there a pair of Short Spears, but also a large white bone hammer.


    The bone hammer was incredibly dense and heavy, clearly refashioned from the tail bone of the Crocodile Head Hammer Tail Boa.


    Zhenjin was aware of this.


    Just yesterday, Zong Ge had sent someone to take the tail bone of the Crocodile Head Hammer Tail Boa. He didn’t expect them to act so swiftly that Zong Ge had acquired a new weapon just one day later.


    Zhenjin remained silent, and Zong Ge did not speak further.


    Both parties fell into a brief silence, creating a tense atmosphere.


    “The bone hammer looks nice.” Suddenly, Zhenjin cracked a slight smile, breaking the silence.


    “Has anyone been injured? What are the casualties? Perhaps I could arrange for Zi Di to prepare another batch of Healing Potions,” Zhenjin continued.


    For some reason, seeing Zhenjin’s smile made Zong Ge feel even more nervous than before. But outwardly, Zong Ge appeared quite calm, “The casualties aren’t significant, it’s better not to bother Miss Zi Di with other matters. Let Miss Zi Di prepare more Corrosive Potions and make more triggers. Right now, we need more crossbows.”


    “The more, the better,” Zong Ge reiterated.


    Zhenjin nodded, “It seems you and I are of the same mind. Then, I wish you good luck today.”


    “Lord…” Xi Suo was stunned, not expecting Zhenjin to simply let Zong Ge and his people go.


    Zong Ge, appearing unsurprised, nodded at Zhenjin and, leading the visibly relieved former mercenaries, left the camp.


    Watching Zong Ge’s retreating figure, Zhenjin noticed that his new weapon was crudely made, basically a wooden handle stuck into the bone hammer.


    It was very similar to when Zhenjin had made the Spider Blade from a spider’s leg.


    Then Zhenjin spoke again, “Tonight…”


    Hearing Zhenjin suddenly speak, the people around Zong Ge tensed up and turned around in unison.


    “You can bring the bone hammer over, Mu Ban’s craftsmanship might be better.”


    Zong Ge paused his steps but still didn’t turn around.


    The robust Half-Beast warrior continued walking until he was about to exit the camp gate, then left a comment—”Thank you then.”


    Xi Suo watched as the group took the crossbows and smoothly left the camp, “Lord, are you just letting them go?”


    Zhenjin smiled, “They truly need these crossbows.” Sёarch* The ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xi Suo shook his head, “But, that’s most of our crossbows. We’re running low now.”


    “That’s alright,” Mu Ban came over, having heard Xi Suo’s recent comment, “We can make more. With the Corrosive Potions provided by Chairman Zi Di, I’ve already made a template for mass-producing triggers. These triggers are of better quality, and the crossbows made will be stronger.”


    “As for those taken by Zong Ge and his group, most have been soaked in seawater and worn through battles without proper maintenance; they’re basically defective products. It’s already good enough if they can make do with them.”


    “What do you know?” Xi Suo glared at Mu Ban.


    Mu Ban bowed his head and stopped speaking.


    He was merely a common man, whereas Xi Suo had the Cultivation of the Bronze Level.


    “No, if new crossbows are made, we should also provide some to Zong Ge,” Zhenjin declared.


    “Ah? Lord, if we do that…” Xi Suo was astonished.


    Zhenjin looked at Xi Suo, his blue eyes deepening, “More than crossbows, I am more interested in how Zong Ge and his people were able to enter the camp.”


    “Who’s currently on duty?” Zhenjin asked.


    “It’s me, Lord,” Xi Suo quickly lowered his head, but then he argued, “Zong Ge came here with a large group, demanding crossbows aggressively. If I had just closed the camp gates, it might have led to a greater conflict. You know, I’m only a Bronze Level sailor. Thus, helplessly, I let Zong Ge and a few of his men into the camp.”


    “Why didn’t you notify me then?” Zhenjin asked.


    Xi Suo licked his dry lips, “Lord, I was about to send someone to notify you. I originally planned to stall Zong Ge for a while, but Zong Ge doesn’t play by the rules; he directly went to the armory and forcibly took the crossbows!”


    Zhenjin fell silent, not speaking, just looking at Xi Suo.


    It seemed that Xi Suo was gradually unable to bear the invisible pressure in Lord Zhenjin’s gaze, lowering his head more and more.


    Mu Ban watched this scene and couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased.


    Zhenjin suddenly said, “Xi Suo.”


    “Lord, I am always waiting for your command,” Xi Suo quickly responded.


    Zhenjin sighed softly, “Both of us are pure members of the Human Race, we should not underestimate each other’s intelligence, should we?”


    “Lo-Lord…” At that moment, Xi Suo seemed to be possessed by Fat Tongue.


    “Your performance this time has truly disappointed me,” Zhenjin continued.


    “However, I understand you and know the pain and unease in your heart. But please also try to understand the current situation. You attended yesterday’s council, didn’t you?”


    “Go and personally guard the camp gate. If today’s situation occurs again, you should know what to do, right?”


    Xi Suo kneeled on the ground, drenched in a cold sweat in a short amount of time, his hand over his heart, he promised Zhenjin, “Lord, I will definitely guard the camp gate with my life! If Zong Ge comes again with men, I will guard the camp gate to the best of my ability!”


    “Very well, I look forward to your performance. You may leave now.”


    After receiving a lecture from Zhenjin, Xi Suo put away his petty thoughts and stood guard at the camp gate all day, even eating his meals there.


    Regardless of his real thoughts, this attitude of accepting punishment had satisfied Zhenjin.


    That day, the young knight continued to scout the surroundings with Bai Ya and others.


    He had trained hard the previous night, slept little, and had inadequate rest, resulting in a backache and sore waist while traversing the mountains and forests throughout the day.


    Thus, Zhenjin returned to the camp earlier than the day before.


    At dinner, Bai Ya approached Zhenjin, “Lord, Zong Ge and his group haven’t returned yet. But they sent back a severely wounded person at noon. I heard that just in the morning, they covered a distance of over ten thousand meters. Calculating their total scouting achievement today, they have completed one-tenth of their assigned task.”


    Bai Ya added, “Since we don’t return to the camp at noon, we could eat dried meat in the evening outside. This way, we can have more time for scouting.”


    Looking at Bai Ya’s anxious expression, Zhenjin’s heart warmed, and he patted his shoulder, “Don’t worry, Bai Ya. Scouting must be done carefully, and we must ensure the safety of our own people, not act rashly. The forest is full of dangers, and we must always be vigilant. A slight inattention could fall prey to lurking beasts. So, it’s essential to rest well.”


    After dinner, Zhenjin went back to his tent to catch some rest.


    Deep into the night, he set out again, using the excuse of a night patrol to secretly train.


    This continued for three consecutive days.


    Zong Ge’s group had far outpaced Zhenjin and the others.


    Bai Ya became impatient: “Lord, we are about to lose! I heard that you go on night patrols every day. No wonder you’re low on energy during the day. Lord Zhenjin, please stop doing this. Xi Suo is very serious about guarding the camp; he is sufficient.”


    Zhenjin shook his head, “In warfare and marching, there must be tension and relaxation, Bai Ya.”


    Bai Ya exclaimed with wide eyes, “But Lord, we are well-rested every day, our energy has no outlet. We could travel further, scout more areas.”


    Zhenjin smiled, “You haven’t grasped my meaning. I mean that Zong Ge’s group is exerting themselves too much in scouting the surroundings, their combat strength has severely decreased, with almost daily injuries.”


    “What if Blue Dog Fox Wolf leads the Demon Beast Army to attack us at this time?”


    “Therefore, we must retain some combat strength. If Zong Ge’s group can’t perform in a critical moment, we will have to rely on ourselves.”


    “So, that’s what you’ve been thinking.” Bai Ya paused, “Lord, you are truly kind and considerate. That detestable Half-Beast, Zong Ge, must be exploiting your all-encompassing kindness!”


    “Lord Cang Xu pointed out to me that this is precisely what Zong Ge intended. The challenge of this scouting mission was initiated by him. If he can defeat you, his influence will rise significantly. He intentionally conducts Rapid Marches daily, putting his team in crisis while controlling casualties. This is a clear soldier’s approach. By placing the people around him in danger, they naturally rely on Zong Ge, a strong leader. And each time Zong Ge resolves a crisis, it deepens the gratitude or adoration of the people around him. Lord, Zong Ge is challenging your authority!”


    Zhenjin nodded, “As expected of an old Scholar, with a sharp insight.”


    “My lord!” Bai Ya was frantic, almost stomping her foot, “Now, people’s hearts have changed.”


    “Our comrades have begun to slack off. Some think it’s good that we’re being slightly lazy, letting Zong Ge’s group sacrifice more so we can enjoy the benefits.”


    “Some people are dissatisfied. According to this trend, we are going to be defeated by Half-Beasts, goblins, and the like, even though we could have tried harder. This isn’t us giving our all.”


    “Zong Ge’s group also has rumors.”


    “They look down on us, thinking we fear danger, are too cautious, not real men.”


    “Among their wounded, a rumor has even arisen.”


    Here Bai Ya appeared very angry, “Oh? Let’s hear it.”


    “The rumor states that you, Lord, didn’t actually kill any Blue Dog Fox Wolf. Perhaps from the start, there were two Blue Dog Fox Wolves, and you just picked up a tuft of wolf fur from the ground. When you returned to the camp and saw the Crocodile Head Hammer Tail Boa killed by Zong Ge, worried about your status being impacted by his achievements, you lied about the wolf fur.”


    “Comparing real combat capabilities, you are not Zong Ge’s equal. The results of the past few days’ scouting have shown what kind of person you are.”


    Having spoken in one breath, Bai Ya, angry and somewhat uneasy, paused.


    Zhenjin laughed lightly, “This rumor is very interesting. It seems Zong Ge has united his group very tightly.”


    “Lord, aren’t you upset being misunderstood like this?” Bai Ya was puzzled.


    Zhenjin smiled, “Did you not say it was just a rumor?”


    “But Lord…”


    Zhenjin went on, “What concerns me more is the casualties of Zong Ge’s group. It’s said they have already lost two people?”


    “Yes, one was killed by a snake on the spot, the other fell and died halfway while being carried back to the camp. Besides, there are over a dozen injured.”


    “The casualty rate seems high,” Zhenjin murmured, “It seems like time to bring out the complete map.”