Chương 20: Chapter 20 Hunting bandits in the desert 3/3

As the expeditionary force followed the trail left behind by the bandits, it became increasingly clear that they were approaching their quarry.

In the beginning, the expeditionary force had relied on a rare consumable time-path investigative Gu, but as they drew nearer, their other investigative methods started to work, eliminating the need for this expensive tracking tool.

The group moved quickly, probably riding on some kind of domesticated beast or using mount-type Gu like the Footless Bird.

When the Ye clan elders received a report from one of the forward scouts that a mounted troop of Gu masters had been spotted, they were relieved and happy to have finally found their prey.

"Clearly tell us what you saw again," Xie Long commanded.

Seated inside the command tent, Zhao Wen and the other rank 3s looked at the investigative Gu master, waiting for his response.

Bowing to the elders present, the investigative Gu master began describing what he had seen.

"Lords, about 40 minutes ago, I spotted moving shapes on the horizon. I informed my squadmate to be alert while I flew closer to identify if I had found our quarry or an unknown beast group. Using my Eagle Eyes Gu and Magnified Vision Gu, I was able to clearly identify the figures as the bandits we've been hunting. I spotted about 60 Gu masters mounted on Green Striped Zebras and three large sleds being dragged by Green Striped Zebras."

"Anything else you'd like to add? Perhaps about the sleds?" Xie Long asked.

"Yes, Lord. It seemed as if the sleds were loaded to their limit, causing the group's movement speed to decrease."

"Alright, you're dismissed," Xie Long said.

Waiting for the Gu master to leave, the elders present glanced toward Xie Long, who had dismissed the scout. Turning to face Zhao Wen and the other elders, Xie Long paused for a second before starting to speak.

"We previously decided on a night attack with the intention of catching the enemy off guard, defeating them without major casualties, and hopefully capturing some new recruits for the Mo Zu."

Pausing for a few seconds, Xie Long waited to see if anyone had anything to add before continuing.

"As it seems no one has any objection to committing to our previous plan, we will start planning the details now. Elder Luo, if you would…"

What followed was a lengthy discussion between the elders as they figured out how they would approach the battle.

Having learned from Mo Fan and the Xi caravan guards that their enemy had five rank 3 Gu masters, the Ye clan elders seriously discussed their battle approach.

Zhao Wen listened with quiet interest on the side. He didn't have much to add, as he didn't have any experience with rank 3 Gu battles. Even if he had the original's memories, they wouldn't help much, as rank 3 was a completely different beast compared to rank 2. At rank 3, a Gu master's individual path and combat system truly started to manifest.

This, combined with white silver primeval essence, made rank 3 Gu masters dominate the lesser ranks, and allowed rank 3 Gu masters with excellent combat systems or comprehension to challenge enemies with higher cultivation, though this was mostly limited to minor cultivation stages.

"So we're in agreement that initiating a group battle would be the best?" Xie Long asked.

Seeing that Xie Long and the others seemed to have come to a conclusion, Zhao Wen waited for the acknowledgments of the other elders, which did not take long.

Xie Long, having received the acknowledgments, turned to the two rank 3 Gu masters whose positions had yet to be decided: Zhao Wen and Mo Fan, the captain of the Xi caravan guards.

"Captain Mo Fan, we expect you to pull one of the enemy rank 3 Gu masters into a duel while we engage the remaining four in a group battle. You don't need to win the duel, as we are reasonably confident that we will defeat the enemy in the four versus four."

Pausing for a second to glance towards the seated Zhao Wen, Xie Long continued.

"If you absolutely feel that you can't hold out in the duel, you can signal Elder Zhao to come to your rescue, although only do this if you are at death's door. Elder Zhao has an important part to play in our strategy."

Having expressed that calling for help was only meant to be a last resort, Xie Long turned to Zhao Wen.

"When we first set out on this mission, you already told us how you wanted to act. Because of your unfamiliarity with group battles and your specialized inheritance, you will be tasked with taking out the enemy support structure and backline. When all of the enemy rank 3s have been tied down by us and Mo Fan, you can strike their healers or ranged Gu masters, allowing our rank 2 battle strength to defeat theirs and support the rank 3 battles."

Nodding in response to Xie Long's words, Zhao Wen said mirthfully, "Yes, young clan leader, I will make sure to bully the weak while avoiding the strong."

Hearing an amused snort from the group of Ye clan elders, Elder Song spoke up, saying, "Elder Zhao, that's certainly an interesting way to describe your mission."

Glancing towards Xie Long to see if he wanted to say anything, Zhao Wen responded to Elder Song's mirthful comment by saying, "I endeavor to be honest about my actions."

Observing the interaction between Zhao Wen and Elder Song, Xie Long's gaunt and impassive expression seemed to slightly shift before returning to its usual state.

With the mirthful exchange between Zhao Wen and Elder Song, the serious atmosphere that had prevailed in the tent was somewhat lifted as the elders started going about their preparations for the coming night battle.

---

Moving over the dark desert floor, Zhao Wen followed the group of Xi caravan guards that he had chosen to join for this mission.

He could have chosen to join his own Ye clan forces, but they were going to coordinate with the Sand Gull beast group Elder Luo commanded, a task that required great teamwork and skill, something Zhao Wen lacked if he was going to pretend to be a rank 2 Gu master.

Thus, he decided to join the Xi caravan guards, where his lack of experience wouldn't be quite as obvious amongst the comparatively less organized and equipped caravan guards.

To an outside observer using rank 2 or rank 3 investigative methods, Zhao Wen now appeared as a rank 2 peak stage Gu master, his rank 3 aura completely concealed by the rank 3 Dark Limit Gu he had activated with all his essence before moving out.

The bandits had encamped near a large mound containing an opening leading into the ground. The hole was so large that Zhao Wen suspected it might have been caused by a rank 5 or above attack.

Returning his focus to the camp situated next to the large pit, Zhao Wen observed that the bandits seemed to have prepared decent defenses for the night, with a basic palisade made out of stone and guards periodically patrolling the area.

Turning his attention away from the bandit camp, Zhao Wen observed the expressions of the Xi caravan guards he was accompanying. It would be a lie to say that the caravan guards were excited for this mission.

Something Zhao Wen could understand—they had more or less been forcibly conscripted to fight the force that had previously all but annihilated them.

Having finished inspecting the caravan guards, Zhao Wen turned his focus toward the sky, waiting for the signal to begin the battle.

---

Seated on the saddle of his Sand Gull, Elder Song observed as the remaining Xi caravan guards and a portion of the Sand Gull troop moved up to surround the bandit camp from all sides except that of the giant pit.

The plan called for a simultaneous attack from all three flanks and from the air, with the Ye clan elders riding the hundred-beast king sand gulls to strike at the heart of the enemy camp.

Ideally, the strike would manage to isolate one of the enemy rank 3 Gu masters and eliminate them quickly before they could receive support.

But more realistically, they would tie up the enemy rank 3s and some enemy rank 2s, allowing the Xi caravan guards and Zhao Wen to clear out the rank 2 opposition.

Seeing that the Xi caravan guards had all arrived in their positions, Elder Song turned to Xie Long, waiting for him to give the signal to advance.

Observing that everyone was ready to begin, Xie Long transmitted the order to begin the attack, causing the Sand Gulls to take to the air or begin charging towards the enemy camp.