章節 28: Undeclared War
-The deeper part of Training Forest-
'What? It couldn't be...' she couldn't believe that the mysterious Aki'ko wasn't a guy but a girl. But it wasn't her first priority.
*Unnecessary fan-service* She patched her up and made sure that the bleeding stops. There's only one problem, Kiri is in critical condition.
She made a small sledge like what she saw Ai did before to carry the others. They've wandered too deep that it might take too long to get back to the main camp. She couldn't even tell what time it is due to the thickness of the fog.
'They've sent a dozen of master-ranked assassins from the Fog clan. Something big must have happened to even raise their arms against our Clan. This must be related to my father refusing to send reinforcements to the war. Their intention wasn't to capture us but to kill all of us. This could mean that they're not planning to use us to make father surrender... then they could have gathered enough force to dethrone my father of being the Commander of Black State.' With only a little information, Sha carefully analyzed the situation. She could be right but it's hard to say.
-Black Fist City-
A large army from Black Howl Clan from the north rallied their cultivators in front of the Black Fist City and made their camps. From the west, there's Fog Clan and Sting Clan from the east.
The city closed its gates and positioned every able cultivator they have to stop the upcoming war siege. Fortunately, the city is prepared for this kind of situation that they've already set up their defenses before the attackers could make their move.
Tanti, Head Leader of the Black State, is in the middle of a meeting with the elders. "It seems that the other clans made their move. I can say that betrayal is common within this realm." Calm as if nothing is happening.
"How can you remain calm in this kind of situation? Even so, it's a good thing that we prepared the city before it could get any worse. Still, I didn't expect that other clans would even consider starting an undeclared war against us considering we have the best forces. I suggest-"
"No, the last time I've been through a war, I only let the others made the plan and that is why it almost failed. I can't let that happen again and that's why the orders will come from me." The elder was stopped by Tanti.
"Deboko, I know that this isn't really a good time for the city to ask the Auction House for help but this isn't a good situation for you too. I know that you have connections within the Dark Market Guild and I hope you can lend us strong assassins against our attackers." Looking at the Auction House Leader, Deboko, Tanti sure knows how to utilize his resources.
"I've already deposited 5 million gold coins to the Dark Market Guild and the whole guild agreed to aid us. They're waiting for your orders for the right opportunity to strike. Of course, this means that the Black Fist Clan owes a huge favor with the Auction House. Just say the word." Deboko has been loyal to the Black Fist Clan as he's also part of it.
Smiling, "I'd say that's a good idea. Also, I've heard that the academy is having their training outside the city, even with my offsprings. I'd like to request for the teachers to join us to battle as well. Is that ok with you, elder Num'um?"
"You don't have to ask, Head leader. If I'm a little bit younger, I could fight with all I've got. Duno, leading the scouts, are now on their way to the training camp forest. There's a possibility that they've sent assassins knowing that your offsprings are there for their training. Please don't be worried, Wai and Shin are there." That's the spirit, elder.
"I'm sure my kids are capable enough. They might still be young but they're born warriors. I will personally assist our defenders from the north gate and I'm sure you're not going to let me but I made up my mind. I WILL KILL ALL OF THEM AND BURN THEIR CITIES TO THE GROUND!"
-Road to Training Camp, East of Sting City-
Duno left the city together with the Protector of the Princess and... Su'e. They're the group blessed by Nin's master. Su'e, on the other hand, refused to let Duno go without her and because the city is in a tough situation, Duno decided to bring Su'e with him.
'I hope we get there on time. I trust Nin's ability but Ai... he's an idiot most of the time but I know he can survive.' Duno is really worried but they couldn't rush more as they might get detected by the Sting scouts. Thankfully, most of the able warriors from all the clans are camped around the Fist City.
It only took them half a day to reach the training camp with horses. They rode like the wind with no rest.
"Sir, it seems that the forest is now covered with fog. It must be the doing of the Fog Clan's assassins..." Even the entrance of the forest is covered with fog.
"I can see that but seeing that the forest still covered in fog, that also means that their mission is not done yet. This is a good sign. Guard up." Duno and the others entered the forest. They couldn't rush ahead due to the fog and the trees so their progress was slow, even so, it's faster than by foot.
-The deeper part of Training Camp Forest-
*Huff Huff*
The graceful and beautiful Sha is now about to pass out from carrying those people whose lives are in danger. She couldn't even fix her hair swaying down and sticky due to sweat. Her lips are dry as she couldn't bring water after the attack happened and the only thing in her mind right now was to survive. Her palms covered in bruises dragging a rough rope made of tree bark that connects to the sledge she made from the wood and twigs she gathered around. Her uniform, being a long dress, now was torn up above her knees to move easier. The sacrifice she's doing by herself, she realized that she was living in differnet world inside the city unlike the world of war and death. She couldn't stop crying while biting her lips to avoid her mouth from opening and making a sound.
Sensing another presence nearby after she heard a rustling sound not far from here, her instinct made her hide behind a tree while leaving the others. She did everything she could and dying with the others would be worse. Sha couldn't even look back at her comrades... She heard them getting near, they rushed ahead to check the sledge. 'I'm sorry... I'm sorry...' Sha said to herself as she couldn't do anything but hide.
"Shit! It's them! Leader! Get over here!" Somehow, Sha heard a familiar voice but while she's having second thoughts of looking back, she decided to get a glimpse and...
She cried so much that she couldn't even stand anymore. It wasn't a cry for help or sorrow but the cry of relief after seeing Ai coming...
-Hours have passed-
The darkness has come and even the light of the night doesn't want to shine on them. Ai and the others are now at their camp with the others who are injured.
Still, Ai couldn't believe that Nin would be in this state. 'If even Kin couldn't handle them, then our best course of action is to leave this area. There's a chance that we could meet more of them in an open area... but we don't have a choice. Staying here is not an option. We couldn't even find the teachers...' Ai has finally made up his mind.
Sha told them what happened after she calmed down. They couldn't move on as the others are severely injured and first aid won't save them. Thankfully, Ai brought high-quality medicine he bought from the Fist City before heading out. Still, they have to at least rest before leaving because it takes days to reach the Fist City by foot.
Somehow, Ai heard something. The sound gets louder and louder. 'Horses traveling at a slow pace, they definitely came from the entrance. It couldn't be the enemies. Sting clan couldn't afford horses due to drylands... it must be reinforcements.' Ai analyzed the situation pretty well. Still, he needs to be sure. "Wu'of, I know you've already sensed them, could you check those riders from the south?"
Standing and getting ready, "Sure, that's why I'm here." Releasing Qi, he once again used his heightened senses.
*SWOOOOSH SWOOOOSH* Moving so fast across the forest, Wu'of rushed south to check the riders out and to his surprise, it was the scouts from the Black Fist Clan.
"Halt! Who goes there?!" Duno, leading the scouts, warned the person from getting close.
"My name is Wu'of. I'm a student of the Black Fist Academy. We were ambushed and we couldn't find our teachers... Only a few of us survived-"
Worriedly rushed towards him, he grabbed his arms and asked, "Did you see... are Ai and Kin safe?"
To Wu'of's surprise, why would someone from Black Fist Clan asked for the safety of someone like Ai and a nobody? "They're safe, Kiri and Sha are also safe."
*SIGH* Duno let out a sigh of relief.
-Ai's Team Camp-
Wu'of led them to their little camp.
Arriving at the place, it was a dreadful sight for Duno as Kin and the others are injured but are doing well now.
Feeling relieved, "Old man, you're late. We need to get out of here soon and..." Ai saw the horses, with their numbers, he knew they could get out of here fast. But that's not what made him stop from talking.
Su'e jumped from the horse and hugged Ai. "Jeez, is the situation in the city that bad that you have to bring Su'e here?" Patting Su'e in the head.
"You know, you're still ungrateful as ever but you're right. The city surrounded by cultivators from the other clans. Head Leader is still hoping that we could defend the city but it will be hard. For now, we have to leave this place." Knowing that Nin easily defeated his whole squad in combat, Duno knew that they won't stand a chance against those assassins so their only choice is to leave the place.
Ai, knowing that the others are still unconscious, he used his magic ring to store them inside. Hopefully, they won't wake up too soon as he hasn't cleaned the room inside his magic ring.
Riding slowly, they are now traveling towards the south.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票